Drilling operations on the Kyalla 117 N2-1H ST2 well were successfully completed
Falcon Oil & Gas farms-out part of Australian project. (Credit: Gerd Altmann from Pixabay)
Falcon Oil & Gas announced that its c. 98% subsidiary, Falcon Oil & Gas Australia Limited (“Falcon Australia”), has executed an agreement which includes a restated Farm-Out Agreement and Joint Operating Agreement (collectively “the Agreements”) with Origin Energy B2 Pty Ltd., a subsidiary of Origin Energy Limited (“Origin”) to farm down 7.5% of Falcon Australia’s 30% participating interest (“PI”) in the Exploration Permits in the Beetaloo Sub-basin, Northern Territory, Australia (“the Permits”). Falcon and Origin are obligated to seek the Northern Territory government and TSXV stock exchange approvals, in respect of the Agreements.
Transaction details
With the necessary approvals, the PI of the respective JV partners will be:Falcon Australia 22.5%
Origin 77.5%
In consideration of Falcon Australia transferring 7.5% of its PI, Origin will increase the gross cost cap of the work program by A$150.5 million.
The previous farm-in arrangement included a Stage 2 gross cost cap of A$65.3 million and a Stage 3 gross cost cap of A$48 million, or A$113.3 million in total. Under the Agreements, the Stage 2 and Stage 3 gross cost caps will be combined and increased by A$150.5 million to A$263.8 million (the “Overall Cost Cap”),
This Overall Cost Cap will be applied to the completion of the Stage 2 and Stage 3 work programmes.
Amounts of the Overall Cost Cap not utilised during Stage 2 and Stage 3 will be applied to future work programmes.
Expenditure above the Overall Cost Cap will be borne by the JV partners in proportion to their PI.
Origin will assume 25% of the cost of Falcon Australia’s remaining call option to reduce the overriding royalties with the TOG Group. The cost to Falcon Australia, should it wish to exercise the call option, will reduce from US$7.5 million to US$5.625 million, in line with its reduced PI.
Operational Update
Drilling operations on the Kyalla 117 N2-1H ST2 well (“Kyalla Well”) were successfully completed in February 2020, reaching a total measured depth of 3,809 metres, including a 1,579-metre lateral section (from 90 degrees) in the Lower Kyalla Formation. Water impact monitoring bore drilling was completed in March and final preparatory work continues ahead of the next stage of operations. On 26 March, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Origin confirmed forward operations in the Beetaloo had been temporarily paused. As a result, Origin expects a delay to the Kyalla Well stimulation and extended production test of at least 3 months to now occur in H2 2020, and the drilling of the Velkerri Flank well in H1 2021.
Philip O’Quigley, CEO of Falcon commented:
“Falcon Australia’s farm down of 7.5% of its PI in the Permits for a further gross cost cap of A$150.5 million, provides Falcon with additional funding that can be applied to the completion of the Stage 2 and Stage 3 work programmes. It also demonstrates Origin’s continued commitment to the Beetaloo Sub-basin. This farm down together with Falcon’s unaudited cash reserves of US$11.5 million at 31 March 2020 leaves us well positioned to participate in the future upside potential of the Beetaloo. We look forward to updating the market as soon as operations recommence in the Beetaloo.”
Source: Company Press Release