Tri-Valley has re-started the production on five existing wells in the Racetrack Hill Area of the Edison Field near Bakersfield, California in eastern Kern County. Two additional existing wells in the area are expected to re-start production after the completion of repairs by the end of June 2010.
Tri-Valley holds a 100% working interest and an 87.5% net revenue interest on the three parcel leasehold known as the Claflin Lease.
The Claflin Lease was evaluated earlier this year by an independent petroleum engineer who estimates that the total gross proved reserves are 2.3 million barrels (100%) and that Tri-Valley’s interest in these proved oil reserves is 2 million barrels (87.5%).
The reserves are contained in two productive oil zones located at relatively shallow depths ranging between 650ft and 750ft sub-surface. Per well production rates from these same two zones on acreage adjacent to Claflin average 15 barrels per day and Tri-Valley expects to generate similar production from the seven wells.
Maston Cunningham, president & CEO of Tri-Valley, said: “The re-start of production at Claflin represents a significant operational milestone for Tri-Valley for several reasons.
“First, by the end of June, we expect to be generating gross production of approximately 100 barrels per day, which should significantly improve our second quarter top line performance, especially considering our large ownership interest in Claflin.
“Second, we expect to further increase daily production through the introduction of cyclic steam injection into some of these seven wells later this month.
“Third, the re-start validates the investment we are planning for the drilling of 20 new wells at Claflin under permits already received from the California Department of Oil & Gas and Geothermal Resources.”