CPR Crown Energy-July 7 2016 PDF
CPR Crown Energy-July 7 2016 PDF
Andreas Forssell
CEO
Crown Energy AB
Norrlandsgatan 18
SE-111-43 Stockholm
Sweden
The undersigned independent Competent Person, registered by the Society of Petroleum Engineers
(SPE) No 0357319, has read the Competent Persons Report (CPR) attached particularly the companys
resource statements and confirms that they are in accordance with the internationally recognized
standards definitions and guidelines set forth in the 2007 Petroleum Resources Management System
(PRMS) approved by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). In compliance with these standards the
reader should note that no hydrocarbon volumes referenced in this CPR can be categorised at the time
of writing as reserves. Dunmore Consulting (DC or ourselves) has not been tasked with nor attempted
to verify the mathematical correctness of any calculations executed by Crown Energy AB (Crown or the
Company) or any third parties on its behalf and cited in this CPR.
William Dunmore
This review is based on data and reports provided by Crown. The content of this CPR and the estimates
of potential resources, unrisked and risked values are based on seismic, exploration and test well data,
and other geological data provided to us by the Company including valuable work by Peter Mikkelsen
- Exploration Manger Crown Energy AB and by ERC Equipoise and Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.
(NSAI). The Company provided us with all relevant and available data at the time of the drafting of this
CPR. We have accepted, without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of this data
and that it has been provided in good faith by the relevant organisations.
As part of our work we did not undertake a site visit to inspect the Companys exploration assets, as
we did not consider that such an inspection would reveal information or data that would be material
in the preparation of this CPR. This statement does not apply to the Iraqi PSC where a site visit could
be very relevant but unfortunately is not possible given the current security situation.
All interpretations and conclusions presented herein are opinions based on inferences from geological,
geophysical, engineering or other data. The report represents Dunmore Consultings best professional
judgement and should not be considered a guarantee of results. Our liability is limited solely to the
Company as set out in the letter of engagement.
Dunmore Consulting have not conducted any legal due diligence as to the Companys title to the
properties, hydrocarbons, or revenues discussed in this CPR; nor whether or not the various production
and exploration contracts, licences or permits have been properly granted or accepted by the relevant
authorities. Dunmore Consulting provides no warranty as to the veracity of the contents of this report.
Dunmore Consulting has undertaken this work in good faith however any party wishing to take further
interest in these properties should carry out its own due diligence.
Mr William John Dunmore has a B.Sc in Physics/Chemistry from University College London (1969-72)
and a M.Sc. in Petroleum Reservoir Engineering from Imperial College London (1976-77). He has been
constantly been engaged in multiple aspects of the oil industry from exploration to development and
production since 1972. He is qualified in reserves estimation and classification, petrophysics and audit
techniques using both deterministic and probabilistic methods and economic analysis. He has been an
independent petroleum engineering consultant since 1986 with particular emphasis on reserves
assessment and commerciality since 1992. He has been a full and active member of the SPE since 1976.
Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. was established in 1961 and has offices in Dallas and Houston,
Texas. They provide high quality reliable services to the worldwide petroleum industry that include
reserves reports and audits, acquisition and divestiture evaluations, simulation studies, exploration
resources assessments, equity determinations, and management and advisory services.
ERC Equipoise (ERCE) is a well reputed independent consultancy specialising in geoscience evaluation,
reservoir engineering and economics assessment. Headquartered in London and with an Asia-Pacific
office based in Singapore the in-house team comprises of Geoscience, Engineering, Petrophysics and
Economics professionals. ERCE supports E&P companies, the finance community and legal institutions
in their technical projects, reserves and resource audits, commercial studies and dispute processes
worldwide.
The reader should note that this document is split into geographical areas. Each section follows a
similar (but non-identical format). This format matches that recommended by ESMA (European
Securities and Markets Authority). A brief summary of the resource estimates for the Companys
properties are as follows (all volumes are Estimated Ultimate Recoveries - EUR in MMbbls for the mid
or P50 oil (rather than gas) case):
* At time of writing Crown equity in Block 2B is 40.5% but will reduce to 10% on approval from the
South African authorities of a commercial transaction undertaken in 2015. This summary table shows
the expected outturn. Full details of the current and expected positions can be found in sections 9.1
& 9.2 of this CPR.
** Crown has stated to Dunmore Consulting that this CPR reflects the latest legal interpretations of
the existing PSC and includes what is believed to be the correct commercial split with the Salah ad-
Din Regional Governorate. In the definitions of the PSC, it is stated that the Regional Governorate
may have up to 40% working interest depending on contractual obligations. Crown's working interest
(WI) in the license is therefore now believed to be 60%, with the Regional Governorate having the
remaining 40% interest. Previously (May 2015 CPR) it was understood that Crown had a 100%
working interest. These terms are under discussion with the Salah ad-Din Governorate as part of the
ongoing work to clarify certain aspects of the existing PSC. A 7% royalty payment is understood to be
payable and has NOT been deducted from the net WI volumes shown for the Iraqi EUR volumes
above. A summary of these terms is provided in section 10.1 of this document.
These WI volumes do not represent Crowns entitlement to hydrocarbons due to the effect of the
various fiscal and contractual terms and any royalties which might be payable see N.B. below.
N.B. Entitlement to oil and gas field revenues is not on a simple pro rata basis to the WI in many
jurisdictions. It may thus be misleading to sum EURs from separate blocks and regions using the
respective working interests.
This is the fifth CPR to be released by Crown. It is prepared to support a revised corporate Prospectus
to be issued in 2Q 2016. The first was prepared by Dunmore Consulting and published on 15th June
2012 and addressed three geographical areas. The second by NSAI was dated 5th June 2012 and was
published by Crown on 14th September 2012 on Block 2B alone. The third was prepared by Dunmore
Consulting and published on 19th March 2013. The fourth prepared by Dunmore Consulting was
published on May 12th 2015.
1. Legal Overview
1.1. Production Sharing Contract (PSC)
In the 4th qtr 2012 Crown purchased the 5% participating interest previously held by DNO
ASA in the Block P Production Sharing Contract, Equatorial Guinea. The PSC effective date
was 17 April 2003. In the first two sub periods of the Initial Exploration Period of 4 years the
joint venture, operated by Devon Energy Corp. (as Ocean Energy) purchased 940 km of 3D
seismic data and drilled 5 exploration wells (including one sidetrack) satisfying the
exploration commitments. Exploration and appraisal drilling and the 3D seismic served to
define the Venus oilfield accumulation which was declared commercial in August 2007. At
that point GEPetrol purchased Ocean's Equatorial Guinea's 38% interest and became the
group Operator. Subsequent work has focussed on refining the definition of exploration
leads and prospects, extending the Venus Provisional Development Area to cover leads and
prospects outside the Venus area and designing a revised Venus development plan with the
flexibility to incorporate any future resources that may be defined by future exploration
drilling. An amendment to the PSC was signed in 2011 recognising the commercial status of
the field and providing the parties with time extensions to the PSC to allow for the ongoing
development planning and approval processes. In May 2013 the Ministry agreed to the
Provisional Discovery Area (PDA) including the Venus accumulation and additional leads and
prospects (Second Amendment to the PSC). The PDA will be held as a Development
Concession with a 25 year duration.
It should be stated that there is uncertainty as to the exact status of the licence governing
the PDA area and if and when the Development and Production Period has commenced.
This 25 year period is believed by Crown to probably have commenced on 14 May 2013.
Discussions are ongoing between the JV and the authorities (Ministry of Mines, Industry and
Energy (MMIE)) at time of writing to clarify the situation. For clarity, Crown only has an
interest in the Block P PDA area.
The Ministry is now considering a Co-Operatorship between our Licence Partners Vaalco
Energy and GEpetrol. Subsequent to this being implemented it is expected that the JV will
submit a development and production plan for the Venus field to the Ministry.
Abandonment provisions require the establishment of a fund sourced from production
revenues to cover the field abandonment operations.
The commercial terms comprise a sliding scale Royalty based on gross production rates
(10%-16%), Cost Recovery from 70% of the remaining production, a sliding scale Profit Oil
allocation based on total cumulative production (90% to Contractor up to 25 MMBO) and a
25% Corporate Income Tax. Annual rentals and training costs are payable in addition to
modest ($US2MM-$US10MM) bonus payments triggered by sustained production rate
milestones.
Past costs to date are reported by GEPetrol to have been audited and approved by GEPetrol
at $US144.5 million. The GEPetrol 20% carried interest portion has made no contribution to
these expenditures to date and the PSC and JOA allow the parties to recover the costs they
funded on GEPetrol's behalf after GEPetrol 20% Interest have recovered their development
costs.
2. Geological Overview
The block is located in the Rio Muni offshore basin in the south-central portion of the West
Africa passive margin to the north and on trend with the Hess Ceiba and Okume field
complex (500-600 MMBORec). The main Africa/South America rifting began in this zone in
the latest Aptian/earliest Albian periods with subsidence, basinward tilting and marine
incursion from the south. Pulses of uplift and transform fault activation punctuated the post
rift passive margin drift stages of the Upper Cretaceous and Tertiary periods. During these
periods submarine canyons and fans eroded and built out from the coastal margins
depositing turbidite sandstone systems along the continental margin.
The Venus wells defined a 550 acre, fan-shaped, stratigraphically trapped, Campanian aged
(Upper Cretaceous) sandstone reservoir section deposited in a submarine canyon or turbidite
system with a maximum gross thickness of the order of 200 feet with a net to gross ratio of
around 85%. The accumulation has a clear direct hydrocarbon indicator anomaly (Class 2
AVO) visible on the 3D seismic data recorded over the field. Although not tested the electric
log data combined with pressure measurement and fluid sampling and the seismic AVO
mapping provide a relatively high level of confidence in the likely range of reservoir
properties and in-place hydrocarbon resources. Fluid samples from wireline formation tests
confirmed high quality 30o API oil with low paraffins and asphaltenes. Average effective
porosity above the oil/water contact is estimated to be 25%, oil saturation 70% and
permeabilities based on MDT transient analyses range between 10 and 6000 millidarcies.
The water depth in the area of the field is of the order of 800 feet. The Venus reservoir has
been determined to be of excellent quality, capable of high flow rates.
These volumes in the absence of well testing and in the absence of an approved
development plan represent an estimated range of Contingent Resources within the
approved Venus Provisional Discovery Area ("PDA")
Further leads and prospects have been defined by the Operator. The joint venture has
requested that the PDA be extended to include certain of these features which when
promoted to prospect status may provide locations for future exploration, appraisal and
development projects potentially augmenting and extending the field life of the planned
Venus development facilities.
It should be noted that the value of production from PSC regimes is generally impacted
less by oil price fluctuations than that originating from tax and royalty areas due to the
inverse relation of the entitlement volume and oil price.
3.7. Exploration
The current operator carries has documented six exploration prospects/leads within the PDA
area, the largest of which are - Marte and SW Grande (GEPetrol, June 2014) . The gross total
P50 unrisked volumes associated with these prospects/leads adds to 142 mmbo.
Crown has done no independent work on these assets and the Prospective Resources
quoted are Operator figures.
Prior exploration costs are assessed by GEPetrol to total $US144.5 million expended over the
period 2003-2012 yielding an average annual expenditure of $US16 million per year by the
joint venture.
3.9. Infrastructure
There are now several major offshore oil development projects in Equatorial Guinea
including Hess's Ceiba and Okume Complex, Exxon's Zafiro Complex, Marathons Alba Field,
and Noble's Aseng, Belinda and Benita complex. All field facilities will be located offshore
and onshore support facilities can therefore be relatively easily established.
4. Legal Overview
The project is based on a Production Sharing Contract with sliding scale royalties and profit
share depending on the level of daily oil production. At <50mbopd, the maximum royalty is
10% and contractor profit share is 55-70%. Cost recovery is available from 60% of revenues
after royalty. There is no corporation tax liable. The PSC also stipulates annual training fees
of $US50,000 and Administration Fees of $US100,000. Production bonuses are payable on
achievement of 25,000 BOPD ($US1MM), 50,000 BOPD ($US 1.5MM) and 100,000 BOPD
$US2.5MM,
On 2-Mar-16, Crown signed "Avenant No.5 with OMNIS (the regulating oil & gas authority).
This extended the Manja Licence 3108 for a 4 year period until 14-Nov-2019. In the first
two years of this period (until 14-Nov-2017), the work programme was agreed to comprise
the acquisition of an FTG (full tensor gravity) and aeromagnetic survey, followed by an
optional 2D seismic programme. In the second two year phase (14-Nov-17 to 14-Nov-19) a
further work programme was agreed to comprise the drilling of one firm well plus two
optional wells.
The Financial Commitment for the first two year extension is set at $2 million and if the
second extension is entered, the financial commitment is renewed also for $2 million.
Current Activity: on 17-Mar-16 three companies were invited to tender for the FTG survey,
with bids requested for 15-Apr-16. Three bids have been received and Crown will make a
decision on the bids during May, with the aim of acquiring the data during July/August.
5. Geological Overview
The Morondava Basin is best known for the large, exhumed oil fields of heavy, shallow
crude at Tsimiroro and Bemolanga that lie at the northern edge of the basin. The reservoir
for these accumulations is the Permo-Triassic Isalo sandstones, a fluvial deposit within the
regional Karroo system. Rich, lacustrine source rocks of the Middle Sakamena (Permian)
underlie the reservoir and probably generated most of the oil during deepest burial in the
late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous. Subsequent uplift, culminating in the Mid Tertiary,
unroofed the covering strata, leaving these fields within a few hundred metres of the
surface.
Within the main part of the Morondava Basin, the Karroo system underlies a relatively
thick, preserved cover of the Cretaceous and Jurassic, such that the Sakamena source rock
is generally over-mature and the overlying Isalo reservoirs often tight and deeper than most
wells have drilled (only 4 wells have penetrated the Upper Isalo, mostly in structurally
doubtful locations). However, several wells have encountered the younger Liassic shales of
the Andafia Formation, which have good TOCs (2-5%) and are currently in the wet to dry gas
window.
In the Manja Block, burial is less deep, particularly over the North Manja horst trend, while
a significant unconformity in the earliest Jurassic appears to have removed much of the less
prospective Upper Isalo section. Therefore, the better Lower Isalo (I) sands are expected to
underlie and be sealed and sourced by Andafia Shales, lying within the late oil to early gas
Prospective Resources:
The seismic database comprises 2D data from three campaigns. About 2,000 km is old 1970s
data, used original processing and was mostly of poor quality, a further 2,000 km is of 1980s
vintage vibroseis, reprocessed in 2007; the data quality is fair to good. The final 218 km is
dynamite sourced, acquired in 2007 and processed in 2008; the quality is fair.
Prior to Crown acquiring the Amicoh holding, only a basic interpretation had been made,
together with some regional work. To properly understand the source rock potential and
timing of hydrocarbon generation and migration Crown undertook a full geophysical
interpretation, including depth conversion, together with the requisite basin modelling.
The depth conversion was achieved by gridding up average velocities then multiplying the
TWT map and then flexed to tie the wells using the previous miss-tie map. An inherent
problem with this approach onshore is the lack of knowledge of the thickness and velocity of
the sediments overlying the seismic datum. There was also an absence of knowledge of
seismic processing employed for the various 2D surveys. After considering a layer cake
method, it was deemed that this was likely to introduce too many errors, since there was
limited time/depth velocity data from the wells. Therefore a single depth average function
was used fitted to the well control points.
The risking indicates that for the Ambatalova prospect, reservoir quality is the prime risk, due
to current depth of burial (3300m to 4160m). Source (due to lack of detailed regional
analysis available) and seal (due to absence of well penetrations pre-Mid Jurassic) are the
main secondary risks. The quality of the two seismic lines near the proposed well location
means that there is a good confidence in the structure and the timing relative to hydrocarbon
migration. Sifaka is now interpreted to consist of both a substantial thickness of Isalo section
over an extensive area. However it is a higher risk prospect, because of seal and timing of the
hydrocarbon migration which probably occurred when there was little cover over the
structure to form an effective trap. The risks have been quantified by Crown and are
tabulated below. Sub Kazo is a much smaller lower relief structure which is mainly mapped
on the top Isalo. As such it displays less of the "buried hill" aspect compared to Ambatolava,
The Prospective Resources shown have been estimated using probabilistic methods and are
dependent on a petroleum discovery being made. If a discovery is made and development is
undertaken, the probability that the recoverable volumes will equal or exceed the unrisked
estimated amounts is 90% for the low estimate, 50% for the best estimate, and 10% for the
high estimate. As recommended in the PRMS and tabulated below, the low, best, and high
estimate prospective resources have been aggregated by arithmetic summation; therefore,
these totals may be considered conservative as they do not include the portfolio effect that
might result from statistical aggregation.
The remapping of Ambatalova (previously N Manja) and Sub Kazo and the mapping of Sifaka
was undertaken by Crown staff and their associates during late 2012. The Isalo prospects
previously carried in the Betsimba area were considerably smaller post this reinterpretation
and depth conversion cycle. While closures still existed they were deep and not on
favourable migration paths and hence have been removed as viable prospects. Dunmore
Consulting has reviewed this work without conducting a full technical audit of it. Dunmore
Consulting considers that Crown and its associates have made significant progress in their
understanding of the area from this work since the previous CPR was issued. No additional
work has taken place since the May 2015 CPR was issued.The prospective resource volumes
were calculated for the prospects at 100% gross ownership unrisked as follows:
Crown assigned the following geologic risk factors (decimal) to these structures:
Crown considers it premature to estimate potential value of the project at this time.
6.9. Infrastructure
Not applicable to an exploration block.
Crown Energy has warranted to Dunmore Consulting that the closing contours of all accumulations
used to estimate all volumes quoted in this CPR lie within the Block 3108 boundary shown in black on
the map above. There is a less than 10% chance that the ultimate largest possible area of the Sifaka
prospect may lie outwith the Block boundary. The hydrocarbon volumes associated with such a case
would be in excess of the Max case tabulated earlier.
Crown Energy have identified certain potential structures (known as leads which are delineated in royal
blue) of Jurassic age and which have not been assigned any resources.
7. Legal Overview
7.1. Exploration Right & Joint Operating Agreement (JOA)
Block 2B comprises an area of 4358.8 km2 in water depths ranging up to in excess of 250m.
The project is subject an Exploration Right contract awarded in April 2011 based on the Tax
and Royalty regime of South Africa. Royalty is based on profits and ranges from 0.5% to 5%.
Corporation tax is levied at 29%. A capital uplift is applied allowing 200% of exploration costs
and 150% of production costs to be expensed for tax calculations. Operating expenditures are
expensed for tax calculations. State participation terms provide a 10% participating interest
to PetroSA which is carried through the exploration phase. A Black Economic Empowerment
equity is provided to PetroSA.
Thombo, formerly Q venture Development (South Africa) Ltd, is the Operator of and owns a
34.5% working interest (WI) in Block 2B and Afren through its wholly owned subsidiary Main
Street 840 (Pty) Limited owns a 25% working interest. Afren farmed in to Block 2B in October
2011 and joined the Thombo Exploration Right (9 year exploration period). To earn its 25%
working interest, Afren agreed to pay past costs up to $US 0.75 million and to acquire a 600
km2 3D seismic survey over the A-J1 Prospect. Crown currently holds a 40.5% WI.
In 2015 several transactions were initiated that has resulted in Africa Energy Corp. ("Africa
Energy") entering the Licence. The net result is that going forward the Joint Venture will
comprise Africa Energy (90% Operator) and Crown (10%). These transactions are awaiting final
approval from the South African authorities, which is expected in 2016. On 17th December
2015, Crown announced the signing of a farm-out agreement with Africa Energy. Crown will
retain a 10% interest with the costs of drilling and, if applicable, testing of the next exploration
well to be funded by Africa Energy.
The 9 year exploration phase of the Exploration Right is divided into a first period of 3 years
in which 684 km2 of 3D seismic data has been recorded, processed and interpreted, a second
period of 2 years with a technical assessment work programme and provision for a further
two year extension, subject to an agreed work programme. The current status is that
following acreage relinquishment the second period of two years exploration rights was
granted commencing on 13th March 2015 with a total 2 year JV budget of US$1.04 million.
8. Geological Overview
Block 2B is located in the Orange Basin, offshore South Africa which comprises a series of Late
Jurassic to Early Cretaceous age synrift depositional sequences overlain by Early Cretaceous
to present postrift depositional sequences in a passive, divergent margin setting. The Orange
basin extends from the Kudu Arch in the north to the Columbine-Agulhas Arch in the south
and was filled by sediments sourced from the paleo-Orange and Olifants rivers. This basin is
considered underexplored because of limited well control (only 30 wells in an approximately
130,000 km2 basin) and only two significant hydrocarbon discoveries to date (Kudu and
Ibhubesi gas fields) and the unappraised, oil discovery (A-J1Prospect) located in Block 2B. The
Work to recalculate the potential of this block was commissioned by the JV following a 3D
seismic survey completed in April 2013 and initially interpreted by November 2013;
significant further technical work has been carried out by the operator during 2014 and 2015.
The work was independently reviewed by ERC Equipoise ("ERCE") and this resulted in the
publication of a comprehensive independent audit report in June 2015 that covered the
resources associated with the A-J1 oil discovery and adjacent exploration potential.
Additional exploration potential is recognised within the 3D area but evaluation of this is not
complete and is considered as work in progress.
The leads/prospects quantified by NSAI outwith the 3D area, in the northern part of the block
are retained as Prospective Resources
As stated above in the future Crown expect to have a 10% equity interest in the licence and
thus the net volumes would be reduced accordingly from a 40.5% to a 10% share as shown
below.
It should be understood that the Prospective Resources discussed and shown herein are
those undiscovered, speculative resources estimated beyond reserves or Contingent
Resources where geological and geophysical data suggest the potential for discovery of
petroleum but where the level of proof is insufficient for classification as reserves or
Contingent Resources. The unrisked Prospective Resources shown in this report are the
range of volumes that could reasonably be expected to be recovered in the event of the
discovery and development of these prospects and leads.
The work undertaken by Thombo & ERCE has documented four prospects with Prospective
Resource potential.
The estimated oil in place and resources volumes for these prospects 438-430, S2C, S2A & S1
are tabulated below together with the 3 North Graben prospects as documented in the
previous CPR.
ESTIMATES OF UNDISCOVERED OOIP AND UNRISKED GROSS (100 PERCENT) PROSPECTIVE OIL
RESOURCES
BLOCK 2B, OFFSHORE SOUTH AFRICA
Current Crown Energy @ W.I. of 40.5% Expected Crown Energy @ W.I. of 10.0%
Prospective Oil Resources (MMBBL) Prospective Oil Resources (MMBBL)
Prospect or Lead/ Low Best High Low Best High
Reservoir Estimate Estimate Estimate Estimate Estimate Estimate
438430 3.2 7.3 15.4 0.8 1.8 3.8
S2C 4.1 12.6 33.2 1.0 3.1 8.2
S2A 6.9 19.8 45.0 1.7 4.9 11.1
S1 5.7 17.8 45.4 1.4 4.4 11.2
N. Graben L-1 19.6 28.3 40.8 4.8 7.0 10.1
N. Graben L-2 16.5 24.1 35.0 4.1 6.0 8.6
N. Graben L-3 23.7 33.9 48.4 5.8 8.4 12.0
Total 79.6 143.7 263.1 19.7 35.5 65.0
As already stated in the future Crown expect to have a 10% equity interest in the licence and
thus the net volumes would be reduced accordingly from a 40.5% to a 10% share as shown
above.
9.10. Infrastructure
Not applicable to an exploration block.
The PSC terms are very similar to many functioning within the industry worldwide, in
particular in the adjacent Kurdistan area. There are certain aspects of the wording of the
current PSC that require clarification and perhaps modification to reflect the recent and
current market conditions. Discussions are ongoing with the Regional Government to try to
resolve these. For example, in the definitions of the PSC, it is stated that the Regional
Governorate may have up to 40% working interest depending on contractual obligations.
This reflects the Companys legal interpretations of the existing PSC and includes what is
believed to be the commercial split with the Salah ad-Din Regional Governorate when taking
into account the likely Regional Governorate interest. The commercial split is an example of
the terms that are under discussion with the Salah ad-Din Governorate as part of the
ongoing work to clarify certain aspects of the existing PSC. This CPR reflects Crowns best
understanding of the split between the contractor, i.e. Crown Energy and the Salah ad-Din
Governorate. Crown's working interest (WI) in the license is now believed to be 60%, with
the Regional Governorate having the remaining 40% interest. Previously (May 2015 CPR) it
was understood that Crown had a 100% working interest.
In brief overview Crown believes the commercial terms comprise a Royalty based on gross
production rates (7%) of crude oil and non associated gas. Cost Recovery is from 60% of the
remaining Available Petroleum. A sliding scale of Profit Oil allocation is based on total
cumulative production and costs. Annual environmental and training costs are payable (US$
150,000 each during the exploration period) in addition to bonus payments ($US7.5MM-
$US20MM) triggered by cumulative oil and gas production milestones.
The first sub-period of the PSC runs from 29th September 2011 until 29th September 2018
and has a 70km 2D seismic (US$2m) and 1 exploration well (US$7m) work obligation. The
second sub-period of the PSC runs until 29th September 2021 and has an optional 2D or 3D
seismic and 1 exploration well (US$7m) obligation.
Whilst technical and historic data available to the Company and ourselves is very limited it is
clear that significant hydrocarbon deposits are present within the PSC area.
Ajeel Field: the central Iraq government oil company is known to have been operating and
producing hydrocarbons at the Ajeel Field until June-14. Since then we understand that
operations ceased and that the current position of the central government is that the
province is entitled to jurisdiction over the field.
East Baghdad Field: this field straddles the border with the Baghdad province, where the
central government has previously engaged in various service contract negotiations to
produce the reserves. It is understood these were not concluded, but that production has
been taking place, operated by the central government oil company. Crown has no
knowledge of whether these activities have extended into the area of the field lying within
Salah ad-Din.
Hamrin Field: this field straddles the border with Ta'mim (Kirkuk) province. Crown believes
that the boundary is defined by the crest of a prominent limestone ridge, which can be
clearly seen on Google Earth and is corroborated by a UN map. However, we have also seen
maps which place the border slightly to the south of this. Whichever is correct, the majority
of the field and most of the wells drilled lie within Salah ad-Din. Crown is not aware of any
production activities having taken place in Hamrin since its licence award.
Pulkhana Field: this field lies close to the border with Sulaimaniyah province, which is part of
autonomous Kurdistan. There appears to be some dispute regarding the actual border and
Crown is aware that the Kurdistan government (KRG) had previously issued a field appraisal
licence for Pulkhana to Shamarran Corp. They drilled and tested a well during 2011/12, but
were unable to agree terms with the KRG to progress to development. The licence has since
been rescinded and reports that a new one may have been issued to TPAO have not been
substantiated.
The Mesopotamian Sub-basin (sometimes known as the central Iraq Sub-basin) lies between
the Ahu Jir Zone lo the southwest and the Makhul Zone to the northeast. It is formed by
Typically for the region the identified fields within the PSC have multiple source rocks
(Paleocene, Cretaceous, Jurassic, Triassic) and multiple reservoirs (Miocene to Jurassic). They
consist mainly of fractured carbonates with often excellent evaporite and shale top seals.
Five of Iraq's seven so-called super-giant oil fields holding proven reserves greater than 5
billion barrels are located in the south of Iraq, accounting for 60 percent of the country's
total proven reserves and the bulk of production. Fields are typically smaller in the central
and northern parts of Iraq, with the exception of the East Baghdad field in the central region
and the Kirkuk field in the north of the country.
The PSC is extremely underexplored with very few exploration wells drilled.
Ajeel
The structure is an anticline immediately in front (southwest) of the main Hamrin North
thrust and is illustrated as such by Al-Naqib (1960) albeit at the time undrilled. Al-Naqib's
maps show the anticlinal axis as an arcuate feature around 20km in length from surface
mapping. The central parts of the structure are gas bearing to the base of the reservoir, with
oil reservoired around the rim. Drill sites evident in Google Earth suggest the main structure
is approx. 20x5km in size and the distribution of drill-sites indicate development is focussed
on the oil rim. A northwest culmination although less well-defined is evident from a string of
5 drill sites which appears to be approx. 10km long. The main reservoirs are in the Jeribe
and Euphrates.
Production actually commenced in 1998 with 4 million barrels produced during that year
(approximately 10,950 BOPD). A redevelopment programme reported to be in progress in
2009 (Al-Obeidi, DG, NOC, Iraq Oil Forum interview 2009) had resulted in production rates of
25,000 bopd by early 2012, (Hamid Abdelrizak al-Saadi, GM, NOC, Iraq Business News, Feb
2012) with rates of 35,000 anticipated in 2013. A subsequent development phase is planned
to raise production to 70,000b/d. Drive mechanism is reported to be gas cap expansion and
solution gas drive with no significant water drive detected.
Balad
Initial production in 1988 was less than 10,000 BOPD according to Al-Qayim (2010).
According to Anaz (2012) pilot production from four wells in the 1980s was only between
1000 and 2000 bopd.
East Baghdad
The structure is a NW trending anticline with three culminations over a block faulted
basement feature 65km long. At least 10 fault block compartments are present. There are
reports that some fault blocks" are flower structures suggesting strike slip faulting. The
structure was defined by seismic with good reflectors from the Lower Fars, Shiranish,
Ahmadi and Shu'aiba.
The field is complex. The Jeribe-Euphrates Formations contain heavy oil. Main production is
from the fractured Khasib and the Zubair Formations. Individual wells in the Khasib have
produced at over 30,000 BOPD. The initial production rate, established in 1989 was 20,000
BOPD, the ultimate capacity is estimated to be 160,000 to 200,000 BOPD. This initial rate
was the result of a pilot project on part of the field near Baghdad where 14 directional wells
were drilled in 1989. The pilot project was aimed at gathering basic data for planning the
development of this complex accumulation. The second phase of development envisaged
production of between 40,000 and 80,000 BOPD of mostly 22API crude to feed a refinery
under construction in the late 1990s in central Iraq. The current status of the field and the
refinery is not known.
The Jebel Hamrin range comprises two long anticlinal folds which extend en-echelon,
termed Jebel Hamrin North and South. The Hamrin Field occurs beneath Jebel Hamrin
North, a sharp whale back surface anticline trending NW-SE. It is asymmetrical, with a
slightly steeper southwest flank, and has at least 3 separate structural culminations which
are termed, from NW to SE, the Fadhul (Al-Buti), Nukhaila Khan and Allas Domes, separated
by the Darb al Milh and Ain Nukhaila saddles. Commercial accumulations are present in the
main Lower Miocene reservoir in the Allas Dome and oil in the Nukhail Khan dome, with
approximately 37 and 12 wells drilled on these domes respectively to date. Most maps of
the field also show the accumulation extending below the northwest Fadhul dome but Anaz
reports only uncommercial oil in this area, with probably only 3 wells drilled to date.
Ajeel Field (also known as Saddam) forms a separate en-echelon structure immediately to
the southwest of the Nukhaila Khan Dome. The well Khasab-1 appears to be a test of the
southeasterly extension of the Hamrin North structure. The core of the exposed structure,
which marks a physiographic high, is composed of Lower Fars. The structure attains its
maximum development in the Fadhul Dome. From the crest of Nukhaila Dome to the Ain
Nukhaila Saddle dips increase to 60-70 on the northern flank with oblique faulting down-
throwing towards the anticlinal axis. The Allas Dome has steeper dips on its northeast flank
which is also cut by high angle reverse faults. The main fault through the Allas Dome is a
reverse strike fault down throwing to the southwest, as its throw diminishes to the
southeast it turns into an overfold. Oil seeps occur where the River Tigris cuts through the
northwestern end of the structure.
Producing 20-25,000 bopd in early 2012 according to Hamid Abdelrizak al-Saadi, general
manager of the North Oil Company (the operator) reported in Iraq Business News (Feb
2012).
Makhul
Surface anticline of Jebel Makhul with two culminations. Well 2 encountered an overturned
fold.
Pulkhana
The pre-seismic interpretation by the IPC was of a long, sinuous, asymmetric anticlinal fold
with a more steeply dipping SW flank. At the surface, deformation is greatest towards the
centre of the structure where the southwest flank is overturned. The NE flank is variably
thrust over the southwest flank. The one seismic line that has been shown in Shamaran
presentations indicates seismic quality within the Pulkhana structure itself beneath the top
Tikrit
The Tikrit structure is developed on a NW-SE fault zone extending northwest towards Beiji
and southeast, en-echelon, to Samarra and Balad. In the Tikrit area a weak, NW-SE trending
surface feature approximately 27km in length is evident and the Tikrit wells are located on
the southeastern part, spaced over a distance of 6km. Sadooni (2004) reports that the
structure is complex, with flower structures and horst and graben subdivisions. Anaz reports
that the Tikrit wells test four separate blocks, only one of which has proven oilbearing.
The main reservoir is the Zubair Formation at a depth of 2500m. Oil density 0.916g/cm3,
Sulphur content - 1.85% (wt) according to Sovgeoinfo 2009. Jassim & Goff (2006) report the
Mishrif, Mauddud, Nahr Umr and Zubair to contain 23API oil and gas. Al-Qayim (2010)
states the Khasib is an important reservoir'. He also states that reservoirs occur in the Nahr
Umr and Mauddud. A long term production test in 1989 was conducted with two wells tied
in, each producing " wet (sic) crude" of 27 API oil at 200 to 300 b/d; from around 2500
metres, according to Anaz (2012).
PGA Regional database and specific well and field data for Salah ad-Din
IHS Edin services
Norsk Hydro Hamrin report
Sonoro Corp (North Salah-e-Din project)
Google Earth
All volumes are quoted before royalty and PSC contract terms are applied and as such do
NOT represent the Company's entitlement volumes. The Unit % parameter is intended to
represent what could be the on block portion of a structure which straddles the PSC
boundary. This % has been assigned by Dunmore Consulting and is for indicative purposes
only and has no legal standing whatsoever and does not represent the Companys position
12.8. Infrastructure
There are several oil and gas pipelines, roads, and railways which traverse the governorate
as well as the major Tigris and Euphrates river systems. A major refinery is located at Baiji in
the north of the area. These are shown in section 12.9.
A general map showing certain major hydrocarbon accumulations and the outline of the PSC
Preamble
Petroleum resources are the estimated quantities of hydrocarbons naturally occurring on or within the
Earths crust. Resource assessments estimate total quantities in known and yet-to-be- discovered
accumulations; resources evaluations are focused on those quantities that can potentially be
recovered and marketed by commercial projects. A petroleum resources management system
provides a consistent approach to estimating petroleum quantities, evaluating development projects,
and presenting results within a comprehensive classification framework.
International efforts to standardize the definitions of petroleum resources and how they are estimated
began in the 1930s. Early guidance focused on Proved Reserves. Building on work initiated by the
Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers (SPEE), SPE published definitions for all Reserves
categories in 1987. In the same year, the World Petroleum Council (WPC, then known as the
World Petroleum Congress), working independently, published Reserves definitions that were
strikingly similar. In 1997, the two organizations jointly released a single set of definitions for
Reserves that could be used worldwide. In 2000, the American Association of Petroleum
Geologists (AAPG), SPE, and WPC jointly developed a classification system for all petroleum
resources. This was followed by additional supporting documents: supplemental application
evaluation guidelines (2001) and a glossary of terms utilized in resources definitions (2005). SPE also
published standards for estimating and auditing reserves information (revised
2007).
These definitions and the related classification system are now in common use internationally within
the petroleum industry. They provide a measure of comparability and reduce the subjective nature of
resources estimation. However, the technologies employed in petroleum exploration, development,
production, and processing continue to evolve and improve. The SPE Oil and Gas Reserves
Committee works closely with other organizations to maintain the definitions and issues periodic
revisions to keep current with evolving technologies and changing commercial opportunities.
This document consolidates, builds on, and replaces guidance previously contained in the 1997
Petroleum Reserves Definitions, the 2000 Petroleum Resources Classification and Definitions
publications, and the 2001 Guidelines for the Evaluation of Petroleum Reserves and Resources; the
latter document remains a valuable source of more detailed background information, and specific
chapters are referenced herein. Appendix A is a consolidated glossary of terms used in resources
evaluations and replaces those published in 2005.
These definitions and guidelines are designed to provide a common reference for the international
petroleum industry, including national reporting and regulatory disclosure agencies, and to support
petroleum project and portfolio management requirements. They are intended to improve clarity in
global communications regarding petroleum resources. It is expected that this document will be
supplemented with industry education programs and application guides addressing their
implementation in a wide spectrum of technical and/or commercial settings.
It is understood that these definitions and guidelines allow flexibility for users and agencies to
tailor application for their particular needs; however, any modifications to the guidance contained
herein should be clearly identified. The definitions and guidelines contained in this document
must not be construed as modifying the interpretation or application of any existing regulatory
reporting requirements.
The term resources as used herein is intended to encompass all quantities of petroleum naturally
occurring on or within the Earths crust, discovered and undiscovered (recoverable and
unrecoverable), plus those quantities already produced. Further, it includes all types of petroleum
whether currently considered conventional or unconventional.
PRODUCTION
COMMERCIAL
RESERVES
RESERVES
TOTAL PETROLEUM INITIALLY-IN-PLACE (PIIP)
1P 2P2P 3P
DISCOVERED PIIP
Proved Probable
Probable Possible
CONTINGENT
RESOURCES
1C 2C 3C
UNRECOVERABLE
UNDISCOVERED PIIP
PROSPECTIVE
RESOURCES
Low
Low Best High
Estimate Estimate Estimate
UNRECOVERABLE
Range of Uncertainty
Not to scale
Multiple development projects may be applied to each known accumulation, and each project
will recover an estimated portion of the initially-in-place quantities. The projects shall be
subdivided into Commercial and Sub-Commercial, with the estimated recoverable quantities
being classified as Reserves and Contingent Resources respectively, as defined below.
Estimated Ultimate Recovery (EUR) is not a resources category, but a term that may be
applied to any accumulation or group of accumulations (discovered or undiscovered) to
define those quantities of petroleum estimated, as of a given date, to be potentially
recoverable under defined technical and commercial conditions plus those quantities already
produced (total of recoverable resources).
In specialized areas, such as basin potential studies, alternative terminology has been used;
the total resources may be referred to as Total Resource Base or Hydrocarbon Endowment.
Total recoverable or EUR may be termed Basin Potential. The sum of Reserves, Contingent
Resources, and Prospective Resources may be referred to as remaining recoverable
resources. When such terms are used, it is important that each classification component of
the summation also be provided. Moreover, these quantities should not be aggregated
without due consideration of the varying degrees of technical and commercial risk involved
with their classification.
Where commercial uncertainties are such that there is significant risk that the complete
project (as initially defined) will not proceed, it is advised to create a separate project
classified as Contingent Resources with an appropriate chance of commerciality.
The range of uncertainty of the recoverable and/or potentially recoverable volumes may be
represented by either deterministic scenarios or by a probability distribution (see
Deterministic and Probabilistic Methods, section 4.2).
When the range of uncertainty is represented by a probability distribution, a low, best, and
high estimate shall be provided such that:
There should be at least a 90% probability (P90) that the quantities actually recovered
will equal or exceed the low estimate.
There should be at least a 50% probability (P50) that the quantities actually recovered
will equal or exceed the best estimate.
There should be at least a 10% probability (P10) that the quantities actually recovered
will equal or exceed the high estimate.
For Contingent Resources, the general cumulative terms low/best/high estimates are
denoted as 1C/2C/3C respectively. For Prospective Resources, the general cumulative terms
low/best/high estimates still apply. No specific terms are defined for incremental quantities
within Contingent and Prospective Resources.
Without new technical information, there should be no change in the distribution of technically
recoverable volumes and their categorization boundaries when conditions are satisfied
sufficiently to reclassify a project from Contingent Resources to Reserves. All evaluations
require application of a consistent set of forecast conditions, including assumed future costs
and prices, for both classification of projects and categorization of estimated quantities
recovered by each project (see Commercial Evaluations, section 3.1).
Table III presents category definitions and provides guidelines designed to promote
consistency in resource assessments. The following summarizes the definitions for each
Reserves category in terms of both the deterministic incremental approach and scenario
approach and also provides the probability criteria if probabilistic methods are applied.
will be recovered. If probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 90%
probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the estimate.
Based on additional data and updated interpretations that indicate increased certainty,
portions of
Possible and Probable Reserves may be re-categorized as Probable and Proved
Reserves.