Zama resource increase

Talos and Premier Oil have announced the successful appraisal of Zama in Block 7 offshore Mexico under the Zama-3 well. Premier has indicated a P90-P10 resource range of 670-970mmboe with P50 of 810mmboe. This further reaffirms the resource base and provides an upgrade to the previous 600mmbbl (oil) estimate. The Zama-3 well follows: The initial Zama-1 discovery in 2017 Zama-2 appraisal in January 2019 Zama-2ST1 sidetrack well in April 2019 Zama-3...

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Further positive momentum at Zama

The Zama-2ST1 well (side-track well son Zama-2) encountered 873ft of gross oil bearing column with a net-to-gross ratio of c.70%. The well flowed at 7.9mboepd of which 94% was light 26-30 API oil. The well results indicated a prolific reservoir and potential to achieve significant plateau rates at the field. The operator estimates that a peak production of 150-175mboe/d is achievable. This news is positive for the recoverable reserves of the field...

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Premier success at Zama

Premier and operator Talos have announced the successful appraisal of Zama-2 offshore Mexico. This is the second well on the Zama field, following the initial discovery at Zama-1 in 2017, and reaffirms the massive 600mmbbl oil discovery. The well penetrated 152m of net pay with a high net-to-gross of 73% (vs. Zama-1 of 63%). This suggests potential resource upside and could see resource estimates being upgraded as the appraisal campaign continues. Zama-2...

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DEA acquires Sierra Oil & Gas

DEA has expanded its international footprint into the Americas by acquiring Sierra Oil & Gas from Riverstone Energy. The Sierra portfolio includes the prized Zama discovery (Sierra Oil & Gas 40%, Talos Energy 35%, Premier Oil 25%) and an extensive exploration acreage position offshore Mexico. The value of the deal is reported  at ~USD500 million which provides a positive read-through for Zama of over USD300 million net to Premier. The...

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Premier's Christmas present

Premier Oil announced today that the Catcher field achieved first oil on 23rd December, on schedule and almost 30% below budget. Initial production will be c.10mbopd as gas processing and water injection modules are commissioned. Production will be ramped up in phases through H1 2018 as the Varadero and Burgman fields are brought onstream increasing production to 60,000mboepd (gross). The Catcher partners are Premier Oil (50% operator), Cairn...

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Catcher if you can

The Catcher FPSO has arrived on schedule into the North Sea. The vessel is currently at Nigg performing crew changes and resupply ahead of moving to the Catcher field location. The field remains on track to come onstream by the end of the year. Tweleve wells have been completed ahead of first oil and drilling has been better than expected, encountering 30% more net pay with 40% better well deliverability. As a result, expected plateau production has increased by 20% to 60mboepd. There is potential for a reserves upgrades above the existing 96mmboe...

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Sail-away to Catcher

The Catcher FPSO sailed away on 26th August from Singapore. It will take around 45 days to reach the UK North Sea, following which it will be connected and commissioned, a process expected to take 60-65 days with first oil targeting December. The project is on schedule and c.30% below budget. Development drilling results have been promising with 30% more net pay and 40% better well deliverability. Expected plateau will now increase by 20% to 60mboepd with a potential for reserves upgrade from the 96mboe 2P at sanction. The Catcher field partners...

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Premier sells out of Pakistan

Premier has announced the disposal of its Pakistan business for USD65.6 million to Al-Haj General Trading Co. The sale process for these assets was initiated in 2015 after an unsolicited approach and culminates with today's announcement.The Pakistan assets comprise six non-operated producing gas fields which produced c.47mmcfpd and generated c.USD41 million in 2016. Premier has been present in Pakistan since 1988 and in 1990, made the Qadirpur...

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Premier refinancing terms agreed

Following an extensive negotiation process, the terms around the refinancing of Premier Oil’s debt have been agreed. This will be followed by “lock-ups” with lenders in February and final implementation by the end of May. On 3rd February, Premier Oil announced that it had agreed with key members of the “Private Lending” group on the refinancing terms. The terms include: Retaining the existing USD3.9 billion facilities with maturity extended to May 2021 Covenants relaxed to 7.5x in 2017, 5x by end 2018 and returning to 3x by 2019 Covenant net...

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Premier Oil exits Norway

Premier Oil Norwegian operation Source: Premier Oil On 16 November 2015, Premier Oil announced that it had agreed to sell its Norwegian business to Det Norske for USD120 million. The Norwegian business consists of the Premier Oil Norges subsidiary and includes the Vette development, adjacent Mackerel and Herring discoveries, a non-operated stake in Froy and seven exploration licences. The transaction is expected to close before year end and...

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