Karoon Gas Australia Ltd (KAR) is pleased to announce the farm-out of a 35% interest in offshore exploration Block Z-38, Tumbes Basin Peru to Tullow Peru Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tullow Oil plc (Tullow).
Pursuant to the Farm-out Agreement (Agreement), Tullow will acquire a 35% interest in the block on the following terms:
1. Fund 43.75% of the cost of the first exploration well, capped at US$27.5 million (at 100%), beyond which Tullow will pay its 35% share.
2. Pay US$2 million upon completion with a further US$7 million payable upon declaration of commercial discovery and submission of a development plan to Perupetro.
The Agreement remains subject to the satisfaction of certain licensing conditions and regulatory approvals. Following completion of the farm-out well, Tullow will have an option to assume operatorship of the block.
Managing Director Mr Robert Hosking said: “Karoon is excited to welcome a partner with such a long and successful exploration track record into Peru. Tullow is a company, like Karoon, that recognises the importance of high-impact offshore exploration as a core driver of a company’s future value. Karoon is pleased that Tullow has recognised the exploration opportunity in Z-38 and looks forward to testing the block’s potential through drilling the Marina prospect.
Block Z-38 sits in the heart of the Tumbes Basin, adjacent to the prolific oil producing Talara Basin which has produced 1.7 billion BOE since 1880. The Tumbes Basin has a proven working petroleum system and evidence suggests the prospects in Z-38 are accessing the same source rocks as the giant onshore Talara Basin fields.
Historically offshore Peru has experienced only limited exploration activity, however 2017 has seen a resurgence of interest and inflow of industry capital looking to test Peru’s exciting offshore potential. Anadarko was awarded 3 new offshore licence contracts during 2017 along with offshore and onshore Technical Evaluation Agreements awarded to Repsol and Global Petroleum”.
Joint Venture Partner Equity Interests:
KEI (Peru Z38) Pty Ltd, Sucursal del Peru 40%
Tullow Oil Plc 35%*
Pitkin Petroleum Peru Z-38 SRL 25% *
Tullow’s 35% equity interest remains subject to conditions including regulatory approvals
