TAL PetroTal Corp

CALGARY and HOUSTON, Sept. 12, 2018 /CNW/ - PetroTal Corp. ("PetroTal" or the "Company") (TSX-V: TAL), a Peru focused exploration and production company, is pleased to provide a summary of the results of an independent evaluation of the prospective resources with respect to the Osheki prospect in Block 107, located in the Ucayali Basin of eastern Peru.

Osheki Resource Upgrade

Based on an independent assessment completed by Netherland Sewell & Associates, Inc. ("NSAI"), a qualified independent reserves evaluator as defined in Canadian National Instrument 51-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities ("NI 51-101"), with an effective date of June 30, 2018 (the "NSAI Prospective Resources Assessment"), and prepared in accordance with the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook and the standards established by NI 51-101, the Osheki prospect is estimated to have 534 million barrels ("MMbbl") of mean prospective recoverable resources.  This estimate is based on a recovery factor of 30 percent of the estimated 1.78 billion barrels of mean prospective original oil in place ("OOIP"), using maps generated from seismic acquired in 2007 and 2014.  The mean risked prospective resources figure for the Osheki prospect is 85 MMbbl.  The prospect was de-risked with a new 3D geologic model supporting Cretaceous age reservoirs with high quality Permian source rocks.  Block 107 has four additional leads that, with Osheki, could contain a total of 4.58 billion barrels of recoverable resource in the high estimate case.  Drilling permits for the Osheki prospect have been approved and the Company is seeking joint venture partners to drill the first exploration well by fourth quarter 2019 or early 2020. 

Manolo Zuniga, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated:
"Today's increase in prospective resources at Osheki is a milestone in the development of our asset portfolio in Peru.  It firmly endorses the quality of the Osheki prospect, which also contains further potential material upside from additional leads in Block 107.  This important development follows the Bretaña oil field successfully coming online ahead of schedule in June, with the remaining long-term testing equipment installation on schedule to allow us to increase production from the current ~1,000 bopd to over 2,000 bopd by the end of October. Bretaña has a clear path to increasing production to above 10,000 barrels of oil per day by 2020.

PetroTal is therefore at a very exciting time in its corporate development, and is well placed to capture the significant value across its balanced portfolio."

Chuck Fetzner, Vice President of Asset Development, commented:
"In a report commissioned prior to PetroTal taking on the assets, it was estimated there was 313 MMbbl of mean recoverable prospective resource for the Osheki prospect. In NSAI's June 30, 2018 report, the estimate has increased by more than 60 percent. When we combined the two seismic programs we were able to see closure in as many as three different horizons.  The Osheki prospect is a sub-thrust play similar to the Cusiana complex in the Llanos Foothills of Colombia.  We are currently engaging potential joint venture partners to drill the exploration prospect and expect the full data room to be open as soon as September 15, 2018."

Notes:

ABOUT PETROTAL

PetroTal is a publicly-traded oil and gas development and production company domiciled in Calgary, Alberta, focused on the development of oil assets in Peru.  The Company's management team has significant experience in developing oil fields in Northern Peru and is led by an independent Board of Directors, focused on safely and cost effectively developing and exploiting the Bretaña oil field, as well as evaluating the Osheki prospect in Block 107 which could provide significant growth for the Company.

Presentation of Oil and Gas Information

Prospective resources are the quantities of petroleum estimated, as of a given date, to be potentially recoverable from undiscovered accumulations by application of future development projects. 

Estimates of prospective resources included in this press release relating to the Osheki prospect are based upon the NSAI Prospective Resources Assessment.

The estimates of prospective resources provided in this press release are estimates only and there is no guarantee that the estimated prospective resources will be discovered.  If discovered, there is no certainty that it will be commercially viable to produce any portion of the prospective resources evaluated. Not only are such prospective resources estimates based on that information which is currently available, but such estimates are also subject to uncertainties inherent in the application of judgmental factors in interpreting such information. Prospective resources should not be confused with those quantities that are associated with contingent resources or reserves due to the additional risks involved. Because of the uncertainty of commerciality and the lack of sufficient exploration drilling, the prospective resources estimated herein cannot be classified as contingent resources or reserves. The quantities that might actually be recovered, should they be discovered and developed, may differ significantly from the estimates herein.

The prospective resources estimates that are referred to herein are risked as to chance of discovery. Risks that could impact the chance of discovery include, without limitation, geological uncertainty, political and social issues, and availability of capital.

In general, the significant factors that may change the prospective resources estimates include further delineation drilling, which could change the estimates either positively or negatively, future technology improvements, which would positively affect the estimates, and additional processing capacity that could affect the volumes recoverable or type of production.  Additional facility design work, development plans, reservoir studies and delineation drilling is expected to be completed by PetroTal in accordance with its long-term resource development plan.

The term original oil in place is equivalent to total petroleum initially in place ("TPIIP"). TPIIP, as defined in the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook, is that quantity of petroleum that is estimated to exist in naturally occurring accumulations. It includes that quantity of petroleum that is estimated, as of a given date, to be contained in known accumulations, prior to production, plus those estimated quantities in accumulations yet to be discovered. A portion of the TPIIP is considered undiscovered and there is no certainty that any portion of such undiscovered resources will be discovered. If discovered, there is no certainty that it will be commercially viable to produce any portion of such undiscovered resources. With respect to the portion of the TPIIP that is considered discovered resources, there is no certainty that it will be commercially viable to produce any portion of such discovered resources. A significant portion of the estimated volumes of TPIIP will never be recovered.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "may", "will", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements.  More particularly and without limitation, this press release contains forward looking statements and information concerning the PetroTal's business strategy, objectives, strength and focus, intention of engaging joint venture partners to drill the Osheki prospect and open a data room in relation thereto, expectations regarding existing and future wells, drilling and production in the Bretaña oil field. Statements related to prospective resources are deemed to be forward-looking statements and forward-looking information as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, that the prospective resources can be profitably produced in the future. Specifically, forward-looking information contained herein regarding prospective resources may include estimated volumes of prospective resources.

The forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company, including, but not limited to, expectations and assumptions concerning the ability of existing infrastructure to deliver production and the anticipated capital expenditures associated therewith, reservoir characteristics, recovery factor, exploration upside, prevailing commodity prices and the actual prices received for PetroTal's products, the availability and performance of drilling rigs, facilities, pipelines, other oilfield services and skilled labour, royalty regimes and exchange rates, the application of regulatory and licensing requirements, the accuracy of PetroTal's geological interpretation of its drilling and land opportunities, current legislation, receipt of required regulatory approval, the success of future drilling and development activities, the performance of new wells, the Company's growth strategy, general economic conditions, availability of required equipment and services and prevailing commodity prices.

Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, risks associated with the oil and gas industry in general (e.g., operational risks in development, exploration and production; delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the uncertainty of reserve estimates; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to production, costs and expenses; and health, safety and environmental risks), commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations, legal, political and economic instability in Peru, access to transportation routes and markets for the Company's production, changes in legislation affecting the oil and gas industry and uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures. Please refer to the risk factors identified in the Company's annual information form and management's discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2017 which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

FOFI Disclosure

This press release contains future-oriented financial information and financial outlook information (collectively, "FOFI") about PetroTal's prospective results of operations and future production, which are subject to the same assumptions, risk factors, limitations and qualifications as set forth in the above paragraphs. FOFI contained in this press release was made as of the date of this press release and was provided for the purpose of providing further information about PetroTal's anticipated future business operations. PetroTal disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any FOFI contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required pursuant to applicable law. Readers are cautioned that the FOFI contained in this press release should not be used for purposes other than for which it is disclosed herein. All FOFI contained in this press release complies with the requirements of Canadian securities legislation, including NI 51-101.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

SOURCE PetroTal Corporation