Africa Oil Corp has received the final approval from the Government of the Republic of South Africa for the transfer of a 6.25% interest in Block 3B/4B in the Orange Basin from Azinam Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd, to the Company as announced on 11 July 2023
As per the terms of the Assignment and Transfer Agreement with Eco, the Company has made a payment of US$2.5mn to Eco.
Consequently, the Company now holds an operated 26.25% interest in Block 3B/4B with Eco retaining a 20.00% interest and Ricocure (Pty) Ltd with a 53.75% interest.
An independent review of the prospective resources and probability of geological success of the exploration prospects within Block 3B/4B has reported total unrisked gross P50 prospective resources of approximately 4 bn barrels of oil equivalent. Probability of success ranges from 11% to 39% over the 24 prospects identified.
The Company and its Block 3B/4B partners are progressing plans to conduct a drilling campaign on the Block and are in discussions with potential partners to farm out a share of their working interest in the Block. The Company and its partners are also working with an environmental consulting firm in conducting an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment process, in preparation for permitting and drilling activity on the Block.
Africa Oil CEO, Roger Tucker, commented, “I am pleased we have received final approval for the increase of our interest in Block 3B/4B. Africa Oil has a significant opportunity set in the Orange Basin, probably the most sought-after new petroleum region globally. We are excited about the large prospect inventory in Block 3B/4B; the prospects are all based on 3D seismic and are of similar age and type to the discoveries announced by Shell and TotalEnergies in the Orange Basin.”
