18 September 2024
SDX ENERGY PLC ("SDX" or the "Company")
Highlights
· Completion of a large data reprocessing project that enables high grading of leads to prospects to target productive resources more accurately. This data reprocessing has increased SDX's confidence in the earlier-presented 47 Bcf gas play, of potentially significant value to the Company.
· SDX plans to drill a stratigraphic well in Q4 2024 which, if successful, will help to develop a drilling campaign for the 47 Bcf play in early 2025.
· The Company has identified its next two well targets, with total unrisked gas in place of over 3 Bcf with a view to commence drilling these in Q4 2024.
· SDX is in discussions with its partner, the Moroccan state, to tie-in a stranded gas well in the near-term, generating additional revenue for SDX. Existence of other stranded gas wells in the Rharb basin may give rise to a broader project to connect multiple wells, subject to agreement.
· SDX is preparing the tender process for the acquisition of a further 150 km2 of 3D seismic data - significantly increasing opportunities for more gas discoveries in the north west of the Company's Rharb basin licence.
· SDX has received two draft term sheets for structured financing, backed by future gas revenues, to fund the planned drilling campaign in Q4 2024.
· The Company is also in advanced negotiations with two multi-billion dollar international companies for a deeper partnership in accelerating SDX's gas exploration and production activities in
Completion of 3D Seismic Merge and Reprocessing
SDX is pleased to announce the successful completion of the merging and reprocessing of more than 650 square kilometres of 3D seismic data. In February 2024, SDX awarded the project to Absolute Imaging, based in
Initial reviews of the final data have confirmed that all the objectives have been achieved, providing greater confidence and resolution across all the surveys. The next phase will involve amplitude-versus-offset ("AVO") inversion analysis to increase the reliability of using direct hydrocarbon indicators ("DHIs") for identifying and de-risking leads and prospects within the merged seismic area. SDX expects to complete this process by the end of Q4 2024.
47 Bcf Clustered Amplitude Play Update
Recent reinterpretation of subsurface data, prior to merging and reprocessing of the data, identified multiple clusters of densely packed amplitude DHIs. Preliminary management estimates suggest that the largest cluster could contain mean recoverable unrisked resources of 47 Bcf. Pending successful evaluation, SDX plans to develop this new play type using multi-lateral drilling techniques, commonly employed in the North American market and which SDX's operational team has experience with.
At today's gas prices in
With the newly merged and reprocessed seismic data, SDX has increased its confidence in this play and has identified an exploratory drilling location. This stratigraphic well will target multiple stacked anomalies to confirm the presence of both reservoir and gas. It will also test deeper stratigraphic leads, which, if successful, could unlock a new play type in the basin. SDX is preparing to initiate the mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment ("EIA") process, which is expected to be complete in early Q1 2025. Concurrently, the conclusion of the AVO analysis will allow the company to rapidly proceed towards full-field development of the clustered anomaly play in the first half of 2025.
Two New Drilling Locations
SDX has identified two new drilling locations and is in the final stages of securing land permits for each. The newly processed seismic data has been integrated into the original interpretations, further de-risking both prospects. These locations, designated as KSR-22 and OLME-A, have unrisked mean gas in place estimates of 2.4 Bcf and 0.6 Bcf, respectively. SDX plans to commence its next drilling campaign during Q4 2024.
Near-Term Production Opportunity
The Company is waiting for the approval from Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines ("ONHYM") to tie-in an existing ONHYM-owned well to the Company's pipeline, which would bring proven gas reserves online in the near term. SDX would share the gas sales revenue with ONHYM. This would help maintain supply of gas to customers and bring additional revenue to SDX, while the Company focuses on progressing its drilling campaign, identifying new opportunities, and developing the 47 Bcf clustered amplitude anomaly play. Other currently stranded wells with gas-behind-pipe may also be tied into the Company's pipeline, subject to further negotiations with ONHYM.
Temporary Reduction of Gas Supply to CITIC Dicastal Subsidiaries
The Company has directed CITIC Dicastal subsidiaries, including DIKA
Tendering for 150 km2 of New 3D Seismic Data Acquisition
SDX is preparing a tender process to select a partner for the acquisition of over 150 km2 of 3D seismic data. The area selected for this new seismic acquisition campaign is to the north-west of the existing newly merged seismic surveys and has been strategically placed to allow SDX to tie-in to its existing pipeline infrastructure, merge into the newly merged data set while covering a thicker and prospective portion of the basin. SDX anticipates finalising the tender and commencing the seismic acquisition in Q1 2025. The EIA for this project commenced in July and is expected to be completed during Q4 2024.
Progress on Structured Financing Arrangements and Strategic Partnership Discussions
SDX has been in negotiations with two separate counterparties to secure financing, secured by SDX's future gas revenues. SDX has draft term sheets from both counterparties and the Company hopes to be able to finalise a transaction in Q4 2024. This structured financing will be used to fund the upcoming drilling of the new production well KSR-22 and potentially the stratigraphic well, to significantly de-risk the 47 Bcf play.
A separate tranche of financing is being negotiated for the tie-in of the ONHYM well, referred to above and should be in place also in Q4 2024.
SDX also continues to explore strategic partnership options with two multi-billion dollar international companies to provide financing support in the short-term, enabling SDX to drill an additional well within six months and acquire the new 3D seismic data. In the longer-term, such a strategic partnership may significantly accelerate and expand SDX's exploration and production activities in
As the sole independent gas producer in
For further information:
SDX Energy Plc Daniel Gould, Chief Executive Officer William McAvock, Chief Financial Officer Tel: +44 (0) 20 3219 5640
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Shore Capital (Nominated Adviser and Broker) Toby Gibbs/ Harry Davies‑Ball Tel: +44 (0) 20 7408 4090 |
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InHouseIR (Investor and Media Relations) Sarah Dees/Oliver Clark Email: sdx@inhouseir.com Tel: +44 (0) 7881 650 813 / +44 (0) 20 3239 1669
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Competent Persons Statement
In accordance with the AIM Rules for Companies, the technical information contained in this announcement has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Aaron LeBlanc, Head of Operations at SDX Energy Plc. Mr. LeBlanc is a qualified person as defined in the London Stock Exchange's Guidance Note for Mining and Oil and Gas Companies and has the necessary professional and technical competencies to conduct and review petroleum operations. Mr. LeBlanc has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology from the University of
Abbreviations
Bcf billion cubic feet
About SDX
For further information, please see the Company's website at www.sdxenergygroup.com or the Company's filed documents at www.sedar.com .
Forward-looking information
Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is used in applicable Canadian securities laws. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or are not statements of historical fact should be viewed as forward-looking information. In particular, statements regarding future drilling and seismic data acquisition should be regarded as forward-looking information.
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