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19 November 2024
80 Mile PLC / Ticker: 80M / Market: AIM / Sector: Mining
Completion of White Flame Energy Acquisition and Extension of Key Exploration and Production Licenses in
80 Mile plc ('80 Mile' or the 'Company'), the AIM, FSE listed and Pink-Market traded exploration and development company with projects in
Key Highlights:
· Shareholder and Regulatory Approvals: The acquisition offer for WFE, approved by 80 Mile shareholders at the General Meeting on July 10, 2024, has now received necessary regulatory approvals from the Greenland Government.
· As part of this process, WFE has been granted a four year extension to the first licensing sub-period.
· Full Ownership Secured: With regulatory and shareholder approvals in place, 80 Mile is exercising its option to acquire 100% of WFE, transitioning to complete control of the company. Following completion, 80 Mile will hold 95% of the issued capital in WFE and will move to compulsorily acquire the remaining 5%.
· Each WFE shareholder will receive 4.74 shares in 80 Mile as part of this acquisition resulting in the issue of an initial 834,444,325 new ordinary shares ("Consideration Shares") on completion for 95% of WFE.
· The total acquisition cost for 100% of WFE is
· Preparations for Exploratory Drilling: With ownership finalised and licensing extended, 80 Mile will now commence essential work programmes required for exploratory drilling in licensing sub-period #2. These initiatives are aimed at gathering data to guide future drilling and exploration in line with Greenlandic regulatory standards.
Additional Project and Transactional Information
· Highly prospective for helium, white hydrogen as well as all industrial gases & natural gas and liquids.
· Three granted exploration and exploitation licences adjacent to Pulsar Helium's Tunu project covering 8,429 km².
· Jameson Land (the "Project") has been subjected to more than five decades of study with total expenditure estimated at approximately
· Basin has anomalous helium and white hydrogen occurrences, as well as working liquid-rich hydrocarbon reservoirs with potential resources estimated by management to contain in excess of +2.4 to 8.1 billion barrels of liquid hydrocarbon equivalents in place (not to a recognised standard).
· The Project is the west mid Atlantic post rifted, onshore, eastern half of the gas and hydrocarbon bearing North Sea basin located in
80 Mile's move to take full ownership and control of WFE along with the extension of its
With the recent four year extension to its licenses, 80 Mile is strategically positioned to conduct comprehensive and sustained exploration activities in
The acquisition of WFE and the planned work programmes are a vital part of 80 Mile's broader strategy to diversify and strengthen its portfolio in industrial gases and energy resources, positioning the Company to be a key player in the energy transition. This initiative not only secures the Company's foothold in a highly prospective region but also aligns with its long-term commitment to creating sustainable value for shareholders through disciplined exploration and development.
The Company is also currently evaluating downstream opportunities in the sector and will advise as and if opportunities arise.
Eric Sondergaard, Managing Director of 80 Mile, commented:
"The completion of the White Flame acquisition, along with the extension and transfer of our key licenses in Jameson Land, marks a significant milestone in our growth strategy. This acquisition not only enhances our strategic portfolio but positions 80 Mile at the forefront of exploration for critical industrial gases, such as helium and white hydrogen, in one of the world's most promising yet underexplored regions. The investment made in this region historically underscores its potential, and with these licenses now secured, we are well-placed to build on past work and maximise shareholder value. Our focus remains on responsible and sustainable exploration, leveraging our experience to unlock the potential of these assets and contribute meaningfully to the global energy landscape."
INFORMATION ON THE JAMESON LAND BASIN PROJECT AND FUTURE STRATEGY
Overview
White Flame was established more than ten years ago and is the 100% owner of three large scale exploration and exploitation licences that cover 8,429 km2 of the Jameson Peninsular, east
The licences are also exploitation licences meaning that if certain preconditions are met and a discovery is made then White Flame has the right to move into production. The licences have approximately ten years until expiry allowing White Flame to undertake sustained, systematic and detailed work in the entire area. In total White Flame has spent approximately
Several directors and shareholders are common between White Flame and 80 Mile making the transaction far simpler to complete. Post White Flame Acquisition, the team will be broadly the same and be comprised of highly experienced arctic logistics experts, corporate and financial professionals including geological and geotechnical experts all able to provide the necessary skills to monetise one of the last remaining untested onshore industrial gases and liquid hydrocarbon plays in the world with potential for large-scale, world-class discoveries.
On 24 June 2021 the Greenland Government announced it would cease issuing additional hydrocarbon exploration licences. White Flame was informed the same time that because its licences were valid and in full effect at the time of this policy change, that this would not affect White Flame, its activities or its licence terms and that White Flame was free to continue to develop the Jameson Land Project peninsular as per the conditions in their existing exploration & exploitation licences.
Introduction
The Jameson Land Basin is one of, if not the last, highly prospective, yet completely undrilled basins globally, but with a clear genetic link to the North Sea as well as a scale similar to many of the world's major producing regions. This claim is not without foundation, 80 Mile will leverage its acquisition off a comprehensive body of work conducted by US Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) between 1970 and 1990 when more than
ARCO's data reverted to the Geological Survey of
ARCO's liquid hydrocarbon resource estimates
ARCO estimated that the Upper Permian source rocks in the Jameson Land Basin generated over 40 billion barrels of liquids and the Upper Jurassic source rocks generated a further 46 billion barrels. Assuming a conservative range of 10%-25% for entrapment efficiency, ARCO calculated that there could be potentially 4.0 - 10 billion barrels of liquids in place within the Permian aged reservoir rocks and 4.6 - 11.5 billion accumulated within the Jurassic along with associated industrial and natural gases.
The entrapment efficiencies are based on empirical estimates of 20-30% for the
To date though, no deep drilling has been undertaken on the Project. One diamond drill hole called "Blokelv" (see Figure 4) was drilled by the Danish state survey to determine porosity of surface sediments when it was terminated after an oil filled belemnite was identified in core logging at 104 metres therefore there are modern independent resource or reserve figures for the Project apart from the above internal numbers from ARCO.
The Licences
White Flame owns 100% of the Project via a Greenlandic subsidiary, White Flame Energy A/S which in turn holds three exploration and exploitation licences covering 8,429 km² the entire basin on the Jameson Peninsular of
The Company can confirm it is fully permitted, with documented confirmation that licences are in good standing and that the Company may continue to develop the large-scale gas and liquid rich projects in accordance with the terms and conditions as set out in their existing licences.
History
The Jameson Land Basin, encompassing Blocks 2015/13, 2015/14, and 2018/40, (see figure 1) has a rich history of exploration. ARCO and ENI held licenses for the area until 1990, conducting comprehensive field mapping, sampling programmes, and acquiring ±1,800 line-km of 2D seismic data. ARCO's fieldwork, and subsequent studies by the GEUS have continually confirmed the substantial gas and liquid-rich hydrocarbon potential of the basin.
Jameson Land was subject to more than
ARCO exited all global exploration activities including
Work programme completed prior to withdrawal
ARCO conducted ±1,800 kilometres of 2D seismic over multiple campaigns in Jameson Land. In addition, the company invested heavily in infrastructure including an airport, warehousing and accommodation units. At the time, the structure of the Jameson Concession licences was ARCO 33%, AGIP 33% with the balance free carried by both the Danish and Greenlandic governments.
The data set that ARCO generated from its 2D seismic work reverted to GEUS upon ARCO's withdrawal from
Helium Prospectivity
Helium is a rare and valuable gas with a variety of unique properties, such as being light, having a very low boiling point, and being chemically inert. These characteristics make helium indispensable in numerous high-tech and scientific applications. It is crucial for a modern civilisation from cooling superconducting magnets in MRI machines and particle accelerators to manufacturing semiconductors. As a non-renewable resource predominantly extracted from natural gas reserves, the scarcity and rising demand for helium highlight its economic and strategic importance.
Figure 1 Location and White Flame licence coverage as well as other industrial gas players in the region.
Figure 2 Helium and industrial gas anomalous readings along sedimentary boundaries and basin margin
Figure 3: Cross section showing structural and stratigraphic traps, as well as helium & hydrogen generating crystalline basement
Helium is usually found in association with natural gas accumulations. The Jameson Land Basin's extensive sedimentary layers are thermally mature and rich in organic material and the presence of ancient volcanic activity contributing to the potential for helium generation and entrapment this basin has the potential to be one of the largest producers globally. Although helium is typically used as a carrier in gas chromatography, anomalous helium results have been encountered around the basin margin and along sedimentary boundaries. In addition to this, the known geology and structure of the basin are conducive to the generation of helium rich gas deposits deeper in the basin. Compared to other helium, white hydrogen-producing regions, the potential reserves in the Jameson Land Basin could position
The geological characteristics of the basin suggest significant reserves of gas could occur in large previously identified reservoirs, all of which is supported by large amounts of historical data as well as geochemical profiles from previous exploration campaigns.
Several highly anomalous helium results have been collected throughout the entire area and broader region over the last 50 years, without a systematic evaluation until now.
The entire area is seen as incredibly prospective for industrial gas accumulations and the Company is optimistic that a significant discovery can be made on Jameson. Initially the Company will integrate and re-examine all historical work for industrial gasses with a site visit set for later Q3 2024 to examine these sampling sites and to take fresh samples.
White Hydrogen Prospectivity
White hydrogen, naturally occurring in certain geological formations, is highly prized for its minimal environmental impact and cost-effectiveness compared to green and blue hydrogen. Unlike green hydrogen, which is produced using renewable energy through water electrolysis and is often energy-intensive and costly, white hydrogen can be extracted with minimal environmental disruption and far lower production costs.
In contrast to blue hydrogen, which is derived from natural gas with carbon capture and storage, white hydrogen has a negligible carbon footprint without the need for additional carbon management infrastructure. Hydrogen is used across various sectors, including transportation (fuel cells for vehicles), industry (refining petroleum and producing ammonia for fertilisers), and energy storage (balancing intermittent renewable energy sources). This makes white hydrogen a more economically viable and sustainable option, offering a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels and industrial hydrogen production methods while utilising existing infrastructure and serving as a bridge in the transition to fully renewable energy sources.
· Geological Processes: White hydrogen (natural hydrogen) can be generated through water-rock interactions.
· Faults and Fractures: The extensive network of faults and fractures within the basin facilitates the migration of hydrogen from the basement to the sedimentary layers. These pathways are crucial for the accumulation of hydrogen in traps.
· Unlike fossil fuels, which take millions of years to form, natural or 'white' hydrogen is continuously replenished.
Results obtained by previous operators identified regional sampling in and around the basin of six shallow samples indicating concentrations of Hydrogen of between 3-9% and two samples taken from deeper sources of between 3-7% Hydrogen.
Similar sized global analogies to the Jameson gas field are;
1.
· Approximate area: 8,500 km² (for the primary producing region)
· One of the world's richest liquids and gas-producing areas.
2. Prudhoe Bay Oil Field, (
· One of the largest liquids and gas fields in
· Oil field is approximately 860 km² (332 square miles)
3.
· Approximate area: 8,300 km²
· Produces liquids as well as industrial and natural gas.
4. Neuquén Basin (
· Approximate area: 8,000 km² (for the core producing area)
· Produces liquids and natural gas.
5. Cooper Basin (
· Approximate area: 7,800 km² (for the core producing area)
· Known for industrial & natural gas, liquids as well as white hydrogen occurrences.
6. Songliao Basin (
· Approximate area: 8,500 km² (for the main producing region)
· Produces liquids, natural and industrial gas.
7. Piceance Basin (
· Approximate area: 7,800 km²
· Known for natural and industrial gas production.
Industrial Gas Potential
The Jameson Land Basin's geological characteristics directly influence its potential for helium, white hydrogen, noble gases (xenon, argon, krypton), and hydrocarbons. In the Jameson Land Basin and the Liverpool Land areas of central
Noble Gases Prospectivity (Xenon, Argon, Krypton)
Industrial gases like xenon, argon, and krypton are essential across a wide range of important economic applications. Xenon is used in high-intensity lighting, medical imaging, and as a propellant in ion thrusters for spacecraft, owing to its high atomic weight and inertness. Argon, being chemically inert, provides a protective atmosphere in welding and is used in the production of high-purity silicon and metals, as well as in incandescent and fluorescent lighting. Krypton is used in energy-efficient lighting, such as fluorescent lamps and some types of photographic flashes.
Collectively these gases are crucial for manufacturing in an advanced economy. Specifically, technology, healthcare, and space industries with their unique properties making them irreplaceable. Ensuring a reliable supply of these noble gases is vital for ongoing technological and industrial development.
· Radiogenic Origin: Noble gases like xenon, argon, and krypton are produced through the decay of radioactive elements within the crystalline basement.
· Migration Pathways: Like helium, noble gases migrate through faults and fractures. Their accumulation in the basin's sedimentary traps is facilitated by the impermeable shales acting as seals.
· Trapping Mechanisms: The structural features such as anticlines and synclines create traps where these gases can accumulate, often in association with hydrocarbon reservoirs.
Figure 4 Hydrocarbon biomarking demonstrating common ancestry between geological regions.
SUMMARY FINDINGS:
In its core findings, ARCO ranked various formations within the Jameson Land Basin as having the highest potential for all gas types as well as liquid-rich hydrocarbon accumulations in the entire
Following early success of the North Sea, in the 1970's ARCO undertook early field studies into the western Atlantic margin (east
The Geological survey of
The basin remains undrilled despite direct field observation of source rocks and reservoir systems and the presence of multiple hydrocarbon seeps and a clear genetic linkage to the north sea Haltenbanken oil field. Consequently, this venture provides a unique and very exciting opportunity to explore and drill one of the few remaining frontier basins on the Atlantic margin.
GEUS, with the participation of approximately 20 companies in the region compiled all the pre-existing information into a comprehensive 'Geological Information System' (GIS) and importantly, collected huge volumes of additional data through fieldwork and core drilling. Over a prolonged exploration period, GEUS focused on the whole East Greenland Rift Basin, including Jameson to the south of the study area.
In 2017 White Flame completed an airborne Full Tensor Gravimetric (FTG) and LiDAR survey over the entire licence area. Subsequent assessment of this data continued to reinforce the prospectivity of the licence area and resulted in the company successfully applying for further acreage to the north of the existing licences (2018/40) and thereby securing the entire onshore part of the Jameson basin. White Flame completed several years of multidisciplinary G&G work, integrating all available datasets, and building what became a comprehensive picture of the structural and sedimentary components of the Jameson Land Basin. This has been used to identify drillable structures and assign levels of geological risk.
Figure 5 Examples of reservoirs and geological characteristics of the Jameson Basin
This work was undertaken to fully reassess the basin and reduce the dependence on the analogue data from onshore
Consequently, GEUS compiled a substantial Geological Information System (GIS) including several key elements:
· Reprocessed existing seismic data
· Detailed maps and terrain models
· 18,000 data and chemical samples
· Boreholes, core samples and sedimentological logs
· Stratigraphic cross sections
· Photographs
The first highly detailed version of the GIS was compiled in 2009 and updated in 2011. White Flame purchased this information in 2014 when it won the open tender round for all three Jameson Land Project blocks.
Liquid Hydrocarbon and Natural Gas Prospectivity
· Source Rocks: The organic-rich shales from the Upper Permian Ravnefjeld Formation and Lower Jurassic formations are key source rocks. Thermal maturation of these shales generates hydrocarbons.
· Reservoir Rocks: The Triassic and Jurassic sandstones provide excellent reservoir rocks due to their porosity and permeability, allowing hydrocarbons to accumulate.
· Seal Rocks: Marine shales and other impermeable layers act as seals, trapping hydrocarbons in the underlying reservoir rocks.
· Structural Traps: Anticlines, synclines, and fault traps within the basin create structural traps where hydrocarbons can accumulate.
Figure 6 Comparison between Jameson Basin and Prudhoe Bay Integrated Geological Features for All Resources
· Crystalline Basement: Provides a source for helium and noble gases through radioactive decay. It also plays a role in generating white hydrogen through geological processes.
· Sedimentary Sequences: Serve as reservoirs for liquids and traps for migrating gases like helium and noble gases. The presence of organic-rich shales and porous sandstones is crucial.
· Faults and Fractures: Essential for the migration of gases and hydrocarbons from the basement and within sedimentary layers.
· Trapping Mechanisms: Structural traps such as anticlines and synclines, along with impermeable seal rocks, are critical for the accumulation of all these resources.
In summary, the Jameson Land Basin's complex geological structure, including its crystalline basement, sedimentary layers, and extensive fault network, creates highly favorable conditions for the generation, migration, and trapping of helium, white hydrogen, noble gases, and hydrocarbons.
Proposed Work Programme and Strategic Outlook
The Company plans to further explore and develop the identified prospects, leveraging the historical data and new geophysical studies to optimize drilling targets. 80 Mile remains committed to sustainable cost management while focusing on high-value assets, including significant industrial gas prospects within the Jameson Land Basin.
Figure 7 Examples of identified accumulations of gas and liquids on one section.
Conclusion
The acquisition of White Flame by 80 Mile marks a strategic and transformative milestone, significantly enhancing 80 Mile's portfolio with licences that are highly prospective for onshore helium & white hydrogen industrial gas along with potential for liquid hydrocarbon and natural gas in
This move not only diversifies 80 Mile's resource base but also positions the Company at the forefront of sustainable energy development. By integrating White Flame's assets, 80 Mile can leverage the region's rich geological potential to meet growing global demands for both conventional and renewable energy sources, ensuring long-term growth and value creation for shareholders while contributing to the global transition towards a cleaner energy future.
White Flame Corporate Information
White Flame Energy Limited is incorporated in
Defined terms used in this announcement carry the same meanings as those ascribed to them in the Company's Circular convening the General Meeting, unless the context requires otherwise.
The interests of Michael Hutchinson, Roderick McIllree and Eric Sondergaard following completion of the acquisition will be as follows:
Director |
Exising interest in shares of 80 Mile plc
|
New Consideration Shares |
Total interest in 80 Mile plc post completion |
% interest in enlarged total issued share capital of 80 Mile plc |
Michael Hutchinson |
13,785,714 |
13,398,112 |
27,183,826 |
0.93 |
Roderick McIllree |
126,165,935 |
322,796,581 |
448,962,516 |
15.36 |
Eric Sondergaard |
14,166,666 |
26,592,857 |
40,759,523 |
1.39 |
Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure
The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 ('MAR') which has been incorporated into
For further information please visit http://www.80mile.com or contact:
Eric Sondergaard |
80 Mile plc |
enquiry@80mile.com |
Ewan Leggat / Adam Cowl |
SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP |
+44 (0) 20 3470 0470 |
Megan Ray / Said Izagaren |
BlytheRay |
+44 (0) 20 7138 3205 |
About 80 Mile Plc:
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