HOUSTON - Far East Energy Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: FEEC) announced today that it has achieved critical desorption pressure (CDP) in a portion of the 1H Pilot Area in its Shouyang Block in Shanxi Province, China. Gas production in the Shouyang Block has been increasing almost daily since January 1, rising almost 300% in the past three months. Production for the 1H area is now over 200,000 cubic feet, or 200 Mcf, per day. Far East believes that the quantity of gas being produced in the field is sufficient to begin discussions with its Chinese partner, China United Coalbed Methane Company (CUCBM), regarding a gas marketing agreement that would allow Far East to jointly market its gas with CUCBM through a gas sales facility. Far East believes that any initial gas sales facility would initially be a compressed natural gas (CNG) facility and would likely have a capacity of 1 to 3 million cubic feet per day. This sales facility would be constructed to allow for growth in the event the area of desorption grows and more gas is produced and gathered for sale.
Two wells in the IH Pilot Area are currently producing over 50 Mcf per day, with a third well producing approximately 40 Mcf per day. These three wells appear to meet the definitions for Chinese reserves qualification, provided they maintain sufficient production levels until an official certification can be obtained. Far East does note that, as in any oil and gas exploration activity, certain events could cause reductions in the amount of gas being produced from these three wells and/or could cause production from the overall area to decline.
“This is the news we have been anxiously awaiting,” said Michael R. McElwrath, CEO of Far East. “Reaching CDP removes any doubt that the coals in the Pilot Area can be dewatered; and CDP must be reached to produce gas. More importantly, now that we have achieved production in excess of 200 Mcf per day, we can enter into discussions with CUCBM concerning gas sales and revenue generation. This is an important step toward achieving our overall development plan for this area.
McElwrath continued, “As more of the Pilot Area reaches CDP, we believe we will see additional wells begin to produce nice volumes of gas. We plan to commence three deviated wells in the 1H Pilot Area within the next few weeks. These wells should increase water production and, hopefully, maximize gas production from the 1H Pilot Area. Once those three wells are completed, we intend to begin expanding the spacing between subsequent wells. As the dewatered area and well spacing expand, the same high permeability that originally allowed water to flow from long distances to our wells, should begin to allow gas to flow from long distances to our wells. This should allow us to capitalize on the typical advantages of high permeability, namely, drilling fewer wells, producing more gas per well, and maintaining higher production rates for longer periods of time than in a lower permeability area, all of which should result in superior economics.”
In March of 2008, Far East released the results of an independent coalbed methane reservoir simulation study of the Pilot Area of the Shouyang Block, conducted over a four month period by Advanced Resources International, Inc. (”ARI”), of Houston, Texas. At that time, ARI concluded that “…based upon model predictions of reservoir pressure, dewatering of the #15 coal seam has been occurring and is approaching the estimated desorption pressure within the pilot area.” While actual results are likely to vary, ARI’s simulations showed theoretical peak gas production rates of between 2.3 and 5 million cubic feet per day (MMcfd) for a 900-meter long horizontal well drilled on 400-acre spacing, and peak production rates of 300,000 to 500,000 cubic feet per day from vertical wells drilled on 80-acre spacing.
After completing the planned drilling in the 1H Pilot Area, Far East plans to drill parameter wells in distinct areas of the Shouyang Block, each of which will be several kilometers from the 1H Pilot Area. These wells will be tested and evaluated with the goal of identifying one or more new areas suitable for another concentrated pilot well program. “For obvious reasons, with gas now flowing from the Pilot Area, we are anxious to determine whether our area of high permeability and high gas content extends across a broad swath of the Shouyang Block,” said McElwrath.
About Far East Energy Corporation
Based in Houston, Texas, with offices in Beijing, Kunming, and Taiyuan City, China, Far East Energy Corporation is focused on CBM exploration and development in China through its agreements with ConocoPhillips and China United Coalbed Methane Company, Ltd. (CUCBM).
Statements contained in this press release that state the intentions, hopes, beliefs, anticipations, expectations or predictions of the future of Far East Energy Corporation and its management are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. It is important to note that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements include: the preliminary nature of well data, including permeability and gas content, and commercial viability of the wells; risk and uncertainties associated with exploration, development and production of oil and gas; drilling and production risks; the gas produced at our wells may not increase to commercially viable quantities or may decrease; our lack of operating history; limited and potentially inadequate cash resources; expropriation and other risks associated with foreign operations; anticipated pipeline construction and transportation of gas; matters affecting the oil and gas industry generally; lack of availability of oil and gas field goods and services; environmental risks; changes in laws or regulations affecting our operations, as well as other risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Source: Far East Energy Corporation
David Nahmias, +1-901-218-7770, dnahmias at fareastenergy.com, or Catherine Gay, +1-832-598-0470, cgay at fareastenergy.com, both of Far East Energy Corporation
Related Press Releases
His Highness Sheikh Khalid, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah Offers Environmental Commitment at the Clinton Global Climate InitiativeSeptember 24th, 2009 NEW YORK -
- Formation of a new Non-Profit Organization focused on a Sustainable Future for the Middle East
At the Clinton Global Climate Initiative His Highness Sheikh Khalid will commit to forming a new non-profit organization to foster green technology innovation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy approaches for the Middle East. The Middle East is not immune from changes in the world economy and environment.
Far East Energy Announces Increase in Production, Gas From a Second Coal Seam, and Gas From a Distant Parameter WellSeptember 7th, 2009 HOUSTON -
Far East Energy Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: FEEC) announced today that gas production in the Number 15 coal seam of its 1H Pilot Area in the Shouyang Block of Shanxi Province, China continues to rise. Far East also announced that preliminary results indicate that it may have discovered a second coal seam capable of significant gas production.
Far East Energy Announces Approval of Shouyang and Yunnan ExtensionsAugust 26th, 2009 HOUSTON -
Far East Energy Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: FEEC) announced that it has received final approval by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) of two Modification Agreements that extend the exploration periods of both its Shouyang and Yunnan Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) by two years apiece to June 30, 2011. The Modification Agreements also revise other terms of the PSCs and the Company has included the Modification Agreements in the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 27, 2009.
ClearCube Technology Announces Expansion Into Middle East MarketsAugust 9th, 2009 AUSTIN, Texas -
- Demand for Secure Efficient Computing is Driving Growth and Profitability
ClearCube Technology, the leader in centralized and virtual computing, announced today a new joint venture that will expand its presence in the Middle East. The new company, ClearCube Middle East, will enhance ClearCube's global footprint and deliver a full range of products, services and support to customers in the Middle East and South Asia regions.
BlackLight Power Inc. Announces its Sixth Commercial License AgreementJuly 29th, 2009 CRANBURY, New Jersey -
- Non-Exclusive License with Akridge Energy to produce up to 400 MW of continuous power
BlackLight Power (BLP) Inc. today announced the execution of its sixth commercial license agreement and first with Akridge Energy, LLC (Akridge Energy), based in Maryland.
Loss of Production Even More Dangerous in Times of Low Oil PricesJuly 8th, 2009 ABU DHABI -
- Security Specialists Must Work Together With Public Authorities to Reduce Risks
In challenging economic times any unplanned loss of production in critical sectors, such as oil, gas, electricity and water, can be devastating for a company's profits. The loss in revenue while they repair the problem is bad enough, but any ensuing reputational damage will only serve to compound matters.
Far East Energy Announces 2009 Annual Meeting and Management Staff AdditionApril 22nd, 2009 HOUSTON - Far East Energy Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: FEEC) announced today that its 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on Wednesday, July 15, 2009, at 10:00 a.m., local time, at the Hilton Houston North, 12400 Greenspoint Drive, Houston, Texas. The Board of Directors have established Wednesday, June 3, 2009, as the record date for determining stockholders of record entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Far East Energy Announces Investor Update DetailsApril 5th, 2009 HOUSTON - Far East Energy Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: FEEC) announced today that it will host an investor conference call Thursday, April 9, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. Central Time - 10:30 a.m.
Far East Energy Announces Investor Update WebcastMarch 25th, 2009 HOUSTON - Far East Energy Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: FEEC) announced today
that it will host an investor conference call Thursday, April 9, 2009 at 9:30
a.m. Central Time - 10:30 a.m.
Far East Energy Announces Strategic Relationship and Total Funding of up to US$63 MillionMarch 15th, 2009 HOUSTON - Far East Energy Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: FEEC) announced the
formation of a strategic alliance with Arrow Energy International Pte Ltd. ("Arrow"), the Singapore-based international arm of Arrow Energy Ltd., a
large Australian coalbed methane ("CBM") producer.
Related News
Alliant Energy announces tender offer results, will pay $40 per senior noteSeptember 30th, 2009 Alliant Energy announces tender offer resultsMADISON, Wis. — Alliant Energy Corp.
Electricity regulator to set up renewable energy exchangeMarch 21st, 2009 KOLKATA - The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has proposed to set up an exchange for renewable energy, a top official said here Friday. 'There would be a national exchange kind of a thing where registration of renewable energy would be done,' CERC chairman Pramod Deo said during an interaction with members of the Merchants Chamber of Commerce here.
Resolute Energy announces conversion ratio from Hicks Acquisition buyoutSeptember 30th, 2009 Resolute Energy announces Hicks buyout conversionDENVER — Oil and gas company Resolute Energy Co. on Tuesday announced the conversion ratio related to its buyout of Hicks Acquisition Company I Inc.
President urges IOC to expand productionJune 30th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Inaugurating the golden jubilee celebrations of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), President Pratibha Patil Tuesday hoped the state refiner would continue to expand production to increase the country's energy security. As Indian Oil owns and operates 10 of India's 20 refineries, accounting for 34 percent of the national refining capacity, I am sure that the nation can count on its contribution in increasing production, Patil said in her address at a function here.
KBR announces 2 executive appointments in hydrocarbons groupAugust 18th, 2009 KBR announces executives in hydrocarbons groupHOUSTON — KBR Inc., the engineering and construction firm spun off from Halliburton, announced two management appointments in its hydrocarbons group on Tuesday. The Houston-based company named Mitch Dauzat president of gas monetization and Roy Oelking executive vice president of oil and gas.
Global Energy sells ethanol plant; owner to use as demonstration site for biofuel technologySeptember 4th, 2009 Global Energy sells ethanol plantATLANTA — Global Energy Holdings Group, Inc. said Friday it will sell an ethanol production plant to Fiberight LLC.
Cessna Aircraft announces 2,300 layoffs, closure of Ore. plant as plane orders fallApril 29th, 2009 Cessna announces 2,300 layoffs as orders fallWICHITA, Kan. — Wichita-based Cessna Aircraft Co.
House Republicans unveil bill to boost energy production, counter Democrats' proposalJune 10th, 2009 House Republicans offer alternative energy billWASHINGTON — House Republicans are calling for a hundred new nuclear power plants to be built in the next two decades as part of legislation they say is a better alternative than one championed by Democrats. The legislation unveiled by the GOP Wednesday would increase production of oil and gas offshore, fast-track refinery construction and establish a trust fund using oil and gas royalties to invest in renewable energy.
Southwest Bancorp announces quarterly dividend of 23.8 centsAugust 28th, 2009 Southwest Bancorp announces quarterly dividendSTILLWATER, Okla. — Southwest Bancorp Inc.
Interior Sec'y Salazar announces $500M in federal stimulus money for American Indian tribesApril 25th, 2009 Interior secretary announces $500M for tribesBISMARCK, N.D. — Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says $500 million in federal stimulus money will go to American Indian tribes across the U.S.