Prospex Energy, the AIM quoted investment company focused on European gas and power projects, provides an update on the development activity on the Podere Gallina Licence located onshore in the Po Valley region of northern Italy, in which lies the Selva gas field within the Selva Malvezzi Production Concession ('Selva').  Po Valley Energ released an update on the ASX overnight on 23 November 2022. Prospex holds a 37% working interest in the Podere Gallina licence with the Operator holding the remaining 63%.

Highlights

• Final approval to commence development activity received on 21 November 2022
• Works to prepare the tie-in to the SNAM gas grid network commenced on 19 November 2021
• Gas plant construction work and pipeline installation work is to commence 28 November 2022
• Podere Maiar remains on track for first gas in early Q2 2023
• Final stage of production concession application for Prospex submitted
• Po Valley, the operator, in dialogue with off-take partners for the sale of gas from Podere Maiar

Mark Routh, Prospex's CEO, commented:
"We are extremely pleased that Po Valley has confirmed that final permissions have been granted to start the development works on site and that Podere Maiar remains on schedule and on budget to achieve first gas early in the second quarter of 2023.  Initial conversations with gas off-take partners for the sale of gas have commenced, which we have decided to sell jointly with the Operator Po Valley under a joint marketing agreement, which we believe will optimise the value of our gas sales and provide better value for our shareholders.

"In addition, the submission of our final application to the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security to be approved as a gas producer took place on 21 November 2022.  We believe that next year will be a transformational year for Prospex as we become a producer of gas in Italy as well as in Spain and very much look forward to keeping shareholders updated on our progress."

Gas Plant Construction and Pipeline Installation

On 19 November 2022, the engineering work commenced to connect the suspended well at Selva to the SNAM S.p.A. (BIT:SRG), the Italian energy infrastructure company's grid tie-in connection point.

On 21 November 2022 Po Valley confirmed that construction works at the Selva well site and the 4‑inch pipeline installation will commence on 28 November 20222.  The project is on schedule for first gas from Selva , from the Podere Maiar-1 well, early in the second quarter of 2023.

Production Concession Application submitted for Prospex

In addition, on 21 November 2022 formal applications were submitted to the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security for Prospex's two wholly owned subsidiaries which own the working interest in the Podere Gallina Licence, PXOG Marshall Ltd (17% of the Licence) and UOG Italia Srl (20% of the Licence) to be assigned to the Selva Malvezzi Production Concession which was approved by the Ministry in July 2022. This is the final step of the approvals process for Prospex to be officially recognised as a gas producer in Italy from the concession operated by Po Valley.

Gas Sales Agreements

Po Valley has confirmed that it is in dialogue with several counterparties to offtake and sell the gas from Selva on behalf of the Joint Venture.  Bids to take delivery of our gas at the SNAM connection point to the national grid which is less than 1 km from the Podere Maiar-1 (Selva) well site are being evaluated and a joint marketing agreement will be drawn up to facilitate joint sales.

KeyFacts Energy:   Po Valley Energy Italy country profile   l   Prospex Oil and Gas Italy country profile