Fiona MacAulay Image source: Echo Energy

Echo Energy, the Latin American focused upstream oil and gas company, announces Board changes and provides an update on its planned operational programme across its licences in Southern Argentina. 
 
Board Changes
 
The Company announces that Fiona MacAulay will be moving from her current role as Chief Executive Officer to that of a Non-Executive Director of the Company at the end of 2018. The Board has appointed Martin Hull, the Company's CFO, as Managing Director with immediate effect.  Martin Hull will, at the request of the Board, be actively supported by the Company's Non-Executive Chairman and, for a transitionary period until 31 March 2019, by Fiona MacAulay.
 
Tapi Aike - Seismic Acquisition
 
The Company is pleased to announce that the mobilisation of the equipment to acquire 1200km² of 3D seismic on the Company's high impact Tapi Aike exploration acreage from Neuquén Province by the seismic contractor UGA is due to commence imminently. The seismic acquisition programme, lasting approximately 4 months, will follow once all equipment has arrived on site and parameter testing is completed early in 2019. 
 
The Company believes that the Tapi Aike licence offers a compelling multi Tcf exploration proposition and, following completion of the upcoming seismic acquisition programme and subsequent data interpretation, the Company currently expects to define an initial 4 well exploration drilling programme with each well estimated to cost between US$2 million and US$5 million net to Echo.
 
CDL - Well Stimulation Programme Timing
 
Commencement of the stimulation of the EMS-1001 well, drilled in June 2018 on the Company's Fracción C licence, onshore Argentina, is now scheduled to commence in approximately 4 weeks following minor delays in the releasing of equipment from its current third party contract. The Company will update the market once the equipment is on site and stimulation operations are ready to commence.
 
James Parsons, Chairman, commented:
"It has been a huge pleasure to work with Fiona in these early stages of Echo's development and I would like to thank her for her significant contribution in securing our Argentinian portfolio, drilling four wells, completing various workovers and in strengthening and deepening the executive team. At this stage in her career Fiona wishes to develop a Non-Executive portfolio and we look forward to having the benefit of her continuing input as a fellow Director of the Company. 
 
I am very pleased that Martin will be taking the reins, bringing his extensive international transaction experience as we continue to drive transformational growth and build an even stronger platform for value creation for our shareholders in the future."