Melbana Energy has entered into a Farmin Agreement (FIA) with Sonangol with regards to its Block 9 Production Sharing Contract (PSC) onshore Cuba. Sonangol is the National Oil Company of the Republic of Angola. It produces over 2 million barrels of oil per day and is Africa’s second largest producer.

Subject to Sonangol’s interest in Block 9 PSC receiving Cuban regulatory approval (which we are advised has been received and is now in the process of being formally documented), the FIA provides for:

1. Sonangol to fund 85% of all costs associated with the completion of the drilling of Melbana’s two highest ranked and high impact targets (Alameda and Zapato) to earn a 70% participating interest in Block 9 PSC, with the first well expected to commence drilling in Q4 2020; and
2. Sonangol to pay Melbana approximately $5 million to cover its expenditure to date related to Block 9 PSC.

All other conditions have been confirmed by Sonangol as having been satisfied.

In parallel with negotiating the FIA, Melbana has been working with drilling contractors and service providers to generate updated proposals to support the drilling of these two wells. The preferred entities all have an established presence in Cuba and significant experience there in the oil and gas sector. Further announcements are expected to be made in due course once these agreements are finalised.

All necessary permitting for these two wells is either already in place, in the process of being renewed or extended (as applicable) or need only be sought once all agreements for rigs and services are in place and drilling is ready to commence.

Drilling operations are currently forecast to commence in Q4 2020, subject to currently unknown timing and movement implications due to COVID-19 management practices that Cuba and other relevant countries may continue to employ in the months ahead. A contingency is currently built into the project schedule which is hoped would be sufficient to absorb any prolonged impact of this pandemic. Melbana notes that mills in China and Europe for the manufacture of tubulars and accessories (to supplement existing inventories) have been either working without interruption or have had their operations normalised after being slightly affected in Q1 of this year.

Melbana Energy’s Executive Chairman, Andrew Purcell, said:
“It has been a challenging period in which to advance formal agreements and well planning, but we are fortunate and appreciative to have had the experience and commitment of Sonangol and CUPET to assist us. We are pleased, too, by the commitment being shown to the drilling of these two wells by the various contractors we are in discussions with. These are difficult times for the energy sector, but it does mean there is a lot of available capacity and inventory for this drilling program.

We look forward to commencing this drilling program later this year, subject to the impacts of COVID19 on the movement of people and materials abating in a timely manner.”

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