CALGARY, ALBERTA–(Marketwired – Aug. 20, 2014) – Contact Exploration Inc. (“Contact” or the “Company“) (TSX VENTURE:CEX) is pleased to announce that the three Contact operated wells, at 2-18-63-5 W6M, 8-20-63-5 W6M and 9-20-63-5 W6M (collectively, the “New Wells“), drilled from the Company’s first three-well pad, have each been successfully completed. Contact holds a 25% working interest in the New Wells.
Each of the New Wells was drilled with lateral lengths exceeding 1,900 meters, being approximately 50% longer than the average lateral length of wells previously drilled by Contact at Kakwa, with each being drilled and completed on time and budget. The New Wells have undergone testing for a longer duration than Contact’s previous Kakwa wells in order to assist with the recovery of the additional frac water volumes pumped in connection with completing these longer wells.
Contact is very encouraged with the test results from the New Wells. Contact expects the 16-7 compressor station (“16-7 Facility“) existing capacity of approximately 15 mmcf/d of natural gas and associated liquids to be fully utilized once the New Wells are placed on production, adding to the production volumes from Contact’s existing Kakwa wells. In keeping with the Company’s practices, Contact expects to announce the initial 30 day production volumes from the New Wells in due course.
The New Wells are currently being equipped for start-up in September 2014, however, the Company has been advised by the mid-stream gas plant operator of a 16 day scheduled plant turn-around in mid-September 2014. Contact anticipates that all Company production will be shut-in for the duration of this turn-around. Accordingly, the New Wells may not be fully producing until October 2014.
The Company continues to utilize two rigs in its ongoing Montney Kakwa horizontal drilling program. In addition, Contact has recently equipped its Upper Montney operated well (25% WI) with an artificial lift and expects to see initial results from this operation in mid-September 2014.
Contact is currently designing an expansion to its operated 16-7 Facility (25% WI) to increase capacity to up to 30 mmcf/d of natural gas and associated liquids, with a targeted start-up for this expansion of Spring 2015.
About Contact Exploration Inc.
Contact Exploration Inc. is a public oil and gas company which has a long-term history of operating in Atlantic Canada and has recently demonstrated success in Alberta’s liquids-rich Montney Formation tight gas play. For more information, please see the Company’s website: www.contactexp.com.
ADVISORY ON USE OF “BOEs”: “BOEs” may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A BOE conversion ratio of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of oil equivalent (6 mcf: 1 bbl) is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. Given that the value ratio based on the current price of crude oil as compared to natural gas is significantly different from the energy equivalency of 6:1, utilizing a conversion on a 6:1 basis may be misleading as an indication of value.
[expand title=”Advisories & Contact”]ADVISORY ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release contains certain forward-looking information and statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words “expect”, “continue”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “believe”, “plans”, “cautions” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, this press release contains statements concerning the timing for the Company to announce the initial production results from the New Wells; the timing for start up of the New Wells; the down time expected at the mid-stream gas plan in mid-September 2014 and its effect on the Company’s production; the expected timing for initial results from the Upper Montney operated well; and the expansion and anticipated timing for completion and start up of the expansion of the 16-7 Facility, among others.
Forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of material factors, expectations or assumptions of Contact which have been used to develop such statements and information but which may prove to be incorrect. Although Contact believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because Contact can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. In particular, in addition to other factors and assumptions which may be identified herein, no assurances can be given respecting: whether the Company’s exploration and development activities respecting the Deep Basin Montney project will be successful or that material volumes of petroleum and natural gas reserves will be encountered, or if encountered can be produced on a commercial basis; that the results of any production test will be indicative of the long-term performance of the New Wells or of ultimate recovery from the New Wells; the ultimate size and scope of any hydrocarbon bearing formations at the Deep Basin Montney project; that additional drilling operations in the Deep Basin Montney project, including at the New Wells and the Upper Montney operated well, will be successful such that further development activities in this area is warranted; that Contact’s efforts to raise additional capital will be successful; that Contact will continue to conduct its operations in a manner consistent with past operations; results from drilling and development activities will be consistent with past operations; the accuracy of the estimates of Contact’s reserve volumes; the general stability of the economic and political environment in which Contact operates; drilling results; field production rates and decline rates; the general continuance of current industry conditions; the timing and cost of pipeline, storage and facility construction and expansion and the ability of Contact to secure adequate product transportation; future commodity prices; currency, exchange and interest rates; regulatory framework regarding royalties, taxes and environmental matters in the jurisdictions in which Contact operates; and the ability of Contact to successfully market its oil and natural gas products.
Further, events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, without limitation: changes in commodity prices; changes in the demand for or supply of the Company’s products; unanticipated operating results or production declines; changes in tax or environmental laws, royalty rates or other regulatory matters; changes in development plans of Contact or by third party operators of Contact’s properties, increased debt levels or debt service requirements; inaccurate estimation of Contact’s oil and gas reserve and resource volumes; limited, unfavourable or a lack of access to capital markets; increased costs; a lack of adequate insurance coverage; the impact of competitors; and certain other risks detailed from time-to-time in Contact’s public disclosure documents. Additional information regarding some of these risk factors may be found under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Management Discussion and Analysis prepared for the year ended March 31, 2014. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and Contact undertakes no obligations to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contact Exploration Inc.
Steve Harding
President and CEO
(403) 771-1091
(403) 695-3915 (FAX)
sharding@contactexp.com
www.contactexp.com
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