Zenith Energy Ltd. ("Zenith" or the "Company") (LSE: ZEN; TSX.V: ZEE), the dual listed international oil & gas production company operating the largest onshore oilfield in Azerbaijan, is pleased to announce that production has successfully been restored at well M-66 in the Muradkhanli field.

 

Production History of well M-66

 

Well M-66 was drilled in 1978 with initial flow rates of 14 BOPD. Acid fracturing, performed shortly after completion, increased production to 284 BOPD.  In 1999 well M-66 became shut in. 

 

CTU Well Interventions 

 

Well M-66 has been cleaned out to a depth of 3011 meters with a coiled tubing unit (CTU) using nitrogen. This procedure has restored production and achieved a flow rate of 15 BOPD. 150 barrels of oil which had accumulated in the wellbore were also recovered during the well intervention. 

This operation is part of a larger, systematic programme towards economically maximizing production at non-producing and underperforming wells across Zenith's 642.4 km2 contract area. 

Team A, comprised of Zenith's field personnel operating the Company's workover rig, together with Team C, comprised of Smape Srl contractors operating a CTU, will now move to the Zardab field to engage in a series of high-impact workovers.  A number of wells in this field produced in excess of 500 BOPD for a short period of time before they became plugged-up with sand.

 

Wells M-45 and M-195 Update

The Company is awaiting delivery of electric submersible pumps (ESP's) for both these wells.  Zenith will release an update when the pumps have been installed and the resulting flow rates have been determined.  

 

Zenith Chief Executive Officer, Andrea Cattaneo, commented: 

"I am pleased with this result.  The recently arrived coiled tubing unit is now being employed as much as possible in all our well interventions. Our technical skillset has also been enhanced by the arrival from Canada of two workover specialists, a reservoir engineer and a drilling engineer.  Our operational capabilities will further improve when we complete the acquisition of a new Chinese manufactured workover rig.  The Company will make an announcement when this is completed and a delivery date is defined.  

M-66 was one of the many wells selected for coiled tubing interventions. The small operational outlay relative to the significant increase achieved in production revenue from this well should not be overlooked.  

It is clear that there is a vast amount of oil under the surface in the Muradkhanli field. It should, however, also be underlined that well workovers on old Soviet wells will deliver only progressive production increases as opposed to the exceptional flow rates made possible by successfully drilling new wells.  As stated in previous announcements, we intend to begin drilling activities in 2018. 

I look forward to our operations in the Zardab field, where some of the Company's most promising wells are located. It is important to note that no significant operations have been performed in this field during the last twenty years.  I am confident that the use of a coiled tubing unit, combined with a strengthened operational team, will deliver strong results."

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

 

For further information, please contact:

Zenith Energy Ltd.

José Ramón López-Portillo

Chairman

 

Andrea Cattaneo

CEO & President

Email: info@zenithenergy.ca

Telephone:     +1 (587) 315 9031

Telefax:           +1 (403) 775 4474

  

Allenby Capital Limited - (Joint Broker)

Nick Harriss

Nick Athanas

Richard Short

Telephone:   + 44 (0) 203 328 5656

 

Optiva Securities  - (Joint Broker)

Christian Dennis

Telephone: + 44 (0) 203 137 1903

 

Abchurch (Financial PR/IR)

Tim Thompson

Telephone: +44 (0) 200 7398 7700

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information concerning (i) the current and future production potential of the properties, (ii) the revenue associated with production and (iii) the pricing and profitability of oil and gas production. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Zenith, including the ability to execute its strategy and realize its growth opportunities including its ability to finance and execute its plans. Although Zenith believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward looking statements and information because Zenith can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. By its nature, such forward-looking information is subject to various risks and uncertainties, which could cause the actual results and expectations to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed. These risks and uncertainties, include, but are not limited to, Zenith being unable to finance or realize growth opportunities. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date hereof, and to not use such forward-looking information for anything other than its intended purpose. Zenith undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.