CBM Asia Increases Coalbed Methane Holdings in Sumatra & Kalimantan
CBM Asia Acquires 70% Operated Participating Interest in Two Additional Indonesian Coalbed Methane PSCs
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Sept. 20, 2011) - CBM Asia Development Corp. (TSX VENTURE:TCF)(US:CBMDF)(FRANKFURT:IY2) ("CBM Asia" or the "Company") announces that it has acquired majority interest in two coalbed methane production sharing contracts (PSC) in Indonesia, increasing its total gross acreage in the country by 93% to 2,799 km2. In addition, the Company has applied to the Indonesian government for extensions to both new blocks, which are anticipated to add a further gross area of 2,564 km2, and paid signature bonuses of USD$1.0 million per PSC thereto. Both agreements require the Company to, among other things, fund 100% of the costs of the first 3 years' firm exploration program commitment under the applicable PSC up to a maximum of USD6.5 million per PSC and reimburse the vendors for certain direct and other costs.
CBM Asia's Chairman Scott H. Stevens noted, "We are excited about the prospects for these two acquisitions, including the extensions under application at both blocks. Together with the extensions, these acquisitions exceed our previously announced LOI (May 12, 2011). The Hulu PSC in Central Sumatra targets coal seams that are age-equivalent to those at the Sekayu PSC, where the Company recently reported positive results. Drilling by other operators in East Kalimantan, particularly BP's recent confirmation of that they have achieved CBM-to-LNG export, four years ahead of Australia, confirm the CBM potential there. As operators of these two blocks we will be able to dictate the pace of exploration and development."
Central Sumatra PSC: The first block acquired is the 519-km2 Hulu PSC in Central Sumatra. The Company holds a 70% participating interest and is the operator. PT Samantak Mineral Prima holds a 30% participating interest. The block is adjacent to the Trans Sumatra gas pipeline and close to the Chevron-operated Duri oil field steam flood operation, a major gas consumer which offers premium gas pricing. The extension would increase the gross area to approximately 1,983 km2.
East Kalimantan PSC: The Company has also acquired a 70% participating interest and operatorship in the 830-km2 Bentian Besar PSC in East Kalimantan. PT Ridlatama Mining Utama holds a 30% participating interest. The block is located west of the Company's Kutai West PSC holdings and the BP-ENI Sanga-Sanga PSC, which recently began selling CBM to the Bontang LNG facility for export. The extension would increase the gross area to approximately 1,930 km2.
ABOUT CBM ASIA DEVELOPMENT CORP.
CBM Asia Development Corp. is a Canadian-based unconventional gas company with significant coalbed methane ("CBM") exploration and development opportunities in Indonesia. The Company holds various participating interests in four production sharing contracts (each a "PSC") for CBM in Indonesia including a 70% participating interest in the GMB Indragiri Hulu block covering 519 km2 in Central Sumatra, a 70% participating interest in the Bentian Besar block covering 830 km2 in the Kutai Basin of East Kalimantan and a 18% participating interest in the Kutai West block covering 869 km2 west of the Bentian Besar block in East Kalimantan. The Company has also entered into a binding letter of intent to acquire a 12% participating interest in a PSC for CBM on the 580 km2 Sekayu block located in the South Sumatra Basin where 3 exploration wells have been drilled by Medco Energi, following initial exploration drilling of a production test well in the second half of 2009. The Company has committed to fund an initial US$3.25 million in exploration expenditures on the Sekayu PSC to prove reserves and submit a Plan of Development to the Government of Indonesia. Sekayu Block Interests of the Company, Ephindo and Batavia Energy are held in South Sumatra Energy, Inc. Indonesia has one of the largest CBM resources in the world with a potential 453 trillion cubic feet in-place, more than double the country's natural gas reserves (Stevens and Hadiyanto, 2004). Since 2008 more than 30 CBM PSCs have been granted by the Government of Indonesia, representing exploration commitments of over US$100 million during the next 3 years. In addition to CBM Asia, other companies active in CBM exploration in Indonesia include BP, Dart Energy, ENI, ExxonMobil, Medco, and TOTAL. The Company trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "TCF". www.cbmasia.ca
ON BEHALF OF CBM ASIA DEVELOPMENT CORP.
Alan T. Charuk, President CEO
It's all happened before and it will all happen again. Might as well profit from it.
