Acquisition of 100% of Kentucky Exploration Leases

Rhea-AI Summary

AXP Energy Limited (ASX: AXP, OTC: AUNXF) has reached an agreement to acquire Newtak Pty Ltd's 50% stake in Kentucky Exploration, LLC for US$50,000, thereby gaining full ownership and operational control of the leases. This acquisition, set to finalize by the end of November 2021, includes a portfolio of 44 oil wells in the Illinois Basin. AXP plans to enhance production via workover programs and a new drilling division targeting low-cost vertical wells. The company aims to significantly bolster its oil production base through this strategic move.

Positive

• Complete ownership of Kentucky Exploration leases enhances operational control.
• Acquisition priced at US$50,000 is considered low-cost for the value of the assets.
• Workover programs and drilling of new wells expected to increase production.
• Leases include proven oil-producing fields, offering potential for revenue growth.

Negative

• Current production levels from the wells are modest, indicating potential underperformance.
• Some wells earmarked for abandonment, which may reflect issues with existing assets.

SYDNEY, Nov. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AXP Energy Limited (ASX: AXP, OTC US: AUNXF), ("AXP", "Company") is pleased to confirm that it has agreed terms with Australian private company Newtak Pty Ltd ("Newtak") to acquire Newtak's  50% membership interest in Kentucky Exploration, LLC, resulting in AXP owning these leases outright and retaining sole operatorship (refer map overleaf).

AXP formed a Joint Venture with Newtak in 2010 to acquire and operate the leases with revenue being equally shared after costs and royalty payments. Under the terms of this agreement, AXP will acquire Newtak's 50% membership interest for total cash consideration of US$50,000 with the transaction scheduled to close by end November 2021.

Kentucky Exploration, LLC holds extensive acreage in the Illinois Basin covering a portfolio of 44 conventional oil wells which currently deliver only modest daily production, as they have not been a focus for AXP. A workover program developed by the operations team in Lexington is now underway and production is already returning to some wells that have not produced for a number of years. Workovers are continuing.

As well, the Dacy Lease (part of Kentucky Exploration) has been earmarked as a priority target for drilling new low-cost vertical wells to be undertaken by AXP's recently formed drilling division.  As reported on 4 November, the Company will shortly commence a 4 + 4 well back-to-back drill program across 4 leases in the Illinois Basin.

Through a combination of workovers and drilling new low-cost conventional oil wells, the Company believes these leases can, in time, make a meaningful contribution to AXP's growing oil production base.

AXP's Chief Executive Officer Tim Hart said: "The Kentucky Exploration leases are proven oil producing fields and we have identified some compelling low-cost conventional targets. As well, a number of the wells are candidates for more extensive workovers to enhance production and work is underway. This low-cost, opportunistic acquisition of an asset we know well is further evidence of our ability to identify quality conventional oil and gas assets and add value quickly. We look forward to providing an update on the workovers and the early production gains."

AXP's portfolio of ~1,460 wells are now all 100% owned by the Company with many still under-producing. Of the ~276 earmarked for abandonment or under review, a number of these have been identified for re-purposing and workovers which will enhance production.

This announcement has been authorised by the Board of AXP Energy Limited.

ABOUT AXP ENERGY LIMITED

AXP ENERGY Limited (ASX: AXP) (formerly Fremont Petroleum Corporation Limited) is an oil & gas production and development company with operations in Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. AXP's focus is to aggressively grow daily production by improving current asset performance and opportunistically acquiring onshore USA oil & gas assets with the following characteristics: producing conventional oil & gas wells; production that can be enhanced through low-cost field operations and workovers; leases which are held by production and which do not require ongoing drilling commitments; and economies of scale which can be achieved by acquiring and carrying out similar enhancement strategies on contiguous or nearby fields with similar characteristics.

DISCLAIMER

This announcement contains or may contain "forward looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of1933 and Section 21B of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, goals, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward looking statements." Forward looking statements are based on expectations, estimates and projections at the time the statements are made that involve a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those presently anticipated. Forward looking statements in this action may be identified through the use of words such as "expects", "will," "anticipates," "estimates," "believes," or statements indicating certain actions "may," "could," or "might" occur. Hydrocarbon production rates fluctuate over time due to reservoir pressures, depletion, down time for maintenance and other factors. The Company does not represent that quoted hydrocarbon production rates will continue indefinitely.

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SOURCE AXP Energy Limited

FAQ

What is AXP Energy Limited acquiring from Newtak Pty Ltd?

AXP Energy is acquiring Newtak's 50% membership interest in Kentucky Exploration, LLC.

How much is AXP paying for the acquisition of Kentucky Exploration?

AXP is paying a total cash consideration of US$50,000.

What are AXP's plans for the Kentucky Exploration leases?

AXP plans to enhance production through workovers and new drilling of low-cost vertical wells.

What is the expected impact of the acquisition on AXP's oil production?

The acquisition is expected to meaningfully contribute to AXP's growing oil production base.

When is the acquisition of Kentucky Exploration expected to close?

The transaction is scheduled to close by the end of November 2021.