AXP Energy Limited (OTC US: AUNXF, ASX: AXP) announces newly formed drilling division to advance 8-well program

Rhea-AI Summary

AXP Energy Limited (ASX: AXP, OTC US: AUNXF) has announced the formation of an in-house drilling division to initiate an 8-well vertical drilling program across the Illinois and Appalachian Basins. This internally funded initiative, staffed by existing team members, aims to enhance oil production significantly. Drilling is set to begin in the coming weeks, leveraging cost advantages over external contractors. The program targets infill drilling at depths of 2,150 to 3,600 feet and will run alongside current workover operations.

Positive

• Formation of an in-house drilling division to reduce costs.
• Targeting infill drilling locations on existing producing wells.
• Drilling program set to commence in the coming weeks.
• Anticipated rapid increase in oil production.

Negative

• None.

HIGHLIGHTS

• AXP has formed an in-house drilling function staffed with existing team members to undertake an internally-funded 4 + 4 well vertical well drill program in the Illinois and Appalachian Basins;
• Company has internal geological, drilling and field service capabilities which will operate this drilling division with its key deliverable to increase oil production;
• Significant cost advantages over contracting an external drilling company; AXP can drill and complete all wells and will dry-hire a drilling rig; logging and cementing are the only outsourced functions;
• Multiple stacked pay zones with target depths of ~2,150 feet- ~3,600 feet; Locations are in-fill, meaning all targets are offset wells to existing producing wells;
• Favourable permitting regime; drilling to commence in the coming weeks;
• Drill program will run concurrently with existing workover programs; broader field development program to be developed following completion of first 4 wells.

SYDNEY, Nov. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AXP Energy Limited (ASX: AXP, OTC US: AUNXF),('AXP', 'Company') is pleased to confirm that its newly formed drilling division staffed by existing Company employees will now commence an 8-well back-to-back drill program across 4 leases in the Illinois Basin (see map overleaf).

AXP has a team of 35 people in its Kentucky operations with geological, drilling and operations capabilities that can operate a fully integrated, internally funded drilling function with only cementing and logging services to be outsourced. AXP has a major cost advantage by tapping its existing resources which will operate a leased drilling rig. Permits are pending on the first wells and drilling will commence in the coming weeks. Permitting is straightforward in the Illinois Basin.

AXP has formed this division as a platform to substantially increase current oil production and to add to the gains being realised from ongoing workover programs which will continue uninterrupted. It is anticipated that drilling new vertical wells will increase production much more rapidly as opposed to undertaking workovers alone.

The Company is planning an initial 4 + 4 well drilling program, the first phase of which is likely to run for around 3 months and then will model a more extensive drilling development program based on results of the initial wells.

All targets are infill drilling locations and offset wells to existing producing wells which means AXP is drilling on proven oil-producing leases. The locations have been identified and chosen after many months of assessment by the Company's head geologist. AXP's focus is to drill low-cost, high impact vertical wells. If the target warrants it, advanced stimulation will be undertaken (capped at ~USD$75k per well). This technique has not been deployed on any wells in the area and could yield improved flow rates.

Comment

AXP's Chief Executive Officer Tim Hart said: "As we have progressively integrated the MHP and Trey businesses, we have uncovered new opportunities to cost effectively and more rapidly increase oil & gas production; An internally-staffed drilling function is one such opportunity. The fact that we have been able to very quickly define new drill targets, assemble a team from existing resources and have first permits pending demonstrates that we can pursue production growth opportunities very quickly and cost effectively. The fact that we are drilling on producing oil and gas leases limits downside risk.

"With the WTI oil price now tracking above US$80 per barrel, we are intent on capitalising on the upside from our leases. As we have communicated previously, the Trey Exploration leases in particular have exceptional potential for oil production and they are a key focus for this first phase program.  

"As well as these first targets, we are assessing opportunities to deepen some existing wells, side track others and bring into production some wells that were previously drilled and cased for future production. We look forward to regularly updating shareholders on progress and results."  

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

END

FURTHER INFORMATION

Tim Hart, CEO: +1 (303) 999 5420
Simon Johnson, Non-Executive Chairman: 0417 478 818
Robert Lees, Company Secretary: 0411 494 406

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's new drilling program?

AXP Energy has initiated an 8-well vertical drilling program in the Illinois and Appalachian Basins to increase oil production.

When will AXP Energy's drilling program begin?

The drilling program is set to commence in the coming weeks.

What are the expected depths for AXP Energy's drilling program?

The drilling targets depths ranging from 2,150 feet to 3,600 feet.

What are the cost implications of AXP Energy's new drilling division?

The in-house drilling division is expected to provide significant cost advantages compared to contracting external drilling services.

How does AXP Energy plan to manage operations during the drilling program?

The drilling program will run concurrently with existing workover programs, allowing for broader field development.