GeoPark Announces Its First Oil and Gas Discovery in Ecuador

Rhea-AI Summary

GeoPark Limited (NYSE: GPRK) has announced its first hydrocarbon discovery in the Perico block in Ecuador. The Jandaya 1 well, drilled to a depth of 10,975 feet, encountered 70-80 feet of potential hydrocarbon reservoir across three formations, with a primary focus on the Hollin formation. Initial production tests yielded 750 barrels of oil per day and 0.8 million standard cubic feet of gas. The company plans to continue exploration activities, including drilling in the Tui prospect and further seismic studies in the Espejo Block as part of a $160-180 million capital expenditure program for 2022.

Positive

• Successful discovery of hydrocarbons in the Perico block.
• Initial production tests show 750 barrels of oil per day.
• Plans to drill additional wells, including Tui and Espejo blocks.
• Well-developed service industry and existing infrastructure in exploration areas.

Negative

• None.

QUITO, Ecuador--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- GeoPark Limited (“GeoPark” or the “Company”) (NYSE: GPRK), a leading independent Latin American oil and gas explorer, operator and consolidator today announced its first hydrocarbon discovery in the Perico block (GeoPark non-operated, 50% WI) in the Oriente basin in Ecuador.

The Jandaya 1 exploration well was drilled and completed to a total depth of 10,975 feet where a total of 70-80 feet vertical depth of potential hydrocarbon bearing reservoir was encountered in three formations, with the Hollin formation as the main target.

To date, the operator has carried out production tests in the lower Hollin formation, showing a production rate of 750 barrels of oil per day of 28 degrees API and 0.8 million standard cubic feet per day of gas, for a combined 890 barrels of oil equivalent per day with a 8% water cut, after five days of testing. The complete testing program is underway, and the operator plans to start production tests in the upper Hollin formation in the upcoming days. Additional testing and production history will be required to determine stabilized flow rates of the well and the extent of the reservoir.

Oil production from Jandaya 1 is already being delivered to a nearby access point on Ecuador’s main pipeline system for sale to export markets.

GeoPark and its partner Frontera Energy Corporation are currently evaluating subsequent activities in the Jandaya field, including a potential development plan.

The drilling rig in the Perico block is currently moving to the Tui exploration prospect, located 6 km south of the Jandaya 1 well, to be spudded in February 2022. Tui also has the Hollin formation as its main objective (an analogue of Jandaya).

Further exploration activities are budgeted to continue in Ecuador during 2022 in the Espejo Block (GeoPark operated, 50% WI) with the acquisition of 60 sq km of 3D seismic to be followed by the drilling of a first exploration well in the block, expected to spud in 2H2022.

The Espejo and Perico blocks are attractive, low-risk exploration blocks located in Sucumbios Province in the Oriente basin in north-eastern Ecuador. The blocks are adjacent to multiple discoveries and producing fields and have access to existing infrastructure with spare capacity and a well-developed service industry.

These activities are part of GeoPark’s self-funded 2022 capital expenditures program of $160-180 million, that aims to drill 40-48 gross wells, including an extensive exploration drilling program which targets high-potential, short-cycle and near-field projects on big proven acreage next to GeoPark’s core Llanos 34 block (GeoPark operated, 45% WI) in Colombia plus other exploration targets in Colombia and Ecuador.¹

James F. Park, Chief Executive Officer of GeoPark, said: “Congratulations and thanks to GeoPark’s oil finding team for opening up another new exciting region of opportunity for expansion and growth. Risk-managed, short-cycle exploration has been the backbone of GeoPark’s successful track record and 75% of our current production comes from reserves which have been discovered by our G&G team. Historically, over the last 20 years, our team has an over 75% drilling success rate. This new discovery in Ecuador - which is already on production and being marketed - is the first exploration success of our very active 2022 work program which includes 15-20 exploration wells - none of which are factored into our production targets for the year.”

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¹ Please refer to the release published on November 10, 2021 for further details.

NOTICE

Additional information about GeoPark can be found in the “Investor Support” section on the website at www.geo-park.com.

Rounding amounts and percentages: Certain amounts and percentages included in this press release have been rounded for ease of presentation. Percentage figures included in this press release have not in all cases been calculated based on such rounded figures but based on such amounts prior to rounding. For this reason, certain percentage amounts in this press release may vary from those obtained by performing the same calculations using the figures in the financial statements. In addition, certain other amounts that appear in this press release may not sum due to rounding.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS RELEVANT TO FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. Many of the forward- looking statements contained in this press release can be identified using forward-looking words such as ‘‘anticipate,’’ ‘‘believe,’’ ‘‘could,’’ ‘‘expect,’’ ‘‘should,’’ ‘‘plan,’’ ‘‘intend,’’ ‘‘will,’’ ‘‘estimate’’ and ‘‘potential,’’ among others.

Forward-looking statements that appear in a number of places in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations regarding various matters, including the expected production rates, production growth, expected schedule or development plan, economic recovery, payback timing, IRR, drilling activities, demand for oil and gas, oil and gas prices, capital expenditures plan and work program and investment guidelines. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions, and on information currently available to the management. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to various factors. Oil and gas production figures included in this release are stated before the effect of royalties paid in kind, consumption, and losses, except when specified.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update them considering new information or future developments or to release publicly any revisions to these statements to reflect later events or circumstances, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. For a discussion of the risks facing the Company which could affect whether these forward-looking statements are realized, see filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Readers are cautioned that the exploration resources disclosed in this press release are not necessarily indicative of long-term performance or of ultimate recovery. Unrisked prospective resources are not risked for change of development or chance of discovery. If a discovery is made, there is no certainty that it will be developed or, if it is developed, there is no certainty as to the timing of such development. There is no certainty that any portion of the prospective resources will be discovered. If discovered, there is no certainty that it will be commercially viable to produce any portion of the resources. Prospective resource volumes are presented as unrisked.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220123005120/en/

INVESTORS:



Stacy Steimel

Shareholder Value Director

T: +562 2242 9600

ssteimel@geo-park.com



Miguel Bello

Market Access Director

T: +562 2242 9600

mbello@geo-park.com



Diego Gully

Investor Relations Director

T: +5411 4312 9400

dgully@geo-park.com



MEDIA:



Communications Department

communications@geo-park.com

Source: GeoPark Limited

FAQ

What hydrocarbon discovery did GeoPark announce on January 23, 2022?

GeoPark announced a hydrocarbon discovery in the Perico block in Ecuador with the Jandaya 1 well.

What are the production rates from the Jandaya 1 well?

The Jandaya 1 well has shown a production rate of 750 barrels of oil per day and 0.8 million standard cubic feet of gas.

How much is GeoPark investing in its capital expenditures program for 2022?

GeoPark's capital expenditures program for 2022 is budgeted at $160-180 million.

What are GeoPark's future exploration plans after the Jandaya 1 discovery?

GeoPark plans to drill additional exploration wells in the Tui and Espejo blocks in Ecuador.

What formations is GeoPark targeting in its exploration activities?

GeoPark is primarily targeting the Hollin formation in its Jandaya 1 well and future drilling activities.