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Indonesia Energy Completes Recording Of New 3D Seismic Operations at its Kruh Block and Expects to Drill New Production Wells By End of Year

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Indonesia Energy (NYSE American: INDO) has completed recording 29 square kilometers of new 3D seismic at its 63,000-acre Kruh Block. The company expects to drill new production wells by the end of 2024 after processing and interpreting the seismic data. IEC also plans to commence operations at its 650,000-acre Citarum Block, where reserves could potentially exceed a billion barrels of oil equivalent.

Key developments include:

  • Extended Kruh Block contract with Pertamina until September 2035
  • Increased after-tax profit split from 15% to 35%
  • Expected 40% increase in proved reserves at Kruh Block
  • Anticipated 200% increase in net cash flow from Kruh Block
  • Environmental permits received for Citarum Block operations
Positive
  • Completed 3D seismic recording at Kruh Block, enabling optimization of drilling locations
  • Extended Kruh Block contract with Pertamina until 2035, increasing after-tax profit split from 15% to 35%
  • Expected 40% increase in proved reserves at Kruh Block
  • Anticipated 200% increase in net cash flow from Kruh Block development plan
  • Received environmental permits for Citarum Block, potentially holding over 1 billion barrels of oil equivalent resources
Negative
  • None.

Insights

The announcement from Indonesia Energy Corporation (IEC) about the completion of new 3D seismic operations at its Kruh Block and the upcoming drilling activities is noteworthy for investors. The completion of the seismic survey on 29 square kilometers of the Kruh Block signifies a cautious yet methodical approach to resource extraction. The real value from this news lies in the increased profit split from 15% to 35% under the new contract terms, which could substantially enhance IEC’s bottom line. This change signifies an over 100% increase in after-tax profit splits and is expected to bump up IEC’s net cash flow projections by over 200%.

For retail investors, these numbers imply that the company is positioning itself for increased profitability, albeit contingent on successful extraction and favorable market conditions. However, it's important to bear in mind that seismic surveys and drilling operations are capital-intensive and come with inherent risks. Long-term investors might consider the new seismic data and drilling plans as a positive indicator, but short-term investors should be cautious of the cash flow implications and potential delays.

From a geological perspective, the completion of 3D seismic operations is a significant milestone. Seismic data provides a detailed subsurface image, which can be critical in identifying proved undeveloped reserves. This type of geophysical survey helps in pinpointing optimal drilling locations, potentially reducing the risk of dry wells. The focus on the Talangakar and Lemat formations, along with previously discovered shallow oil/gas zones, positions IEC to efficiently leverage existing resources. It's also worth noting that the Citarum Block, with its estimated potential of over one billion barrels of oil equivalent, represents a sizable opportunity. Securing environmental permits indicates regulatory hurdles are being managed.

For retail investors, understanding these technical elements can reassure them about the company's strategic planning. However, the geological complexity and technical risks involved in translating seismic data into successful drilling cannot be understated. Investors should stay informed about the progress of seismic data interpretation and subsequent drilling results.

The extended terms of the joint operation contract with Pertamina are another key point. Extending the contract by five years to 2035 offers IEC a stable and extended timeframe to capitalize on their operations in the Kruh Block. Not only does this secure a longer operational horizon, but it also increases proved reserves by over 40%. This expansion implies a stronger asset base, likely to improve IEC's long-term valuation.

For retail investors, this news marks a positive development, suggesting greater reliability in IEC's future revenue streams. However, it's important to monitor whether the projected timelines for seismic data interpretation and drilling operations are met, as delays could impact investor sentiment and financial projections.

Citarum Block operations, where natural gas reserves could potentially exceed a billion barrels of oil equivalent, to commence by end of year

JAKARTA, INDONESIA AND DANVILLE, CA, July 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Indonesia Energy Corporation (NYSE American: INDO) ("IEC"), an oil and gas exploration and production company based in Indonesia, today provided an operational update and announced that it has completed the recording of 29 square kilometers of new 3D seismic at its 63,000 acre Kruh Block. IEC will now commence processing and detailed interpretation of the seismic data to optimize the selection of drilling locations in its Kruh, North Kruh and West Kruh fields. Importantly, IEC anticipates that the results of this seismic work may allow IEC to drill new production wells at Kruh Block by the end of 2024.

Additionally, IEC announced that it expects to commence operations before the end of the year at its 650,000 acre Citarum Block where reserves could potentially exceed a billion barrels of oil equivalent.

As the operator of the Kruh block, IEC’s 3-D seismic program is strategically focused on existing proved reservoirs in the Talangakar and Lemat formations, as well as the very large and promising shallow oil/gas zones in the K-28 well discovered by IEC in 2022. 

The newly-acquired high quality three-dimensional seismic data will enable the identification of additional locations of proved undeveloped reserves and resources. This, in turn, will pave the way to prioritize the sequence of upcoming drilling locations as IEC recommences drilling operations at Kruh Block. Preparations for the new drilling operation are underway, with plans to drill the first well in the fourth quarter of 2024 after the evaluation of the new three-dimensional seismic data is completed.

IEC announced in September 2023 that its joint operation contract with Pertamina, the Indonesian state-owned oil and gas company, covering the Kruh Block was extended by 5 years from May 2030 to September 2035. Kruh Block covers approximately 63,000 acres and is located onshore on the Island of South Sumatra in Indonesia.

The amended joint operation contract has the following key terms:

  • The amended contract increases IEC’s after-tax profit split from the current 15% to 35%, for an increase of more than 100%.
  • In addition, given the 5-year extended term of the contract, the amended contract is expected to increase IEC’s proved reserves at Kruh Block by over 40%.
  • Furthermore, given the increased profit split, IEC’s anticipated net cash flow calculations based on its Kruh Block development plan are expected to increase by over 200% versus IEC’s anticipations under the prior contract.

At Citarum Block, IEC’s recent receipt of government environmental permits paves the way to expeditiously commence seismic operations, with plans to commence drilling next year. As previously reported, IEC’s estimates are that the Citarum Block has prospective oil-equivalent resources of over one (1) billion barrels of oil.

Mr. Frank Ingriselli, IEC's President, commented "We are very excited about the completion of the acquisition and commencement of interpretation of the new seismic data on our Kruh which bodes well for our company as we look to recommence drilling at Kruh Block in late 2024. We continue to believe that Kruh Block is a world class asset which has been enhanced by the significant improvements in our economics from the 2023 contract extension with the Indonesian government. These operations should positively leverage what we have learned from our previous discoveries, including our 2022 gas discovery, and determine the best locations to re-start our continuous drilling campaign.”

“Additionally, we have now also moved forward with activities at our potential billion-barrel equivalent natural gas 650,000-acre Citarum Block, where the previous operator drilled several gas discoveries. In short, we’ve never been more excited about IEC’s potential, and we look forward to continuing our efforts as we seek to drive positive shareholder value," concluded Mr. Ingriselli.

About Indonesia Energy Corporation Limited

Indonesia Energy Corporation Limited (NYSE American: INDO) is a publicly traded energy company engaged in the acquisition and development of strategic, high growth energy projects in Indonesia. IEC’s principal assets are its Kruh Block (63,000 acres) located onshore on the Island of Sumatra in Indonesia and its Citarum Block (650,000 acres) located onshore on the Island of Java in Indonesia. IEC is headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia and has a representative office in Danville, California. For more information on IEC, please visit www.indo-energy.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release and related statements of Indonesia Energy Corporation Limited (“IEC”) and its representatives and partners that are not based on historical fact are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Acts”). In particular, when used in the preceding discussion, the words “could,” "estimates," "believes," "hopes," "expects," "intends," “on-track”, "plans," "anticipates," or "may," and similar conditional expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Acts and are subject to the safe harbor created by the Acts. Any statements made in this news release other than those of historical fact, about an action, event or development, are forward-looking statements. While management has based any forward-looking statements contained herein on its current expectations, the information on which such expectations were based may change. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are outside of the IEC's control, that could cause actual results (including, without limitation, the anticipated benefits of the amended Kruh Block contract as well as the results of IEC’s exploration, drilling and production activities and the impact of such contract and activities on IEC’s results of operations) to materially and adversely differ from such statements. Such risks, uncertainties, and other factors include, but are not necessarily limited to, those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed on April 26, 2024 and other SEC filings, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Copies are of such documents are available on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. IEC undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

Company Contact:

Frank C. Ingriselli
President, Indonesia Energy Corporation Limited
Frank.Ingriselli@Indo-Energy.com


FAQ

When does Indonesia Energy (INDO) expect to drill new production wells at Kruh Block?

Indonesia Energy expects to drill new production wells at Kruh Block by the end of 2024, following the processing and interpretation of the newly acquired 3D seismic data.

What is the size of the Citarum Block operated by Indonesia Energy (INDO)?

The Citarum Block operated by Indonesia Energy (INDO) covers an area of 650,000 acres.

How much has Indonesia Energy 's (INDO) after-tax profit split increased for the Kruh Block?

Indonesia Energy 's (INDO) after-tax profit split for the Kruh Block has increased from 15% to 35%, representing an increase of more than 100%.

What is the expected increase in proved reserves at Kruh Block for Indonesia Energy (INDO)?

Indonesia Energy (INDO) expects a 40% increase in proved reserves at Kruh Block due to the 5-year extension of the joint operation contract with Pertamina.

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