Asphalt Ridge Option Period to Acquire Remaining 17.75% Working Interest Extended to February 10, 2025

Rhea-AI Summary

Trio Petroleum Corp (NYSE: TPET) has secured an extension to February 10, 2025, for its option to acquire an additional 17.75% working interest in the Asphalt Ridge Project in Utah. The company currently owns 2.25% working interest in 960 acres and has reported successful oil production from the HSO 2-4 well, with the HSO 8-4 well scheduled for downhole heater installation in December. The project, one of North America's largest heavy-oil and tar-sand deposits outside Canada, features low wax and sulfur content. Typical wells are estimated to yield 300,000 barrels ultimate recovery with initial production of 40 barrels per day. Engineering for six additional wells has been completed with permits pending.

Positive

• Successful oil production from HSO 2-4 well continues to date
• Engineering completed for six additional wells
• Typical well EUR of 300,000 barrels with 40 barrels/day initial production
• Project features desirable low wax and negligible sulfur content
• Option secured to expand working interest from 2.25% to 20%

Negative

• Current working interest to only 2.25%
• Option exercise requires significant capital investment
• Production to single well currently

Insights

Energy Industry Analyst

The Asphalt Ridge project extension represents a significant strategic opportunity for TPET. The initial production success from HSO 2-4 well and imminent production from HSO 8-4 validates the project's viability. With 300,000 barrels EUR per well and initial rates of 40 barrels per day, the economics look promising.

The option extension to acquire additional 17.75% working interest provides TPET valuable time to evaluate performance and secure financing. The project's unique characteristics - low sulfur and wax content - could command premium pricing in specialized markets like shipping. The potential expansion rights to 30,000 acres offers substantial upside.

However, investors should note that heavy oil production requires specialized techniques and higher operating costs compared to conventional oil. The success will largely depend on oil prices and the effectiveness of downhole heating technology.

Bakersfield, CA, Nov. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trio Petroleum Corp (NYSE American: “TPET”, “Trio” or the “Company”), a California-based oil and gas company, today provided updates on its Asphalt Ridge Project in Uintah County, Utah.

TPET announced on January 5, 2024, that it had secured an option (the “Option”) to acquire a 20% interest in a sweet (i.e., low sulfur content), heavy-oil and tar-sand development project at Asphalt Ridge, located near the town of Vernal in Uintah County, northeastern Utah. We announced on June 11, 2024, the successful drilling and completion of the first two exploratory wells at the project, the HSO 2-4 and HSO 8-4, that the wells encountered substantial oil-bearing pay zones in the Rimrock and Asphalt Ridge tar-sands (over 190’of oil-pay in HSO 2-4 and over 100’ of oil-pay in HSO 8-4), and that a downhole-heater was installed in the HSO 2-4 well. On September 12, 2024, we announced first oil production from the HSO 2-4 well. This encouraging oil production continues to-date. The HSO 8-4 is scheduled to receive a new downhole heater in early December and should commence oil production shortly thereafter. Engineering for a further six wells has been completed and permits are expected shortly.

TPET currently owns a 2.25% working interest in 960 acres at Asphalt Ridge, and under the Option may acquire up to an additional 17.75% working interest in the same 960 acres and also a 20% interest in an adjacent 1,920 acres, and also has a right of first refusal to participate in an additional approximate 30,000 acres of the greater Asphalt Ridge Project on terms offered to other third parties. TPET has secured an Option extension and now has until February 10, 2025, to exercise its right to acquire the remaining 17.75% interest in the initial 960 acres. TPET has until the earlier of the successful drilling and completion of 50 new wells, or November 10, 2025, to exercise its option on the adjacent 1,920 acres.

The Asphalt Ridge Project is known to be one of the largest heavy-oil and tar-sand deposits in North America outside of Canada, making it a potential giant oilfield, and is unique given its low wax and negligible sulfur content, which is expected to make the oil very desirable for many industries, including shipping. The project has the potential to be both immense and highly profitable. A typical project well has an estimated ultimate recovery (“EUR”) of 300,000 barrels of oil with an initial production rate of approximately 40 barrels of oil per day.

About Trio Petroleum Corp

Trio Petroleum Corp is an oil and gas exploration and development company headquartered in Bakersfield, California, with operations in Monterey County, California, and Uintah County, Utah. In Monterey County, Trio owns a 85.75% working interest in 9,245 acres at the Presidents and Humpback oilfields in the South Salinas Project, and a 21.92% working interest in 800 acres in the McCool Ranch Field. In Uintah County, Trio owns a 2.25% working interest in 960 acres and options to acquire up to an additional 17.75% working interest in the 960 acres, and also a 20% working interest in an adjacent 1,920 acres, and a right of first refusal to participate in up to a 20% working interest in an additional approximate 30,000 acres of the Asphalt Ridge Project with other third parties.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release of Trio Petroleum Corp (“Trio”) 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 "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 Trio's control, that could cause actual results 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 Trio’s S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Copies are of such documents are available on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. Trio undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

Investor Relations Contact:
Redwood Empire Financial Communications
Michael Bayes
(404) 809 4172
michael@redwoodefc.com

FAQ

What is the new option extension date for TPET's Asphalt Ridge acquisition?

TPET's option to acquire the remaining 17.75% interest in the initial 960 acres has been extended to February 10, 2025.

How many barrels of oil are expected from each well at TPET's Asphalt Ridge Project?

Each typical well at the Asphalt Ridge Project has an estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) of 300,000 barrels of oil, with an initial production rate of approximately 40 barrels per day.

How many wells are currently producing oil at TPET's Asphalt Ridge Project?

Currently, one well (HSO 2-4) is producing oil, with a second well (HSO 8-4) scheduled to receive a downhole heater in early December 2024.

What is TPET's current working interest in the Asphalt Ridge Project?

TPET currently owns a 2.25% working interest in 960 acres at Asphalt Ridge, with an option to acquire up to an additional 17.75% working interest.