Zenith Energy relinquishes Azerbaijan work to SOCAR

Zenith expects to shortly define the handover process of the CRA. It will continue to operate the CRA and maintain oil production activities in Azerbaijan without interruption until the handover is completed.

The company expects to achieve a near total reduction of operating expenses in Azerbaijan upon completion of the handover of the CRA.

In addition, the company's local subsidiary is owed approximately US$700 000 from sales of produced oil which Zenith expects to receive in the near future.

Current production from the CRA is approximately 180 bpd.

As a consequence, Zenith will not proceed with previously planned well interventions in relation to wells C-37 and C-30 of the Jafarli oilfield, which is expected to increase the company's free cash base.

The company confirms that, once the handover of the CRA is completed, its sole operational focus in Azerbaijan will be in relation to performing exploration activities.

Andrea Cattaneo, CEO, commented: "The transformational development oil production and revenue generation opportunities we are currently completing in Africa require a strategic review of our focus to optimise the deployment of our financial resources and management attention.

Zenith has deployed significant financial and technical resources since the beginning of the Azerbaijan project in order to achieve material increases in oil production. Results have underwhelmed management and market expectations for a number of reasons including the complexity of the geological formations and oil reservoirs, the poor condition of many existing wells, as well the inaccuracy of historical well records.

We shall continue with our 25-year REDPSA, which remains intact, with regards to exploration activities to be undertaken during 2020 and potentially beyond."

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/drilling-and-production/04032020/zenith-energy-relinquishes-azerbaijan-work-to-socar/