VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA — (Marketwire) — 06/05/12 — Africa Oil Corp. (“Africa Oil” or the “Company”) (TSX VENTURE: AOI)(OMX: AOI) is pleased to announce the commencement of drilling operations on the Shabeel North well in Puntland, Somalia, the second well in the current drilling campaign. The well is being operated by Horn Petroleum Corp. (“Horn”) in which Africa Oil holds an interest of approximately 51%. Horn holds a 60% working interest in the Dharoor and Nugaal Valley Production Sharing Agreements (“PSA–s”) along with working interest partners Range Resources (20%) and Red Emperor (20%).
The Shabeel North well is targeting Upper Cretaceous Jesomma sands which had good oil and gas shows in the Shabeel well 3.5 kilometers to the south. Petrophysical analysis of downhole electrical logs in the Shabeel well indicated a potential pay zone in the Jesomma of up to 12 to 20 meters with an average porosity of 18 to 20%. It is planned to bring the rig back to the Shabeel location to test these sands to confirm their ability to flow oil once the drilling of the Shabeel North well is completed. The planned TD of the Shabeel North well is 2400 meters and drilling is expected to take 45 to 60 days to complete.
Horn President and CEO David Grellman stated, “The Shabeel North well will test the same reservoirs that appear to be oil bearing in the nearby Shabeel well. We would expect similar or better reservoir thickness and quality as we move deeper into the basin. The results of this well should help us confirm the extent of the petroleum system in the basin and, if successful, would be another step towards proving the economic potential of the basin.”
Africa Oil Corp. is a Canadian oil and gas company with assets in Kenya, Ethiopia and Mali as well as Puntland (Somalia) through its 51% equity interest in Horn Petroleum Corporation. Africa Oil–s East African holdings are in within a world-class exploration play fairway with a total gross land package in this prolific region in excess of 300,000 square kilometers. The East African Rift Basin system is one of the last of the great rift basins to be explored. New discoveries have been announced on all sides of Africa Oil–s virtually unexplored land position including the major Albert Graben oil discovery in neighbouring Uganda. The Company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and on First North at NASDAQ OMX-Stockholm under the symbol “AOI”.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Keith C. Hill, President and CEO
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements made and information contained herein constitute “forward-looking information” (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation). Such statements and information (together, “forward looking statements”) relate to future events or the Company–s future performance, business prospects or opportunities. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to estimates of reserves and or resources, future production levels, future capital expenditures and their allocation to exploration and development activities, future drilling and other exploration and development activities, ultimate recovery of reserves or resources and dates by which certain areas will be explored, developed or reach expected operating capacity, that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management.
All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. Statements concerning proven and probable reserves and resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements and reflect conclusions that are based on certain assumptions that the reserves and resources can be economically exploited. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “seek”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “continue”, “estimate”, “expect, “may”, “will”, “project”, “predict”, “potential”, “targeting”, “intend”, “could”, “might”, “should”, “believe” and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties relating to, among other things, changes in oil prices, results of exploration and development activities, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of materials and equipment, timeliness of government or other regulatory approvals, actual performance of facilities, availability of financing on reasonable terms, availability of third party service providers, equipment and processes relative to specifications and expectations and unanticipated environmental impacts on operations. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Africa Oil–s Certified Advisor on NASDAQ OMX First North is Pareto Ohman AB.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contacts:
Africa Oil Corp.
Sophia Shane
Corporate Development
(604) 689-7842
(604) 689-4250 (FAX)