=======================================================================
Bankers Petroleum Provides Operational And Corporate Update
=======================================================================
First Oil Shipment from New Port Terminal
CALGARY, July 14, 2009 - Bankers Petroleum Ltd. ("Bankers" or the
"Company") (TSX: BNK, AIM: BNK) is pleased to announce the following
operational and corporate updates.
New Vlore Port Export Terminal
Bankers' inaugural oil export sales shipment out of the Petrolifera
Italo Albanese Terminal ("PIA Terminal") in the new port of Vlore,
Albania was completed on July 13, 2009. The export operations went
efficiently and three additional export cargos are scheduled for the
month of July and four cargos in August.
Bankers' 13,000 cubic meter storage capacity at the PIA Terminal will
facilitate faster and larger oil shipments, ensure safer transport and
offloading operations and can lead to the ability to realize higher oil
sales prices.
Production and Oil Price
Second quarter production averaged 6,385 bopd from the Patos Marinza
oil field in Albania compared to first quarter production of 5,864
bopd. The Patos Marinza average oil price for the second quarter was
$35.11 per barrel, representing 55% of the Brent oil price, as compared
to the first quarter average price of $24.73 per barrel (56% of Brent
oil price). The Company realized in excess of 60% of the Brent oil
price in June for some exports as a result of narrowing light and heavy
oil differentials.
Drilling Update
Drilling on the second horizontal well #5014 in the Patos Marinza field
commenced on July 8th and is scheduled to reach total measured depth of
2,000 meters with 500 to 600 meters of lateral section by the end of
this month. The first horizontal well #5013, drilled in December 2008,
is currently producing at a rate of 170 bopd and has produced in excess
of 26,000 barrels since starting production in January 2009. Fluid
levels in the well remain high. Nine additional horizontal wells are
planned for the remainder of 2009 and Bankers exit production target is
8,000 bopd.
IFC / EBRD Warrants
The Company is also pleased to announce that the International Finance
Corporation ("IFC", a member of the World Bank Group) has exercised its
entire warrant holdings of 8.0 million warrants, issued on May 8, 2009
and priced at CDN$1.50/share, generating proceeds of CDN$12.0 million.
We await a decision from the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development ("EBRD") on the exercise of their equal number of warrants
prior to expiry on July 23rd, 2009. The warrants were granted to both
institutions as part of the previously announced US$110 million credit
facility. Application has been made to admit the 8.0 million common
shares issued upon the IFC warrant exercise to AIM and admission is
expected to be effective on July 20, 2009.
Bankers is not aware of any intention by IFC to sell any of the 8.0
million shares received on exercise of the warrants. IFC is a global
investor and advisor committed to promoting sustainable projects in
developing member countries that are economically beneficial,
financially and commercially sound, and environmentally and socially
sustainable.
With Brent oil prices now above $55, the Company expects to have access
to this credit facility as soon as the remaining outstanding standard
conditions precedent, including security sharing agreements between
IFC, EBRD and Raiffeisen Bank, are satisfied.
Liquidity
Total cash on deposit at the end of June 2009 was approximately US$41
million; this amount does not include the CDN$12 million received this
month from IFC. The Company's current outstanding debt with Raiffeisen
Bank is approximately US$32 million.
Bankers Petroleum Albania Subsidiary Appointments
Mr. Leonidha �obo has been promoted from Production Director to Vice
President and Deputy General Director of Bankers Petroleum Albania
Ltd., Mr. Suneel Gupta, Bankers Petroleum Ltd. Vice President
Production and Operations will also act as Deputy General Director of
Bankers Petroleum Albania Ltd. Mr. �obo and Mr. Gupta will be reporting
to Mr. Abby Badwi who has also assumed the added role of President and
General Director of Bankers Petroleum Albania Ltd. effective July 1st,
2009 replacing Mr. Bob Petryk who is leaving the Company. Bankers' is
appreciative of Mr. Petryk's contribution to the Company's growth
during the last three years.
About Bankers Petroleum Ltd.
Bankers Petroleum Ltd. is a Canadian-based oil and gas exploration and
production company focused on developing large oil and gas reserves. In
Albania, Bankers operates and has the full rights to develop the
Patos-Marinza and Kucova heavy oil fields. Bankers' shares are traded
on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the AIM Market in London, England
under the stock symbol BNK.
For further information, contact:
Abby Badwi
President and Chief Executive Officer
(403) 513-2694
Doug Urch
VP, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
(403) 513-2691
Email:
Website: www.bankerspetroleum.com
investorrelations@bankerspetroleum.com
AIM NOMAD:
Canaccord Adams Limited
Ryan Gaffney/ Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor
+44 20 7050 6500
AIM JOINT BROKERS:
Canaccord Adams Limited
Ryan Gaffney/ Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor
+44 20 7050 6500
Tristone Capital Ltd.
Nick Morgan
+44 20 7355 5800
=======================================================================
Copyright (c) 2009 BANKERS PETROLEUM LTD. (BNK.H) All rights reserved.
For more information visit our website at http://www.bankerspete.com/
or send mailto:info@bankerspetroleum.com
=======================================================================
.
<
|
Bankers Petroleum Ltd.
|
|
|
CODE : BNK.TO |
|
CUSIP : 38142Q |
| |
ProfileMarket IndicatorsVALUE : Projects & res.Press releasesAnnual reportRISK : Asset profileContact Cpy |
Bankers Petroleum is a oil exploration company based in Canada. Bankers Petroleum produces oil, natural gas in Albania, and holds various exploration projects in Albania. Its main asset in production is PATOS-MARINZA in Albania and its main exploration properties are KUÇOVA and KUCOVA HEAVY OILFIELD in Albania. Bankers Petroleum is listed in Canada, in Germany and in United Kingdom. Its market capitalisation is CA$ 2.9 billions as of today (US$ 2.1 billions, € 1.9 billions). Its stock quote reached its lowest recent point on December 31, 2007 at CA$ 0.35, and its highest recent level on September 06, 2024 at CA$ 11.06. Bankers Petroleum has 261 560 000 shares outstanding. |