A subsidiary of Dublin-based Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. (Toronto Venture: FO) has completed its farm-out agreement and joint operating agreement with Origin Energy Resources Ltd., a subsidiary of Origin Energy Ltd. and Sasol Petroleum Australia Ltd., a subsidiary of Sasol Ltd., each farming into 35% of Falcon's exploration permits in the Beetaloo Basin, Australia.

Key transaction details are:

  • Falcon retains a 30% interest in the permits.
  • Falcon has received A$20 million cash from the Origin and Sasol.
  • Origin is appointed as operator with immediate effect.
  • Origin and Sasol will carry Falcon in a nine well exploration and appraisal program over the next four years, detailed as follows:
    • 3 vertical exploration/stratigraphic wells and core studies;
    • 1 hydraulic fracture stimulated vertical exploration well and core study;
    • 1 hydraulic fracture stimulated horizontal exploration well, commercial study and 3C resource assessment; and
    • 4 hydraulic fracture stimulated horizontal exploration/appraisal wells, micro-seismic and 90 day production tests.
  • Drilling/testing specifically targeted to take the project towards commerciality.
  • Origin and Sasol will pay for the full cost of completing the first five wells estimated at A$64 million, and will fund any cost overruns. This drilling program will commence by mid 2015.
  • Origin and Sasol are to pay up to the full cost of the next four horizontally fracture stimulated wells, 90 day production tests and micro seismic with a capped expenditure up to A$101 million, any cost overrun funded by each party in proportion to their working interest.
  • As part of the agreements to reduce the overriding royalties from what was originally 12% to 1%, Origin and Sasol will pay their pro-rata share (US$14 million (approx. A$15 million)) of the two five-year call options entered into by Falcon as part of agreements announced on 1 November 2013 with CR Innovations AG and 17 December 2013 with the TOG Group, should Origin, Sasol and Falcon decide to exercise the call options.
  • Origin and Sasol may reduce or surrender their interests back to Falcon only after:
    • the drilling of the first five wells or
    • the drilling and testing of the next two horizontally fracture stimulated wells.

Philip O'Quigley, CEO of Falcon commented, "I am delighted to announce we have completed the Agreements with Origin and Sasol for our transformational Farm-out of our Beetaloo acreage. Together with A$20 million cash up front, the deal is worth up to approximately A$200 million to Falcon. We look forward to the immediate commencement of the nine well exploration and appraisal program."