Porto Energy announces expiration of phase two option in joint venture with Sorgenia and RAG

THE WOODLANDS, TX, April 5, 2013 /CNW/ - Porto Energy Corp., ("Porto" or the "Company") (TSXV:PEC), a company focused on oil and gas exploration, appraisal and development in Portugal, today announced its joint venture partners, Sorgenia International B.V., Netherlands ("Sorgenia"), and Rohöl-Aufsuchungs Aktiengesellschaft, Austria ("RAG"), collectively (the "Farm-In Parties") have chosen to not elect to proceed into the second phase of the work program as defined under the terms of the original Farm-Out Agreement dated, February 29, 2012.  As a result, the Farm-In Parties' acreage interest reverts back to Porto.

"A decision was made to discontinue the negotiations and to allow the term to elect into phase two to expire unexercised," said Joseph Ash, President and CEO of Porto. "We are confident that this was the right course of action for our shareholders over the longer-term and we continue to aggressively market our extensive portfolio of Portuguese assets, spanning both our onshore and offshore holdings."

A formal farm-out process for the Company's offshore concessions has been initiated and it anticipates commencing a similar farm-out process for its unconventional onshore Lias acreage within the next few weeks. 

About Porto Energy Corp.

Porto Energy Corp. is an international oil and gas company engaged in the exploration of crude oil and natural gas in Portugal, including the appraisal of a gas discovery.  Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Mohave Oil And Gas Corporation (a Texas corporation with branch offices in Portugal), the Company holds working interests in seven concessions in Portugal's Lusitanian Basin totaling 1.3 million net acres. Through its exploration efforts to date, the Company has identified seven major exploration trends over its concessions and generated more than 45 prospects and leads. Porto Energy's shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker symbol "PEC". For more information on Porto Energy visit www.portoenergy.com.

Cautionary Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements.  These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance.  All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements.  The use of any of the words "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "predict" and "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  These 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. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon.  These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are contained in this press release, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Neither 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.

SOURCE: Porto Energy Corp.

Heath Cleaver - Chief Financial Officer

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