Valeura Announces Increased 2018 Natural Gas Prices, Lyle Martinson Appointed as Chief Operating Officer

CALGARY, April 18, 2018 /CNW/ - Valeura Energy Inc. (TSX:VLE) ("Valeura" or the "Company") is pleased to announce an increase in the sales price of its natural gas production in Turkey.  Boru Hatlari ile Petrol Tasima Anonim Sirketi ("BOTAS"), who own and operate Turkey's crude oil and natural gas pipeline grid, has announced an increase of 10% in Turkey's reference natural gas price, effective April 1, 2018.  This comes less than three months after the last increase of 14%, which was effective January 1, 2018. When currency exchange rate changes are incorporated, the Company expects to report first quarter 2018 realized gas prices of C$7.37 per thousand cubic feet, which is an increase of 11.5% from the fourth quarter in 2017. Actual price realizations for the second quarter 2018 will be dependent on the Turkish Lira exchange rate.

"These price increases by BOTAS help to keep the value of domestic Turkish gas broadly in line with European natural gas prices," commented Sean Guest, President and CEO. "Valeura expects to continue to realize strong dollar-denominated revenue from our production in Turkey, and more importantly, it also increases our confidence in the long-term value of our major unconventional Basin-Centered Gas Accumulation (the "BCGA") in Turkey's Thrace Basin." 

The Company is preparing for a major appraisal phase of its unconventional gas discovery in Turkey, which has been evaluated by DeGolyer and MacNaughton to hold 10.1 trillion cubic feet of estimated working interest unrisked mean prospective resources of natural gas as of December 31, 2017.  The appraisal program will include drilling three additional deep delineation wells, the first of which will start drilling in the third quarter of this year, fracing, and long-term production testing through the Company's gathering and processing infrastructure.

In preparation for this appraisal program, which Valeura will operate, the Company is also making adjustments to its organization to ensure operations are conducted in the most safe and efficient manner.  The Company is pleased to announce that Lyle Martinson has been promoted to the role of Chief Operating Officer.  Lyle has been with the Company since its founding as the VP Operations and is a professional engineer with more than 39 years of management, operations, and engineering experience in the oil and gas industry internationally and in Canada.  Sean Guest commented, "I have no doubt that Lyle's level-headed demeanor and steadfast commitment to safe and efficient operations will be a great benefit as we press forward with operations to appraise the BCGA." 

About the Company

Valeura Energy Inc. is a Canada-based public company currently engaged in the exploration, development and production of petroleum and natural gas in Turkey.

Oil and Gas Advisories and Resource Definitions

The prospective resources estimates provided herein are estimates only and there is no guarantee that the estimated prospective resources will be recovered.

There is no certainty that any portion of the unconventional prospective resources estimated herein will be discovered. If discovered, there is no certainty that it will be commercially viable to produce any portion of the unconventional prospective resources evaluated.

Please see the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2017 (the "AIF"),  which is available under Valeura's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, for more information with respect to the Company's prospective resources.

"Natural Gas" is defined as Conventional Natural Gas product type as per National Instrument 51-101, Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities.

"Prospective Resources" are those quantities of petroleum estimated, as of a given date, to be potentially recoverable from undiscovered accumulations by application of future development projects. Prospective resources have both an associated change of discovery and a change of development.

Forward-Looking Statements and Cautionary Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking statements typically contains statements with words such as "anticipate", estimate", "expect", "target", "potential", "could", "should", "would" or similar words suggesting future outcomes. Forward-looking statements in this press release includes information with respect to currency exchange rates; first quarter 2018 realized gas prices; the Company's expectations regarding its production revenue; the long-term value of the BCGA; and the appraisal program regarding the Company's unconventional gas discovery in Turkey and the timing thereof. Statements related to "prospective resources" are deemed forward looking statements as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, that the prospective resources can be profitably produced in the future. Specifically, forward-looking statements contained herein regarding "prospective reserves" may include estimated volumes of prospective resources and the ability to finance future development. Forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations and opinions of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results differ materially from that projected in the forward-looking statements. They are made as of the date hereof and are subject to change and the Company assumes no obligation to revise or update them to reflect new circumstances, except as required by law. The Company cautions readers and prospective investors in the Company's securities to not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as by nature, they are based on current expectations regarding future events that involve a number of assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the Company. A number of risk factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the Company, including but not limited to risks associated with the oil and natural gas industry, risks associated with negotiating with foreign governments as well as country risk associated with conducting international activities, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The material risk factors affecting the Company and its business are contained in the Company's AIF which is available under Valeura's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

SOURCE Valeura Energy Inc.

please contact: Sean Guest, President and CEO, Valeura Energy Inc., [phone], [email protected]; Steve Bjornson, CFO, Valeura Energy Inc., [phone], [email protected]; www.valeuraenergy.com

Related Links

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