Vox Markets Logo

88 Energy reports strong H1 amid key Alaskan discoveries and Namibia acquisition

11:54, 2nd September 2024
Victor Parker
Vox Newswire
TwitterFacebookLinkedIn

88 Energy (88EFollow | 88E, an Alaska-focused hydrocarbon explorer, issued an activities and trading update for the 6 months ended June 30, 2024. During the period, 88E continued its principal exploration activates in Alaska, complemented by its 75%-owned onshore Texas Permian Basin asset and 20%-owned PEL 93 license in onshore Namibia.

At 88E's flagship Project Phoenix (75% WI) on Alaska's North Slope, the new Hickory-1 discovery well was flow tested during the Alaskan winter season in Q1/Q2 CY24. Two tests were conducted, one each for the Upper SFS and SMD-B reservoirs (see map below). The USFS reservoir produced at a peak flow rate of 70 bopd of light oil with c. 40-degree API oil gravity under natural flow, while the SMD-B reservoir registered a peak flow rate of 50 bopd of light oil with c. 39-degree API oil gravity under nitrogen lift.

Following the successful tests, pressured oil samples from both reservoirs were sent to a lab in Houston, TX for analysis, with results expected in Q3 CY24. The results will confirm reservoir fluid characteristics. Subsequently, an independent contingent resource assessment for the reservoirs is expected in Q4 CY24.

At adjacent Project Leonis (100% WI), 88E established a maiden prospective resource estimate of 381 million barrels (MMbbls) of oil, recoverable from the Upper Schrader Bluff (USB) formation. Permitting and planning is underway for a new Tiri-1 exploration well, designed to test the Tiri prospect in the USB formation. A farm-out process is also underway to secure a partner ahead of drilling Tiri-1 in 2026.

In Namibia, 88E completed a 2D seismic acquisition programme at PEL 93 (20% WI), successfully acquiring 203-line km of data. Processing is ongoing, both in the field and at Earth Signal Processing in Calgary, with final interpretation expected by Q4 2024. The programme aims to deliver a maiden prospective resource estimate, 10 independent structural closures, and future potential drilling locations targeting the Damara play.

 

And at Project Longhorn in Texas (65% WI), 88E completed 4 workovers and delivered a production increase from 328 BOE/day in Q1 to 395 BOE/day in Q2, with production in June averaging 456 BOE/day.

88E finished the half with a cash balance of A$7.9m (£4.03m), with 90% of Hickory-1 flow test payments made. Cash was boosted by a successful share placement in April, raising A$9m (£4.59m) to support ongoing development across the portfolio.

 

View from Vox

In H1 2024, 88E continued to advance its flagship Project Phoenix and adjacent Project Leonis on Alaska's North Slope, reporting a number of significant milestones. The group aims to generate cashflow from Phoenix within the next 24 months, and unlock Leonis' value through an appraisal well program. Simultaneously, material progress was reported from 88E's newly acquired PEL 93 in onshore Namibia, while Project Longhorn in Texas continued to provide robust cashflows.

88E's successful flow test of Hickory-1 at Project Phoenix was a major value inflection point for the asset, further bolstering its economics and delivery schedule. The discovery well successfully flowtested 2 reservoirs - the USFS and SMD-B, producing peak flow rates of 70 bopd and 50 bopd respectively of light oil to surface. Impressively, USFS achieved oil to surface under natural flow. These results complement the deeper BFF reservoir's existing 250 mmboe contingent resource. In total, 88E is targeting 647 mmboe of prospective oil resources at the site.

With both flow tests now complete, 88E will seek independent resource assessments for the two reservoirs. At the same time, the company will begin integrating the flow test results into its development models. Hickory-1 is a vertical well, designed for testing only. For production, long horizontal wells are planned, expected to deliver 6-12 times greater flow rates than what was observed during the flow test. A horizontal flow test and early production system are currently in planning stages.

Positive results from multiple reservoirs at Phoenix means significant upside in future development via multiple commercialisation options. These include a farm-out to a strategic partner or early capital-light production, given the acreage's infrastructure advantage of being next to the Dalton Highway and Trans-Alaskan Pipeline System. The project benefits from the ability to produce concurrently from multiple reservoirs in a single development scenario.

At nearby Project Leonis, 88E delivered an encouraging maiden resource estimate. 88E acquired Leonis in April 2023 with a 10-year lease, and has a 100% WI in the project with a 16.7% royalty. The asset has been estimated to contain 381 MMbbls, with upside of 671 MMbbls. Like Phoenix, it is advantageously located next to existing infrastructure, with the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System running through it. The USB formation within Leonis has already been proven by nearby producing Polaris, Orion, and West Sak oil fields to the northwest.

The maiden estimate derisks and confirms Leonis as a significant exploration opportunity, with efforts already underway to drill the Tiri-1 exploration well. To this end, 88E has engaged 3rd parties for funding. Given the USB reservoir's rich resource and 88E's 100% WI in Leonis, there is significant potential to secure a proportionate carry on any future well.

At the other end of the globe in Namibia, 88E successfully wrapped up the 2D seismic survey of its 20%-owned PEL 93 acreage. Throughout the half, 88E reported good progress from PEL 93, a rich 18,500km2 onshore acreage, comprising blocks 1717 and 1817 in the Owambo Basin. 88E can acquire a total of 45% working interest in PEL 93 under its 3-stage farm-in agreement with Monitor Exploration, with the first 20% secured via payment for the seismic programme.

With the survey complete, interpretation is ongoing and expected to conclude by Q4 2024. The data will then be used to validate 10 previously identified targets and establish a maiden resource for the asset, with an initial exploration well expected in 2025. Additionally, as the dataset is expanded, further leads will be identified. Recon Africa is already actively exploring the area, which should further accelerate 88E's work programme. Overall, based on previous and adjacent exploration of the area, the Owambo Basin has already proven to be highly prospective with a ready path to market.

Namibia represents one of the last frontier oil and gas jurisdictions capable of delivering multi-billion barrel discoveries, as evidenced by recent offshore discoveries. Nearby GALP Energia's Mopane-1X represents the 5th major oil discovery in under 2 years within the Orange Basin and confirms the extension of the petroleum play from TotalEnergies and Shell's acreages.

With a comfortable cash balance of A$7.9m, 88 Energy is well-funded and progressing at pace through its work programmes, expected to yield multiple milestones over the next year.

Stock Chart | 88E

Follow News & Updates from 88 Energy: Follow | 88E

TwitterFacebookLinkedIn

Disclaimer & Declaration of Interest

The information, investment views and recommendations in this article are provided for general information purposes only. Nothing in this article should be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any financial product relating to any companies under discussion or to engage in or refrain from doing so or engaging in any other transaction. Any opinions or comments are made to the best of the knowledge and belief of the writer but no responsibility is accepted for actions based on such opinions or comments. Vox Markets may receive payment from companies mentioned for enhanced profiling or publication presence. The writer may or may not hold investments in the companies under discussion.

Watchlist