Rex International Holding Maps Out Value Creation Strategy for Norway

Monday, 17 April 2017, 16:00 HKT/SGT

Source: Rex International Holding Limited

- Technology and infrastructure-led, de-risked exploration approach taken by Lime Petroleum Norway AS
- First test production in Edvard Grieg South (Rolvsnes) anticipated in 2019
- Cluster of assets around Edvard Grieg South (Rolvsnes) discovery added to portfolio

SINGAPORE, Apr 17, 2017 - (ACN Newswire) - Rex International Holding Ltd (SGX:5WH,REXI), a new-generation technology driven oil company, has mapped out a value creation strategy for its assets in Norway - particularly in the North Sea - built on the Group's unique technology-led, de-risked exploration approach.

Development feasibility studies are being carried out on the Edvard Grieg South (Rolvsnes) ("EGS") discovery in licence PL338C made in December 2015, for which a recent Gaffney, Cline & Associates ("GCA") Qualified Persons Report[1] (dated 10 March 2017) disclosed GCA's independent assessment of gross contingent resources attributable to the PL338C licence, on an unrisked basis, of up to 77.9 million barrels of oil (3C resources: high estimate of potentially recoverable oil from the discovery) and up to 78.7 billion standard cubic feet of natural gas (3C resources: high estimate of potentially recoverable gas from the discovery). Rex's 87.84 per cent subsidiary Lime Petroleum Norway AS ("Lime Norway") holds a 30 per cent stake in the licence. The Group expects test production from EGS to start in 2019.

- Infrastructure-led strategy to fast-track value creation -

Mr Mans Lidgren, CEO of Rex International Holding, said, "EGS is a prime example of our technology and infrastructure-led strategy in Norway. The EGS discovery is located near to Johan Sverdrup, one of the five largest oil fields on the Norwegian continental shelf with expected resources of between 1.9 to 3.0 billion barrels of oil[2], and adjacent to the producing Edvard Grieg and Ivar Aasen fields with estimated combined reserves of some 400 million barrels of oil[3]. We have used our Rex Virtual Drilling technology to select and build a cluster of investments in this oil prolific area that already has pipeline infrastructure in place, allowing a fast-track path to potential commercialisation and return on investment (ROI) when we make more oil discoveries. To this end, Lime Norway also holds a 20 per cent interest in licence PL815, where the undrilled Goddo prospect is believed to be a geological continuation of the EGS discovery, as well as a 30 per cent stake in licence PL818 comprising the Orkja prospect located within easy tie-back distance to the Ivar Aasen field. Our aim is to prove up these adjacent fields in the mid to long term to grow our pool of resources, on top of achieving production in EGS in the short term."

The EGS discovery made in December 2015 is located in water depths of about 100 metres on the prolific Utsira High, and is the second discovery in licence PL338C. The first discovery was made in exploration well 16/1-12 in 2009, which proved a 42-metre oil column in fractured granitic basement.

- Rex Virtual Drilling an effective exploration de-risking tool -

The EGS discovery well was the first time that the Group's Rex Virtual Drilling ("RVD") technology was applied to an unconventional weathered and fractured basement reservoir. RVD has also proven to be highly accurate in predicting dry wells. Over the past two years, Lime Norway has declined participation in more than 15 licences in Norway after RVD analyses. All the wells that were subsequently drilled in these licences came up dry, saving the Group millions of dollars in futile capital expenditure.

Rex's multi-attribute version of the technology, RVD version 3 ("RVDv3"), can identify the location of oil reserves using conventional seismic data, independent of porosity and permeability estimates from conventional geological studies; hence further de-risking the exploration assets.

"Risk and commercialisation are the two key factors guiding smart exploration in the region. Exploration and drilling remain hugely expensive and time-consuming, so any technology that can derisk these activities - especially in a low oil-price environment - is incredibly valuable," added Mr Mans Lidgren.

- Optimisation of Lime Norway's portfolio -

"Exploration in Norway continues to benefit from long-term political stability and an exploration friendly tax structure, which enables accredited pre-qualified petroleum companies such as Lime Norway to be eligible for tax rebates of 78 per cent of their upfront exploration costs," said Mr Mans Lidgren.

Lime Norway secured a two-year extension of a credit facility of NOK 400 million (about US$46 million) in December 2016.

Over the past months, Lime Norway has reviewed and optimised its portfolio of licences to build an enviable portfolio of exploration licences that showcases its unique approach to exploration and commercialisation. Licences failing to meet prospectivity criteria set by RVD and conventional geological evaluations have been relinquished to reduce future capital expenditure.

Today, the Group holds in total interests in six offshore assets in Norwegian waters, spanning the established oil fields of the North Sea and Norwegian Sea, as well as the less-developed Barents Sea. The Group believes these holdings offer a balance between longer term development prospects and more short term assets that are close to existing pipeline infrastructure, resulting in a clear and fast
route to potential commercialisation and ROI. Lime Norway is also evaluating several farm-in opportunities that are already oil producing, which would offer financial and tax benefits in addition to reducing overall business risk.

Besides the three licences in the North Sea, Lime Norway holds a 20 per cent interest in licence PL841 in the Norwegian Sea, alongside operator Edison Oil (40 per cent), Statoil (20 per cent) and the Norwegian government-owned Petoro (20 per cent). The block had previously been explored in the 1990s. Current technologies, including RVDv3, indicate that a well drilled then, to be a missed discovery. RVDv3 will be used to determine whether commercialisation is now viable.

The Group's other licence in the Norwegian Sea is PL762, which covers the entirety of the Vagar prospect, is also currently being evaluated using RVDv3.

More than half of the estimated oil and gas resources in Norwegian waters remain to be produced[4]. In addition to developing prospects in established areas, the Group is also active in the further afield Barents Sea South region, where Lime Norway holds a 20 per cent share of the PL850 licence, east of the producing oil field Goliat. Once again, RVDv3 offers the Group the opportunity to invest in drilling in this field only when it is satisfied that commercial returns can be potentially realised for partners and shareholders.

Rex's Norway strategy is underpinned not only by its technology, but also by the experience of the specialist Lime Norway team, led by CEO Terje Hagevang.

"Our vision is for Lime Norway to be an oil producing company, with oil reserves of more than 100 million barrels of oil and at least 10 concessions prospected with Rex Virtual Drilling. We are working towards these aspirations," said Mr Terje Hagevang.

[1]Source: http://rex.listedcompany.com/misc/QPR2016.pdf
[2]Source: https://www.statoil.com/en/what-we-do/johan-sverdrup.html
[3]Sources: http://bit.ly/2nU4UDC; http://bit.ly/2hnUUtW
[4]Source: http://bit.ly/2nUkLlE

About Lime Petroleum Norway AS

Lime Petroleum Norway AS ("Lime Norway") is a small and fast growing exploration company established in 2012 in Skoyen in Oslo. The Company was pre-qualified in February 2013 and has since built a balanced portfolio of licences in frontier and mature areas. The company uses state-of-the-art data and Rex Virtual Drilling technology, in addition to market seismic attributes, in its exploration efforts.

Lime Norway's vision:
- To be an oil-producing company;
- To have oil reserves of more than 100 million barrels;
- To have at least 10 concessions all upgraded with Rex Virtual Drilling; and
- To be a listed company, subject to necessary regulatory approvals.

About Rex International Holding

Rex International Holding was listed on Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited's Catalist Board on 31 July 2013. The Company owns a key set of proprietary and innovative exploration technologies, Rex Technologies, originating from the Company's Swedish founders. These include the game-changing Rex Virtual Drilling technology, the world's first direct hydrocarbon detector using seismic data, which literally enables the Group to 'see oil in the ground' by pinpointing the location of oil reservoirs in the sub-surface. Through the exploration accuracy of Rex Technologies which are applicable to both onshore and offshore oil exploration, the oil discovery success rate is significantly increased. The Company also owns the unique Rexonic ultrasound technology which is used for well bore cleaning which allows for significantly increased oil production in wells that have issues with clogging and deposits.

Rex International Holding has stakes in exploration assets in the Oman, Norway, the US and Trinidad & Tobago. These offshore and onshore concessions cover an aggregate area of over 19,000 square kilometres in regions known for previous oil and gas discoveries. Located in politically stable countries with well-developed oil and gas infrastructures, Rex International Holding has a portfolio of assets that is geographically diversified and consists of both onshore and offshore concessions.

Issued by Rex International Holding Limited
Tel: +65 6908 4858 / +65 8518 8945
Mok Lai Siong
laisiong.mok@rexih.com

This press release has been prepared by the Company and its contents have been reviewed by the Company's sponsor, PrimePartners Corporate Finance Pte. Ltd. (the "Sponsor") for compliance with the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (the "SGX-ST") Listing Manual Section B: Rules of Catalist. The Sponsor has not verified the contents of this press release. The Sponsor has also not drawn on any specific technical expertise in its review of this press release.

This press release has not been examined or approved by the SGX-ST. The Sponsor and the SGX-ST assume no responsibility for the contents of this press release, including the accuracy, completeness or correctness of any of the information, statements or opinions made or reports contained in this press release.

The contact person for the Sponsor is Ms Gillian Goh, Director, Head of Continuing Sponsorship, at 16 Collyer Quay, #10-00 Income at Raffles, Singapore 049318, telephone +65 6229 8088.

Disclaimer

This press release may contain projections and forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and financial performance. These views are based on estimates and current assumptions which are subject to business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies as well as various risks and these may change over time and in many cases are outside the control of the Company and its directors. Actual future performance, outcome and results may differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Representative examples of these factors include (without limitation) general industry and economic conditions, interest rate trends, cost of capital and capital availability, availability of real estate properties, competition from other companies and venues for the sale/distribution of goods and services, shifts in customer demands, customers and partners, changes in operating expenses, including employee wages, benefits and training, governmental and public policy changes and the continued availability of financing in the amounts and the terms necessary to support future business. No assurance can be given that future events will occur, that projections will be achieved, or that the Company's assumptions are correct. The Company does not assume any responsibility to amend, modify or revise any forward-looking statements, on the basis of any subsequent developments, information or events, or otherwise. These statements can be recognised by the use of words such as "expects," "plans," "will," "estimates," "projects," or words of similar meaning. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ from those forecast and projected or in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and assumptions. Shareholders and investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward looking statements, which are based on the current view of management of future events.

Topic: Press release summary
Source: Rex International Holding Limited
Sectors: Energy, Alternatives, Marine & Offshore
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