EGYPT/ MOROCCO: Post-drilling Extension of Plateau Production at South Disouq and De-risked Prospectivity in both Egypt and Morocco

Egypt

·    As a result of the Sobhi discovery in South Disouq (SDX Working Interest: 55% and operator), which SDX drilled at 100% Working Interest, gross plateau production of c.50 MMscfe/d is now expected to be maintained for a further 18-24 months until mid-2023 with the potential for a further extension to mid-2026 depending on the results of planned future exploration drilling.

·    Management estimates that Sobhi¹ will generate approximately US$25.0 million of undiscounted post-tax cash flow after capex to SDX, equivalent to US$1.04/Mcf.

·    After integrating the results of the successful Sobhi well with the remapped 3D seismic over the South Disouq concession, management estimates that incremental prospective resources of c.100 bcf have been identified and de-risked across five prospects. Approximately 25% of this incremental prospectivity has been identified in a new Buried Hill play concept which is productive in a neighbouring field 10 km to the east. Management estimates that these follow on prospects are expected to have similar costs and post-tax cash flow profiles to Sobhi.

·     8 to 10 wells are planned in the West Gharib (SDX Working Interest: 50%) concession between 2021 and 2023 for a gross cost of approximately US$8.0-10.0 million (SDX: US$4.0-5.0 million) with the potential to increase gross production from c.3,200 – 3,300 bbl/d to c.4,000 bbl/d by 2022.

·      After taking account of drilling and other infrastructure tie-in capex, this incremental production at West Gharib is expected to generate approximately US$5.0-6.0 million in low-risk, undiscounted post-tax cash flow net to SDX.

Note 1 – Sobhi is expected to commence production in Q1 2021 after completion of the standard Environmental Impact Assessment process, agreement of landowners’ compensation, obtaining the necessary Military, Agricultural and Irrigation permits and completion of the pipeline tie-in.

 Morocco

·     Post-drill analysis of the LMS-2 well at Lalla Mimouna (SDX Working Interest: 75% and operator) has identified similarities with the LAM-1 discovery made by the previous operator of the concession which flowed gas and condensate in 2015.

o  Subject to successful testing, management estimates that LMS-2 could contain c.1.5 bcf and has the potential to de-risk a further 6.0 bcf in separate compartments within the same feature.

o  Management also estimates that a further 3.4 bcf of close by prospective resources will be de-risked if LMS-2 tests successfully, increasing the overall prospective resource potential to 10.9 bcf.

o  LMS-2 will be tested after the COVID-19 restrictions in Morocco enable perforation and testing crews to re-enter the country. The Company hopes that this will be late Q3/early Q4 2020.

·      In addition to the 10.9bcf of prospective resources that could be de-risked by LMS-2, management has identified a further 25.5 bcf of prospective resources in multiple prospects across the concession. 

Mark Reid, CEO of SDX, commented: “After analysing the results of the recent drilling successes in Egypt and Morocco, we are very excited about the future prospectivity identified from the Sobhi well in Egypt and from LMS-2 in Morocco.

With Sobhi, we expect to extend our gross 50 MMscfe/d plateau production by 18-24 months to 2023 and, with some follow on drilling success, this could be extended further into 2026. Sobhi has also helped us identify approximately 100 bcf of follow on, de-risked, incremental prospectivity in the South Disouq concession.

In Morocco, a successful test in LMS-2 could create 1.5 bcf of 2P reserves and simultaneously de-risk 6.0 bcf of prospectivity in the same structure and a further 3.4 bcf nearby, enabling us then to investigate low cost, early monetisation options. In addition, a successful LMS-2 test will help us better understand an additional 25.5 bcf of prospectivity in multiple prospects identified across the broader Lalla Mimouna concession.

Finally, we are also looking forward to commencing our drilling campaign in West Gharib next year where we will be aiming to increase production in the Meseda and Rabul fields to approximately gross 4,000 bbls/d by 2022.”