Italian Permit For Sound Oil On Laura Gas Discovery

Sound Oil, the European / Mediterranean focused upstream oil and gas company, informed that it has received the formal award of the D.R74.AP Permit (previously the D150DR-CS Permit) from the Italian Ministry of Economic Development.

The permit, owned 100% by Sound Oil, contains the Laura field, a discovery located 4km offshore in the Gulf of Taranto, Southern Italy, which was discovered by ENI in 1980.  The Laura discovery was previously successfully tested, delivered a stabilized rate of 10 MMscf per day and has an independently assessed resource of 30 Bscf (P50).

Following successful analysis of the existing seismic data and well logs, the Company plans to reach the reservoir from an onshore location using extended reach drilling technology and without further offshore seismic acquisition.   As with all drilling in Italy, the well will be subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment.

James Parsons, Sound Oil's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Laura is one of five game-changing assets in our Italian drilling programme, has an NPV10 of Euro 66 million and is capable of generating significant free cash flows.  The award of this permit is another milestone for the Company in Italy.

The drilling of this offshore reservoir from onshore using extended reach drilling technology is an innovative and environmentally friendly approach which will ensure zero impact to the marine environment whilst also reducing development capital and operating expenditure."