Sterling Resources Files Executive Summaries of Reserves Reports and Discloses Contingent and Prospective Resources

Sterling Resources Files Executive Summaries of Reserves Reports and Discloses Contingent and Prospective Resources

Canada NewsWire

CALGARY, May 24, 2016 /CNW/ - Sterling Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: SLG) ("Sterling" or the "Company") is pleased to advise that executive summaries of the reserves and resources evaluation reports for the Breagh and Cladhan fields in the UK North Sea as at December 31, 2015 have been filed on SEDAR. The executive summaries were prepared by the Company's independent reserves evaluator RPS Energy Canada Ltd. ("RPS") and are dated April 12, 2016. The reserves, resources and associated valuations in these executive summaries are consistent with the Statement of Reserves Data and Other Oil and Gas Information (form NI 51-101F1) filed on April 19, 2016 with an effective date of December 31, 2015 and included in the Company's Annual Information Form.

These executive summaries for Breagh and Cladhan respectively are also available on the Company's website.

The Company retained RPS to conduct an independent resource evaluation to assess Contingent and Prospective resources across the Company's operating regions of the UK and the Netherlands with an effective date of December 31, 2015.  The resource assessments were prepared in accordance with the standards contained in the COGE Handbook and National Instrument 51-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities ("NI 51-101") effective at the time thereof. A range of Contingent resources estimates (P90 (1C), P50 (2C) and P10 (3C)) and Prospective resources estimates (P90 (low), P50 (best) and P10 (high)) were prepared by RPS using probabilistic methods.

A summary of the Company's Contingent and Prospective resources as of December 31, 2015 contained in the Resources Reports are included in the following tables, with details provided in the attached appendix.  Please consult the attached appendix for all relevant resource descriptions, qualifications, risks, contingencies and cautionary language in relation to the review and interpretation thereof.      

Summary of Risked P50 Contingent Resources as of December 31, 2015



TOTAL BOE(ii)



unrisked

risked

Resource sub-category

Gross

(MMboe)

Net

(MMboe)

Gross

(MMboe)

Net

(MMboe)







Development Pending






Total

-

-

-

-







Development on hold






Total

-

-

-

-







Development Unclarified






Total(I)

19.6

19.6

4.8

4.8







Development not viable






Total

-

-

-

-







Total Corporation(i)

19.6

19.6

4.8

4.8

 

Summary of Risked Best Estimate Prospective Resources as of December 31, 2015



TOTAL BOE(ii)



unrisked

risked

Resource sub-category

Gross
(MMboe)

Net
(MMboe)

Gross
(MMboe)

Net
(MMboe)







Prospect






Total(i)

47.1

47.1

2.6

2.6







Lead






Total

-

-

-

-







Play






Total

-

-

-

-







Total Corporation(i)

47.1

47.1

2.6

2.6



(i)

Total is an arithmetic summation of Risked P50 Contingent/Prospective resources, and includes both light and medium crude oil and conventional natural gas.  Please see the attached appendix under Item A1 & A2 for further details as to the relative components of the total, both in terms of product type and field.  Values may not add or be consistent with the attached appendix due to rounding. 

(ii)

BOEs may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. The BOE column is the sum of the light and medium oil, conventional natural gas and natural gas liquids columns with the conversion of gas to liquids using a BOE conversion ratio of 6 Mscf:1 bbl, based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip.  This conversion does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.



The Company's Annual Information Form (AIF) which provides the reserves reporting for the year ended December 31, 2015 can be found on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or on the Company's website at www.sterling-resources.com.

Sterling is a Canadian listed international oil and gas company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta with assets in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.  The common shares are listed and posted for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX-V) under the symbol "SLG".

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Filer Profile No. 00002072            

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements relating to expected production, reserves and other resources, costs and valuation are deemed to be forward-looking statements as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions that the resources described can be profitably produced in the future.  The resource estimates provided herein are estimates only and there is no assurance that the estimated resources will be recovered.  Actual resources may be greater than or less than the estimates provided herein.    

These forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions made by RPS and by Sterling based on its experience, perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances.  In addition, these statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other-forward looking statements will prove inaccurate, certain of which are beyond Sterling's control, including: the impact of general economic conditions in the areas in which Sterling operates, civil unrest, industry conditions, changes in laws and regulations including the adoption of new environmental laws and regulations and changes in how they are interpreted and enforced, increased competition, the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management, fluctuations in commodity prices, foreign exchange or interest rates, stock market volatility and obtaining required approvals of regulatory authorities. In addition there are risks and uncertainties associated with oil and gas operations.  Readers should also carefully consider the matters discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form.

Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur.  Sterling's actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements.  These statements speak only as of the date of the news release. Sterling does not intend and does not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements except as required by law.

Financial outlook information contained in this news release about prospective results of operations, financial position or cash flows is based on assumptions about future events, including economic conditions and proposed courses of action, based on management's assessment of the relevant information currently available.  Readers are cautioned that such financial outlook information contained in this news release should not be used for purposes other than for which it is disclosed herein.

Resources Advisory

Resource definitions, including those set out below, are as specified by NI 51-101, including by reference to CSA Staff Notice 51-324 – Glossary to NI 51-101 Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities and the COGE Handbook. 

"Resources" are quantities of petroleum that are estimated to exist originally in naturally occurring accumulations, including the quantity of petroleum that is estimated, as of a given date, to be contained in known accumulations, prior to production, plus those estimated quantities in accumulations yet to be discovered.

"Contingent resources" are defined as those quantities of petroleum estimated, on a given date, to be potentially recoverable from known accumulations using established technology or technology under development, but which are not currently considered to be commercially recoverable due to one or more contingencies. Contingencies may include factors such as economic, legal, environmental, political and regulatory matters or a lack of markets. It is also appropriate to classify as "contingent resources" the estimated discovered recoverable quantities associated with a project in the early project stage.

"Prospective resources" are those quantities of oil and gas estimated on a given date to be potentially recoverable from undiscovered accumulations by application of future development projects. If discovered, they would be technically and economically viable to recover.

The above Contingent resources volumes under the heading "unrisked" have not been adjusted for the Chance of Development, while the Contingent resources volumes under the heading "risked" have been risk discounted for the Company's estimates of Chance of Development which involves assessing various risks based upon a number of assumptions and other factors.  The Chance of Development is the probability that a resource, once it has been discovered, will ultimately be commercially developed.  While the Company believes that such estimates and underlying assumptions are reasonable, many of these assumptions are beyond the Company's control, are subject to change and may not, over time, prove to be accurate.  As a result, the actual level of various risks (including those currently identified and that may be identified in the future) could prove to be greater and the Chance of Development lower than currently estimated.  Such differences could be material. 

The above Prospective resources volumes under the heading "unrisked" have not been adjusted for the Chance of Commerciality, while the Prospective resources under the heading "risked" have been adjusted for the Chance of Commerciality which involves assessing various risks based upon a number of assumptions and other factors.  The Chance of Commerciality is the product of the Chance of Discovery and the Chance of Development. While the Company believes that such estimates and underlying assumptions are reasonable, many of these assumptions are beyond the Company's control, are subject to change and may not, over time, prove to be accurate.  As a result, the actual level of various risks (including those currently identified and that may be identified in the future) could prove to be greater and the Chance of Commerciality lower than currently estimated.  Such differences could be material.

APPENDIX A Contingent and Prospective Resource data

The company retained RPS to conduct an independent resource evaluation to assess Contingent and Prospective resources across all of the Company's key operating regions with an effective date of December 31, 2015. The resource assessment were prepared in accordance with the standards contained in the COGE Handbook and NI 51-101 effective at the time thereof.  A range of Contingent resources estimates (P90 (1C), P50 (2C) and P10 (3C)) and Prospective resources estimates (P90 (low), P50 (best) and P10 (high)) were prepared by RPS using probabilistic methods.

"Resources" are quantities of petroleum that are estimated to exist originally in naturally occurring accumulations, including the quantity of petroleum that is estimated, as of a given date, to be contained in known accumulations, prior to production, plus those estimated quantities in accumulations yet to be discovered.

"Contingent resources" are defined as those quantities of petroleum estimated, on a given date, to be potentially recoverable from known accumulations using established technology or technology under development, but which are not currently considered to be commercially recoverable due to one or more contingencies. Contingencies may include factors such as economic, legal, environmental, political and regulatory matters or a lack of markets. It is also appropriate to classify as "contingent resources" the estimated discovered recoverable quantities associated with a project in the early project stage.

"Prospective resources" are those quantities of oil and gas estimated on a given date to be potentially recoverable from undiscovered accumulations. If discovered, they would be technically and economically viable to recover.

Resources, Contingent resources and Prospective resources do not constitute, and should not be confused with, reserves.

The estimates of the Company's resources provided herein are estimates only and there is no guarantee that the estimated resources will be recovered. Actual resources may be greater than or less than the estimates provided herein and variances could be material. With respect to the Company's discovered resources (including Contingent resources), there is uncertainty that it will be commercially viable to produce any portion of the resources. With respect to the Company's undiscovered resources (including Prospective resources), there is no certainty that any portion of the resources will be discovered. If discovered, there is no certainty that it will be commercially viable to produce any portion of the resources.

Item A1: Summary of Risked P50 Contingent Resources as of December 31, 2015


LIGHT AND MEDIUM CRUDE OIL


CONVENTIONAL NATURAL GAS


Chance of
Development

unrisked

risked


Chance of
Development

unrisked

risked

Resource sub-category 

Gross
(Mbbl)

Net
(Mbbl)

Gross
(Mbbl)

Net
(Mbbl)


Gross
(Bscf)

Net
(Bscf)

Gross
(Bscf)

Net
(Bscf)













Development Pending













Total


-

-

-

-



-

-

-

-













Development on hold













Total


-

-

-

-



-

-

-

-













Development Unclarified












Primary recovery - Gas













UK SNS P1230 Block 42/13a - Breagh Southeast

NA

-

-

-

-


52%

27.0

27.0

14.0

14.0


UK SNS P1327 Blocks 42/10a & 42/15a - Crosgan

NA

-

-

-

-


15%

22.0

22.0

3.2

3.2


UK SNS P1914 Block 42/18b - Niadar

NA

-

-

-

-


41%

-

-

-

-


UK Onshore PEDL 068 - Kirkleatham

NA

-

-

-

-


58%

0.2

0.2

0.1

0.1

Primary recovery - Oil













UK NNS P1064 Blocks 210/29a & 210/30a - Cladhan B channel

18%

0.2

0.2

0.0

0.0


NA

-

-

-

-


Netherlands F17 Block - Korvet

21%

3.1

3.1

0.7

0.7


NA

-

-

-

-


Netherlands F17 Block - F17-4

21%

3.3

3.3

0.7

0.7


NA

-

-

-

-


Netherlands F18 Block - Fregat

12%

4.8

4.8

0.6

0.6


NA

-

-

-

-


Total(I)


11.4

11.4

1.9

1.9



49.2

49.2

17.3

17.3













Development not viable













Total


-

-

-

-



-

-

-

-













Total Corporation(i)


11.4

11.4

1.9

1.9



49.2

49.2

17.3

17.3



(i)

Total is arithmetic summation of 2C resources



The above Contingent resources volumes under the heading "unrisked" have not been adjusted for the Chance of Development, while the Contingent resources volumes under the heading "risked" have been risk discounted for the Chance of Development. The Chance of Development is the probability that a resource, once it has been discovered, will ultimately be commercially developed. The method used to estimate the Chance of Development was to consider various risk factors impacting the future development of the resource, and to multiply estimates of those risk factors together to determine the overall Chance of Development.  The risk factors considered include the risk of a viable established recovery technology being identified, available and performing adequately, the risk of the project being economically viable, the risk of a development plan being conceived and put in place, the risk of the development occurring within a reasonable timeframe and the risk of other contingencies impeding the development (such as political risk, market access and regulatory and environmental approvals) and being overcome in order for the project to proceed. With respect to Contingent resources, there is no certainty that any portion of the resources will be developed and reclassified from Contingent resources into reserves.

Contingent resources can be sub-classified based on their project maturity sub-class. The project maturity sub-classes for Contingent resources are "development pending", "development on hold", "development unclarified" or "development not viable", all as defined in the COGE Handbook.  "Development pending" is when resolution of the final conditions for development is being actively pursued (high chance of development). "Development on hold" is when there is a reasonable chance of development, but there are major non-technical contingencies to be resolved that are usually beyond the control of the operator. "Development unclarified" is when the evaluation is incomplete and there is ongoing activity to resolve any risks or uncertainties. "Development not viable" is when no further data acquisition or evaluation is currently planned and hence there is a low chance of development.

All of the Company's Contingent resources were sub-classified as "development unclarified" because these projects have limited information and uncertain economics and are not currently being actively pursued.  These projects require further examination to move into a different project maturity sub-class.

The following outline identifies the economic, non-technical and technical contingencies to commercial recoverability of the Company's Contingent resources, as applicable, itemizes them and explains the steps needed to remove them, where appropriate.

Kirkleatham Gas Field, PEDL068, Cleveland Basin (UK) 
The Kikleatham-4 well has been drilled and produced briefly through dedicated facilities at the Wilshire Industrial park. Development of the Contingent resources is planned through the redrilling of the existing well and producing gas though the already in-place facilities. 

Cladhan Oil Field, P1064, Blocks 210/29a and 210/30a (UK) 
The Cladhan field came on-stream in 2015. Contingent resources were attributed oil to the discovery well 210/30a-4X.  Reclassification of the Contingent resources to reserves would require further development with a dedicated updip producing well integrated into the Cladhan subsea development.

Breagh Gas Field, P1230, P1328, Blocks 42/12a and 42/13a (UK)
Reserves are defined as the development is well progressed with continuous production of gas produced through the facilities. Contingent resources within the field are associated with the second phase of the development in the south and south-eastern areas of the field.  A new 3D seismic has been acquired to better identify the structure in the area and formation intervals for targeting new development wells.  With a revised subsurface description based on the new 3D seismic and production performance from the Breagh Alpha development wells, especially the stimulated wells A07 and A08, the expected performance of this area of the field will be predicted and economic analysis of potential platform or subsea development scenarios. Investment sanction of Phase 2 would be contingent on passing sufficient economic criterion. 

UK Southern North Sea, P1327, P1630, Blocks 42/8, 9a, 10, 13b, 14a & 15, Crosgan discovery 
The Crosgan discovery is of Carboniferous age, similar to the Breagh field, which is currently in production by the Company.  48/15a-3 was drilled on the western flank of the structure to prove up the commerciality of this side of the prospect. The well results however were disappointing with deeper and thinner sands than expected albeit gas bearing with a gas water contact deeper than that seen in the 15a-2z discovery well. The well was plugged and abandoned. These results will be incorporated in an economic analysis for a possible subsea tie-back to the Breagh Field.

The Netherlands, North Sea Blocks F17 and F18 Blocks
The F17 and F18 blocks have discoveries in the late Jurassic reservoirs analogous to fields currently in production in the UK sector of the North Sea. The Contingent resources are attributed to 3 discoveries in these blocks, Korvet, F17-4 and Fregat, which tested at potentially commercially viable well rates. Predicted field recoveries and rates continue to be insufficient to provide economic development of these accumulations from dedicated stand-alone systems. However with the recent discovery and subsequent testing of Wintershall's Chalk discovery, Rembrandt, adjacent to Sterling's Korvet and Brigantijn prospects, there is a potential oil hub in the area to which Sterling's prospects could tie back to. Development of the area is therefore contingent on such a project development in concert with additional discovered volumes.

Item A2: Summary of Risked Best Estimate Prospective Resources as of December 31, 2015


LIGHT AND MEDIUM CRUDE OIL


CONVENTIONAL NATURAL GAS


Chance of
Discovery

Chance of
Development

unrisked

risked


Chance of
Discovery

Chance of
Development

unrisked

risked

Resource sub-category 

Gross
(Mbbl)

Net
(Mbbl)

Gross
(Mbbl)

Net
(Mbbl)


Gross
(Bscf)

Net
(Bscf)

Gross
Bscf)

Net
(Bscf)















Prospect














Primary Recovery - Gas















UK SNS P2133 Blocks 36/30, 42/3a,42/4 & 42/5 - Ossian

NA

NA

-

-

-

-


6%

37%

168.0

168.0

3.8

3.8


UK SNS P1914 Block 49/19b - Niadar

NA

NA

-

-

-

-


31%

41%

59.1

59.1

7.6

7.6


Netherlands F17 Block - Jurassic Diapir 

NA

NA

-

-

-

-


15%

21%

21.0

21.0

0.7

0.7

Primary Recovery - Oil















UK NNS P1064 Blocks 210/29a & 210/30a - Cladhan

19%

18%

0.1

0.1

0.00

0.00


NA

NA

-

-

-

-


Netherlands F17 Block - Brigantjin

39%

21%

1.3

1.3

0.11

0.11


NA

NA

-

-

-

-


Netherlands F17 Block - Barkentijn 

31%

21%

1.4

1.4

0.09

0.09


NA

NA

-

-

-

-


Netherlands F17 Block - Korvet area

98%

21%

1.2

1.2

0.25

0.25


NA

NA

-

-

-

-


Netherlands F17 Block - J Prospects

59%

15%

0.5

0.5

0.05

0.05


NA

NA

-

-

-

-


Netherlands F17 Block - West Flank

60%

12%

0.4

0.4

0.03

0.03


NA

NA

-

-

-

-


Netherlands F18 Block - Fregat Area

87%

10%

0.2

0.2

0.02

0.02


NA

NA

-

-

-

-


Netherlands F18 Block - Down Flank

35%

10%

0.6

0.6

0.02

0.02


NA

NA

-

-

-

-


Total(i)



5.7

5.7

0.56

0.56




248.1

248.1

12.0

12.0















Lead















Total



-

-

-

-




-

-

-

-















Play















Total



-

-

-

-




-

-

-

-















Total Corporation(i)



5.7

5.7

0.56

0.56




248.1

248.1

12.0

12.0



(i)  

Total is arithmetic summation of 2P resources



The above Prospective resources volumes under the heading "unrisked" have not been adjusted for the Chance of Commerciality, while the Prospective resources volumes under the heading "risked" have been adjusted for the Chance of Commerciality.  The Chance of Commerciality is the product of the Chance of Discovery and the Chance of Development.

The Chance of Discovery is often referred to as the Geological Probability of Success and is the chance that an exploration project will result in discovery of petroleum in potentially commercial quantities. For the Prospective resources reported herein, the probability has been estimated at for each asset taking into account the following geological risk factors: the chance of success of the play, which is a function of hydrocarbon source and hydrocarbon migration path assessments, reservoir properties assessment and reservoir seal assessment, and the chance of success of the prospect specific properties, which in turn is a function of the risks of reservoir trap, reservoir seal, reservoir charge and reservoir property qualities being sufficient to result in a commercially viable discovery.

The Chance of Development is the probability that a resource, once it has been discovered, will ultimately be commercially developed. The method used to estimate the Chance of Development was to consider various risk factors impacting the future development of the resource, and to multiply estimates of those risk factors together to determine the overall Chance of Development.  The risk factors considered include the risk of a viable established recovery technology being identified, available and performing adequately, the risk of the project being economically viable, the risk of a development plan being conceived and put in place, the risk of the development occurring within a reasonable timeframe and the risk of other contingencies impeding the development (such as political risk, market access and regulatory and environmental approvals) and being overcome in order for the project to proceed. The Chance of Development has been estimated for each asset for the Prospective resources identified herein in a manner consistent with the analysis for the Contingent resources described above.

The Chance of Commerciality is the product of the Chance of Discovery and the Chance of Development. The Prospective resources volumes in the above table have been risk discounted using Chance of Commerciality for each licence.

With respect to Prospective resources, there is no certainty that any portion of the resources will be discovered. If discovered, there is no certainty that it will be commercially viable to produce any portion of the resources. RPS requires further delineation by appraisal wells and mapping of this area to reclassify Prospective resources into Contingent resources.

Prospective resources can be sub-classified based on their project maturity sub-class. The project maturity sub-classes for prospective resources are "prospect", "lead" and "play", all as defined in the COGE Handbook. A "prospect" is defined as a potential accumulation within a play that is sufficiently well defined to represent a viable drilling target. A "lead" is defined as a potential accumulation within a play that requires more data acquisition and/or evaluation in order to be sub-classified as a prospect. A "play" is defined as a family of geologically similar fields, discoveries, prospects and leads.

All of the Company's Prospective resources were sub-classified as "prospects".

The following outline identifies the economic, non-technical and technical contingencies to commercial recoverability of the Company's Prospective resources, as applicable, itemizes them and explains the steps needed to remove them, where appropriate.

UK Southern North Sea, Ossian, P1230, Blocks 36/30, 42/3a, 4 & 5 
The Prospective recoverable resources attributed to this Zechstein reef play are significant. On the upside, the play is near infrastructure for potential offtake, it is seismically robust with clear reef margins identifiable creating a clear stratigraphic trap, sealed by overlying Zechstein salts. The significant risk identified is charge, the ability for gas to have migrated from the source area to the south east and reservoir quality, the development of viable porosity and permeability required for commercial flow rates. There is also a secondary Carboniferous prospect, Darach, underlying Ossian.

UK Southern North Sea, Niadar, P1914, Block 49/19b 
The Niadar prospect is a robust structural closure with proven hydrocarbons discovered and producing in adjoining blocks. It is close to infrastructure and associated offtake route whilst the key risk is in fact the definition of whether this is a true Rotliegendes reservoir prospect or an intra-Zechstein Platten Dolomite raft.

UK Northern North Sea, Cladhan, P1064, Blocks 210/29a & 30a 
Adjacent to and to the west of the main Cladhan Field, the western terrace is a seismically defined stratigraphic closure. Key risks have been identified as reservoir presence and connectivity. However on discovery the resources could be easily produced though the nearby infra-structure whilst the seismically defined fan sequences down dip from the main Cladhan Field are identified as high risk primarily due to reservoir quality.

Netherlands, F17a Block, Brigantijn
The Brigantijn prospect is adjacent to and to the south of the Korvet accumulation on the same block. It is a structural closure on the down dip side of the major west to east southerly bounding fault of Korvet. There is good seismic expression with potential for Direct Hydrocarbon Indication (DHI) on this prospect.  Key risks have been identified as seal and sand connectivity. On success it could be tied back to the pending Wintershall Rembrandt development also in F17a.

Netherlands, F17a Block, Barkentijn
The Barkentijn prospect is a dip closed structure against and sealed by a salt diapir. It is located to the south east of the Korvet accumulation and key risk is seen as sand quantity and quality. On success it could be part of a tie back programme to Wintershall's pending Rembrandt development in the same block.

Netherlands, F17a Block, Korvet area
Remaining prospectivity remains within segments in the Korvet accumulation which have not been penetrated. Key risk is seen as seal effectiveness as there is known breaching through the overlying Scruff Sandstone in the area.

Netherlands, F17a Block, Jurassic Diapir
Similar to Barkentijn, this prospect is believed to be gas filled due to its seismic expression. Although small in volume, key risk is sand quality and connectivity. On success it could be a tie back opportunity akin to Barkentijn.

Netherlands, F18 Block, Fregat area
There remain a number of undrilled segments within the Fregat accumulation that have a high geological chance of success. If drilled and found to be commercial, could then form  part of the Fregat development.

Netherlands, F17a & F18 Blocks, Remaining prospects
There are a number of remaining relatively small prospects, J prospects, West Flank and F18 down flank, within the Licence which share similar risks, key of which are seal effectiveness and reservoir quality. As a consequence, the chance of development is considered to be low.

SOURCE Sterling Resources Ltd.

Copyright CNW Group 2016