Maha Energy, a Sweden-based upstream oil and gas company, said that it will be awarded a new exploration block by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals of the Sultanate of Oman.

Block 70 is an onshore block that includes the shallow undeveloped Mafraq heavy oil field. The Block is located in the middle of the prolific and oil producing Ghaba Salt Basin in the central part of Oman. Maha will (through a wholly owned subsidiary) be the operator of the Block and hold a 100% working interest.

The entry into Oman marks a milestone for the Company’s diversification strategy. The Block agreement is scheduled to be signed on October 1 and is further subject to a Royal Decree. Further details of the Block and the future work program will be communicated after the effective date of the EPSA.

Jonas Lindvall, President and Chief Executive Officer of Maha, said: “To be allowed an opportunity to explore and develop the Mafraq oil field is an exceptional opportunity to add value to Maha and the people of Oman. The Mafraq oil field contains significant amounts of oil and previous and extensive pump tests has proven the productivity of the field.”

The Mafraq oil field was discovered by Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) in 1988 and was further delineated by four wells and 3D seismic in stages until 2010. Two wells were placed on pump production tests, of which one was placed on an extended test in order to prove long term productivity. The Mafraq field is estimated by third parties to contain between 185 – 280 million barrels of original oil in place (OIP). The productive reservoir is shallow, at approximately 430 m. below ground level.

Jonas Lindvall further commented:” The fact that PDO did not develop this asset is by no means a reflection of the quality of the asset, it just reflects the reality of constrained resources and project ranking.”

The Block covers an area of 639 sq km and is covered by both 2D and 3D seismic data that has been acquired by previous operators has been made available to Maha. Eight wells have been drilled within the block boundary, five of which are on the Mafraq oil field.

The Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement (EPSA) for Block 70 covers an initial exploration period of three years with an optional extension period of another three years. In case of a commercial oil or gas discovery, the EPSA can be transformed into a fifteen year production license which can be extended for another five years.

In case of a commercial discovery the Oman Government Oil Company has a right to acquire up to a 30% interest in Block 70 against refunding the pro rata share of past expenditure. The initial work commitments during the first period include geological studies, seismic reprocessing and well commitments. – TradeArabia News Service

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