dexter01
- 14 Dec 2004 07:05
- 1561 of 2700
morning all,
just found this, i don`t know if it`s been posted before. after reading it, it occured to me, what with PET`s connections in the ME, would we rule out a JV with an iraqi oil co., thus giving them a risk sharing project, much the same as we hope in sudan with the national oil co.. just an idea.
Heritage Oil signs strategic joint venture agreement in Iraq /THIS PRESS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/
CALGARY, Dec 13, 2004 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- Heritage Oil Corporation
(TSX: HOC) announced today that it has formed a strategic alliance by way of a
joint venture with Eagle Group of Iraq, a major economic and industrial entity
within the Autonomous Region of Iraqi Kurdistan.
Heritage and Eagle Group have incorporated a jointly owned company, Heritage
Erbil Oil Limited ("Heritage Erbil") with an authorized share capital of US$25
million dollars (Cdn$30 million). Heritage Erbil in turn has incorporated K
Petroleum Company ("KPC"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Heritage Erbil, in Iraq
and registered KPC in both Baghdad and Erbil (in the Autonomous Region of
Kurdistan). Heritage and Eagle Group shall each hold a 42.5% share interest in
KPC, while Turkish investors will hold the remaining 15%.
Micael Gulbenkian, Chairman and CEO of Heritage Oil Corporation, said that
"because of my family's centuries-old links to Iraq and the region, I have been
able to visit Iraq regularly during the last two years. My great grandfather and
great uncle were closely associated with the development of the Middle East oil
industry. In fact, the Gulbenkian family was fundamentally involved with the
establishment of Iraq Petroleum Company in the 1920s and the drilling of the
first well in Kirkuk in 1927. My father for decades since the 1950s was
associated with the development of the Iraqi Oil industry and, by investing in
numerous social and development programs played a very important role in the
fields of education, health, arts and science for the benefit of the Iraqi
people. I have been touched with the warm reception I have enjoyed within Iraq
in general and the Autonomous Region of Kurdistan in particular. As a result of
my family's historical connections in the area, this joint venture could have
the ability to transform Heritage Oil Corp. in the short to medium term."
His Excellency Mr. Nechirvan Barzani, the Prime Minister of the Regional
Government of Kurdistan, stated: "We are delighted that Eagle Group has entered
into this joint venture with Heritage. We believe both parties are genuinely
committed to the development of oil and gas in the Region within a framework of
a close working relation with our Regional Government and the Ministry of Oil in
Baghdad, utilizing available local resources. The Company should be in a
position to commence its activities immediately in view of the stability
prevailing in the Region, which is far more stable than other parts of Iraq. KPC
in view of its regional local strategy is ideally placed to obtain licences,
with the support of the central government and ourselves, to operate fields in
the North."
Heritage is responsible for the overall operation and management of Heritage
Erbil and KPC. We are actively recruiting local technical staff to commence a
detailed investigation of the development potential of the Kurdistan Region.
KPC will be working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Oil of Iraq. The
company has been incorporated with the knowledge and support of the Ministry.
Discussions have already commenced about awarding a license to KPC containing
proven reserves with the possibility of early production.
It is anticipated that during this interim period when there is an absence of
hydrocarbon legislation in country the licence might initially be a service
agreement, with a view to converting this into a production sharing contract.
KPC, however, has a two-phase strategy:
(1) To target projects with significant proven reserves with a plan
to produce over 50,000 barrels per day while assessing further
known potential reserves in the Region; and
(2) To carry out initial technical and exploration work over parts of
Northern Iraq which have yet to be explored.
The oil potential of Iraq is huge, with estimated proven reserves of more than
112 billion barrels of oil and 100 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. It is
reported that fields in Northern Iraq contain estimated reserves of 36 billion
barrels, and less than 10% of the Region has been explored.
His Excellency Mr. Nechirvan Barzani and Micael Gulbenkian both stated during a
meeting in October this year: "We view KPC as an important element in the oil
and gas exploration and development in the Northern Regions of Iraq."
Heritage is an international oil and gas corporation, with principal properties
situated in the Republic of Congo, Oman, and Uganda. Heritage's registered
office is located in Calgary, Alberta.
The Company's Common Shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol
HOC.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Except for statements of historical fact, all
statements in this news release - including, without limitation, statements
regarding production estimates and future plans and objectives of Heritage - are
forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There
can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual
results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such
statements.
%SEDAR: 00010129E
VIEW ADDITIONAL COMPANY-SPECIFIC INFORMATION:
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/orgDisplay.cgi?okey=45779
Heritage Oil signs strategic joint venture agreement in Iraq /THIS PRESS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/
CALGARY, Dec 13, 2004 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- Heritage Oil Corporation
(TSX: HOC) announced today that it has formed a strategic alliance by way of a
joint venture with Eagle Group of Iraq, a major economic and industrial entity
within the Autonomous Region of Iraqi Kurdistan.
Heritage and Eagle Group have incorporated a jointly owned company, Heritage
Erbil Oil Limited ("Heritage Erbil") with an authorized share capital of US$25
million dollars (Cdn$30 million). Heritage Erbil in turn has incorporated K
Petroleum Company ("KPC"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Heritage Erbil, in Iraq
and registered KPC in both Baghdad and Erbil (in the Autonomous Region of
Kurdistan). Heritage and Eagle Group shall each hold a 42.5% share interest in
KPC, while Turkish investors will hold the remaining 15%.
Micael Gulbenkian, Chairman and CEO of Heritage Oil Corporation, said that
"because of my family's centuries-old links to Iraq and the region, I have been
able to visit Iraq regularly during the last two years. My great grandfather and
great uncle were closely associated with the development of the Middle East oil
industry. In fact, the Gulbenkian family was fundamentally involved with the
establishment of Iraq Petroleum Company in the 1920s and the drilling of the
first well in Kirkuk in 1927. My father for decades since the 1950s was
associated with the development of the Iraqi Oil industry and, by investing in
numerous social and development programs played a very important role in the
fields of education, health, arts and science for the benefit of the Iraqi
people. I have been touched with the warm reception I have enjoyed within Iraq
in general and the Autonomous Region of Kurdistan in particular. As a result of
my family's historical connections in the area, this joint venture could have
the ability to transform Heritage Oil Corp. in the short to medium term."
His Excellency Mr. Nechirvan Barzani, the Prime Minister of the Regional
Government of Kurdistan, stated: "We are delighted that Eagle Group has entered
into this joint venture with Heritage. We believe both parties are genuinely
committed to the development of oil and gas in the Region within a framework of
a close working relation with our Regional Government and the Ministry of Oil in
Baghdad, utilizing available local resources. The Company should be in a
position to commence its activities immediately in view of the stability
prevailing in the Region, which is far more stable than other parts of Iraq. KPC
in view of its regional local strategy is ideally placed to obtain licences,
with the support of the central government and ourselves, to operate fields in
the North."
Heritage is responsible for the overall operation and management of Heritage
Erbil and KPC. We are actively recruiting local technical staff to commence a
detailed investigation of the development potential of the Kurdistan Region.
KPC will be working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Oil of Iraq. The
company has been incorporated with the knowledge and support of the Ministry.
Discussions have already commenced about awarding a license to KPC containing
proven reserves with the possibility of early production.
It is anticipated that during this interim period when there is an absence of
hydrocarbon legislation in country the licence might initially be a service
agreement, with a view to converting this into a production sharing contract.
KPC, however, has a two-phase strategy:
(1) To target projects with significant proven reserves with a plan
to produce over 50,000 barrels per day while assessing further
known potential reserves in the Region; and
(2) To carry out initial technical and exploration work over parts of
Northern Iraq which have yet to be explored.
The oil potential of Iraq is huge, with estimated proven reserves of more than
112 billion barrels of oil and 100 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. It is
reported that fields in Northern Iraq contain estimated reserves of 36 billion
barrels, and less than 10% of the Region has been explored.
His Excellency Mr. Nechirvan Barzani and Micael Gulbenkian both stated during a
meeting in October this year: "We view KPC as an important element in the oil
and gas exploration and development in the Northern Regions of Iraq."
Heritage is an international oil and gas corporation, with principal properties
situated in the Republic of Congo, Oman, and Uganda. Heritage's registered
office is located in Calgary, Alberta.
The Company's Common Shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol
HOC.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Except for statements of historical fact, all
statements in this news release - including, without limitation, statements
regarding production estimates and future plans and objectives of Heritage - are
forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There
can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual
results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such
statements.
%SEDAR: 00010129E
VIEW ADDITIONAL COMPANY-SPECIFIC INFORMATION:
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/orgDisplay.cgi?okey=45779
Heritage Oil signs strategic joint venture agreement in Iraq /THIS PRESS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/
CALGARY, Dec 13, 2004 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- Heritage Oil Corporation
(TSX: HOC) announced today that it has formed a strategic alliance by way of a
joint venture with Eagle Group of Iraq, a major economic and industrial entity
within the Autonomous Region of Iraqi Kurdistan.
Heritage and Eagle Group have incorporated a jointly owned company, Heritage
Erbil Oil Limited ("Heritage Erbil") with an authorized share capital of US$25
million dollars (Cdn$30 million). Heritage Erbil in turn has incorporated K
Petroleum Company ("KPC"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Heritage Erbil, in Iraq
and registered KPC in both Baghdad and Erbil (in the Autonomous Region of
Kurdistan). Heritage and Eagle Group shall each hold a 42.5% share interest in
KPC, while Turkish investors will hold the remaining 15%.
Micael Gulbenkian, Chairman and CEO of Heritage Oil Corporation, said that
"because of my family's centuries-old links to Iraq and the region, I have been
able to visit Iraq regularly during the last two years. My great grandfather and
great uncle were closely associated with the development of the Middle East oil
industry. In fact, the Gulbenkian family was fundamentally involved with the
establishment of Iraq Petroleum Company in the 1920s and the drilling of the
first well in Kirkuk in 1927. My father for decades since the 1950s was
associated with the development of the Iraqi Oil industry and, by investing in
numerous social and development programs played a very important role in the
fields of education, health, arts and science for the benefit of the Iraqi
people. I have been touched with the warm reception I have enjoyed within Iraq
in general and the Autonomous Region of Kurdistan in particular. As a result of
my family's historical connections in the area, this joint venture could have
the ability to transform Heritage Oil Corp. in the short to medium term."
His Excellency Mr. Nechirvan Barzani, the Prime Minister of the Regional
Government of Kurdistan, stated: "We are delighted that Eagle Group has entered
into this joint venture with Heritage. We believe both parties are genuinely
committed to the development of oil and gas in the Region within a framework of
a close working relation with our Regional Government and the Ministry of Oil in
Baghdad, utilizing available local resources. The Company should be in a
position to commence its activities immediately in view of the stability
prevailing in the Region, which is far more stable than other parts of Iraq. KPC
in view of its regional local strategy is ideally placed to obtain licences,
with the support of the central government and ourselves, to operate fields in
the North."
Heritage is responsible for the overall operation and management of Heritage
Erbil and KPC. We are actively recruiting local technical staff to commence a
detailed investigation of the development potential of the Kurdistan Region.
KPC will be working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Oil of Iraq. The
company has been incorporated with the knowledge and support of the Ministry.
Discussions have already commenced about awarding a license to KPC containing
proven reserves with the possibility of early production.
It is anticipated that during this interim period when there is an absence of
hydrocarbon legislation in country the licence might initially be a service
agreement, with a view to converting this into a production sharing contract.
KPC, however, has a two-phase strategy:
(1) To target projects with significant proven reserves with a plan
to produce over 50,000 barrels per day while assessing further
known potential reserves in the Region; and
(2) To carry out initial technical and exploration work over parts of
Northern Iraq which have yet to be explored.
The oil potential of Iraq is huge, with estimated proven reserves of more than
112 billion barrels of oil and 100 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. It is
reported that fields in Northern Iraq contain estimated reserves of 36 billion
barrels, and less than 10% of the Region has been explored.
His Excellency Mr. Nechirvan Barzani and Micael Gulbenkian both stated during a
meeting in October this year: "We view KPC as an important element in the oil
and gas exploration and development in the Northern Regions of Iraq."
Heritage is an international oil and gas corporation, with principal properties
situated in the Republic of Congo, Oman, and Uganda. Heritage's registered
office is located in Calgary, Alberta.
The Company's Common Shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol
HOC.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Except for statements of historical fact, all
statements in this news release - including, without limitation, statements
regarding production estimates and future plans and objectives of Heritage - are
forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There
can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual
results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such
statements.
%SEDAR: 00010129E
VIEW ADDITIONAL COMPANY-SPECIFIC INFORMATION:
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/orgDisplay.cgi?okey=45779
Heritage Oil signs strategic joint venture agreement in Iraq /THIS PRESS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/
CALGARY, Dec 13, 2004 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- Heritage Oil Corporation
(TSX: HOC) announced today that it has formed a strategic alliance by way of a
joint venture with Eagle Group of Iraq, a major economic and industrial entity
within the Autonomous Region of Iraqi Kurdistan.
Heritage and Eagle Group have incorporated a jointly owned company, Heritage
Erbil Oil Limited ("Heritage Erbil") with an authorized share capital of US$25
million dollars (Cdn$30 million). Heritage Erbil in turn has incorporated K
Petroleum Company ("KPC"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Heritage Erbil, in Iraq
and registered KPC in both Baghdad and Erbil (in the Autonomous Region of
Kurdistan). Heritage and Eagle Group shall each hold a 42.5% share interest in
KPC, while Turkish investors will hold the remaining 15%.
Micael Gulbenkian, Chairman and CEO of Heritage Oil Corporation, said that
"because of my family's centuries-old links to Iraq and the region, I have been
able to visit Iraq regularly during the last two years. My great grandfather and
great uncle were closely associated with the development of the Middle East oil
industry. In fact, the Gulbenkian family was fundamentally involved with the
establishment of Iraq Petroleum Company in the 1920s and the drilling of the
first well in Kirkuk in 1927. My father for decades since the 1950s was
associated with the development of the Iraqi Oil industry and, by investing in
numerous social and development programs played a very important role in the
fields of education, health, arts and science for the benefit of the Iraqi
people. I have been touched with the warm reception I have enjoyed within Iraq
in general and the Autonomous Region of Kurdistan in particular. As a result of
my family's historical connections in the area, this joint venture could have
the ability to transform Heritage Oil Corp. in the short to medium term."
His Excellency Mr. Nechirvan Barzani, the Prime Minister of the Regional
Government of Kurdistan, stated: "We are delighted that Eagle Group has entered
into this joint venture with Heritage. We believe both parties are genuinely
committed to the development of oil and gas in the Region within a framework of
a close working relation with our Regional Government and the Ministry of Oil in
Baghdad, utilizing available local resources. The Company should be in a
position to commence its activities immediately in view of the stability
prevailing in the Region, which is far more stable than other parts of Iraq. KPC
in view of its regional local strategy is ideally placed to obtain licences,
with the support of the central government and ourselves, to operate fields in
the North."
Heritage is responsible for the overall operation and management of Heritage
Erbil and KPC. We are actively recruiting local technical staff to commence a
detailed investigation of the development potential of the Kurdistan Region.
KPC will be working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Oil of Iraq. The
company has been incorporated with the knowledge and support of the Ministry.
Discussions have already commenced about awarding a license to KPC containing
proven reserves with the possibility of early production.
It is anticipated that during this interim period when there is an absence of
hydrocarbon legislation in country the licence might initially be a service
agreement, with a view to converting this into a production sharing contract.
KPC, however, has a two-phase strategy:
(1) To target projects with significant proven reserves with a plan
to produce over 50,000 barrels per day while assessing further
known potential reserves in the Region; and
(2) To carry out initial technical and exploration work over parts of
Northern Iraq which have yet to be explored.
The oil potential of Iraq is huge, with estimated proven reserves of more than
112 billion barrels of oil and 100 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. It is
reported that fields in Northern Iraq contain estimated reserves of 36 billion
barrels, and less than 10% of the Region has been explored.
His Excellency Mr. Nechirvan Barzani and Micael Gulbenkian both stated during a
meeting in October this year: "We view KPC as an important element in the oil
and gas exploration and development in the Northern Regions of Iraq."
Heritage is an international oil and gas corporation, with principal properties
situated in the Republic of Congo, Oman, and Uganda. Heritage's registered
office is located in Calgary, Alberta.
The Company's Common Shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol
HOC.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Except for statements of historical fact, all
statements in this news release - including, without limitation, statements
regarding production estimates and future plans and objectives of Heritage - are
forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There
can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual
results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such
statements.
%SEDAR: 00010129E
VIEW ADDITIONAL COMPANY-SPECIFIC INFORMATION:
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/orgDisplay.cgi?okey=45779
Heritage Oil signs strategic joint venture agreement in Iraq /THIS PRESS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/
CALGARY, Dec 13, 2004 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- Heritage Oil Corporation
(TSX: HOC) announced today that it has formed a strategic alliance by way of a
joint venture with Eagle Group of Iraq, a major economic and industrial entity
within the Autonomous Region of Iraqi Kurdistan.
Heritage and Eagle Group have incorporated a jointly owned company, Heritage
Erbil Oil Limited ("Heritage Erbil") with an authorized share capital of US$25
million dollars (Cdn$30 million). Heritage Erbil in turn has incorporated K
Petroleum Company ("KPC"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Heritage Erbil, in Iraq
and registered KPC in both Baghdad and Erbil (in the Autonomous Region of
Kurdistan). Heritage and Eagle Group shall each hold a 42.5% share interest in
KPC, while Turkish investors will hold the remaining 15%.
Micael Gulbenkian, Chairman and CEO of Heritage Oil Corporation, said that
"because of my family's centuries-old links to Iraq and the region, I have been
able to visit Iraq regularly during the last two years. My great grandfather and
great uncle were closely associated with the development of the Middle East oil
industry. In fact, the Gulbenkian family was fundamentally involved with the
establishment of Iraq Petroleum Company in the 1920s and the drilling of the
first well in Kirkuk in 1927. My father for decades since the 1950s was
associated with the development of the Iraqi Oil industry and, by investing in
numerous social and development programs played a very important role in the
fields of education, health, arts and science for the benefit of the Iraqi
people. I have been touched with the warm reception I have enjoyed within Iraq
in general and the Autonomous Region of Kurdistan in particular. As a result of
my family's historical connections in the area, this joint venture could have
the ability to transform Heritage Oil Corp. in the short to medium term."
His Excellency Mr. Nechirvan Barzani, the Prime Minister of the Regional
Government of Kurdistan, stated: "We are delighted that Eagle Group has entered
into this joint venture with Heritage. We believe both parties are genuinely
committed to the development of oil and gas in the Region within a framework of
a close working relation with our Regional Government and the Ministry of Oil in
Baghdad, utilizing available local resources. The Company should be in a
position to commence its activities immediately in view of the stability
prevailing in the Region, which is far more stable than other parts of Iraq. KPC
in view of its regional local strategy is ideally placed to obtain licences,
with the support of the central government and ourselves, to operate fields in
the North."
Heritage is responsible for the overall operation and management of Heritage
Erbil and KPC. We are actively recruiting local technical staff to commence a
detailed investigation of the development potential of the Kurdistan Region.
KPC will be working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Oil of Iraq. The
company has been incorporated with the knowledge and support of the Ministry.
Discussions have already commenced about awarding a license to KPC containing
proven reserves with the possibility of early production.
It is anticipated that during this interim period when there is an absence of
hydrocarbon legislation in country the licence might initially be a service
agreement, with a view to converting this into a production sharing contract.
KPC, however, has a two-phase strategy:
(1) To target projects with significant proven reserves with a plan
to produce over 50,000 barrels per day while assessing further
known potential reserves in the Region; and
(2) To carry out initial technical and exploration work over parts of
Northern Iraq which have yet to be explored.
The oil potential of Iraq is huge, with estimated proven reserves of more than
112 billion barrels of oil and 100 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. It is
reported that fields in Northern Iraq contain estimated reserves of 36 billion
barrels, and less than 10% of the Region has been explored.
His Excellency Mr. Nechirvan Barzani and Micael Gulbenkian both stated during a
meeting in October this year: "We view KPC as an important element in the oil
and gas exploration and development in the Northern Regions of Iraq."
Heritage is an international oil and gas corporation, with principal properties
situated in the Republic of Congo, Oman, and Uganda. Heritage's registered
office is located in Calgary, Alberta.
The Company's Common Shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol
HOC.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Except for statements of historical fact, all
statements in this news release - including, without limitation, statements
regarding production estimates and future plans and objectives of Heritage - are
forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There
can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual
results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such
statements.
%SEDAR: 00010129E
VIEW ADDITIONAL COMPANY-SPECIFIC INFORMATION:
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/orgDisplay.cgi?okey=45779
Heritage Oil signs strategic joint venture agreement in Iraq /THIS PRESS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/
CALGARY, Dec 13, 2004 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- Heritage Oil Corporation
(TSX: HOC) announced today that it has formed a strategic alliance by way of a
joint venture with Eagle Group of Iraq, a major economic and industrial entity
within the Autonomous Region of Iraqi Kurdistan.
Heritage and Eagle Group have incorporated a jointly owned company, Heritage
Erbil Oil Limited ("Heritage Erbil") with an authorized share capital of US$25
million dollars (Cdn$30 million). Heritage Erbil in turn has incorporated K
Petroleum Company ("KPC"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Heritage Erbil, in Iraq
and registered KPC in both Baghdad and Erbil (in the Autonomous Region of
Kurdistan). Heritage and Eagle Group shall each hold a 42.5% share interest in
KPC, while Turkish investors will hold the remaining 15%.
Micael Gulbenkian, Chairman and CEO of Heritage Oil Corporation, said that
"because of my family's centuries-old links to Iraq and the region, I have been
able to visit Iraq regularly during the last two years. My great grandfather and
great uncle were closely associated with the development of the Middle East oil
industry. In fact, the Gulbenkian family was fundamentally involved with the
establishment of Iraq Petroleum Company in the 1920s and the drilling of the
first well in Kirkuk in 1927. My father for decades since the 1950s was
associated with the development of the Iraqi Oil industry and, by investing in
numerous social and development programs played a very important role in the
fields of education, health, arts and science for the benefit of the Iraqi
people. I have been touched with the warm reception I have enjoyed within Iraq
in general and the Autonomous Region of Kurdistan in particular. As a result of
my family's historical connections in the area, this joint venture could have
the ability to transform Heritage Oil Corp. in the short to medium term."
His Excellency Mr. Nechirvan Barzani, the Prime Minister of the Regional
Government of Kurdistan, stated: "We are delighted that Eagle Group has entered
into this joint venture with Heritage. We believe both parties are genuinely
committed to the development of oil and gas in the Region within a framework of
a close working relation with our Regional Government and the Ministry of Oil in
Baghdad, utilizing available local resources. The Company should be in a
position to commence its activities immediately in view of the stability
prevailing in the Region, which is far more stable than other parts of Iraq. KPC
in view of its regional local strategy is ideally placed to obtain licences,
with the support of the central government and ourselves, to operate fields in
the North."
Heritage is responsible for the overall operation and management of Heritage
Erbil and KPC. We are actively recruiting local technical staff to commence a
detailed investigation of the development potential of the Kurdistan Region.
KPC will be working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Oil of Iraq. The
company has been incorporated with the knowledge and support of the Ministry.
Discussions have already commenced about awarding a license to KPC containing
proven reserves with the possibility of early production.
It is anticipated that during this interim period when there is an absence of
hydrocarbon legislation in country the licence might initially be a service
agreement, with a view to converting this into a production sharing contract.
KPC, however, has a two-phase strategy:
(1) To target projects with significant proven reserves with a plan
to produce over 50,000 barrels per day while assessing further
known potential reserves in the Region; and
(2) To carry out initial technical and exploration work over parts of
Northern Iraq which have yet to be explored.
The oil potential of Iraq is huge, with estimated proven reserves of more than
112 billion barrels of oil and 100 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. It is
reported that fields in Northern Iraq contain estimated reserves of 36 billion
barrels, and less than 10% of the Region has been explored.
His Excellency Mr. Nechirvan Barzani and Micael Gulbenkian both stated during a
meeting in October this year: "We view KPC as an important element in the oil
and gas exploration and development in the Northern Regions of Iraq."
Heritage is an international oil and gas corporation, with principal properties
situated in the Republic of Congo, Oman, and Uganda. Heritage's registered
office is located in Calgary, Alberta.
The Company's Common Shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol
HOC.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Except for statements of historical fact, all
statements in this news release - including, without limitation, statements
regarding production estimates and future plans and objectives of Heritage - are
forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There
can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual
results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such
statements.
%SEDAR: 00010129E
VIEW ADDITIONAL COMPANY-SPECIFIC INFORMATION:
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/orgDisplay.cgi?okey=45779