Gulf starts at Sheikh Adi-2 25/05/2012
Iraq-focused oil explorer Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) has begun drilling at the Sheikh Adi-2 well in the Sheikh Adi block.
As foreshadowed here in September, a group of Chinese companies is buying control of Oxus Gold in a £115 million financing deal.
A consortium of Chinese concerns, including Baiyin Non-Ferrous Group and the major state-owned CITIC investment group, is buying new shares at 6p and convertibles and warrants in AIM-quoted Oxus exercisable at 7p and 10p. These moves, which will lift the company’s AIM value from nearly £35 million to more than £140 million, form the core of a financing package that should enable the company to start underground production next year from its half-owned Amantaytau gold mine in Uzbekistan.
The deal will give Chinese consortium more than 70 per cent of Oxus, falling to 65 per cent if existing loan holders convert to shares. Tien Wei of CITIC will become chairman of Oxus, which, suggests current chairman Richard Shead should be able to increase gold production from Amantaytau to 300,000 oz a year.
Oxus also proposes to consolidate its depressed shares on a one-for-seven basis. Since the company’s 2001 AIM float at 30p, the shares, which initially rose above 50p, plunged to 3.73p on repeated delays and snags at Amantaytau.
They have now reached 9p and, while not risk-free, could now begin to make solid progress.
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Iraq-focused oil explorer Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) has begun drilling at the Sheikh Adi-2 well in the Sheikh Adi block.
Oil giant Shell is extending its offer period for Mozambique-focused Cove Energy (COV) after having its bid trumped by Thai government-owned PTT Exploration & Production.
Kazakhstan-focused Roxi Petroleum (RXP) has declared that its NK7 well in the Galaz aea has drilled to a depth of 1,360 metres.
Steered by sector veteran Algy Cluff, North-Sea focused cash shell Cluff Natural Resources (CNR) has joined AIM.
Somalia-focused oil explorer Red Emperor Resources (RMP) has exercised its option to take part in the drilling of the Shabeel North well.
Oil concern Heritage Oil (HOIL) has reported its Miran West-3 well in Iraq could deliver 1,000 barrels per day of condensate.