Epsilon Energy Ltd. (“Epsilon” or the
“Company”) (TSX: EPS) today announced the closing of its Farm Out Agreement
with Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK) (“Chesapeake”) previously
announced on January 18 2010. The assets in the joint venture include
approximately 11,500 net acres of leasehold in the Highway 706 area in
Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania; approximately 10 MMcf/day of current
natural gas production, and related compression, pipeline and tap site facilities. In
addition, Epsilon believes that its leasehold position will support the drilling of
approximately 120-150 additional locations (60-75 net to Epsilon).
At closing Chesapeake paid to the joint venture approximately $5 million in cash
and will earn a 50% interest in Epsilon’s upstream Marcellus Shale assets by
paying a further $95 million over time by carrying the first $95-million of Epsilon's
50-per-cent share of leasehold, drilling, completing, equipping and gathering
costs attributable to the prospect. The carry obligation is expected to be
completed by August 1, 2012.
In the framework of the Farm Out Agreement, Chesapeake plans to spend a total
of $195 million developing the Highway 706 prospect.
Zoran Arandjelovic, Epsilon’s Executive Chairman, President and CEO,
commented, "We believe this transaction creates tremendous value for our
shareholders and we are very excited and looking forward to our partnership with
Chesapeake. Chesapeake’s expertise will help us maximize return on our
Pennsylvania assets while freeing up our resources to concentrate on our New
York Marcellus Shale prospect."
Aubrey K. McClendon, Chesapeake’s Chief Executive Officer, added, “We are
very pleased to have now closed this transaction with Epsilon. Their acreage is
located in an area of Susquehanna County where we expect average estimated
ultimate reserve recoveries to be substantially greater than those found on
average in the Marcellus. We expect to begin development work in the prospect
area in short order.”