Gastem's JV Epsilon Energy just cut a major deal with Chesepeak, Marcellus PA
posted on
Feb 04, 2010 09:07PM
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Concord, Ontario – February 3, 2010 – “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.”