CALGARY, Jan. 2, 2014 /CNW/ - PetroNova Inc.
("PetroNova" or the "Company") (TSX-V: PNA), a
company engaged in the exploration and development of oil and
natural gas resources in Colombia,
today provided an operational update on the drilling of the Canelo
Sur-2 well on its PUT-2 Block, located in Colombia's Putumayo Basin.
The Canelo Sur-2 exploratory well was spud on
October 26, 2013, after setting
surface casing at 2,195 feet. While drilling was proceeding,
operations had to be suspended as Community unrest prevented the
crew from accessing the rig for a total of six days. Once
operations resumed, bottom was reached with considerable
difficulty, experiencing severe drag and pack off attempts, which
indicated that the exposed Orteguaza shales were severely affected
by the exposure time to water-based drilling fluids. Trips became
increasingly more difficult and intermediate casing was run,
however the shale section prevented it from reaching bottom.
Attempts to try to wash the casing string deeper resulted in
multiple mechanical and fishing problems. A decision was reached to
cut the casing at 2,480 feet, retrieve the casing, set a cement
plug, and drill a new hole from below the shoe of the 13 3/8 inch
surface casing at 2,195 feet.
Currently the Canelo Sur-2 ST well is drilling
at 2,326 feet and, pending no further issues, PetroNova expects to
release well results in February
2014. PetroNova currently holds a 75 percent working
interest in the PUT- 2 Block; the remaining 25 percent is held by
Suroco Energy pursuant to the farm-out agreement announced in
July 2013.
About PetroNova:
The Company, through its subsidiaries, is
engaged in the exploration for, and the acquisition and development
of, oil and natural gas resources in South America, specifically in Colombia. The Company's assets currently
include the Company's interests in the PUT-2 and Tinigua Blocks
located in the Caguan-Putumayo Basin in Colombia, both of which are operated by the
Company, and the non-operated Llanos Blocks located in the Llanos
Basin in Colombia. The common
shares of the Company trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the
stock symbol "PNA".
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and
Information:
Certain statements and information contained in
this press release constitute forward-looking statements and
information (collectively "forward-looking statements) within the
meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to
future events or the Company's future performance. All statements
other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking
statements. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "intend",
"plan", "continue", "estimate", "budget", "targeting", "project",
"expect", "may", "will", "might", "should", "could", "believe",
"predict" and "potential" and similar expressions are intended to
identify forward-looking statements. Such statements represent the
Company's internal projections, estimates, expectations, beliefs,
plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements about
future events or performance. These statements involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause
actual results or events to differ materially from those
anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Management believes
the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are
reasonable but no assurance can be given that these expectations
will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements
included in this press release should not be unduly relied
upon.
In particular, this press release contains
forward-looking statements pertaining to the Company's future
exploration and development activities and the timing thereof,
including the Company's drilling plans. With respect to
forward-looking statements contained in this press release,
assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: general
economic, market and business conditions in Colombia and globally; future crude oil and
natural gas prices; the continued availability of capital,
undeveloped lands and skilled personnel; the ability to obtain
equipment in a timely manner to carry out exploration and
development activities; the regulatory framework governing
royalties, taxes and environmental matters in Colombia and any other jurisdictions in which
the Company may conduct its business in the future; the ability of
the Company to obtain the necessary approvals, permits and licences
to conduct its operations; the applicability of technologies for
recovery and production of the Company's oil and natural gas
resources and reserves; the recoverability of the Company's oil and
gas resources and reserves; future capital and exploration
expenditures to be made by the Company; future sources of funding
for the Company's exploration program; the geography of the areas
in which the Company is exploring; and adequate weather and
environmental conditions.
Actual results could differ materially from
those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result
of certain risk factors, including, but not limited to: general
economic, market and business conditions; risks related to the
exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas;
risks inherent in the Company's international operations, including
security and legal risks in Colombia; risks related to the timing of
completion of the Company's projects; competition for, among other
things, capital, the acquisition of resources and skilled
personnel; actions by governmental authorities, including changes
in government regulation and taxation; the failure of the Company
to obtain the necessary approvals, permits and licences to conduct
its operations; environmental risks and hazards; the availability
of capital on acceptable terms; the failure of the Company or the
holder of certain licenses or leases to meet specific requirements
of such licenses or leases; adverse claims made in respect of the
Company's properties or assets; failure to engage or retain key
personnel; geological, technical, drilling and processing problems,
including the availability of equipment and access to properties;
failure by counterparties to make payments or perform their
operational or other obligations to the Company in compliance with
the terms of contractual arrangements between the Company and such
counterparties; and the other factors discussed under the heading
"Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form for
the year ended December 31, 2012 and
the Company's other continuous disclosure documents filed from time
to time with applicable securities regulatory authorities in
Canada and which may be accessed
on PetroNova's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.
Readers are cautioned that the foregoing
lists of factors are not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements
included in this press release are expressly qualified by this
cautionary statement and are made as of the date of this press
release. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly
update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events or results or otherwise,
except as required by applicable securities laws.
SOURCE PetroNova Inc.