VANCOUVER, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Lion Energy
Corp. (the "Company" or "Lion Energy") (TSX.V - LEO) is pleased to
report that it has come to an agreement with Africa Oil Corp.
("Africa Oil") regarding certain amendments to the existing farmout
agreement on all its east Africa
assets. The amendment of the Lion farmout agreement with Africa Oil
provides that Lion will reduce its interest in Block 10BB to 10%
(originally 20%) and will not retain any interest in Block 10A
(originally 25%). As consideration Africa Oil has agreed to pay
Lion US$2.5 million in cash and to
issue to Lion 2.5 million common shares of Africa Oil. Africa Oil
has also agreed to the elimination of future expenditure promotes
in Block 10BB and on the Company's projects in Puntland
(Somalia) and the release of
US$4.0 million in escrowed funds.
The resultant working interest in the Kenya and Somalia blocks upon closing the Lion amending
agreement will be:
Block 10BB (Kenya) Tullow 50% Africa Oil 40% Lion10%
Block 10A (Kenya) Tullow 50% Africa Oil 30% EAX (Black
Marlin) 20%
Block 9 (Kenya) CNOOC 40% OPIC 30% Africa Oil 20%
Lion 10%
Puntland (Somalia) Africa Oil 65% Range 20% Lion 15%
The amendments to the farmout agreement are subject to the
successful closing of a definitive farmout agreement between Tullow
Oil plc ("Tullow") and Africa Oil whereby Tullow will acquire a 50%
interest in, and operatorship of, three of Africa Oil's east
African exploration blocks, comprised of two exploration blocks in
Kenya and one exploration block in
Ethiopia. Under the terms of the
Tullow farmout agreement, Tullow will acquire a 50% interest in,
and operatorship of, Blocks 10BB and 10A in Kenya.
Lion Energy President and CEO John
Nelson stated "We are very pleased to have had the
opportunity to change the terms of our farmount agreement with
Africa Oil and as a result make it possible for Tullow to become
Operator of the blocks. Tullow has gained significant technical and
operational expertise from their Uganda Lake Albert Graben project
which will benefit all parties involved in the exploration of
Kenya's rift basins. The
transaction will strengthen the balance sheet of Lion and will
provide sufficient funding under more favorable un-promoted terms
to complete our commitments on all the blocks retained. As a result
of the deal the Company will now be a better position to pursue
alternative exploration or development opportunities as well as
have sufficient time to allow the Company's other investments to
grow over the coming months."
Africa Oil is currently acquiring seismic in Block 10BB in
Kenya. Drilling of the first
exploration well on this block is expected to take place during the
first half of 2011. The Company continues evaluation of a potential
gas discovery and additional hydrocarbon potential in Block 9 in
Kenya. Drilling plans in Puntland
Somalia continue to progress but the first well on these blocks
will likely be delayed until 2011.
The above transactions are subject to final approval of the
Tullow farmout, host government approvals, waiver of any preemption
rights by Africa Oil's partners and any applicable regulatory
requirements.
About the Company: Lion Energy Corp. is a well-financed,
Canadian exploration company with a vision to develop a significant
presence in the developing oil and gas industry. The Company holds
oil and gas interests in four petroleum blocks located in the
Republic of Kenya and in Puntland,
Somalia. The Company further holds
a 21.04% interest in Encanto Potash Corp., a junior potash
exploration company and a 18% interest in Sulphur Solutions Inc.,
an emerging fertilizer company developing state-of-the-art patented
technology for the production of micronized sulphur fertilizer.
To find out more about the Company, please visit our website at
www.lionenergycorp.com.
On behalf of the Board,
LION ENERGY CORP.
John R. Nelson
President and Chief Executive Officer
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 NEWS RELEASE
This release includes certain statements that may be deemed
"forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other
than statements of historical facts, that address exploration
drilling, exploration activities and events or developments that
the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements
regarding the Company's intentions or plans, whether of a corporate
or exploratory nature. Although the Company believes the
expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based
on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of
future performance and actual results or developments may differ
materially from those forward-looking statements. Factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those in
forward-looking statements include market prices, exploration and
exploration successes, and continued availability of capital and
financing and general economic, political, market or business
conditions. These statements are based on a number of assumptions,
including, among others, assumptions regarding general business and
economic conditions, the timing and receipt of regulatory and
governmental approvals for the transactions described herein, the
ability of the Company and other parties to satisfy stock exchange
and other regulatory requirements in a timely manner, the
availability of financing for the Company's proposed transactions
and programs on reasonable terms, and the ability of third-party
service providers to deliver services in a timely manner. Investors
are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future
performance and actual results or developments may differ
materially from those projected on the forward-looking statements.
The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law or
regulatory policies.
SOURCE Lion Energy Corp.
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