- Published: 19 April 2010
- Written by Editor
Junex Announces Undiscovered Gas-in-Place Resources Volumes of 48 TCF and Potentially Recoverable Prospective Gas Resources of 3.7 TCF on its St. Lawrence Lowlands Permits
Junex Inc. (TSX VENTURE: JNX) ("Junex" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., ("NSAI"), an independent petroleum consulting firm based in Texas, has provided their "Best Estimate" of the Undiscovered original gas in place resources ("OGIP") volumes for the Utica Shale for most of Junex's permits in the St. Lawrence Lowlands at 48.34 Trillion Cubic Feet ("TCF"). This 48.34 TCF figure includes 39.67 TCF of Undiscovered OGIP resources volumes from the NSAI report dated April 16, 2010 and an additional 8.67 TCF Undiscovered OGIP Resources volumes for the Nicolet Permit from a previous NSAI report as announced by Junex on February 9, 2010 (the "Nicolet Permit").
Total Undiscovered OGIP (Bcf)
-----------------------------------
100% Undiscovered original gas-in-place Low Best High
(OGIP) volumes Estimate Estimate Estimate
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lowlands Permits (without Nicolet 31,815 39,673 49,405
Permit)
Nicolet Permit (as previously reported) 6,954 8,666 10,523
-----------------------------------
Total 38,769 48,339 59,928
When combined with Junex's company gross unrisked prospective resources for the Nicolet Permit, the combined company gross unrisked prospective resources ranges from a Low Estimate of 1.23 TCF (effective 4% recovery factor) to a High Estimate of 10.98 TCF (effective 25% recovery factor), with a Best Estimate of 3.69 TCF (effective 10% recovery factor) to Junex's net interest in its St. Lawrence Lowlands permits. Company gross unrisked prospective resources means Junex's share of the unrisked prospective resources before any Government royalties.
Junex's Company Gross(i) (Bcf)
-----------------------------------
Potentially Recoverable Unrisked Low Best High
Prospective Gas Resources Estimate Estimate Estimate
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lowlands Permits (without Nicolet 1,087 3,255 9,676
Permit)
Nicolet Permit (as previously reported) 147 436 1,307
-----------------------------------
Total 1,234 3,691 10,983
(i) Net to Junex before Government royalties.
The two NSAI evaluations, when combined, evaluated 632,189 gross acres (approximately 59%) of the total of 1,064,696 gross acres held by Junex in the Utica Shale play in the St. Lawrence Lowlands. The unevaluated portions represent areas where NSAI indicated that further evaluation and additional data are required to quantify their gas-in-place volumes and prospective resource estimates.
Mr. Jean-Yves Lavoie, P. Eng., Junex's President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We consider NSAI's "Best Estimate" of 3.7 TCF for Junex's potentially recoverable Net Prospective Resources to be very significant for our company. NSAI's independent evaluation is an important milestone for the Company since it is the first time that the Utica Shale Gas potential of most of our extensive Utica Shale acreage has been independently estimated. Junex's potentially recoverable Net Prospective Resources compare favourably with published estimates from other significant permit holders in the Lowlands Utica Shale Gas play and it also offers some more room for growth since other large Junex-held permits, including St-Simon and Beaupre/Orleans, were not evaluated due to a lack of scientific data."
Results from the NSAI Report
NSAI, a world renowned independent petroleum consulting firm was commissioned by Junex to complete a resources assessment ("the Report") of the Utica Shale on Junex's St. Lawrence Lowlands permits as a follow-up to the resources assessment that NSAI completed on the Nicolet Permit earlier this year. Using their expertise in evaluating other shale gas plays, NSAI's evaluation includes detailed petrophysical and geologic analysis including a review of the available core and lab analysis data. All results have been prepared in accordance with the regulations pursuant to National Instrument 51-101, Standards for Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities of the Canadian Securities Administrators. The evaluation does not include any evaluation of the shallower Lorraine Formation on Junex's St. Lawrence Lowlands permits.
This latest NSAI evaluation focused on the Company's St. Lawrence Lowlands permits (excluding the Nicolet Permit) and their Utica Shale potential, subdividing these into two tiers:
-- The Medium-Deep Tier resources area on the downthrown side of the
Yamaska Fault where the Utica is at a depth generally greater than 700
meters; and
-- The Shallow Tier resources area on the upthrown side of the Yamaska
Fault where the Utica is at a depth generally less than 700 meters.
-- Undiscovered OGIP resources volumes for the two tiers range from a Low
Estimate of 31.82 TCF to a High Estimate of 49.41 TCF, with a Best
Estimate of 39.67 TCF for the 100% interest.
-- When combined with the Undiscovered OGIP resources volumes for the
Nicolet Permit, the combined Undiscovered OGIP resources volumes range
from a Low Estimate of 38.77 TCF to a High Estimate of 59.93 TCF, with a
Best Estimate of 48.34 TCF for the 100% interest.
-- Junex's company gross unrisked prospective resources for the two tiers
range from a Low Estimate of 1.23 TCF to a High Estimate of 10.98 TCF,
with a Best Estimate of 3.69 TCF to Junex's net interest in the permits.
OGIP is not a defined term within National Instrument 51-101 and is considered equivalent to Petroleum Initially In Place ("PIIP"). Undiscovered resources are those quantities of petroleum estimated on a given date to be contained in accumulations yet to be discovered. Prospective resources are those quantities of petroleum estimated on a given date to be potentially recoverable from undiscovered accumulations. If discovered, they would be technically and economically viable to recover by application of future development projects. Prospective resources have both a chance of discovery and a chance of development. There is no certainty that any portion of the resources will be discovered. If discovered, there is no certainty that the resources will be commercially viable or be able to produce any portion of the resources. The effective date of the Report is December 31, 2009.
No quantitative geologic risk assessment was conducted by NSAI for this acreage. Geologic risking of prospective resources address the probability of success for the discovery of petroleum this risk analysis is conducted independently of probabilistic estimates of petroleum volumes and without regard to the chance of development. Principal risk elements of the petroleum system include; i. trap and seal characteristics; ii. reservoir presence and quality; iii. source rock capacity, quality, and maturity; and iv. timing, migration, and preservation of petroleum in relation to trap and seal formation.
The prospective resources discussed and shown in the Report are those undiscovered, highly speculative resources estimated beyond reserves or contingent resources where geological and geophysical data suggest the potential for discovery of petroleum but where the level of proof is insufficient for classification as reserves or contingent resources. The unrisked prospective resources are those volumes that could reasonably be expected to be recovered in the event of the successful exploration and development of Junex's St. Lawrence Lowlands permits.
The resources evaluated in the Report are based on estimates of reservoir volumes and recovery efficiencies along with analogy to properties with similar geologic and reservoir characteristics. It will be necessary to revise these estimates as additional data become available. Also, estimates of resources may increase or decrease as a result of future operations.
Junex holds more than 1.5 million gross acres of permit in the St. Lawrence Lowlands. Junex's permits are located in all areas of the Utica play, including the shallow, medium, deep, and structured parts of the Basin.
About Junex
Junex is a junior oil and gas exploration company that holds exploration rights on more than 6 million acres of land located in the Appalachian basin in the Province of Quebec. The company is in the heart of the Utica Shale gas discovery located in the St. Lawrence Lowlands. As of December 31, 2009, Junex has a working capital of approximately 22.5 million dollars. Junex also owns approximately 7.9% of the issued and outstanding shares of Petrolia (TSX VENTURE: PEA) and 1.0% of the issued and outstanding shares of Gastem (TSX VENTURE: GMR). In parallel to its exploration efforts, Junex's goal is to achieve positive cash flows from its natural brine and drilling services operations.
Forward looking statements
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or future economic performance of Junex and carry risks, uncertainties and other factors - both known and unknown - that may appreciably affect their respective results, economic performance or accomplishments when considered in light of the content or implications of statements made by Junex. Actual events or results could be significantly different. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Junex do not intend and undertake no obligation, to update these forward-looking statements.
The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contacts: Junex Inc. Mr. Jean-Yves Lavoie President 418-654-9661 Junex Inc. Mr. Dave Pepin Vice President - Corporate Affairs 418-654-9661
