Sterling Resources Announces Successful Breagh Well A08 Fracture Stimulation and Well Test

CALGARY, Oct. 2, 2014 /CNW/ - Sterling Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: SLG) ("Sterling" or the "Company") is pleased to advise that hydraulic stimulation, perforation and production testing of Breagh well A08 have been successfully completed. After several days of flowing the well to clean it up, the well was production tested at a stabilized rate of 44 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscf/d) (100 percent) at the planned initial operating conditions of the well.  The well is expected to be on-line mid-November at production conditions which should deliver 42 MMscf/day of sales gas and 140 barrels per day of condensate.

The A08 well was drilled during the third quarter of 2014 to a location approximately 1.8 kilometres to the north-east of the Alpha platform, encountering 112 feet of net pay in four separate zones. Using the Schlumberger well-stimulation vessel "Big Orange XVIII" in conjunction with the ENSCO 70 jack-up drilling rig, hydraulic stimulations were performed over two of the four sands encountered within the main productive zone and reserves base in the Breagh field.  These two zones were previously identified as having lower reservoir quality than the other two zones and were seen as attractive candidates for stimulation as this could add significantly to the production potential of the well and potentially add to field reserves.  A total of 300,000 pounds weight of proppant was pumped.  Following the treatment, the well was flow tested at a rate of 25 MMscf/day (100 percent) at flowing conditions approximately 500 psi higher than the current platform export pressure.  In comparison, one of these intervals flowed at 4 MMscf/day in the offset A05 well (the other interval had not been encountered in any previous well).

Further perforations were then made over these stimulated intervals and the remaining two sands which had not been stimulated.  A final combined flow rate of 44 MMscf/day (100 percent, raw gas) was then achieved at flowing conditions some 400 psi higher than the current platform export pressure.  The well is expected to be brought into production at this rate, which is constrained to minimize proppant production as is normal practice for hydraulically stimulated wells.  The unconstrained rate has been estimated to be 55 to 60 MMscf/day.

Following the final well operations, the ENSCO 70 rig is now preparing to move to the Crosgan appraisal location in Block 42/15, some 25 kilometres northeast of Breagh. The well at Crosgan is expected to spud during early October.

"We have achieved another very successful hydraulic stimulation in this well, achieving rates from the middle two zones which are at least three times what would have been expected from a normal completion and with a much higher producing pressure. This higher pressure has, to some degree, limited the production from the unstimulated sands," stated John Rapach, Chief Operating Officer for Sterling Resources.  "Our expectation is that we will be able to sustain production at the tested rate for an extended period, as the well is opened-up to lower the back pressure on the reservoir.  In addition, the hydraulic stimulation should lead to incremental reserves from these stimulated intervals.  We are in the process of revising production profiles for the field to reflect the results of the A07 and A08 wells, and hope to provide revised guidance in the next few weeks," added Mr. Rapach. 

Jake Ulrich, Sterling's Chief Executive Officer, also commented, "We are very pleased with the A08 well results which continue to demonstrate the potential improvements that can be achieved in the ongoing development of the Breagh field. We look forward to returning to the Breagh Alpha platform for further drilling and stimulations during 2015."

Sterling Resources has a 30 percent interest in the Breagh and Crosgan licence areas.  RWE Dea UK Ltd holds the remaining 70 percent and operates these licences.

Sterling is a Canadian-listed international oil and gas company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta with assets in the United Kingdom, Romania, France and the Netherlands. The common shares are listed and posted for trading on the TSX-V under the symbol "SLG".

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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Forward-Looking Statements

All statements included in this news release that address activities, events or developments that Sterling expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements.  In addition, statements relating to expected production, reserves or resources are deemed to be forward-looking statements as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions that the reserves and resources described can be profitably produced in the future.  In particular, this document contains forward-looking statements regarding the completion and closing date of the Placement, the use of proceeds of the Placement, the availability of additional financing on acceptable terms and the ability of Sterling to unlock the value of its assets and realize value for shareholders.  

These forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions made by Sterling based on its experience, perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances.  In addition, these statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other-forward looking statements will prove inaccurate, certain of which are beyond Sterling's control, including: the impact of general economic conditions in the areas in which Sterling operates, civil unrest, industry conditions, changes in laws and regulations including the adoption of new environmental laws and regulations and changes in how they are interpreted and enforced, increased competition, the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management, fluctuations in commodity prices, foreign exchange or interest rates, stock market volatility and obtaining required approvals of regulatory authorities. In addition there are risks and uncertainties associated with oil and gas operations.  Readers should also carefully consider the matters discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form.

Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur.  Sterling's actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements.  These statements speak only as of the date of the news release. Sterling does not intend and does not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements except as required by law.

Financial outlook information contained in this news release about prospective results of operations, financial position or cash flows is based on assumptions about future events, including economic conditions and proposed courses of action, based on management's assessment of the relevant information currently available.  Readers are cautioned that such financial outlook information contained in this news release should not be used for purposes other than for which it is disclosed herein.

SOURCE: Sterling Resources Ltd.

visit www.sterling-resources.com or contact: Jacob Ulrich, Chief Executive Officer, Phone: [phone], [email protected]; David Blewden, Chief Financial Officer, Phone: +1 (403) [email protected]; George Kesteven, Manager, Corporate and Investor Relations, Phone: [phone], Mobile: [phone], [email protected]