TransAtlantic Petroleum Ltd. (TSX:TNP) (NYSE-MKT:TAT) (the "Company" or "TransAtlantic") today provided an operational update on its current drilling program.
Operational Update
TransAtlantic ended the fourth quarter of 2013 with seven-day average production of 8,481 BOEPD gross and 5,084 BOEPD net. Net production on December 30, 2013 reached 5,198 BOEPD. Seven-day average net production was comprised of 3,001 BOPD of oil and 12.5 MMCFPD of natural gas. The Company currently has three active rigs in southeastern Turkey, one active rig in the Thrace Basin in northwestern Turkey and one active rig in Bulgaria. TransAtlantic spudded eight wells in the fourth quarter of 2013 and 35 total wells in 2013. The Company plans to drill between 33 and 49 wells in 2014.
Southeastern Turkey - ?elmo Field Development
TransAtlantic recently completed the first of four stages of the ?elmo-36H1 (100% working interest), its third horizontal well targeting the MSD zone at a true vertical depth of approximately 5,750 feet and a total cost of $2.8 million. The first stage had one-day initial production of 300 BOPD gross. The Company will complete the additional stages and its fourth horizontal MSD well in January 2014. The two MSD horizontal wells that TransAtlantic completed in December 2013 each have current average gross production of 375 BOPD. The Company plans to continue development drilling in the ?elmo Field in 2014 with approximately ten additional horizontal wells targeting both the MSD and LSD fractured carbonate zones.
In the first quarter of 2014, TransAtlantic plans to initiate its first ?elmo Field waterflood pilot test to assess the field's potential for secondary recovery. The Company expects to execute at least two additional waterflood pilot tests in 2014.
Southeastern Turkey - Molla Drilling Program
TransAtlantic continues to make progress on its 800 square kilometer (300 square mile) 3D seismic program over Molla and the surrounding areas. The Company is currently shooting seismic over the G?ksu Field. To date, approximately 690 square kilometers (266 square miles) have been shot and the data is being processed in Dallas, Texas.
In the first half of 2014, TransAtlantic expects to drill at least two wells in the Bahar Field (100% working interest), including a vertical sidetrack of the Bahar-2, to de-risk the geology in preparation for horizontal drilling. The Company plans to complete the Catak-1 (100% working interest) using hydraulic fracture stimulation to target the Hazro and Bedinan formations in early 2014.
TransAtlantic tested the Mardin zone of the Tepe-1 (100% working interest) in the fourth quarter of 2013, but the well did not encounter hydrocarbons and was plugged and abandoned at a total cost of $4.3 million.
Southeastern Turkey - Arpatepe Drilling
In the fourth quarter of 2013, TransAtlantic drilled the Ambarc?k-2 (50% working interest) exploration well to a total depth of 9,700 feet. Drilling and estimated completion costs for the well are $4.6 million gross ($2.3 million net). The Ambarc?k-2 targeted the Mardin and Bedinan formations and is currently awaiting completion. The Company expects the well to be completed and tested in the first quarter of 2014 and plans to drill one or two appraisal wells and conduct a waterflood pilot test in the field in 2014.
Northwestern Turkey - Thrace Basin Development
TransAtlantic successfully drilled and completed its third horizontal well in the southern Thrace Basin, the BTD-5H (41.5% working interest), to a measured depth of 5,822 feet (true vertical depth of 3,295 feet) with a four-stage hydraulic fracture stimulation. The BTD-5H is the Company's second horizontal well in the Teslimkoy formation and it is currently producing 2.5 MMCFPD.
TransAtlantic most recently drilled the Kay?-16 (41.5% working interest), a 3,800-foot vertical well targeting the Mezardere and Teslimkoy formations in just six days. The Company plans to drill its first Mezardere horizontal well and an additional Mezardere vertical well in the first quarter of 2014.
TransAtlantic completed its $5.0 million, 234 square kilometer (90 square mile) 3D seismic program in the Osmanl? area of the southern Thrace Basin in December 2013 and expects to receive processed data in the first quarter of 2014.
Bulgaria
TransAtlantic is currently drilling the Deventci-R2 (50% working interest) in the Koynare Concession at a depth of more than 14,000 feet. The well is targeting the Dolni Lukovit zone at a depth of approximately 14,100 feet. The well encountered the Orzirovo Formation, Etropole Shale and Dolni Lukovit zones as expected and had mud log gas shows in each zone. The Company successfully ran and cemented a 7-inch drilling liner at the top of the target formation at 13,717 feet and expects to reach target depth and test the well between 13,717 feet and 14,100 feet early in the first quarter of 2014. The Company's joint venture partner will assume 75% of TransAtlantic's initial $40.0 million work program in Bulgaria.
Fourth Quarter 2013 Earnings Call
TransAtlantic will provide more detailed operational and financial results on its fourth quarter 2013 earnings call, which it expects to host in mid-March 2014.
About TransAtlantic Petroleum Ltd.
TransAtlantic Petroleum Ltd. is an international oil and natural gas company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas. The Company holds interests in developed and undeveloped properties in Turkey and Bulgaria.
