ERHC Energy Inc. Signs Memorandum of Understanding for São Tomé and Príncipe Exclusive Economic Zone
Grants First Right of Refusal to an IOC for Farm-In of EEZ Block 11 for Six Months
HOUSTON, December 16, 2014 – ERHC Energy Inc. (OTCMKTS:ERHE), a publicly traded American company with oil and gas assets in Sub-Saharan Africa, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with an International Operating Company ("IOC") related to Block 11 of the São Tomé and Príncipe Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). ERHC currently holds 100 percent interest in the Block.
Under terms of the MOU, ERHC agreed to grant first right of refusal to the IOC for a farm-out of EEZ Block 11 for a period of six months. Under the terms of the MOU, ERHC will keep the identity of the potential partner confidential except and until a definitive farm out is agreed on and entered into.
Until a definitive farm-out agreement is entered into and approved, ERHC continues to operate EEZ Block 11. The work program during the first four-year phase includes re-processing existing data, completing an aeromagnetic survey over the Block and acquiring 2,500 km of 2D seismic data.
EEZ Block 11 totals 8,941 square km, situated directly east of the island of São Tomé and abuts the territorial waters of Gabon. ERHC's preliminary studies on currently available data indicate the possibility of a significant cretaceous play in Block 11 similar to the Jubilee Field offshore Ghana.
In addition to its oil and gas exploration interests in the EEZ, ERHC holds interests in the Republics of Kenya and Chad, and the Nigeria-Sao Tome and Principe Joint Development Zone (JDZ).
About ERHC Energy
ERHC Energy Inc. is a Houston-based independent oil and gas company focused on growth through high impact exploration in Africa and the development of undeveloped and marginal oil and gas fields. ERHC is committed to creating and delivering significant value for its stockholders, investors and employees, and to sustainable and profitable growth through risk balanced smart exploration, cost efficient development and high margin production. For more information, visit www.erhc.com.
Cautionary Statement
This press release contains statements concerning ERHC Energy Inc.'s future operating milestones, future drilling operations, the planned exploration and appraisal program, future prospects, future investment opportunities and financing plans, future stockholders' meetings as well as other matters that are not historical facts or information. Such statements are inherently subject to a variety of risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, projected, expressed or implied. A discussion of the risk factors that could impact these areas and the Company's overall business and financial performance can be found in the Company's reports and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These factors include, among others, those relating to the Company's ability to exploit its commercial interests in Kenya, Chad, the JDZ and the Exclusive Economic Zone of São Tomé and Príncipe, general economic and business conditions, changes in foreign and domestic oil and gas exploration and production activity, competition, changes in foreign, political, social and economic conditions, regulatory initiatives and compliance with governmental regulations and various other matters, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Given these concerns, investors and analysts should not place undue reliance on these statements. Each of the above statements speaks only as of the date of this press release. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any of the above statements is based.