Calgary, Alberta, TheNewswire,  February 9, 2017, Zenith Energy Ltd. ("Zenith" or the "Company"), (LSE: ZEN; TSX.V: ZEE) the international oil and gas development and production company is pleased to announce that the workover of well M-195 at the Company's Muradkhanli field in Azerbaijan has begun. 

 

As announced by the Company on January 24, 2017, wells M-195 and M-45 are the first two wells scheduled for workovers in the Company's Field Rehabilitation ('Workover') Programme.   

 

The Muradkhanli field is the largest of three contiguous fields (Muradkhanli, Jafarli and Zardab) controlled and operated by Zenith Aran, Zenith's wholly owned subsidiary in Azerbaijan.   Collectively the Muradkhnali, Jafarli and Zardab fields form the largest onshore oilfield of Azerbaijan.

 

Following the Company's additional capital raising announced on January 30, 2017, the Board of Directors has decided to double the number of workover rigs used in the Workover Programme.  In addition to the workover rig owned by the Company, currently undergoing comprehensive reconditioning, Zenith has decided to use a second rig operated by a highly experienced local drilling company.

 

As a result of the increased operational resources at its disposal, the Company has decided to divide workover activities between two teams: 'Team A' and 'Team B'.

 

'Team A' will be comprised of the Company's field staff, operating the Company's rig. 'Team B' will be comprised of contractors operating the workover rig of the aforementioned local drilling company.

Workover of the M-195 and M-45 wells, the first two of ten wells scheduled for recompletion in 2017, has been assigned to Team B.

 

The continued employment of third party service providers will be evaluated by the Board of Directors following the completion of workover operations at wells M-195 and M-45. Zenith's strategic preference is to use its own staff and resources wherever possible, thereby ensuring better operational oversight and effective cost management.   Future alternatives being considered by the Board of Directors include the purchase of an additional pre-owned workover rig, or the purchase of a new Chinese workover rig to be financed by the manufacturer.

 

The Company will provide regular updates on the progress of field rehabilitation operations in Azerbaijan.  

  

Andrea Cattaneo, Zenith Energy CEO, comments:

 

"The beginning of the first well workover signals the start of a promising new phase in the Company's transformational operations in Azerbaijan. Zenith is a production company run from the field with a strong operational focus.  Rather than creating fleeting short-term excitement on each workover, Zenith is pursuing a systematic and steady workover campaign which will bring our sizeable reserves into production. 

 

The addition of a second workover rig, following the recent capital raising, will allow the Company to accelerate the pace of field rehabilitation activities."

 

About Zenith Energy Ltd.

 

Zenith Energy Ltd. is an international oil and gas production company, incorporated in Canada, listed on the London Stock Exchange (ZEN) and the Toronto Stock Exchange Venture (ZEE).

 

The main focus of the Company is the acquisition of large onshore oil & gas fields in countries that offer strong asset protection and a business atmosphere conducive to stable and profitable production activities.

Zenith operates the largest onshore oilfield of Azerbaijan through its fully owned subsidiary, has oil fields in Argentina and significant gas producing assets in Italy. The Company's Italian operations also include the production of electricity and condensate.

     

For further information, please contact:

 

José Ramón López-Portillo                                  

Chairman of the Board                                        

 

Andrea Cattaneo


 CEO & President

 

Email: info@zenithenergy.ca


Telephone: +1 (587) 315 9031


Telefax:     +1 (403) 775 4474

  

Neither 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 release.

   

 Forward-Looking Statements

  

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", “allow”, “pursue”,  "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information concerning (i) the Company's ongoing ability to maintain and grow production in Azerbaijan, (ii) the current and future production potential of Company properties, (iii) the revenue associated with production, (iv) the pricing and profitability of oil and gas production, and (v) successful exploration and a subsequent ability to achieve production. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Zenith, including the ability to execute its strategy and realize its growth opportunities and its ability to finance and execute its plans. Although Zenith believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward looking statements and information because Zenith can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. By its nature, such forward-looking information is subject to various risks and uncertainties, which could cause the actual results and expectations to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed. These risks and uncertainties, include, but are not limited to, Zenith being unable to finance or realize growth opportunities. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date hereof, and to not use such forward-looking information for anything other than its intended purpose. Zenith undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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