Comet Ridge Ltd. : 30 Jan 2012 Quarterly Report, December 2011
01/30/2012| 03:03am US/Eastern

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30 January 2012
December Quarterly Activities Report
? Comet Ridge completed divestment of a 5% interest in
Mahalo, receiving $7 million cash payment from
Stanwell
? Comet Ridge secured additional $8m expenditure carry
at Mahalo in return for granting
Stanwell an option to purchase an additional interest in
Mahalo
? Extensive Seismic Acquisition Survey over Gunn
Project Area in the Galilee Basin completed
? Considerable progress made on planning for 2012
appraisal drilling campaign
? Comet Ridge had available funds at 31 December 2011
of $9.5 million
Australian Permits:
ATP 337P Mahalo - Bowen Basin, QLD (Comet Ridge 35%)
Comet Ridge announced on 28 December 2011 that it completed
the Sale and Purchase Option Agreement (SPOA) with the
Queensland Government owned Stanwell Corporation Limited
(Stanwell). The terms of this agreement were initially
announced on 30 September 2011. Stanwell is a major domestic
gas consumer, and Queensland's largest electricity
generator.
The interest being divested is in the Mahalo Farm-in Area
(ATP 337P Mahalo), which is the northern part of permit ATP
337P in the Bowen Basin in Queensland. Prior to this
transaction, Comet Ridge held a 40% interest in ATP 337P
Mahalo, with Santos QNT Pty Ltd and Australia Pacific LNG
(Origin / ConocoPhillips / Sinopec) both holding a 30%
interest.
Comet Ridge has sold a 5% interest in ATP 337P Mahalo to
Stanwell in return for a cash payment of
$7 million. Stanwell has also been granted an option to
purchase an additional 15% or 35% interest in this asset in
exchange for carrying Comet Ridge's expenditure through the
upcoming pilot programmes, which are planned for 2012.
Stanwell will fund up to $8 million of ATP 337P Mahalo
expenditure commitments until the option exercise date,
expected to occur at the end of 2013. At the option exercise
date, Stanwell will have the right to purchase the additional
interest based on a pre-agreed formula.
The key highlights of the transaction are as follows:
? The sale of an initial 5% interest in ATP 337P Mahalo
for $7 million;
? The grant of an option to acquire either an
additional 15% (Option A) or 35% (Option B) interest in ATP
337P Mahalo in exchange for funding up to $8 million of
expenditure commitments associated with the 40% interest held
by Comet Ridge and Stanwell in the upcoming ATP 337P Mahalo
pilot programmes;
Comet Ridge Limited T: +61 7 3221 3661 E: info@cometridge.com.au283
Elizabeth St, Brisbane, Qld, 4000 Australia
ABN 47 106 092 577 F: +61 7 3221 3668 W: www.cometridge.com.auGPO
Box 798, Brisbane, Qld, 4001 Australia
ASX CODE: COI
Comet Ridge Limited
? In order to exercise the Option, Stanwell will be
required to pay Comet Ridge consideration based on the ATP
337P Mahalo certified 2P reserves as at 31 December 2013, but
this reserves date may be extended to as late as 31 December
2014.
If Stanwell elects to exercise
Option A, Comet Ridge will retain a
20% interest in ATP 337P Mahalo and continue to be exposed to
further upside re-rating potential. The exercising of either
Option is subject to Stanwell's shareholders' approval.
The ATP 337P Mahalo Joint Venture agreed its 2012 Work
Programme and Budget during the quarter, and is finalising
plans to implement this. The drilling of the first of two
pilot wells in the permit was delayed from December 2011
until near the end of the first quarter of 2012 to avoid the
potential for bad weather. This first pilot project is
planned to be closely followed by the drilling of several
additional core holes.
Figure 1 - ATP 337P Mahalo
ATP 743P and ATP 744P - Galilee Basin, QLD (Comet Ridge 100%)
Comet Ridge completed its 2D seismic acquisition survey in
Queensland's prospective Galilee Basin in October 2011. The
survey was concluded with the total acquisition of 252 km of
2D seismic, with the seismic contractor released on 23
October.
The seismic programme was designed to define the structural
nose observed in the Gunn Project Area, and will enable Comet
Ridge to better locate future pilot production and appraisal
wells. Processing of the seismic data was completed by the
end of the quarter. Initial review of the processed data has
shown the data quality to be excellent.
Interpretation of this data commenced subsequent to the end
of the quarter and will be integrated into the current basin
models. Further technical studies will continue in early
2012, and will have a major impact on Comet Ridge's drilling
programme in the Galilee Basin in 2012. Comet Ridge is
planning to drill up to four coreholes in its Galilee Basin
permits after the wet season is concluded (normally
April/May). Preliminary planning is now underway including
the tendering for a suitable drilling rig and associated
services.
Comet Ridge Limited T: +61 7 3221 3661 E: info@cometridge.com.au283
Elizabeth St, Brisbane, Qld, 4000 Australia
ABN 47 106 092 577 F: +61 7 3221 3668 W: www.cometridge.com.auGPO
Box 798, Brisbane, Qld, 4001 Australia
ASX CODE: COI
Comet Ridge Limited
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The interpreted seismic data will enable the surface
locations of the upcoming 2012 appraisal coreholes to be
fine-tuned. These coreholes will, in turn, allow a pilot
scheme to be optimally sited in the Gunn Project Area.
Figure 2 - ATP 744P Gun Project Area (GPA)
Galilee Basin Operators Forum (GBOF) & Water Management
GBOF is a group of 10 petroleum and coal seam gas companies
who are jointly undertaking and funding a
detailed baseline water assessment report for the Galilee
Basin, prior to any commercial gas production from that
area.
The RPS Group, the expert hydrogeological consultancy
undertaking the work on behalf of GBOF, completed the study
during the Quarter which is now being technically reviewed.
The study will be presented to the Central Western Queensland
Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD), based in
Longreach, and to the Queensland Water Commission (QWC). The
RPS study will provide the QWC with a detailed and important
historical reference for the Galilee Basin.
The website for the Galilee Basin Operator's Forum can be
found at www.gbof.com.au.
PEL 427 and PEL 428 - Gunnedah Basin, NSW (Comet Ridge 25% &
40%)
The ability to carry out the 2011 Work Programme continues to
be delayed by a combination of land access concerns and an
ongoing NSW Government review of CSG activities. The Joint
Venture was not able to progress the planned field activities
for 2011, but is working towards completing the Programme
during 2012.
Comet Ridge Limited T: +61 7 3221 3661 E: info@cometridge.com.au283
Elizabeth St, Brisbane, Qld, 4000 Australia
ABN 47 106 092 577 F: +61 7 3221 3668 W: www.cometridge.com.auGPO
Box 798, Brisbane, Qld, 4001 Australia
ASX CODE: COI
Comet Ridge Limited
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State Government approval has been received for 2D seismic
acquisition surveys in PEL 427 and PEL 428. However, while
discussions with Local Governments and relevant landowners
are progressing, suitable access arrangements have not yet
been obtained for all aspects of the proposed surveys.
The State Government review of CSG activities has meant that
permit renewals are also being delayed, affecting activities
in PEL 427.
New Zealand Permits:
PMP 50100 Greymouth Block and PEP 50279 Buller Block - West
Coast, South Island (Comet
Ridge 100%)
During the quarter, Comet Ridge completed the processing and
interpreting of the data acquired in its recently completed
Airborne Gravity Gradiometry (AGG) survey programme in PEP
50280.This is being incorporated into regional geological
modeling of the West Coast in the South Island of New
Zealand, which will help Comet Ridge identify the highest
value CSG targets.
Comet Ridge has found the technology associated with the AGG
survey, previous airborne magnetic surveys, and the detailed
analysis by Canberra based consultancy, FrOGTech, to be very
powerful and cost effective tools for improving understanding
of regional geology and identifying new CSG plays. Comet
Ridge is now evaluating opportunities to apply this
technology to its CSG permits in Australia.
PEP 50280North Waikato, North Island (Comet Ridge 100%)
During the quarter, Comet Ridge completed the processing and
interpreting of the data acquired in its recently completed
Airborne Gravity Gradiometry (AGG) survey programme in PEP
50280. This work has provided important insights into the
geology and depositional environment of the study area.
The basin model resulting from this technical study has
identified three CSG plays in PEP 50280, north of the Huntly
CSG pilot project. Comet Ridge has the ability to test the
key characteristics of these plays from a single well, which
if successful would open up the CSG potential of all three
plays.
USA
Comet Ridge Resources LLC (Comet Ridge 17.26%)
During the quarter, Comet Ridge Resources LLC (CRR) drilled
seven oil appraisal and development wells in the
Florence Field of which, six wells were completed as
producers. The Florence field was producing over 1,000
barrels of oil per day at the end of the quarter and produced
236,000 barrels of oil for the full year.
The Yeti Well at Grays Harbor in Washington State is
scheduled for drilling in May/June 2012 after the winter
rains subside.
CRR continues to actively evaluate a number of farm-in and
acquisition opportunities in the USA.
Comet Ridge Limited T: +61 7 3221 3661 E: info@cometridge.com.au283
Elizabeth St, Brisbane, Qld, 4000 Australia
ABN 47 106 092 577 F: +61 7 3221 3668 W: www.cometridge.com.auGPO
Box 798, Brisbane, Qld, 4001 Australia
ASX CODE: COI
Comet Ridge Limited
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Stephen Rodgers Company Secretary Comet Ridge Limited
For further information please contact:
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Media:
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Tor McCaul
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Dianne Monopoli
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Managing Director
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Principal Consultant
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Comet Ridge Limited
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Three Plus
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tor.mccaul@cometridge.com.au
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dianne@threeplus.com.au
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+61 7 3221 3661
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+61 7 35035700
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Comet Ridge Limited T: +61 7 3221 3661 E: info@cometridge.com.au283
Elizabeth St, Brisbane, Qld, 4000 Australia
ABN 47 106 092 577 F: +61 7 3221 3668 W: www.cometridge.com.auGPO
Box 798, Brisbane, Qld, 4001 Australia
ASX CODE: COI
Comet Ridge Limited
5 of 6
COMET RIDGE LIMITED - OVERVIEW
Comet Ridge Limited has significant Coal Seam Gas (CSG)
projects in key regions of Queensland, northern New South
Wales and New Zealand, as well as oil and gas interests in
the United States. Gas resources have been independently
certified at four projects. The company is listed on the
Australian Securities Exchange (ASX Code: COI) and is based
in Brisbane. The Board and Management are experienced in
establishing and developing energy projects.
Corporate Strategy
Comet Ridge has gained early entry into well-located
exploration areas, allowing shareholders to gain substantial
leverage into the upside value potential associated with
exploration success.
Comet Ridge conducts CSG exploration and appraisal, with the
aim of maturing exploration acreage from Gas Resources into
Proven and Probable Gas Reserves. This process initially
involves drilling wells in order to certify Prospective and
Contingent Resources and then through further appraisal via
Pilot Projects, progressing into certified Reserves.
Where possible, Comet Ridge takes high equity positions in
its large exploration permits, including a 100% interest in
both its Galilee Basin and New Zealand assets. Comet Ridge
has 35% equity in the ATP 337P Mahalo block in the Bowen
Basin, and holds 25% and 40% equity respectively in PEL 427
and PEL 428 in NSW.
Certified Resources
In executing our strategy, Comet Ridge has successfully
independently certified the following Prospective and
Contingent Resources:
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Comet Ridge Limited - Net Recoverable Resources
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Project
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Location
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Contingent
Resource (PJ)
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Prospective
Resource (PJ)
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Gunn Project Area (ATP 744P)
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Galilee Basin, Qld
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1,870
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597*
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Mahalo Block (ATP 337P)
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Bowen Basin, Qld
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387
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-
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PEL 427 and PEL 428
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Northern NSW
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231
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1022
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PMP 50100 and PEP 50279
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West Coast, Sth Island, NZ
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244
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-
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Total
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2,732
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1,619
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*Where the auditor has detailed Prospective Resources
in a range (low, middle and high) the mid-range case has been
listed in the table.
Work Program
Comet Ridge has an active exploration and appraisal work
program for CSG projects in Queensland, northern NSW and New
Zealand. The first Pilot Project for ATP 337P Mahalo is
planned for 2011, with additional exploration and appraisal
work planned for the Galilee Basin, northern NSW and NZ.
Comet Ridge Limited T: +61 7 3221 3661 E: info@cometridge.com.au283
Elizabeth St, Brisbane, Qld, 4000 Australia
ABN 47 106 092 577 F: +61 7 3221 3668 W: www.cometridge.com.auGPO
Box 798, Brisbane, Qld, 4001 Australia
ASX CODE: COI
Comet Ridge Limited
6 of 6
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