Far East Energy Announces Extension of Exploration Period for Shouyang Block Area B and Increased Gas Production

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HOUSTON, Dec. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Far East Energy Corporation (OTCBB:FEEC), the U.S. listed company that operates the Shouyang Block Coalbed Methane (CBM) Production Sharing Contract (PSC) in Shanxi Province, People's Republic of China, today announced that as a result of  negotiations concluded  December 6, 2013 with its Chinese partner, China United Coalbed Methane Corp. (CUCBM), the parties have extended the exploration period of the portion of the Shouyang Block identified as "Area B" until June 30, 2016, and have agreed that Far East will drill at least 39 additional wells in Area B by June 30, 2016.  The Company also announced that there has been a large increase in gas production, with gas production now exceeding 1 million cubic feet per day.

The parties have agreed to revise certain related terms of the PSC to reflect this agreement and intend to do so within 90 days.  Area B is significantly larger, at 1103.1 km² (272,581.95 acres), than the Company's 1H core production area which contains 64.7 km² (15,987 acres).  The Company has posted an updated map of the Shouyang Block outlining Area B on its website at:  www.fareastenergy.com, (select "Operations" at the top of the home page, then select "Map of Operations").  

Commenting, CEO Mike McElwrath said, "CUCBM has exceptionally capable new senior leadership, and, building upon our historically good relations, Far East and CUCBM were able to quickly reach this accord.  We could not be more pleased with our partnership with CUCBM, and look forward to the continued exploration and analysis of Area B through June 30, 2016.  The primary impact of this extension is to allow additional time to establish Chinese resources, thereby providing further assurances of our ability to retain the acreage to the PSC's expiration in 2032."

The Company also announced that there has been a significant increase in gas production in recent weeks.  As of December 12, 2013, gas production has risen to over 1 million cubic feet per day, and now stands at 1,034,038 cubic feet per day (1,034Mcf/pd).  Average production for the 7 days ending December 12, 2013 was 957.65 Mcf per day, representing a 30% increase over production for the week ended November 12, 2013, during which production averaged 738 Mcf/pd.

Far East Energy Corporation

Based in Houston, Texas, with offices in Beijing, and Taiyuan City, China, Far East Energy Corporation is focused on coalbed methane exploration and development in China.

Statements contained in this press release that state the intentions, hopes, estimates, beliefs, anticipations, expectations or predictions of the future of Far East Energy Corporation and its management are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. It is important to note that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including that the amendment to the PSC may not be entered into or if entered into may not be on the same terms as originally agreed upon by the parties. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements include: the preliminary nature of well data, including permeability and gas content; there can be no assurance as to the volume of gas that is ultimately produced or sold from our wells; the fracture stimulation and drilling programs may not be successful in increasing gas volumes; due to limitations under Chinese law, we may have only limited rights to enforce the gas sales agreement between Shanxi Province Guoxin Energy Development Group Limited and China United Coalbed Methane Corporation, to which we are an express beneficiary; additional wells may not be drilled, or if drilled may not be timely; additional pipelines and gathering systems needed to transport our gas may not be constructed, or if constructed may not be timely, or their routes may differ from those anticipated; the pipeline and local distribution/compressed natural gas companies may decline to purchase or take our gas, or we may not be able to enforce our rights under definitive agreements with pipelines; conflicts with coal mining operations or coordination of our exploration and production activities with mining activities could adversely impact or add significant costs to our operations; our lack of operating history; limited and potentially inadequate management of our cash resources; risk and uncertainties associated with exploration, development and production of coalbed methane; our inability to extract or sell all or a substantial portion of our reserves and other resources; we may not satisfy requirements for listing our securities on a securities exchange; expropriation and other risks associated with foreign operations; disruptions in capital markets affecting fundraising; matters affecting the energy industry generally; lack of availability of oil and gas field goods and services; environmental risks; drilling and production risks; changes in laws or regulations affecting our operations, as well as other risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE Far East Energy Corporation