Noble Energy Announces Appraisal Drilling And Flow Test Results Offshore Republic Of Cyprus

HOUSTON, Oct. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Noble Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NBL) announced today that the A-2 appraisal well drilled on the Block 12 discovery offshore the Republic of Cyprus has successfully encountered approximately 120 feet of net natural gas pay within the targeted Miocene-aged sand intervals.  The Cyprus A-2 well, which is more than four miles northeast of the A-1 discovery location, was drilled to a total depth of 18,865 feet in 5,575 feet of water.

Production testing procedures were performed over a 39-foot section of the upper Miocene reservoir.  The test, limited by surface equipment, yielded a maximum flow rate of 56 million cubic feet per day (Mmcf/d) of natural gas.  Performance modeling indicates development wells in the reservoir should have capacity to deliver up to 250 Mmcf/d.  Evaluation of drilling data, wireline logs and reservoir performance information has resulted in an updated estimate of gross resources of the field ranging⁽¹⁾ from 3.6 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of natural gas to 6 Tcf, with a mean of approximately 5 Tcf.  The Cyprus A structure represents the third largest field discovered to date within the Deepwater Levant Basin.

Keith Elliott, Noble Energy's Senior Vice President, Eastern Mediterranean, commented, "Results from the Cyprus A-2 well have confirmed substantial recoverable natural gas resources and high reservoir deliverability.  While the A-2 location has successfully defined the northern area of the discovery, we anticipate additional appraisal activities are necessary to further refine the ultimate recoverable resources and optimize field development planning.  In the meantime, we continue to identify and advance multiple development options.  In addition to the Cyprus A discovery, we are also encouraged about the further exploration potential in Block 12.  We have recently completed a 1,100 square mile 3D seismic acquisition, which will be interpreted over the next several months." 

Noble Energy operates Block 12 offshore the Republic of Cyprus with a 70 percent working interest.  Delek Drilling and Avner Oil Exploration each have 15 percent working interest. 

Noble Energy plans to move the Ensco 5006 drilling rig to Tamar SW, offshore Israel, at the completion of operations offshore Cyprus.  The Tamar SW well, testing an exploration prospect offsetting the main Tamar field, is expected to reach total depth by the end of 2013.  Noble Energy operates Tamar SW with a 36 percent working interest.   

(1)  Range of resource estimate based on 75^th and 25^th percentile probabilities

Noble Energy is a leading independent energy company engaged in worldwide oil and gas exploration and production.  The Company has core operations onshore in the U.S., primarily in the DJ Basin and Marcellus Shale, in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, offshore Eastern Mediterranean, and offshore West Africa.  Noble Energy is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and is traded under the ticker symbol NBL.  Further information is available at www.nobleenergyinc.com.

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "intends,"  "will," "should," "may," and similar expressions may be used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact and reflect Noble Energy' s current views about future events. They include estimates of oil and natural gas reserves and resources, estimates of future production, assumptions regarding future oil and natural gas pricing, planned drilling activity, future results of operations, projected cash flow and liquidity, business strategy and other plans and objectives for future operations. No assurances can be given that the forward-looking statements contained in this news release will occur as projected, and actual results may differ materially from those projected. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and assumptions that involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These risks include, without limitation, the volatility in commodity prices for crude oil and natural gas, the presence or recoverability of estimated reserves, environmental risks, drilling and operating risks, exploration and development risks, competition, government regulation or other actions, the ability of management to execute its plans to meet its goals and other risks inherent in Noble Energy's business that are discussed in its most recent annual report on Form 10-K and in other reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These reports are also available from Noble Energy's offices or website, http://www.nobleenergyinc.com. Forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management at the time the statements are made. Noble Energy does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change.  

The Securities and Exchange Commission requires oil and gas companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose proved reserves that a company has demonstrated by actual production or conclusive formation tests to be economically and legally producible under existing economic and operating conditions. The SEC permits the optional disclosure of probable and possible reserves, however, we have not disclosed the Company's probable and possible reserves in our filings with the SEC. We use certain terms in this news release, such as "gross resources." This estimate is by its nature more speculative than estimates of proved, probable and possible reserves and accordingly are subject to substantially greater risk of being actually realized. The SEC guidelines strictly prohibit us from including these estimates in filings with the SEC. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosures and risk factors in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and in other reports on file with the SEC, available from Noble Energy's offices or website, http://www.nobleenergyinc.com.  

SOURCE Noble Energy