Orca Exploration announces La Tosca-1 exploration well spud

TSX-V: ORC.A, ORC.B

TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, Aug. 7, 2012 /CNW/ - Orca Exploration Group Inc. ("Orca") is pleased to announce that it has commenced drilling operations with its partner and operator, Northern Petroleum Plc ("Northern"), on the La Tosca-1 well. The well will evaluate the exploration potential of a gas prospect mapped from 3D seismic on the Longastrino Permit. The well is situated within the prolific gas fairway of the Eastern Po Valley basin, with the Alfonsine gas field located in close proximity to the prospect.

The La Tosca prospect is being drilled using HDI Leonardo Drillmec HH220 rig and is expected to take up to forty days to reach total depth. Under the terms of the farm-in agreement, Orca will pay 100% of the costs of the La Tosca-1 well up to €4.3 million and 70% thereafter for the drilling phase, together with back-in costs of €0.6 million to earn a 70% interest in the block. If the well is tested and completed, Orca will earn an additional 5% (taking it to 75%) by paying 100% of the testing costs up to €1.3 million and 75% thereafter.

Orca Exploration Group Inc. is an international public company engaged in natural gas exploration, development and supply in Tanzania through the wholly-owned subsidiary PanAfrican Energy Tanzania Limited, as well as oil and gas appraisal in Italy. Orca trades on the TSXV under the trading symbols ORC.B and ORC.A.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service 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 press release contains forward-looking statements. More particularly, this press release contains statements concerning, but not limited to, the use of the La Tosca-1 well to evaluate the exploration potential of a gas prospect on the Longastrino Permit; method of drilling the La Tosca-1 well and expected timing to reach total depth; and Orca's anticipated earnings from the well if the well is tested and completed. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievement since such expectations are inherently subject to significant business, economic, operational, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors could cause Orca's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by Orca.

These forward-looking statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond Orca's control, including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions in the areas in which Orca operates; civil unrest; industry conditions; changes in laws and regulations including the adoption of new environmental laws and regulations and changes in how they are interpreted and enforced; increased competition; the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management; fluctuations in commodity prices; foreign exchange or interest rates; stock market volatility; competition for, among other things, capital, drilling equipment and skilled personnel;  failure to obtain required equipment for drilling; delays in drilling plans; failure to obtain expected results from drilling of wells; changes in laws; imprecision in reserve estimates; the production and growth potential of the Orca's assets; obtaining required approvals of regulatory authorities; risks associated with negotiating with foreign governments; ability to access sufficient capital; and risk that the Orca will not be able to fulfill its obligations. In addition there are risks and uncertainties associated with oil and gas operations, therefore Orca's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking estimates and, accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking estimates will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits that Orca will derive therefrom.

Such forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions made by Orca in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors Orca believes are appropriate in the circumstances, including, but are not limited to, the ability of Orca to add production at a consistent rate; infrastructure capacity; commodity prices will not deteriorate significantly; the ability of Orca to obtain equipment in a timely manner to carry out exploration, development and exploitation activities; future capital expenditures; availability of skilled labour; timing and amount of capital expenditures; uninterrupted access to infrastructure; the impact of increasing competition; conditions in general economic and financial markets; effects of regulation by governmental agencies; that the Orca will have sufficient cash flow, debt or equity sources or other financial resources required to fund its capital and operating expenditures and requirements as needed; current or, where applicable, proposed industry conditions, laws and regulations will continue in effect or as anticipated as described herein; and other matters.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and Orca undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: Orca Exploration Group Inc.