Record Production, New Oil Field Discoveries, and Expanded Acreage
GeoPark Limited (“GeoPark” or the “Company”) (NYSE: GPRK), a leading
independent Latin American oil and gas explorer, operator and
consolidator with operations and growth platforms in Colombia, Chile,
Brazil, Argentina, and Peru, today announced its operational update for
the three-month period ended September 30, 2017 (“3Q2017”).
All figures are expressed in US Dollars and growth comparisons refer to
the same period of the prior year, except when otherwise specified.
Third Quarter Highlights
Oil and gas production up 28%
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Consolidated oil and gas production up 28% to 28,325 boepd (up 8%
compared to 2Q2017)
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Oil production increased by 37% to 23,237 bopd (up 6% compared to
2Q2017)
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Colombian oil production increased by 43% to 22,301 (up 6% compared to
2Q2017)
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Gas production declined by 1% to 30.5 mmcfpd (up 21% compared to
2Q2017)
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Current production exceeds 29,000 boepd, with the year-end exit
production goal of 30,000+ boepd on target and average annual 2017
production close to the high end of the range, 26,500 – 27,500
Colombia drilling success drives gross production to over 50,000 bopd
In the Llanos 34 block (GeoPark operated, 45% WI):
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Curucucu 1 exploration well discovered new oil field, and currently
producing 1,600 bopd
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Jacana 12 appraisal well successfully drilled and currently producing
3,100 bopd
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Tigana Norte 2 development well successfully drilled and currently
producing 2,000 bopd
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Jacana 10 appraisal well successfully drilled and currently producing
900 bopd
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Jacana 13 and 17 appraisal wells drilled and completed with testing
planned in fourth quarter
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New wells drilled are currently producing more than 7,500 bopd gross
Argentina drilling success and new oil field discovery
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CN-V block (GeoPark operated, 50% WI): Rio Grande Oeste 1 exploration
well discovered new oil field. Initiating long-term test
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Puelen block (GeoPark non-operated, 18% WI): three shallow exploration
wells drilled, with two wells to be completed and tested in fourth
quarter
Brazil acreage added to GeoPark’s high potential low cost Latin
American asset platform
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Bid on and awarded a new attractive block in Brazil Round 14 in the
proven mature onshore Potiguar Basin that fits with other GeoPark
properties
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Total commitment (bonus plus work program) of less than $500,000
2020 Bond refinanced at lower cost, extended maturity and increased
amount
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Strengthened balance sheet with successful placing of $425 million
Bond under Regulation S and Rule 144 A, maturing in September 2024
with a 6.5% coupon
-
Funds were used to repay substantially all existing financial debt, to
provide financial flexibility and for general corporate purposes
-
Offering was oversubscribed by more than 4x with top tier and
high-quality investors
Catalysts in 4Q2017
Colombia:
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Continued delineation of the expanding Tigana/Jacana complex with a
focus in northern Tigana and southern Jacana oil fields and delineate
the area between Tigana and Jacana: two already-drilled wells to be
tested, two new appraisal wells to further test field boundaries, and
two new development wells to increase production
Argentina:
-
Production start-up with long-term testing in Rio Grande Oeste oil
field in CN-V block
-
Exploration drilling start-up in Sierra del Nevado block (GeoPark
non-operated, 18% WI) in Neuquen Basin
Brazil:
-
Exploration drilling in POT-T-747 block (GeoPark operated, 70% WI) in
the Potiguar Basin
New hedges provide $50-$52/barrel oil price floor in 2018
-
Secured minimum Brent price of $50/barrel and $52/barrel for 11,000
bopd and 8,000 bopd in 1Q2018 and 2Q2018, respectively
-
New volumes complement existing hedged production of 12,000 bopd
through December 2017 with a minimum Brent price of $50-$51/barrel
Breakdown of Quarterly Production by Country
The following table shows production figures for 3Q2017, as compared to
3Q2016:
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3Q2017
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3Q2016
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Total (boepd)
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Oil
(bopd)a
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Gas
(mcfpd)
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Total (boepd)
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% Chg.
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Colombia
|
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22,367
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22,301
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|
396
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|
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15,678
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43%
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Chile
|
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2,817
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891
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11,556
|
|
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3,756
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-25%
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Brazil
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3,141
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45
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18,576
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2,636
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19%
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Total
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28,325
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23,237
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30,528
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22,070
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28%
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a)
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Includes royalties paid in kind in Colombia for 774 bopd
approximately in 3Q2017. No royalties were paid in kind in either
Chile or Brazil.
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Quarterly Production Evolution
(boepd)
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3Q2016
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4Q2016
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1Q2017
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2Q2017
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3Q2017
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Colombia
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15,678
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17,535
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|
19,330
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|
21,015
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22,367
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Chile
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3,756
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3,523
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3,351
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2,450
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2,817
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Brazil
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2,636
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2,535
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2,499
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2,658
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3,141
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Total
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22,070
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23,593
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25,180
|
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26,123
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28,325
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Oil
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16,942
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18,798
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20,487
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21,930
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23,237
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Gas
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5,128
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4,795
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4,693
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4,193
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5,088
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Oil and Gas Production Update
Consolidated:
Continued significant oil production growth of 43% in Colombia increased
average consolidated oil and gas production to 28,325 boepd in 3Q2017
from 22,070 boepd in 3Q2016. The increase was mainly attributed to new
production from the Tigana/Jacana oil fields with four new wells put
into production plus the Curucucu oil field discovery. Production from
Jacana 12 and Tigana Norte 2 wells were only initiated in the second
half of September. On a consolidated basis, gas production in Chile and
Brazil increased by 22% compared to the previous quarter.
Oil represented 82% of the total reported production in 3Q2017 (vs. 77%
in 3Q2016 and 84% in 2Q2017) resulting from the successful drilling
campaign in the Llanos 34 block and a recuperated level of gas
production in Chile and Brazil.
Colombia:
Average net production in Colombia grew 43% to 22,367 boepd in 3Q2017
compared to 15,678 boepd in 3Q2016, primarily attributed to exploration,
appraisal and development drilling success in the Tigana/Jacana oil
field complex in the Llanos 34 block, which represented 95% of GeoPark’s
Colombian production in 3Q2017.
The 3Q2017 drilling campaign in the Llanos 34 block continued to provide
positive results, as follows:
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Curucucu 1 exploration well was successfully drilled exploring a new
fault trend to the east of Tigana/Jacana fault trend, adjacent to the
Jacamar oil field. The well is currently producing 1,600 bopd.
-
Jacana 12 appraisal well was drilled to a total depth of 11,508 feet.
A production test conducted with an electric submersible pump in the
Guadalupe formation resulted in a production rate of approximately
3,100 bopd of 15.8 degrees API, with less than 0.1% water cut, through
a choke of 64/64 inches and wellhead pressure of 45 pounds per square
inch. Additional production history is required to determine
stabilized flow rates of the well. The Jacana 12 well was drilled to a
bottom-hole location that is approximately 1,300 meters south of the
Jacana 11 appraisal well.
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Tigana Norte 2 was drilled to a total depth of 11,154 feet. A
production test conducted with an electric submersible pump in the
Guadalupe formation resulted in a production rate of 1,980 bopd of
14.7 degrees API, with less than 1.0% water cut, through a choke of
70/64 inches and wellhead pressure of 80 pounds per square inch.
Additional production history is required to determine the stabilized
flow rates of the well.
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Jacana 10 appraisal well was successfully drilled and completed to
test the northern limits of the Jacana oil field. The well is
currently producing 900 bopd.
-
Jacana 13 and 17 appraisal wells were drilled and cased, and
preliminary logging information indicated the presence of hydrocarbons
in the Guadalupe formation in both wells. The wells are to be tested
in the fourth quarter.
For a summary of upcoming drilling activities, please refer to the
section 4Q2017 Drilling Schedule below.
Chile:
Average net oil and gas production in Chile decreased by 25% to 2,817
boepd in 3Q2017 compared to 3,756 boepd in 3Q2016 due to the natural
decline in the fields. The resulting production mix during 3Q2017 was
68% gas and 32% oil (vs. 66% gas and 34% oil in 3Q2016). The Fell block
represented 98% of GeoPark’s Chilean production.
Uaken 1 exploration well was drilled to a total depth of 3,600 feet,
targeting a gas prospect in El Salto formation in the Fell block
(GeoPark operated, 100% WI). Preliminary logging information indicates
gas in the upper and lower zones of the formation. GeoPark is currently
seeking customary regulatory approvals to carry out testing activities,
which are expected in the fourth quarter.
Brazil:
Average net production in the Manati gas field (GeoPark non-operated,
10% WI) improved by 19% to 3,141 boepd in 3Q2017 compared to 2,636 boepd
in 3Q2016. Industrial demand for gas in Brazil recovered in the third
quarter resulting in increased production compared to the second quarter.
GeoPark was awarded a new attractive exploration block in Brazil bid
Round 14. The POT-T-785 block covers an area of 7,875 acres in the
Potiguar Basin, surrounded by producing fields operated by Petrobras,
where GeoPark’s technical team has identified three leads. GeoPark
committed to an investment of approximately $500,000, including bonus
and work program commitments, during the first exploration period ending
December 2020. Potiguar is a mature proven basin that has undergone
significant oil and gas activities for the past 50 years with more than
70 oil and gas fields currently in production.
Argentina:
During 3Q2017 GeoPark announced the discovery of the Rio Grande Oeste
oil field in CN-V block in the Neuquen Basin. Rio Grande Oeste 1
exploration well showed potential net pay of 400 feet and successfully
tested 300 bopd gross. GeoPark constructed an early production facility
to begin production in a long-term test during the fourth quarter.
Also in 3Q2017, three exploration wells were drilled in Puelen block,
with two of these expected to be completed and tested by the operator,
Pluspetrol, in the fourth quarter. New exploration drilling in Sierra
del Nevado block (GeoPark non-operated, 18% WI) is also expected in the
fourth quarter.
The Puelen and Sierra del Nevado blocks are in the Neuquen Basin. The
Puelen block is located north of the producing El Corcobo oil field,
operated by Pluspetrol and the Sierra del Nevado block is located east
of the Llancanelo oil field, operated by YPF.
4Q2017 Drilling Schedule
The following is a summary of expected activities scheduled for 4Q2017
with estimated total net capital expenditures of $20-30 million
(drilling and completion costs of $10-15 million plus facilities and
other costs of $10-15 million).
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Prospect/Wella
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Country
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Block
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WI
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Type
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1
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Tigana Sur Oeste 3
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Colombia
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Llanos 34
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45%
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Development
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2
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Tigana Sur Oeste 7
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Colombia
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Llanos 34
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45%
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Appraisal
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3
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Jacana 13b
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Colombia
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Llanos 34
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45%
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Appraisal
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4
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Jacana 17b
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Colombia
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Llanos 34
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45%
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Appraisal
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5
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Tigana Norte 3
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Colombia
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Llanos 34
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45%
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Development
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6
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Tigana Norte 4
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Colombia
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Llanos 34
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45%
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Appraisal
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7
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Sierra del Nevado 1
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Argentina
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Sierra del Nevado
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18% (Non-op)
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Exploration
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8
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Sierra del Nevado 2
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Argentina
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Sierra del Nevado
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18% (Non-op)
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Exploration
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9
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Sierra del Nevado 3
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Argentina
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Sierra del Nevado
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18% (Non-op)
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Exploration
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10
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Sierra del Nevado 4
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Argentina
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Sierra del Nevado
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18% (Non-op)
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Exploration
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11
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JET
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Brazil
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POT-T-747
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70%c
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Exploration
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a)
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Information included in the table above is subject to change and may
also be subject to partner or regulatory approval
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b)
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Drilled in 3Q2017 with testing planned in fourth quarter
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c)
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A 30% working interest of proposed partners is subject to ANP
approval
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OTHER NEWS / RECENT EVENTS
Reporting dates for 3Q2017 results release, conference call and work
program and investment guidelines for 2018
GeoPark will report its 3Q2017 financial results on Wednesday, November
15, 2017, after the market closes.
In conjunction with the 3Q2017 results press release, GeoPark’s
management will host a conference call on Thursday, November 16, 2017 at
10:00 am (Eastern Standard Time) to discuss 3Q2017 financial results and
the work program and investment guidelines for 2018.
To listen to the call, participants can access the webcast located in
the Investor Support section of the Company’s website at www.geo-park.com.
Interested parties may participate in the conference call by dialing the
numbers provided below:
United States Participants: 866-547-1509
International
Participants: +1 920-663-6208
Passcode: 99494005
Please allow extra time prior to the call to visit the website and
download any streaming media software that might be required to listen
to the webcast.
An archive of the webcast replay will be made available in the Investor
Support section of the Company’s website at www.geo-park.com
after the conclusion of the live call.
NOTICE
Additional information about GeoPark can be found in the “Investor
Support” section on the website at www.geo-park.com.
Rounding amounts and percentages: Certain amounts and percentages
included in this press release have been rounded for ease of
presentation. Percentage figures included in this press release have not
in all cases been calculated on the basis of such rounded figures, but
on the basis of such amounts prior to rounding. For this reason, certain
percentage amounts in this press release may vary from those obtained by
performing the same calculations using the figures in the financial
statements. In addition, certain other amounts that appear in this press
release may not sum due to rounding.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS RELEVANT TO FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking
statements. Many of the forward- looking statements contained in this
press release can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such
as ‘‘anticipate,’’ ‘‘believe,’’ ‘‘could,’’ ‘‘expect,’’ ‘‘should,’’
‘‘plan,’’ ‘‘intend,’’ ‘‘will,’’ ‘‘estimate’’ and ‘‘potential,’’ among
others.
Forward-looking statements that appear in a number of places in this
press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the
intent, belief or current expectations, regarding various matters,
including expected 2017 production growth, expected schedule, economic
recovery, payback timing, IRR, drilling activities, demand for oil and
gas and capital expenditures plan. Forward-looking statements are based
on management’s beliefs and assumptions, and on information currently
available to the management. Such statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those
expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to various
factors.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and
the Company does not undertake any obligation to update them in light of
new information or future developments or to release publicly any
revisions to these statements in order to reflect later events or
circumstances, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. For
a discussion of the risks facing the Company which could affect whether
these forward-looking statements are realized, see filings with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission.
Oil and gas production figures included in this release are stated
before the effect of royalties paid in kind, consumption and losses,
except when specified.
Readers are cautioned that the exploration resources disclosed in this
press release are not necessarily indicative of long term performance or
of ultimate recovery. Unrisked prospective resources are not risked for
change of development or chance of discovery. If a discovery is made,
there is no certainty that it will be developed or, if it is developed,
there is no certainty as to the timing of such development. There is no
certainty that any portion of the Prospective Resources will be
discovered. If discovered, there is no certainty that it will be
commercially viable to produce any portion of the resources. Prospective
Resource volumes are presented as unrisked.
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