Tethys Oil to acquire minority interest in Mukhaizna oilfield

Muscat, Dec 23 - Swedish listed international energy firm Tethys Oil has entered into an agreement to acquire a two per cent participating interest in Block 53 onshore Oman from Total E&P Oman, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Total SA (Total). Block 53 holds the Mukhaizna oilfield, the single largest producing oil field in Oman with a gross production in excess of 100,000 bpd. The acquisition is subject to government approval and the waiver of partner pre-emption rights. “We welcome this opportunity which, if completed, will be a valuable complement to our existing asset base and underscores our long-term commitment to the Sultanate of Oman,” comments Tethys Oil’s managing director Magnus Nordin.

The Mukhaizna field is a giant heavy-oil development in Block 53 onshore Oman operated by Occidental Petroleum. The field’s average gross daily production is in excess of 100,000 bopd. Block 53 is located in central Oman covering an area of 694 km2, south of Tethys Oil’s operations in Blocks 3&4 and east of Block 49. The block is covered by a 30-year production-sharing agreement signed in 2005. Tethys Oil will, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, acquire a two per cent direct interest in Block 53 from Total for a cash consideration of $32 million with an effective date of January 1, 2018 with customary cash adjustment to be made at closing.

The acquisition is subject to government approval and the waiver of partner pre-emption rights. Closing of the acquisition is expected during the first six months of 2019. Tethys Oil will finance the acquisition with cash on hand, which at the end of the third quarter 2018, amounted to $63.7 million.