Afren says that the Ebok-6 appraisal well was drilled by the Transocean Adriatic IX jack up drilling unit to a total depth of 4,296 ft md on the Ebok D2 Southern Lobe ('D2SL'), with drilling operations completed on 27th November 2009. The well encountered a total gross hydrocarbon column of 107 ft (comprising 82 ft in the D2 and 25 ft in the LD1A reservoirs).

Continued incremental reserves growth The greater than expected hydrocarbon column has lead to an upgrade in D2SL volumetrics post Ebok-6 to 135 mmbbls STOIIP of which 23 mmbbls is estimated as recoverable (versus pre-drill estimates of 33 mmbbls STOIIP, 8 mmbbls recoverable). This increases total 2P Ebok recoverable reserve estimates to 116 mmbbls.

Completion of the Ebok-6 appraisal well represents the successful conclusion of the pre-development Ebok appraisal phase (Ebok-4, Ebok-5 and Ebok-6 wells). Based on a pre farm-in gross reserve estimate of 25 mmbbls, appraisal drilling to date has confirmed an incremental 91 mmbbls recoverable through a 100% drilling success rate. This is a strong endorsement of Afren's regional understanding and interpretation of the subsurface.

Following completion of the Ebok-6 well, work on Development Phase 1a commenced on 9th December 2009. The first phase development plan comprises five horizontal oil production wells in the D2 reservoir, one horizontal oil production well targeting the D1 reservoir and one water injection well in the central Fault Block 1 and Fault Block 2 areas of the field. All wells will be drilled from a single field location via a Well-head Support Structure ('WSS') and mobile offshore production unit ('MOPU'). Fabrication of the WSS is complete and is in transit for delivery to the project. The Company is in the process of finalising contract discussions on the production facilities. Associated gas produced will be utilised as fuel for the facilities' power generation and as gas lift to assist well productivity.

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