Aurelian Oil and Gas PLC has spudded Fratauti-2 in its Brodina Concession in Romania. The well is the first of a four-well programme, which is anticipated to take some six months to complete.

Fratauti-2, and Vicsani-1 which will immediately follow it, are shallow wells targeted to test gas in Sarmatian sands in close proximity to the Bilca production facilities from where gas is already being produced. The interest in these wells is held by Aurelian 62.50% (Operator) and SNGN Romgaz S.A. 37.50%.

The focus will then move to the Bacau concession, where the Lilieci-1 well, scheduled for spudding on 1 August 2008, will evaluate the Sarmatian sands down to a depth of 2,900 metres at a location along structural trend to the large Roman-Secueni gas field where these horizons constitute the producing reservoir. Interests in the Bacau concession following the drilling of Lilieci-1 and the Farm-out to Romgaz (announced in our press release of 5 June 2008) will be Aurelian (Operator) 41.00%, Romgaz 40.00% and Europa Oil & Gas plc 19.00%

Following Lilieci-1, the rig will move for a further well in the Brodina concession. Voitinel-1 is a large sub-thrust prospect with potential in the Sarmatian, Badenian and Cretaceous. The planned total vertical depth is 1,900 metres. Interests in Voitinel will be Aurelian (Operator) 33.75%, Romgaz 37.50% and Europa Oil & Gas 28.75%

The technical information and opinions contained in this announcement have been reviewed by Roy Hartley B.Sc (Hons) (Imperial College), FEI, FGS, C.Eng, Aurelian's Operations Director who has over 30 years' experience in the oil exploration and production industry. He has consented to the inclusion herein of such technical information and opinions.

Michael Seymour, Aurelian's Managing Director, commented,"We are all looking forward to the results of this drilling programme. Fratauti-2 and Vicsani-1 have a good chance of establishing additional gas reserves for the Bilca project. Lilieci-1 and Voitinel-1 are exploration wells, with sizeable potential. Voitinel in particular is a large structure located between producing oil, gas and condensate fields to the north in Ukraine and to the south in the adjacent Romanian concession."

Tags: Aurelian Oil & Gas PLC