First Australian Resources (FAR) has executed an Agreement with Shell Exploration Company B.V. (Shell) to conduct an exploration programme in respect of Sangomar Offshore, Rufisque Offshore and Sangomar deep Offshore Blocks in Senegal, West Africa.

Under the Agreement, Shell will fund a CSEM Data Acquisition and Geophysical Evaluation Programme over part of the Licence Area where a number of drilling prospects have already been identified by FAR and its partner Petrosen.

The CSEM acquisition phase is expected to commence in quarter two 2009, and will be followed by processing, interpretation and integration of results. The objective of the programme is designed to enable Shell to determine whether or not to exercise an option (“the Option”) to acquire a 70 percent interest in the block and enter the second renewal period that includes a well commitment.

The Agreement is conditional upon: - obtaining various approvals and consents from the Government of Senegal; - obtaining various approvals and consents from Petrosen and a waiver of Petrosen’s pre-emptive rights; - Shell entering into a contract to purchase CSEM Data and confirmation that a survey boat will be available to commence CSEM Data acquisition by 15 May 2009.

Upon satisfaction of the above conditions Shell will have until 90 days after the survey boat leaves the survey area to decide whether to exercise the Option. If Shell exercises the Option, Shell will have until 365 days prior to the end of the second renewal period to commit to drilling the exploration well.

If Shell does commit to drilling the exploration well, Shell must fund all costs of drilling the Well up to a limit of US$65 million (combined with other costs borne by Shell prior to drilling the Well). If the Well costs exceed such $65million limit, FAR will have the option of contributing its Percentages of Participation share of any overrun costs of the Well or diluting in accordance with an agreed dilution formula.

FAR will benefit from an exploration well carry up to costs of US$65 million and retain 20 percent in the event that Shell elects to enter the second renewal period and subsequently elects to then drill an exploration well. If Shell exercises the Option but subsequently elects not to proceed to drill a well, FAR will retain its 90 percent interest, a licence to use the CSEM data and will be free to negotiate with other potential farminees.

Under the Agreement FAR will, recoup approximately $US3.4 million in past expenditures regardless of whether Shell elects to exercise the Option and a further US$6 million in the event the drilling of a well leads to a commercial development.

FAR has agreed to relinquish operatorship in favour of Shell in the event Shell decides to exercise the Option.

Tags: First Australian Resources, Shell