A 20% increase in oil output by 2011 from its mainstay Cooper Basin production center has been forecast by Stuart Petroleum. The Company said today it expected to produce in excess of 300,000 barrels of oil in the 2011 financial year compared to 250,000 barrels of oil in the current financial year.

The production growth will be driven by new exploration in the Cooper Basin and a new development well at the Worrior oil field which is a major contributor to Stuart's oil production profile.

Stuart produced 338,700 barrels of oil for the 12 months to June 30, 2009. Both this figure and the current financial year forecast of 250,000 barrels of oil have been held lower because of natural field decline pending the new Worrior development well.

Addressing shareholders today at its Annual General Meeting in Adelaide, Stuart's Managing Director, Tino Guglielmo, said the Cooper Basin would continue to be the growth engine for the Company.

"Our Worrior, Acrasia, Padulla, Derrilyn and Harpoono oil fields continue to underpin Stuart's planned production," Guglielmo said. "The cash flow from this output is expected to provide the platform for ongoing exploration in the Cooper-Eromanga. In parallel with this, will be the drilling of the Worrior-7 development well and up to three exploration wells during the current financial year on some of the better targets in the asset portfolio.

"Stuart has also applied for three new exploration areas in the Cooper Basin based on a pre-determined work program, with a decision on those applications expected from the South Australian Government by early in the New Year."

Tags: Stuart Petroleum Limited