Name and Location
Ibhubesi gas project, offshore South Africa.

Client
Sunbird Energy is acquiring a 76% interest in the production right for Block 2A, within which the Ibhubesi gas project is located, from Forest Oil and Anschutz Corporation.

The acquisition, which is subject to approvals by the Petroleum Agency of South Africa and the Department of Mineral Resources, will enable the ASX-listed company to operate and develop Ibhubesi with South Africa’s national oil company, PetroSA, which will hold the remaining 24%.

Project Description
An independent reserves certification of the Ibhubesi gas project has yielded proven and probable reserves of 540 billion cubic feet (bcf), with Phase 1 designed to exploit proven reserves of 210 bcf to produce 28.3 bcf a year of gas over an initial six- to eight-year horizon.

The technical assessment confirms that the planned Phase 1 development of Ibhubesi can be achieved without the need for further exploration or appraisal drilling.

Should additional resources be firmed up, the project’s life could be extended beyond 15 years and into Phase 2.

Value
The initial phase of the project could involve an investment of between R12-billion and R14-billion.

Duration
Not stated.

Latest Developments
Wood Group Kenny (WGK) Australia has been awarded a contract to provide engineering and project management services for Sunbird Energy for the Ibhubesi gas project.

The initial phase of WGK’s work involves the concept and definition phases to move the project into front-end engineering design (Feed) in the first quarter of 2014.

The project is likely to include a subsea gathering system, an offshore processing facility, a subsea pipeline of about 400 km long and an onshore plant.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
MHA Petroleum Consultants (field development plan) WGK (engineering and project management services).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Sunbird Energy, tel +61 8 9463 3260 or fax +61 8 9462 6630.
PetroSA group communications manager Thabo Mabaso, tel +27 21 929 3365 or email thabo.mabaso@petrosa.co.za.
MHA Petroleum Consultants, tel + 303 277 0270 or fax +1 303 277 0267.
WGK director, corporate communications – eastern hemisphere , Carolyn Smith, tel +44 1224 851099 or email carolyn.smith@woodgroup.com.