Block Energy Plc, the exploration and production company focused on the Republic of Georgia, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") with  Bago Ltd ("Bago"), one of the largest private gas suppliers and purchasers in Georgia, for a proposed offtake agreement for gas produced at the Company's West Rustavi permit. Block currently holds a 25% working interest ("WI") in West Rustavi (increasing to a 75% WI after earn-ins described in the Company's Admission Document of 4 June 2018) which has proven reserves and gross, unrisked contingent resources ("2C") of 608 Billion Cubic Feet ("BCF") gas and 37.9MMBbls of oil.

Under the proposed terms of the MOU and subject to final legal agreement, Bago will acquire the total amount of gas produced from West Rustavi, subject to a minimum of 1,000 Cubic Metres of gas per day.  In addition, Bago is considering financing wholly, or in part, required gas infrastructure at West Rustavi, including pipeline tie backs to local infrastructure and gas processing plant solutions. A final offtake agreement will be subject to final price negotiation that is expected to be at a similar level to those agreements already in place with neighbouring contractors (which are in line with the Company's internal forecasts). The final agreement will also be subject to successful gas appraisal work on existing discoveries located within West Rustavi and all relevant government permissions being obtained.

In addition to West Rustavi, Block's holds a 100% WI in the Norio licence and a 90% WI in the Satskhenisi licence.  A low cost, multi well workover programme is due to commence shortly at Norio and Satskhenisi, as part of the Company's strategy to increase net production of oil to 900 bopd within 18-24 months.   

Paul Haywood, Director of Block Energy, said: 
"I am highly encouraged by progress we have made towards securing a final offtake agreement with Bago, one of Georgia's largest domestic private gas traders with extensive infrastructure capable of handling large volumes of gas. West Rustavi offers huge value potential for Block and with rig contracts now in place, we are all set to commence work programmes to unlock this potential and upgrade resources to proven reserves. With multiple gas discoveries having already been made within the Licence which lie on trend to the same play currently being targeted by Schlumberger on a neighbouring licence, Block XIb, I look forward to commencing our imminent work programme with optimism as well as to updating the market when a final offtake agreement has been put in place."