Gabon awards new contracts
Pioneer Natural Resources Company has announced the signing of an Exploration and Production Sharing Contract with
the Republic of Gabon.
Signed by the Minister of Mines, Energy and Petroleum in Libreville on Dec. 18, 1997, the contract gives Pioneer
exclusive rights to explore, develop and produce oil and gas in the offshore Olowi Block (formerly known as Block
Q93). The contact has an initial 3-year exploration period and an option for an additional 2-year period.
The Olowi Block covers approximately 315,000 acres in water depths of less than 130 feet. The Block is located 3
miles south-east of the giant Gamba Oil Field and contains undeveloped oil and gas discoveries at drilling depths of
about 3,500 feet, which will require appraisal to determine their commercial value. The Olowi Block is located along
an oil productive trend that connects the Gamba Oil Field north-west of the Block with smaller oil fields south-east
of Olowi Block.
Pioneer President and CEO, Scott Sheffield stated, "We are pleased by this opportunity to evaluate the exploration
and development potential of an area where all of the elements necessary for significant oil accumulations are
already proven."
Pioneer is the second largest independent oil and gas production Company in the U.S. with reserves in Canada,
Argentina and the U.S.
