Ecopetrol and PanAtlantic Sign Farm-out Agreement in the Santos Basin, Offshore Brazil

HOUSTON - Wednesday, July 18th 2012 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ecopetrol Óleo e Gás do Brasil Ltda, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ecopetrol S.A., and Vanco Brasil Exploração e Produção de Petróleo e Gas Natural Ltda, a wholly owned subsidiary of PanAtlantic Energy Group, are pleased to announce that the companies have reached an agreement in which Ecopetrol Oleo e Gas do Brasil Ltda will acquire a 30% interest in three exploration blocks BM-S-72 (formerly SM-1100), BM-S-63 (formerly SM-1036), and BM-S-71 (formerly SM-1035), in the Santos Basin, offshore Brazil. In line with Brazilian petroleum legislation, the transaction is subject to approval from the National Petroleum Agency (“ANP”).

Following this transaction, PanAtlantic will, through its Brazilian subsidiary, retain a 40% working interest in the concessions and continue as Operator for the three-well drilling campaign, which commenced on 7 July 2012 with the drilling of the Sabia-1X well in BM-S-72. Additional interests are held by Panoro Energy ASA 15% and Brasoil Round 9 Exploracáo Petrolifera Ltda 15%.

Ecopetrol established the subsidiary Ecopetrol Óleo e Gás do Brasil Ltda in 2006. The new Santos Basin blocks will add to the company’s Brazil portfolio which includes participation in offshore exploration activities in 8 blocks located in the Para-Maranhao, Campos and Santos basins.

PanAtlantic CEO William T. Drennen comments, “We are very pleased that Ecopetrol shares our view of the Santos Basin as an exciting exploration region and will join us in the 2012 drilling campaign.”

As announced in May 2012, PanAtlantic Energy Group has succeeded and replaced Vanco Overseas Energy Group, with the name change to reflect its major asset base and areas of focus along the Latin American and African margins of the Atlantic Ocean. PanAtlantic holds deepwater exploration assets in Brazil, West Africa and the Black Sea.

Contacts

PanAtlantic Energy Group

J.L. Mitchell, +1 713 386-2710

SVP External Affairs



Vanco Brasil

Fernando Borensztein, +5521 3266 1350

Country Manager