Linc Energy Limited (ASX:LNC) Discovers Significant Oil Shale Deposit in South Australia Arckaringa Basin

Brisbane, Sep 27, 2011 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Linc Energy Ltd (ASX:LNC) is pleased to announce the discovery of a significant oil shale deposit within the Stuart Range Formation located in Linc Energy's Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) 122 and projected to extend into the adjoining PEL 121 in the Arckaringa Basin in South Australia.

The oil shale deposit discovered occurs at depths of over 854m (2,801 feet) covering an area of approximately 93.5km x 12.3km (1,150 km2 or 284,000 acres).

The oil shale deposit was intersected during the completion of the 'Arck 1' stratigraphic well drilled in PEL 122 as a part of Linc Energy's current South Australian exploration program.

The deposit lies in an area proximate to Linc Energy's previously announced oil show at its 'Maglia 1' exploration well.

Rock-Evaluation Pyrolysis testing results on the Stuart Range Formation shales intersected during the drilling program indicate oil shale with potential oil yields of 25 litres to 45 litres of oil per tonne.

Shale oil (or kerogen oil) is an unconventional oil produced from oil shale. Modern technologies make it possible to process the shale oil underground (in situ processing), extracting the oil via oil wells. The resulting oil can be used immediately as a fuel or as oil refinery feedstock.

Technical information

Our current studies indicate that the Stuart Range Formation shale is expected to be in the oil generation window at depths over 700 metres. Linc Energy has identified a significant section of the Boorthanna Trough, approximately 93.5km long x 12.3km wide, where the Stuart Range Formation shale sits at depths within the oil generation window.

Key results from Linc Energy's exploration program within this area to date include:

- Well 'Arck 1', which identified Stuart Range Formation shale present from 854m to 978m (124m or 406 feet thick), has been fully PQ wireline cored and downhole logged with the standard suite of downhole tools plus acoustic scanner.

- The 'Arck 1' Stuart Range Formation has the most prospective sequence of black shale around 70m (229 feet) thick between 899-970m deep, from which 17 PQ core samples from 899.4m to 970.5m were taken and tested for oil shale appraisal.

- TOC (total organic carbon) contents average 5.4% for the upper sequence and 7.7% for the lower interval of the Stuart Range Formation, with individual samples of >10% TOC encountered (e.g. 10.44% TOC at 954.5m).

- Rock-Eval pyrolysis parameters S1+S2 hydrocarbon shows yield potential up to 25 litres oil per tonne for upper sequence (average 23mg/g) and 45 litres oil per tonne for lower interval (average 40mg/g).

- Additionally, Permian coal intersected during the drilling program appear to be hosting fluorescence source (oil) in cleat and natural fractures, similar to results obtained from Linc Energy's 'Maglia 1' well in the same region. The samples have been dispatched from the field and will be analysed for content and source indicators to obtain further information about the active hydrocarbon system in the area.

In total 24 core samples from the 'Arck 1' well were collected over the most prospective interval and sent to Intertek Geotech (Perth) for geochemical analyses (TOC, Rock Eval, maturity). More detailed yield assessments and feasibility studies will be conducted as the exploration program progresses.

Following completion of the 'Arck 1' well, the drill rig was relocated to the 'Wirrangulla Hill 1' site, approximately 10 kilometres north of 'Arck 1'.

'Wirrangulla Hill 1' was spudded in late August, with preliminary drilling encountering oil fluorescence in the upper geological sequences and Stuart Range Formation shale thickness similar to 'Arck 1'. Both well locations are within PEL122 and are situated in the southern Boorthanna Trough.

Linc Energy's Chief Executive Officer, Peter Bond, said, "At around 100 metres thick, an oil shale deposit of over 200 billion tonnes may be present".

"The presence of oil fluorescence in the upper sequences at Wirrangulla Hill 1 together with the evolving oil shale story showcases the depth of real energy potential that is sitting untapped within the Arckaringa Basin."

"It is a remarkable prospect that we have only just begun to properly explore. This exploration program and our recent success of discovering what appears to be a multibillion barrel unconventional oil shale play provides significant opportunities for Linc Energy and the State of South Australia, but frankly it's just the beginning. It is also another example of the incredible depth and quality of the resource assets which Linc Energy holds", Bond said.

In other Linc Energy exploration activities in the Arckaringa Basin, Hunt rig 3 has completed drilling the 'Cootanoorina 2' well to a total depth of 1,420m and has encountered no significant hydrocarbons shows. This is the 3rd well of Linc Energy's current 10 well conventional oil & gas exploration program in the Arckaringa Basin. Earlier in the Quarter, Hunt rig 3 completed 'Haystack 1' well to 1056m total depth and the 'William Creek 1' well to 914m total depth. Other than trace gas, both were dry wells with tight formations throughout.

In addition, the 1,153 line kilometres (716 miles) Arckaringa Basin 2D seismic programme was completed in late August, well before the Company's deadline. The processing of data acquired is already underway, with preliminary results indicating a substantial number of new and previously unknown target locations. Finalisation of the technical seismic interpretation is expected to be completed during the 1st Quarter of 2012.

The three oil & gas exploration wells, and the two shale oil / stratigraphic wells, combined with Linc Energy's recently completed 2D Seismic program, add a great deal to the knowledge base and understanding of the Arckaringa Basin.

"With Linc Energy's current focus in South Australia on oil and gas exploration, this crucial seismic and drilling program provides the science behind an exploration platform to not only identify new oil and gas targets for the Company, but in the case of the Arckaringa Basin we are also piecing together the potential for a new hydrocarbon producing region. Excellent results are beginning to come in from the seismic interpretation and we are gaining a suite of new oil and gas targets as a result of this work," Peter Bond said.

Further definition of the Boorthanna Trough is now a key focus in South Australia for Linc Energy, which aims to utilise the current seismic data and drilling program to put together greater definition and detail on the Stuart Range Formation oil shale play.

For the complete Linc Energy announcement including figures, tables and reports, please view the following link:
http://media.abnnewswire.net/media/en/docs/ASX-LNC-235512.pdf

Contact

Information for Media: Heather Stewart Media Manager Phone: +61 7 3229 0800 E-mail: heather.stewart@lincenergy.com ASX Contact: Brook Burke Company Secretary Phone: +61 7 3229 0800 E-mail: brook.burke@lincenergy.com Information for Investors: Justyn Peters General Manager Investor Relations Phone: +61 7 3229 0800 E-mail: justyn.peters@lincenergy.com