By Alex MacDonald
LONDON--South American oil and gas explorer Amerisur Resources
PLC (AMER.LN) said Wednesday it has applied for its portion of the
interest, rights and obligations to develop Colombia's Put-30 block
in accordance to a contract awarded to Talisman Energy Inc (TLM)
last month.
Amerisur formed an equally-owned joint venture with Talisman
Colombia Oil & Gas Ltd, a unit of Talisman Energy Inc. to
explore the Put-30 block in Colombia. Talisman is the block's
current operator but the joint venture is studying the potential
for Amerisur to operate this contract.
"We have extensive operating experience in this area where our
Platanillo field and Put-12 block also lie," said Amerisur Chief
Executive Officer John Wardle. "The presence of this heavy oil zone
has been demonstrated in many wells within this part of the basin
over the years, and we believe the time has now come to add such
prospects within our portfolio," he added.
The Put-30 block covers approximately 38,514 hectares and lies
within the Putumayo basin, roughly 55 kilometers to the north of
both Amerisur's Platanillo field and 60%-owned Put-12 contract.
Amerisur's shares are down 16% since the beginning of the year
at 49.75 pence a share, resulting in a market capitalization of
$528 million or $852 million.
Write to Alex MacDonald at alex.macdonald@wsj.com