Frontier Resources International Plc has been awarded an Exclusive Exploration Licence by the Namibian Ministry of Mines and Energy covering Blocks 1717 and 1817 in northern Namibia.

The onshore Blocks awarded to the Company, covering approximately 18,900 square kilometres, are located in the Owambo Basin in the northern part of the country near the border with Angola. While this basin remains largely underexplored, there are some older seismic lines available. Under the terms of the licence, Frontier is obligated to gather all available data on the blocks in addition to reprocessing and re-interpreting the existing seismic data and conducting a reconnaissance geochemical sampling program to highgrade any structures identified.

Other exploration companies operating in the onshore basin include Houston-based Hydrocarb/ATA and local company Preview Energy. Exploration interest in Namibia's Owambo Basin is being driven by the similarity of the geological formations which have the same geological history as some oil producing regions in the Middle East. Neither onshore nor offshore Namibia has a significant history of oil or gas production, but the geological data is believed to indicate a great deal of potential.

This is Frontier's first licence in Namibia, as the Company continues to expand its exploration portfolio in southern Africa having, in February of this year, been awarded an exploration block in Zambia. The Company's existing oil and gas production is onshore Texas. Frontier's Chief Executive Jack Keyes said, 'This is Frontier's second African licence this year and we continue to work hard to bring in new assets and seek new opportunities in this unexplored region of Africa as well as the Middle East.'

Tags: Frontier Resources International