Hyperdynamics Corporation has signed a letter of intent with Aberdeen-based Dana Petroleum PLC under which the two companies will negotiate the assignment of a 23 percent participating interest in Hyperdynamics' oil and gas concession offshore the Republic of Guinea.

The letter of intent, which is non-binding and gives Dana exclusive negotiating rights for the 23% share, calls for Dana to take a participating interest in Hyperdynamics' concession in exchange for total consideration of U.S. $20 million. This includes $5 million in cash payable upon execution of the definitive agreements and, where applicable, their entry into full legal effect pursuant to the laws of Guinea. The remaining $15 million is payable at Dana's option in either cash or newly issued ordinary shares of Dana. It would be paid upon the conclusion by March 2010 of a review by the government of Guinea and Hyperdynamics of its 2006 Production Sharing Contract pursuant to the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in September and the effectiveness of any resulting revisions or amendments. There would be no restriction on the immediate resale of these shares by Hyperdynamics.

The letter of intent with Dana contemplates that the two companies will work to sign definitive documents no later than December 31, 2009; the letter of intent otherwise terminates unless extended by further agreement. Dana has the option to negotiate with Hyperdynamics to take up to an additional 27 percent of the concession, with consideration to be separately negotiated, if Hyperdynamics does not sign a letter of intent for a participating interest with an additional exploration and production company with the financial and technical capability to operate in deep water off the coast of West Africa by November 30, 2009.

"With a strong record of successful exploration and production activities in the North Sea and ongoing exploration in West Africa in Mauritania and Senegal, Dana is the kind of partner Hyperdynamics has been seeking to supply additional technical expertise and help us accelerate exploration of our offshore Guinea concession," said Ray Leonard, Hyperdynamics' President and Chief Executive Officer.

"We intend to begin a new 2-D seismic survey at the end of this month, and we look forward to working in partnership with Dana to help us evaluate the results of the new data and select which portions of our 31,000-square-mile contract area to retain for future exploration under our Production Sharing Contract and the more recent Memorandum of Understanding with the government of Guinea," Leonard said.

Tags: Dana Petroleum, Hyperdynamics Corporation