TAG Oil and Apache Corporation conclude East Coast Basin Farmout Agreement

Friday, Feb 01, 2013

VANCOUVER, Jan. 31, 2013 /CNW/ - TAG Oil Ltd. (TSX: TAO and OTCQX: TAOIF) announced today that the Company's 100% owned New Zealand subsidiaries have concluded an agreement with Apache New Zealand Corporation LDC, which results in an early termination of the Farmout Agreement dated September 1, 2011. This agreement relates to exploration in Petroleum Exploration Permits 38348, 38349 and 50940 located in the East Coast Basin of New Zealand.

TAG Oil CEO Garth Johnson commented, "Although we are disappointed that Apache's shift in corporate strategy resulted in a refocusing of their international holdings, we do understand that tough decisions sometimes need to be made. TAG remains highly enthusiastic about the future of these prospects: All the work completed to date as a result of our JV Phase 1 activities strengthens our beliefs in the potential of TAG Oil's East Coast Basin holdings. We're also pleased to have full control back over the project with funding in place."

TAG intends to utilize the lump sum payment received by Apache to fund the drilling of up to four East Coast Basin wells as planned in the Apache-agreed Phase 1 work program. These wells will test several high-impact play objectives including the Waipawa and Whangai source rocks that have independently been confirmed to be generating 50 degree API oil. Additionally, these naturally fractured, high-quality source rocks are believed to be widespread across TAG's acreage. Independent assessments have concluded that there are approximately 14 billion barrels of undiscovered original oil in place potential, within less
than a fifth of TAG's total land holdings on the East Coast.

Drilling of the first East Coast wells is expected to commence in late
March/April 2013, subject to receipt of the necessary consents from regional government. TAG will utilize conventional vertical drilling techniques similar to those used by TAG Oil over many years in its successful Taranaki Basin operations.

Mr. Johnson concluded: "It was a pleasure to have had the opportunity to work closely with Apache. Our work together provided important geotechnical and operational related work, which has confirmed our belief in the major potential of this project, and advanced it to drill-ready status. Furthermore, TAG's cash flow and assets have grown dramatically since we first signed the agreement with Apache. So the Company can now fund further drilling operations and exploration
activities from a place of strength and greater flexibility."

SOURCE TAG Oil Ltd.

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