Mitsubishi Corporation

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February 23, 2012
Talisman Energy Inc
Mitsubishi Corporation

Talisman Energy and Mitsubishi Announce Strategic Joint Venture in Papua New Guinea

Talisman Energy Inc and Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) have reached agreement on MC’s entry into nine of Talisman’s licenses in Papua New Guinea’s onshore Western Province, via a farmout from Talisman effective January 1, 2012, subject to approvals by Government and joint venture partners. The deal is valued at approximately US$280mm and will be paid in the form of a capital carry. Following the farmout, Talisman and MC licensed equity positions will average 40% and 20% respectively in these nine licenses. 
 
Talisman and MC have agreed to work together closely to aggregate natural gas in the Western Province of PNG with a view to potential LNG export of approximately 3 million metric tonnes per annum.  “Talisman is delighted to have MC as a strategic partner in our onshore licenses in PNG”, said Paul Blakeley, Executive Vice President, International Operations East.  “MC brings extensive experience in LNG development and marketing and I am confident they will be a key success factor in helping us unlock the value of our Papua New Guinea assets.”
 
Talisman has been working in PNG since 2001. The company entered the onshore licenses of the Papuan Foreland in 2009, and now has a portfolio comprising interests in nine petroleum prospecting licenses (PPLs) and five petroleum retention licenses (PRLs), covering 13.7 million acres. Talisman has participated in the acquisition of over 1,550km 2D seismic and the drilling of 8 wells in the PNG Foreland Basin so far.  As one of the most active explorers in PNG over the past two years, Talisman has participated in a new gas discovery at Ubuntu in PRL 28 and the successful appraisal of the Stanley and Elevala gas discoveries in PRL 4 and PRL 21 respectively. Talisman intends to commence a four well drilling program on PPLs 235 and 261 during 2012, as well as ongoing appraisal in PRL 21.
 
MC has held interests in LNG operations since 1969 and currently participates in nine major LNG projects. Most recently, MC has commenced construction of the Donggi-Senoro LNG project in Indonesia in its capacity as project lead in planning and operation.  MC also has an extensive downstream marketing and LNG tanker business. Seeing PNG as a vast and under-explored country with huge LNG supply potential within the Asia Pacific region, MC aims to maximize its contribution by leveraging its experience, not only to promote economic growth for PNG, but also potentially linking this with securing a stable energy supply for Japan. MC will participate in five PPLs and four PRLs, including discovered resources in PRLs 4, 8, 21, 28 and PPL 235.
 
Talisman and MC have an aligned vision for the aggregation and monetisation of gas and condensate liquids in the Western Province and intend to leverage their respective skills in upstream exploration, production and LNG project development to deliver development success for the benefit of all stakeholders including the people and government of PNG and the Western Province.
 
 
 
 
Talisman Energy Inc. is a global, diversified, upstream oil and gas company, headquartered in Canada. Talisman’s three main operating areas are North America, the North Sea and Southeast Asia. The company also has a portfolio of international exploration opportunities. Talisman is committed to conducting business safely, in a socially and environmentally responsible manner, and is included in the Dow Jones Sustainability (North America) Index. Talisman is listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol TLM. Please visit our website at www.talisman-energy.com.
 
 
Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) is a global integrated business enterprise that develops and operates businesses across virtually every industry including industrial finance, energy, metals, machinery, chemicals, foods, and environmental business. MC's current activities are expanding far beyond its traditional trading operations as its diverse business ranges from natural resources development to investment in retail business, infrastructure, financial products and manufacturing of industrial goods. With over 200 bases of operations in approximately 80 countries worldwide and a network of over 500 group companies, MC employs a multinational workforce of nearly 60,000 people. Please visit our website at www.mitsubishicorp.com/jp/en/.
Talisman and MC Licenses, Foreland Basin, Western Province, Papua New Guinea
Talisman and MC Licenses, Foreland Basin, Western Province, Papua New Guinea

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