March 10 (Reuters) - Canadian oil producer Frontera
Energy ( FECCF ) said on Monday that it believes its license to
explore the Corentyne block off the coast of Guyana remains
valid and it is assessing all legal options to assert its
rights.
The Guyanese government gave Frontera and CGX Energy ( CGXEF )
, the joint operators that hold the license, a 30-day
cancellation notice over unmet contract obligations.
The Corentyne block was seen as a key effort to diversify
Guyana's oil industry, currently dominated by a consortium led
by Exxon Mobil ( XOM ).
It is also the only area Frontera and CGX Energy ( CGXEF ) -
the joint operators that hold the license - have left in Guyana
after they returned two other blocks in recent years over budget
constraints.
The Guyanese government had given the joint venture
until February 22 to submit arguments for reconsideration. The
license is set to expire on March 10 unless their
representations are favorably reviewed.
Frontera Energy ( FECCF ) reported its quarterly and yearly earnings
on Monday, showing a nearly 8% increase in fourth-quarter
production compared to the same quarter last year, reaching
42,406 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boed).
However, shares fell 4.1% in afternoon trade as the company
posted a net loss of $29.4 million, or 36 cents per share,
compared to a net income of $92.0 million, or $1.08 per share,
in the fourth quarter of 202
The Calgary, Canada-based company expects to produce 40,400
boed in the first quarter of this year to due to unexpected well
failures within its light and medium assets, which the company
says it was addressing.