TAG Oil Ltd. provided operational update of New Zealand and Australia for the three months ended June 30, 2017. Net production to TAG in New Zealand averaged approximately 1,110 boe/d over September, which is down slightly from the 1,169 boe/d (79% oil) average over the three months ended June 30, 2017. The decline is the result of several factors, but is primarily due to the Cheal-A12 well being shut-in due to a pump failure and the waterflood response taking longer than expected to begin increasing production. Recent work over activity over the past week has restored approximately 140 boe/d. The decline in production has been partially offset by the recent rise in the price of Brent crude. Over September, the average price received by TAG was approximately USD 58/bbl after taking in to account the quality differential that TAG receives for its oil. TAG's waterflood program is continuing, with water injection rates of 2,000 bw/d at the Cheal permit (PMP 38156, 100% TAG) and 900 bw/d at the Cheal East permit (PEP 54877, 70% TAG). There are very early indications of a pressure response and lower than forecast decline rates at the main Cheal permit field; however, based on additional modelling work and more accurate pressure data, current expectations are that a more definitive uplift of production and recovery factors will likely be seen by mid-2018. On the exploration front, preparations are underway for the drilling of the Pukatea-1 exploration well (PEP 51135, 70% TAG). The well is tentatively scheduled to spud on January 31, 2018, which will be targeting the Tikorangi Limestone formation in a location up-dip and above the lowest known oil produced from the adjacent Waihapa field. In Australia, production from the Bennett field is over 20 bbl/d of light, sweet crude following improvements to the surface facilities at PL-17 and a pump change on the Bennett-4 well. Further, TAG is encouraged by the continued steady production from the field despite it having been on production for approximately 50 years. The current mapping (ahead of the interpreted 3D seismic data) indicates the potential for further upside. The 70 km2 of 3D seismic recently acquired over PL-17 is now undergoing processing, which will be followed by interpretation to identify drilling targets. This is the first modern 3D seismic acquired over most of the core of the PL-17 acreage, and TAG is looking forward to obtaining an enhanced subsurface understanding of the Bennett and Leichardt fields. Future drilling on PL-17 will likely take place in late calendar 2018 or 2019; in the meantime, TAG will continue its work on enhancing production from the existing wells on the block.

The company expects to exit fiscal year ending March 31, 2018 with production of 1,300 boe/d.