Argentina

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Mar. 2 – ROCH SA and Madalena Ventures Inc. signed a farmout under which Apco Oil & Gas International Inc., Tulsa, Okla., can earn up to a 45% participation interest in the 100,000-acre Coiron Amargo Block in Argentina’s Neuquen basin.

Apco would earn 22.5% interest by drilling two exploration wells in 2010 and two more wells in late 2010 and 2011 to earn the full 45%. The partners plan to request an extension of the exploration period beyond the November 2010 expiration.

Apco is active in the Entre Lomas, Bajada del Palo, and Agua Amarga areas of the basin, which along with Coiron Amargo total 490,000 acres.