Niko Spuds Its First Offshore Trinidad Well

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Nov. 17, 2011) - Niko Resources Ltd. (TSX:NKO)

Niko has spudded its first offshore well in Trinidad. The Rowan Gorilla III rig is on location at the Stalin prospect, which is the first of three wells planned for Block 2ab located off Trinidad and Tobago's eastern continental shelf. The Stalin-1 well is named after the popular calypso great, Black Stalin.

Niko is the operator of the block and has a 35.75% working interest. Partners in the well are Petrotrin with 35% and Centrica Plc with 29.25%. The well is being drilled in 100 feet of water to a total depth of 8800 feet and will test a large anticlinal feature made up of multiple thrust sheets. The reservoir targets are the Oligocene age Angostura sands which are producing in the Angostura field located approximately 23 miles east of the Stalin location.

Niko's best estimate is a target of 600 to 800 million gross unrisked in-place barrels of oil equivalent.

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements. Specifically, this press release contains forward-looking statements relating to management's approach to operations, estimates of future sales, production and deliveries, business plans for drilling and development, estimated amounts and timing of capital expenditures, anticipated operating costs, royalty rates, cash flows, transportation plans and capacity, anticipated access to infrastructure or other expectations, beliefs, plans, goals, objectives, assumptions and statements about future events or performance. The reader is cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable by Niko at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect. Actual results achieved during the forecast period will vary from the information provided herein as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general economic, market and business conditions; industry capacity; competitive action by other companies; fluctuations in oil and gas prices; the results of exploration and development drilling and related activities; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to productions, costs and expenses; uncertainties as to the availability and cost of financing; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; the imprecision in reserve estimates; risks associated with oil and gas operations, such as operational risks in exploring for, developing and producing crude oil and natural gas; risks and uncertainties involving geology of oil and gas deposits; the weather in the Company's area of operations; the ability of suppliers to meet commitments; changes in environmental and other regulations; actions by governmental authorities including changes in laws and increases in taxes; decisions or approvals of administrative tribunals; risks in conducting foreign operations (for example, political and fiscal instability or the possibility of civil unrest or military action in countries such as India and Bangladesh); the effect of acts of, or actions against international terrorism; and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Niko. There is no representation by Niko that the actual results achieved during the forecast period will be the same in whole or in part as those forecast.