Overview
During the early morning hours of Wednesday April 1st, Bankers Petroleum Albania Ltd. activated its Emergency Response Plan as a result of an uncontrolled carbon dioxide release during the drilling of a horizontal well on the eastern edge of the Patos-Marinza oilfield. The gas was not poisonous or flammable and there were no injuries reported as a result of the release. Bankers operational, safety and community relations staff, in cooperation with local government, Albpetrol, and state police took all appropriate precautionary measures including the immediate evacuation of residents in the affected area. The well was brought under control by 5:00 pm that same afternoon, allowing the majority of the affected residents to return to their homes that same day.

Recovery
Bankers is working tirelessly to ensure those affected by the release are kept well informed and return to their normal lives as soon as possible. Our first priority is the health and safety of our employees and citizens of the Marinza community. Community response efforts began immediately. Ongoing efforts are being met by the Company to support the community’s needs including:

• Accommodation
• Fresh water
• Medical services
• School transportation

Prevention
Bankers operates with the highest operational and safety standards. After carrying out a thorough review of its drilling practices, Bankers implemented the following extra safety measures:

• Enhanced technical and subsurface risk assessment
• Extra safety margins with drilling fluids on drill sites
• Assessment of well kill procedures
• Enhancements on drilling equipment