Sep. 2012 - Vanco Energy's Sabia well reached a depth of 13,779 feet when a decision was made to stop drilling short of the proposed depth of 14,717 feet. Based on current well data, the discovered volumes are at the low end of the pre-drill range estimate. While the well encountered an active petroleum system, the commerciality of the discovery cannot be firmly made at this time. The information obtained from the well is likely to have a positive impact on the next two prospects to be drilled - Canario and Jandaia.

Jul. 2012 - Vanco has spud the Sabia well in the BM-S-72 block in the southern Santos Basin offshore Brazil. The well is being drilled by the GSF Arctic I (mid-water semisub). The Sabia well is located offshore approximately 143 miles (230 kilometers) south of the city of Santos in a water depth of approximately 656 feet (200 meters). The well will be vertically drilled with a target depth of 14,718 feet (4,486 meters). The primary reservoir target for this well is post-salt sandstones of the Itajai-Acu formation, expected to be encountered at around 12,139 feet (3,700 meters) below mean sea level. The prospect is also targeting secondary sandstone in the Ilha Bela member of the Jureia formation. Drilling operations should take about two to three months, and after finishing this well the rig will drill the Canario prospect (BM-S-63) and the Jandaia prospect (BM-S-71).

May. 2012 - Vanco reported that the GSF Arctic I (mid-water semisub) is undergoing required inspections and preparations to commence an exploratory drilling campaign offshore Brazil. The campaign includes the drilling of three prospects, Sabia, Canario and Jandaia, with Sabia being the first drilling target. The shipyard operations are on track and the drilling campaign on the three exploration licenses is expected to start in June/July 2012. The three prospects to be drilled in this campaign are estimated to hold around 100 MMBOE of unrisked resources.