HOUSTON, Nov. 6, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ERHC Ene

HOUSTON, Nov. 6, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ERHC Energy Inc. ( ERHE ), a publicly traded American company with oil and gas assets in Sub-Saharan Africa, this week announced that it plans to pursue rift margin plays in the Republics of Kenya and Chad similar to those that led to recent major discoveries in East Africa. Based on existing data, ERHC has delineated exploration focus areas in Block 11A in northwest Kenya and BDS 2008 in Chad.

"Kenya is at the intersection of two major rift systems -- the Cretaceous Central African rift system and the Tertiary East Africa rift system -- and we are very excited that our block's excellent location enables us to exploit the high potential for hydrocarbons that the geological occurrence promises," said ERHC Exploration Manager Gertjan van Mechelen. "We will basically pursue the same kind of rift margin play that has yielded major discoveries in neighboring Uganda as well as recent large discoveries in Kenya to the east of our Block 11A."

ERHC expects to begin exploration operations in Kenya's Block 11A by the end of 2012.

In Chad, ERHC has delineated two focus areas situated directly north of numerous major discoveries on a rift margin along the Central African Shear Zone. Regional stratigraphic mapping indicates the presence of alluvial fan deltas and lacustrine deltas in ERHC's areas of interest, which provide both reservoir and seal rocks.

"We believe there is great promise for a series of hydrocarbon discoveries in BDS 2008, along that rift margin," said ERHC President and CEO Peter Ntephe.

ERHC is planning for exploration operations to commence in Chad by early 2013.

Mr. Ntephe and Mr. Van Mechelen presented on behalf of ERHC at the Shares Magazine "Meet the Markets" event at the World Money Show in London over the weekend.

In addition to its oil and gas exploration interests in the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Chad, the Company holds interests in the Sao Tome and Principe Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the Nigeria-Sao Tome and Principe Joint Development Zone (JDZ).