TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, Aug. 31, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Orca Exploration Group Inc. ("Orca" or the "Company") (TSX-V: ORC.A, ORC.B) advises that W. David Lyons, Chairman of Orca's board of directors and former chief executive officer of the Company, passed away on August 29, 2018.

“David was the founder of Orca and his vision and leadership will be missed," said Alan Knowles, Interim CEO. "David was an experienced oil and gas industry veteran and a dedicated and diligent officer and director of Orca for over a decade. David's guidance, character and friendship will be dearly missed by his many friends at Orca, as well as his friends and colleagues throughout the industry and community. Over the years David has built a strong team at Orca who are well positioned to carry on Orca’s business in the future.”

Mr. Lyons was associated with oil and gas developments since the early 1980s. He was Chairman and CEO (and previously Non-Executive Chairman) of Orca Exploration Group Inc. since the Company was formed in 2004.  Prior to that, he was President and CEO of PanOcean Energy Corporation and predecessor companies including Ocelot Energy Inc. and PanAfrican Energy Corporation. As PanOcean's CEO, he led the company from its modest startup in Gabon into becoming a significant sub-Saharan player with production approaching 20,000 barrels of oil a day. In 2006, PanOcean was acquired by Addax Petroleum Corporation for $1.6 billion in cash.  David also supported a number of charitable endeavours.

Orca Exploration Group Inc.

Orca Exploration Group Inc. is an international public company engaged in natural gas exploration, development and supply in Tanzania through its subsidiary PanAfrican Energy Tanzania Limited. Orca trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbols ORC.B and ORC.A.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information please contact: E Alan Knowles Interim Chief Executive Officer +44 7585 564 343