Austral Pacific Energy, an independent oil and gas exploration and production company, has announced that the Cheal A7 well commenced production. Austral Pacific Energy said that A7 has now been successfully tied into the Cheal production facility using a temporary connection.

Austral Pacific Energy has announced the sale of its interests in Petroleum Prospecting Licenses 235 and 261 in Papua New Guinea. An agreement has been reached to sell Austral Pacific Energy's interest in the licenses to Foreland Oil, a subsidiary company of Rift Oil, for $5 million.

Austral Pacific Energy has appointed Peter Hazledine as a new director of the company, effective January 1, 2008. Mr Hazledine has 35 years of experience in the international exploration and production industry.