Benchmark appoints financial advisor to assist with strategic alternatives

CALGARY, June 22 /CNW/ - Benchmark Energy Corp. (TSXV: BEE.V) ("Benchmark" or the "Company") announces that further to the press release of June 16, 2009, the Company has undertaken a process to review strategic alternatives with the intention of maximizing shareholder value. Benchmark has retained Petersen Capital Corporation ("PCC") of Calgary, AB, as its financial advisor in this process; Brian Petersen, a director of Benchmark, is a principal of PCC and so the appointment of PCC is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Strategic alternatives may include the sale of the Company or some or all of its oil and natural gas interests, an amalgamation or reorganization with a company with producing oil and natural gas assets in Canada or elsewhere, or such other transaction with the intent of maximizing shareholder value. Currently, Benchmark has approximately CDN$1.5 million in cash. The Company has a working interest in a block in Colombia in which the Company has invested US$1.7 million to date, and through a wholly-owned subsidiary called Caribe Oil & Gas Ltd., Benchmark holds the preferential rights for the use of a proprietary well-performance enhancement technology in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Trinidad, for which it has invested approximately CDN$0.6 million. Management estimates the Company's tax pools at approximately CDN$7.5 million.

There are currently 25,758,578 common shares of Benchmark outstanding.

No decision on any particular strategic alternative has been reached at this time and there can be no assurance that the process will result in any change in the Company's current operations, that the Company will pursue any particular transaction or that any transaction will be concluded. The Company does not intend to make any further announcement regarding the process unless and until its Board of Directors has approved a specific transaction or other course of action or otherwise deems disclosure of developments is appropriate.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information set forth in this press release, including management's assessment of future plans and operations, contains forward-looking statements. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond management's control, including the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, volatility of commodity prices, currency fluctuations, imprecision of reserve or resource estimates, environmental risks, competition from other industry participants, the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management, stock market volatility and the ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits will derive from them. Benchmark disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    
    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.
    

Contacts

Benchmark Energy Corp.
David Robinson
President & Chief Executive Officer
Tel: (403) 802-0770
Email: drr@benchmarkenergy.com

Petersen Capital Corp.
Brian Petersen
President & Managing Director
Tel: (403) 781-7925
Email: brian@petersencapitalcorp.com