ERHC Energy Inc. announced that the Government of the Republic of Chad has issued an Exclusive Exploration Authorization (EEA) to ERHC in respect to the three blocks covered by ERHC's Production Sharing Contract (PSC) in Chad. The EEA, issued in accordance with the PSC, authorizes ERHC to undertake oil and gas exploration operations in the Chari-Ouest III, BDS 2008 and Manga Blocks in Chad, which are covered by the PSC. The initial term of the EEA is for five years and can be renewed for a further three years. ERHC plans to focus its work program initially on the BDS 2008 and Chari Ouest III Blocks in Southern Chad. ERHC has 100% of the interest in BDS 2008 and a 100% interest in half of Chari-Ouest III. ERHC's holdings in the two Blocks encompass 20,860 square kilometers or 5.155 million acres. Both Blocks are located on the north flank of the Doba/Doseo basin, where Esso and other operators have made discoveries exceeding 1.29 billion barrels of oil equivalent.