TriOil Resources Ltd. announces record first quarter 2013 results

CALGARY, May 21, 2013 /CNW/ – TriOil Resources Ltd. (“TriOil” or the “Company” – TSXV:TOL) is pleased to announce that it has filed its financial statements and related Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) for the three months ended March 31, 2013 on SEDAR.  Selected financial and operational information is outlined below and should be read in conjunction with TriOil’s audited financial statements and related MD&A, available for review at www.trioilresources.comand www.sedar.com.

Highlights

• Achieved record average production of 3,472 BOE per day in Q1 2013. This represents strong organic growth of 117 percent over Q1 2012 production of 1,602 BOE per day and a significant 23 percent increase over Q4 2012 production of 2,821 BOE per day.
• Increased April average production to a record 4,000 BOE per day (62 percent oil and NGL’s) (based on field estimates), with additional Kaybob wells brought on production during May and additional Lochend wells waiting to be brought on production post break-up. TriOil is on track to deliver a strong Q2 2013 and to meet or exceed its 2013 guidance.
• Increased funds from operations by 149 percent to a record $10.5 million in Q1 2013 from$4.2 million in Q1 2012 and by 19 percent from the $8.8 million generated in Q4 2012.
• Continued to deliver strong per share growth. Q1 2013 cash flow of $0.16 per share is up 78 percent from $0.09 per share in Q1 2012 and up 14 percent from $0.14 per share in Q4 2012.
• Achieved net earnings of $2.5 million ($0.04 per share) in Q1 2013 compared to a net loss of$0.3 million ($0.01 per share) in Q1 2012.
• Generated a strong operating netback of $38.65 per BOE in Q1 2013.
• Decreased operating expenses by 27 percent to $10.81 per BOE in Q1 2013 from $14.91 in Q1 2012 and by 8 percent from $11.73 per BOE in Q4 2012.
• The Company’s credit facilities were expanded by $20 million to $90 million during the quarter.

Notes:

OPERATIONS UPDATE

TriOil conducted a very successful light oil development drilling program in the first quarter. Field activity was focused at Kaybob where we drilled 8 (5.8 net) wells and brought 3 (2.0 net) wells on production at the end of the quarter, while Lochend operations were limited to drilling 4 (2.7 net) wells with only 1 (1.0 net) well brought on production late in the quarter due to very early March 1road bans.

Kaybob Dunvegan

TriOil participated in the first modern horizontal multi-stage completion well on the Kaybob Duvegan light oil play in late 2011. To date we have drilled and completed a total of 28 horizontal oil wells on the play and Kaybob has been a major factor in the Company’s strong per share reserve, production and cash flow growth over the past 18 months. Results to date from the first 20 Kaybob wells that TriOil drilled and brought on production in 2011 and 2012 are set out below:

Year to date TriOil drilled 9 (6.7 net) wells at Kaybob, 8 (5.7 net) of which have been completed and brought on production with the remaining 1 (1.0 net) well expected to be on production after breakup. Of the 9 wells drilled and brought on production in 2013, 7 (5.1 net) wells were booked as proved undeveloped locations, 1 (0.6 net) well was assigned probable reserves and 1 (1.0 net) well had no reserve booking in the Company’s year end 2012 reserve report.

TriOil is very pleased with the results of our 2013 Kaybob drilling program, the early results of which are set out below:

Kaybob continues to deliver top tier capital efficiencies with strong netbacks of $53.53 per BOE in Q1 2013, a 16 percent increase from $45.98 per BOE in 2012. The Company’s drilling and completion costs have improved to $3.4 million per well in 2013 from $4.1 million for the first few wells on the play.

Capital spending in the first quarter of 2013 was heavily weighted to Kaybob due to the March 1road bans that curtailed field operations at Lochend. Kaybob drilling activity in H2 2013 will be limited to 5 (3.1 net) wells as our capital program in the second half of the year will be mainly focused at Lochend.

With a de-risked drilling inventory of 44 net wells at 4 wells per section spacing, plus the added potential for enhanced recovery and future downspacing, we expect that our Kaybob Dunvegan asset will continue to deliver production growth for the Company for a number of years.

Lochend Cardium

TriOil has built a significant land position, strong operational presence and multi-year drilling inventory in the Cardium light oil resource play at Lochend. The Company owns 98 (78 net) sections on the play and has a current de-risked drilling inventory of approximately 90 net horizontal wells and a large undeveloped acreage position on the expanding Lochend Cardium trend. TriOil has a 55% working interest and operates a recently expanded 20 mmcf per day gas facility and owns a 22% interest in the recently expanded 7,000 bbl per day oil battery at Lochend.

The Company has drilled and executed slick-water completions on a total of 21 horizontal wells at Lochend since 2011 with strong results, as set out below:

First quarter 2013 drilling and completion activities were cut short by very early road bans that came into effect March 1, 2013 due to unseasonably mild weather. TriOil was limited to drilling 4 (2.7 net) wells at Lochend with only 1 (1.0 net) well brought on stream late in the quarter. Field conditions are looking very favorable at this time and we expect to be back in the field in June.

TriOil, together with area operators, has invested significant capital on the play over the past 15 months to expand the TriOil operated gas facility to 20 mmcf per day and to construct and expand a 7,000 bbl per day oil battery.

We have an active drilling and completion program planned for the second half of the year at Lochend and expect to drill and complete 10 (5.2 net) horizontal wells prior to year end.

Pouce Coupe Montney

TriOil owns approximately 15.5 net sections in the Pouce Coupe/Gordondale area that are prospective for both Upper and Lower Montney. The Company drilled its first Lower Montney well on the play in late 2012 and executed a newer multi-stage completion technique. Results to date have exceeded our expectations as well as independent engineering forecasts. The new well has produced at a stable rate of approximately 3.8 mmcf per day and 30 bbls per mmcf of NGLs over its initial 4 months of production and achieved an IP120 of 725 BOE per day. To date the well has outperformed year end reserve estimates by approximately 0.5 bcf and is producing at a higher than expected liquids rate of approximately 30 bbls per mmcf.

We plan to monitor performance of our new liquids-rich Lower Montney well together with the significant Lower Montney oil results and drilling activity by a senior producer directly offsetting our Pouce Coupe/Gordondale land block, with a view to adding a Lower Montney horizontal well to the budget in the second half of 2013. TriOil has a substantial drilling inventory of 90 (40 net) horizontal Montney development wells at Pouce Coupe/Gordondale, 73 (30 net) of which are unbooked.

Financial

TriOil posted record financial results for the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to a 117 percent increase in production volumes over Q1 2012 and a 23 percent increase in production volumes over Q4 2012. Funds from operations were $10.5 million or $0.16 per share compared to $4.2 million or$0.09 per share Q1 2012 and $8.8 million or $0.14 per share in Q4 2012.

The Company’s operating netback of $38.65 per BOE decreased 4% from $40.35 per BOE in Q4 2012 due to a 12 percent decrease in average sales prices as a result of increased natural gas production from a significant new gas well at Pouce Coupe, partially offset by an 8% decrease in operating costs per BOE to $10.81 per BOE and a 41% decrease in royalties per BOE.

In the first quarter of 2013, the Company spent $32.5 million on drilling, completion and tie-in operations at Lochend and Kaybob, $3.2 million on a production facility expansion project at Lochend and major pipeline infrastructure at Lochend and Kaybob and $10.9 million on a strategic acquisition at Kaybob.

Outlook

TriOil has assembled a strong operating position and multi-year growth platform on 3 proven resource plays that provide predictable and sustainable growth for the Company. Our Lochend Cardium and Kaybob Dunvegan light oil assets continue to drive strong per share production, cash flow and reserve growth with attractive capital efficiencies while our low risk Montney liquids-rich gas asset provides the Company with significant natural gas growth potential and exposure to improving natural gas markets.

TriOil has established a strong commodity hedge position to help stabilize forecast cash flow and to protect our capital program. We currently have 1,700 bbls per day hedged at a fixed average price of WTI Canadian $99.23 per bbl to year end 2013, 2,000 GJ per day hedged at a fixed average price of AECO $3.46 per GJ to year end 2013 and 700 bbl per day hedged at a fixed average price of WTI Canadian $94.95 per bbl for calendar 2014.

After posting record production of 3,472 BOE per day in Q1 2013, TriOil reached a new high in April averaging 4,000 BOE per day (62 percent oil & NGLs) (based on April field estimates) and is on track for a strong second quarter. The Company is very well positioned to meet or exceed its current guidance of 3,900-4,100 annual average and 4,400 exit 2013 production.

Strategic Alternatives Process Update

The previously announced strategic alternatives process is progressing on schedule and as planned. Further updates in respect of the Company’s strategic alternative process will be made in due course. There can be no assurances or guarantees that this process will result in an acceptable transaction.

Shareholder Rights Plan

The Board has adopted an amended and restated shareholder rights plan effective May 21, 2013(the “Amended Rights Plan“).  The Amended Rights Plan is substantially similar to the shareholder rights plan adopted on effective February 22, 2013.  The amendments were implemented to allow for increased shareholder participation in the context of an unsolicited bid and to comply with the requirements of “new generation rights plans”.  The Amended Rights Plan was not adopted in response to, or in anticipation of, any pending, threatened or proposed acquisition or take-over bid.

The Amended Rights Plan remains designed to provide shareholders and the Board with adequate time to consider and evaluate any unsolicited bid made for the Company, to provide the Board with adequate time to identify, develop and negotiate value-enhancing alternatives, if considered appropriate, to any such unsolicited bid, to encourage the fair treatment of shareholders in connection with any take-over bid for the Company and to ensure that any proposed transaction is in the best interests of the Company.

Shareholders Meeting

The Shareholders Meeting has been scheduled to be held on Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.(Calgary time) at The Metropolitan Conference Centre, 333 Fourth Ave S.W., Calgary, Alberta. Additional details of the Shareholders Meeting, including the matters to be considered, are included in the management information circular to be mailed to shareholders and filed on SEDAR atwww.sedar.com.

TriOil is a publicly traded junior oil resource player in Western Canada. Substantial land positions have been acquired on early stage light oil resource opportunities to capitalize on improvements in horizontal drilling and multi-stage fracture stimulation technologies, specifically targeting opportunities in the emerging Cardium and Dunvegan oil trends in Alberta. TriOil has successfully executed its business plan and has positioned the Company for solid growth in production, reserves and shareholder value.

TriOil trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “TOL”. As of May 21, 2013, there were approximately 64.0 million shares issued and outstanding (70.0 million fully diluted).

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words “expect”, “seek”, “anticipate”, “continue”, “estimate”, “approximate”, “believe”, “plans”, “intends”, “confident”, “may”, “objective”, “ongoing”, “will”, “should”, “project”, “predict”, “potential”, “targeting”, “could”, “would”, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information. More particularly, this document contains forward looking statements which include, but are not limited to, expected future drilling and completion plans, expected capital expenditures, expected production and reserves growth, expectations of TriOil delivering strong, multi-year per share growth, timing of completion of the Lochend oil Battery, expectations of the effect of drilling and completion programs on productivity, recoveries and costs and the future operations of TriOil.

The forward-looking statements contained in this document are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by TriOil, including with respect to the anticipated exploration and development opportunities and the outlook for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013, expectations and assumptions concerning the success of future exploration and development activities, production guidance, the performance of new wells and drilling and completion programs, prevailing commodity prices and the availability of additional capital if and when required by the Company.

Any references in this news release to initial day production rates (“IP”), including 30, 60, 90 and 120 day IP rates, are useful in confirming the presence of hydrocarbons, however, such rates are not necessarily indicative of long-term performance or ultimate recovery and such rates are not determinative of the rates at which such wells will continue production and decline thereafter. Additionally, such rates may also include recovered “load oil” fluids used in well completion stimulation. While encouraging, readers are cautioned not to place reliance on such rates in calculating the aggregate production for the Company. Additional details of the performance of the wells can be found in the corporate presentation on the Company’s website atwww.trioilresources.com.

Although TriOil believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because TriOil can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, the failure to satisfy the conditions to closing the transaction, risks associated with the oil and gas industry in general (e.g., operational risks in development, exploration and production; delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the uncertainty of reserve estimates; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to production, costs and expenses, and health, safety and environmental risks), commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations and uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures. Certain of these risks are set out in more detail in TriOil’s Annual Information Form which has been filed on SEDAR and can be accessed atwww.sedar.com and TriOil’s other public disclosure documents which have been filed on SEDAR and can be accessed at www.sedar.com.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and TriOil undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

Non-GAAP Measures

This document contains the terms “funds from operations”, “net debt” and “operating netback”, which do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) and therefore may not be comparable with the calculation of similar measures by other companies. Management uses funds from operations to analyze operating performance and leverage. Management believes “net debt” is a useful supplemental measure of the total amount of current and long-term debt of the Company. Mark-to-market risk management contracts are excluded from the net debt calculation. Management believes “operating netback” is a useful supplemental measure of the amount of revenues received after royalties and operating and transportation costs. Additional information relating to these non-GAAP measures, including the reconciliation between funds from operations and cash flow from operating activities, can be found in the MD&A.

Meaning of BOE

The term “BOE” may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A BOE conversion of 6 Mcf:1 bbl is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. Given that the value ratio based on the current price of crude oil as compared to natural gas is significantly different from the energy equivalency of 6:1, utilizing a conversion on a 6:1 basis may be misleading as an indication of value. All BOE conversions in this report are derived from converting gas to oil in the ratio of six thousand cubic feet of gas to one barrel of oil.

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.

SOURCE: TriOil Resources Ltd.