CALGARY, ALBERTA–(Marketwired – May 5, 2014) – Freehold Royalties Ltd. (Freehold) (TSX:FRU) announces that it has closed the previously announced acquisition involving royalty interests in southeast Saskatchewan and Manitoba (Vendor assets). Total consideration associated with the transaction was $111 million (before closing adjustments) with Freehold funding the deal through its existing bank credit line.
In addition, as part of the transaction, Canpar Holdings Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of CN Pension Trust Funds, purchased certain undeveloped mineral title lands (Vendor assets) for $30 million (before closing adjustments).
The effective date of the acquisition is January 1, 2014. With the closing of the acquisition, Freehold has significantly strengthened its operating base and future opportunities while maintaining financial strength and sustainability of its dividend.
Acquisition Highlights:
- 2013 average production of 470 barrels of oil equivalent (boe) per day (99% oil weighted), from over 400 producing wells. Revenue is derived from a combination of Lessor Royalties and Non-Convertible Overriding Royalties, offering Freehold enhanced netbacks.
- 2013 net operating income of $15.0 million.
- Increased land exposure adding 71,700 acres of Mineral Title Lands.
- Proved plus probable reserves of approximately 1.5 million boe, based on an independent engineering report prepared by Trimble Engineering Associates Ltd. as of December 31, 2013.
- 37 gross new wells drilled within the acquired acreage through 2013.
- The acquisition also provides Freehold exposure to:
- A stable oil weighted revenue stream.
- The ability to grow royalty volumes through future year drilling programs.
- Increased percentage of mineral title ownership relative to Freehold’s existing acreage.
- Freehold estimates 2014 year-end net debt of approximately $140-$145 million (which leaves $65-$70 million in available capacity on our existing credit line), while implying approximately 1.0 times debt to funds flow (based on guidance provided in our fourth quarter news release).
- We have increased our production guidance for 2014 by 6% to 9,100 boe per day; all other operating assumptions (provided in our fourth quarter news release) remain unchanged. As we have in the past, we expect to update shareholders on 2014 guidance for other key operating assumptions when we release our first quarter results on May 14, 2014.
Freehold is a Calgary based, dividend paying, oil-weighted oil and gas company focused on providing a sustainable monthly dividend to its shareholders. We effectively manage our assets to consistently deliver attractive returns over the long-term. For further information about Freehold please visit our website at www.freeholdroyalties.com
With respect to forward looking information contained in this news release, we have made assumptions regarding, among other things, future oil and natural gas prices; future capital expenditure levels; future production levels; future exchange rates; the costs of developing and producing our assets; our ability and the ability of our lessees to obtain equipment in a timely manner to carry out development activities; our expectation for industry drilling levels; and our ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms.
You 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 information. We can give no assurance that any of the events anticipated will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what benefits we will derive from them. The forward-looking information contained herein is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Except as required by law, Freehold does not assume any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances.
Conversion of Natural Gas To Barrels of Oil Equivalent (BOE)
To provide a single unit of production for analytical purposes, natural gas production and reserves volumes are converted mathematically to equivalent barrels of oil (boe). We use the industry-accepted standard conversion of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of oil (6 Mcf = 1 bbl). The 6:1 boe ratio is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip. It does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead and is not based on either energy content or current prices. While the boe ratio is useful for comparative measures and observing trends, it does not accurately reflect individual product values and might be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. As well, given that the value ratio, based on the current price of crude oil to natural gas, is significantly different from the 6:1 energy equivalency ratio, using a 6:1 conversion ratio may be misleading as an indication of value.
Freehold Royalties Ltd.
Matt Donohue
Manager, Investor Relations
403.221.0833 or 1.888.257.1873
403.221.0888 (FAX)
mdonohue@rife.com
www.freeholdroyalties.com