CALGARY, ALBERTA–(Marketwired – Nov. 14, 2014) – Waldron Energy Corporation (“Waldron” or the “Corporation”) (TSX:WDN) is pleased to announce its financial and operational results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014. These reports are available for review at www.sedar.com and on the Corporation’s website at www.waldronenergy.ca.
Q3 2014 Highlights
| Q3 2014 Operational Highlights | |||||||||
| Three months ended September 30 | Nine months ended September 30 | ||||||||
| 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||
| Average Production | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | |||||
| Natural Gas (mcf/d) | 6,875 | 7,959 | 6,881 | 8,707 | |||||
| NGL (bbls/d) | 218 | 326 | 258 | 372 | |||||
| Light crude oil (bbls/d) | 181 | 154 | 153 | 154 | |||||
| BOE/day | 1,545 | 1,807 | 1,558 | 1,977 | |||||
| Realized Pricing | |||||||||
| Natural Gas ($/Mcf) | $ 4.20 | $ 2.52 | $ 5.09 | $ 3.32 | |||||
| NGL ($/bbl)) | 57.64 | 51.73 | 61.67 | 49.58 | |||||
| Light crude oil ($/bbl) | 92.72 | 100.16 | 96.58 | 88.10 | |||||
| Average realized price | $ 37.70 | $ 28.98 | $ 42.17 | $ 30.82 | |||||
| Netback per boe | |||||||||
| Sales price | $ 37.70 | $ 28.98 | $ 42.17 | $ 30.82 | |||||
| Realized loss on commodity price contracts | (0.97 | ) | 0.05 | (2.71 | ) | 0.02 | |||
| Royalties | (5.14 | ) | (3.34 | ) | (6.05 | ) | (3.61 | ) | |
| Operating expenses | (16.24 | ) | (13.31 | ) | (15.66 | ) | (12.06 | ) | |
| Transportation expenses | (2.54 | ) | (1.57 | ) | (2.29 | ) | (1.71 | ) | |
| Operating netback | $ 12.81 | $ 10.81 | $ 15.46 | $ 13.46 | |||||
Third-party plant turnarounds in the Corporation’s Ferrybank, Crystal and Ricinus areas in September resulted in a loss in production of approximately 100 boe per day for the third quarter 2014. These plants were brought back on-line in September and the Corporation estimates October 2014 production to be approximately 1,700 – 1,800 boe per day. Additional non-recurring items that negatively impacted funds from operations for the three months ended September 30, 2014 include $0.3 million ($2.11 per boe) in unexpected third party facility charges and $0.2 million ($1.41 per boe) in higher than expected well repairs and maintenance costs.
Q3 2014 Financial Highlights
| Three months ended September 30 | Nine months ended September 30 | ||||||||
| 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||
| Financial (000’s except for per share amounts) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | |||||
| Operating netback(1) | $ 1,821 | $ 1,799 | $ 6,576 | $ 7,263 | |||||
| Per share basic & diluted(1)(3) | 0.03 | 0.04 | 0.11 | 0.18 | |||||
| Petroleum and natural gas sales | 5,359 | 4,818 | 17,937 | 16,633 | |||||
| Funds from operations(2) | 951 | 706 | 3,473 | 4,143 | |||||
| Per share basic & diluted(2)(3) | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.06 | 0.10 | |||||
| Net loss | (777 | ) | (3,067 | ) | (2,333 | ) | (6,265 | ) | |
| Per share basic & diluted(3) | (0.01 | ) | (0.08 | ) | (0.04 | ) | (0.16 | ) | |
| Capital expenditures, net of dispositions | 3,307 | 188 | 8,772 | 1,265 | |||||
| Proceeds on sale of gross overriding royalty | – | – | (7,000 | ) | – | ||||
| Net debt(4) | 24,818 | 33,989 | 24,818 | 33,989 | |||||
| Property and equipment | 72,376 | 78,183 | 72,376 | 78,183 | |||||
| Exploration and evaluation assets | 9,431 | 9,738 | 9,431 | 9,738 | |||||
| Shareholders’ equity | 46,791 | 42,391 | 46,791 | 42,391 | |||||
| Number of shares outstanding at quarter end | 62,727 | 40,035 | 62,727 | 40,035 | |||||
| Notes: | |
| (1) | Operating netback is a non-GAAP measure and the Corporation calculates this measure as revenue, net of any unrealized gains or losses on commodity price contracts, less royalties and operating and transportation expenses. |
| (2) | Funds from operations is a non-GAAP measure and the Corporation calculates this measure as cash provided from operations before changes in non-cash working capital, decommissioning expenses and transaction and other costs. |
| (3) | At September 30, 2014, there were 3,409,500 (2013 – 2,108,000) options and 7,182,560 (2013 – 7,182,560) warrants outstanding that were not included in the calculation of weighted average shares outstanding as the effect would be anti-dilutive. |
| (4) | Net debt is a non-GAAP measure and the Corporation calculates this measure as current assets less current liabilities, excluding commodity price contracts. |
Ferrybank Falher Drilling Update
The Corporation is pleased to provide an operational update regarding its 100% working interest in the Waldron Ferrybank 16-14-043-28W4 horizontal Upper Mannville (Falher) well (the “16-14 well”). Throughout July and the first half of August 2014, the 16-14 well was successfully drilled and completed. The 16-14 well produced for 18 days in September and averaged approximately 225 boe per day during that time and has averaged approximately 180 boe per day over its first 60 days on production. The Corporation has licensed a second Falher horizontal well at 2-12-043-28W4. Currently, the Corporation has no reserves assigned to this play.
This is the Corporation’s first horizontal Falher zone liquids-rich natural gas well drilled at Ferrybank and it is an extension of the Ferrybank Upper Mannville I channel sand by three miles. Waldron has received regulatory approval to increase the drill spacing to three wells per section on four 100% owned sections at Ferrybank prospective for Falher gas production and owns five sections of P&NG mineral rights directly on trend. Six competitor horizontal Falher wells recently drilled on trend acreage averaged publicly reported production of approximately 3.3 mmscf/d raw gas plus liquids as a 90 day initial production rate. The competitor average includes a recent well that had an initial production rate of 9.2 mmscf/d raw gas plus liquids.
Sale of Gross Overriding Royalty
On June 18, 2014, Waldron closed the sale of a 3% gross overriding royalty on its existing land base for proceeds of $7 million. The royalty transaction also includes an incremental 7% gross overriding royalty on two Ferrybank Falher wells that had yet to be drilled at the time of closing and includes a provision that $750,000 is to be returned to the royalty owner for each of two horizontal Ferrybank Falher wells not drilled. The first of the two qualifying wells (the 16-14 well) was drilled during the third quarter 2014. The second of the two wells is required to be drilled by mid-April 2015 in order to avoid the repayment of $750,000.
The Corporation also has an option to purchase the GORR back for 15 months from the closing date at a price of 30% above the original proceeds on the royalty sale less any royalties paid under the GORR agreement and less two thirds of any amounts returned as a result of any failure to drill the Ferrybank wells.
The GORR transaction crystallized accretive value for the Corporation’s shareholders as the transaction valued the Corporation at approximately PV10% on a Proved plus Probable basis, or approximately $1.00 per share:
| Net Asset Value based on GORR Transaction reserves valuation | ||
| Proved plus Probable NI 51-101 discounted at 10% at December 31, 2013 (2P Value) | $ 86,035,000 | |
| Approximate reduction to reserve value at December 31, 2013 as a result of Transaction (2P Value) | (6,500,000 | ) |
| Net Debt at June 30, 2014 | (24,163,000 | ) |
| Net Asset Value | $ 55,372,000 | |
| Basic Common Shares Outstanding at June 30, 2014 | 57,267,170 | |
| Net Asset Value – Basic (per share)(1) | $ 0.97 |
| Note: | |
| (1) | Excludes the value of undeveloped lands and certain seismic data and does not incorporate changes in dilutives. |
Credit Facility Update
During the first quarter 2014, the Corporation completed a $6 million secured subordinated debenture financing that carries an interest rate of 9.5% per annum. The debenture, which is to be repaid in full upon maturity, has a maturity date of February 28, 2015 and may be extended for up to six months subject to a borrowing base review and full compliance with all financial covenants. In conjunction with the closing of the subordinated debenture financing and then subsequently in conjunction with the sale of the Gross Overriding Royalty, and in accordance with the terms of the subordinated debenture, the Corporation’s senior lender has revised its borrowing base to $20.6 million, resulting in combined credit facilities of the Corporation of $26.6 million. During the third quarter 2014, the Corporation’s senior lender completed a borrowing base review and no changes were made to the lending value. The next review is expected to occur on or before December 1, 2014. Net debt at September 30, 2014 was $24.8 million.
Private Placements
On January 15, 2014, Waldron closed a private placement for 2,222,223 common shares of Waldron at $0.45 per share for gross proceeds of $1.0 million.
On July 30, 2014, Waldron closed a private placement for 5,459,545 common shares of Waldron issued on a flow-through basis at $0.33 per share for gross proceeds of $1.8 million.
2014 Hedging Update
Early in the first quarter of 2014, the Corporation entered into the following commodity price contracts:
| Period | Commodity | Type of Contract | Quantity Contracted | Contract price ($CDN) |
| Jan 1, 2014 – Dec 31, 2014 | Crude Oil | Swap | 175 bbl/d | Edmonton Par $90.15/bbl |
| Jan 1, 2014 – Dec 31, 2014 | Natural gas | Swap | 2,600 mcf/d | AECO $4.15/mcf |
| Conversion factor: 1 Mcf = 1.116 GJ | ||||
Investor Information
Waldron is a Calgary, Alberta based corporation engaged in the exploration, development and production of petroleum and natural gas. The Corporation’s common shares are currently listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “WDN.” Additional information regarding Waldron is available under the Corporation’s profile at www.sedar.com or at the Corporation’s website, www.waldronenergy.ca.
[expand title=”Advisories & Contact”]Forward Looking and Cautionary Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the Corporation’s plans and other aspects of the Corporation’s anticipated future operations, strategies, financial and operating results and business opportunities. These forward-looking statements may include opinions, assumptions, estimates, management’s assessment of value, reserves, future plans and operations.
Forward-looking statements typically use words such as “will,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “project,” “should,” “plan,” and similar expressions suggesting future outcomes, and include statements that actions, events or conditions “may,” “would,” “could,” or “will” be taken or occur in the future. Specifically, this press release contains forward-looking statements relating to the results and timing of operations, including budgeted production; whether or not recent industry results are favorable; whether or not additional reserves are recognized; whether or not the Corporation achieves guidance; the character and nature of the Corporation’s asset base; whether or not the asset base is prospective; and number of horizontal drilling locations and opportunities and number of follow-up opportunities. The forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions including expectations regarding the success of current or future drill wells; the outlook for petroleum and natural gas prices; estimated amounts and timing of capital expenditures; estimates of future production; assumptions concerning the timing of regulatory approvals; the state of the economy and the exploration and production business; results of operations; business prospects and opportunities; future exchange and interest rates; assumptions with regards to hedging activities; the Corporation’s ability to obtain equipment in a timely manner to carry out development activities; and the ability of the Corporation to access capital and credit. While the Corporation considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect.
Forward-looking statements are subject to a wide range of assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that contribute to the possibility that the predicted outcome will not occur, including, without limitation: risks associated with oil and gas exploration, development, exploitation, production, marketing and transportation; loss of markets; volatility of commodities prices; currency fluctuations; imprecision of reserves estimates; environmental risks; competition from other producers; inability to retain drilling rigs and other services; general economic conditions; delays resulting from or inability to obtain required regulatory approvals; and ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.
Although Waldron believes that the expectations represented by such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will be realized. As a consequence, actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements and you should not rely unduly on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by applicable law, Waldron does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.
Note Regarding Non-GAAP Measures
Funds from operations, operating netback and net debt are not recognized measures under IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). Management believes that in addition to cash flow from operations and net earnings, funds from operations and operating netback are useful supplemental measures as they demonstrate the Corporation’s ability to generate the cash necessary to fund future growth through capital investment or repay debt if incurred in future periods. The Company uses net debt (bank debt plus negative working capital or less positive working capital, both excluding bank debt) as an alternative measure of outstanding debt and is used as a measure to assess the Company’s financial position. Investors are cautioned, however, that these measures should not be construed as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities or net earnings determined in accordance with IFRS as an indication of the Corporation’s performance or financial position. The Corporation’s method of calculating these measures may differ from other entities and, accordingly, they may not be comparable to measures used by other entities. For these purposes, the Corporation defines funds from operations as cash flow from operations before changes in non-cash operating working capital, transaction and other costs and decommissioning expenditures and defines operating netback as revenue, net of any realized gains or losses on commodity price contracts, less royalties, operating and transportation expenses. Net debt is defined as current assets less current liabilities, excluding commodity price contracts.
Note Regarding BOEs
The term barrel of oil equivalent (“boe”) may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A conversion ratio for gas of 6 mcf:1 boe 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 conversion ratio of 6:1, utilizing a conversion on a 6:1 basis is misleading as an indication of value.
Waldron Energy Corporation
Ernie Sapieha
President & CEO
esapieha@waldronenergy.ca
Waldron Energy Corporation
Jeff Kearl
VP Finance & CFO
jkearl@waldronenergy.ca
Waldron Energy Corporation
Murray Stodalka
Chief Operating Officer
mstodalka@waldronenergy.ca
www.waldronenergy.ca
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