CALGARY, ALBERTA–(Marketwired – Aug. 13, 2015) –
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES
WesternZagros Resources Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:WZR) (“WesternZagros” or “the Company”) announced today its operating and financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2015. A summary of the activities, the financial statements, and the accompanying Management Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) are available at www.westernzagros.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. All amounts set out in this news release are in US dollars unless otherwise stated.
Commenting on the second quarter results and subsequent events, WesternZagros’s Chief Executive Officer Simon Hatfield said:
“The Company is committed to advancing development on the Garmian and Kurdamir Blocks to grow production and cash flow. We are also focused on delivering on our cost controls and capital efficiency. On the Kurdamir Block, we’re encouraged by Repsol’s engagement as the KRG is keen to progress this oil and gas project. We have established a strong financial position for our Company and are well positioned to weather the adverse global market conditions. In light of the ongoing oil price environment, the Company continues to implement strict cost reduction efforts that have meaningful impact to the bottom line, including optimizing capital investment, renegotiating contracts with service companies and cutting discretionary expenditures. We have a solid foundation supported by great assets that provide us with the opportunity to create long-term value for all investors. While these are challenging times for both the Kurdistan Region and international oil companies, we continue to benefit from the relative security in the Kurdistan Region, where we are unaffected by the military operations elsewhere in Iraq.”
Operations Summary
WesternZagros’s assets comprise two contract areas, the Garmian and Kurdamir blocks, with significant oil and natural gas discoveries.
Production: Garmian Block
Operated Joint Venture: Garmian Block
Non-Operated Joint Venture: Kurdamir Block
Financial
Outlook
2015 Operations Outlook
The Company anticipates that gross production from Sarqala-1 will range from 5,000 to 5,500 bbl/d for the remainder of 2015. This is reduced from the Company’s previous guidance of 5,700 to 6,700 bbl/d. Based on these revised production rates and domestic oil prices in the range of $42 to $52 per barrel, WesternZagros now estimates 2015 sales revenue of $15 to $22 million and field netback of $10 to $17 million as compared to its prior estimates of 2015 sales revenue of $17 to $25 million and field netback of $12 to $20 million.
2015 Capital Outlook
On the Garmian Block, the Company has incorporated final comments from the KRG into its Garmian FDP and is seeking final approval of the Garmian FDP. The Company will provide further guidance on the anticipated quantum and timing of capital expenditures upon approval of the Garmian FDP.
About WesternZagros Resources Ltd.
WesternZagros is an international natural resources company focused on acquiring properties and exploring for, developing and producing crude oil and natural gas in Iraq. WesternZagros, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, holds a 40 percent working interest in two Production Sharing Contracts with the Kurdistan Regional Government in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. WesternZagros’s shares trade in Canada on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “WZR”.
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to, the appointment of additional directors but not limited to, operational information, future development plans and the timing associated therewith, planned expenditures, future production capability and capacity of facilities and expected production rates, sales revenues and field netback. Forward-looking information typically contains statements with words such as “anticipate”, “estimate”, “expect”, “potential”, “could”, or similar words suggesting future outcomes. The Company cautions readers and prospective investors in the Company’s securities to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information as, by its nature, it is based on current expectations regarding future events that involve a number of assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by WesternZagros.
Forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but rather on management’s current expectations as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to management, concerning, among other things, outcomes of future well operations, plans for and results of extended well tests and drilling activity, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof), the continuation of available debt financings, the continued ability to sell production in the domestic market and the prices to be received in connection therewith, anticipated operating costs, future economic conditions, future currency and exchange rates, continued political stability, continued security in the Kurdistan Region, timely receipt of any necessary co-venturer, government or regulatory approvals, the successful resolution of disputes, the Company’s continued ability to employ qualified staff and to obtain equipment in a timely and cost efficient manner and the participation of the Company’s co-venturers in joint activities. In addition, budgets are based upon WesternZagros’s current development plans and anticipated costs, both of which are subject to change based on, among other things, the outcome of negotiations with co-venturers and the government, the actual outcomes of well operations and the installation and commissioning of facilities, unexpected delays, availability of future financing and changes in market conditions. Although the Company believes the expectations and assumptions reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking information involves significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by WesternZagros including, but not limited to, risks associated with the oil and gas industry (e.g. operational risks in development and production; inherent uncertainties in interpreting geological data; changes in plans with respect to capital expenditures; interruptions in operations together with any associated insurance proceedings; the uncertainty of estimates and projections in relation to costs and expenses and health, safety and environmental risks), the risk of commodity price and foreign exchange rate fluctuations, risks relating to domestic refining capacity and continuing ability to access the domestic market, the uncertainty associated with any dispute resolution proceedings, the uncertainty associated with negotiating with foreign governments and risk associated with international activity, including the lack of federal petroleum legislation and ongoing political disputes and recent terrorist activities in Iraq in particular.
Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive and that these factors and risks are difficult to predict. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by law, WesternZagros does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. See the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Information Form dated March 13, 2015 (“AIF”) filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com for a further description of these risks and uncertainties facing WesternZagros. Additional information relating to WesternZagros is also available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, including the Company’s AIF.
Non-IFRS Measures
Field netback is a non-IFRS measure that represents the Company’s working interest share of oil sales, royalties and field operating expenses. Management believes that the field netback is a useful measure to analyze operating performance and provides an indication of the Company’s results of business activities prior to other income and expenses. Field netback does not have a standard meaning under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. It should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS such as total income (loss) or cash flow from (used in) operating activities.
See the “Financial Performance” section of the Company’s first quarter MD&A dated May 21, 2015, for a reconciliation of field netback. Note that the Annual MD&A dated March 13, 2015, and news release dated May 4, 2015, previously used the term operating income rather than field netback.
Reserves and Resources Advisory
In addition, statements relating to “reserves and other “resources” contained herein are deemed to be forward-looking statements, as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions that the resources described can be economically produced in the future. Future net revenue values are estimated values only and do not represent fair market value. There is no assurance that the forecast prices and cost assumptions, the initial phases of the development plans as submitted to the KRG and anticipated future phases contemplated in completing the full field development utilized in such estimated values will be attained and variances could be material. The reserve and resource estimates provided herein are estimates only and there is no assurance that the estimated reserves and other resources will be recovered. Actual reserves and other resources may be greater than or less than the estimates provided herein. Terms related to resource classifications referred to herein are based on the definitions and guidelines in the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook which are as follows.
“Reserves” are estimated remaining quantities of oil and natural gas and related substances anticipated to be recoverable from known accumulations, as of a given date, based on (a) analysis of drilling, geological, geophysical and engineering data, (b) the use of established technology and (c) specified economic conditions which are generally accepted as being reasonable and shall be disclosed. Reserves are classified as Proved, Probable or Possible according to the degree of certainty associated with the estimates. “Proved Reserves” are those Reserves that can be estimated with a high degree of certainty to be recoverable. It is likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the estimated Proved Reserves. If probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 90 percent probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the estimated Proved Reserves. “Probable Reserves” are those additional Reserves that are less certain to be recovered than Proved Reserves. It is equally likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will be greater or less than the sum of the estimated Proved plus Probable (2P) Reserves. If probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 50 percent probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the sum of the estimated 2P Reserves. “Possible Reserves” are those additional Reserves that are less certain to be recovered than Probable Reserves. It is unlikely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the sum of the estimated Proved plus Probable plus Possible (3P) Reserves. If probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 10 percent probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the sum of the estimated 3P Reserves.
“Contingent Resources” are those quantities of petroleum estimated, as of a given date, to be potentially recoverable from known accumulations using established technology or technology under development, but which are not currently considered to be commercially recoverable due to one or more contingencies. Contingent Resources have an associated chance of development (economic, regulatory, market and facility, corporate commitment or political risks). The Contingent Resources estimates referred to herein have not been risked for the chance of development. There is no certainty that the Contingent Resources will be developed and, if developed, there is no certainty as to the timing of such development or that it will be commercially viable to produce any portion of the Contingent Resources.
“Prospective Resources” are those quantities of petroleum estimated, as of a given date, to be potentially recoverable from undiscovered accumulations by application of future development projects. Prospective Resources have both an associated chance of discovery (geological chance of success) and a chance of development (economic, regulatory, market, facility, corporate commitment or political risks). The chance of commerciality is the product of these two risk components. The estimates referred to herein have not been risked for either the chance of discovery or the chance of development. There is no certainty that any portion of the Prospective Resources will be discovered. If a discovery is made, there is no certainty that it will be developed or, if it is developed, there is no certainty as to the timing of such development or that it will be commercially viable to produce any portion of the Prospective Resources.
Gross Block resource estimates presented herein represent the total volumes for the indicated reservoirs attributable to 100 percent of the relevant block, without any adjustment for the Company’s working interest therein whereas the Working Interest (Gross) resource estimates presented represent the Company’s 40 percent working interest (operating or non-operating) share before deduction of royalty petroleum, profit petroleum, production bonuses and capacity building support payments pursuant to the provisions of the applicable Production Sharing Contract.
A barrel of oil equivalent (BOE) is determined by converting a volume of natural gas to barrels using the ratio of 6 thousand cubic feet (Mcf) to one barrel. BOEs may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A BOE conversion ratio 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 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.
The sections “Resources Overview” and “Statement of Reserves and Other Oil and Gas Information contained in the Company’s Annual Information Form dated March 13, 2015 (“AIF”) filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, contain additional detail with respect to the Company’s resource assessments and the estimates of net present values and include the significant risks and uncertainties associated with the volume estimates and the recovery and development of the resources, the forecast prices and cost assumptions and details of the conceptual development plans used in connection with the net present value estimates and the specific contingencies which prevent the classification of the Contingent Resources as Reserves. In addition, combined mean estimates of Contingent Resources and Prospective Resources that are presented in this news release are an arithmetic sum of the mean estimates for individual reservoirs and each such individual mean estimate is the average from the probabilistic assessment that was completed for the reservoir. Readers should refer to the AIF for a detailed breakdown of the high (P10), low (P90) and best (P50) Prospective Resources and Contingent Resources estimates for each of the individual reservoir assessments.
NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE
WesternZagros Resources Ltd.
Tony Kraljic
Senior VP Finance
(403) 693-7011
WesternZagros Resources Ltd.
Lisa Harriman
Manager of Investor Relations
(403) 693-7017
investorrelations@westernzagros.com
www.westernzagros.com