CALGARY, Dec. 12, 2016 /CNW/ – Enerplus Corporation (“Enerplus” or the “Company”) (TSX & NYSE: ERF) announces that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Enerplus Resources (USA) Corporation, has entered into a definitive agreement to sell non-operated assets in North Dakota (the “Assets”) for total cash consideration of US$292 million (approximately C$385 million), subject to estimated cash tax of US$12 million and customary closing adjustments. The divestment includes approximately 5,800 net acres primarily located on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation with an average working interest per drilling spacing unit of 8%. Production from the Assets averaged approximately 5,000 BOE per day (approximately 4,000 BOE per day net of royalties) during the third quarter of 2016.
The Assets comprise approximately 8% of the Company’s existing net acreage in North Dakota. Upon closing of the divestment, Enerplus will hold an operated position in North Dakota of approximately 65,500 net acres. Production from Enerplus’ operated North Dakota assets averaged 23,700 BOE per day (90% liquids) in the third quarter of 2016.
“We have established a position as one of the leading operators in the Williston Basin. This divestment of our non-operated, low-working interest acreage is highly accretive and will further improve our focus on our operated core acreage position allowing us to more efficiently allocate capital to the play,” commented Ian C. Dundas, President & CEO. “This transaction also highlights our significant running room in the core of the Williston Basin where our operated acreage has, on average, approximately half the drilled well density of the divested acreage.”
Mr. Dundas added, “The proceeds from this sale will provide additional financial flexibility and a source of funding for the acceleration of activity at our operated Fort Berthold acreage over the coming years.”
Evercore and RBC Richardson Barr are acting as financial advisors to Enerplus on this transaction.
Enerplus expects to provide updated 2017 capital plans and guidance in early 2017.
Increased Drilling Inventory at Fort Berthold
As part of Enerplus’ ongoing development optimization at Fort Berthold, the Company continues to progress its evaluation of well density. Based on analysis of Enerplus’ higher density units and data from other operators in the basin, Enerplus believes there is strong technical and economic justification to support a higher recovery factor assumption and higher well density than the Company’s previous development plan.
Enerplus is now planning for higher density in the Middle Bakken zone, increasing to six wells per drilling spacing unit, compared to four wells previously. At this time, Enerplus has not changed its planning assumptions for well density in the Three Forks’ zones. Overall, this results in an average density of approximately ten wells per drilling spacing unit leading to an estimated 550 gross remaining drilling locations (465 net). This increase in gross operated inventory represents growth of nearly 40% from previous estimates. Enerplus’ 550 gross remaining drilling locations were comprised of 92 proved plus probable undeveloped reserves locations, 155 development pending best estimate contingent resources locations, and 303 unbooked future locations at year-end 2015. Enerplus expects to have drilled 20 gross locations in 2016. The remaining 530 gross locations represent approximately 16 years of drilling inventory under a two rig program.
In connection with the ongoing down-spacing analysis, Enerplus is continuing to modify its completion design in order to optimize capital efficiencies and individual well recoveries while maximizing economic returns and recoverable resources per drilling spacing unit.
About Enerplus
Enerplus Corporation is a responsible developer of high quality crude oil and natural gas assets in Canada and the United States, committed to creating value for its shareholders through a disciplined capital investment strategy.
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