CALGARY, Alberta, Aug. 10, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tamarack Valley Energy Ltd. (“Tamarack” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce its financial and operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017. Selected financial and operational information is set out below and should be read in conjunction with Tamarack’s unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and related management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”), which are available for review on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or on Tamarack’s website at www.tamarackvalley.ca.
Q2 2017 Financial and Operating Highlights
Financial & Operating Results
($ thousands, except per boe) | Three months ended | Six months ended | ||||||||||||||
June 30, | June 30, | |||||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | % change |
2017 | 2016 | % change |
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($, except per share) | ||||||||||||||||
Total Revenue | 66,715 | 24,517 | 172 | 129,585 | 44,136 | 194 | ||||||||||
Funds from operations 1 | 33,670 | 15,364 | 119 | 66,026 | 26,539 | 149 | ||||||||||
Per share – basic 1 | $ | 0.15 | $ | 0.13 | 15 | $ | 0.30 | $ | 0.24 | 25 | ||||||
Per share – diluted 1 | $ | 0.15 | $ | 0.13 | 15 | $ | 0.29 | $ | 0.24 | 21 | ||||||
Net income (loss) | 3,053 | (10,368 | ) | 129 | 5,343 | (16,202 | ) | 133 | ||||||||
Per share – basic | $ | 0.01 | $ | (0.09 | ) | 111 | $ | 0.02 | $ | (0.15 | ) | 113 | ||||
Per share – diluted | $ | 0.01 | $ | (0.09 | ) | 111 | $ | 0.02 | $ | (0.15 | ) | 113 | ||||
Net debt 2 | (152,354 | ) | (57,791 | ) | 164 | (152,354 | ) | (57,791 | ) | 164 | ||||||
Capital Expenditures 3 | 19,947 | 10,309 | 93 | 84,440 | 27,458 | 208 | ||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding (thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
Basic | 227,672 | 114,945 | 98 | 222,691 | 108,610 | 105 | ||||||||||
Diluted | 229,066 | 114,945 | 99 | 224,419 | 108,610 | 107 | ||||||||||
Share Trading (thousands, except share price) | ||||||||||||||||
High | $ | 3.16 | $ | 4.28 | (26 | ) | $ | 3.59 | $ | 4.28 | (16 | ) | ||||
Low | $ | 1.96 | $ | 3.36 | (42 | ) | $ | 1.96 | $ | 2.16 | (9 | ) | ||||
Trading volume | 55,440 | 32,394 | 71 | 136,308 | 61,203 | 123 | ||||||||||
Average daily production | ||||||||||||||||
Light oil (bbls/d) | 9,481 | 3,656 | 159 | 8,691 | 3,729 | 133 | ||||||||||
Heavy oil (bbls/d) | 453 | 384 | 18 | 469 | 397 | 18 | ||||||||||
NGLs (bbls/d) | 1,453 | 919 | 58 | 1,615 | 993 | 63 | ||||||||||
Natural gas (mcf/d) | 47,696 | 27,462 | 74 | 46,779 | 26,640 | 76 | ||||||||||
Total (boe/d) | 19,336 | 9,536 | 103 | 18,572 | 9,559 | 94 | ||||||||||
Average sale prices | ||||||||||||||||
Light oil ($/bbl) | 55.58 | 52.16 | 7 | 58.94 | 44.34 | 33 | ||||||||||
Heavy oil ($/bbl) | 43.80 | 37.31 | 17 | 44.23 | 30.09 | 47 | ||||||||||
NGLs ($/bbl) | 29.39 | 21.57 | 36 | 27.79 | 16.81 | 65 | ||||||||||
Natural gas ($/mcf) | 3.01 | 1.62 | 86 | 2.95 | 1.82 | 62 | ||||||||||
Total ($/boe) | 37.91 | 28.25 | 34 | 38.55 | 25.37 | 52 | ||||||||||
Operating netback ($/Boe) 4 | ||||||||||||||||
Average realized sales | 37.91 | 28.25 | 34 | 38.55 | 25.37 | 52 | ||||||||||
Royalty expenses | (3.97 | ) | (1.21 | ) | 228 | (4.05 | ) | (1.63 | ) | 148 | ||||||
Production expenses | (11.85 | ) | (11.05 | ) | 7 | (11.65 | ) | (11.35 | ) | 3 | ||||||
Operating field netback ($/Boe) 4 | 22.09 | 15.99 | 38 | 22.85 | 12.39 | 84 | ||||||||||
Realized commodity hedging gain (loss) | (0.19 | ) | 4.69 | (104 | ) | (0.47 | ) | 5.96 | (108 | ) | ||||||
Operating netback | 21.90 | 20.68 | 6 | 22.38 | 18.35 | 22 | ||||||||||
Funds flow from operations netback ($/Boe) 4 | 19.14 | 17.70 | 8 | 19.64 | 15.25 | 29 |
Notes:
(1) Funds from operations is calculated as cash flow from operating activities before the change in non-cash working capital and abandonment.
(2) Net debt, operating netback, operating field netback and funds flow from operations netback do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and therefore may not be comparable with the calculation of similar measures for other entities. See “Non-IFRS Measures”.
(3) Capital expenditures include exploration and development expenditures, but exclude corporate acquisitions.
(4) Operating netback, operating field netback and funds flow from operations netback do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable with the calculation of similar measures for other entities. Operating field netback equals total petroleum and natural gas sales less royalties and operating costs calculated on a boe basis. Operating netback is the operating field netback with realized gains and losses on commodity derivative contracts. Funds flow from operations netback equals funds flow from operations divided by the total sales volume and reported on a per boe basis. Tamarack considers operating netback and funds flow from operations netback as important measures to evaluate its operational performance as it demonstrates its field level profitability relative to current commodity prices.
Operations Update
The second quarter of 2017 represents the first complete quarter with full integration of the assets acquired through the business combination with Spur Resources Ltd. (the “Viking Acquisition”), and clearly demonstrates the strength of Tamarack’s strategy. Despite production curtailments and challenges resulting from the unexpected Coleville Plant shut-down that continued through the quarter, Tamarack posted record Q2 production volumes that were 9% higher than the previous quarter and more than double the same period in 2016. Production averaged 19,336 boe/d (59% liquids), an increase of 9% quarter-over-quarter and 103% year-over-year, with a meaningful increase in Q2/17 oil weighting to 51% compared to 42% in Q2/16 and 47% in Q1/17. Volume additions in Q2/17 reflect a full quarter of production related to the Q1/17 drilling program which contributed 2,361 boe/d from Wilson Creek / Alder Flats (68% oil and natural gas liquids), 2,044 boe/d from the Viking development program (72% oil and natural gas liquids) and 394 boe/d from the heavy oil development program. The production additions were partially offset by lost production due to the unexpected shut-in of the Coleville Plant of 1,070 boe/d and expected declines from legacy Tamarack volumes. Tamarack’s previous Q2/17 guidance of 18,000 to 18,500 boe/d factored in the Coleville Plant shut-down but due to continued strong operational results, the Company exceeded guidance by 5-7%.
In response to mild spring break up conditions, the Company accelerated its second half development program in June. This included the drilling of five (4.9 net) Viking oil wells at Veteran as well as one (1.0 net) Mannville gas well. During the quarter, the Company also provided for investment in projects designed to improve operational efficiencies near-term and future development opportunities that offer longer-term impact. These projects include the completion of a water disposal well and expansion of the oil battery in Veteran; completion of additional tuck-in land acquisitions in Tamarack’s core areas in order to supplement the existing land base and expand the inventory of future potential drilling locations; and the purchase of seismic in one of Tamarack’s core areas which is expected to enhance the Company’s knowledge of area geology and support further development of similar assets where Tamarack controls the infrastructure.
Positive drilling results at Veteran during the first quarter exceeded the Company’s expectations and drove the decision to accelerate the Veteran oil facility expansion to over 10,000 bbls/d of emulsion treating capacity (5,000 bbls/d oil capacity) and implement additional water handling capabilities which will eliminate water trucking and disposal costs. As a result of these initiatives, Tamarack expects that corporate production expenses will be $0.40-0.50/boe lower by the end of 2017 compared to the average per unit production expense during the first half of 2017.
The first quarter Veteran drilling program has continued to outperform expectations. The majority of Veteran wells that were drilled in Q1/17 were fitted with pumping equipment sized to handle expected volumes based on area type curves, but the wells outperformed the Company’s expected type curves by up to 25%. During the second quarter, Tamarack tested the impact of increasing the size of pumping equipment on four wells. This eliminated rate restrictions experienced previously, which were caused by limitations on pump capacity. The upgraded pumps are expected to improve 120-day average production rates by an average of 10-20 bbls/d while enhancing single well economics. Given this improvement, Tamarack intends to install larger pumping equipment on all wells drilled in the second half of 2017. In addition, the Company has increased its type curve for the Veteran area and as a result of shallower decline rates on wells drilled during the first quarter, also expects average reserves per well to increase, although it is too early to estimate the extent of the impact.
At Wilson Creek, Tamarack drilled two 2-mile horizontal wells during the first quarter of 2017, testing varying frac densities and number of stages, with the results exceeding internal expectations. The first 2-mile horizontal well drilled in Wilson Creek, at 13-3-45-6 W5M, was completed with 85 stages using 15-tonnes per stage. During its first 115 days on production, this well produced 334 bbls/d of oil (402 boe/d) and is expected to payout in less than eight months based on strip prices. Comparatively, the second well at Wilson Creek, 12-3-45-6 W5M, was completed with 115 stages using 15-tonnes per stage and demonstrated an average 393 bbls/d of oil (445 boe/d) during its first 115 days on production and is expected to also payout in less than eight months.
Based on these positive results and the anticipated associated cost efficiencies, Tamarack plans to increase frac density and move to a higher tonnage per stage for future 2-mile well completions relative to levels that were deployed through 2016. The total on-stream cost of the 85-stage well was $3.44 million and was $3.84 million for the 115-stage well. Early results indicate that increasing frac density and tonnage will generate incremental production volumes, improve paybacks and net present values. Based on the first 115 days of production, the Company realized a 36% improvement in capital efficiencies on these higher frac density wells compared to the previous 2-mile wells drilled in 2016. During the third quarter, the Company intends to drill additional 2-mile wells in the area testing an even tighter frac density and higher tonnage per stage than what was used in 2016. The next 2-mile well at Wilson Creek 8-29-44-5 W5M has been drilled, and by mid-August, will be completed with 117 stages using 20-tonnes per stage.
The Company is currently running four active drilling rigs, two in Wilson Creek and two in Veteran, and expects to invest $80-90 million in capital through the balance of 2017. In the second half of the year, Tamarack plans to drill seven 2-mile Cardium wells at Wilson Creek (including the 2-mile 8-29 well above) as well as two 1.5-mile wells; 35-40 Viking wells at Veteran; up to six wells at Milton; two wells at Penny; one to three wells at Redwater; and one Mannville natural gas well.
Outlook
Tamarack’s priority is to maintain financial flexibility which will position the Company for organic per share growth, and allow Tamarack to capitalize on attractive opportunities to enhance its asset base which may arise in a weaker and more volatile commodity price environment. With strong drilling results achieved thus far in 2017, the Company believes its robust drilling inventory supports a multi-year, per share growth strategy and positions Tamarack for further success. The Company has continued to reduce its net debt, which was 8% lower at the end of Q2/17 versus Q1/17, while improving its net debt to quarter annualized funds flow ratio which declined to 1.1 times at June 30, 2017 compared to 1.3 times at March 31, 2017. By the end of 2017, at current strip prices Tamarack anticipates net debt to fourth quarter annualized funds flow (including hedges) to be below 1.0 times, with between $95 to $105 million of available liquidity estimated on its credit facilities. The Company has also continued to seek downside risk mitigation and support its strong balance sheet by layering in additional hedges, resulting in approximately 28-30% of forecast second half 2017 oil production hedged at $70.36/bbl Canadian and 57-60% of natural gas hedged at $2.78/GJ AECO. Tamarack also has approximately 50% of its first quarter 2018 natural gas production hedged at $3.16/GJ AECO. All of these steps are important factors in providing shareholders with strong debt-adjusted returns amidst an uncertain commodity price environment.
On July 16, 2017, the Coleville Plant recommenced partial operations, with full-scale operations expected later in the year. Tamarack continues to have production of approximately 2.0 MMcf/d and 30 bbls/d of NGLs curtailed, but the Company’s strong drilling results to date have enabled Tamarack to meet and exceed guidance despite this restriction. Since the resumption of the Coleville Plant’s partial operations, Tamarack’s production based on field estimates has averaged approximately 20,000 boe/d (56% liquids weighting), setting the stage to meet or exceed the Company’s full year 2017 production average guidance of 19,000 to 20,000 boe/d. In addition, based on the strength of the first half 2017 drilling results, Tamarack has increased its exit production guidance to approximately 22,000 boe/d (57-62% oil and NGLs), up from 20,000 to 21,000 boe/d. By exiting 2017 at 22,000 boe/d, Tamarack will have achieved absolute production per share growth of over 15% and debt-adjusted production per share growth of approximately 9% compared to Q4/16.
About Tamarack Valley Energy Ltd.
Tamarack is an oil and gas exploration and production company committed to long-term growth and the identification, evaluation and operation of resource plays in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. Tamarack’s strategic direction is focused on two key principles – targeting repeatable and relatively predictable plays that provide long-life reserves, and using a rigorous, proven modeling process to carefully manage risk and identify opportunities. The Company has an extensive inventory of low-risk, oil development drilling locations focused primarily in the Cardium and Viking fairways in Alberta that are economic over a range of oil and natural gas prices. With this type of portfolio and an experienced and committed management team, Tamarack intends to continue delivering on its strategy to maximize shareholder returns while managing its balance sheet.