CALGARY, Nov. 7, 2018 /CNW/ – Tamarack Valley Energy Ltd. (“Tamarack” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce its financial and operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018. Selected financial and operational information is outlined below and should be read in conjunction with Tamarack’s unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements (“Financial Statements”) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and related management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on Tamarack’s website at www.tamarackvalley.ca.
Tamarack posted another strong quarter in Q3/18 marked by record production, strong capital efficiencies and an increase in free cash flow generation. The Company remains on track to meet 2018 forecast annual production guidance of 24,000 to 24,500 boe/d (64 to 66% oil and natural gas liquids (“NGL”)) with Q4/18 exit production guidance of 24,500 to 25,000 boe/d (65 to 67% oil and NGL). Recently, Canadian oil price differentials have increased causing significantly lower realized prices across the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin than many had anticipated. Although the current wide Canadian oil differential is anticipated to be temporary, Tamarack will remain committed to long-term value creation and balance sheet preservation, and as such, may elect to defer bringing new production on stream through the end of the year and into Q1/19 if pricing remains deeply discounted. Tamarack will delay formalizing its 2019 capital budget until January of 2019, leaving previously communicated preliminary guidance unchanged.
Q3 2018 Financial and Operating Highlights
- Achieved record corporate production in Q3/18 of 24,765 boe/d, an increase of 4% over Q2/18 volumes of 23,853 boe/d and an increase of 21% from Q3/17 volumes of 20,541 boe/d.
- Oil and NGL weighting was 66% in Q3/18 compared to 63% in Q2/18 and 59% in Q3/17. The 12% increase from Q3/17 positively contributed to the Company’s stronger netbacks year-over-year.
- Total adjusted operating field netbacks (previously referred to as “adjusted funds flow”; see “Non-IFRS Measures”) increased 97% to $68.6 million in Q3/18 ($0.30 per share basic and $0.29 per share diluted), from $34.8 million in Q3/17 ($0.15 per share basic and diluted).
- Operating netbacks (excluding the effects of hedging) increased by 94% to $36.61/boe in Q3/18 from $18.84/boe in Q3/17 primarily due to the 47% increase in the combined average realized prices for oil and NGL, the 12% increase in oil and NGL weighting and the 8% decrease in net production and transportation expenses.
- Net production and transportation expenses were 8% lower in Q3/18 at $10.38/boe compared to $11.26/boe in Q3/17.
- Maintained financial flexibility with net debt to annualized Q3/18 adjusted operating field netback ratio of 0.7 times at the end of Q3/18, compared to 1.4 times at the end of Q3/17, with a draw of $169 million on the Company’s $290 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”).
- Invested $78.1 million in Q3/18 capital expenditures directed to drilling 43 (42.4 net) Viking oil wells, three (1.8 net) Cardium oil wells, three (3.0 net) Penny oil wells and four (4.0 net) Redwater oil wells plus one vertical stratigraphic exploratory well.
- Reduced share dilution by purchasing and cancelling 2.1 million outstanding common shares at a total cost of $9.4 million under the Company’s normal course issuer bid (the “NCIB”), helping to offset the impact of option issuances on share capital. In addition, Tamarack spent $4.0 million to purchase 970,000 outstanding common shares in order to settle future restricted share unit (“RSU”) exercises.
Financial & Operating Results
Three months ended |
Nine months ended |
|||||
September 30, |
September 30, |
|||||
2018 |
2017 |
% |
2018 |
2017 |
% |
|
($ thousands, except per share) |
||||||
Total Revenue |
119,304 |
64,483 |
85 |
325,961 |
194,208 |
68 |
Adjusted operating field netback 1 |
68,579 |
34,774 |
97 |
188,129 |
100,800 |
87 |
Per share – basic 1 |
$ 0.30 |
$ 0.15 |
100 |
$ 0.83 |
$ 0.45 |
84 |
Per share – diluted 1 |
$ 0.29 |
$ 0.15 |
93 |
$ 0.81 |
$ 0.45 |
80 |
Net income (loss) |
13,004 |
(6,742) |
(293) |
19,358 |
(1,399) |
(1,484) |
Per share – basic |
$ 0.06 |
$ (0.03) |
(300) |
$ 0.08 |
$ (0.01) |
(900) |
Per share – diluted |
$ 0.06 |
$ (0.03) |
(300) |
$ 0.08 |
$ (0.01) |
(900) |
Net debt 1 |
(192,184) |
(194,917) |
(1) |
(192,184) |
(194,917) |
(1) |
Capital Expenditures 2 |
78,149 |
74,063 |
6 |
200,453 |
156,786 |
28 |
Weighted average shares outstanding (thousands) |
||||||
Basic |
227,031 |
227,691 |
– |
227,891 |
224,376 |
2 |
Diluted |
233,203 |
227,691 |
2 |
233,215 |
224,376 |
4 |
Share Trading (thousands, except share price) |
||||||
High |
$ 5.16 |
$ 2.88 |
79 |
$ 5.16 |
$ 3.59 |
44 |
Low |
$ 4.34 |
$ 1.98 |
119 |
$ 2.31 |
$ 1.96 |
18 |
Trading volume (thousands) |
77,479 |
25,281 |
206 |
196,506 |
161,588 |
22 |
Average daily production |
||||||
Light oil (bbl/d) |
14,417 |
10,108 |
43 |
13,636 |
9,168 |
49 |
Heavy oil (bbl/d) |
621 |
603 |
3 |
484 |
514 |
(6) |
NGL (bbl/d) |
1,403 |
1,499 |
(6) |
1,369 |
1,576 |
(13) |
Natural gas (mcf/d) |
49,943 |
49,987 |
– |
51,393 |
47,860 |
7 |
Total (boe/d) |
24,765 |
20,541 |
21 |
24,055 |
19,235 |
25 |
Average sale prices |
||||||
Light oil ($/bbl) |
76.98 |
53.43 |
44 |
73.76 |
56.89 |
30 |
Heavy oil ($/bbl) |
69.33 |
46.26 |
50 |
64.29 |
45.03 |
43 |
NGL ($/bbl) |
43.64 |
30.76 |
42 |
44.88 |
28.74 |
56 |
Natural gas ($/mcf) |
1.63 |
1.62 |
1 |
1.84 |
2.48 |
(26) |
Total ($/boe) |
52.29 |
33.83 |
55 |
49.60 |
36.85 |
35 |
Operating netback ($/Boe) 1 |
||||||
Average realized sales |
52.29 |
33.83 |
55 |
49.60 |
36.85 |
35 |
Royalty expenses |
(5.30) |
(3.73) |
42 |
(5.18) |
(3.94) |
31 |
Production expenses |
(10.38) |
(11.26) |
(8) |
(10.53) |
(11.51) |
(9) |
Operating field netback ($/Boe) 1 |
36.61 |
18.84 |
94 |
33.89 |
21.40 |
58 |
Realized commodity hedging gain (loss) |
(4.16) |
2.11 |
(297) |
(2.75) |
0.46 |
(698) |
Operating netback |
32.45 |
20.95 |
55 |
31.14 |
21.86 |
42 |
Adjusted operating field netback ($/Boe) 1 |
30.10 |
18.39 |
64 |
28.65 |
19.19 |
49 |
Notes: |
|
(1) |
Adjusted operating field netback, net debt, operating netback and operating field netback do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable with the calculation of similar measures for other issuers. See “Oil and Gas Metrics” and “Non-IFRS Measures“. |
(2) |
Capital expenditures include exploration and development expenditures, but excludes asset acquisitions and dispositions. |
Record Q3/18 Production & Improved Netbacks
Tamarack posted stronger revenue quarter-over-quarter, primarily due to improved production volumes, oil and NGL weighting and wellhead pricing for crude oil and NGL. WTI oil prices averaged US$69.54/bbl in Q3/18 and were 2% higher than the US$67.88/bbl average in Q2/18. Although WTI prices improved and the Canadian dollar remained weak through the summer, the Q3/18 Edmonton Par index averaged $77.26/bbl, 2% lower than the Q2/18 average of $78.90/bbl. Continued issues related to market oversupply and restrictions on Canadian infrastructure caused the WTI/Edmonton Par light oil differential to widen during Q3/18, averaging US$6.82/bbl compared to US$5.46/bbl in Q2/18. Even with the decrease in the Edmonton Par index, Tamarack’s Q3/18 realized light oil price increased 2% to $76.98/bbl from $75.29/bbl in the previous quarter, due to the increased proportion of production represented by high-quality Viking light oil and the positive impact of the physical WTI/Edmonton Par differential hedge. For the remainder of 2018, Tamarack has a light oil WTI/Edmonton Par physical hedge of 1,500 bbl/d fixed at US$5.50/bbl.
Tamarack achieved record production volumes in Q3/18 of 24,765 boe/d, exceeding the upper end of the Company’s annual average 2018 guidance range of 24,000 to 24,500 boe/d, with an oil and NGL production weighting of 66% also at the upper end of the 64 to 66% guidance range.
Revenue for Q3/18 was 86% higher than in Q3/17 and 10% higher than Q2/18, primarily due to higher production volumes and liquids content combined with stronger realized oil and NGL prices. Tamarack’s Q3/18 operating netback, excluding hedging, was 94% higher than Q3/17 at $36.61/boe, attributable to increased production volumes and higher oil and NGL weighting year-over-year, as well as lower costs for production and transportation. The higher production volumes in Q3/18 contributed to reduced production and transportation expenses, which averaged $10.38/boe (1% lower than Q2/18 and 8% lower than Q3/17). The Company expects production and transportation expenses to average between $10.30/boe and $10.40/boe in Q4/18 and remains committed to improving operational efficiencies and cost savings.
Continued Operational Execution Drives Record Quarter
The third quarter of 2018 represents another period of exceptional operational execution and financial performance for Tamarack. With its high-quality, light oil-weighted asset base and strong capital efficiencies, the Company strives to deliver free cash flow and growth.
Building on the momentum from a short spring breakup, Tamarack successfully executed its summer 2018 capital program through Q3/18. A total of $78.1 million was allocated to drill, complete and tie-in activities during Q3/18, funded partially by the $68.6 million of adjusted operating field netback generated during the period and the remaining $9.6 million from an increase in net debt and stock option proceeds. To date in 2018, Tamarack has demonstrated exceptional operational efficiency. This has led the Company to accelerate capital for the last two quarters in order to benefit from the economies of scale offered by executing a larger program. As previously announced, approximately $28 million of 2019 capital will be accelerated into Q4/18, as the Company is ahead of its original drilling schedule. Approximately half of the accelerated capital will be directed to the planned Veteran waterflood projects, with the other half directed to initiate the Company’s Q1/19 drilling program in Q4/18, which includes de-risking lands to the west, east and south of Veteran that were originally targeted for delineation in early 2019. Several of these wells will validate the extension of the resource base in three directions from the existing Veteran Unit potentially adding years of production growth both with primary and waterflood recovery.
Tamarack has invested a total of $200.5 million ($198.2 million including acquisitions, net of dispositions) year-to-date in 2018 and remains on track to spend $230 to $235 million, in line with the originally planned $195 to $205 million capital budget in addition to the $28 million of accelerated capital.
During Q3/18, the Company drilled, completed and equipped 25 (24.6 net) Viking oil wells, three (1.8 net) Cardium oil wells, two (2.0 net) Penny oil wells and four (4.0 net) Redwater oil wells plus one vertical stratigraphic exploratory well. In addition, Tamarack completed and brought on production 18 (17.8 net) Viking oil wells, six (6.0 net) Cardium oil wells, and one (1.0 net) Penny oil well that were drilled in late Q2/18. During Q3/18, the Company also drilled 18 (17.8 net) Viking oil wells and one (1.0 net) Penny oil well that will be brought on production in the fourth quarter of 2018, resulting in total drilling for the quarter of 43 (42.4 net) Viking oil wells, three (1.8 net) Cardium oil wells, three (3.0 net) Penny oil wells and four (4.0 net) Redwater oil wells plus one vertical stratigraphic exploratory well.
Tamarack continued to direct capital to the ongoing development of its waterflood program at Veteran. Of the 43 Viking oil wells drilled in the quarter, nine wells were drilled as future injection wells, which will produce to recover capital costs until the commencement of the injection project in the first half of 2019. The Company also invested in the pipeline and facility infrastructure that will be required to operate the waterflood, with installation expected to continue through the end of 2018 and into early 2019. The waterflood project is designed to improve oil recoveries, reduce corporate decline rates and increase production rates while utilizing existing Tamarack-owned infrastructure. These supplementary projects are subject to the same rate of return thresholds as those used for development drilling when competing for capital.
Preserving Per Share Value
Tamarack continues to remain focused on creating per share value for all shareholders, including through its active NCIB program. Year-to-date, the Company has spent $9.4 million to purchase and cancel 2.1 million common shares. The NCIB provides management a tool that can be employed when there is a perceived misalignment between the Company’s prevailing share price and the underlying current and future potential value of its assets. In addition, it helps to offset the potential for dilutive impact that may be associated with the exercise and settlement of options issued under Tamarack’s stock-based compensation program.
In addition to the NCIB, the Company purchased 970,000 outstanding common shares in the open market for a total cost of $4.0 million in the first nine months of 2018. These shares are held by Tamarack’s trustee. As needed, the Company can ‘draw down’ from the remaining balance of purchased common shares to settle future RSU exercises and further control dilution by eliminating the need to issue new shares for the settlement of RSUs. At September 30, 2018, the Company had a remaining balance of 445,516 such common shares.
Outlook
With continued commodity price volatility impacting the Canadian oil and gas industry, Tamarack’s strategy remains focused on disciplined capital allocation and preserving balance sheet strength. This approach enables the Company to take advantage of potential accretive opportunities that may arise within its core areas.
Through the first nine months of 2018, the Company has clearly demonstrated the strength of its strategy and the value in focusing on drilling opportunities that offer a pay back in 1.5 years or less. Tamarack has continued to outperform through Q3/18, driven by strong drilling results, higher than expected production volumes, lower operating costs and stronger oil prices. For the balance of 2018, Tamarack anticipates spending approximately $30-35 million of its remaining capital budget to complete the 18 Viking wells drilled late in Q3/18, continue installation of the pipeline to handle water injection for the Veteran waterflood in early 2019 and to drill 16 Viking wells in Veteran that are expected to be completed in Q1/19. Average annual production for 2018 remains on target to meet previous guidance of 24,000 to 24,500 boe/d (64 to 66% oil and NGL) with forecast Q4/18 exit production on track to deliver 24,500 to 25,000 boe/d (65 to 67% oil and NGL).
Since the end of Q3/18, the WTI/Edmonton Par light oil differential has severely widened due to ongoing market oversupply and Canadian infrastructure restrictions. Recently, continued pricing pressures led to Canadian light oil differentials reaching unprecedented levels that have exceeded US$30/bbl, driving further underperformance of the Edmonton Par price relative to WTI. While the duration and magnitude of these extreme price conditions are difficult to predict, Tamarack is committed to conservatively planning around future oil prices and continues to explore ways to mitigate and manage market risk. As a result of the Company’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a strong balance sheet with significant financial flexibility, Tamarack is well positioned to endure oil price and differential volatility. However, should the current pricing environment continue through the balance of Q4/18 and Q1/19, adjusted operating field netbacks will be negatively impacted.
The Company has historically demonstrated prudence in capital allocation decisions during volatile commodity price environments and will continue to closely monitor current and future commodity prices and price differentials. Given the current lack of visibility on timing for differentials to improve, Tamarack anticipates formalizing its 2019 capital expenditure budget in early 2019 and in order to preserve value, may elect to defer some Q1/19 projects, including bringing new production on-stream, until the current wide differentials have abated.
As previously announced, Tamarack was added to the TSX Composite Index and its sub-indices as of September 24, 2018. Tamarack was the only energy company added to the index during this most recent rebalancing period, demonstrating the Company’s growth and successful execution over the past several years. Tamarack anticipates the inclusion may bring positive benefits such as attracting new incremental buyers and attracting future capital for the Company.
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.