Calgary, Alberta – Saturn Oil & Gas Inc. (TSXV: SOIL) (FSE: SMKA) (“Saturn” or the “Company“) is pleased to provide results to date from its 2022 drilling program, its new re-drill program to enhance production of existing low to non-producing horizontal wells, and the results of the annual general and special meeting of shareholders. The 2022 drilling program has been focused on Saturn’s two operational areas, the Oxbow Asset in Southeast Saskatchewan, and the Viking Asset in West-central Saskatchewan, and includes:
- The first 23 horizontal wells drilled, adding incremental aggregate production of 1,615 bbls/d, based on initial 30 days of production (“IP30”) data;
- An additional 16 horizontal wells, with less than 30 days of production data, have been drilled and recently put onto production, or are awaiting near term tie-in, for a total of 39 completed horizontal wells to date; and
- The final 21 horizontal wells of the 2022 drilling program are expected to be completed by November 2022.
Oxbow Drilling Update
Saturn has completed drilling 16 Oxbow horizontal wells in 2022, with 15 wells having average IP30 production of approximately 71.2 bbls/d, which is in-line with Saturn’s guidance type cure expectations. The average incurred capital cost of each Oxbow horizontal well has been within the budgeted $1.0 million per location. The implied capital efficiency of new production additions is at an attractive rate of approximately $14,230 /bbl/d. Saturn expects to drill an additional 10 Oxbow horizontal wells for the remainder of 2022 for a total of 26 new Oxbow wells for the year.
Oxbow Re-Drill Opportunity
The Company has identified several existing horizontal wells at the Oxbow Asset, drilled in previous years, that have none or very little oil production, as candidates for re-drill operations. Re-drill operations involve entering an existing wellbore and drilling out a new horizontal leg into a prospective light oil formation, not previously accessed by the original drilling operation. With the cost savings of utilizing the vertical portion of an existing wellbore, a re-drill operation is expected to have approximately 60% of the costs of drilling a new horizontal well. Based on results to date, the four completed re-drill operations have produced oil at rates approximately 75% the average rate of a new Oxbow horizontal well. Given the initial superior economic results, with an average capital efficiency of $11,260 /bbl/d, the Company plans to execute up to two additional re-drills in 2022 and include up to 20 re-drills in the 2023 capital expenditure budget. Saturn estimates there are up to 200 existing horizontal wells, with limited current oil production, that are candidates for re-drill operations and significantly adds to the Company’s deep inventory of growth capital projects.
Viking Drilling Update
Saturn continues to have great success with its Viking horizontal drill program having drilled and completed 21 Viking wells since June 2022, with the initial four wells having average IP30 rates of 83.6 bbls/d, which is 21% above Saturn’s guidance type cure expectations. The average capital cost per Viking location was $1.4 million. The capital cost and IP30 production rates were higher then projected partially due to extending the wellbores past the originally programmed 1.0 mile length (up to 1.5 miles), leading to additional completion costs. The realized average capital efficiency was an attractive $17,045 /bbl/d. The Company plans to drill an additional nine Viking wells in the remainder of 2022.
Number of Locations | Average IP30 per Location | Guidance Type Curve | Actual vs. Guidance | Total Capital | Capital Efficiency | |
Oxbow New Horizontal Wells | 15 | 71.2 bbls/d | 69 bbls/d | +3% | $15.2M | $14,230 /bbl/d |
Oxbow Re-drill Existing Wells | 4 | 53.3 bbls/d | 45 bbls/d | +18% | $2.4M | $11,260 /bbl/d |
Viking New Horizontal Wells | 4 | 83.6 bbls/d | 67 bbls/d | +25% | $5.7M | $17,045 /bbl/d |
Total | 23 | 70.2 bbls/d | $23.3M | $14,420 /bbl/d |
“We are very excited with the drilling success in 2022, which includes the production optimization activities surrounding the pilot project re-drills at the Oxbow asset. The positive results associated with re-drills has opened up the potential to add hundreds of new, highly economic locations for sustainable production growth,” commented Justin Kaufmann, Saturn’s Chief Development Officer. “We expect re-drills to become an increasing important part of our capital expenditure program going forward, with the focus on turning near-term abandonment liabilities, into very economic development opportunities.”
Organic Growth Outlook
Saturn remains on track to meet its stated 2022 production guidance for annual average oil and gas production in the range of 9,750 boe/d to 10,350 boe/d and for Q4 2022 average oil and gas production to be in the range of 12,300 boe/d and 12,700 boe/d. Achieving the Company’s 2022 production targets will lay the foundation for Saturn to pursue it’s stated guidance of 2023 average oil and gas production between 13,100 boe/d and 13,700 boe/d and the targeted Q4 2023 average oil and gas production in the range of 13,950 boe/d to 14,550 boe/d.
For the most recent 23 new horizontal and re-drilled wells executed to date, with 30 days of production data, the Company has incurred approximately $23.3 million in capital expenditures. The incremental aggregate oil production of 1,615 bbls/d from theses 23 wells is expected to produce approximately 1.2 million barrels of light oil and approximately $82.0 million in net operating income (undiscounted) over the economic life of the wells, based on Saturn’s stated 2023 guidance of a $66.70/bbl net operating netback, assuming a USD 90 WTI flat price assumption, implying a 3.5x recycle ratio.
Results of Annual General and Special Meeting Of Shareholders
Saturn is pleased to announce the results of voting at its 2022 Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders (the “AGM”) held on September 15, 2021. A total of 19,801,568 common shares were voted at the AGM, representing 33.2% of the outstanding common shares of the Company. Shareholders voted in favour of the election of all director nominees as follows:
Name | Votes by Proxy For |
Percentage of Votes by Proxy For |
John Jeffrey | 16,945,701 | 94.50% |
Ivan Bergerman | 15,109,161 | 84.08% |
Murray James Payne | 17,233,161 | 95.90% |
Chris Ryan | 14,856,311 | 82.67% |
Grant Mackenzie | 15,328,847 | 85.30% |
Thomas Gutschlag | 17,917,347 | 99.71% |
All other items of business before the AGM were voted in favour, including:
- Appointment of KPMG LLP as auditors (92.22% proxy votes in favour);
- Approval of stock option plan (87.04% proxy votes in favour);
- Restricted Share Unit and Deferred Share Unit Plan (72.42% proxy votes in favour); and
- Restricted Share Unit Grants (75.21% proxies votes in favour).
The full text of each resolution and description of the director nominees is set forth in the management information circular of the Company dated August 15, 2022 and available at www.sedar.com.
Executive Promotions and Board Nominations
Saturn is pleased to announce the following promotions:
- Mr. Justin Kaufmann has been promoted to the position of Chief Development Officer. Mr. Kaufmann has been instrumental to Saturn’s growth and success as Vice President Exploration since the Company’s recapitalization and management change in 2017. Mr. Kaufmann has over 15 years of industry experience, is a graduate from the University of Saskatchewan and a registered Professional Geologists with APEGS. Mr. Kaufmann will continue to coordinate the Company’s capital expenditure program, business development opportunities and technical growth projects.
- Mr. Tyler Cheetham has been promoted to Vice President Land from his former role as Land Manager. Mr. Cheetham joined Saturn in March 2021 and has been instrumental to the integration of new acquisitions and coordination with the over 2,500 land owners the Company engages. Mr. Cheetham has 20 years of mineral land experience including senior roles with Husky Energy Inc. and Crescent Point Energy Corp., and has extensive knowledge of commercial negotiations, acquisitions, divestures and business development. Mr. Cheetham has a Business degree from the University of Lethbridge and is an active member of the Canadian Association of Land and Energy Professionals.
- Mr. Jordan Meyer has been promoted to the role of Vice President Engineering from his formal role of Exploitation Manager since joining the Saturn in July 2021. Mr. Meyer has been instrumental in leading the technical team in execution of Saturn’s growing capital program. Mr. Meyer has over 10 years experience as a professional engineer in the energy industry in both Canada’s Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin and in Continental Europe. Mr. Meyer has held senior roles with Vermilion Energy Inc. and Crescent Point Energy Corp., holds a Bachelor of Science with Distinction in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Petroleum Engineering and is a member of APEGA.