CALGARY, May 2, 2019 /CNW/ - Crew Energy Inc. (TSX: CR)
("Crew" or the "Company") is pleased to announce our operating and
financial results for the three month period ended March 31, 2019. Crew's Financial Statements
and Notes, as well as Management's Discussion and Analysis
("MD&A") for the three month period ended March 31, 2019 are available on Crew's website
and filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Q1 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
- Production of 23,222 boe per day: Volumes were 4% higher
than the previous quarter supported by stronger Greater Septimus
production of 19,535 boe per day that was 6% higher than the
previous quarter due to robust production from newly completed
Ultra Condensate Rich ("UCR") wells.
- Stable Adjusted Funds Flow ("AFF"): Q1 AFF totaled
$25.8 million or $0.17 per fully diluted share, compared to Q4
2018 AFF of $23.7 million or
$0.16 per fully diluted share,
reflecting increased liquids production, including condensate
growth and stronger overall liquids pricing.
- Continued Focus on Montney Condensate Growth: Q1
condensate volumes averaged 2,617 bbls per day, an increase of 7%
over Q4 2018. Total liquids represented 28% of average quarterly
volumes and contributed 44% to Crew's petroleum and natural gas
sales for the quarter.
- Strong UCR Well Results from 15-20 Pad: Early results
from four "B" zone wells and one "C" zone well on our 15-20 pad at
Greater Septimus continue to support further development and
capital allocation in the UCR area. After 45 days of production,
the four "B" zone wells produced an average of 1,211 boe per day
comprised of 3,336 mcf per day of sales gas, 538 bbls per day of
condensate and 117 bbls per day of propane and butane.
- Positive Early Results from 4-21 Pad in UCR Transition
Zone: After 20 days of flow back, the six (6.0 net) "B" zone
wells were producing at restricted rates averaging 1,374 boe per
day comprised of 4,830 mcf per day of sales gas, 400 bbls per day
of condensate and 169 bbls per day of propane and butane at an
average flowing casing pressure of approximately 8,900 kPa.
- Strong Operational Execution with Capital Spending Below
Guidance: Exploration and development capital expenditures in
the quarter totaled $55.2 million,
lower than our forecast guidance of between $60 and $70
million. Crew drilled seven (7.0 net) and completed eight
(8.0 net) wells in our UCR area at West Septimus and recompleted
six (6.0 net) heavy oil wells at Lloydminster. After incorporating $17.5 million in proceeds from a disposition and
minor acquisition during the period, net capital expenditures were
$39.3 million.
- Longest Laterals Drilled in Company History: Four
extended reach horizontal ("ERH") UCR wells were drilled in Q1 with
lateral lengths over 3,000 metres and per lateral metre drilling
costs that were 35% lower than costs realized in 2017.
- Realized Natural Gas Prices Again Outperformed
Benchmark: Q1 average realized natural gas prices of
$3.45 per mcf were 21% higher than Q1
2018 and outperformed the AECO 5A benchmark of $2.62 per mcf by 32%, driven by Crew's high heat
content natural gas and exposure to diversified sales hubs and
markets.
- Financial Flexibility Maintained: Quarter end net debt
of $361.5 million includes
$300 million of term debt due in 2024
with no financial maintenance covenants and 17% drawn on the
Company's $235 million credit
facility (excluding working capital deficiency).
Financial & Operating Highlights:
|
|
|
|
|
FINANCIAL
($ thousands, except
per share amounts)
|
|
|
Three months
ended
Mar. 31,
2019
|
Three months
ended
Mar. 31,
2018
|
Petroleum and
natural gas sales
|
|
|
55,451
|
59,427
|
Adjusted Funds
Flow(1)
|
|
|
25,771
|
26,373
|
Per share -
basic
|
|
|
0.17
|
0.18
|
- diluted
|
|
|
0.17
|
0.17
|
Net
income
|
|
|
6,186
|
4,148
|
Per share -
basic
|
|
|
0.04
|
0.03
|
- diluted
|
|
|
0.04
|
0.03
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exploration and
Development expenditures
|
|
|
55,241
|
33,921
|
Property
acquisitions (net of dispositions)
|
|
|
(15,924)
|
(10,007)
|
Net capital
expenditures
|
|
|
39,317
|
23,914
|
Capital
Structure
($
thousands)
|
|
|
As
at
Mar. 31,
2019
|
As at
Dec. 31,
2018
|
Working capital
deficiency (surplus)(2)
|
|
|
26,283
|
(11,984)
|
Bank loan
|
|
|
40,065
|
59,904
|
|
|
|
66,348
|
47,920
|
Senior Unsecured
Notes
|
|
|
295,130
|
294,885
|
Total Net
Debt
|
|
|
361,478
|
342,805
|
Current Debt
Capacity(3)
|
|
|
535,000
|
535,000
|
Common Shares
Outstanding (thousands)
|
|
|
150,554
|
151,730
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes:
|
|
(1)
|
AFF is calculated as
cash provided by operating activities, adding the change in
non-cash working capital, decommissioning obligation expenditures
and accretion of deferred financing costs on the senior unsecured
notes. AFF does not have a standardized measure prescribed by
International Financial Reporting Standards, ("IFRS") and therefore
may not be comparable with the calculations of similar measures for
other companies. See "Non-IFRS Measures" contained within
Crew's MD&A for details including reasons for use and a
reconciliation of AFF to its most closely related IFRS
measure.
|
(2)
|
Working capital
deficiency / (surplus) includes cash and cash equivalents plus
accounts receivable less accounts payable and accrued
liabilities. See "Non-IFRS Measures" contained within Crew's
MD&A.
|
(3)
|
Current Debt Capacity
reflects the bank facility of $235 million plus $300 million in
senior unsecured notes outstanding.
|
|
Operations
|
|
|
Three months
ended
Mar. 31,
2019
|
Three months
ended
Mar. 31,
2018
|
Daily
production
|
|
|
|
|
Light crude oil
(bbl/d)
|
|
|
226
|
316
|
Heavy crude oil
(bbl/d)
|
|
|
1,608
|
1,747
|
Condensate
(bbl/d)
|
|
|
2,617
|
2,699
|
Other natural gas
liquids (bbl/d)
|
|
|
2,014
|
1,792
|
Natural gas
(mcf/d)
|
|
|
100,542
|
116,312
|
Total (boe/d @
6:1)
|
|
|
23,222
|
25,939
|
Average prices
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
Light crude oil
($/bbl)
|
|
|
61.04
|
68.20
|
Heavy crude oil
($/bbl)
|
|
|
44.25
|
36.09
|
Condensate
($/bbl)
|
|
|
62.17
|
73.82
|
Other natural gas
liquids ($/bbl)
|
|
|
10.89
|
24.81
|
Natural gas
($/mcf)
|
|
|
3.45
|
2.85
|
Oil equivalent
($/boe)
|
|
|
26.53
|
25.46
|
Notes:
|
|
(1)
|
Average prices are
before deduction of transportation costs and do not include
realized gains and losses on financial
instruments.
|
|
|
|
|
Three months
ended
Mar. 31,
2019
|
Three months
ended
Mar. 31,
2018
|
Netback
($/boe)
|
|
|
|
|
Petroleum and natural
gas sales
|
|
|
26.53
|
25.46
|
Royalties
|
|
|
(1.85)
|
(1.72)
|
Realized commodity
hedging loss
|
|
|
(0.88)
|
(0.93)
|
Marketing
income(1)
|
|
|
1.40
|
0.29
|
Net operating
costs(2)
|
|
|
(6.25)
|
(6.29)
|
Transportation
costs
|
|
|
(2.26)
|
(2.11)
|
Operating netback
(3)
|
|
|
16.69
|
14.70
|
General &
administrative ("G&A")
|
|
|
(1.51)
|
(1.39)
|
Other
income
|
|
|
-
|
0.43
|
Financing costs on
long-term debt
|
|
|
(2.86)
|
(2.44)
|
Adjusted funds
flow
|
|
|
12.32
|
11.30
|
|
|
|
|
|
Drilling
Activity
|
|
|
|
|
Gross wells
|
|
|
7
|
0
|
Working interest
wells
|
|
|
7.0
|
0.0
|
Success rate, net
wells (%)
|
|
|
100%
|
-
|
Notes:
|
|
(1)
|
Marketing income was
recognized from the monetization of forward physical sales
contracts offset by the cost of committed natural gas
transportation that was not available during the period.
|
(2)
|
Net operating costs
are calculated as gross operating costs less processing
revenue.
|
(3)
|
Oerating netback
equals petroleum and natural gas sales including realized hedging
gains and losses on commodity contracts, marketing income, less
royalties, net operating costs and transportation costs calculated
on a boe basis. Operating netback and adjusted funds flow
netback do not have a standardized measure prescribed by IFRS and
therefore may not be comparable with the calculations of similar
measures for other companies. See "Non-IFRS Measures"
contained within Crew's MD&A.
|
FINANCIAL Overview
Production Above Guidance
- Volumes for the quarter averaged 23,222 boe per day, above our
projected volume range for the period of 22,000 to 23,000 boe per
day, as a result of strong early performance from the eight West
Septimus UCR wells completed during the quarter.
- Greater Septimus production averaged 19,535 boe per day in Q1
2019, an increase of 6% over the 18,447 boe per day in Q4 2018.
- Production for the quarter was impacted by several wells at
West Septimus being shut-in for the majority of January and
February to accommodate the completion of the final two wells on
the 15-20 pad and six wells on the 4-21 pad. Production was also
negatively impacted due to the 17 day unplanned shut down of the
McMahon gas plant which processes
the Company's non-Montney gas in
northeast British Columbia.
- The addition of the eight newly completed wells described above
showed strong results in March, which helped to offset lower
production volumes in January and February.
Pricing Environment Impacts Revenue
- First quarter 2019 petroleum and natural gas sales increased 9%
over the previous quarter as a result of higher
quarter-over-quarter liquids production, led by a 7% increase in
condensate production. First quarter revenue was also bolstered by
stronger liquids pricing, which reflects higher prices for
condensate and heavy crude oil offset by weaker natural gas and
natural gas liquids ("ngl") pricing.
- Liquids prices for the quarter benefited from the Alberta
Government's mandated oil production curtailment that took 325,000
bbls per day of Alberta supply out
of the market, effective January 1,
2019. Despite slightly weaker benchmark pricing for Canadian
dollar denominated WTI, which declined 6% compared to the fourth
quarter of 2018, pricing for Western Canadian Select ("WCS") and
Canadian condensate delivered at Edmonton increased 126% and 13% respectively,
over the prior quarter.
- Crew's realized natural gas price decreased by 9% compared to
the previous quarter, as the Company's weighting of natural gas
sold into the US Chicago and NYMEX markets increased from 55% to
61% in Q1 2019 compared to Q4 2018, while the prices received for
delivering into those markets declined 18% and 13%,
respectively.
- Marketing income for the quarter increased to $2.9 million or $1.40 per boe from $2.1
million or $1.03 per boe in Q4
2018 and reflects the net revenue received for monetarization of
the Company's Dawn transport contract and Malin sales contract,
offset by unutilized demand charges for natural gas pipeline
capacity that was not accessed until March
2019.
Liquids Production and Prices Improve AFF
- Crew's AFF in Q1 2019 totaled $25.8
million ($0.17 per diluted
share), an increase of 9% over the prior quarter, attributable to
higher liquids production and pricing, combined with higher
marketing income. These were partially offset by higher net
operating and transportation costs and a larger hedging loss.
Crew's AFF declined 2% compared to the same period in 2018, mainly
due to lower production.
- Corporate operating netbacks in Q1 2019 averaged $16.69 per boe, a 14% improvement over the same
period in 2018 and 5% over the prior quarter. Improvements relative
to Q1 2018 and Q4 2018 reflect a higher liquids weighting, stronger
commodity pricing and higher marketing income, offset by higher
cash costs and relative to Q4 2018, an increased hedging loss.
- Cash costs and cash costs per boe increased in Q1 2019 compared
to the prior quarter, mainly due to increased royalties, net
operating and transportation costs, offset by lower G&A costs.
Relative to Q1 2018, cash costs declined due to lower overall
production while on a per boe basis, cash costs increased due to
higher royalties and transportation costs, offset by lower net
operating and G&A costs.
- Net operating cost and net operating costs per boe in the first
quarter increased over the previous quarter as a result of the
re-activation of higher cost heavy crude oil production that had
been shut-in during Q4 2018 due to extremely low WCS pricing.
Additionally, extremely cold weather experienced in Western Canada early in 2019 contributed to
higher first quarter net operating costs.
- With higher natural gas production from the Greater Septimus
area in Q1 2019 relative to Q4 2018, Crew moved more volumes to
higher priced markets which incur a higher per unit cost. This
resulted in increased transportation costs in the first quarter of
2019 relative to the prior quarter.
Q1 Capital Expenditures Below Guidance
- Q1 2019 net capital expenditures totaled $39.3 million, including $55.2 million in exploration and development
expenditures and $17.5 million of
gross proceeds related to the sale of non-core land with no
associated reserves or production, which was partially offset by a
tuck-in acquisition for approximately $1.6
million.
- Approximately $49.0 million of
our Q1 capital was allocated to drilling and completion activities,
with $3.4 million spent on
Montney well site development,
facilities and pipelines and $2.8
million directed to land, seismic and other miscellaneous
items.
- In the first quarter of 2019, Crew drilled seven (7.0 net) and
completed eight (8.0 net) wells in our UCR area at West Septimus
and recompleted six (6.0 net) heavy crude oil wells at Lloydminster.
Net Debt Reflects Modest Draws on Bank Facility and Working
Capital Deficiency
- March 31, 2019 net debt of
$361.5 million was 5% higher than
year end 2018 due to the Company's 2019 capital expenditure program
being weighted to higher first quarter spending. Annual capital
spending is forecast to approximate AFF resulting in minimal
expected change to year over year net debt.
- The Company's debt is comprised of $300
million of term debt with no financial maintenance covenants
or repayment required until 2024, as well as a $235 million credit facility that was 28% drawn
after adjusting for a working capital deficiency of approximately
$26.3 million at quarter end.
Transportation, Marketing & HEDGING
Diversified Market Access Provides Strategic Benefit
- Crew strategically chose to monetize the inherent value in our
Dawn and Malin market exposure in Q1 2019, realizing marketing
income of $3.3 million. The Company
has further elected to monetize the value inherent in these
contracts for Q2 2019 and will recognize approximately $2.5 million of associated marketing income for
the second quarter.
- For 2019, our average natural gas sales exposure is currently
expected to be approximately 54% to Chicago, 17% to NYMEX, 7% to Dawn, 8% to
Alliance ATP, 5% to Malin, 4% to Station 2 and 5% to AECO 5A.
- During Q1 2019, Crew began shipping natural gas through the
Company's new West Septimus to TCPL Saturn meter station sales
pipeline system. This allowed Crew to benefit from the spike in
AECO pricing that occurred during the quarter due to the extreme
cold weather experienced across Western
Canada.
Natural Gas & Liquids Hedging
- Crew's natural gas hedges currently include:
-
- 25,000 mmbtu per day of Chicago gas at C$3.53 per mmbtu
- 7,500 mmbtu per day of Dawn gas at C$3.55 per mmbtu
- 10,000 mmbtu per day of NYMEX gas at US$2.95 per mmbtu
- For liquids, Crew has the following hedges in place:
-
- 1,874 bbls per day of WTI at an average price of C$75.99 per bbl for 2019
- 500 bbls per day of WCS for the first half of 2019 at an
average price of C$52.93 per bbl
- 250 bbls per day of WCS for Q4 2019 at C$56.20 per bbl
- 250 bbls per day of WCS differential at C$25.75 per bbl for the first half of 2019
- 500 bbls per day of WCS differential at C$25.23 per bbl for the second half of 2019
- 250 bbls per day of differentials at US$12.25 per bbl for Q2 2019
- 250 bbls per day of differentials at US$17.25 per bbl for Q3 2019
OPERATIONS & AREA Overview
NE BC Montney - Greater
Septimus
- Development drilling continued in the UCR region at West
Septimus with five wells rig released in Q1. Four of the wells were
ERH wells with lateral lengths over 3,000 metres. Progressive
changes to fluid systems, drill bits, and downhole assemblies has
enabled a 35% reduction in the cost per lateral metre drilled
relative to the same costs incurred in 2017.
- As Crew's focus continues to be directed largely to our West
Septimus area, reduced capital and activity levels at Septimus have
allowed the Company to better understand our base decline profile,
which is forecast to be moving towards 12%, enhancing the
sustainability of our business model.
- The final two wells on our 15-20 UCR pad at Greater Septimus
and all six wells on our 4-21 pad were completed during Q1 2019.
Two completions on the 4-21 pad were accelerated into Q1 to
minimize downtime and offset the impact of inter-well
communication. Early results indicate this strategy was effective
as the 15-20 wells have returned to similar productivity levels
that were realized prior to the offset completion operations. Cost
efficiencies were also captured by simultaneously executing all six
of the 4-21 well completions
- Better than forecasted production rates indicate well design
enhancements, are effectively delivering positive results. Early
results from wells on our 15-20 pad at Greater Septimus continue to
support further development and capital allocation in the UCR area,
and after 45 days of production, demonstrated the
following:
-
- Four "B" zone wells produced average sales of 1,211 boe per day
comprised of 3,336 mcf per day of gas, 538 bbls per day of
condensate and 117 bbls per day of propane and butane.
- After 45 days of production, one "C" zone delineation well
confirmed increasing condensate/gas ratios ("CGR") trending east
over our acreage, and produced an average of 923 boe per day
comprised of 3,969 mcf per day gas, 162 bbls per day condensate and
99 bbls per day of propane and butane, which represents
approximately three times the CGR relative to a "C" zone well
drilled 1,000 metres to the west.
- Early results from Crew's 4-21 pad in the UCR transition zone
are also encouraging. After 20 days of flow back, the six
(6.0 net) "B" zone wells were producing at restricted rates
averaging 1,374 boe per day of sales, comprised of 4,830 mcf per
day of gas, 400 bbls per day of condensate and 169 bbls per day of
propane and butane at an average flowing casing pressure of
approximately 8,900 kPa.
Greater Septimus
|
Production &
Drilling
|
Q1
2019
|
Q4
2018
|
Q3
2018
|
Q2
2018
|
Q1
2018
|
Average daily
production (boe/d)
|
19,535
|
18,447
|
19,240
|
18,953
|
20,467
|
Wells drilled (gross /
net)
|
7
(7.0)
|
6 (6.0)
|
4 / 4.0
|
-
|
-
|
Wells completed (gross
/ net)
|
8
(8.0)
|
3 (3.0)
|
0 / 0
|
2 / 1.6
|
9 / 7.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
Netback
($ per boe)
|
Q1
2019
|
Q4
2018
|
Q3
2018
|
Q2
2018
|
Q1
2018
|
Revenue
|
25.61
|
26.53
|
22.83
|
22.70
|
25.40
|
Royalties
|
(1.56)
|
(1.58)
|
(1.15)
|
(1.35)
|
(1.50)
|
Realized commodity
hedge loss
|
(0.74)
|
(1.79)
|
(2.01)
|
(1.32)
|
(1.01)
|
Marketing income
(1)
|
1.66
|
1.23
|
0.34
|
0.34
|
0.37
|
Net operating
costs(2)
|
(4.65)
|
(4.51)
|
(4.61)
|
(4.71)
|
(4.45)
|
Transportation
costs
|
(1.73)
|
(1.35)
|
(1.22)
|
(1.40)
|
(1.51)
|
Operating
netback(3)
|
18.59
|
18.53
|
14.18
|
14.26
|
17.30
|
Notes:
|
|
(1)
|
Marketing income was
recognized from the monetization of forward physical sales
contracts offset by the cost of committed natural gas
transportation that was not available during the period.
|
(2)
|
Net operating costs
are calculated as gross operating costs less processing
revenue.
|
(3)
|
Operating netback
equals petroleum and natural gas sales including realized hedging
gains and losses on commodity contracts, marking income, less
royalties, net operating costs and transportation costs calculated
on a boe basis. Operating netback does not have a standardized
measure prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable with
the calculations of similar measures for other companies. See
"Non-IFRS Measures" contained within Crew's MD&A.
|
Other NE BC Montney
- Tower: Production at Tower averaged 787 boe per day in
Q1 2019. Crew continues to evaluate the relative economics of Tower
development as well as encouraging nearby Lower Montney well
results.
- Monias: One horizontal Montney delineation well was drilled in Q1 in
the Monias area, located approximately 18 km to the northwest of
our West Septimus UCR core area.
- Attachie: Of
Crew's 97 sections of land in this area, approximately 45 sections
are situated within the liquids-rich hydrocarbon window. Given the
positive results generated by offsetting operators, a lease
retention well was drilled in January.
- Oak / Flatrock:
Drilling activity is gaining momentum for liquids-rich gas in this
area where Crew has over 60 sections of land. We will continue to
monitor industry activity and offsetting well results from this
area.
AB / SK Heavy Oil - Lloydminster
- Q1 heavy oil activity at Lloydminster included the recompletion of six
(6.0 net) heavy oil wells, resulting in average production volumes
of 1,614 boe per day for the quarter. Production volumes were
approximately 8% lower than Q1 2018 due to minimal capital
investment in 2018 and shutting in lower margin production in Q4
2018 in response to extremely wide differentials.
- WCS pricing differentials contracted significantly in the first
quarter with Q1 2019 operating netbacks at Lloydminster averaging $13.48 per boe in the period.
- Crew plans on drilling three (3.0 net) multi-lateral horizontal
wells in this area in 2019 should prices be supportive.
OUTLOOK
Value Creation Strategy Intact
- Crew has assembled an attractive land base with over 280,000
net acres of highly prospective Montney rights in northeast B.C., with proved
plus probable reserves of over 401 million boe assigned by Crew's
independent reserves evaluator at year end 2018 on only 13% of our
Upper Montney lands and less than 1% of our Lower Montney
lands1.
- Our strategic investment in infrastructure has resulted in Crew
having the capacity to produce over 40,000 boe per day through
existing facilities, which can significantly reduce future
on-stream costs. We remain committed to high grading our portfolio
of assets to enhance shareholder value while preserving the
material upside in our vast resource base.
Increasing Condensate Production and Margin Expansion
- Crew's focus will continue to reflect our ongoing goal of
increasing condensate in our production mix, which is expected to
contribute to further improvements in realized pricing and
operating netbacks. Under current strip pricing, the UCR wells
being drilled by Crew are expected to generate robust internal
rates of return ("IRR") of over 70% with over $6.0 million per well of before tax net present
value discounted at 10% (NPV10)1. With over 135
potential drilling opportunities2 at Crew's current pace
of development, this represents over ten years of highly economic
future growth.
Balancing Capital Expenditures with AFF
- Crew is committed to capital discipline with a 2019 capital
expenditure budget that is forecast to range between $95 and $105
million and designed to approximate annual AFF. This budget
has been structured to support the Company's ability to effectively
manage our balance sheet and retain the flexibility to produce
average volumes of 22,000 to 23,000 boe per day, while increasing
our exposure to higher valued condensate. Net proceeds from the
sale of non-core assets in Q1 2019 of $15.9
million were used to reduce net debt, strengthening our
financial position.
- Our Q2 2019 production is expected to range between 22,000 and
23,000 boe per day on capital expenditures between $12 and $18
million, although Crew's productive capacity is higher. The
quarterly forecast reflects the Company's planned deferral of dry
gas production which is exposed to spot gas prices in Western Canada which are currently very low.
Our Q2 activity will largely be directed to continued Montney development, including the equip and
tie-in of eight (8.0 net) UCR wells and the workover and
recompletion of heavy oil wells which are attracting a wellhead oil
price of over C$65 per bbl based on
current oil prices.
- Based on our first half capital program, Crew anticipates
directing approximately $28 to
$32 million to the second half
program, which anticipates two net Montney completions, drilling three
multi-lateral heavy oil wells and other minor expenditures.
____________________
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1,2
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See "Information
Regarding Disclosure on Oil and Gas Reserves, Operational
Information and Non-IFRS Measures".
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We thank our employees and directors for their commitment and
dedication to the success of Crew, and we thank all of our
shareholders and bondholders for their patience and continued
support in this challenging operating environment.
Cautionary Statements
Information Regarding Disclosure on Oil and Gas Reserves,
Operational Information and Non-IFRS Measures
Unless otherwise specified, all reserves volumes and
associated net present values of future net revenue for the
Company's reserves disclosed in this press release are based on
"company gross reserves" using forecast prices and costs and are
derived from the Company's independent reserves evaluation prepared
by Sproule Associates Ltd. ("Sproule") with an effective
date of December 31, 2018 (the
"Sproule Report"). The recovery and reserve estimates
provided herein are estimates only and there is no guarantee that
the estimated reserves will be recovered. It should not be
assumed that the estimates of net present value of future net
revenues presented herein represent the fair market value of the
reserves. Actual reserves may be greater than or less than
the estimates provided. In relation to the disclosure of
estimates for individual wells or properties, such estimates may
not reflect the same confidence level as estimates of reserves and
future net revenue for all properties, due to the effects of
aggregation. Estimates provided in respect of NPV10 before
tax for Crew's UCR wells at West Septimus are based on Sproule's
year-end 2018 type wells for West Septimus.
The Company's oil and gas reserves statement for the year
ended December 31, 2018 includes
complete disclosure of our oil and gas reserves and other oil and
gas information prepared in accordance with NI 51-101 and the COGE
Handbook, and is contained within our Annual Information Form which
is available on our SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.
This press release discloses "potential drilling
opportunities" in the Company's Greater Septimus area of operations
which are comprised of: (i) proved locations; (ii) probable
locations; and (iii) unbooked locations. Proved locations and
probable locations are derived from the Sproule Report and account
for drilling inventory that have associated proved and/or probable
reserves assigned by Sproule. Unbooked locations are
internally identified potential drilling opportunities based on the
Company's prospective acreage and an assumption as to the number of
wells that can be drilled per section based on industry practice
and internal review. Unbooked locations do not have reserves
or resources attributed to them and are not estimates of drilling
locations which have been evaluated by a qualified reserves
evaluator performed in accordance with the COGE Handbook. Of
the 135 total potential drilling opportunities identified herein,
29 are proved locations, 53 are probable locations and 53 are
unbooked locations. Unbooked locations have been identified by
management as an estimation of our multi-year drilling activities
based on evaluation of applicable geologic, seismic, engineering,
production and reserves information. There is no certainty
that the Company will drill any of these potential drilling
opportunities and if drilled there is no certainty that such
locations will result in additional oil and gas reserves, resources
or production. The drilling locations on which we actually
drill wells will ultimately depend upon the availability of
capital, regulatory approvals, seasonal restrictions, oil and
natural gas prices, costs, actual drilling results, additional
reservoir information that is obtained and other factors.
While certain of the unbooked drilling opportunities identified
have been derisked by drilling existing wells in relative close
proximity to such unbooked drilling locations, other unbooked
drilling locations are further away from existing wells where
management has less information about the characteristics of the
reservoir and therefore there is more uncertainty whether wells
will be drilled in such locations and if drilled there is more
uncertainty that such wells will result in additional oil and gas
reserves, resources or production.
This press release contains metrics commonly used in the oil
and natural gas industry, such as "adjusted funds flow", "operating
netbacks", "working capital" and "net debt". These terms are
not defined in IFRS and do not have standardized meanings or
standardized methods of calculation and therefore may not be
comparable to similar measures presented by other companies, and
therefore should not be used to make such comparisons. Such
metrics have been included herein to provide readers with
additional information to evaluate the Company's performance,
however such metrics should not be unduly relied upon. Management
uses oil and gas metrics for its own performance measurements and
to provide shareholders with measures to compare Crew's operations
over time. Readers are cautioned that the information
provided by these metrics, or that can be derived from the metrics
presented in this press release, should not be relied upon for
investment or other purposes. See "Non-IFRS Measures" contained
within Crew's MD&A for applicable definitions, calculations,
rationale for use and reconciliations to the most directly
comparable measure under IFRS.
Forward-Looking Information and Statements
This news release contains certain forward–looking
information and statements within the meaning of applicable
securities laws. The use of any of the words "expect",
"anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "may", "will", "project",
"should", "believe", "plans", "intends" "forecast" and similar
expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or
statements. In particular, but without limiting the
foregoing, this news release contains forward-looking information
and statements pertaining to the following: as to the execution of
Crew's business plan including guidance as to its capital
expenditure plans for Q2 and the second half of 2019; as to plans
to internally fund its capital program with funds flow generated
from Crew's existing business; as to plans to internally fund
capital in 2019 with adjusted funds flow; as to the Company's
ongoing goal of increasing the overall weighting of condensate in
its production mix and associated improvements in realized pricing
and operating netbacks for 2019 and beyond; as to estimates of net
present value and expectations that the Company's UCR wells will
generate internal rates of return of over 70%; as to the Company's
estimates that its UCR wells will pay out in approximately 12 – 18
months at current prices; the estimated volumes, including
shut-ins, and product mix of Crew's oil and gas production;
production estimates including Q2 and 2019 average production
targets; Crew's forecast base decline profile moving towards
12%; commodity price expectations including Crew's
estimates of natural gas pricing exposure; Crew's commodity risk
management programs including plans for additional hedging in 2019;
marketing and transportation plans; future liquidity and financial
capacity; future results from operations and operating metrics;
potential for lower costs and efficiencies going forward; future
development, exploration, acquisition and disposition activities
(including drilling, completion and infrastructure plans and
associated timing and cost estimates); the amount and timing of
capital projects; management's assessment of potential drilling
opportunities representing over ten years of economic growth; and
future production capacity and corresponding potential for reduced
on-stream costs.
In addition, forward-looking statements or information
are based on a number of material factors, expectations or
assumptions of Crew which have been used to develop such statements
and information but which may prove to be incorrect. Although
Crew believes that the expectations reflected in such
forward-looking statements or information are reasonable, undue
reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because
Crew can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be
correct. In addition to other factors and assumptions which
may be identified herein, assumptions have been made regarding,
among other things: that Crew will continue to conduct its
operations in a manner consistent with past operations; results
from drilling and development activities consistent with past
operations; the quality of the reservoirs in which Crew operates
and continued performance from existing wells; the continued and
timely development of infrastructure in areas of new production;
the accuracy of the estimates of Crew's reserve volumes; certain
commodity price and other cost assumptions; continued availability
of debt and equity financing and cash flow to fund Crew's current
and future plans and expenditures; the impact of increasing
competition; the general stability of the economic and political
environment in which Crew operates; the general continuance
of current industry conditions; the timely receipt of any
required regulatory approvals; the ability of Crew to obtain
qualified staff, equipment and services in a timely and cost
efficient manner; drilling results; the ability of the operator of
the projects in which Crew has an interest in to operate the field
in a safe, efficient and effective manner; the ability of Crew to
obtain financing on acceptable terms; field production rates and
decline rates; the ability to replace and expand oil and natural
gas reserves through acquisition, development and exploration; the
timing and cost of pipeline, storage and facility construction and
expansion and the ability of Crew to secure adequate product
transportation; future commodity prices; currency, exchange and
interest rates; regulatory framework regarding royalties, taxes and
environmental matters in the jurisdictions in which Crew operates;
and the ability of Crew to successfully market its oil and natural
gas products.
The forward-looking information and statements included in
this news release are not guarantees of future performance and
should not be unduly relied upon. Such information and
statements, including the assumptions made in respect thereof,
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
that may cause actual results or events to defer materially from
those anticipated in such forward-looking information or statements
including, without limitation: changes in commodity prices;
changes in the demand for or supply of Crew's products, the
early stage of development of some of the evaluated areas and
zones the potential for variation in the quality of the
Montney formation; unanticipated
operating results or production declines; changes in tax or
environmental laws, royalty rates or other regulatory matters;
changes in development plans of Crew or by third party operators of
Crew's properties, increased debt levels or debt service
requirements; inaccurate estimation of Crew's oil and gas reserve
volumes; limited, unfavourable or a lack of access to capital
markets; increased costs; a lack of adequate insurance coverage;
the impact of competitors; and certain other risks detailed from
time-to-time in Crew's public disclosure documents (including,
without limitation, those risks identified in this news release and
Crew's Annual Information Form).
The forward-looking information and statements contained in
this news release speak only as of the date of this news release,
and Crew does not assume any obligation to publicly update or
revise any of the included forward-looking statements or
information, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities
laws.
Test Results and Initial Production Rates
A pressure transient analysis or well-test interpretation has
not been carried out and thus certain of the test results provided
herein should be considered to be preliminary until such analysis
or interpretation has been completed. Test results and
initial production rates disclosed herein, particularly those short
in duration, may not necessarily be indicative of long term
performance or of ultimate recovery.
BOE equivalent
Barrel of oil equivalents or BOEs may be misleading,
particularly if used in isolation. A BOE conversion ratio of
6 mcf: 1 bbl 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 crude oil as compared to natural gas
is significantly different than the energy equivalency of 6:1,
utilizing the 6:1 conversion ratio may be misleading as an
indication of value.
Crew is a growth-oriented oil and natural gas producer,
committed to pursuing sustainable per share growth through a
balanced mix of financially responsible exploration and development
complemented by strategic acquisitions. The Company's
operations are primarily focused in the vast Montney resource, situated in northeast
British Columbia, and include a
large contiguous land base. Crew's liquids-rich Septimus and
West Septimus areas ("Greater Septimus") along with Groundbirch and
the light oil area at Tower in British
Columbia offer significant development potential over the
long-term. The Company has access to diversified markets with
operated infrastructure and access to multiple pipeline egress
options. Crew's common shares are listed for trading on the
Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") under the symbol "CR".
Financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis
for the three month periods ended March 31,
2019 and 2018 are filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and
are available on the Company's website at www.crewenergy.com.
SOURCE Crew Energy Inc.