Q2 Highlights
- Production: ~34,650 boe/d including ~26,450 bbl/d in Thermal Oil and ~8,200 boe/d in Light Oil.
- Record Operating Income:
$93 million ($31.09 /boe) driven by strong oil prices and 90% liquids weighting. - Record Operating Netbacks:
$30.05 /bbl in Thermal Oil and$34.23 /boe in Light Oil. - Capital Expenditures:
$23 million focused on high-value Leismer projects to sustain production. - Adjusted Funds Flow:
$50 million ($0.09 per share) and record Free Cash Flow of$28 million .
Recent Operational Highlights
- Leismer: Two L6 infills and well pair L7P6 brought on production in June. Finished drilling Pad L8 with steaming to commence in Q4. The 5-well pad will ramp up to >5,000 bbl/d in 2022 and has project economics of
~$310 million NPV10 (US$60 WTI flat pricing). - Hangingstone: Production restored to pre shut-in levels and averaged ~9,500 bbl/d during Q2. Materially improved resiliency through cost initiatives with a
~US$31 WCS operating break-even. Commissioned a truck-in terminal with capacity of ~5,000 bbl/d and is expected to generate~$5 million in additional annual cash flow. - Light Oil: Focused on free cash flow generation; Kaybob East & Two Creeks Duvernay wells screen as top liquids producers with IP180s and IP365s averaging 725 boe/d (85% Liquids) and ~550 boe/d (83% Liquids).
- Thermal Carbon Capture: Continuing to advance a scoping study with
Entropy Inc. to determine feasibility of a carbon capture module at Leismer with ongoing evaluation of local storage and carbon trunkline options.
Financial Update and 2021 Outlook (Strip Pricing
- Cash:
$153 million unrestricted cash forecasted to grow to~$210 million by year-end; an additional$134 million of restricted cash and deposits. - EBITDA & Cash Flow: 2021 Adjusted EBITDA of
~$235 million (~$175 million of Adjusted Funds Flow); unhedged annual EBITDA sensitivity of~$70 million for everyUS$5 /bbl move in oil prices. - Net Debt:
$383 million with Net Debt to 2021 Adjusted EBITDA of 1.6x. - Production: Trending towards the upper end of 32,000 – 34,000 boe/d (~90% Liquids) annual guidance.
Low Sustaining Capital : Unchanged$100 million capital budget funded within Adjusted Funds Flow and generating~$75 million of Free Cash Flow.
Underpinned by strong asset performance and cashflow generation, the Company is focused on the refinancing of its balance sheet. The Company’s goals include lowering the overall quantum of debt and providing multi-year funding certainty.
Business Environment and the Recovery from COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant negative impact on global commodity prices due to a reduction in oil demand as countries around the world enacted emergency measures to combat the spread of the virus. The Company took swift action in response to the pandemic and the economic crisis.
Commodity prices have improved with OPEC+ producers reducing production allowing for inventories to re-balance. Global demand is approaching pre-pandemic levels and inventories are below the 5-year average. Supply and demand fundamentals are now supporting a much stronger oil futures market. The recent OPEC+ supply agreement is expected to keep the market in deficit and guidance for higher capacity will be needed in coming years given growing under-investment (
In
Outlook and Balance Sheet Update
Athabasca continues to advance the refinancing of its
Unrestricted cash as at
Athabasca’s long-life reserves provides for significant asset coverage. Under flat
The
The Company is planning a wholistic debt refinancing that will utilize cash on hand, a reestablished reserves based credit facility and a lower quantum of new notes. Athabasca will continue with its hedging policy targeting up to 50% of corporate production with an emphasis on securing funds flow to protect its base sustaining capital program.
Financial and Operational Highlights
Three months ended | Six months ended | |||||||||||||||
($ Thousands, unless otherwise noted) | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
CONSOLIDATED | ||||||||||||||||
Petroleum and natural gas production (boe/d)(1) | 34,659 | 27,067 | 34,531 | 31,812 | ||||||||||||
Operating Income (Loss)(1) | $ | 93,196 | $ | (18,269 | ) | $ | 159,124 | $ | (38,597 | ) | ||||||
Operating Income (Loss) Net of Realized Hedging(1)(2) | $ | 75,372 | $ | 6,166 | $ | 120,187 | $ | 7,264 | ||||||||
Operating Netback ($/boe)(1) | $ | 31.09 | $ | (7.05 | ) | $ | 26.00 | $ | (6.44 | ) | ||||||
Operating Netback Net of Realized Hedging ($/boe)(1)(2) | $ | 25.14 | $ | 2.37 | $ | 19.64 | $ | 1.21 | ||||||||
Capital expenditures | $ | 22,628 | $ | 5,811 | $ | 58,182 | $ | 82,057 | ||||||||
Capital Expenditures Net of Capital-Carry(1) | $ | 22,628 | $ | 5,811 | $ | 58,182 | $ | 59,317 | ||||||||
THERMAL OIL DIVISION | ||||||||||||||||
Bitumen production (bbl/d) | 26,433 | 17,601 | 26,193 | 22,958 | ||||||||||||
Operating Income (Loss)(1) | $ | 67,568 | $ | (24,619 | ) | $ | 109,736 | $ | (57,730 | ) | ||||||
Operating Netback ($/bbl)(1) | $ | 30.05 | $ | (14.21 | ) | $ | 23.81 | $ | (13.17 | ) | ||||||
Capital expenditures | $ | 21,388 | $ | 4,722 | $ | 54,402 | $ | 22,418 | ||||||||
LIGHT OIL DIVISION | ||||||||||||||||
Petroleum and natural gas production (boe/d)(1) | 8,226 | 9,466 | 8,338 | 8,854 | ||||||||||||
Percentage Liquids (%)(1) | 57 | % | 62 | % | 57 | % | 61 | % | ||||||||
Operating Income (Loss)(1) | $ | 25,628 | $ | 6,350 | $ | 49,388 | $ | 19,133 | ||||||||
Operating Netback ($/boe)(1) | $ | 34.23 | $ | 7.37 | $ | 32.72 | $ | 11.88 | ||||||||
Capital expenditures | $ | 544 | $ | 1,089 | $ | 1,512 | $ | 59,617 | ||||||||
Capital Expenditures Net of Capital-Carry(1) | $ | 544 | $ | 1,089 | $ | 1,512 | $ | 36,877 | ||||||||
CASH FLOW AND FUNDS FLOW | ||||||||||||||||
Cash flow from operating activities | $ | 36,183 | $ | (31,186 | ) | $ | 37,321 | $ | (34,207 | ) | ||||||
per share - basic | $ | 0.07 | $ | (0.06 | ) | $ | 0.07 | $ | (0.06 | ) | ||||||
Adjusted Funds Flow(1) | $ | 50,228 | $ | (16,214 | ) | $ | 69,189 | $ | (44,097 | ) | ||||||
per share - basic | $ | 0.09 | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | 0.13 | $ | (0.08 | ) | ||||||
NET INCOME (LOSS) AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) | ||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) | $ | (13,944 | ) | $ | (65,335 | ) | $ | (31,416 | ) | $ | (581,816 | ) | ||||
per share - basic | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.12 | ) | $ | (0.06 | ) | $ | (1.10 | ) | ||||
per share - diluted | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.12 | ) | $ | (0.06 | ) | $ | (1.10 | ) | ||||
COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING | ||||||||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic | 530,675,391 | 530,363,434 | 530,675,391 | 526,979,706 | ||||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted | 530,675,391 | 530,363,434 | 530,675,391 | 526,979,706 |
As at ($ Thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||
LIQUIDITY AND BALANCE SHEET | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 152,639 | $ | 165,201 | ||||
Restricted cash | $ | 90,232 | $ | 135,624 | ||||
Available credit facilities(3) | $ | 98 | $ | 348 | ||||
Face value of long-term debt, including current portion(4) | $ | 557,730 | $ | 572,940 |
(1) Refer to the “Reader Advisory” section within this news release for additional information on Non-GAAP Financial Measures and production disclosure.
(2) Includes realized commodity risk management loss of
(3) Includes available credit under Athabasca’s Credit Facility and Unsecured Letter of Credit Facility (see page 14 of the Company’s Q2 MD&A).
(4) The face value of the 2022 Notes is
Operations Update
Thermal Oil
Bitumen production for Q2 2021 averaged 26,433 bbl/d. The Thermal Oil division generated Operating Income of
Leismer
Bitumen production for Q2 2021 averaged 16,986 bbl/d. Current production has increased in July following the tie-in of two L6 infills and well pair L7P6 that were placed on production in late June.
During the quarter, the Company finished drilling and completions operations of five well pairs at Pad L8. The producer wells encountered the highest quality reservoir across all of Leismer’s wells drilled to date. Athabasca anticipates completing the facility construction and initial steam circulation in Q4 2021 with first production in early 2022. The initial five well pairs on Pad L8 are expected to ramp-up in excess of 5,000 bbl/d in 2022. The existing pipeline will support future development for a total of 14 well pairs on Pad L8. The Company is preparing for a drilling program to commence this upcoming winter season with future wells to sustain Leismer’s production.
The Company is expanding its non-condensable gas co-injection (“NCG”) program across the field following successful implementation in 2020 (Pad L1 – L4) which has lowered mature pad SORs. In Q2, the Company began NCG co-injection on Pad L5 and L6.
Athabasca and
Leismer has an estimated
Hangingstone
Bitumen production for Q2 2021 averaged 9,447 bbl/d. Reservoir performance through 2021 has been strong as a result of excellent facility run time and the implementation of NCG co-injection aiding in pressure build-up and reduced energy usage. Production is expected to be supported by an additional well pair (AA03) that is currently steaming and will be placed on production in September.
In May, Athabasca amended the Hangingstone Transportation and Storage Services Agreement that resulted in a
In
In 2021, Hangingstone will have no capital allocation other than routine pump replacements and has no sustaining capital requirements for the next several years. Management’s execution to date on streamlining Hangingstone’s cost structure has materially improved the assets resiliency and profitability. Hangingstone has an estimated
Light Oil
Q2 production averaged 8,226 boe/d (57% Liquids) in Q2 2021. The division generated Operating Income of
At Greater Placid, the asset is positioned for flexible future development with an inventory of ~150 gross drilling locations and no near-term land retention requirements. Activity will be revisited following a successful refinancing.
At Greater Kaybob, production results have been consistently strong with wells screening as top liquids producers in the basin. Well results in Two Creeks and Kaybob East have seen average productivity of ~725 boe/d IP180s (85% liquids) and ~550 boe/d IP365s (83% liquids). Under full development, well costs are expected to be less than
Minimal capital activity (
About
For more information, please contact:
Chief Financial Officer
1-403-817-9104
mtaylor@atha.com
Reader Advisory:
This News Release contains forward-looking information that involves various risks, uncertainties and other factors. All information other than statements of historical fact is forward-looking information. The use of any of the words “anticipate”, “plan”, “forecast”, “continue”, “estimate”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “target”, “should”, “believe”, “predict”, “pursue”, “potential”, “view” and “contemplate” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is not historical fact, but rather is based on the Company’s current plans, objectives, goals, strategies, estimates, assumptions and projections about the Company’s industry, business and future operating and financial results. This information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information included in this News Release should not be unduly relied upon. This information speaks only as of the date of this News Release and, except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. In particular, this News Release contains forward-looking information pertaining to, but not limited to, the following: our strategic plans and Free Cash Flow potential; expected capital programs to maintain production; the Company’s 2021 Outlook, including expected unrestricted cash, EBITDA, funds flow, net debt, production outlook and capital budget and; EBITDA sensitivity; planned wholistic debt refinancing, including refinancing of its
In addition, information and statements in this News Release relating to “Reserves” and associated net present values therefrom are deemed to be forward-looking information, as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, that the reserves described exist in the quantities predicted or estimated, and that the reserves and resources described can be profitably produced in the future.
With respect to forward-looking information contained in this News Release, assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: commodity prices; the regulatory framework governing royalties, taxes and environmental matters in the jurisdictions in which the Company conducts and will conduct business and the effects that such regulatory framework will have on the Company, including on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations; the Company’s financial and operational flexibility; the Company’s financial sustainability; Athabasca’s cash flow break-even commodity price; the Company’s ability to obtain qualified staff and equipment in a timely and cost-efficient manner; the applicability of technologies for the recovery and production of the Company’s reserves and resources; future capital expenditures to be made by the Company; future sources of funding for the Company’s capital programs; the Company’s future debt levels; future production levels; the Company’s ability to complete a refinancing of its debt, obtain financing and/or enter into joint venture arrangements, on acceptable terms; operating costs; compliance of counterparties with the terms of contractual arrangements; impact of increasing competition globally; collection risk of outstanding accounts receivable from third parties; geological and engineering estimates in respect of the Company’s reserves and resources; recoverability of reserves and resources; the geography of the areas in which the Company is conducting exploration and development activities and the quality of its assets. Certain other assumptions related to the Company’s Reserves are contained in the report of
Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of the risk factors set forth in the Company’s Annual Information Form (“AIF”) dated
Also included in this News Release are estimates of Athabasca’s 2021 Outlook which are based on the various assumptions as to production levels, commodity prices, currency exchange rates and other assumptions disclosed in this News Release. To the extent any such estimate constitutes a financial outlook, it was approved by management and the Board of Directors of Athabasca, and is included to provide readers with an understanding of the Company’s outlook. Management does not have firm commitments for all of the costs, expenditures, prices or other financial assumptions used to prepare the financial outlook or assurance that such operating results will be achieved and, accordingly, the complete financial effects of all of those costs, expenditures, prices and operating results are not objectively determinable. The actual results of operations of the Company and the resulting financial results may vary from the amounts set forth herein, and such variations may be material. The financial outlook contained in this New Release was made as of the date of this News release and the Company disclaims any intention or obligations to update or revise such financial outlook, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required pursuant to applicable law.
Oil and Gas Information
“BOEs” may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A BOE conversion ratio of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of oil equivalent (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. As the value ratio between natural gas and crude oil based on the current prices of natural gas and crude oil is significantly different from the energy equivalency of 6:1, utilizing a conversion on a 6:1 basis may be misleading as an indication of value.
Operating break‐even reflects the estimated WCS oil price per barrel required to generate an asset level operating income of Cdn
Initial Production Rates
Test Results and Initial Production Rates: The well test results and initial production rates provided in this News Release should be considered to be preliminary, except as otherwise indicated. Test results and initial production rates disclosed herein may not necessarily be indicative of long-term performance or of ultimate recovery.
Reserves Information
The McDaniel Report was prepared using the assumptions and methodology guidelines outlined in the COGE Handbook and in accordance with National Instrument 51-101 Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities, effective
The 700 Duvernay (Greater Kaybob) drilling locations referenced include: 7 proved undeveloped locations and 78 probable undeveloped locations for a total of 85 booked locations with the balance being unbooked locations. The 150 Montney drilling (Greater Placid) locations referenced include: 63 proved undeveloped locations and 35 probable undeveloped locations for a total of 98 booked locations with the balance being unbooked locations. Proved undeveloped locations and probable undeveloped locations are booked and derived from the Company’s most recent independent reserves evaluation as prepared by McDaniel as of
Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Production Disclosure
The “Adjusted Funds Flow”, “Light Oil Operating Income”, “Light Oil Operating Netback”, “Light Oil Capital Expenditures Net of Capital‐Carry”, “Thermal Oil Operating Income (Loss)”, “Thermal Oil Operating Netback”, “Consolidated Operating Income”, “Consolidated Operating Netback”, “Consolidated Capital Expenditures Net of Capital‐Carry”, “Adjusted EBITDA”, “Net Debt” and “Free Cash Flow” financial measures contained in this News Release do not have standardized meanings which are prescribed by IFRS and they are considered to be non‐GAAP measures. These measures may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers and should not be considered in isolation with measures that are prepared in accordance with IFRS. The “Advisories and Other Guidance” section within the Company’s Q2 2021 MD&A includes reconciliations of these measures, where applicable, to the nearest IFRS measures.
Adjusted Funds Flow is not intended to represent cash flow from operating activities, net earnings or other measures of financial performance calculated in accordance with IFRS. Adjusted Funds Flow is calculated by adjusting for changes in non-cash working capital, restructuring expenses and settlement of provisions from cash flow from operating activities. The Adjusted Funds Flow measure allows management and others to evaluate the Company’s ability to fund its capital programs and meet its ongoing financial obligations using cash flow internally generated from ongoing operating related activities. Adjusted Funds Flow per share is calculated as Adjusted Funds Flow divided by the applicable number of weighted average shares outstanding.
The Operating Income (Loss) measures in this News Release are calculated by subtracting royalties, cost of diluent, operating expenses and cash transportation & marketing expenses from petroleum and natural gas sales and adjusting for the impacts of inventory write-downs in the first quarter of 2020 within the Thermal Oil division. The Operating Netback measures are calculated by dividing the Operating Income (Loss) by the total sales volume and is presented on a per boe basis. The Operating Income (Loss) and the Operating Netback measures allow management and others to evaluate the production results from the Company’s assets. The Consolidated Operating Income (Loss) Net of Realized Hedging measure in this News Release is calculated by adding or subtracting realized gains (losses) on commodity risk management contracts, royalties, cost of diluent, operating expenses and cash transportation & marketing expenses from petroleum and natural gas sales and adjusting for the impacts of inventory write-downs in the first quarter of 2020. The Consolidated Operating Netback Net of Realized Hedging measure is calculated by dividing Consolidated Operating Income (Loss) Net of Realized Hedging by the total sales volumes and is presented on a per boe basis. The Consolidated Operating Income (Loss) Net of Realized Hedging and the Consolidated Operating Netback Net of Realized Hedging measures allow management and others to evaluate the production results from the Company’s Light Oil and Thermal Oil assets combined together including the impact of realized commodity risk management gains or losses.
The Consolidated Capital Expenditures Net of Capital-Carry and Light Oil Capital Expenditures Net of Capital-Carry measures in this News Release are outlined in the Company’s Q2 2021 MD&A. These measures allow management and others to evaluate the true net cash outflow related to Athabasca’s capital expenditures.
Net Debt is defined as face value of term debt plus accounts payable and accrued liabilities plus current portion of provisions and other liabilities less current assets.
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) before financing and interest expense, depreciation, depletion, impairment and taxation (recovery) expense adjusted for unrealized foreign exchange gain (loss), unrealized gain (loss) on risk management contracts, gain (loss) on revaluation of provisions and other, gain (loss) on sale of assets and non-cash stock-based compensation.
Free cash flow is defined as Adjusted Funds Flow less Consolidated Capital Expenditures.
Liquidity is defined as cash and cash equivalents plus available credit capacity.
Production volumes details
Three months ended | Six months ended | ||||||||
Production | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||
Light Oil: | |||||||||
Oil(2) | bbl/d | 2,285 | 3,226 | 2,397 | 2,968 | ||||
Condensate NGLs | bbl/d | 1,440 | 1,916 | 1,489 | 1,697 | ||||
Oil and condensate NGLs | bbl/d | 3,725 | 5,142 | 3,886 | 4,665 | ||||
Other NGLs | bbl/d | 953 | 680 | 871 | 695 | ||||
Natural gas(1) | mcf/d | 21,290 | 21,863 | 21,484 | 20,962 | ||||
Total Light Oil division | boe/d | 8,226 | 9,466 | 8,338 | 8,854 | ||||
Total Thermal Oil division bitumen | bbl/d | 26,433 | 17,601 | 26,193 | 22,958 | ||||
boe/d | 34,659 | 27,067 | 34,531 | 31,812 |
(1) Comprised of 99% or greater of shale gas, with the remaining being conventional natural gas.
(2) Comprised of 99% or greater of tight oil, with the remaining being light and medium crude oil.
This News Release also makes reference to Athabasca’s forecasted total average daily production of 32,000 - 34,000 boe/d for 2021. Athabasca expects that approximately 78% of that production will be comprised of bitumen, 10% shale gas, 6% tight oil, 4% condensate natural gas liquids and 2% other natural gas liquids.
Liquids is defined as bitumen, tight oil, light crude oil, medium crude oil and natural gas liquids.
Additionally, this News Release makes reference to Athabasca’s well results in Two Creeks and Kaybob East that have seen average productivity of ~725 boe/d IP180s (85% Liquids), which is comprised of ~80% tight oil, ~15% shale gas and ~5% NGLs, and ~550 boe/d (83% Liquids) IP365s, which is comprised of ~78% tight oil, ~17% shale gas and ~5% NGLs.
Source:
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