Select financial and operational information is outlined below and should be read in conjunction with Rubellite's unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements and related Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the three and six months ended
This news release contains certain specified financial measures that are not recognized by GAAP and used by management to evaluate the performance of the Company and its business. Since certain specified financial measures may not have a standardized meaning, securities regulations require that specified financial measures are clearly defined, qualified and, where required, reconciled with their nearest GAAP measure. See "Non GAAP and Other Financial Measures" in this news release and in the MD&A for further information on the definition, calculation and reconciliation of these measures. This news release also contains forward-looking information. See "Forward-Looking Information". Readers are also referred to the other information under the "Advisories" section in this news release for additional information.
SECOND QUARTER 2023 HIGHLIGHTS
- Achieved second quarter conventional heavy oil sales production of 2,844 bbl/d, representing a 92% year-over-year increase and a 5% decrease from Q1 2023 due to a reduced working interest at
Marten Hills after the project reached full payout and reduced activity during spring break-up. - Invested
$11.7 million in exploration and development capital expenditures(1), excluding land purchases, during the second quarter of 2023. Development drilling of$11.1 million related to the drilling of four (4.0 net) multi-lateral horizontal wells atFigure Lake , with three of the wells contributing to sales production by the end of the quarter. One (1.0 net) well atFigure Lake was spud onJune 24, 2023 and was rig released onJuly 10, 2023 . An additional$0.5 million of exploration capital was spent on step-out drilling activities inFigure Lake , with two (2.0 net) wells drilled in 2023 transferred to PP&E during the second quarter. - Second quarter land spending of
$0.2 million to acquire 1.0 net sections of land atFigure Lake , bringing the total for 2023 to$2.7 million for an additional 23.0 net sections of land atFigure Lake . - Generated second quarter adjusted funds flow(1) of
$12.0 million ($0.19 per share), a 161% increase year-over-year driven by production increases and a 24% increase from Q1 2023 on higher Western Canadian Select ("WCS") prices on a narrowing WCS differential. - Generated net income of
$3.4 million ($0.05 /share) in the second quarter of 2023. - Net debt(1) was
$20.7 million atJune 30, 2023 , with a net debt to Q2 2023 annualized adjusted funds flow(1) ratio of 0.4 times. - Rubellite had available liquidity(1) at
June 30, 2023 of$27.7 million , comprised of the$40.0 million borrowing limit of Rubellite's first lien credit facility, less current borrowings of$12.3 million .
(1) | Non-GAAP financial measure, non-GAAP ratio or supplementary financial measure. See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" in this news release and in the MD&A. |
OPERATIONS UPDATE
At
The drilling rig completed operations over the end of the first quarter on
The first of two (2.0 net) wells located on the BLMS lands on the 10-19 Pad recorded an IP(30) and IP(60) of 111 bbl/d and 87 bbl/d, respectively. The second well recorded an IP(30) of 47 bbl/d and IP (60) of 30 bbl/d. The underperformance of the second well is interpreted to be attributed to the dominance of flow from a perched water zone in an isolated structural low which was penetrated by one of the horizontal legs, resulting in higher water cuts (95% of the produced emulsion) as compared to the field average water cut of approximately 20%. Additional 2D trade seismic lines have been acquired and interpreted to refine the mapping to optimize future well placement. The Company intends to drill an additional two (2.0 net) wells on the BLMS lands to extend and de-risk the reservoir for subsequent development.
Six (6.0 net) wells have now been placed on production at the 3-26 Pad and have exhibited an average IP(30) of 162 bbl/d (5 wells), IP(60) of 129 bbl/d (4 wells) and IP(90) of 114 bbl/d (3 wells), and continue to outperform the
Since the end of the second quarter, two additional wells have been spud on the 15-24 pad for a total of three to date. Two of the 15-24 Pad wells have been placed on production and recovered their oil-based mud load fluid, and are now in their IP30 periods exhibiting strong performance commensurate with the neighboring 9-23 Pad.
Rubellite plans to contract a second rig to start-up in the fourth quarter to drill a minimum of two (2.0 net) wells and up to three (3.0 net) wells to accelerate evaluation of the BLMS lands while maintaining the ongoing infill drilling program in the sweet spot at
At
No new activity was planned or conducted on the Northern Exploration Program during the quarter due to limited all-season access; however, the Company has elected to drill a second earning well (0.5 net) at
(1) | Type curve assumptions are based on the Total Proved plus Probable Undeveloped reserves contained in the McDaniel Reserve Report as disclosed in the Company's Annual Information Form which is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. "McDaniel" means |
OUTLOOK AND GUIDANCE
Rubellite's board of directors has approved the addition of the second rig at
Factoring in type curve performance from the recent and future drilling program at
During the second quarter of 2023, the Company's carbon tax obligations increased to
Capital spending, drilling activity and operational guidance for 2023 is as outlined in the table below:
Full Year 2023 Guidance | |
Sales Production (bbl/d) | 2,900 - 3,100 |
Development ($ millions)(1)(2)(3) | |
Multi-lateral development wells (net)(1)(2) | 25.0 - 26.0 |
Exploration spending ($ millions)(1)(4) | |
Exploration wells (net)(4) | 2.5 - 4.5 |
Heavy oil wellhead differential ($/bbl)(1)(5) | |
Royalties (% of revenue)(1) | 9.5% - 10.5% |
Production & operating costs ($/boe)(1)(6) | |
Transportation costs ($/boe)(1) | |
General & administrative costs ($/boe)(1) |
(1) | Non-GAAP financial measure, non-GAAP ratio or supplementary financial measure. See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" in this news release and in the MD&A. |
(2) | Updated from previous guidance for development spending of |
(3) | Q2 2023 capital expenditures include |
(4) | Updated from previous guidance for exploration spending of |
(5) | Updated from previous guidance of |
(6) | Updated from previous guidance of |
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS
Three months ended | Six months ended | |||
($ thousands, except as noted) | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 |
Financial | ||||
Oil revenue | 18,863 | 15,632 | 35,967 | 26,508 |
Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) | 3,397 | 4,726 | 5,096 | (4,546) |
Per share – basic(1) | 0.05 | 0.09 | 0.09 | (0.09) |
Per share – diluted(1) | 0.05 | 0.08 | 0.09 | (0.09) |
Cash flow from operating activities | 12,186 | 6,473 | 21,471 | 9,665 |
Adjusted funds flow(2) | 11,998 | 4,597 | 21,680 | 8,432 |
Per share – basic(2) | 0.19 | 0.09 | 0.35 | 0.15 |
Per share – diluted(2) | 0.19 | 0.09 | 0.37 | 0.15 |
Net debt (asset) | 20,676 | (2,654) | 20,676 | (2,654) |
Capital expenditures(2) | 11,820 | 12,705 | 33,881 | 48,216 |
Exploration and development | 11,668 | 9,868 | 31,180 | 31,642 |
Land and acquisitions | 152 | 2,837 | 2,701 | 16,574 |
Wells Drilled(3) – gross (net) | 4 / 4.0 | 7 / 5.8 | 13 / 12.5 | 18 / 15.3 |
Common shares outstanding(1) (thousands) | ||||
Weighted average – basic | 61,830 | 54,725 | 58,464 | 49,357 |
Weighted average – diluted | 62,432 | 55,797 | 59,042 | 49,357 |
End of period | 61,839 | 54,725 | 61,839 | 54,725 |
Operating | ||||
Daily average oil sales production(4) (bbl/d) | 2,844 | 1,478 | 2,917 | 1,365 |
Average prices | ||||
West Texas Intermediate ("WTI") ($US/bbl) | 73.75 | 108.41 | 74.92 | 101.35 |
Western Canadian Select ("WCS") ($CAD/bbl) | 78.74 | 122.09 | 74.05 | 111.55 |
Average realized oil price(1) ($/bbl) | 72.88 | 116.21 | 68.13 | 107.28 |
Average realized oil price after risk management contracts(1) ($/bbl) | 75.65 | 70.09 | 69.88 | 68.95 |
(1) | Per share amounts are calculated using the weighted average number of basic or diluted common shares. |
(2) | Non-GAAP financial measure, non-GAAP ratio or supplementary financial measure. See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" in this news release. |
(3) | Well count reflects wells rig released during the period. |
(4) | Conventional heavy oil sales production excludes tank inventory volumes. |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ABOUT RUBELLITE
Rubellite is a Canadian energy company engaged in the exploration, development and production of heavy crude oil from the
For additional information please contact:
Suite 3200, 605 - 5 Avenue Telephone: 403 269-4400 Fax: 403 269-4444 Email: info@rubelliteenergy.com | |
President and Chief Executive Officer Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer |
ADVISORIES
BOE VOLUME CONVERSIONS
Barrel of oil equivalent ("boe") may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. In accordance with NI 51-101, a conversion ratio for conventional natural gas of 6 Mcf:1 bbl has been used, which is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. In addition, utilizing a conversion on a 6 Mcf:1 bbl basis may be misleading as an indicator of value as the value ratio between conventional natural gas and heavy crude oil, based on the current prices of natural gas and crude oil, differ significantly from the energy equivalency of 6 Mcf:1 bbl. A conversion ratio of 1 bbl of heavy crude oil to 1 bbl of NGL has also been used throughout this news release.
ABBREVIATIONS
The following abbreviations used in this news release have the meanings set forth below:
bbl barrels
bbl/d barrels per day
boe barrels of oil equivalent
WCS Western Canadian select, the benchmark price for conventional produced crude oil in
INITIAL PRODUCTION RATES
Any references in this news release to initial production rates are useful in confirming the presence of hydrocarbons; however, such rates are not determinate of the rates at which such wells will continue production and decline thereafter and are not necessarily indicative of long-term performance or ultimate recovery. Readers are cautioned not to place reliance on such rates in calculating the aggregate production for the Company. Such rates are based on field estimates and may be based on limited data available at this time.
NON-GAAP AND OTHER FINANCIAL MEASURES
Throughout this news release and in other materials disclosed by the Company, Rubellite employs certain measures to analyze financial performance, financial position and cash flow. These non-GAAP and other financial measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities. The non-GAAP and other financial measures should not be considered to be more meaningful than GAAP measures which are determined in accordance with IFRS, such as net income (loss), cash flow from (used in) operating activities, and cash flow from (used in) investing activities, as indicators of Rubellite's performance.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Capital Expenditures: Rubellite uses capital expenditures related to exploration and development to measure its capital investments compared to the Company's annual capital budgeted expenditures. Rubellite's capital budget excludes acquisition and disposition activities.
The most directly comparable GAAP measure for capital expenditures is cash flow from (used in) investing activities. A summary of the reconciliation of cash flow from (used in) investing activities to capital expenditures, is set forth below:
Three months ended | Six months ended | |||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |
Net cash flows used in investing activities | (15,690) | (17,508) | (43,412) | (45,980) |
Change in non-cash working capital | (3,870) | (4,803) | (9,531) | 2,236 |
Capital expenditures | (11,820) | (12,705) | (33,881) | (48,216) |
Property, plant and equipment expenditures | (11,149) | (9,482) | (19,252) | (31,256) |
Exploration and evaluation expenditures | (671) | (3,223) | (14,629) | (16,960) |
Capital expenditures | (11,820) | (12,705) | (33,881) | (48,216) |
Net Debt: Rubellite uses net debt as an alternative measure of outstanding debt. Management considers net debt as an important measure in assessing the liquidity of the Company. Net debt is used by management to assess the Company's overall debt position and borrowing capacity. Net debt or asset is not a standardized measure and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities.
The following table reconciles working capital and net debt as reported in the Company's statements of financial position:
As of | As of | |
Current assets | 8,806 | 13,262 |
Current liabilities | (16,385) | (28,802) |
Working capital (surplus) deficiency | 7,579 | 15,540 |
Risk management contracts – current asset | 819 | 1,437 |
Risk management contracts – current liability | — | (749) |
Adjusted working capital (surplus) deficiency | 8,398 | 16,228 |
Bank indebtedness | 12,278 | 12,000 |
Net debt (asset) | 20,676 | 28,228 |
Adjusted funds flow: Adjusted funds flow is calculated based on net cash flows from operating activities, excluding changes in non-cash working capital and expenditures on decommissioning obligations since the Company believes the timing of collection, payment or incurrence of these items is variable. Expenditures on decommissioning obligations may vary from period to period depending on capital programs and the maturity of Rubellite's operating areas. Expenditures on decommissioning obligations are managed through the capital budgeting process which considers available adjusted funds flow. Management uses adjusted funds flow and adjusted funds flow per boe as key measures to assess the ability of the Company to generate the funds necessary to finance capital expenditures, expenditures on decommissioning obligations and meet its financial obligations.
Adjusted funds flow is not intended to represent net cash flows from operating activities calculated in accordance with IFRS.
The following table reconciles net cash flows from operating activities, as reported in the Company's statements of cash flows, to adjusted funds flow:
Three months ended | Six months ended | |||
($ thousands, except as noted) | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 |
Net cash flows from operating activities | 12,186 | 6,473 | 21,471 | 9,665 |
Change in non-cash working capital | (188) | (1,876) | 209 | (1,233) |
Adjusted funds flow | 11,998 | 4,597 | 21,680 | 8,432 |
Adjusted funds flow per share - basic | 0.19 | 0.09 | 0.35 | 0.15 |
Adjusted funds flow per share – diluted | 0.19 | 0.09 | 0.37 | 0.15 |
Adjusted funds flow per boe | 46.35 | 34.18 | 41.06 | 34.13 |
Net debt to Q2 2023 annualized adjusted funds flows: Net debt to Q2 2023 annualized adjusted funds flows is calculated as net debt/(asset) divided by the annualized adjusted funds flow for the most recently completed quarter. Management considers net debt to annualized adjusted funds flow as a key measure to assess the Company's ability to fund future capital requirements and/or pay down debt, using the most recent quarters' results.
Available Liquidity: Available liquidity is defined as the borrowing limit under the Company's credit facility, plus any cash and cash equivalents, less any borrowings and letters of credit issued under the credit facility. Management uses available liquidity to assess the ability of the Company to finance capital expenditures and expenditures on decommissioning obligations, and to meet its financial obligations.
Non-GAAP Financial Ratios
Rubellite calculates certain non-GAAP measures per boe as the measure divided by weighted average daily production. Management believes that per boe ratios are a key industry performance measure of operational efficiency and one that provides investors with information that is also commonly presented by other crude oil and natural gas producers. Rubellite also calculates certain non-GAAP measures per share as the measure divided by outstanding common shares.
Average realized oil price after risk management contracts: are calculated as the average realized price less the realized gain or loss on risk management contracts.
Adjusted funds flow per share: adjusted funds flow per share is calculated using the weighted average number of basic and diluted shares outstanding used in calculating net income (loss) per share.
Adjusted funds flow per boe: Adjusted funds flow per boe is calculated as adjusted funds flow divided by total production sold in the period.
Supplementary Financial Measures
"Average realized oil price" is comprised of total oil revenue, as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by the Company's total sales oil production on a per barrel basis.
"Royalties (percentage of revenue)" is comprised of royalties, as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by oil revenue from sales oil production as determined in accordance with IFRS.
"Production & operating costs ($/boe)" is comprised of operating expense, as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by the Company's total sales oil production.
"Transportation cost ($/boe)" is comprised of transportation cost, as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by the Company's total sales oil production.
"General & administrative costs ($/boe)" is comprised of G&A expense, as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by the Company's total sales oil production.
"Heavy oil wellhead differential ($/bbl)" represents the differential the Company receives for selling its heavy crude oil production relative to the Western Canadian Select reference price (Cdn$/bbl) prior to any price or risk management activities.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Certain information in this news release including management's assessment of future plans and operations, and including the information contained under the headings "Operations Update" and "Outlook and Guidance" may constitute forward-looking information or statements (together "forward-looking information") under applicable securities laws. The forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements with respect to: future capital expenditures, production and various cost forecasts; the anticipated sources of funds to be used for capital spending; expectations as to drilling activity, regulatory application and waterflood plans in various areas (including on the BLMS) and the benefits to be derived from such drilling including production growth; expectations respecting Rubellite's future exploration, development and drilling activities and Rubellite's business plan; and including the information and statements contained under the heading "Outlook and Guidance" and "About Rubellite".
Forward-looking information is based on current expectations, estimates and projections that involve a number of known and unknown risks, which could cause actual results to vary and in some instances to differ materially from those anticipated by Rubellite and described in the forward-looking information contained in this news release. In particular and without limitation of the foregoing, material factors or assumptions on which the forward-looking information in this news release is based include: the successful operation of the
Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of performance and is subject to a number of risks or uncertainties, including without limitation those described herein and under "Risk Factors" in Rubellite's Annual Information Form and MD&A for the year ended
SOURCE
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