The transaction is expected to close in the second half of
The acquisition represents a further important component of the Company's ongoing
BLACK SWAN ACQUISITION OVERVIEW
Tourmaline will acquire expected average production of over 50,000 boepd at close, post the first phase of the
Tourmaline acquires existing 2P reserves of 491.9 million boe (GLJ -
The acquisition includes material
Significant key gas processing and transportation infrastructure including operatorship and 50% working interest in the two new Black Swan gas plants at greater Aitken, with existing capacity of 265 mmcfpd, which can be expanded to 360 mmcfpd. These plants and pipelines represent important components of Tourmaline's planned
The existing Black Swan developed block at Aitken features amongst the highest performance Tier 1 Montney subsurface assets with per well EUR of 8-10 bcf and strong initial liquid yields (40-70 bbl/mmcf, 50-60% C5(+)). As of 2020YE, there were 99 producing Upper Montney horizontals and an additional 220 Upper Montney 2P undeveloped locations currently at Aitken (GLJ -
Existing Black Swan cash costs(2) are top quartile at under
Black Swan's three largest shareholders as well as all directors and officers have entered into agreements with Tourmaline in support of the transaction representing, in aggregate, over 98.5% of Black Swan's outstanding common shares.
The board of directors of each Black Swan and Tourmaline have unanimously approved the transaction.
Scotia and Stifel FirstEnergy acted as financial advisors to Tourmaline and
TOURMALINE PLANS AND OUTLOOK
The Black Swan acquisition will facilitate Tourmaline evolving into a 500,000 boepd company during 2022, with anticipated mid-2022 gas production of 2.25-2.30 bcf/day and total liquid production of 115,000 bpd (oil, condensate, NGLs).
The acquisition is expected to grow Tourmaline's
The Company's envisioned North Conroy expansion is expected to increase Tourmaline North Montney production by an additional 100,000 boepd post 2025.
Tourmaline expects the Black Swan assets to generate a
Tourmaline will complete the Nig Creek Phase 2 plant expansion growing production to 60,000 boepd in 1H 2022 and plans to maintain production at those levels. There is a current available drilling inventory in the core Aitken development to maintain production at these levels for approximately 15 years. Annual maintenance capital is estimated at
An expansion of the North Aitken plant, with deep cut capability installation, is currently scheduled in the 2024-2025 timeframe, adding an incremental 15,000 boepd to the Black Swan production base. Tourmaline will match this incremental project to the timing of incremental Basin egress capacity that the Company secures.
Tourmaline expects to be able to reduce cash and capital costs for the Black Swan assets, improving margins/FCF generation commencing in 2022.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This news release contains forward-looking information and statements (collectively, 'forward-looking information') within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words 'forecast', 'expect', 'anticipate', 'continue', 'estimate', 'objective', 'ongoing', 'on track', 'may', 'will', 'project', 'should', 'believe', 'plans', 'intends' and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking information concerning Tourmaline's plans and other aspects of its anticipated future operations, management focus, objectives, strategies, financial, operating and production results and business opportunities, including the following: the benefits of the Black Swan acquisition including the anticipated FCF to be generated from the Black Swan assets; future dividend increases and levels; anticipated petroleum and natural gas production and production growth for various periods including estimated production levels for 2022 and beyond; the timing for the completion of the Gundy Phase 2 expansion; the shift to greater Conroy area over the next five years to develop a separate operated complex in the
Without limitation of the foregoing, future dividend payments, if any, and the level thereof is uncertain, as the Company's dividend policy and the funds available for the payment of dividends from time to time is dependent upon, among other things, free cash flow, financial requirements for the Company's operations and the execution of its growth strategy, fluctuations in working capital and the timing and amount of capital expenditures, debt service requirements and other factors beyond the Company's control. Further, the ability of Tourmaline to pay dividends will be subject to applicable laws (including the satisfaction of the solvency test contained in applicable corporate legislation) and contractual restrictions contained in the instruments governing its indebtedness, including its credit facility. Statements relating to 'reserves' are also 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 can be profitably produced in the future. | 5 Although Tourmaline believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because Tourmaline can give no assurances that it will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking information addresses future events and conditions, by its very nature it involves inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to: the risks associated with the oil and natural gas industry in general such as operational risks in development, exploration and production; delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to reserves, production, revenues, costs and expenses; health, safety and environmental risks; pandemics (including COVID-19); commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations; interest rate fluctuations; marketing and transportation; loss of markets; environmental risks; competition; incorrect assessment of the value of acquisitions; failure to complete or realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions (including the Black Swan acquisition) or dispositions; ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources; failure to obtain required regulatory and other approvals and changes in legislation, including but not limited to tax laws, royalties and environmental regulations.
RESERVES DATA
The reserves data set forth in this new release is based upon internal estimates. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of crude oil, natural gas and NGL reserves and the future cash flows attributed to such reserves. The reserve and associated cash flow information set forth above are estimates only. In general, estimates of economically recoverable crude oil, natural gas and NGL reserves and the future net cash flows therefrom are based upon a number of variable factors and assumptions, such as historical production from the properties, production rates, ultimate reserve recovery, timing and amount of capital expenditures, marketability of oil and natural gas, royalty rates, the assumed effects of regulation by governmental agencies and future operating costs, all of which may vary materially. For those reasons, estimates of the economically recoverable crude oil, NGL and natural gas reserves attributable to any particular group of properties, classification of such reserves based on risk of recovery and estimates of future net revenues associated with reserves prepared by different engineers, or by the same engineers at different times, may vary. The Company's actual production, revenues, taxes and development and operating expenditures with respect to its reserves will vary from estimates thereof and such variations could be material.
ABOUT
Tourmaline is an investment grade Canadian senior crude oil and natural gas exploration and production company focused on providing strong and predictable long-term growth and a steady return to shareholders through an aggressive exploration, development, production and acquisition program in the
Contact:
Tel: (403) 266-5992
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