Zargon Oil & Gas Ltd. ("Zargon" or the "Company") (TSX:ZAR) (TSX:ZAR.DB).
FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2013)
-- First quarter 2013 production averaged 5,113 barrels of oil and liquids
per day, a one percent increase from the preceding quarter and first
quarter 2013 natural gas production averaged 15.2 million cubic feet per
day, a five percent decrease from the preceding quarter. Total
production averaged 7,648 barrels of oil equivalent per day, a one
percent decrease from the preceding quarter. During the quarter, oil and
liquids production represented 67 percent of total production based on a
6:1 equivalent basis.
-- Funds flow from operating activities of $13.9 million were 15 percent
lower than the $16.4 million recorded in the prior quarter, and three
percent higher than the $13.5 million reported in first quarter of 2012.
Funds flow from operating activities for the 2013 first quarter included
reductions of $0.9 million of asset retirement expenses.
-- Three monthly cash dividends of $0.06 per common share were declared in
the first quarter of 2013 for a total of $5.4 million ($4.8 million
after accounting for the common shares issued under the Dividend
Reinvestment Plan ("DRIP") in lieu of cash dividends). These cash
dividends (net of the DRIP) were equivalent to a payout ratio of 34
percent of funds flow from operating activities.
-- First quarter 2013 exploration and development capital expenditures
(excluding property acquisitions and dispositions) were $19.3 million
and included $5.0 million of expenditures related to the Little Bow ASP
tertiary oil recovery project. In the quarter, Zargon drilled 7.0 gross
wells (5.1 net wells) that resulted in 5.1 net oil wells.
-- Zargon's March 31, 2013 debt, net of working capital (excluding
unrealized derivative assets/liabilities) and using the full future face
value of the convertible debenture of $57.5 million, was $120.1 million
and is approximately 2.1 times annualized 2013 first quarter funds flow
from operating activities. At March 31, 2013, Zargon had more than $100
million of available credit facilities remaining on its $165 million
borrowing base.
-- During the 2013 first quarter, Zargon disposed of assets in the Karr,
Alberta area for total proceeds of $3.5 million. The assets mainly
consisted of undeveloped land and contained minimal reserves and
production. Subsequent to quarter end, Zargon has disposed of assets in
the Workman, Saskatchewan area for $4.3 million. The assets were
producing 40 barrels of oil per day.
Three Months Ended March 31,
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Percent
2013 2012 Change
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Financial Highlights
Income and Investments ($ millions)
Gross petroleum and natural gas sales 37.08 44.64 (17)
Funds flow from operating activities 13.90 13.52 3
Cash flows from operating activities 12.46 11.85 5
Cash dividends (net of Dividend
Reinvestment Plan) 4.75 7.45 (36)
Net earnings/(loss) 0.23 (2.01) 111
Field capital and administrative asset
expenditures 19.28 20.85 (8)
Net property and corporate
acquisitions/(dispositions) (3.09) 0.10 (3,190)
Net capital expenditures 16.19 20.95 (23)
Per Share, Basic
Funds flow from operating activities
($/share) 0.46 0.46 -
Net earnings/(loss) ($/share) 0.01 (0.07) 114
Cash Dividends ($/common share) 0.18 0.30 (40)
Balance Sheet at Period End ($ millions)
Property and equipment (D&P) 399.39 418.48 (5)
Exploration and evaluation assets
(E&E) 19.22 24.17 (20)
Total assets 450.34 473.69 (5)
Working capital deficiency 18.58 16.94 10
Long term bank debt 44.02 107.37 (59)
Convertible debentures at maturity 57.50 - -
Shareholders' equity 192.70 214.57 (10)
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding for
the Period (millions) - Basic 29.91 29.40 2
Total Common Shares Outstanding at
Period End (millions) 29.97 29.47 2
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Notes:
Funds flow from operating activities is an additional GAAP term that
represents net earnings/loss and asset retirement expenditures except for
non-cash items.
Working capital deficiency excludes derivative assets/liabilities.
Three Months Ended March 31,
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percent
2013 2012 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Highlights
Average Daily Production
Oil and liquids (bbl/d) 5,113 5,496 (7)
Natural gas (mmcf/d) 15.21 20.03 (24)
Equivalent (boe/d) 7,648 8,834 (13)
Average Selling Price (before the impact
of financial risk management contracts)
Oil and liquids ($/bbl) 71.62 81.92 (13)
Natural gas ($/mcf) 3.01 2.01 50
Netback ($/boe)
Gross petroleum and natural gas sales 53.87 55.53 (3)
Royalties (9.69) (10.51) (8)
Realized gain/(loss) on derivatives 1.86 (3.84) 148
Operating expenses (17.27) (16.56) 4
Transportation expenses (0.66) (0.47) 40
Operating netback 28.11 24.15 16
Wells Drilled, Net 5.1 9.6 (47)
Undeveloped Land at Period End (thousand
net acres) 321 411 (22)
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Notes:
The calculation of barrels of oil equivalent ("boe") is based on the
conversion ratio that six thousand cubic feet of natural gas is equivalent
to one barrel of oil.
Message to Shareholders
Zargon Oil & Gas Ltd. has released financial and operating results for the first
quarter of 2013 that highlighted continued progress in its drive to become a
long term sustainable, dividend-paying energy producer. The quarter was
highlighted by the sanctioning of the construction of our Little Bow Alkaline
Surfactant Polymer ("ASP") tertiary oil recovery project in Southern Alberta.
Zargon's sustainability model implies balancing cash inflows and outflows,
generating meaningful growth in cash flow per share, while continuing the shift
toward oil and liquids over the next few years. Zargon believes that the Little
Bow ASP tertiary oil recovery production will help improve sustainability, as it
offers the best blend of low-decline, low-sustaining capital and high-netback
and long-life assets available to the company.
The Company's intentions throughout the remainder of 2013 will be to:
-- Deliver the Little Bow ASP project on-time and on-budget, with first
chemical injections to occur in January 2014;
-- Deliver a consistent dividend of $0.06 per common share per month;
-- Deliver a property divestiture program designed to high grade and
concentrate the company's asset portfolio; and
-- Maintain a strong balance sheet through substantial oil hedging programs
while limiting drilling capital to high-graded projects offering the
most attractive risk adjusted returns.
Little Bow Alkaline Surfactant Polymer ("ASP") Project
Zargon has made good progress with the Little Bow ASP project in 2013. This ASP
project entails the injection of a dilute chemical solution into a partially
depleted reservoir to recover incremental oil reserves. In its 2012 year end
review, McDaniel and Associates Consultants Ltd. assigned 4.4 million barrels of
probable undeveloped oil equivalent reserves to Zargon's working interest in
phases 1 and 2 of the project.
Since the February 2013 sanctioning of the project, Zargon has advanced the
project on many fronts: facility approvals from the Energy Resources
Conservation Board ("ERCB") have been obtained; material and equipment
procurement is proceeding; field pipeline replacements and upgrades have been
constructed; and facility construction contracts and ASP chemical supply bids
are being negotiated. Field construction is expected to commence in late May
2013, which will provide for first chemical injections in January 2014 and
incremental oil production by the second quarter of 2014.
The total construction capital cost of phases 1 and 2 of the Little Bow ASP
project continues to be approximately $60 million (as spent dollars). Of this
total, $6.5 million of expenditures were incurred in 2012 and $5.0 million were
spent in the first quarter of 2013. For the remainder of 2013, we plan on
spending $37 million, an amount that includes $3 million of 2014 expenditures
that have been advanced into 2013 to prepare for early production responses and
the first ASP chemical deliveries. The estimated total phase 1 and 2 chemical
cost for the 2014-2019 chemical injection period will be capitalized and remains
at $66 million (as spent dollars). The project's final $12 million, for the
implementation of phase 2, is scheduled for 2015.
Based on the current construction schedule, we forecast that the Little Bow ASP
project will provide 250 barrels of oil per day of incremental production in
2014, which will be comprised of an initial production response in the 2014
second quarter and a 2014 year end rate of 500 barrels of oil per day. Without
additional infill drilling, incremental production from phases 1 and 2 of the
project are forecast to reach 1,600 barrels of oil per day by 2016. Using these
rates with an estimated field oil price of $68 Cdn. per barrel, a 12 percent
incremental tertiary royalty rate, and operating costs of $12 per barrel of
incremental oil, the project is forecast to provide a field netback of
approximately $50 per barrel of incremental oil production volumes.
Follow-on capital expenditures for phases 3 and 4 of the Little Bow ASP project
are expected to be completed by 2017 with forecasted total combined phases 1 to
4 project peak production rates of 2,300 barrels of oil per day expected to
occur in 2020. For further information regarding the Little Bow ASP project,
please refer to our updated corporate presentation, which is available at
www.zargon.ca.
Other Field Activities
In addition to the $5.0 million of ASP capital expenditures, Zargon executed a
$14.3 million capital program in the 2013 first quarter on conventional oil
exploitation assets. This capital program included the drilling of 5.1 net
Williston Basin horizontal oil wells in addition to significant infrastructure
upgrades at the Alberta Hamilton Lake and Bellshill Lake properties and the
Saskatchewan Steelman and Weyburn properties. These infrastructure costs are now
essentially completed and will provide operating expense improvements for the
remainder of the related long-life oil properties. Significantly lower drilling
and infrastructure capital expenditure levels are anticipated for the next two
quarters.
In particular, the first quarter drilling program concentrated on Williston
Basin Midale drainage type wells at Steelman, Weyburn, Ralph, Saskatchewan and
Mackobee Coulee, North Dakota. These horizontal oil exploitation wells met our
expectations that are characterized by moderate initial rates, but long-life,
shallow declines that provide solid returns. Conversely, first quarter 2013
production results from our three well fourth quarter 2012 Hamilton Lake Viking
oil exploitation program did not meet expectations due to lower well inflows
than anticipated. This summer, we will re-examine our technical work and
historical results to develop a plan to unlock this property's large oil
exploitation potential.
For the remainder of the year, Zargon is planning on drilling an additional 10
net high-graded horizontal oil exploitation wells, roughly equally divided
between our Taber South Sunburst and Williston Basin Midale drainage projects.
In aggregate, Zargon has identified more than 100 horizontal locations in six
conventional (non-ASP) oil exploitation projects, which will provide a
high-graded drilling inventory for many years. Each of these six oil
exploitation projects are (or will be) pressure supported by water injections or
natural reservoir aquifers and consequently provide long-life low-decline oil
volumes that will support future dividends.
Property Dispositions Update
During the 2013 first quarter, property dispositions of $3.5 million were
concluded, which primarily related to the sale of undeveloped land assets in
Karr, Alberta. Subsequent to quarter end, an additional $4.3 million of property
dispositions were made with the sale of the 40 barrels of oil per day in the
Workman, Saskatchewan property. Throughout 2013, a minimum of $20 million of
property dispositions are budgeted.
To meet this disposition objective, we are using third party services to market
two packages (Twining, Wayne, Provost and Grand Forks, Alberta) that, in
aggregate, are producing 350 barrels of oil per day. Additional oil properties,
as required, will be marketed in the second half of 2013 in order to meet the
company's $20 million disposition target. With numerous disposition options
available, Zargon will exercise prudence with its planned dispositions so as to
maximize the potential value from the dispositions and minimize the cash flow
impact. A key consideration of the sales will be to reduce our property
footprint by selling (or trading) our very large non-strategic property
inventory and consequently, sales in addition to the $20 million target may be
considered. Over time, we anticipate that these dispositions will enable Zargon
to realize a lower cost structure through a disciplined focus on our growing
tertiary oil recovery business and the stable production volumes coming from the
measured exploitation of core, conventional long-life low-decline oil
properties.
2013 Outlook
Zargon's 2013 non-ASP field capital budget has been set at $40 million (before
dispositions) of which approximately $26 million will be spent in the remaining
three quarters. Our 2013 capital budget incorporates $20 million of property
dispositions, of which $7.8 million have been completed by early May. For the
remainder of the year, the drilling of the 10 remaining budgeted wells will be
contingent on the successful execution of this $20 million property disposition
program.
Although during the "2013 ASP heavy capital spend" period, we have deferred
components of our oil exploitation drilling programs, we will not be deferring
our general oil exploitation capital programs related to waterflood
modifications, pumping upgrades, facility optimizations, etc. These ongoing
projects provide very strong returns and moderate our base corporate oil
declines from the 21 to 14 percent range. Additionally, we will continue to
monitor the improving natural gas prices and will optimize and re-activate
shut-in gas wells when appropriate. Zargon shut-in a significant amount of
natural gas wells in 2012 due to low natural gas prices.
Also, Zargon has entered into a significant oil hedging program to provide a
measure of stability and predictability to cash flows during the ASP
construction phase. For the remainder of 2013, Zargon has hedged 3,000 barrels
per day at $97.32 US/bbl WTI, while for 2014 an average of 2,300 barrels per day
is hedged at $91.92 US/bbl WTI.
Production Guidance
In the March 12, 2013 year end press release, Zargon provided updated first
quarter 2013 oil production rate guidance of 5,150 barrels of oil and liquids
per day. Actual first quarter volumes were 5,113 barrels of oil and liquids per
day or about one percent below guidance. The press release also set Zargon's
first quarter 2013 natural gas production guidance of 15.6 million cubic feet
per day. First quarter actual volumes were 15.2 million cubic feet per day or
about three percent below guidance.
Oil and liquids production for the 2013 second quarter is set at 4,800 barrels
of oil per day and reflects estimated reductions of 100 barrels of oil and
liquids per day for spring break-up shut-ins and 40 barrels of oil and liquids
per day for second quarter property dispositions. Second quarter natural gas
production guidance is set at 15.0 million cubic feet per day.
For the remainder of the year, production volumes will depend on the magnitude
and timing of our property disposition programs along with related timing of our
drilling programs and consequently a broad range of outcomes are possible.
Full-year 2013 average oil and liquids production is now expected to range
between 4,700 to 4,900 barrels of oil per day, with exit rates ranging from
4,400 to 4,700 barrels of oil per day. Full-year 2013 average natural gas
production is now expected to range between 14.8 to 15.0 million cubic feet per
day, with exit rates ranging from 14.5 to 14.9 million cubic feet per day.
Looking forward, we expect that first quarter 2014 production volumes will
represent both an oil production low and a turning point for Zargon, as in
subsequent quarters, significant production volumes will begin to materialize
from the ASP project and from oil exploitation drilling programs that will have
been reactivated once the substantial ASP phase 1 capital program is completed.
Acknowledgement
Finally, I would like to personally acknowledge Mr. Graham Weir who has decided
to not stand for re-election to the Zargon Board this year. Graham joined our
Board in October 2003 and over the past 10 years has served Zargon and its
shareholders well through his thoughtful counsel and advice. We thank Graham for
his significant contributions and wish him the very best in his future
endeavours.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release offers our assessment of Zargon's future plans and operations
as at May 14, 2013, and contains certain forward-looking information and
statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of
the words "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "forecast", "may",
"will", "project", "should", "plan", "intend", "believe" and similar expressions
(including the negatives thereof) 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: guidance as to our 2013 and 2014 capital budgets, including
the allocation thereof and the sources of funding and various plans, forecasts
and estimates as to drilling cost reduction initiatives, and other operational
forecasts and plans and results therefrom under the heading "Little Bow Alkaline
Surfactant Polymer ("ASP") Project", "Other Field Activities", "Property
Disposition Update" and "2013 Outlook "; our plans with respect to our Little
Bow ASP project and the results therefrom referred to under the heading "Little
Bow Alkaline Surfactant Polymer ("ASP") Project"; our plans for our hedges under
the heading "2013 Outlook"; and all matters, including guidance as to our
estimated 2013 and 2014 production and production mix, and anticipated decline
rates, under the heading "Production Guidance".
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 involve 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 or statements including,
without limitation: those relating to results of operations and financial
condition; general economic conditions; industry conditions; changes in
regulatory and taxation regimes; volatility of commodity prices; escalation of
operating and capital costs; currency fluctuations; the availability of
services; imprecision of reserve estimates; geological, technical, drilling and
processing problems; environmental risks; weather; the lack of availability of
qualified personnel or management; stock market volatility; the ability to
access sufficient capital from internal and external sources; and competition
from other industry participants for, among other things, capital, services,
acquisitions of reserves, undeveloped lands and skilled personnel. Risks are
described in more detail in our Annual Information Form, which is available on
www.zargon.ca and on www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements are provided to
allow investors to have a greater understanding of our business.
You are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such
information and statements, including, among other things: future oil and
natural gas prices; future capital expenditure levels; future production levels;
future exchange rates; the cost of developing and expanding our assets; our
ability to obtain equipment in a timely manner to carry out development
activities; our ability to market our oil and natural gas successfully to
current and new customers; the impact of increasing competition; the
availability of adequate and acceptable debt and equity financing and funds from
operations to fund our planned expenditures; and our ability to add production
and reserves through our development and acquisition activities, although
considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and,
as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Our
actual results, performance, or achievement could differ materially from those
expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. We can give no
assurance that any of the events anticipated will transpire or occur, or if any
of them do, what benefits we will derive from them. The forward-looking
information and statements contained in this document is expressly qualified by
this cautionary statement. Our policy for updating forward-looking statements is
that Zargon disclaims, except as required by law, any intention or obligation to
update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
Additional GAAP and Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Zargon uses the following terms for measurement within this press release that
do not have a standardized prescribed meaning under Canadian generally accepted
accounting principles ("GAAP") and these measurements may not be comparable with
the calculation of similar measurements of other entities.
The terms "funds flow from operating activities" and "operating netback per boe"
in this press release are not recognized measures under GAAP. Management of
Zargon believes that in addition to net earnings and cash flows from operating
activities as defined by GAAP, these terms are useful supplemental measures to
evaluate operating performance and assess leverage. Users are cautioned;
however, that these measures should not be construed as an alternative to net
earnings or cash flows from operating activities determined in accordance with
GAAP as an indication of Zargon's performance.
Zargon considers funds flow from operating activities to be an important measure
of Zargon's ability to generate the funds necessary to finance capital
expenditures, pay dividends and repay debt. All references to funds flow from
operating activities throughout this press release are based on cash provided by
operating activities before the change in non-cash working capital since Zargon
believes the timing of collection, payment or incurrence of these items involves
a high degree of discretion and, as such, may not be useful for evaluating
Zargon's operating performance. Zargon's method of calculating funds flow from
operating activities may differ from that of other companies and, accordingly,
may not be comparable to measures used by other companies. Funds flow from
operating activities per basic share is calculated using the same weighted
average basic shares outstanding as is used in calculating earnings per basic
share. See Zargon's Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") as filed on
www.zargon.ca and on www.sedar.com for the years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012
for a reconciliation of cash flows from operating activities to funds flow from
operating activities.
51-101 Advisory
In conformity with National Instrument 51-101, Standards for Disclosure of Oil
and Gas Activities ("NI 51-101"), natural gas volumes have been converted to
barrels of oil equivalent ("boe") using a conversion rate of six thousand cubic
feet of natural gas to one barrel of oil. In certain circumstances, natural gas
liquid volumes have been converted to a thousand cubic feet equivalent ("mcfe")
on the basis of one barrel of natural gas liquids to six thousand cubic feet of
gas. Boes and mcfes may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A
conversion ratio of one barrel to six thousand cubic feet of natural gas 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 from the energy equivalency of 6:1,
utilizing a conversion ratio on a 6:1 basis may be misleading as an indication
of value.
Filings
Zargon has filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities its unaudited
financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and the
accompanying MD&A. These filings are available on www.zargon.ca and under
Zargon's SEDAR profile on www.sedar.com.
About Zargon
Based in Calgary, Alberta, Zargon's securities trade on the Toronto Stock
Exchange and there are currently approximately 29.972 million common shares
outstanding.
Zargon Oil & Gas Ltd. is a Calgary based oil and natural gas company working in
the Western Canadian and Williston sedimentary basins that has delivered a long
history of returns and dividends (distributions). Zargon's business is focused
on oil exploitation projects that profitably increase oil production and
recovery factors from existing oil reservoirs.
In order to learn more about Zargon, we encourage you to visit Zargon's website
at www.zargon.ca where you will find a current shareholder presentation,
financial reports and historical news releases.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
C.H. Hansen
President and Chief Executive Officer
J.B. Dranchuk
Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
Zargon Oil & Gas Ltd.
403-264-9992
zargon@zargon.ca
www.zargon.ca
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