HOUSTON, TEXAS–(Marketwired – May 24, 2016) – Cub Energy Inc. (“Cub” or the “Company“) (TSX VENTURE:KUB), a Ukraine-focused upstream oil and gas company, announced today its unaudited interim financial and operating results for the first quarter of 2016. All dollar amounts are expressed in United States Dollars. This update includes results from KUB-Gas LLC (“KUB-Gas“), which Cub has a 35% equity ownership interest (increased from 30% effective February 8, 2016), and Tysagaz LLC (“Tysagaz“), Cub’s 100% owned subsidiary.
Operational Highlights
- Royalty rates for natural gas in Ukraine declined from 55% to 29% effective January 1, 2016 which materially improved the Company’s netbacks and net income.
- Production averaged 1,644 boe/d (98% natural gas) for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, which is flat compared to the 1,644 boe/d in the comparative 2015 quarter and a 22% increase from the 1,353 boe/d production averaged for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2015.
- Achieved average natural gas price of $6.23/Mcf and condensate price of $28.29/bbl during the quarter ended March 31, 2016 as compared to $7.77/Mcf and $39.83/bbl for the comparative 2015 quarter and $7.32/Mcf and $46.84/bbl for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2015.
- In January 2016, a workover at RK-21 set a retrievable plug above the current open perforations in the D-2 through D-3 Lower reservoirs and opened the D-0 reservoir for production. The workover was successfully completed and the well was initially on production at approximately 1.3 million cubic feet per day (“MMcf/d”).
- In February 2016, the Company received an additional 5% interest in KUB Holdings for a total 35% equity ownership interest. The Company has the ability to further increase its ownership interest from 35% to 40% on meeting certain benchmarks and optional payments.
- In March 2016, the Company was granted a 20-year term production licence in western Ukraine. The Uzhgorod licence covers approximately 75,000 acres which is a 50% increase from its original size of 50,000 acres.
Financial Highlights
- Netbacks of $23.13/boe or $3.86/Mcfe for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 as compared to netback of $11.64/Boe or $1.92/Mcfe for the comparative 2015 quarter. In addition, netbacks were $13.13/Boe or $2.19/Mcfe for the fourth quarter of 2015. Netbacks in 2016 improved as a result of the reduced royalty rate effective January 1, 2016.
- Revenue from hydrocarbon sales for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $1.5 million (2015 – $1.8 million).
- Revenue from hydrocarbon sales by KUB-Gas for the three months ended March 31, 2016 were $12.7 million (2015 – $17.0 million) of which the Company’s 35% share was $4.4 million (2015 – $5.1 million).
- The total pro-rata revenue from hydrocarbon sales, a non-IFRS measure combining the Company’s revenue and 35% of the allocated KUB-Gas revenue, totaled $5.9 million (2015 – $6.9 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2016.
- The Company’s net income from its 35% equity investment in KUB-Gas for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 was $1.7 million (2015 – $0.1 million) which improved as a result of the reduced natural gas royalty rate.
- The net income for the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $1.5 million or $0.00 per share (2015 – $1.2 million net loss or $0.00 per share).
- There were $0.1 million in capital expenditures for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 (2015 – $0.1 million) and the pro-rata capital expenditures, a non-IFRS measure combining the Company’s capital expenditures and 35% of the allocated KUB-Gas capital expenditures, totaled $0.3 million (2015 – $0.5 million) for the quarter ended March 31, 2016.
- During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company’s Ukraine subsidiary, Tysagaz, entered into an unsecured, non-interest bearing loan agreement with KUB-Gas, whereby KUB-Gas agreed to lend Tysagaz approximately $1.2 million for general working capital. The loan is due and payable on December 31, 2017. The Company expects to repay the loan if, and when, the National Bank of Ukraine lifts the dividend restriction in Ukraine and contemporaneously receive the same amount as a dividend from KUB Holdings. There is no guarantee that the dividend restriction will be lifted or that dividends will be available from KUB Holdings.
- With the current cash resources, no further funding in 2016 under the existing line of credit, temporary suspension of the RK Field, dividend restrictions, currency fluctuations, reliance on a limited number of customers, and impact on carrying values, the Company may not have sufficient cash to continue the exploration and development activities. These matters raise significant doubt about the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern and meet its obligations as they become due.
| (in thousands of US Dollars) | Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 |
||
| Petroleum and natural gas revenue | 1,456 | 1,776 | ||
| Pro-rata petroleum and natural gas revenue(1) | 5,903 | 6,884 | ||
| Net income (loss) | 1,457 | (1,223 | ) | |
| Income (loss) per share – basic and diluted | 0.00 | (0.00 | ) | |
| Funds generated from operations(2) | (109 | ) | 246 | |
| Pro-rata funds generated from operations(3) | 1,215 | 144 | ||
| Capital expenditures(4) | 138 | 83 | ||
| Pro-rata capital expenditures(4) | 287 | 540 | ||
| Pro-rata netback ($/boe) | 23.13 | 11.64 | ||
| Pro-rata netback ($Mcfe) | 3.86 | 1.92 | ||
| March 31, 2016 |
December 31, 2015 |
|||
| Working capital (deficit) | (2,718 | ) | (1,722 | ) |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 1,971 | 1,360 | ||
| Long-term debt | 1,176 | 2,000 |
Notes:
| (1) | Pro-rata petroleum and natural gas revenue is a non-IFRS measure that adds the Company’s petroleum and natural gas revenue earned in the respective periods to the Company’s 35% (2015 – 30%) equity share of the KUB-Gas petroleum and natural gas sales that the Company has an economic interest in. |
| (2) | Funds from operations is a non-IFRS measure and is defined as cash flow from operating activities, excluding changes in non-cash working capital. |
| (3) | Pro-rata funds from operations is a non-IFRS measure that adds the Company’s funds from operations in the respective periods to the Company’s 35% (2015 – 30%) equity share of the KUB-Gas funds from operations that the Company has an economic interest in. |
| (4) | Capital expenditures includes the purchase of property, plant and equipment and the purchase of exploration and evaluation assets. Pro-rata capital expenditures is a non-IFRS measure that adds the Company’s capital expenditures in the respective periods to the Company’s 35% (2015 – 30%) equity share of the KUB-Gas capital expenditures that the Company has an economic interest in. |
Outlook
The Company is evaluating the 2016 work programs in light of the recently reduced royalty rate of 29% effective January 1, 2016. The Company expects KUB-Gas to drill two wells and perform several fracture stimulations in 2016 which the Company expects will be self-funded by KUB-Gas. The Company may drill one new well on its 100% owned western Ukraine licences pending sufficient operating cashflow. The Company continues to explore solutions to the gas blending contract at the RK Field at Tysagaz. The Company hopes to resume production at the RK Field in July 2016.
Supporting Documents
Cub’s complete quarterly reporting package, including the unaudited interim financial statements and associated Management’s Discussion and Analysis, have been filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and has been posted on the Company’s website at www.cubenergyinc.com.
About Cub Energy Inc.
Cub Energy Inc. (TSX VENTURE:KUB) is an upstream oil and gas company, with a proven track record of exploration and production cost efficiency in Ukraine. The Company’s strategy is to implement western technology and capital, combined with local expertise and ownership, to increase value in its undeveloped land base, creating and further building a portfolio of producing oil and gas assets within a high pricing environment.
For further information please contact us or visit our website: www.cubenergyinc.com.
Oil and Gas Equivalents
A barrel of oil equivalent (“boe”) or units of natural gas equivalents (“Mcfe”) is calculated using the conversion factor of 6 Mcf (thousand cubic feet) of natural gas being equivalent to one barrel of oil. A boe conversion ratio of 6 Mcf: 1 bbl (barrel) or a Mcfe conversion of 1bbl: 6 Mcf is, based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead and is not based on either energy content or current prices. While the boe ratio is useful for comparative measures, it does not accurately reflect individual product values and might be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. As well, given that the value ratio, based on the current price of crude oil to natural gas, is significantly different from the 6:1 energy equivalency ratio, using a 6:1 conversion ratio may be misleading as an indication of value.
Reader Advisory
Test results are not necessarily indicative of long term performance or of ultimate recovery. The test data contained herein is considered preliminary until full pressure transient analysis is complete. Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as “plan”, “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate” and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” occur. Cub believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable; however there can be no assurance those expectations will prove to be correct. We cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information.
Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause the results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions in Ukraine, the Black Sea Region and globally; political unrest and security concerns in Ukraine; industry conditions, including fluctuations in the prices of natural gas and foreign currency; governmental regulation of the natural gas industry, including environmental regulation; unanticipated operating events or performance which can reduce production or cause production to be shut in or delayed; failure to obtain industry partner and other fourth party consents and approvals, if and when required; competition for and/or inability to retain drilling rigs and other services; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; stock market volatility; volatility in market prices for natural gas; liabilities inherent in natural gas operations; competition for, among other things, capital, acquisitions of reserves, undeveloped lands, skilled personnel and supplies; incorrect assessments of the value of acquisitions; geological, technical, drilling, processing and transportation problems; changes in tax laws and incentive programs relating to the natural gas industry; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions and dispositions; and the other factors. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive.
This cautionary statement expressly qualifies the forward-looking information contained in this news release. We undertake no duty to update any of the forward-looking information to conform such information to actual results or to changes in our expectations except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Mikhail Afendikov
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(713) 677-0439
mikhail.afendikov@cubenergyinc.com
Cub Energy Inc.
Patrick McGrath
Chief Financial Officer
(713) 577-1948
patrick.mcgrath@cubenergyinc.com
www.cubenergyinc.com