CALGARY, ALBERTA–(Marketwired – March 15, 2017) –
NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF UNITED STATES SECURITIES LAW.
Painted Pony Petroleum Ltd. (“Painted Pony” or the “Corporation“) (TSX:PPY) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a share purchase agreement (the “Agreement“) to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of UGR Blair Creek Ltd. (“UGR“) (the “Acquisition“), a privately held 100% controlled subsidiary of Unconventional Resources Canada, LP (“URC“), a portfolio investment held in certain private equity funds advised by ARC Financial Corp. (such funds, collectively, “ARC“) and EnCap Investments, L.P. (such funds, collectively, “EnCap“). UGR operates high working interest Montney assets with established production, infrastructure and land holdings jointly with and adjacent to Painted Pony’s assets in northeast British Columbia (“NEBC“). Please refer to the area map (exhibit 1) included in this press release.
Pursuant to the Agreement, total consideration of 41.0 million common shares of Painted Pony (“Painted Pony Shares“) will be issued to URC (the “Purchase Price“). Based on the price per Painted Pony Share in respect of the Offering (as defined below) of $5.60, implying total share consideration of $229.6 million. At closing, Painted Pony will assume UGR’s net debt which at December 31, 2016 was approximately $47 million. Painted Pony will also assume other expected transaction costs of ARC, EnCap, URC and UGR.
In addition, Painted Pony has entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters led by Cormark Securities Inc. and TD Securities Inc. (collectively the “Underwriters“), pursuant to which the Underwriters have agreed to purchase for resale to the public, on a bought-deal basis, 18,018,100 Painted Pony Shares (the “Offered Shares“) at a price of $5.60 per Painted Pony Share for gross proceeds of approximately $100.9 million (the “Offering“), details of which can be found later in this press release.
A portion of the proceeds will be used to fund drilling on the acquired assets and on existing Painted Pony lands. The balance of the proceeds will be used to reduce bank indebtedness and general corporate purposes.
ACQUISITION HIGHLIGHTS
- Total Consideration (the “Consideration“) for UGR of approximately $276.6 million (the “Purchase Price“) is compelling in the context of recent industry Montney consolidation transactions in the area;
- Current production of UGR is over 51 MMcfe/d (8,500 boe/d) based on field estimates;
- Proved plus probable (“2P“) reserves of approximately 2.0 Tcfe (325.1 MMboe) with a 2P before tax net present value at December 31, 2016 discounted at 10% (“NPV10“) of $1.3 billion per UGR’s independent third-party qualified reserves evaluator McDaniel & Associates Consultants Ltd. (“McDaniel“);
- Increases Painted Pony’s total proved (“1P“) reserves by 29% or 768 Bcfe (128 MMboe);
- Increases Painted Pony’s NEBC Montney acreage by approximately 52% to 314 net sections (201,009 net acres) including UGR’s 108 net sections (69,143 net acres);
- Includes UGR-owned and third-party firm processing capacity of 155 MMcf/d, approximately 105 MMcf/d of which is currently unutilized by UGR;
- Increases Painted Pony’s anticipated 2017 annual average daily production by 12% from approximately 260 MMcfe/d (43,000 boe/d) to expected pro forma production of approximately 290 MMcfe/d (48,400 boe/d) with exit production expected to be approximately 447 MMcfe/d (74,500 boe/d);
- Increases Painted Pony’s 2018 expected annual average daily production by 41% from approximately 360 MMcfe/d (60,000 boe/d) to expected pro forma production of approximately 509 MMcfe/d (84,800 boe/d) with exit production expected to be approximately 538 MMcfe/d (89,600 boe/d). In the near term, filling existing capacity and developing UGR licensed locations comes at a lower cost than standalone development and is consistent with Painted Pony’s strategy of profitable and fiscally responsible development under current strip pricing;
- Provides Painted Pony with additional firm transportation of 106 MMcf/d on the Enbridge T-North pipeline system;
- Will result in ARC and EnCap becoming indirect investors in Painted Pony and each of ARC and EnCap will have a nominee added to the Corporation’s board of directors, subject to the approval of each nominee by the Corporation and the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX“) and each of ARC and EnCap entering into a lock-up agreement with the Corporation that reflects their commitment to realization of value from this transaction (see section titled ‘Consideration’ for specifics).
STRATEGIC RATIONALE
“As partners and neighbours, UGR’s assets fit like a glove with our existing asset base. While the acquired under-utilized processing capacity and transportation service will facilitate prudent growth in production and cash flow in the near term, Painted Pony’s significantly lower drilling and completion costs relative to UGR will generate material synergies and accretion as we execute our business plan on an expanded land base. Several of our most prolific Montney wells have been drilled on lands adjacent to or on jointly-held UGR lands. This Acquisition is consistent with our long-term strategy of cost-effective, counter-cyclical growth,” said Pat Ward, President and Chief Executive Officer of Painted Pony.
Strategic consolidation of an area operator and joint working interest partner
The Acquisition is a strategic expansion of Painted Pony’s world-class Montney project in NEBC. The Corporation’s Montney land position will increase by 52% to 314 net sections (201,009 net acres at an average 94% working interest) in one of the most productive areas of the Montney in British Columbia. Several of Painted Pony’s most prolific Montney wells were drilled on the Daiber area lands that are either contiguous with UGR acreage or on lands held jointly with UGR. Of the 35 gross Montney wells drilled on UGR lands to-date, 20 have been drilled in partnership with Painted Pony. Of the 218 gross undeveloped 2P locations on UGR lands as at December 31, 2016 per McDaniel, 57 gross drilling locations are located on lands jointly held with Painted Pony. The Acquisition includes 197 net 2P drilling locations which will complement the Painted Pony inventory and are expected to drive near-term growth in the Corporation’s proved developed producing (“PDP“) reserves. Painted Pony management estimates over 1,000 additional unbooked drilling locations on UGR lands.
Attractive purchase price relative to the value of reserves acquired
The Acquisition significantly increases Painted Pony’s reserves base, increasing 2P reserves by 39% or 2.0 Tcfe (325.1 MMboe) and 1P reserves by 29% or 768 Bcfe (128 MMboe). The before tax net present value at December 31, 2016 discounted at 10% (“NPV10“) of approximately $1,297 million was assigned to UGR assets by McDaniel.
Added liquids-rich potential and inventory in the Beg and Jedney blocks
Painted Pony believes the Beg and Jedney blocks are prospective for liquids-rich natural gas with wells on off-setting lands.
Stable production and cash flow base with licenced drilling locations
UGR is currently producing approximately 51 MMcfe/d (8,500 boe/d) from its assets, based on field estimates. UGR has a number of drill-ready locations which, together with excess processing and takeaway capacity, is expected to provide Painted Pony with a number of low-cost, low-risk, near-term production volume additions. A total of 17 wells are currently licensed and are ready for drilling on existing pads.
Strategic, unutilized infrastructure and take-away capacity
Painted Pony is acquiring processing facilities and takeaway capacity not fully utilized by UGR. UGR has 155 MMcf/d of natural gas processing capacity (98 MMcf/d owned; 57 MMcf/d third party) of which 105 MMcf/d is currently unutilized by UGR. UGR has 96 MMcf/d of firm takeaway capacity on the Enbridge T-North pipeline, increasing to 106 MMcf/d of capacity in November 2018.
Attractive capital efficiencies on near term production, cash flow and reserves additions
Painted Pony believes the Acquisition provides a significantly expanded and de-risked platform from which the Corporation can accelerate production, cash flow, and reserves growth and further position Painted Pony as a dominant, full-cycle and low-cost structure producer in the Montney.
ACQUISITION SUMMARY
| Purchase Price | $276.6 million(1) | |
| Current Production | 51 MMcfe/d (8,500 boe/d) | |
| Land (sections) | 108 net | |
| Land (acres) | 69,143 net acres | |
| Net Booked 2P Drilling Locations | 197 | |
| Management Identified Locations | 1,000+ | |
| Reserves(2) | ||
| PDP | 100.1 Bcfe (16.7 MMboe) | |
| PDP NPV10 | $125 million | |
| Proved | 768.1 Bcfe (128 MMboe) | |
| 1P RLI (4) | 41 years | |
| Proved NPV10 | $568 million | |
| 2P | 2.0 Tcfe (325.1 MMboe) | |
| 2P RLI (4) | >100 years | |
| 2P NPV10 | $1,297 million | |
| Infrastructure Value (3) | $30 million | |
| ($300,000 per 1 MMcf/d Processing Capacity) | ||
| TRANSACTION METRICS | ||
| Enterprise Value / Production | ||
| 2017 Production ($ / boe/d) | $35,330 / boe/d | |
| 2018 Production ($ / boe/d) | $11,916 / boe/d | |
| Enterprise Value / Debt-Adjusted Cash Flow Multiple | ||
| 2017 Price / Cash Flow | 9.1x | |
| 2018 Price / Cash Flow | 3.2x | |
Notes:
- The Purchase Price is comprised of 41.0 million Painted Pony Shares. Based on the price per Painted Pony Share in respect of the Offering of $5.60, this would imply deemed aggregate consideration of $276.6 million.
- Gross UGR Reserves. Reserves were prepared by McDaniel effective December 31, 2016 using the McDaniel January 1, 2017 forecast prices and costs in accordance with standards contained in the Canadian Oil & Gas Evaluation Handbook and National Instrument 51-101 – Standards of Disclosure of Oil and Gas Activities and the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook. Gross UGR Reserves means the UGR’s working interest reserves before the calculation of royalties, and before the consideration of UGR’s royalty interests.
- Management estimate.
- The reserve life index (“RLI“) is calculated by dividing 2P reserves estimated at December 31, 2016 from the McDaniel Report with annualized current production volumes.
To view Exhibit 1 – Area Map, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/ppy0315exhibit1.pdf.
INCREASED PRO FORMA DRILLING ACTIVITY & PRODUCTION
Painted Pony believes accelerating drilling activity will continue to drive higher efficiencies, lower costs, and improved margins. Painted Pony’s 2017 pro forma capital program includes drilling 71 wells and 64 completions, an increase from a previously forecasted program of 58 drills and 51 completions. The expanded program would take Painted Pony’s 2017 capital program to $348 million from the current forecast of $288 million with the intention of filling excess capacity at UGR facilities by the end of 2017.
Annual average daily production is expected to increase by 12% from 260 MMcfe/d (43,000 boe/d) to 290 MMcfe/d (48,400 boe/d) and 2018 expected annual average daily production by approximately 41% from 360 MMcfe/d (60,000 boe/d) to 509 MMcfe/d (84,800 boe/d). Painted Pony believes that these incremental activities will drive production and cash flow accretion in the first full year of ownership.
| Pro Forma 2017e | Pro Forma 2018e | |||
| Average Production | 290 MMcfe/d | 48,400 boe/d | 509 MMcfe/d | 84,800 boe/d |
| Exit Production | 447 MMcfe/d | 74,500 boe/d | 538 MMcfe/d | 89,600 boe/d |
| % Liquids | 8% | 7% | ||
| Capital Program | $348 | $301 | ||
| Cash Flow (1) | $149 | $288 | ||
| Net Debt (exit) (2) | $377 | $377 | ||
| Net Debt to (3) Cash Flow | 1.6x | 1.2x | ||
All dollar amounts in millions. Please refer to the Painted Pony press release at March 6, 2017 for previous guidance; located HERE.
| (1) | Cash Flow forecast based on strip pricing at March 13, 2017 includes: 2017 – US$50.17/bbl WTI, C$2.75/Mcf AECO and an exchange rate of C$0.75/US$; 2018 – US$50.60/bbl WTI, C$2.76/Mcf AECO and an exchange rate of C$0.75/US$ |
| (2) | Net Debt is defined as Bank Debt plus Working Capital Deficiency; Working Capital Deficiency is calculated as current assets less current liabilities (which excludes mark-to-market, unrealized hedging gains / losses). Net Debt, Net Debt to Cash Flow and Working Capital Deficiency are non-GAAP measures; see Advisory section. |
| (3) | Net Debt to Cash Flow ratio based on year-end net debt divided by fourth quarter-annualized cash flow using March 13, 2017 strip pricing. |
CREDIT FACILITY
Painted Pony’s syndicate of lenders led by TD Securities and Scotiabank Global Banking reconfirmed the Corporation’s reserve-based credit facility in October 2016 at $325 million. Pro forma the Acquisition, the Corporation expects its total syndicated credit facility to increase to approximately $500 million, which includes a development line of approximately $100 million. On or before April 30, 2017, a borrowing base review on the combined operation is expected to be completed by Painted Pony’s syndicate of lenders at which time a definitive borrowing base is expected to be established.
CONSIDERATION
Pursuant to the Agreement, Painted Pony will issue 41.0 million Painted Pony Shares and will assume UGR’s net debt of approximately $47 million and other expected transaction costs of ARC, EnCap, URC and UGR (the “Consideration“). Based upon the equity-offering price of $5.60 per Painted Pony Share, the total transaction value is approximately $276.6 million.
THE AGREEMENTS
Painted Pony, UGR and URC have entered into the Agreement whereby Painted Pony will acquire, from URC, all of the issued and outstanding shares of UGR in exchange for the equity portion of the Consideration and the assumption by Painted Pony of UGR’s net debt and other expected transaction costs of ARC, EnCap, URC and UGR at closing of the Acquisition.
A copy of the Agreement will be filed on Painted Pony’s SEDAR profile and will be available for viewing at www.sedar.com.
SHAREHOLDER VOTE AND SPECIAL MEETING
The Acquisition is expected to close on or about May 16, 2017. Closing of the Acquisition is subject to certain customary conditions and regulatory approvals including the approval of the TSX and the required approvals under the Competition Act (Canada). In accordance with the rules of the TSX, the issuance of 41.0 million Painted Pony Shares to URC as consideration pursuant to the Acquisition requires the approval of a majority of Painted Pony’s shareholders by way of ordinary resolution (the “Share Issuance Resolution“), as it will be in excess of 25% Painted Pony’s issued and outstanding Painted Pony Shares upon closing of the Acquisition. The Share Issuance Resolution will be presented to the Painted Pony shareholders for consideration at the next Annual and Special Meeting of Painted Pony Shareholders to be held on May 11, 2017 (the “Painted Pony Meeting“). It is expected that a management information circular and proxy statement dated no later than March 31, 2017 will be sent to Painted Pony shareholders. Shareholders of record as of April 11, 2017 will be entitled to vote on the Share Issuance Resolution.
The board of directors of the general partner of URC, the sole shareholder of UGR, and the board of directors of UGR have reviewed and irrevocably approved the Acquisition (subject to the conditions set forth in the Agreement). No further approvals of the Acquisition are required from UGR or URC.
Painted Pony has also entered into separate lock-up agreements (the “Lock-Up Agreements“) and governance agreements (the “Governance Agreements“) with each of ARC and EnCap who, following completion of the Acquisition and the Offering, will collectively hold or exercise control over approximately 26% of the issued and outstanding Painted Pony Shares.
Pursuant to the Lock-Up Agreements, each of ARC and EnCap agrees not sell or trade the Painted Pony Shares received by URC pursuant to the Acquisition that are beneficially owned by ARC or EnCap, as applicable, except as follows: (i) 1/3 of such Painted Pony Shares received shall be eligible for disposition on the date that is three months after closing of the Acquisition; (ii) an additional 1/3 of such Painted Pony Shares shall be eligible for disposition on the date that is six months after closing of the Acquisition; and (iii) the remaining 1/3 of such Painted Pony Shares shall be eligible for disposition on the date that is nine months after closing of the Acquisition.
Pursuant to the Governance Agreements, each of ARC and EnCap shall have the right to designate one person to serve on the board of directors of Painted Pony (the “Board“), subject to approval of such nominee by Painted Pony and the TSX, for so long as each of ARC and EnCap continue to hold more than 50% of the Painted Pony Shares received by URC pursuant to the Acquisition that are beneficially owned by ARC or EnCap, as applicable.
BOARD APPROVAL AND FINANCIAL ADVISORS
The Board has approved the terms of the Acquisition and unanimously recommends that all Painted Pony shareholders vote in favour of the Share Issuance Resolution at the Painted Pony Meeting.
TD Securities Inc. and Cormark Securities Inc. acted as financial advisors to Painted Pony in respect of the Acquisition. TD Securities has provided the Painted Pony Board of Directors with an opinion that the Consideration is fair, from a financial point of view, to Painted Pony.
THE OFFERING
In connection with the Acquisition, Painted Pony has entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters co-led by Cormark Securities Inc. and TD Securities Inc. (collectively, the “Underwriters“) pursuant to which the Underwriters have agreed to purchase for resale to the public, on a bought-deal basis, 18,018,100 Painted Pony shares (the “Offered Shares“) of Painted Pony at a price of $5.60 per Offered Share for gross proceeds of approximately $100.9 million (the “Offering“).
The Underwriters will have an option to purchase up to an additional 10% of Offered Shares issued under the Offering at a price of $5.60 per Offered Share to cover over-allotments exercisable in whole or in part at any time until 30 days after the closing. If the Over-Allotment Option is exercised in full, the gross proceeds from the Offering are expected to be about approximately $111.0 million.
The Painted Pony net proceeds from the Offering will be used to: (i) fund a portion of Painted Pony’s capital program in respect of the Acquisition and for general corporate purposes; and (ii) if the Acquisition does not close, for the development of Painted Pony’s assets and for general corporate purposes.
In conjunction with the Offering, certain insiders and employees of Painted Pony identified by Painted Pony intend to participate by purchasing approximately 375,000 Offered Shares at a price of $5.60 per Offered Share.
The Offered Shares issued pursuant to the Offering will be distributed by way of a short form prospectus in all provinces of Canada, except Québec, and in the United States on a private placement basis pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act, as amended, and in jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States on a private placement basis in accordance with all applicable laws. Completion of the Offering is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX. Closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about April 4, 2017.
RE-APPOINTMENT OF OFFICER
Following a brief medical leave, Mr. John Van de Pol has been re-appointed as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Stuart Jaggard has been re-appointed Vice President and Controller. Painted Pony thanks Mr. Jaggard for his leadership during this period.
ADVISORIES
Boe Conversions: Barrel of oil equivalent (“boe“) amounts have been calculated by using the conversion ratio of six thousand cubic feet (6 Mcf) of natural gas to one barrel of oil (1 bbl). Boe amounts may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio of 6 Mcf to 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.
Mcfe Conversions: Thousands of cubic feet of gas equivalent (“Mcfe“) amounts have been calculated by using the conversion ratio of one barrel of oil (1 bbl) to six thousand cubic feet (6 Mcf) of natural gas. Mcfe amounts may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A conversion ratio of 1 bbl to 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.
Reserves Categories: Reserves are estimated remaining quantities of oil and natural gas and related substances anticipated to be recoverable from known accumulations, as of a given date, based on (i) analysis of drilling, geological, geophysical and engineering data; (ii) the use of established technology; and (iii) specified economic conditions, which are generally accepted as being reasonable, and shall be disclosed.
Reserves are classified according to the degree of certainty associated with the estimates.
“Proved reserves”, or 1P reserves, are those reserves that can be estimated with a high degree of certainty to be recoverable. It is likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the estimated proved reserves. Proved reserves should have at least a 90 percent probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the estimated proved reserves.
“Probable reserves”, or 2P reserves, are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than proved reserves. It is equally likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will be greater or less than the sum of the estimated proved plus probable reserves. Probable reserves should have at least a 50 percent probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the sum of the estimated proved plus probable reserves.
Development and Production Status: Each of the reserves categories (proved, probable and possible) may be divided into developed and undeveloped categories:
“Developed reserves” are those reserves that are expected to be recovered from existing wells and installed facilities or, if facilities have not been installed, that would involve a low expenditure (e.g., when compared to the cost of drilling a well) to put the reserves on production. The developed category may be subdivided into producing and non-producing.
“Developed producing reserves” are those reserves that are expected to be recovered from completion intervals open at the time of the estimate. These reserves may be currently producing or, if shut-in, they must have previously been on production, and the date of resumption of production must be known with reasonable certainty.
“Developed non-producing reserves” are those reserves that either have not been on production, or have previously been on production but are shut-in and the date of resumption of production is unknown.
“Undeveloped reserves” are those reserves expected to be recovered from known accumulations where a significant expenditure (e.g., when compared to the cost of drilling a well) is required to render them capable of production. They must fully meet the requirements of the reserves category (proved, probable, possible) to which they are assigned.
Forward-Looking Information: This press release contains certain forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information relates to future events or future performance and is based upon the Corporation’s current internal expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs. All information other than historical fact is forward-looking information. In addition, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this press release contains forward-looking information in respect of, but not limited to, the following: completion of the Acquisition, which is subject to a number of conditions to closing and required regulatory approvals, including approvals required by the Competition Act (Canada) and the Corporation’s shareholders; the anticipated benefits to be obtained as a result of the Acquisition, including cost savings and increased margins and efficiencies; future drilling and capacity expansion; future takeaway capacity; future capital expenditures and returns on such expenditures; anticipated production, cash flow and reserves growth projections; impacts of the additional processing capacity; drilling and completion costs, including the impact of cost reductions, synergies and anticipated reserves growth related thereto; results of drilling activities on the acquired assets; production estimates; anticipated increases to the Corporation’s credit facility and borrowing base; and anticipated use of proceeds of the Offering. Words such as “plan”, “expect”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “potential”, “proposed” and other similar words that indicate events or conditions may occur are intended to identify forward-looking information.
As actual results could vary from forward-looking information, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is based on assumptions including but not limited to future commodity prices, currency exchange rates, drilling success, production rates, future capital expenditures, future performance and financial conditions and the availability of labour and services.
Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations on which they are based will occur. Although the Corporation’s management believes that the expectations in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.
Forward-looking information necessarily involves both known and unknown risks associated with oil and gas exploration, production, transportation and marketing. There are risks associated with the uncertainty of geological and technical data, imprecision of reserve estimates, operational risks, risks associated with drilling and completions, environmental risks, risks of the change in government regulation of the oil and gas industry and relating to carbon emissions and carbon taxes, risks associated with competition from others for scarce resources and risks associated with general economic conditions affecting the Corporation’s ability to access sufficient capital, including ongoing access to debt and equity capital.
Forward-looking information is based on estimates and opinions of management at the time the information is presented. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing lists of factors are not exhaustive. The Corporation is not under any duty to, nor will it, update the forward-looking information after the date of this press release to revise such information to actual results or to changes in the Corporation’s plans or expectations, except as required by applicable securities laws.
Any “financial outlook” contained in this press release, as such term is defined by applicable securities laws, is provided for the purpose of providing information about management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.
Drilling Inventory
This press release discloses drilling locations in four categories: (i) proved undeveloped locations; (ii) probable undeveloped locations; (iii) unbooked locations; and (iv) an aggregate total of (i), (ii) and (iii). Of the 197 undrilled locations disclosed in this release, 99 are proved undeveloped locations, 98 are probable undeveloped locations, and 0 are unbooked. Proved undeveloped locations and probable undeveloped locations are booked and derived from the MacDaniel Report and account for drilling locations that have associated proved and/or probable reserves, as applicable. Unbooked locations are internal estimates based on prospective acreage and an assumption as to the number of wells that can be drilled per section based on industry practice and internal review. Unbooked locations do not have attributed reserves or resources (including contingent and prospective). Unbooked locations have been identified by management as an estimation of the Corporation’s multi-year drilling activities based on evaluation of applicable geologic, seismic, engineering, production and reserves information. There is no certainty that the Corporation will drill all unbooked drilling locations and if drilled there is no certainty that such locations will result in additional oil and gas reserves, resources or production. The drilling locations on which the Corporation will actually drill wells, including the number and timing thereof is ultimately dependent upon the availability of funding, regulatory approvals, seasonal restrictions, oil and natural gas prices, costs, actual drilling results, additional reservoir information that is obtained and other factors. While certain of the unbooked drilling locations have been derisked by drilling existing wells in relative close proximity to such unbooked drilling locations, the majority of other unbooked drilling locations are farther away from existing wells where management has less information about the characteristics of the reservoir and therefore there is more uncertainty whether wells will be drilled in such locations and if drilled there is more uncertainty that such wells will result in additional oil and gas reserves, resources or production.
Non-GAAP Measures
This press release make reference to the terms “net debt”, “net debt to cash flow” and “working capital (deficiency)”, which do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable with the calculation of similar measures presented by other issuers.
Management uses “net debt” as Net Debt is defined as Bank Debt plus Working Capital Deficiency; Working Capital Deficiency is calculated as current assets less current liabilities (which excludes mark-to-market, unrealized hedging gains / losses). Net Debt, Net Debt to Cash Flow and Working Capital Deficiency are non-GAAP measures.
Management uses “net debt to cash flow” as Net Debt to Cash Flow ratio based on year-end net debt divided by fourth quarter-annualized cash flow using March 13, 2017 strip pricing.
Management uses “working capital (deficiency)” as a useful supplemental measure of the liquidity of the Corporation. Working capital (deficiency) is calculated as current assets less current liabilities. This term should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, current and long-term debt as determined in accordance with IFRS.
Management of the Corporation believes these measures are useful supplemental measures of the net position of current assets and current liabilities of the Corporation. Readers are cautioned, however, that these measures should not be construed as alternatives to other terms such as current and long-term debt or comprehensive income determined in accordance with GAAP as measures of performance. The Corporation’s method of calculating these non-GAAP measures may differ from other companies, and accordingly, may not be comparable to similar measures used by other entities.
Analogous Information
In this press release, the Corporation has provided certain information on the prospectivity and the production rate of wells on properties adjacent to the Corporation’s/UGR’s acreage which is “analogous information” as defined by applicable securities laws. This analogous information is derived from publicly available information sources which the Corporation believes are predominantly independent in nature. Some of this data may not have been prepared by qualified reserves evaluators or auditors and the preparation of any estimates may not be in strict accordance with Canadian Oil & Gas Evaluation Handbook. Regardless, estimates by engineering and geotechnical practitioners may vary and the differences may be significant. The Corporation believes that the provision of this analogous information is relevant to the Corporation’s activities and forecasting, given its property ownership in the area (including as a result of the Acquisition); however, readers are cautioned that there is no certainty that the forecasts provided herein based on analogous information will be accurate.
ABOUT PAINTED PONY
Painted Pony is a publicly-traded natural gas Corporation based in Western Canada. The Corporation is primarily focused on the development of natural gas and natural gas liquids from the Montney formation in northeast British Columbia. Painted Pony’s common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “PPY”.
Patrick R. Ward
President and CEO
(403) 475-0440
Painted Pony Petroleum Ltd.
John H. Van de Pol
Senior Vice President and CFO
(403) 475-0440
Painted Pony Petroleum Ltd.
Jason Fleury
Director, Investor Relations
(403) 776-3261
