INTENT TO REINSTITUTE BASE DIVIDEND ON
With crude oil prices now in excess of
At current strip commodity prices for crude oil and natural gas, Management projects that Surge's net debt target range will be achieved during Q3/22. On this basis, the Company anticipates reinstating its base annual cash dividend expected to be
On an annualized basis, this base cash dividend is equal to approximately 20 percent of Surge's previously guided annual 2022 free cash flow1 utilizing a
With the majority of the Company's mandated fixed price crude oil hedges for 2022 expiring in less than two months, Surge has resumed its regular, ongoing risk management program. This orderly program is designed to set price floors that protect Surge's dividend and capital programs, while also providing participation in a rising commodity price environment.
The monthly cash dividend is expected to be designated as an "eligible dividend" for Canadian federal and provincial income tax purposes. Dividends paid to shareholders who are non-residents of
NEW LIGHT OIL POOL EXTENSION AND LAND ACQUISITION AT
Surge is pleased to announce that drilling on its operated, light oil, core area assets at
The Company's most recent 4.0 gross (2.5 net) wells drilled at
In addition to these excellent drilling results, Surge was also successful at a recent, highly competitive, Saskatchewan Crown land sale at
Furthermore, Surge's integrated geotechnical modeling on the new pool extension has added internally estimated original oil in place ("OOIP6") of over 20 million barrels (15 million barrels net) on the new lands. The Company now internally estimates combined OOIP of over 72 million barrels (53 million net) at its Steelman Frobisher pool.
TERM DEBT UPDATE, INTENTION TO REDEEM 5.75% CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES FOR CASH, AND CREDIT FACILITY UPDATE
The Company's Term Debt Facility provider has exercised their previously announced right to deliver an additional
Concurrently, Surge has reconfirmed and extended its existing
The addition of the incremental Term Debt Facility proceeds, combined with the intention to redeem the 5.75% convertible debentures for cash, will provide Surge with a simplified debt capital structure, significant liquidity, and no debt capital maturities through to mid-2024.
OPERATIONS UPDATE: SUCCESSFUL Q1/22 DRILLING PROGRAM AT SPARKY AND
Surge completed its Q1/22 capital program drilling 23 (21.5 net) wells, with three rigs active in the quarter. This program was comprised of 14.0 net wells in the Company's Sparky core area, and 7.5 net wells in Surge's
In recent months, Management has been successful in adding significant organic growth opportunities across its core areas. On this basis, the Company has added more than 10 net sections of highly prospective land. These strategic core area land acquisitions have added an incremental 79 gross (70.0 net) drilling locations7 to Surge's deep 13 year drilling inventory at a total cost of
The Company is currently monitoring the impact of cost inflation, labour shortages, and global supply chain challenges on its 2022 capital and operating expense guidance. Surge's Q1/22 capital program tracked the Company's 2022 budget, and the Company will continue to monitor the impact of these inflationary pressures over the second half of 2022 and into 2023.
Q1 2022 FINANCIAL & OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
During the first quarter of 2022, Surge delivered cash flow from operating activities of
Surge reported a realized loss on financial contracts of
As previously announced, the Company's production in Q1/22 was impacted by a contained fire at one of its
Highlights from the Company's Q1 2022 financial and operating results include:
FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
OUTLOOK: SGY – POSITIONED FOR OUTPERFORMANCE IN 2022 AND BEYOND
- Delivered Q1/22 cash flow from operating activities of
$52.2 million , an increase of 236% over Q1/21 cash flow from operating activities of$15.6 million ; - Delivered adjusted funds flow of
$62.9 million in Q1/22, an increase of 299% over Q1/21 adjusted funds flow of$15.8 million ; - Achieved average daily production of 20,550 boepd (85% liquids) during Q1/22, an increase of 24% over Q1/21 production of 16,582 boepd (84% liquids);
- Successfully drilled 23.0 (21.5 net) wells in Q1/22, with drilling activity strategically focused in the Company's Sparky and
SE Saskatchewan , conventional, light and medium gravity crude oil core areas; and - Reduced net debt8 by
$15.7 million as compared toDecember 31, 2021 while concurrently completing the Q1/22 capital program for$43.0 million .
FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS | Three Months Ended | ||
($000s except per share amounts) | 2022 | 2021 | % Change |
Financial highlights | |||
Oil sales | 157,440 | 69,956 | 125 % |
NGL sales | 4,053 | 1,948 | 108 % |
Natural gas sales | 7,631 | 8,790 | (13)% |
Total oil, natural gas, and NGL revenue | 169,124 | 80,694 | 110 % |
Cash flow from operating activities | 52,182 | 15,550 | 236 % |
Per share - basic ($) | 0.63 | 0.39 | 61 % |
Per share diluted ($) | 0.63 | 0.39 | 61 % |
Adjusted funds flow1 | 62,893 | 15,757 | 299 % |
Per share - basic ($)1 | 0.75 | 0.39 | 91 % |
Per share diluted ($) | 0.75 | 0.39 | 91 % |
Net income (loss) | (21,868) | (9,985) | 119 % |
Per share basic ($) | (0.26) | (0.25) | 4 % |
Per share diluted ($) | (0.26) | (0.25) | 4 % |
Expenditures on property, plant and equipment | 42,968 | 31,898 | 35 % |
Net acquisitions and dispositions | - | (102,591) | nm |
Net capital expenditures | 42,968 | (70,693) | nm |
Net debt1, end of period | 315,770 | 303,334 | 4 % |
Operating highlights | |||
Production: | |||
Oil (bbls per day) | 16,760 | 13,422 | 25 % |
NGLs (bbls per day) | 691 | 583 | 19 % |
Natural gas (mcf per day) | 18,592 | 15,462 | 20 % |
Total (boe per day) (6:1) | 20,550 | 16,582 | 24 % |
Average realized price (excluding hedges): | |||
Oil ($ per bbl) | 104.38 | 57.91 | 80 % |
NGL ($ per bbl) | 65.17 | 37.12 | 76 % |
Natural gas ($ per mcf) | 4.56 | 6.32 | (28)% |
Netback ($ per boe) | |||
Petroleum and natural gas revenue | 91.45 | 54.07 | 69 % |
Realized gain (loss) on commodity and FX contracts | (15.58) | (11.27) | 38 % |
Royalties | (15.36) | (5.68) | 170 % |
Net operating expenses1 | (19.28) | (18.09) | 7 % |
Transportation expenses | (1.50) | (1.03) | 46 % |
Operating netback1 | 39.73 | 18.00 | 121 % |
G&A expense | (2.18) | (1.98) | 10 % |
Interest expense | (3.55) | (5.46) | (35)% |
Adjusted funds flow1 | 34.00 | 10.56 | 222 % |
Common shares outstanding, end of period | 83,357 | 39,975 | 109 % |
Weighted average basic shares outstanding | 83,357 | 39,975 | 109 % |
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding | 83,357 | 39,975 | 109 % |
1 This is a non-GAAP and other financial measure which is defined in the Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures section of this document. | |||
2 The Company views this change calculation as not meaningful, or "nm". |
Surge is an intermediate light and medium gravity crude oil producer, with an estimated 13 year development drilling inventory comprising more than 1,000 internally estimated net development drilling locations. The Company confirms its 2022 production exit rate guidance of 21,500 boepd (86% liquids).
With 2.6 billion of net (internally estimated) OOIP9, an approximate 6.5% recovery factor to date, and dominant positions in two top tier medium and light gravity crude oil growth plays at Sparky and
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS:
- Continued net debt repayment (increasing Surge's NAV per share);
- A reinstated, sustainable, base monthly dividend;
- Share buybacks;
- A modest production growth wedge; and
- Potential for variable or special dividends.
This press release contains forward-looking statements. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These 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 statements.
More particularly, this press release contains statements concerning: Surge's declared focus and primary goals; management's expectations and plans with respect to the development of its assets and the timing thereof; Surge's intentions regarding the reinstitution of its base dividend and the anticipated timing and amount thereof; the anticipated timing of payout of the Corporation's recently drilled wells at
The forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Surge, including expectations and assumptions the performance of existing wells and success obtained in drilling new wells; anticipated expenses, cash flow and capital expenditures; the application of regulatory and royalty regimes; prevailing commodity prices and economic conditions; development and completion activities; the performance of new wells; the successful implementation of waterflood programs; the availability of and performance of facilities and pipelines; the geological characteristics of Surge's properties; the successful application of drilling, completion and seismic technology; the determination of decommissioning liabilities; prevailing weather conditions; exchange rates; licensing requirements; the impact of completed facilities on operating costs; the availability and costs of capital, labour and services; and the creditworthiness of industry partners.
Although Surge believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because Surge can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve 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, risks associated with the condition of the global economy, including trade, public health (including the impact of COVID-19) and other geopolitical risks; risks associated with the oil and gas industry in general (e.g., 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 reserve estimates; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to production, costs and expenses, and health, safety and environmental risks); commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations and constraint in the availability of services, adverse weather or break-up conditions; uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; and failure to obtain the continued support of the lenders under Surge's bank line. Certain of these risks are set out in more detail in Surge's AIF dated
The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and Surge undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.
Oil and Gas Advisories
The term "boe" means barrel of oil equivalent on the basis of 1 boe to 6,000 cubic feet of natural gas. Boe may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio of 1 boe for 6,000 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. "Boe/d" and "boepd" mean barrel of oil equivalent per day. Bbl means barrel of oil and "bopd" means barrels of oil per day. NGLs means natural gas liquids.
This press release contains certain oil and gas metrics and defined terms which do not have standardized meanings or standard methods of calculation and therefore such measures may not be comparable to similar metrics/terms presented by other issuers and may differ by definition and application. All oil and gas metrics/terms used in this document are defined below:
Original Oil in Place ("OOIP") means
Drilling Inventory
This press release discloses drilling locations in two categories: (i) booked locations; and (ii) unbooked locations. Booked locations are proved locations and probable locations derived from an internal evaluation using standard practices as prescribed in the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluations Handbook 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 assumptions 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. Unbooked locations have been identified by Surge's internal certified Engineers and Geologists (who are also Qualified Reserve Evaluators) as an estimation of our multi-year drilling activities based on evaluation of applicable geologic, seismic, engineering, production and reserves information. There is no certainty that the Company 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 Company actually drills wells will ultimately depend upon the availability of capital, 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 de-risked 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.
Assuming a
Surge's internally used type curves were constructed using a representative, factual and balanced analog data set, as of
Surge's internally generated average
Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures
This press release includes references to non-GAAP and other financial measures used by the Company to evaluate its financial performance, financial position or cash flow. These specified financial measures include non-GAAP financial measures and non-GAAP ratios, are not defined by IFRS and therefore are referred to as non-GAAP and other financial measures. Certain secondary financial measures in this press release – namely, "adjusted funds flow", "adjusted funds flow per share", "free cash flow", "net debt", "net operating expenses", "operating netback", and "adjusted funds flow per boe" are not prescribed by GAAP. These non-GAAP and other financial measures are included because management uses the information to analyze business performance, cash flow generated from the business, leverage and liquidity, resulting from the Company's principal business activities and it may be useful to investors on the same basis. None of these measures are used to enhance the Company's reported financial performance or position. The non-GAAP and other financial measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. They are common in the reports of other companies but may differ by definition and application. All non-GAAP and other financial measures used in this document are defined below.
Adjusted Funds Flow & Adjusted Funds Flow Per Share
Adjusted funds flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. The Company adjusts cash flow from operating activities in calculating adjusted funds flow for changes in non-cash working capital, decommissioning expenditures, and cash settled transaction and other costs. Management 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 Surge's cash flows.
Changes in non-cash working capital are a result of the timing of cash flows related to accounts receivable and accounts payable, which management believes reduces comparability between periods. Management views decommissioning expenditures predominately as a discretionary allocation of capital, with flexibility to determine the size and timing of decommissioning programs to achieve greater capital efficiencies and as such, costs may vary between periods. Transaction and other costs represent expenditures associated with property acquisitions and dispositions, debt restructuring and employee severance costs, which management believes do not reflect the ongoing cash flows of the business, and as such reduces comparability. Each of these expenditures, due to their nature, are not considered principal business activities and vary between periods, which management believes reduces comparability.
Adjusted funds flow per share is a non-GAAP ratio calculated using the same weighted average basic and diluted shares used in calculating income per share.
The following table reconciles cash flow from operating activities to adjusted funds flow and adjusted funds flow per share:
Free Cash Flow
Three Months Ended | ||||
($000s except per share amounts) | 2022 | 2021 | ||
Cash flow from operating activities | 52,182 | 15,550 | ||
Change in non-cash working capital | 9,061 | (2,974) | ||
Decommissioning expenditures | 1,495 | 1,481 | ||
Cash settled transaction and other costs | 155 | 1,700 | ||
Adjusted funds flow | $ | 62,893 | $ | 15,757 |
Per share - basic | $ | 0.75 | $ | 0.39 |
Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure, calculated as cash flow from operating activities less expenditures on property, plant and equipment. Management uses free cash flow to determine the amount of funds available to the Company for future capital allocation decisions.
Net Debt
Net debt is a non-GAAP financial measure, calculated as bank debt, term debt, plus the liability component of the convertible debentures plus current assets, less current liabilities, however, excluding the fair value of financial contracts, decommissioning obligations, and lease and other obligations. There is no comparable measure in accordance with IFRS for net debt. This metric is used by management to analyze the level of debt in the Company including the impact of working capital, which varies with the timing of settlement of these balances.
Net Operating Expenses
($000s) | As at | As at |
Accounts receivable | 83,502 | 55,738 |
Prepaid expenses and deposits | 3,669 | 3,152 |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | (97,913) | (84,330) |
Bank debt | (96,780) | (98,066) |
Term debt | (133,580) | (133,993) |
Convertible debentures | (74,668) | (73,935) |
Net Debt | (315,770) | (331,434) |
Net operating expenses is a non-GAAP financial measure, determined by deducting processing income, primarily generated by processing third party volumes at processing facilities where the Company has an ownership interest. It is common in the industry to earn third party processing revenue on facilities where the entity has a working interest in the infrastructure asset. Under IFRS this source of funds is required to be reported as revenue. However, the Company's principal business is not that of a midstream entity whose activities are dedicated to earning processing and other infrastructure payments. Where the Company has excess capacity at one of its facilities, it will look to process third party volumes as a means to reduce the cost of operating/owning the facility. As such, third party processing revenue is netted against operating costs when analyzed by management.
Operating Netback & Adjusted Funds Flow per boe
Operating netback is a non-GAAP financial measure, calculated as petroleum and natural gas revenue and processing and other income, less royalties, realized gain (loss) on commodity and FX contracts, operating expenses, and transportation expenses. Operating netback per boe is calculated as operating netback divided by total barrels of oil equivalent produced during a specific period of time. There is no comparable measure in accordance with IFRS. This metric is used by management to evaluate the Company's ability to generate cash margin on a unit of production basis.
Operating netback & adjusted funds flow are calculated on a per unit basis as follows:
Three Months Ended | ||||
($000s) | 2022 | 2021 | ||
Petroleum and natural gas revenue | 169,124 | 80,694 | ||
Processing and other income | 1,806 | 1,089 | ||
Royalties | (28,401) | (8,477) | ||
Realized gain (loss) on commodity and FX contracts | (28,809) | (16,822) | ||
Operating expenses | (37,454) | (28,083) | ||
Transportation expenses | (2,777) | (1,539) | ||
Operating netback | 73,489 | 26,862 | ||
G&A expense | (4,032) | (2,957) | ||
Interest expense | (6,564) | (8,148) | ||
Adjusted funds flow | 62,893 | 15,757 | ||
Barrels of oil equivalent (boe) | 1,849,429 | 1,492,397 | ||
Operating netback ($ per boe) | $ | 39.73 | $ | 18.00 |
Adjusted funds flow ($ per boe) | $ | 34.00 | $ | 10.56 |
Neither the TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
_________________________________
1 This is a non-GAAP and other financial measure which is defined in the Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures section of this document. |
2 Additional previously guided pricing assumptions: (WCS: |
3 Four gross wells had IP30 rates of 208 boepd, 321 boepd, 409 boepd, and 69 boepd. |
4 Per |
5 See Drilling Inventory in the Forward Looking Statements section of this document for further details. |
6 See the Oil and Gas Advisories section of this document for further details. |
7 See Drilling Inventory in the Forward Looking Statements section of this document for further details. |
8 This is a non-GAAP and other financial measure which is defined in the Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures section of this document. |
9 See Oil and Gas Advisories section of this document for further information. |
SOURCE
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