Rohstoff-Welt.de - Die ganze Welt der Rohstoffe

Paramount Resources Ltd. Reports 2020 Annual Results and Provides 2021 Guidance

03.03.2021  |  CNW

CALGARY, AB, March 3, 2021 /CNW/ -

HIGHLIGHTS

_________________________

(1)

In this press release, "liquids" refers to NGLs (including condensate) and oil combined, "natural gas" refers to conventional natural gas and shale gas combined, "condensate and oil" refers to condensate, light and medium crude oil and tight oil combined and "other NGLs" refers to ethane, propane and butane. See the Product Type Information section for a complete breakdown of sales volumes for applicable periods by specific product type of shale gas, conventional natural gas, NGLs, tight oil and light and medium crude oil. See also "Oil and Gas Measures and Definitions" in the Advisories section.

(2)

"Adjusted funds flow" and "free cash flow" are Non-GAAP financial measures. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" in the Advisories section.



GRANDE PRAIRIE ACTIVITIES AND PERFORMANCE

_____________________

(1)

Production measured at the wellhead. Natural gas sales volumes are lower by approximately 7% and liquids sales volumes are lower by approximately 7% due to shrinkage. Excludes days when the wells did not produce. The production rates and volumes stated are over a short period of time and, therefore, are not necessarily indicative of average daily production, long-term performance or of ultimate recovery from the wells. CGRs are calculated by dividing raw wellhead liquids volumes by raw wellhead natural gas volumes. See Oil and Gas Measures and Definitions in the Advisories section.

(2)

Production measured at the wellhead. Natural gas sales volumes are lower by approximately 15% and liquids sales volumes are lower by approximately 3% due to shrinkage. Excludes days when the wells did not produce. The production rates and volumes stated are over a short period of time and, therefore, are not necessarily indicative of average daily production, long-term performance or of ultimate recovery from the wells. CGRs are calculated by dividing raw wellhead liquids volumes by raw wellhead natural gas volumes. See Oil and Gas Measures and Definitions in the Advisories section.

  • Drilling of the six-well Karr 3-10 pad finished ahead of schedule allowing the Company to accelerate completion operations into 2020. Preliminary DCET costs averaged a pacesetting $7.0 million per well.

  • DCET costs for the last four pads (comprised of 21 wells) at Karr averaged approximately $7.5 million per well. As a consequence of structural cost improvements, the Company is revising downward its internal Karr type well DCET cost assumption to $7.5 million from the previous assumption of $8.4 million, the latter of which was used by the Company's independent third-party reserves evaluator in the preparation of the 2020 reserves report.(1)

  • At Wapiti, DCET costs on the five-well 5-3 West pad averaged $7.6 million per well. This represents a 27% reduction compared with average DCET costs for the initial two Wapiti pads and is consistent with Paramount's internal type well DCET cost assumption for Wapiti of $7.9 million, which was also used by the Company's independent third-party reserves evaluator in the preparation of the 2020 reserves report. (1)

2021 GUIDANCE

The Company's capital budget for 2021 is expected to range between $230 million and $260 million, excluding land acquisitions and abandonment and reclamation activities. Over 60% of the capital budget will be incurred in the first half of 2021. Approximately 85% of the 2021 program will be focused on advancing the Company's liquids-rich Montney developments at Karr and Wapiti. Approximately 70% of the 2021 capital budget is being allocated to sustaining capital and maintenance activities and the remaining 30% to production growth.

The Company expects 2021 sales volumes to average between 77,000 Boe/d and 80,000 Boe/d (45% liquids), slightly higher than preliminary guidance after accounting for first quarter dispositions of approximately 2,600 Boe/d of annualized production. (2)

__________________

(1)

Readers are referred to the advisories concerning "Reserves Data" in the Advisories section of this document.

(2)

See the Product Type Information section for further information respecting the composition of forecast sales volumes.

The Company forecasts 2021 free cash flow of approximately $160 million based on: (i) the midpoint of forecast capital spending and production, (ii) $25 million in abandonment and reclamation costs, (iii) realized pricing of $39.50/Boe (US$58.60/Bbl WTI, US$3.00/MMBtu NYMEX, $2.80/GJ AECO), (iv) operating costs of $11.65/Boe, and (v) transportation and processing costs of $4.00/Boe. With approximately 57% of forecast midpoint 2021 production hedged, forecast free cash flow would still be approximately $100 million at an average 2021 WTI oil price of US$43.50/Bbl.(1)

The Company has budgeted approximately $31 million for abandonment and reclamation activities in 2021. Approximately $6 million is to be funded directly through the Alberta Site Rehabilitation Program ("ASRP"), resulting in approximately $25 million net to Paramount. The majority of these funds will be directed to the Zama area.

____________________

(1)

"Free cash flow" is a Non-GAAP financial measure. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" in the Advisories section.

RESERVES (1)

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE

Paramount has a long history of sustainable resource development and environmental stewardship and is committed to creating value for our stakeholders in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") highlights in 2020 include:

_________________

(1)

Readers are referred to the advisories concerning "Reserves Data" and "Oil and Gas Measures and Definitions" in the Advisories section of this document. Reserves evaluated by McDaniel & Associates Consultants Ltd. ("McDaniel") as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 in accordance with National Instrument 51-101 definitions, standards and procedures. Reserves are gross reserves representing working interest before royalties. Net present values of future net revenue were determined using forecast prices and costs and do not represent fair market value.

CORPORATE

FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESULTS (1)
($ millions, except as noted)


Three months ended December 31

Twelve months ended December 31


2020


2019

2020

2019

Net income (loss)

311.5


(31.1)


(22.7)

(87.9)

per share - basic and diluted ($/share)

2.35


(0.24)


(0.17)

(0.67)

Cash from operating activities

53.2


70.5


80.9

255.7

per share - basic and diluted ($/share)

0.40


0.54


0.61

1.96

Adjusted funds flow

67.9


93.5


150.0

299.0

per share - basic and diluted ($/share)

0.51


0.71


1.12

2.29

Total assets





3,497.0

3,531.3

Long-term debt





813.5

632.3

Net debt





854.1

703.5

Common shares outstanding (thousands) (2)





132,284

133,337








Sales volumes






Natural gas (MMcf/d)

256.3


299.0

248.7

303.3

Condensate and oil (Bbl/d)

25,752


28,516

22,565

25,079

Other NGLs (Bbl/d) (3)

4,987


7,064

4,325

6,767

Total (Boe/d)

73,460


85,411

68,340

82,394

% liquids

42%


42%

39%

39%

Grande Prairie Region (Boe/d)

37,782


36,789

31,076

29,040

Kaybob Region (Boe/d)

27,056


33,167

28,685

35,500

Central Alberta and Other Region (Boe/d)

8,622


15,455

8,579

17,854

Total (Boe/d)

73,460


85,411

68,340

82,394











Netback


$/Boe (4)


$/Boe (4)



$/Boe (4)


$/Boe (4)

Natural gas revenue

66.7

2.83

75.1

2.73


204.9

2.25

261.0

2.36

Condensate and oil revenue

123.3

52.03

175.0

66.70


383.8

46.47

610.2

66.66

Other NGLs revenue (3)

9.5

20.61

8.5

13.03


24.7

15.63

37.7

15.24

Royalty and other revenue

2.5

?

1.3

?


12.6

?

6.0

?

Petroleum and natural gas sales

202.0

29.89

259.9

33.08


626.0

25.03

914.9

30.42

Royalties

(11.7)

(1.73)

(17.2)

(2.19)


(31.3)

(1.25)

(63.3)

(2.10)

Operating expense

(79.8)

(11.80)

(105.0)

(13.36)


(297.1)

(11.88)

(376.0)

(12.50)

Transportation and NGLs processing (5)

(24.6)

(3.63)

(22.8)

(2.90)


(101.3)

(4.05)

(94.7)

(3.15)

Netback

85.9

12.73

114.9

14.63


196.3

7.85

380.9

12.67

Commodity contract settlements

7.9

1.18

4.7

0.60


37.6

1.50

13.2

0.44

Netback including commodity contract settlements

93.8

13.91

119.6

15.23


233.9

9.35

394.1

13.11







Total capital expenditures






Grande Prairie Region (6)

64.3


60.7

196.9

302.2

Kaybob Region

1.8


9.5

16.4

80.7

Central Alberta and Other Region

0.8


0.6

4.6

7.6

Corporate (7)

(1.8)


?

2.3

6.0

Land and property acquisitions

?


1.4

0.6

7.6

Total

65.1


72.2

220.8

404.1







Asset retirement obligations settlements

0.1


18.0

35.0

29.4

(1) Readers are referred to the advisories concerning Non-GAAP Measures and Oil and Gas Measures and Definitions in the Advisories section of this document. This table contains the following Non-GAAP measures: Adjusted funds flow, Net debt, Netback and Total capital expenditures. Readers are referred to the Product Type Information section of this document for a complete breakdown of sales volumes for applicable periods by specific product type.

(2) Common shares are presented net of shares held in trust under the Company's restricted share unit plan (000's of common shares): 2020: 1,914; 2019: 860; 2018: 574.

(3) Other NGLs means ethane, propane and butane.

(4) Natural gas revenue presented as $/Mcf.

(5) Includes downstream transportation costs and NGLs fractionation costs.

(6) Total capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2019 includes $45.5 million of capital spending related to the Karr 6-18 natural gas facility prior to its sale (three months ended December 31, 2019 - nil).

(7) Corporate capital expenditures includes transfers between regions.

ABOUT PARAMOUNT

Paramount is an independent, publicly traded, liquids-focused Canadian energy company that explores for and develops both conventional and unconventional petroleum and natural gas reserves and resources, including longer-term strategic exploration and pre-development plays, and holds a portfolio of investments in other entities. The Company's principal properties are located in Alberta and British Columbia. Paramount's Class A common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "POU".

Paramount's 2020 annual results, including the Review of Operations, Management's Discussion and Analysis and the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements can be obtained at: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1448762/Paramount_Resources_Ltd__Paramount_Resources_Ltd__Reports_2020_A.pdf. A summary of historical financial and operating results is also available on Paramount's website at http://www.paramountres.com/investor-relations/financial-reports#2020.

This information will also be made available through Paramount's website at www.paramountres.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

PRODUCT TYPE INFORMATION

This press release refers to sales volumes of "liquids", "natural gas", "condensate and oil" and "other NGLs". "Liquids" means NGLs (including condensate) and oil combined, "natural gas" refers to conventional natural gas and shale gas combined, "condensate and oil" refers to condensate, light and medium crude oil and tight oil combined and "other NGLs" refers to ethane, propane and butane. Below is a complete breakdown of sales volumes for applicable periods by specific product type of shale gas, conventional natural gas, NGLs, tight oil and light and medium crude oil. Numbers may not add due to rounding.


Annual


Total

Grande Prairie
Region

Kabob

Region

Central Alberta and
Other Region


2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

Shale gas (MMcf/d)

156.7

166.0

77.2

78.0

43.8

50.3

35.7

37.7

Conventional natural gas (MMcf/d)

92.0

137.3

1.4

1.5

82.1

95.9

8.5

39.9

Natural gas (MMcf/d)

248.7

303.3

78.6

79.5

125.9

146.2

44.2

77.6

Condensate (Bbl/d)

19,334

19,746

15,991

13,920

2,885

4,361

458

1,464

Other NGLs (Bbl/d)

4,325

6,767

1,964

1,814

1,812

2,476

549

2,477

NGLs (Bbl/d)

23,659

26,513

17,955

15,734

4,697

6,837

1,007

3,941

Tight oil (Bbl/d)

462

631

-

-

301

360

161

271

Light and Medium crude oil (Bbl/d)

2,768

4,703

14

53

2,709

3,929

46

721

Crude oil (Bbl/d)

3,230

5,334

14

53

3,010

4,289

207

992

Total (Boe/d)

68,340

82,394

31,076

29,040

28,685

35,500

8,579

17,854


Q4


Total

Grande Prairie
Region

Kabob

Region

Central Alberta and
Other Region


2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

Shale gas (MMcf/d)

170.7

176.6

92.7

91.5

41.9

48.3

36.1

36.8

Conventional natural gas (MMcf/d)

85.6

122.4

1.6

1.9

76.3

89.1

7.7

31.4

Natural gas (MMcf/d)

256.3

299.0

94.3

93.4

118.2

137.4

43.8

68.2

Condensate (Bbl/d)

22,782

23,956

19,635

18,760

2,631

3,899

515

1,298

Other NGLs (Bbl/d)

4,987

7,064

2,429

2,376

1,953

2,504

605

2,184

NGLs (Bbl/d)

27,769

31,020

22,064

21,136

4,584

6,403

1,120

3,482

Tight oil (Bbl/d)

437

745

-

-

299

541

138

203

Light and Medium crude oil (Bbl/d)

2,533

3,815

-

91

2,480

3,331

54

393

Crude oil (Bbl/d)

2,970

4,560

-

91

2,779

3,872

192

596

Total (Boe/d)

73,460

85,411

37,782

36,789

27,056

33,167

8,622

15,455

Fourth quarter 2020 sales volumes at Karr averaged 26,914 Boe/d (69.6 MMcf/d of shale gas, 0.9 MMcf/d of conventional natural gas and 15,165 Bbl/d of NGLs), compared to 19,246 Boe/d (48.6 MMcf/d of shale gas, 0.6 MMcf/d of conventional natural gas and 11,044 Bbl/d of NGLs) in the third quarter of 2020. Fourth quarter 2020 sales volumes at Wapiti averaged 10,764 Boe/d (22.8 MMcf/d of shale gas, 0.5 MMcf/d of conventional natural gas and 6,875 Bbl/d of NGLs), compared to 7,925 Boe/d (17.4 MMcf/d of shale gas, 0.4 MMcf/d of conventional natural gas and 4,962 Bbl/d of NGLs) in the third quarter of 2020.

The Company forecasts that 2021 sales volumes will average between 77,000 Boe/d and 80,000 Boe/d (55% shale gas and conventional natural gas combined, 39% light and medium crude oil, tight oil and condensate combined and 6% other NGLs). First half 2021 sales volumes are expected to average between 74,000 Boe/d and 76,000 Boe/d (57% shale gas and conventional natural gas combined, 37% light and medium crude oil, tight oil and condensate combined and 6% other NGLs). Second half 2021 sales volumes are expected to increase to average between 80,000 Boe/d and 84,000 Boe/d (54% shale gas and conventional natural gas combined, 40% light and medium crude oil, tight oil and condensate combined and 6% other NGLs).


ADVISORIES

Forward-looking Information

Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking information under applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information typically contains statements with words such as "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "will", "expect", "plan", "schedule", "intend", "propose", or similar words suggesting future outcomes or an outlook. Forward-looking information in this press release includes, but is not limited to:

Such forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made with respect to the following matters, in addition to any other assumptions identified in this press release:

Statements relating to reserves are also deemed to be forward looking statements, as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, that the reserves described exist in the quantities predicted or estimated and that the reserves can be profitably produced in the future.

Although Paramount believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable based on the information available at the time of this press release, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information as Paramount can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information is based on expectations, estimates and projections that involve a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by Paramount and described in the forward-looking information. The material risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:

The foregoing list of risks is not exhaustive. For more information relating to risks, see the sections titled "Risk Factors" in Paramount's annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2020, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date hereof and, except as required by applicable securities law, Paramount 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.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In this press release, "Adjusted funds flow", "Netback", "Free cash flow", "Net Debt" and "Total Capital Expenditure", together the "Non-GAAP financial measures", are used and do not have any standardized meanings as prescribed by International Financial Reporting Standards. Certain comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to the current years' presentation.

"Adjusted funds flow" refers to cash from operating activities before net changes in non-cash working capital, geological and geophysical expenses, asset retirement obligation settlements, closure costs, transaction and reorganization costs, provision and other and dispute settlements. Adjusted funds flow is used to assist management and investors in measuring the Company's ability to fund capital programs and meet financial obligations, including the settlement of asset retirement obligations. Asset retirement obligation settlements are excluded from the calculation of adjusted funds flow because such expenditures are not directly linked to the revenue generating activities of the Company. Paramount manages the timing of expenditures related to asset retirement obligation settlements in accordance with regulatory requirements and its overall approach to managing its asset retirement obligations and, as a result, amounts incurred may vary significantly from period to period. Adjusted funds flow is not intended to represent cash from operating activities, net loss or any other GAAP measure and should not be construed as being an alternative to, or more meaningful than, cash flow from operating activities as determined in accordance with IFRS. The following are the calculations of adjusted funds flow from the nearest GAAP measure for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

Year ended December 31



2020
(MM$)

2019

(MM$)

Cash from operating activities



80.9

255.7

Change in non-cash working capital



17.9

(15.9)

Geological and geophysical expenses



8.5

11.0

Asset retirement obligations settled



35.0

29.4

Closure costs



?

14.0

Transaction and reorganization costs



3.0

2.3

Provision and other



4.7

2.5

Adjusted funds flow



150.0

299.0


Three months ended December 31



2020

(MM$)

2019

(MM$)

Cash from operating activities



53.2

70.5

Change in non-cash working capital



12.5

(8.0)

Geological and geophysical expenses



2.1

3.5

Asset retirement obligations settled



0.1

18.0

Closure costs



?

4.7

Transaction and reorganization costs



?

2.3

Dispute settlements



?

2.5

Adjusted funds flow



67.9

93.5

"Free cash flow" refers to adjusted funds flow less total capital expenditures and asset retirement obligation settlements. Free cash flow is used by management and investors to assess the amount of internally generated cash available to repay debt, reinvest in the business or return to shareholders. The following is the calculation of free cash flow from the nearest GAAP measure for the three months ended December 31, 2020:

Three months ended December 31



2020

(MM$)

Cash from operating activities



53.2

Change in non-cash working capital



12.5

Geological and geophysical expenses



2.1

Asset retirement obligations settled



0.1

Closure costs



?

Transaction and reorganization costs



?

Provision and other



?

Adjusted funds flow



67.9

Total capital expenditures



(65.1)

Asset retirement obligation settlements



(0.1)

Free cash flow



2.7

"Netback" equals petroleum and natural gas sales less royalties, operating expense and transportation and NGLs processing costs. Netback is commonly used by management and investors to compare the results of the Company's oil and gas operations between periods. Refer to the table under the heading "Financial and Operating Results" for the calculation thereof.

"Net Debt" is a measure of the Company's overall debt position after adjusting for certain working capital and other amounts and is used by management to assess the Company's overall leverage position. Refer to the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the "MD&A") for the calculation of Net Debt.

"Total capital expenditures" refers to the Company's property, plant and equipment and exploration expenditures. Refer to the Property, Plant and Equipment and Exploration Expenditures section of the MD&A for the calculation thereof.

Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or construed as alternatives to their most directly comparable measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, or other measures of financial performance calculated in accordance with GAAP. The Non-GAAP financial measures are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.

Reserves Data

Reserves data set forth in this press release is based upon an evaluation of the Company's reserves prepared by McDaniel & Associates Consultants Ltd. ("McDaniel") dated March 2, 2021 and effective December 31, 2020 (the "McDaniel Report"). The price forecast used in the McDaniel Report is an average of the January 1, 2021 price forecasts for McDaniel and GLJ Petroleum Consultants Ltd. and the December 31, 2020 price forecast of Sproule Associates Ltd. The estimates of reserves contained in the McDaniel Report and referenced in this press release are estimates only and there is no guarantee that the estimated reserves will be recovered. Actual reserves may be greater than or less than the estimates contained in the McDaniel Report and referenced in this press release. There is no assurance that the forecast prices and costs assumptions used in the McDaniel Report will be attained, and variances could be material. Estimated future net revenue does not represent fair market value. The estimates of reserves for individual properties may not reflect the same confidence level as estimates of reserves for all properties, due to the effects of aggregation. Readers should refer to the Company's annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2020, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, for a complete description of the McDaniel Report (including reserves by specific product type of shale gas, conventional natural gas, NGLs, tight oil and light and medium crude oil) and the material assumptions, limitations and risk factors pertaining thereto.

Oil and Gas Measures and Definitions

Abbreviations

Liquids


Natural Gas

Bbl

Barrels


GJ

Gigajoules

Bbl/d

Barrels per day


GJ/d

Gigajoules per day

MBbl

Thousands of barrels


Mcf

Thousands of cubic feet

NGLs

Natural gas liquids


MMcf

Millions of cubic feet

Condensate

Pentane and heavier hydrocarbons

MMcf/d

Millions of cubic feet per day




AECO

AECO-C reference price

Oil Equivalent


WTI

West Texas Intermediate

Boe

Barrels of oil equivalent


MBoe

Thousands of barrels of oil equivalent


MMBoe

Millions of barrels of oil equivalent


Boe/d

Barrels of oil equivalent per day










This press release contains disclosures expressed as "Boe", "$/Boe", "MBoe", "MMBoe" and "Boe/d". Natural gas equivalency volumes have been derived using the ratio of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of oil when converting natural gas to Boe. Equivalency measures may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A conversion ratio of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of oil is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the well head. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the value ratio between crude oil and natural gas was approximately 21:1. This value ratio is significantly different from the energy equivalency ratio of 6:1. Using a 6:1 ratio would be misleading as an indication of value.

This press release contains metrics commonly used in the oil and natural gas industry. Each of these metrics is determined by the Company as set out below or elsewhere in this press release. The metrics are "CGR", "reserves replacement ratio" and "finding and development costs". These metrics do not have standardized meanings and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. As such, they should not be used to make comparisons. Management uses these oil and gas metrics for its own performance measurements and to provide shareholders with measures to compare the Company's performance over time; however, such measures are not reliable indicators of the Company's future performance and future performance may not compare to the performance in previous periods and therefore should not be unduly relied upon.

"CGR" means condensate to gas ratio and is calculated by dividing wellhead raw liquids volumes by wellhead raw natural gas volumes.

"Reserves replacement ratio" is calculated by dividing: (i) the net changes in reserves from the prior year from extensions/improved recovery, technical revisions and economic factors, by (ii) the aggregate production during the year. Reserves replacement ratio is a measure commonly used by management and investors to assess the rate at which reserves depleted by production are being replaced by reserves added through operations.

"Finding and development costs" are calculated by dividing: (i) total capital expenditures for the period (excluding corporate expenditures and land and property acquisitions) by (ii) the net changes in reserves from the prior year from extensions/improved recovery, technical revisions and economic factors. Finding and development costs are a measure commonly used by management and investors to assess the relationship between capital invested in oil and gas exploration and development projects and reserve additions associated with such projects.

Additional information respecting the Company's oil and gas properties and operations is provided in the Company's annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2020 which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

SOURCE Paramount Resources Ltd.



Contact
Paramount Resources Ltd., J.H.T. (Jim) Riddell, President and Chief Executive Officer and Chairman; Paul R. Kinvig, Chief Financial Officer; Rodrigo (Rod) Sousa, Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and Planning, www.paramountres.com, Phone: (403) 290-3600