PrairieSky Royalty Ltd. ("
PrairieSky" or the
"
Company") (TSX: PSK) is pleased to announce its
fourth quarter ("
Q4 2023") and year-end operating
and financial results for the period ended December 31, 2023.
PrairieSky is also pleased to announce a 4% increase in its annual
dividend to $1.00 per common share ($0.25 per common share
quarterly).
Fourth Quarter Highlights
- Quarterly average royalty
production volumes of 25,608 BOE per day, which included record oil
royalty production volumes of 12,844 barrels per day.
- Quarterly revenues totaled $136.6
million, comprised of royalty production revenues of $122.0 million
and other revenues of $14.6 million, including bonus consideration
of $11.2 million, the highest quarterly bonus earned since
2017.
- Quarterly funds from operations of
$111.1 million ($0.46 per share basic and diluted) generated
primarily from robust organic oil royalty production growth and
strong bonus consideration earned on active third-party
leasing.
- Completed acquisitions of producing
and non-producing royalty interests, as well as incremental seismic
data, for aggregate cash consideration of $22.2 million.
- Declared a fourth quarter dividend
of $57.3 million ($0.24 per share), representing a 52% quarterly
payout ratio.
Annual Highlights
- Royalty production volumes averaged
24,857 BOE per day, flat with 2022 annual average royalty
production volumes and comprised of 59.5 MMcf per day of natural
gas, 2,502 barrels per day of natural gas liquids
("NGL") and a record 12,438 barrels per day of
oil.
- Annual revenues totaled $513.2
million comprised of:
- Royalty production revenue of
$474.6 million, a decrease of 23% from 2022 primarily due to lower
benchmark commodity prices; and
- Other revenue of $38.6 million,
including $26.0 million of bonus consideration earned on entering
into 202 new leasing arrangements with 110 separate
counterparties.
- Annual funds from operations
totaled $382.5 million ($1.60 per share basic and diluted), driven
by organic production growth in oil royalty volumes combined with
strong bonus consideration earned on active leasing to third-party
operators.
- Proved plus probable reserves
totaled 65,762 MBOE with a before-tax net present value, discounted
at 10%, of $1.84 billion, a decrease of 5% from December 31, 2022
primarily due to lower near-term natural gas and NGL commodity
price assumptions.
- Declared cumulative annual
dividends of $229.2 million ($0.96 per share), representing an
annual payout ratio of 60%.
- At December 31, 2023, net debt
totaled $222.1 million, a decrease of 30% from December 31, 2022
net debt of $315.1 million, as excess funds from operations after
payment of the dividend and royalty acquisitions were used to
retire bank debt.
Dividend Increase
- PrairieSky is pleased to announce a
4% increase in its annual dividend to $1.00 per common share, to be
paid on a quarterly basis ($0.25 per common share quarterly),
effective for the March 29, 2024 record date.
Sustainability Highlights
- Maintained "Negligible Risk" ESG
Risk Rating and received "2024 ESG Global 50 Top-Rated Badge"
awarded to the top 50 ranked companies in Sustainalytics ESG Risk
Ratings universe which covers more than 14,000 companies across 42
industries.
- Maintained AAA ESG Risk Rating from
MSCI, measuring resilience to long-term, industry material ESG
risks.
- Included in the S&P's Global
Sustainability Yearbook 2024 based on top 15% performance in the
S&P's Global 2023 Corporate Sustainability Assessment which
evaluated over 9,400 companies globally.
Leadership Update
- PrairieSky is pleased to announce
the appointment of Michael Murphy as Vice-President, Geosciences
and Capital Markets. Mr. Murphy is a professional geologist with 19
years of experience in the oil and gas industry and equity
research.
President's Message
An active fourth quarter of leasing activity
capped off another strong year in 2023. PrairieSky entered into 50
leasing arrangements in the quarter earning bonus consideration of
$11.2 million, primarily from leasing of Duvernay rights, the
highest quarterly bonus consideration earned since 2017. Annual
bonus consideration totaled $26.0 million, the highest annual bonus
consideration earned since 2017, with PrairieSky entering into 202
leasing arrangements with 110 different counterparties. In both
2022 and 2023, leasing activity was focused on oil targets which
has resulted in strong organic oil growth on PrairieSky's royalty
properties. PrairieSky averaged a record 12,844 barrels per day of
oil royalty production in the quarter which was 6% above Q4 2022.
Annually, average oil royalty volumes reached a record 12,438
barrels per day, 6% above 2022. With the incremental Duvernay
leasing, we anticipate long-term light oil royalty production
growth to complement the growth in heavy oil from PrairieSky's
Clearwater and Mannville Stack oil plays.
Total royalty production averaged 25,608 BOE per
day in the fourth quarter generating royalty production revenue of
$122.0 million which combined with $11.2 million of bonus
consideration, $2.9 million of lease rentals and $0.5 million of
other revenues drove Q4 2023 funds from operations of $111.1
million. Annually, total royalty production averaged 24,857 BOE per
day generating $474.6 million in royalty production revenue. Funds
from operations totaled $382.5 million for 2023 generated primarily
on strong oil royalty production revenue which made up 79% of
royalty production revenue combined with $26.0 million in bonus
consideration. PrairieSky's annual 2023 dividend was $229.2 million
or $0.96 per common share, resulting in an annual payout ratio of
60%. PrairieSky executed on $58.4 million in acquisitions and
directed the remainder of funds from operations to retiring bank
debt. At December 31, 2023, PrairieSky's net debt totaled $222.1
million, a decrease of 30% from $315.1 million at December 31,
2022. Management believes PrairieSky's business model is uniquely
suited to provide sustainable returns to shareholders through all
commodity price cycles and we are pleased to announce a 4% dividend
increase effective for the March 29, 2024 record date.
During Q4 2023, PrairieSky added incremental
royalty acreage through $22.2 million in acquisitions which
included undeveloped lands in the Mannville Stack oil play. We have
focused our acquisition strategy since 2016 on entering early stage
plays such as the Clearwater and Mannville Stack. This strategy has
driven strong oil royalty production growth and we anticipate these
acquisitions will continue to provide strong returns on invested
capital. In addition to early-stage opportunities, PrairieSky
acquired approximately 67,000 acres of producing and non-producing
royalty acreage in Central Alberta for $14.0 million before
customary closing adjustments, which closed on December 6, 2023.
The acquisition included royalty production volumes of 90 BOE per
day (72% liquids) and seismic covering the acquired assets.
It was an active fourth quarter on our royalty
properties with 197 wells spud, comprised of 184 oil wells, 12
natural gas wells and 1 helium well. Drilling activity in the
quarter spanned from Northeast British Columbia to Southwest
Manitoba and was focused on oil plays including 44 Clearwater oil
wells across our 1.4 million acres of Clearwater acreage, 48
Mannville Stack oil wells and 33 Viking oil wells primarily on fee
leases in Saskatchewan. With the level of third-party drilling
activity and new leasing, management expects oil royalty production
volumes to maintain momentum into 2024. In 2023, there were 805
wells spud, down from 850 wells in 2022. PrairieSky estimates that
$2.0 billion (net - $112 million) in third-party capital was spent
in 2023 drilling and completing wells on PrairieSky's royalty
properties, up from $1.5 billion (net - $84 million) in 2022.
Capital spending by third-party operators targeted oil plays,
including those where PrairieSky has made strategic investments,
with the most active plays being the Clearwater oil play, Mannville
Stack heavy oil play and the Viking oil play.
We were very pleased with the level of organic
growth in oil royalty volumes we have achieved over the last two
years and the level of activity across our land base. We anticipate
2024 will continue to be active and we will remain disciplined,
focusing on our core strategies of leasing land, managing
controllable costs and conducting royalty and land compliance
activities. We are pleased to welcome Michael to our team and look
forward to working with him to meet our corporate objectives. We
would like to thank our shareholders for their support, and our
staff for their continued hard work.
Andrew Phillips, President & CEOQ4
2023 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
- PrairieSky generated funds from
operations of $111.1 million or $0.46 per share (basic and diluted)
in Q4 2023, an increase of 18% over Q3 2023 and 7% below Q4 2022.
The increase in funds from operations over Q3 2023 was driven by a
combination of organic growth in oil royalty production volumes and
increased bonus consideration earned on new leasing activity. These
positive impacts were more than offset by lower WTI and AECO
benchmark pricing as compared to Q4 2022.
- PrairieSky's royalty production
volumes totaled 25,608 BOE per day and generated royalty production
revenue of $122.0 million in Q4 2023. A further breakdown is as
follows:
- PrairieSky achieved record oil
royalty production volumes of 12,844 barrels per day, a 6% increase
over both Q3 2023 and Q4 2022 as royalty production from new wells
on stream more than offset natural declines. Oil royalty production
volumes included 24 barrels per day related to acquisitions in the
quarter.
- Oil royalty production revenue
totaled $98.4 million, a decrease of 4% from Q3 2023 as higher
royalty production volumes were offset by weaker WTI benchmark
pricing and wider light and heavy oil differentials. Oil royalty
production revenue was lower than Q4 2022 due to lower WTI
benchmark pricing and a wider light oil differential partially
offset by stronger royalty production volumes, a narrowed heavy oil
differential and a weaker Canadian dollar relative to the US
dollar.
- Natural gas royalty production
volumes averaged 60.4 MMcf per day in Q4 2023, a 6% decrease from
Q3 2023 and 9% from Q4 2022 as new wells on stream were offset by
natural declines.
- Natural gas royalty revenue totaled
$12.2 million, a 5% increase over Q3 2023 due to certain royalty
volumes being sold at higher Sumas pricing. Natural gas royalty
revenue decreased 62% from Q4 2022 when daily AECO pricing averaged
$5.11 per mcf and monthly AECO pricing averaged $5.58 per mcf which
was more than 50% above Q4 2023 AECO pricing.
- NGL royalty production volumes
averaged 2,697 barrels per day, flat with both Q3 2023 and Q4 2022
as new wells on stream offset natural declines.
- NGL royalty revenue totaled $11.4
million, down 12% from Q3 2023 and 16% from Q4 2022 due to lower
benchmark pricing.
- PrairieSky generated $11.2 million
in bonus consideration in Q4 2023, the highest quarterly bonus
consideration earned since 2017, which was earned on entering into
50 new leasing arrangements with 43 different counterparties.
PrairieSky earned an incremental $2.9 million in lease rentals and
$0.5 million in other revenue in the quarter. Compliance recoveries
totaled $2.0 million in Q4 2023.
- Cash administrative expenses
totaled $5.6 million or $2.38 per BOE, in line with Q4 2022.
- PrairieSky declared a dividend of
$57.3 million ($0.24 per share) during Q4 2023, representing a 52%
payout ratio. Remaining funds from operations were allocated to
acquisitions and to retiring bank debt.
- During Q4 2023, PrairieSky acquired
undeveloped lands in the Mannville Stack as well as incremental
producing and non-producing royalty interests and seismic for cash
consideration of $22.2 million.
ANNUAL FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
- PrairieSky generated annual funds
from operations of $382.5 million ($1.60 per share basic and
diluted), 25% below 2022, as record oil royalty production volumes
and strong bonus consideration were more than offset by the
negative impacts of lower benchmark commodity pricing.
- Royalty production volumes averaged
24,857 BOE per day, flat year over year, as increased oil royalty
production volumes were offset by lower natural gas royalty volumes
which were negatively impacted during the year due to facility
maintenance downtime and forest fire related shut-ins. Average oil
royalty production volumes reached a record 12,438 barrels per day,
6% higher than 2022.
- PrairieSky achieved total revenues
of $513.2 million, comprised of $474.6 million of royalty
production revenue and $38.6 million of other revenue. Other
revenue included $26.0 million of bonus consideration, the highest
annual amount since 2017, earned on entering into 202 new leasing
arrangements with 110 counterparties. Compliance recoveries
totalled $6.6 million for the year.
- Administrative expenses totaled
$45.0 million or $4.96 per BOE, below 2022 administrative expenses
of $48.8 million or $5.30 per BOE. Cash administrative expenses
totaled $47.9 million or $5.28 per BOE higher than 2022 cash
administrative expense primarily due to share-based compensation
payments, including a termination payment related to a leadership
change and a director retirement.
- During 2023, PrairieSky completed
acquisitions of fee mineral title and GORR interests primarily
targeting Mannville Stack heavy oil for $58.4 million. Annually,
acquisitions added 35 BOE per day to royalty production
volumes.
- PrairieSky declared cumulative
annual dividends of $229.2 million or $0.96 per share with a
resulting annual payout ratio of 60%.
- At December 31, 2023, PrairieSky's
net debt totaled $222.1 million, a decrease of $93.0 million or 30%
from December 31, 2022 net debt of $315.1 million.
ACTIVITY ON PRAIRIESKY’S ROYALTY
PROPERTIES
Third-party drilling activity remained strong in
Q4 2023 with 197 wells spud on PrairieSky's royalty properties
consisting of 95 wells spud on Fee Lands, 93 wells spud on GORR
acreage and 9 unit wells spud. Activity was focused on oil targets
with 184 wells spud which included 48 Mannville Stack oil wells, 44
Clearwater oil wells, 33 Viking oil wells, 17 Mannville oil wells,
13 Cardium oil wells, 11 Mississippian oil wells, 6 Duvernay oil
wells, and 12 additional oil wells spud in the Bakken, Belly River,
Charlie Lake, Jurassic and Nisku formations. There were 12 natural
gas wells spud in Q4 2023, including 5 Montney natural gas wells, 7
Mannville and Spirit River wells, and 1 helium well. PrairieSky's
average royalty rate for wells spud in Q4 2023 was 7.2% (Q4 2022 -
6.4%). Spuds on PrairieSky's royalty properties in 2023 totaled 805
wells, as compared to 850 wells in 2022. The average royalty rate
for wells spud in 2023 was 7.2% (2022 - 7.3%).
For 2023, PrairieSky estimates that $2.0 billion
(net - $112 million) in third-party capital was spent drilling and
completing wells on PrairieSky royalty properties, up from $1.5
billion (net capital - $84 million) in 2022, representing a 33%
increase in net capital spent on PrairieSky's land base year over
year. The increase was primarily a result of inflation in the
service sector.
ANNUAL DIVIDEND INCREASED 4% TO $1.00
PER SHARE
PrairieSky is pleased to announce a 4% increase
in its annual dividend to $1.00 per common share in 2024, to be
paid on a quarterly basis effective for the March 29, 2024 record
date. In determining changes to the dividend level, the Board of
Directors considers a number of factors including current and
projected activity levels on PrairieSky's royalty lands, the
current commodity price environment, the working capital and bank
debt balance and net earnings of the Company.
2023 RESERVES INFORMATION
PrairieSky's proved plus probable reserves
totaled 65,762 MBOE at December 31, 2023 (December 31, 2022 -
66,719 MBOE) and include only developed assets (developed producing
and developed non-producing properties) and do not include any
future development capital on undeveloped lands. Proved plus
probable reserves remained relatively flat with 2022, with year
over year changes comprised of additions related to third-party
drilling and improved recovery (7,111 MBOE), technical additions
(971 MBOE), acquisitions (14 MBOE) and economic factors (19 MBOE)
less 2023 royalty production volumes of 9,072 MBOE. At December 31,
2023, the before-tax net present value of total proved plus
probable reserves, discounted at 10%, decreased 5% to $1.84
billion (2022 - $1.94 billion) primarily as a result of lower
near-term natural gas and NGL commodity price assumptions.
PrairieSky's year end 2023 reserves were
evaluated by independent reserves evaluators GLJ Ltd. The
evaluation of PrairieSky's royalty properties was done in
accordance with the definitions, standards and procedures contained
in the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook and National
Instrument 51-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas
Activities. PrairieSky's reserves information is included in the
Company’s Annual Information Form which is available on SEDAR+
at www.sedarplus.ca and PrairieSky's website
at www.prairiesky.com.
GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY
RANKINGS
Once again PrairieSky has received industry
leading scores from several globally recognized environmental,
social and governance ("ESG") rating agencies for 2023. These
results demonstrate our carbon neutral status(1) and ongoing
commitment to environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and
strong corporate governance practices and are set forth below.
2023 ESG Rankings
Rating Agency |
PrairieSky Score/Ranking |
Description of Score/Ranking |
Sustainalytics ESG Risk (All Industries) |
7.4Negligible Risk |
Ranked in the top 0.5% of all companies in Sustainalytics global
coverage universe(2)and maintained "Negligible Risk" ESG Risk
Rating.Received "2024 ESG Global 50 Top-Rated Badge" awarded to the
top 50 ranked companies in Sustainalytics ESG Risk Ratings universe
which covers more than 14,000 companies across 42 industries. |
Sustainalytics ESG Risk (Oil and Gas Producers) |
1 out of 315 |
Maintained top overall global(2)ranking and awarded Sustainalytics
"Industry Top-Rated Badge". |
MSCI ESG Risk Rating |
AAA |
Maintained AAA "Leader" status, denoting companies leading the
industry in managing the most significant ESG risks and
opportunities.Measurement of resilience to long-term, industry
material ESG risks on a relative ranking from AAA to CCC. |
CDP Climate Change 2023 |
B |
Received a score of B, as compared to the North American and global
average of C, indicating the Company has addressed the
environmental impacts of their business and ensures good
environmental management. |
S&P’s Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) |
62 |
Scored 62 out of 100, achieving a top 15% ranking and included as a
member of S&P’s Global Sustainability Yearbook 2024 for
corporate sustainability excellence. |
Globe and Mail Governance Overall Survey Score |
84/100 |
Ranked 57 out of 219 companies in the S&P/TSX Composite Index
with an overall score of 84 out of 100. Survey assesses quality of
governance practices. |
(1) Carbon neutral refers to PrairieSky’s
Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions which are net zero. (2)
PrairieSky’s ranking as of January 24, 2024.
FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL
INFORMATION
The following table summarizes select
operational and financial information of the Company for the
periods noted. All dollar amounts are stated in Canadian dollars
unless otherwise noted.
A full version of PrairieSky's management's
discussion and analysis ("MD&A") and annual
audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the
fiscal period ended December 31, 2023 are available on SEDAR+ at
www.sedarplus.ca and PrairieSky’s website at
www.prairiesky.com.
|
Three months ended |
Year ended |
(millions, except per share or as otherwise noted) |
December 31 2023 |
September 302023 |
December 31 2022 |
December 31 2023 |
December 31 2022 |
FINANCIAL |
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
$ |
136.6 |
|
$ |
133.1 |
|
$ |
150.6 |
|
$ |
513.2 |
|
$ |
643.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funds from Operations |
|
111.1 |
|
|
93.8 |
|
|
119.5 |
|
|
382.5 |
|
|
507.6 |
|
Per Share - basic(1) |
|
0.46 |
|
|
0.39 |
|
|
0.50 |
|
|
1.60 |
|
|
2.13 |
|
Per Share - diluted(1) |
|
0.46 |
|
|
0.39 |
|
|
0.50 |
|
|
1.60 |
|
|
2.12 |
|
Net Earnings |
|
67.4 |
|
|
55.4 |
|
|
67.3 |
|
|
227.6 |
|
|
317.5 |
|
Per Share - basic and diluted(1) |
|
0.28 |
|
|
0.23 |
|
|
0.28 |
|
|
0.95 |
|
|
1.33 |
|
Dividends declared(2) |
|
57.3 |
|
|
57.3 |
|
|
57.3 |
|
|
229.2 |
|
|
143.3 |
|
Per Share |
|
0.24 |
|
|
0.24 |
|
|
0.24 |
|
|
0.96 |
|
|
0.60 |
|
Dividend payout ratio(3) |
|
52 |
% |
|
61 |
% |
|
48 |
% |
|
60 |
% |
|
28 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisitions |
|
22.2 |
|
|
15.6 |
|
|
6.2 |
|
|
58.4 |
|
|
30.6 |
|
Net debt at period end(4) |
|
222.1 |
|
|
253.7 |
|
|
315.1 |
|
|
222.1 |
|
|
315.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|
Shares outstanding at period end |
|
239.0 |
|
|
239.0 |
|
|
238.9 |
|
|
239.0 |
|
|
238.9 |
|
Weighted average - basic |
|
239.0 |
|
|
238.9 |
|
|
238.8 |
|
|
239.0 |
|
|
238.8 |
|
Weighted average - diluted |
|
239.0 |
|
|
238.9 |
|
|
239.2 |
|
|
239.0 |
|
|
239.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OPERATIONALRoyalty Production
Volumes |
|
|
|
|
|
Crude Oil (bbls/d) |
|
12,844 |
|
|
12,084 |
|
|
12,166 |
|
|
12,438 |
|
|
11,739 |
|
NGL (bbls/d) |
|
2,697 |
|
|
2,702 |
|
|
2,681 |
|
|
2,502 |
|
|
2,684 |
|
Natural Gas (MMcf/d) |
|
60.4 |
|
|
64.1 |
|
|
66.4 |
|
|
59.5 |
|
|
64.7 |
|
Royalty Production (BOE/d)(5) |
|
25,608 |
|
|
25,469 |
|
|
25,914 |
|
|
24,857 |
|
|
25,206 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Realized Pricing |
|
|
|
|
|
Crude Oil ($/bbl) |
|
83.27 |
|
|
92.53 |
|
|
88.36 |
|
|
82.52 |
|
|
102.88 |
|
NGL ($/bbl) |
|
46.07 |
|
|
52.01 |
|
|
54.56 |
|
|
47.60 |
|
|
59.73 |
|
Natural Gas ($/Mcf) |
|
2.19 |
|
|
1.97 |
|
|
5.30 |
|
|
2.60 |
|
|
4.93 |
|
Total ($/BOE)(5) |
|
51.78 |
|
|
54.37 |
|
|
60.74 |
|
|
52.31 |
|
|
66.92 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Netback per BOE(6) |
|
48.68 |
|
|
46.09 |
|
|
57.89 |
|
|
46.32 |
|
|
63.43 |
|
Funds from Operations per BOE |
|
47.16 |
|
|
40.03 |
|
|
50.12 |
|
|
42.16 |
|
|
55.17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil Price Benchmarks |
|
|
|
|
|
Western Texas Intermediate (WTI) (US$/bbl) |
|
78.32 |
|
|
82.32 |
|
|
82.64 |
|
|
77.62 |
|
|
94.23 |
|
Edmonton Light Sweet ($/bbl) |
|
99.72 |
|
|
107.87 |
|
|
110.04 |
|
|
100.46 |
|
|
120.07 |
|
Western Canadian Select (WCS) crude oildifferential to WTI
(US$/bbl) |
|
(21.89 |
) |
|
(12.89 |
) |
|
(25.66 |
) |
|
(18.65 |
) |
|
(18.22 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural Gas Price Benchmarks |
|
|
|
|
|
AECO monthly index ($/Mcf) |
|
2.66 |
|
|
2.39 |
|
|
5.58 |
|
|
2.93 |
|
|
5.56 |
|
AECO daily index ($/Mcf) |
|
2.30 |
|
|
2.60 |
|
|
5.11 |
|
|
2.64 |
|
|
5.31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign Exchange Rate (US$/CAD$) |
|
0.7343 |
|
|
0.7466 |
|
|
0.7365 |
|
|
0.7410 |
|
|
0.7683 |
|
(1) Net Earnings and Funds from Operations per
Share are calculated using the weighted average number of basic and
diluted common shares outstanding.(2) A dividend of $0.24 per share
was declared on December 5, 2023. The dividend was paid on January
15, 2024 to shareholders of record as at December 29, 2023.(3)
Dividend payout ratio is defined in "Non-GAAP Measures and Ratios"
section in this press release.(4) See Note 15 "Capital Management"
in the annual audited consolidated financial statements for the
years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 and the section "Capital
Management" contained in the Company’s MD&A for the years ended
December 31, 2023 and 2022.(5) See "Conversions of Natural Gas to
BOE" in this press release.(6) Operating Netback per BOE is defined
in "Non-GAAP Measures and Ratios" section of this press
release.
CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS
A conference call to discuss the results will be
held for the investment community on Tuesday, February 13, 2024,
beginning at 6:30 a.m. MDT (8:30 a.m. EDT). To participate in the
conference call, you are asked to register at the link provided
below. Details regarding the call will be provided to you upon
registration.
Live call participants registration
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release includes certain statements
regarding PrairieSky's future plans and operations and contains
forward-looking statements that we believe allow readers to better
understand our business and prospects. The use of any of the words
"expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective",
"ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans",
"intends", "strategy" and similar expressions are intended to
identify forward-looking information or statements. Forward-looking
statements contained in this press release include estimates
regarding our expectations with respect to PrairieSky's business
and growth strategy; future growth from PrairieSky's existing
royalty asset portfolio, including but not limited to the
expectation that Duvernay leasing will result in long-term light
oil royalty production growth which will complement the growth in
heavy oil from PrairieSky's Clearwater and Mannville Stack oil
plays; expectation that PrairieSky's acquisitions will provide
strong returns on invested capital; expectation that PrairieSky's
business model is uniquely suited to provide sustainable returns to
shareholders through all commodity price cycles; the quality of
PrairieSky's existing royalty asset portfolio; the expectation that
oil royalty production volumes will maintain momentum into 2024 and
that 2024 will continue to be active and expected dividends.
With respect to forward-looking statements
contained in this press release, we have made several assumptions
including those described in detail in our MD&A and the Annual
Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023. Readers and
investors are cautioned that the assumptions used in the
preparation of such forward-looking information and statements,
although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may
prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be
placed on forward-looking statements. Our actual results,
performance, or achievements could differ materially from those
expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. We
can give no assurance that any of the events anticipated will
transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what benefits we will
derive from them.
By their nature, forward-looking statements are
subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are
beyond our control, including the impact of general economic
conditions including inflation, industry conditions, volatility of
commodity prices, lack of pipeline capacity, currency fluctuations,
imprecision of reserve estimates, competitive factors impacting
royalty rates, environmental risks, the effects of inclement and
severe weather events and natural disasters, including fire,
drought and flooding, taxation, regulation, changes in tax or other
legislation, competition from other industry participants, the lack
of availability of qualified personnel or management, stock market
volatility, political and geopolitical instability and our ability
to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources. In
addition, PrairieSky is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties
in relation to acquisitions. These risks and uncertainties include
risks relating to the potential for disputes to arise with
counterparties and limited ability to recover indemnification under
certain agreements. The foregoing and other risks are described in
more detail in PrairieSky's MD&A, and the Annual Information
Form for the year ended December 31, 2023 under the headings "Risk
Management" and "Risk Factors", respectively, each of which is
available at www.sedarplus.ca and PrairieSky's website
at www.prairiesky.com.
Further, any forward-looking statement
is made only as of the date of this press release, and PrairieSky
undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances after
the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the
occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by
applicable securities laws. New factors emerge from time to time,
and it is not possible for PrairieSky to predict all of these
factors or to assess in advance the impact of each such factor on
PrairieSky’s business or the extent to which any factor, or
combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ
materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements contained in this document are
expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
CONVERSIONS OF NATURAL GAS TO
BOE
To provide a single unit of production for
analytical purposes, natural gas production and reserves volumes
are converted mathematically to equivalent barrels of oil (BOE).
PrairieSky uses the industry-accepted standard conversion of six
thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of oil (6 Mcf = 1
bbl). The 6:1 BOE ratio is based on an energy equivalency
conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip. It 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 and observing trends, 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.
NON-GAAP MEASURES AND
RATIOS
Certain measures and ratios in this document do
not have any standardized meaning as prescribed by IFRS and,
therefore, are considered non-GAAP measures and ratios. These
measures and ratios may not be comparable to similar measures and
ratios presented by other issuers. These measures and ratios are
commonly used in the crude oil and natural gas industry and by
PrairieSky to provide potential investors with additional
information regarding the Company’s liquidity and its ability to
generate funds to conduct its business. Non-GAAP measures and
ratios include operating netback per BOE, operating margin, payout
ratio, cash administrative expenses and cash administrative
expenses per BOE. Non-GAAP measures should not be considered an
alternative to or more meaningful than the most directly comparable
financial measure of each such non-GAAP measure described below.
Management's use of these measures and ratios is discussed further
below. Further information can be found in the "Non-GAAP Measures
and Ratios" section of PrairieSky's MD&A.
"Operating Netback per BOE" represents the cash
margin for products sold on a BOE basis. Operating netback per BOE
is calculated by dividing the operating netback by the average
daily production volumes for the period. Operating netback per BOE
is used to assess the cash generating and operating performance per
unit of product sold and the comparability of the underlying
performance between years. Operating netback per BOE measures are
commonly used in the crude oil and natural gas industry to assess
performance comparability.
|
Three Months Ended |
Year Ended |
($
millions) |
December 312023 |
September 302023 |
December 312022 |
December 312023 |
December 312022 |
Cash from Operating Activities |
$ |
128.0 |
|
$ |
78.1 |
|
$ |
140.7 |
|
$ |
318.9 |
|
$ |
565.5 |
|
Other Revenue |
|
(14.6 |
) |
|
(5.7 |
) |
|
(5.8 |
) |
|
(38.6 |
) |
|
(27.6 |
) |
Non-cash Revenue |
|
- |
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
- |
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
0.2 |
|
Amortization of Debt Issuance
Costs |
|
(0.1 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
(0.2 |
) |
|
(0.4 |
) |
|
(0.7 |
) |
Finance Expense |
|
3.9 |
|
|
4.5 |
|
|
4.4 |
|
|
17.5 |
|
|
18.6 |
|
Current Tax Expense |
|
14.4 |
|
|
14.9 |
|
|
20.2 |
|
|
58.8 |
|
|
85.6 |
|
Interest on lease obligation |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
Net Change in Non-cash Working
Capital |
|
(16.9 |
) |
|
15.7 |
|
|
(21.2 |
) |
|
63.6 |
|
|
(57.9 |
) |
Operating Netback |
$ |
114.7 |
|
$ |
108.0 |
|
$ |
138.0 |
|
$ |
420.3 |
|
$ |
583.6 |
|
"Operating Margin" represents operating netback
as a percentage of royalty production revenues. Management uses
this measure to demonstrate the comparability between the Company
and production and exploration companies in the crude oil and
natural gas industry as it shows net revenue generation from
operations.
|
Three Months Ended |
Year Ended |
($
millions) |
December 312023 |
September 302023 |
December 312022 |
December 312023 |
December 312022 |
Royalty Production Revenue |
$ |
122.0 |
|
$ |
127.4 |
|
$ |
144.8 |
|
$ |
474.6 |
|
$ |
615.7 |
|
Operating Netback |
$ |
114.7 |
|
$ |
108.0 |
|
$ |
138.0 |
|
$ |
420.3 |
|
$ |
583.6 |
|
Operating Margin |
|
94 |
% |
|
85 |
% |
|
95 |
% |
|
89 |
% |
|
95 |
% |
"Payout Ratio" is calculated as dividends
declared as a percentage of funds from operations. Payout ratio is
used by dividend paying companies to assess dividend levels in
relation to the funds generated and used in operating
activities.
|
Three Months Ended |
Year Ended |
($
millions) |
December 312023 |
September 302023 |
December 312022 |
December 312023 |
December 312022 |
Funds from Operations |
$ |
111.1 |
|
$ |
93.8 |
|
$ |
119.5 |
|
$ |
382.5 |
|
$ |
507.6 |
|
Dividends Declared |
$ |
57.3 |
|
$ |
57.3 |
|
$ |
57.3 |
|
$ |
229.2 |
|
$ |
143.3 |
|
Payout Ratio |
|
52 |
% |
|
61 |
% |
|
48 |
% |
|
60 |
% |
|
28 |
% |
"Cash Administrative Expenses" represent
administrative expenses excluding the volatility and fluctuations
in share-based compensation expense for RSUs, PSUs, ODSUs and DSUs
and stock options that were not settled in cash in the current
period. Cash administrative expenses are calculated as total
administrative expenses, adjusting for share-based compensation
expense in the period, plus any actual cash payments made under the
RSU, PSU, ODSU or DSU plans. Management believes cash
administrative expenses are a common benchmark used by investors
when comparing companies to evaluate operating
performance.
Cash Administrative Expenses
The following table presents the computation of
cash administrative expenses:
|
Three Months Ended |
Year Ended |
($
millions) |
December 312023 |
September 302023 |
December 312022 |
December 312023 |
December 312022 |
Total Administrative Expenses |
$ |
6.1 |
|
$ |
15.0 |
|
$ |
16.4 |
|
$ |
45.0 |
|
$ |
48.8 |
|
Share-Based Compensation
Expense |
|
(0.5 |
) |
|
(8.6 |
) |
|
(11.3 |
) |
|
(20.9 |
) |
|
(28.3 |
) |
Cash Payments Made - Share Unit
Plans |
|
- |
|
|
11.5 |
|
|
- |
|
|
23.8 |
|
|
5.0 |
|
Cash Administrative Expenses |
$ |
5.6 |
|
$ |
17.9 |
|
$ |
5.1 |
|
$ |
47.9 |
|
$ |
25.5 |
|
"Cash Administrative Expenses per BOE"
represents cash administrative expenses on a BOE basis and is
calculated by dividing cash administrative expenses by the average
daily production volumes for the period. Cash administrative
expenses per BOE assists management and investors in evaluating
operating performance on a comparable basis.
ABOUT PRAIRIESKY ROYALTY
LTD.
PrairieSky is a royalty company, generating
royalty production revenues as petroleum and natural gas are
produced from its properties. PrairieSky has a diverse portfolio of
properties that have a long history of generating funds from
operations and that represent the largest and most consolidated
independently-owned fee simple mineral title position in Canada.
PrairieSky's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange
under the symbol PSK.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE
CONTACT:
Andrew Phillips |
Pamela Kazeil |
President & Chief Executive Officer |
Vice-President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer |
PrairieSky Royalty Ltd. |
PrairieSky Royalty Ltd. |
(587) 293-4005 |
(587) 293-4089 |
|
|
Investor Relations |
|
(587) 293-4000 |
|
www.prairiesky.com |
|
PDF
available: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/60ef50a5-1b76-450d-849a-23c5d028dd40
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