Advantage Oil & Gas Ltd. (TSX:AAV)(NYSE:AAV)
Highlights
-- Advantage Oil & Gas Ltd. ("Advantage" or the "Corporation") announces
that its strategic alternatives review process has been completed and
did not result in an acceptable proposal.
-- Numerous corporate and operational achievements have positioned the
Corporation as a focused, industry leading, low cost Montney natural gas
producer.
-- Advantage has significantly improved the balance sheet through the
announced sale today of its Longview Oil Corp. ("Longview") common
shares and previously announced divestments of non-core conventional
assets.
-- Advantage's development plan is expected to drive 190% cash flow per
share growth and 100% production per share growth through increasing
production at Glacier to 245 mmcfe/d (40,800 boe/d) in 2017, while
targeting an average total debt to cash flow of approximately 1.5 times
(1)(2).
-- Achievements in our current Glacier Phase VI capital program contributed
to record production of 124 mmcfe/d entering January 2014, a record 13
mmcf/d(3) liquids rich Middle Montney well and confirmed economic
production potential from the Upper, Middle and Lower Montney across
Glacier providing clear visibility for future growth.
1) An updated February 2014 investor presentation has been posted
to our website which contains details on our three year
development plan and approved Glacier Phase VII budget.
2) All references to total debt are at the end of each development
phase. Cash flow is based on forward cash flow and may also be
referred to as funds from operations.
3) All references to well production test rates are final test
rates normalized to our average gas gathering system pressure of
3,000 kpa unless otherwise indicated.
Strategic Alternatives Review
With the assistance of its external financial advisors, FirstEnergy Capital
Corp. and RBC Capital Markets (collectively, the "Advisors"), Advantage
conducted an extensive and thorough strategic review of the alternatives
available to it that included a broad global marketing effort to solicit
interest in a sale of the Corporation or other transaction to maximize value for
all shareholders. During the process, the Corporation received expressions of
interest in respect of a variety of potential transactions. None of these
proposals were determined to be in the best interests of the Corporation and do
not adequately reflect the intrinsic value of the Corporation based upon its
assets, operations and prospects for growth.
With the formal conclusion of the strategic alternatives review process, the
Board of Advantage unanimously supports the Corporation's three year development
plan for Glacier which targets strong per share growth in production and cash
flow. Based on an average natural gas price of AECO Cdn $3.75/gj (strip pricing
as of January 28, 2014 for 2014 to 2017), recent well results and cost
performance, this plan can be completed within existing financial facilities and
at a targeted average total debt to cash flow of approximately 1.5 times.
The Board will always consider potential alternatives that may arise which are
in the best interests of the Corporation and its shareholders as the business
continues to grow and evolve.
Advantage continued to achieve significant operational and financial success
during the strategic alternatives review period and is now well positioned as a
low cost, focused Montney operator with a clear strategy to drive strong per
share growth. Key accomplishments which advanced this strategy include:
-- strengthened its balance sheet by repaying debt and increasing the size
of the Corporation's borrowing base from $230 million to $300 million;
-- reduced its bank debt by 58% to $64 million and reduced total debt by
31% to $199 million based on Advantage's estimated bank debt and total
debt at December 31, 2013 pro forma net proceeds from the sale of
Longview common shares
-- improved well productivity in the Upper, Middle and Lower Montney
through modified drilling and completion techniques resulting in robust
well economics across Glacier;
-- further established itself as an industry leading low cost Montney
natural gas producer by reducing Glacier operating costs from
approximately $3.00/mcfe to $0.28/mcfe, combined with an attractive low
royalty rate of approximately 5% for the life of a Glacier well. G&A
cash costs are expected to be reduced to approximately $0.20/mcfe in the
latter half of 2014 and less than $0.20/mcfe in 2015;
-- acquired an additional 43.25 net sections (27,680 net acres) of Montney
land holdings (100% working interest) in the Valhalla and Wembley areas
that will complement its core Glacier holding of 77.1 net (49,344 net
acres) Montney sections and;
-- secured natural gas hedges that will reduce volatility of future cash
flows to March 2016 in support of our Glacier development plan.
Disposition of Longview Oil Corp. Shares
With the conclusion of Advantage's strategic review process and in support of
its multi-year growth plan, Advantage has entered into an agreement to sell the
21.15 million Longview common shares owned by Advantage at a price of CDN $4.45
per share for aggregate gross proceeds of CDN $94.1 million. Closing of the
offering is anticipated to be on or about February 26, 2014, and all of the net
proceeds will be used to reduce Advantage's existing bank indebtedness.
Termination of Technical Services Agreement
With the continued progression of both Advantage's and Longview's business
plans, the companies have terminated the Technical Services Agreement ("TSA")
originally entered in April 2011. The termination of the TSA and disposition of
Advantage's Longview common shares will reduce financial and operational
complexity and simplify our organizational structure.
The TSA previously provided that Advantage make available the necessary
personnel and technical services to manage Longview's business. Appropriate
staffing and systems are now in place to enable both organizations to run
independently following termination of the TSA.
Advantage would like to acknowledge the commitment and dedication of all staff
and personnel that have contributed to the requirements of the TSA.
Management and Board of Advantage Oil & Gas Ltd.
The management of Advantage will continue to be led by Andy Mah, President and
Chief Executive Officer and Director, Neil Bokenfohr, Vice President
Exploitation, and Craig Blackwood, Vice President Finance and Chief Financial
Officer. Mr. Blackwood has resigned as Chief Financial Officer of Longview to
focus entirely on Advantage. This executive team has provided oversight and
leadership since development began at Glacier in 2008 and is committed to
successfully executing on future growth plans. Advantage will retain a
complement of 25 employees to support the ongoing operations of the Corporation.
Going forward, we anticipate that cash general and administrative expenses will
be reduced to approximately $0.20/mcfe during the last half of 2014 and are
expected to be less than $0.20/mcfe in 2015.
In addition to Mr. Mah, the Board includes three independent directors, Messrs.
Ron McIntosh (who has been elected Interim non-executive Chairman), Stephen
Balog and Paul Haggis. Mr. Steven Sharpe (former non-executive Chairman) has
resigned from the Board to attend to family matters which have arisen recently.
We wish to specifically thank Mr. Sharpe for his leadership, expertise and
dedication during the strategic alternatives process and for his many
contributions to Advantage during his tenure. The Board has initiated a process
to recruit additional Board members with a particular focus on individuals with
the skills that will further assist in the development and growth of our world
class Montney assets.
Glacier Development Plan Expected to Double Production to 245 mmcfe/d in 2017,
Glacier Phase VII Capital Budget Approved
As a result of continued operational success at Glacier since 2008 and the
numerous milestones achieved during our current Glacier Phase VI capital
development program, the Board of Directors of Advantage has endorsed a
multi-year development plan through to 2017. Additionally, the Board of
Directors has approved the Glacier Phase VII Capital and Operating Budget for
the 12 months ending March 31, 2015.
Current Phase VI Glacier Capital Development Program Achievements Set the Stage
for Future Growth
Numerous successes during our current Phase VI capital program have been pivotal
in advancing our growth strategy at Glacier and include the following key
accomplishments and implications:
-- Increasing Glacier production to a record 124 mmcfe/d entering January
2014. Only eight new wells out of our 22 well Phase VI program will be
required to initially drive production to 135 mmcfe/d by Q2 2014 due to
better than anticipated production from wells with revised completion
techniques.
-- Improving well performance in the Upper, Middle and Lower Montney such
that the total combined final production test rate from 12 Phase VI
wells completed to date is 115 mmcf/d(1). The 22 wells in our current
program will provide inventory to sustain production through the balance
of 2014.
-- Drilling & completion of a record Middle Montney well at 100/12-2-76-
12w6 which flowed at a final production test rate of 13 mmcf/d including
260 bbls/d of free condensate ("C5+")(2) (natural gas and free
condensate rate equivalent to 2,427 boe/d). The estimated propane plus
("C3+") shallow cut liquids yield is 42 bbls/mmcf(3) for this well.
-- Confirmation that a Middle Montney average well has a 30 day average
initial production rate ("IP30") of 4 mmcf/d and an average C3+ liquids
yield of 39 bbls/mmcf(4). The liquids content in east Glacier have been
observed to be higher than the field average with C3+ liquid yields of
up to 76 bbls/mmcf and C5+ liquid yields of 45 bbls/mmcf.
-- Achievement of exceptional Upper Montney wells in east Glacier with the
last 4 Phase VI wells demonstrating an average final production test
rate of 15.7 mmcf/d including a record production rate of 21 mmcf/d from
our Upper Montney well at 100/5-20-76-12w6. These results contribute to
increasing the Upper Montney average well IP30 to 6.9 mmcf/d which
generates superior economic returns at current gas prices(5).
-- Achievement of successful Lower Montney wells, specifically in east
Glacier, which proves up new areas for reserves and production growth.
The average final production test rate from the last five Lower Montney
wells (three in east Glacier, two in west Glacier) in our Phase VI
capital program is 6.8 mmcf/d(6).
-- Developed new completion and frac designs which have significantly
improved well results in the multiple Montney layers at Glacier. Our
experience has identified additional design changes which will be
implemented in the future.
Notes: (1) Based on each of the 12 wells' final gas flow rate at the end of
each production test period (average 69 hrs) normalized to our
average gas gathering system pressure of 3,000 kpa.
(2) Normalized to an average gas gathering system pressure of 3,000
kpa. Production tested for 72 hours at a final test rate of 11.6
mmcf/d at 9,410 kpa with 20 bbls/mmcf of free C5+.
(3) Estimated based on a shallow cut liquids extraction process using
rich gas analysis and recovered free C5+ from the production
test.
(4) Based on the average of the estimated C3+ liquids yield for
Advantage's nine Middle Montney horizontal wells at Glacier from
a shallow cut liquids extraction process.
(5) Based on 14 Upper Montney completed wells with revised completion
techniques.
(6) Based on each of the five Lower Montney wells' final gas flow
rate at the end of each production test period (average 69 hrs)
normalized to our average gas gathering system pressure of 3,000
kpa.
Glacier Development Plan & Phase VII Capital Budget
The Corporation's development plan is based on an average natural gas price of
AECO Cdn $3.75/gj (strip pricing as of January 28, 2014 for 2014 to 2017),
recent well results and cost performance and targets doubling production at
Glacier to 245 mmcfe/d (40,800 boe/d) in 2017 including the extraction of
natural gas liquids. The development plan targets double digit production growth
each year at Glacier with anticipated production at the end of each phase of 183
mmcfe/d in 2015, 205 mmcfe/d in 2016 and 245 mmcfe/d in 2017. Natural gas
liquids production is expected to grow from approximately 900 bbls/day in 2015
to 1,500 bbls/d in 2017. Total capital expenditures during each 12 month
development period are estimated to be between $210 million to $270 million with
the drilling of approximately 33 wells. Significant growth potential exists
beyond 2017 supported by the quality and size of our Montney resource and
availability of future pipeline transportation capacity.
Our Phase VII Glacier capital budget targets to increase current production by
48% to approximately 183 mmcfe/d in the second quarter of 2015 including
approximately 900 bbls/d of natural gas liquids from an initial 25 mmcf/d
development in the Middle Montney. The wells in this program are designed to
include an average of 17 fracs per well with an average expected cost of $6.1
million per well. Some of the wells will be drilled on six well pads to improve
cost efficiency. Facility expenditures include additional compression, acid gas
compression, and power generation. A shallow cut liquids extraction process
capable of accommodating future liquids rich gas production growth will be
installed at our current Glacier Gas Plant.
The following table outlines our Glacier Phase VII Budget and Guidance:
Glacier Phase VII 12 Months ending
Approved Budget & Guidance March 31, 2015
--------------------
Average Production (mmcfe/d) 134 to 139
End of Phase Production Rate Q2 2015 (mmcfe/d) 183
Royalty Rate (%) 5% to 6%
Operating Costs ($/mcfe) $0.25 to $0.30
Capital Expenditures ($ million) $260 to $270
Wells Drilled (net) Dry gas 20
Liquids rich gas 13
Total 33
Our Capital Budget and multi-year development plan will be funded through cash
flow, available credit facilities and cash generated from Advantage's
investments including the announced sale of Longview common shares. Based on an
average natural gas price of AECO Cdn $3.75/gj (strip pricing as of January 28,
2014 for 2014 to 2017), our development program is targeted to deliver 190% cash
flow per share and 100% production per share growth. Total debt to cash flow is
estimated to average approximately 1.5 times during the 2014 to 2017 period.
By 2017, we estimate that a total of 250 wells will be drilled on our Glacier
land block since development began in 2008. The remaining inventory of wells
after attaining targeted production of 245 mmcfe/d in 2017 is estimated to be
1,280 wells consisting of 440 Upper Montney and Lower Montney wells and 840
Middle Montney wells. This large inventory of undrilled locations provides a
strong platform to drive additional growth.
Strong Hedging Position Supports Development Plan
Advantage has entered into a number of natural gas hedges in support of our
Glacier development plan. Our natural gas hedges will reduce the volatility of
future cash flows through to March 2016. Our hedging positions are summarized in
the following table:
Forecast Production
Average Hedged Average Price
Period Production Hedged (net of royalties) AECO - $Cdn.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 2014 to
March 2015 66.8 mmcf/d 52% $3.83/mcf
April 2015 to
March 2016 52.1 mmcf/d 33% $3.85/mcf
Newly Acquired Montney Lands
In September 2013, Advantage acquired an additional 43.25 sections (27,680 net
acres) of 100% working interest lands from the Alberta Crown. These lands were
acquired for natural gas liquids potential in the Middle Montney and recent
results in the Middle Montney at Glacier have further supported the liquids rich
trend.
The Montney varies from an average formation thickness of 290 meters at Glacier
to 230 meters in our new northern Valhalla land block and to a thickness of 185
meters in our southern two Wembley land blocks. A comparison of log responses
between Glacier and the new lands illustrates similar porosity characteristics.
This newly acquired Montney acreage could provide another significant growth
platform for Advantage pending future delineation success.
Advisory
The information in this press release contains certain forward-looking
statements, including within the meaning of the United States Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to future events or our
future intentions or performance. All statements other than statements of
historical fact may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements
are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek",
"anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "demonstrate", "illustrate",
"expect", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "potential", "possible",
"targeting", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe", "confidence",
"would" and similar expressions and include statements relating to, but not
limited to, the anticipated effect of the Corporation's growth strategy and
development plan on production and cash flows; the Board's plans to continue to
consider potential strategic alternatives for the Corporation; the Corporation's
intent to continue to assess and enhance the expertise and skills required at
all levels of the organization as it grows and develops its Montney asset;
anticipated production levels by Q2 of 2014; the Corporation's expectations that
the wells in its current drilling program will provide inventory to sustain
production through the balance of 2014; our belief that the intrinsic value of
Glacier and its newly acquired Montney lands will be reflected in shareholder
value growth as we execute our development plan; details of management's future
Glacier development plans and the budget with respect thereto; the Corporation's
guidance in respect of anticipated production levels, royalty rates, operating
costs, capital expenditures, and number and types of wells drilled for the
twelve months ended March 31, 2015; the expected sources of funds to fund the
Corporation's budget and development plans; the Corporation's expectations that
its natural gas hedges will reduce the volatility of future cash flows through
to March 2016; expectations of production levels (including the commodities
expected), capital spending details, number of wells drilled, funds from
operations, debt levels, debt to cash flow ratio, drilling costs per well,
facility costs, commodity price assumptions and netbacks through to March 31,
2017; anticipated reductions in cash general and administrative expenses during
the last half of 2014 and in 2015; expected continued improvements in cost
efficiencies of drilling and completion plans; anticipated use of proceeds of
the sale of the Longview common shares; anticipated closing date for the sale of
the Longview common shares; anticipated debt levels following the sale of the
Longview common shares; expected benefits of the termination of the TSA;
expectations as to the composition of management and employees of Advantage
following the termination of the TSA; anticipated effect of refinement of
drilling and completion techniques; development of new technology and our
experience at Glacier on well performance; the Corporation's anticipated
drilling and completion plans; the Corporation's development plan to increase
production at Glacier and the anticipated production levels and timing thereof;
anticipated production and forecast production levels under the Corporation's
Phase VI capital development program; expectations of facilities expenditures
and details thereof; and plans to proceed with the installation of a liquids
extraction process and a Middle Montney well development program. In addition,
statements relating to "reserves" or "resources" are deemed to be
forward-looking statements, as they involve the implied assessment, based on
certain estimates and assumptions that the resources and reserves described can
be profitably produced in the future. Advantage's actual decisions, activities,
results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed
in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements and accordingly, no
assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the
forward-looking statements will transpire or occur or, if any of them do, what
benefits that Advantage will derive from them. The forward-looking information
presented herein, including the future oriented financial information relating
to the Corporation's budget and development plans, has been included herein to
provide an outlook of the Corporation's activities and results and to give an
indication of management's future plans. The actual results of operations of the
Corporation and the resulting financial results will likely vary from the
amounts set forth herein, and such variation may be material, as such the
forward-looking information should not be relied for other purposes.
These statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties,
certain of which are beyond Advantage's control, including, but not limited to:
failure to close the secondary offering of Longview common shares in the time
expected or at all; failure to achieve the expected benefits of the termination
of the TSA; changes in general economic, market and business conditions;
industry conditions; actions by governmental or regulatory authorities including
increasing taxes and changes in investment or other regulations; changes in tax
laws, royalty regimes and incentive programs relating to the oil and gas
industry; the effect of acquisitions; Advantage's success at acquisition,
exploitation and development of reserves; unexpected drilling results, changes
in commodity prices, currency exchange rates, capital expenditures, reserves or
reserves estimates and debt service requirements; the occurrence of unexpected
events involved in the exploration for, and the operation and development of,
oil and gas properties; hazards such as fire, explosion, blowouts, cratering,
and spills, each of which could result in substantial damage to wells,
production facilities, other property and the environment or in personal injury;
changes or fluctuations in production levels; delays in anticipated timing of
drilling and completion of wells; individual well productivity; competition from
other producers; the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management;
credit risk; changes in laws and regulations including the adoption of new
environmental laws and regulations and changes in how they are interpreted and
enforced; our ability to comply with current and future environmental or other
laws; stock market volatility and market valuations; liabilities inherent in oil
and natural gas operations; uncertainties associated with estimating oil and
natural gas reserves; competition for, among other things, capital, acquisitions
of reserves, undeveloped lands and skilled personnel; incorrect assessments of
the value of acquisitions; geological, technical, drilling and processing
problems and other difficulties in producing petroleum reserves; ability to
obtain required approvals of regulatory authorities; and ability to access
sufficient capital from internal and external sources. In addition, although the
Corporation intends to use the net proceeds of the secondary offering as
described herein, there may be circumstances that are not known at this time
where a reallocation of the net proceeds may be advisable for business reasons
that management believes are in the Corporation's best interests. Many of these
risks and uncertainties and additional risk factors are described in the
Corporation's Annual Information Form which is available at www.sedar.com and
www.advantageog.com. Readers are also referred to risk factors described in
other documents Advantage files with Canadian securities authorities.
With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this press release,
Advantage has made assumptions regarding, but not limited to: the secondary
offering of Longview common shares will close in the time and on the terms
currently expected; the anticipated use of proceeds from the sale of the
Longview common shares; conditions in general economic and financial markets;
effects of regulation by governmental agencies; current commodity prices and
royalty regimes; future exchange rates; royalty rates; future operating costs;
availability of skilled labor; availability of drilling and related equipment;
timing and amount of capital expenditures; the impact of increasing competition;
the price of crude oil and natural gas; that the Corporation will have
sufficient cash flow, debt or equity sources or other financial resources
required to fund its capital and operating expenditures and requirements as
needed; that the Corporation's conduct and results of operations will be
consistent with its expectations; that the Corporation will have the ability to
develop the Corporation's crude oil and natural gas properties in the manner
currently contemplated; current or, where applicable, proposed assumed industry
conditions, laws and regulations will continue in effect or as anticipated; and
the estimates of the Corporation's production and reserves volumes and the
assumptions related thereto (including commodity prices and development costs)
are accurate in all material respects.
These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release
and Advantage disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities
laws.
References in this press release to initial production test rates, initial
"productivity", initial "flow" rates, final gas flow rates, average gas flow
rates and average type curves are useful in confirming the presence of
hydrocarbons, however such rates are not determinative of the rates at which
such wells will commence production and decline thereafter and are not
indicative of long term performance or of ultimate recovery. While encouraging,
readers are cautioned not to place reliance on such rates in calculating the
aggregate production for Advantage. A pressure transient analysis or well-test
interpretation has not been carried out in respect of all wells. Accordingly,
the Corporation cautions that the test results should be considered to be
preliminary.
Barrels of oil equivalent (boe) and thousand cubic feet of natural gas
equivalent (mcfe) may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. Boe and
mcfe conversion ratios have been calculated using a conversion rate of six
thousand cubic feet of natural gas equivalent to one barrel of oil. A boe and
mcfe conversion ratio of 6 mcf: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. Given that the value ratio based on the
current price of crude oil as compared to natural gas is significantly different
from the energy equivalency of 6:1, utilizing a conversion on a 6:1 basis may be
misleading as an indication of value.
The following abbreviations used in this press release have the meanings set
forth below:
mcf thousand cubic feet
mcfe thousand cubic feet of natural gas equivalent, using the ratio of 6
mcf of natural gas to 1 bbl of oil
mmcfe million cubic feet of natural gas equivalent, using the ratio of 6
mcf of natural gas to 1 bbl of oil
mmcf million cubic feet
mmcf/d million cubic feet per day
bbls barrels
bbls/d barrels per day
boe/d barrels of oil equivalent per day
kpa kilopascal
The Corporation discloses several financial measures that do not have any
standardized meaning prescribed under International Financial Reporting
Standards ("IFRS"). These financial measures include funds from operations,
operating netbacks and cash netbacks. Management believes that these financial
measures are useful supplemental information to analyze operating performance
and provide an indication of the results generated by the Corporation's
principal business activities. Investors should be cautioned that these measures
should not be construed as an alternative to net income, cash provided by
operating activities or other measures of financial performance as determined in
accordance with IFRS. Advantage's method of calculating these measures may
differ from other companies, and accordingly, they may not be comparable to
similar measures used by other companies. Please see the Corporation's most
recent Management's Discussion and Analysis, which is available at www.sedar.com
and www.advantageog.com for additional information about these financial
measures, including a reconciliation of funds from operations to cash provided
by operating activities.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Advantage Oil & Gas Ltd.
Investor Relations
Toll free: 1-866-393-0393
Advantage Oil & Gas Ltd.
300, 440 - 2nd Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta, T2P 5E9
(403) 718-8000
(403) 718-8332 (FAX)
ir@advantageog.com
www.advantageog.com
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