CALGARY,
AB, May 3, 2023 /CNW/ - Paramount Resources
Ltd. ("Paramount" or the "Company") (TSX: POU) is pleased to
announce first quarter 2023 financial and operating results
highlighted by record production in the Grande Prairie Region, an
active capital program that will drive second half 2023 production
growth and continued strong free cash flow generation.
HIGHLIGHTS
- First quarter sales volumes averaged 97,269 Boe/d (45%
liquids), similar to the fourth quarter of 2022 even with the
impact of 4,700 Boe/d in property dispositions in January 2023. Grande Prairie Region sales volumes
averaged a record 69,507 Boe/d (51% liquids). (1)
- Cash from operating activities was $271
million ($1.91 per basic
share) in the first quarter. Adjusted funds flow was $268 million ($1.89
per basic share). (2)
- Free cash flow was $60 million
($0.42 per basic share) in the first
quarter. (2) In addition, Paramount closed the sale of
its Kaybob Smoky and Kaybob South Duvernay properties and certain
other minor interests in the Kaybob Region (the "Kaybob
Disposition") for cash proceeds of $371
million in January 2023.
- Capital expenditures in the quarter totaled $184 million. Activities were focused on
development in the Grande Prairie Region where Paramount drilled
six (6.0 net) Montney wells and
completed 14 (14.0 net) Montney
wells and in the Kaybob Region where it drilled four (3.4 net)
wells, including the longest well by measured depth in the
Company's history of approximately 7,800 meters at its Kaybob North
Duvernay property. Abandonment and reclamation expenditures in the
first quarter totaled $22
million.
- The Company's infrastructure debottlenecking project in the
Grande Prairie Region is now complete. This will facilitate
production growth in the region to between 77,000 Boe/d and 82,000
Boe/d in the second half of 2023 as additional wells are brought
onstream. Paramount began bringing new Montney wells from the ten well Karr 4-2 pad
on production in mid-April.
____________________________________
|
(1)
|
In this press release,
"liquids" refers to NGLs (including condensate) and oil combined,
"natural gas" refers to shale gas and conventional natural gas
combined, "condensate and oil" refers to condensate, light and
medium crude oil, tight oil and heavy crude 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 the specific product types of shale gas,
conventional natural gas, NGLs, light and medium crude oil, tight
oil and heavy crude oil. See also "Oil and Gas Measures and
Definitions" in the Advisories section.
|
(2)
|
Adjusted funds flow and
free cash flow are capital management measures used by Paramount.
Cash from operating activities per basic share, adjusted funds flow
per basic share and free cash flow per basic share are
supplementary financial measures. Refer to the "Specified Financial
Measures" section for more information on these
measures.
|
- Following the Kaybob Disposition, the Company repaid all
remaining drawings under its $1.0
billion revolving credit facility and paid a special cash
dividend of $1.00 per class A common
share ("Common Share").
- At March 31, 2023, Paramount held
$82 million in cash and cash
equivalents and its revolving credit facility remained
undrawn.
- The carrying value of the Company's investments in securities
at March 31, 2023 was $498 million.
GUIDANCE
Paramount is reaffirming its 2023 and preliminary 2024 annual
average sales volumes and capital expenditure guidance. Capital
expenditures in 2023 and 2024 are expected to be evenly split
between: (i) sustaining and maintenance capital; and (ii) growth
capital. Paramount is revising its free cash flow expectations to
reflect higher operating and transportation expenses due to
inflationary cost pressures and to incorporate updated NGLs pricing
following the execution of new propane contracts in April 2023. If inflationary cost pressures
persist into 2024, Paramount expects capital expenditures to be on
the higher end of the guided range in 2024.
Paramount remains committed to prudently managing its capital
resources and has the flexibility to adjust its capital expenditure
plans depending on commodity prices, inflationary cost pressures
and other factors.
2023
Guidance
|
Annual average sales
volumes (Boe/d)
|
100,000 to 105,000 (46%
liquids)
|
First half
average sales volumes (Boe/d)
|
96,000 to 101,000
(45% liquids)
|
Second
half average sales volumes (Boe/d)
|
104,000 to 109,000 (47%
liquids)
|
Capital
expenditures
|
$700 to $750 million
(~50% to growth)
|
Abandonment and
reclamation expenditures
|
$55 million
|
Free cash flow
(1)
|
$335 million ($375
million prior guidance)
|
The Company's midpoint 2023 sustaining and maintenance capital
program and regular monthly dividend would remain fully funded down
to an average WTI price of about US$50/Bbl over the last three quarters of 2023.
(2) The Company's total midpoint 2023 capital program
and regular monthly dividend would remain fully funded down to an
average WTI price of about US$71/Bbl
over the last three quarters of 2023. (2)
Preliminary 2024
Guidance (3)
|
Annual average sales
volumes (Boe/d)
|
110,000 to 120,000 (48%
liquids)
|
Capital
expenditures
|
$700 to $800 million
(~50% to growth)
|
Abandonment and
reclamation expenditures
|
$40 million
|
Free cash flow
(4)
|
$445 million ($465
million prior guidance)
|
Planning for the second phase of development at Willesden Green
is ongoing, including the design of a new processing facility and
the advancement of commercial arrangements for sales volumes
egress. Paramount intends to update its five-year outlook later
this year.
________________________________________
|
(1)
|
Free cash flow is a
capital management measure used by Paramount. Refer to "Advisories
- Specified Financial Measures" for more information on this
measure. The stated free cash flow forecast is based on the
following assumptions for 2023: (i) the midpoint of stated capital
expenditures and sales volumes, (ii) $55 million in abandonment and
reclamation costs, (iii) $7 million in geological and geophysical
expenses, (iv) realized pricing of $55.50/Boe (US$79.04/Bbl WTI,
US$3.48/MMBtu NYMEX, $3.33/GJ AECO), (v) a $US/$CAD exchange rate
of $0.751, (vi) royalties of $8.40/Boe, (vii) operating costs of
$12.00/Boe and (vii) transportation and NGLs processing costs of
$3.85/Boe. Assumed pricing of US$80.00/Bbl WTI, US$3.50/MMBtu NYMEX
and $3.08/GJ AECO and an assumed $US/$CAD exchange rate of $0.755
for the remaining three quarters of 2023 is unchanged from previous
guidance provided on March 7, 2023 but the stated amounts have been
adjusted to incorporate actual results for the first quarter of
2023.
|
(2)
|
Assuming no changes to
the other forecast assumptions for 2023.
|
(3)
|
All 2024 guidance is
based on preliminary planning and current market conditions and is
subject to change.
|
(4)
|
The stated free cash
flow estimate is based on the following assumptions for 2024: (i)
the midpoint of stated capital expenditures and sales volumes, (ii)
$40 million in abandonment and reclamation costs, (iii) $7 million
in geological and geophysical expenses, (iv) realized pricing of
$53.60/Boe (US$75.00/Bbl WTI, US$3.50/MMBtu NYMEX, $3.08/GJ AECO),
(v) a $US/$CAD exchange rate of $0.755, (vi) royalties of
$8.15/Boe, (vii) operating costs of $11.25/Boe and (vii)
transportation and NGLs processing costs of $3.65/Boe.
|
MAY DIVIDEND
Paramount's Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of
$0.125 per Common Share that will be
payable on May 31, 2023 to
shareholders of record on May 15,
2023. The dividend will be designated as an "eligible
dividend" for Canadian income tax purposes.
REVIEW OF OPERATIONS
GRANDE PRAIRIE
REGION
Sales volumes and netbacks in the Grande Prairie Region are
summarized below:
|
|
Q1
2023
|
|
|
Q4 2022
|
|
%
Change
|
Sales
volumes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas
(MMcf/d)
|
|
204.4
|
|
|
189.9
|
|
8
|
Condensate and oil
(Bbl/d)
|
|
31,367
|
|
|
29,146
|
|
8
|
Other NGLs
(Bbl/d)
|
|
4,074
|
|
|
3,631
|
|
12
|
Total
(Boe/d)
|
|
69,507
|
|
|
64,434
|
|
8
|
%
liquids
|
|
51 %
|
|
|
51 %
|
|
|
Netback
(1)
|
($ millions)
|
|
|
($/Boe)
|
($
millions)
|
|
|
($/Boe)
|
Change in $
millions (%)
|
Natural gas revenue
(2)
|
79.4
|
|
|
4.31
|
125.4
|
|
|
7.18
|
(37)
|
Condensate and oil
revenue
|
286.9
|
|
|
101.64
|
293.9
|
|
|
109.60
|
(2)
|
Other NGLs
revenue
|
16.9
|
|
|
46.21
|
17.1
|
|
|
51.22
|
(1)
|
Petroleum and natural
gas sales
|
383.2
|
|
|
61.26
|
436.4
|
|
|
73.62
|
(12)
|
Royalties
|
(56.7)
|
|
|
(9.07)
|
(66.4)
|
|
|
(11.21)
|
(15)
|
Operating
expense
|
(70.3)
|
|
|
(11.24)
|
(69.9)
|
|
|
(11.80)
|
1
|
Transportation
and NGLs processing
|
(28.7)
|
|
|
(4.58)
|
(22.1)
|
|
|
(3.70)
|
30
|
|
227.5
|
|
|
36.37
|
278.0
|
|
|
46.91
|
(18)
|
(1)
|
"Netback" is a Non-GAAP
financial measure. When presented on a $/Boe or $/Mcf basis, each
of the components of Netback is a supplementary financial
measure and Netback is a non-GAAP ratio. Refer to the
"Specified Financial Measures" section for more information on
these measures.
|
(2)
|
Per unit natural gas
revenue presented as $/Mcf.
|
First quarter 2023 sales volumes in the Grande Prairie Region
averaged a record 69,507 Boe/d (51% liquids) compared to 64,434
Boe/d (51% liquids) in the fourth quarter of 2022. The Company
brought a total of six (6.0 net) new Montney wells at Karr and Wapiti on production
in the first quarter.
Development activities in the Grande Prairie Region in the first
quarter included the drilling of six (6.0 net) Montney wells and the completion of 14 (14.0
net) Montney wells.
At Karr, all four (4.0 net) wells at the 1-2 North pad were
brought on production in the first quarter. The pad included a well
with one of the longest lateral lengths in corporate history and a
total measured depth of 7,060 metres. All-in drilling, completion,
equipping and tie-in ("DCET") costs for the pad averaged
$10.5 million per well. Production
results from these four wells are consistent with expectations,
averaging gross peak 30-day production per well of 1,904 Boe/d (6.3
MMcf/d of shale gas and 846 Bbl/d of NGLs) with an average CGR of
133 Bbl/MMcf. (1)
______________________________________
|
(1)
|
Production measured at
the wellhead. Natural gas sales volumes were lower by approximately
10% and liquids sales volumes were lower by approximately 6% 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. CGR means condensate to gas ratio and is calculated by
dividing raw wellhead liquids volumes by raw wellhead natural gas
volumes. See "Oil and Gas Measures and Definitions" in the
Advisories section.
|
The Company completed all ten (10.0 net) wells on the Karr 4-2
pad during the quarter and began bringing the wells on production
in mid-April. Paramount also commenced drilling at the five (5.0
net) well 7-33 South pad at Karr in the first quarter, with the
wells expected to be on production in the third quarter.
At Wapiti, the remaining two wells on the eight (8.0 net) well
16-15 pad were brought onstream in the first quarter. Paramount
began drilling the eight (8.0 net) well 8-15 pad in the first
quarter, with the wells expected to come on production in the third
quarter.
The Company's Grande Prairie Region infrastructure
debottlenecking project is now complete. This will facilitate sales
volumes growth in the region to between 77,000 Boe/d and 82,000
Boe/d in the second half of 2023 as additional wells are brought
onstream.
As previously disclosed, a planned 11 day outage in the second
quarter and a planned four day outage in the fourth quarter at the
third-party Wapiti natural gas processing plant will impact Grande
Prairie Region sales volumes.
KAYBOB REGION
Kaybob Region sales volumes averaged 19,201 Boe/d (29% liquids)
in the first quarter of 2023 compared to fourth quarter 2022 sales
volumes of 24,477 Boe/d (34% liquids) (which included approximately
4,700 Boe/d from properties sold in the January 2023 Kaybob Disposition).
Development activities at the Company's Kaybob North Duvernay
property are ongoing with Paramount recently completing the
drilling of the three (3.0 net) well 4-13 pad that is expected to
be brought onstream in the third quarter. The wells on this pad
have the longest average well length by total measured depth in the
Company's history and include the single longest well at
approximately 7,800 meters of total measured depth. The
Company is applying its learnings from the drilling of long reach
wells, achieving another record by drilling 1,130 meters of lateral
length in a 24-hour period on one of the wells.
The drilling of the five (5.0 net) well 15-7 pad at Kaybob North
Duvernay commenced in the second quarter, with all five wells
expected to be onstream in the fourth quarter. As a result of the
optimization of existing infrastructure and improved surface
facility design, the 4-13 and 15-7 pads are not expected to be
subject to the production restrictions that impacted the three-well
12-21 pad brought on production in 2022.
Development activities in the Kaybob Region also included the
drilling and completion of two (1.4 net) Montney gas wells. Paramount is deferring
bringing these wells onstream until the winter when natural gas
prices are expected to strengthen.
CENTRAL ALBERTA AND OTHER
REGION
Central Alberta and Other
Region sales volumes averaged 8,561 Boe/d (32% liquids) in the
first quarter of 2023 compared to 8,459 Boe/d (31% liquids) in the
fourth quarter of 2022.
The Company plans to commence the drilling of four (4.0 net)
Duvernay wells at Willesden Green
late in the second quarter with first production anticipated in
early 2024 to coincide with the start-up of the liquids handling
expansion at the Leafland natural gas processing plant. Drilling
operations at a second four (4.0 net) Duvernay well pad at Willesden Green will
commence in late 2023.
Planning for the second phase of development at Willesden Green
is ongoing, including the design of a new processing facility ("New
Facility") and the advancement of commercial arrangements for sales
volumes egress. It is currently anticipated that the New Facility
will be capable of handling approximately 150 MMcf/d of raw gas and
30,000 Bbl/d of raw liquids upon completion. Additional gathering,
compression and associated infrastructure will also be required.
Paramount now expects that the New Facility will be constructed in
three phases of approximately 50 MMcf/d of raw gas handling and
10,000 Bbl/d of raw liquids handling each, with the first train to
start up in late 2025, approximately six months later than
previously estimated.
Paramount controls approximately 240,000 net acres of contiguous
land at Willesden Green with over 700 internally estimated
Duvernay drilling locations, which
supports targeted full field development plateau production of over
50,000 Boe/d that can be sustained for over 20 years.
(1)
HEDGING
The Company's current commodity and foreign exchange contracts
are summarized below:
|
|
Q2
2023
|
Q3
2023
|
Q4
2023
|
2024
|
Average Price (2)
|
Oil
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sweet Crude Oil – Basis
(Physical Sale) (Bbl/d)
|
|
3,112
|
3,078
|
3,078
|
–
|
WTI –
US$3.73/Bbl
|
Natural
Gas
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AECO – Basis (Physical
Sale) (MMBtu/d)
|
|
35,000
|
35,000
|
11,793
|
–
|
NYMEX –
US$0.94/MMBtu
|
Dawn – Basis (Physical
Sale) (MMBtu/d)
|
|
25,000
|
25,000
|
8,424
|
–
|
NYMEX –
US$0.20/MMBtu
|
Foreign Currency
Exchange
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forward Sales / Swaps
(US$MM/Month)
|
|
$60
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
1.3293 CAD$ /
US$
|
Swaps
(US$MM/Month)
|
|
–
|
$40
|
$40
|
–
|
1.3427 CAD$ /
US$
|
Swaps
(US$MM/Month)
|
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
$20
|
1.3425 CAD$ /
US$
|
(2) Average price is calculated on a volume weighted
average basis.
|
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Paramount will hold its annual general meeting of shareholders
on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at
10:30 a.m. (Calgary time) in the McMurray Room of the
Calgary Petroleum Club, located at 319 – 5th Avenue
S.W., Calgary Alberta. A webcast
of the meeting will be available on the Company's website at
www.paramountres.com/investors/presentations.
_______________________________________
|
(1)
|
See "Oil and Gas
Measures and Definitions" in the Advisories section for additional
information respecting internally estimated drilling
locations.
|
ABOUT PARAMOUNT
Paramount is an independent, publicly traded, liquids-rich
natural gas focused Canadian energy company that explores for and
develops both conventional and unconventional petroleum and natural
gas, 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 Common Shares
are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol
"POU".
Paramount's first quarter 2023 results, including Management's
Discussion and Analysis and the Company's Consolidated Financial
Statements, can be obtained on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or on
Paramount's website at
www.paramountres.com/investors/financial-shareholder-reports.
A summary of historical financial and operating results is also
available on Paramount's website at
www.paramountres.com/investors/financial-shareholder-reports.
FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESULTS (1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
($ millions, except as noted)
|
|
Q1 2023
|
|
|
Q4 2022
|
|
|
|
|
Q1 2022
|
|
Net income
|
|
197.0
|
|
|
259.9
|
|
|
|
|
16.6
|
|
per share – basic ($/share)
|
|
1.39
|
|
|
1.83
|
|
|
|
|
0.12
|
|
per share – diluted ($/share)
|
|
1.33
|
|
|
1.76
|
|
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
Cash from operating activities
|
|
271.4
|
|
|
306.9
|
|
|
|
|
174.9
|
|
per share – basic ($/share)
|
|
1.91
|
|
|
2.17
|
|
|
|
|
1.25
|
|
per share – diluted ($/share)
|
|
1.84
|
|
|
2.08
|
|
|
|
|
1.20
|
|
Adjusted funds flow
|
|
268.2
|
|
|
340.7
|
|
|
|
|
237.8
|
|
per share – basic ($/share)
|
|
1.89
|
|
|
2.40
|
|
|
|
|
1.70
|
|
per share – diluted ($/share)
|
|
1.81
|
|
|
2.31
|
|
|
|
|
1.63
|
|
Free cash flow
|
|
59.8
|
|
|
162.0
|
|
|
|
|
103.4
|
|
per share – basic ($/share)
|
|
0.42
|
|
|
1.14
|
|
|
|
|
0.74
|
|
per share – diluted ($/share)
|
|
0.40
|
|
|
1.10
|
|
|
|
|
0.71
|
|
Total assets
|
|
4,114.6
|
|
|
4,337.3
|
|
|
|
|
4,095.5
|
|
Investments in securities
|
|
498.3
|
|
|
557.1
|
|
|
|
|
479.2
|
|
Net (cash) debt
|
|
(43.6)
|
|
|
161.2
|
|
|
|
|
361.2
|
|
Long-term debt
|
|
–
|
|
|
159.4
|
|
|
|
|
302.6
|
|
Common shares outstanding (millions) (2)
|
|
142.4
|
|
|
142.0
|
|
|
|
|
140.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales volumes (3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas
(MMcf/d)
|
|
320.6
|
|
|
321.9
|
|
|
|
|
272.9
|
|
Condensate and
oil (Bbl/d)
|
|
37,916
|
|
|
37,580
|
|
|
|
|
31,375
|
|
Other NGLs
(Bbl/d)
|
|
5,916
|
|
|
6,143
|
|
|
|
|
5,276
|
|
Total (Boe/d)
|
|
97,269
|
|
|
97,370
|
|
|
|
|
82,137
|
|
% liquids
|
|
45 %
|
|
|
45 %
|
|
|
|
|
45 %
|
|
Grande Prairie
Region (Boe/d)
|
|
69,507
|
|
|
64,434
|
|
|
|
|
54,737
|
|
Kaybob Region
(Boe/d)
|
|
19,201
|
|
|
24,477
|
|
|
|
|
20,726
|
|
Central Alberta &
Other Region (Boe/d)
|
|
8,561
|
|
|
8,459
|
|
|
|
|
6,674
|
|
Total (Boe/d)
|
|
97,269
|
|
|
97,370
|
|
|
|
|
82,137
|
|
Netback
|
|
|
$/Boe
(4)
|
|
|
|
|
$/Boe (4)
|
|
|
|
$/Boe (4)
|
Natural gas
revenue
|
122.0
|
|
4.23
|
|
194.2
|
|
6.56
|
|
127.1
|
|
5.18
|
Condensate and
oil revenue
|
343.5
|
|
100.66
|
|
375.1
|
|
108.50
|
|
331.9
|
|
117.53
|
Other NGLs
revenue
|
23.4
|
|
43.93
|
|
27.3
|
|
48.25
|
|
29.3
|
|
61.64
|
Royalty and
other revenue
|
0.8
|
|
─
|
|
1.1
|
|
─
|
|
11.3
|
|
─
|
Petroleum and natural gas sales
|
489.7
|
|
55.94
|
|
597.7
|
|
66.72
|
|
499.6
|
|
67.59
|
Royalties
|
(69.1)
|
|
(7.90)
|
|
(84.4)
|
|
(9.43)
|
|
(76.2)
|
|
(10.31)
|
Operating
expense
|
(108.8)
|
|
(12.43)
|
|
(119.2)
|
|
(13.31)
|
|
(89.2)
|
|
(12.07)
|
Transportation and NGLs
processing
|
(36.3)
|
|
(4.15)
|
|
(27.2)
|
|
(3.03)
|
|
(31.3)
|
|
(4.24)
|
Sales of commodities
purchased (5)
|
115.1
|
|
13.15
|
|
102.7
|
|
11.47
|
|
48.8
|
|
6.59
|
Commodities
purchased (5)
|
(114.3)
|
|
(13.05)
|
|
(100.4)
|
|
(11.21)
|
|
(49.1)
|
|
(6.64)
|
Netback
|
276.3
|
|
31.56
|
|
369.2
|
|
41.21
|
|
302.6
|
|
40.92
|
Risk management
contract settlements
|
6.1
|
|
0.70
|
|
(23.0)
|
|
(2.57)
|
|
(49.7)
|
|
(6.72)
|
Netback including risk management contract
settlements
|
282.4
|
|
32.26
|
|
364.2
|
|
38.64
|
|
252.9
|
|
34.20
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grande Prairie
Region
|
|
121.1
|
|
135.8
|
|
|
|
|
76.8
|
|
Kaybob
Region
|
|
39.0
|
|
|
11.4
|
|
|
|
|
31.1
|
|
Central Alberta &
Other Region
|
|
5.6
|
|
|
1.0
|
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
Fox Drilling and
Cavalier Energy
|
|
12.7
|
|
|
12.1
|
|
|
|
|
1.1
|
|
Corporate
|
|
5.7
|
|
|
9.3
|
|
|
|
|
7.9
|
|
Total
|
|
184.1
|
|
|
169.6
|
|
|
|
|
117.0
|
|
Asset retirement obligations
settled
|
|
21.8
|
|
|
7.0
|
|
|
|
|
14.8
|
|
(1)
|
Adjusted funds flow,
free cash flow and net (cash) debt are capital management measures
used by Paramount. Netback and netback including risk management
contract
settlements are non-GAAP financial measures. Netback and Netback
including risk management contract settlements presented on a $/Boe
or $/Mcf basis are non-
GAAP ratios. Each measure, other than net income, that is
presented on a per share, $/Mcf or $/Boe basis is a supplementary
financial measure. Refer to the "Specified
Financial Measures" section for more information on these
measures.
|
(2)
|
Common shares are
presented net of shares held in trust under the Company's
restricted share unit plan: Q1 2023: 0.8 million, Q4 2022: 0.8
million, Q1 2022: 1.5 million.
|
(3)
|
Refer to the Product
Type Information section of this document for a complete breakdown
of sales volumes for applicable periods by specific product
type.
|
(4)
|
Natural gas revenue
presented as $/Mcf.
|
(5)
|
Sales of commodities
purchased and commodities purchased are treated as corporate items
and not allocated to individual regions or properties.
|
PRODUCT TYPE INFORMATION
This press release includes references to sales volumes of
"natural gas", "condensate and oil", "NGLs", "Other NGLs" and
"liquids". "Natural gas" refers to shale gas and conventional
natural gas combined. "Condensate and oil" refers to condensate,
light and medium crude oil, tight oil and heavy crude oil combined.
"NGLs" refers to condensate and Other NGLs combined. "Other NGLs"
refers to ethane, propane and butane. "Liquids" refers to
condensate and oil and Other NGLs combined. Below is a complete
breakdown of sales volumes for applicable periods by the specific
product types of shale gas, conventional natural gas, NGLs, light
and medium crude oil, tight oil and heavy crude oil. Numbers may
not add due to rounding.
|
Total
|
|
Q1
2023
|
Q4
2022
|
Q1
2022
|
Shale gas
(MMcf/d)
|
265.2
|
260.0
|
213.1
|
Conventional natural
gas (MMcf/d)
|
55.4
|
61.9
|
59.8
|
Natural gas
(MMcf/d)
|
320.6
|
321.9
|
272.9
|
Condensate
(Bbl/d)
|
34,706
|
34,616
|
29,064
|
Other NGLs
(Bbl/d)
|
5,916
|
6,143
|
5,276
|
NGLs
(Bbl/d)
|
40,622
|
40,759
|
34,340
|
Light and medium crude
oil (Bbl/d)
|
2,151
|
2,335
|
1,874
|
Tight oil
(Bbl/d)
|
599
|
629
|
437
|
Heavy crude oil
(Bbl/d)
|
460
|
-
|
-
|
Crude oil
(Bbl/d)
|
3,210
|
2,964
|
2,311
|
Total
(Boe/d)
|
97,269
|
97,370
|
82,137
|
|
Grande Prairie
Region
|
Kaybob
Region
|
Central Alberta and
Other
Region
|
|
Q1
2023
|
Q4
2022
|
Q1
2022
|
Q1
2023
|
Q4
2022
|
Q1
2022
|
Q1
2023
|
Q4
2022
|
Q1
2022
|
Shale gas
(MMcf/d)
|
204.0
|
188.4
|
151.4
|
31.8
|
41.9
|
35.7
|
29.4
|
29.7
|
26.0
|
Conventional natural
gas (MMcf/d)
|
0.4
|
1.5
|
1.1
|
49.6
|
55.0
|
53.6
|
5.4
|
5.4
|
5.1
|
Natural gas
(MMcf/d)
|
204.4
|
189.9
|
152.5
|
81.4
|
96.9
|
89.3
|
34.8
|
35.1
|
31.1
|
Condensate
(Bbl/d)
|
31,367
|
29,146
|
26,042
|
2,315
|
4,354
|
2,130
|
1,024
|
1,116
|
892
|
Other NGLs
(Bbl/d)
|
4,074
|
3,631
|
3,267
|
988
|
1,671
|
1,558
|
854
|
841
|
451
|
NGLs
(Bbl/d)
|
35,441
|
32,777
|
29,309
|
3,303
|
6,025
|
3,688
|
1,878
|
1,957
|
1,343
|
Light and medium crude
oil (Bbl/d)
|
–
|
–
|
6
|
2,121
|
2,045
|
1,832
|
30
|
290
|
36
|
Tight oil
(Bbl/d)
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
206
|
262
|
322
|
393
|
367
|
115
|
Heavy crude oil
(Bbl/d)
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
460
|
–
|
–
|
Crude oil
(Bbl/d)
|
–
|
–
|
6
|
2,327
|
2,307
|
2,154
|
883
|
657
|
151
|
Total
(Boe/d)
|
69,507
|
64,434
|
54,737
|
19,201
|
24,477
|
20,726
|
8,561
|
8,459
|
6,674
|
The Company forecasts that 2023 annual sales volumes will
average between 100,000 Boe/d and 105,000 Boe/d (54% shale gas and
conventional natural gas combined, 40% condensate, light and medium
crude oil, tight oil and heavy crude oil combined and 6% other
NGLs). First half 2023 sales volumes are expected to average
between 96,000 Boe/d and 101,000 Boe/d (55% shale gas and
conventional natural gas combined, 39% condensate, light and medium
crude oil, tight oil and heavy crude oil combined and 6% other
NGLs). Second half 2023 sales volumes are expected to average
between 104,000 Boe/d and 109,000 Boe/d (53% shale gas and
conventional natural gas combined, 40% condensate, light and medium
crude oil, tight oil and heavy crude oil combined and 7% other
NGLs). The Company's preliminary 2024 guidance provides for annual
sales volumes that will average between 110,000 Boe/d and 120,000
Boe/d (52% shale gas and conventional natural gas combined, 41%
condensate, light and medium crude oil, tight oil and heavy crude
oil combined and 7% other NGLs).
SPECIFIED FINANCIAL MEASURES
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Netback and netback including risk management contract
settlements are non-GAAP financial measures. These measures are not
standardized measures under IFRS and might not be comparable to
similar financial measures presented by other issuers. These
measures should not be considered in isolation or construed as
alternatives to their most directly comparable measure disclosed in
the Company's primary financial statements or other measures of
financial performance calculated in accordance with IFRS.
Netback equals petroleum and natural gas sales (the most
directly comparable measure disclosed in the Company's primary
financial statements) plus sales of commodities purchased less
royalties, operating expense, transportation and NGLs processing
expense and commodities purchased. Sales of commodities purchased
and commodities purchased are treated as Corporate items and not
are allocated to individual regions or properties. Netback is used
by investors and Management to compare the performance of the
Company's producing assets between periods.
Netback including risk management contract settlements equals
netback after including (or deducting) risk management contract
settlements received (paid). Netback including risk management
contract settlements is used by investors and Management to assess
the performance of the producing assets after incorporating
Management's risk management strategies.
Refer to the table under the heading "Financial and Operating
Results" in this press release for the calculation of netback and
netback including risk management contract settlements for the
three months ended March 31, 2023,
December 31, 2022 and March 31, 2022.
Non-GAAP Ratios
Netback and netback including risk management contract
settlements presented on a $/Boe basis are non-GAAP ratios as they
each have a non-GAAP financial measure (netback and netback
including risk management contract settlements, respectively) as a
component. These measures are not standardized measures under
IFRS and might not be comparable to similar financial measures
presented by other issuers. These measures should not be
considered in isolation or construed as alternatives to their most
directly comparable measure disclosed in the Company's primary
financial statements or other measures of financial performance
calculated in accordance with IFRS.
Netback on a $/Boe basis is calculated by dividing netback (a
non-GAAP financial measure) for the applicable period by the total
production during the period in Boe. Netback including risk
management contract settlements on a $/Boe basis is calculated by
dividing netback including risk management contract settlements for
the applicable period by the total production during the period in
Boe. These measures are used by investors and management to assess
netback and netback including risk management contract settlements
on a unit of production basis.
Capital Management Measures
Adjusted funds flow, free cash flow and net (cash) debt are
capital management measures that Paramount utilizes in managing its
capital structure. These measures are not standardized measures and
therefore may not be comparable with the calculation of similar
measures by other entities. Refer to Note 15 – Capital
Structure in the unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements of Paramount as at and for the three months ended
March 31, 2023 for: (i) a description
of the composition and use of these measures, (ii) reconciliations
of adjusted funds flow and free cash flow to cash from operating
activities, the most directly comparable measure disclosed in the
Company's primary financial statements, for the three months ended
March 31, 2023 and 2022 and
(iii) a calculation of net (cash) debt as at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
Supplementary Financial Measures
This press release contains supplementary financial measures
expressed as: (i) cash from operating activities, adjusted funds
flow and free cash flow on a per share – basic and per share –
diluted basis and (ii) petroleum and natural gas sales, revenue,
royalties, operating expenses, transportation and NGLs processing
expenses, sales of commodities purchased and commodities purchased
on a $/Boe or $/Mcf basis.
Cash from operating activities, adjusted funds flow and free
cash flow on a per share – basic basis are calculated by dividing
cash from operating activities, adjusted funds flow or free cash
flow, as applicable, over the referenced period by the weighted
average basic shares outstanding during the period determined under
IFRS. Cash from operating activities, adjusted funds flow and free
cash flow on a per share – diluted basis are calculated by dividing
cash from operating activities, adjusted funds flow or free cash
flow, as applicable, over the referenced period by the weighted
average diluted shares outstanding during the period determined
under IFRS.
Petroleum and natural gas sales, revenue, royalties, operating
expenses, transportation and NGLs processing expense, sales of
commodities purchased and commodities purchased on a $/Boe or $/Mcf
basis are calculated by dividing the petroleum and natural gas
sales, revenue, royalties, operating expenses, transportation and
NGLs processing expense, sales of commodities purchased or
commodities purchased, as applicable, over the referenced period by
the aggregate units (Boe or Mcf) produced during such period.
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:
- expected growth in sales volumes in the Grande Prairie Region
in the second half of 2023;
- forecast sales volumes for 2023 and certain periods
therein;
- planned capital expenditures in 2023;
- planned abandonment and reclamation expenditures in 2023;
- forecast free cash flow in 2023;
- preliminary 2024 sales volumes, capital expenditures,
abandonment and reclamation expenditures and free cash flow
guidance;
- the expectation that capital expenditures in 2023 and 2024 will
be evenly split between sustaining and maintenance capital and
growth capital;
- Paramount's expectation that capital expenditures in 2024 will
be on the higher end of the guided range in the event inflationary
cost pressures persist into 2024;
- Paramount's intention to update its five-year outlook later
this year;
- planned exploration, development and production activities,
including the expected timing of drilling, completing and bringing
new wells on production and the expected timing of completion and
capacity of planned facilities;
- the expectation that planned outages at the third-party Wapiti
natural gas processing plant will impact Grande Prairie sales volumes;
- the expectation that the 4-13 and 15-7 pads at Kaybob North
Duvernay will not be subject to the production restrictions that
impacted the 12-21 pad;
- the anticipated capacity and timing of completion of the
planned New Facility at Willesden Green;
- the number of internally estimated drilling locations at
Willesden Green and the plateau production that can be sustained by
such locations; and
- the payment of future dividends under the Company's monthly
dividend program.
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:
- future commodity prices;
- the impact of the Russian invasion of the Ukraine;
- royalty rates, taxes and capital, operating, general &
administrative and other costs;
- foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and the rate
and impacts of inflation;
- general business, economic and market conditions;
- the performance of wells and facilities;
- the availability to Paramount of the required capital to fund
its exploration, development and other operations and meet its
commitments and financial obligations;
- the ability of Paramount to obtain equipment, materials,
services and personnel in a timely manner and at expected and
acceptable costs to carry out its activities;
- the ability of Paramount to secure adequate processing,
transportation, fractionation and storage capacity on acceptable
terms and the capacity and reliability of facilities;
- the ability of Paramount to market its production
successfully;
- the ability of Paramount and its industry partners to obtain
drilling success (including in respect of anticipated production
volumes, reserves additions, product yields and resource
recoveries) and operational improvements, efficiencies and results
consistent with expectations;
- the timely receipt of required governmental and regulatory
approvals, including approvals required for the construction of the
New Facility at Willesden Green;
- the application of regulatory requirements respecting
abandonment and reclamation; and
- anticipated timelines and budgets being met in respect of
drilling programs and other operations (including well completions
and tie-ins, the construction, commissioning and start-up of new
and expanded facilities, including the New Facility at Willesden
Green and third-party facilities, and facility turnarounds and
maintenance).
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:
- fluctuations in commodity prices;
- changes in capital spending plans and planned exploration and
development activities;
- the potential for changes to preliminary 2024 sales volumes,
capital expenditures, abandonment and reclamation expenditures and
free cash flow guidance prior to finalization;
- changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and
the rate of inflation;
- the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to
production, future revenue, free cash flow, reserve additions,
product yields (including condensate to natural gas ratios),
resource recoveries, royalty rates, taxes and costs and
expenses;
- the ability to secure adequate processing, transportation,
fractionation, and storage capacity on acceptable terms;
- operational risks in exploring for, developing, producing and
transporting natural gas and liquids, including the risk of spills,
leaks or blowouts;
- the ability to obtain equipment, materials, services and
personnel in a timely manner and at expected and acceptable costs,
including the potential effects of inflation and supply chain
disruptions;
- potential disruptions, delays or unexpected technical or other
difficulties in designing, developing, expanding or operating new,
expanded or existing facilities (including third-party
facilities);
- processing, pipeline, and fractionation infrastructure outages,
disruptions and constraints;
- risks and uncertainties that may result in changes to the
planned construction of the New Facility at Willesden Green,
including the potential for changes to facility design or the
timelines for construction prior to finalization or the failure to
obtain required governmental and regulatory approvals;
- risks and uncertainties involving the geology of oil and gas
deposits;
- the uncertainty of reserves estimates;
- general business, economic and market conditions;
- the ability to generate sufficient cash from operating
activities to fund, or to otherwise finance, planned exploration,
development and operational activities and meet current and future
commitments and obligations (including processing, transportation,
fractionation and similar commitments and obligations);
- changes in, or in the interpretation of, laws, regulations or
policies (including environmental laws);
- the ability to obtain required governmental or regulatory
approvals in a timely manner, and to obtain and maintain leases and
licenses;
- the effects of weather and other factors including wildlife and
environmental restrictions which affect field operations and
access;
- uncertainties as to the timing and cost of future abandonment
and reclamation obligations and potential liabilities for
environmental damage and contamination;
- uncertainties regarding Indigenous claims and in maintaining
relationships with local populations and other stakeholders;
- the outcome of existing and potential lawsuits, insurance
claims, regulatory actions, audits and assessments; and
- other risks and uncertainties described elsewhere in this
document and in Paramount's other filings with Canadian securities
authorities.
There are risks that may result in the Company changing,
suspending or discontinuing its monthly dividend program, including
changes to free cash flow, operating results, capital requirements,
financial position, market conditions or corporate strategy and the
need to comply with requirements under debt agreements and
applicable laws respecting the declaration and payment of
dividends. There are no assurances as to the continuing declaration
and payment of future dividends by the Company or the amount or
timing of any such dividends.
The foregoing list of risks is not exhaustive. For more
information relating to risks, see the section titled "Risk
Factors" in Paramount's annual information form for the year
ended December 31, 2022, which is
available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or on the Company's
website at www.paramountres.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.
Certain forward-looking information in this press release,
including forecast free cash flow in 2023 and future periods, may
also constitute a "financial outlook" within the meaning of
applicable securities laws. A financial outlook involves statements
about Paramount's prospective financial performance or position and
is based on and subject to the assumptions and risk factors
described above in respect of forward-looking information generally
as well as any other specific assumptions and risk factors in
relation to such financial outlook noted in this press release.
Such assumptions are based on management's assessment of the
relevant information currently available and any financial outlook
included in this press release is provided for the purpose of
helping readers understand Paramount's current expectations and
plans for the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on any
financial outlook may not be appropriate for other purposes or in
other circumstances and that the risk factors described above or
other factors may cause actual results to differ materially from
any financial outlook.
Oil and Gas Measures and Definitions
Liquids
|
|
Natural
Gas
|
Bbl
|
Barrels
|
|
GJ
|
Gigajoules
|
Bbl/d
|
Barrels per
day
|
|
GJ/d
|
Gigajoules per
day
|
MBbl
|
Thousands of
barrels
|
|
MMBtu
|
Millions of British
Thermal Units
|
NGLs
|
Natural gas
liquids
|
|
MMBtu/d
|
Millions of British
Thermal Units per day
|
Condensate
|
Pentane and heavier
hydrocarbons
|
Mcf
|
Thousands of cubic
feet
|
|
|
|
MMcf
|
Millions of cubic
feet
|
Oil
Equivalent
|
|
MMcf/d
|
Millions of cubic feet
per day
|
Boe
|
Barrels of oil
equivalent
|
|
AECO
|
AECO-C reference
price
|
MBoe
|
Thousands of barrels of
oil equivalent
|
|
WTI
|
West Texas
Intermediate
|
MMBoe
|
Millions of barrels of
oil equivalent
|
|
Boe/d
|
Barrels of oil
equivalent per day
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This press release contains disclosures expressed as "Boe",
"$/Boe" 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 three
months ended March 31, 2023, the
value ratio between crude oil and natural gas was approximately
24:1. 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 refers to "CGR", a metric commonly used in
the oil and natural gas industry. "CGR" means condensate to gas
ratio and is calculated by dividing wellhead raw liquids volumes by
wellhead raw natural gas volumes. This metric does not have a
standardized meaning and may not be comparable to similar measures
presented by other companies. As such, it should not be used to
make comparisons. Management uses 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.
This document contains information respecting Paramount's
internal estimate of Duvernay
drilling locations at Willesden Green. The referenced drilling
locations represent future potential undeveloped gross locations as
estimated effective December 31, 2022
by internal qualified reserves evaluators from Paramount. The
referenced drilling locations were determined by Paramount's
internal evaluators based on, among other matters, their assessment
of available reservoir, geological and technical information, the
economic thresholds necessary for development and potential future
development plans. There is no certainty that the Company will
drill any of the identified future potential undeveloped locations
and there is no certainty that such locations will result in any
reserves or production. The locations on which the Company will
actually drill wells, including the number and timing thereof, will
be dependent upon the availability of funding, regulatory
approvals, seasonal restrictions, oil, NGLs and natural gas prices,
costs, actual drilling results, additional reservoir, geological
and technical information that is obtained and other factors. While
certain of the estimated undeveloped locations have been de-risked
by drilling existing wells in relative close proximity to such
locations, many of the locations are further away from existing
wells where management has less information about the
characteristics of the reservoir and therefore there is more
uncertainty as to whether wells will be drilled in such locations,
and if wells are drilled in such locations there is more
uncertainty that such wells will result in any reserves or
production. There is no guarantee that any internally estimated
future potential development locations will be included and
assigned reserves in any future reserves report prepared for the
Company.
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, 2022 which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
SOURCE Paramount Resources Ltd.