CALGARY,
AB, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Vermilion
Energy Inc. ("Vermilion", "We", "Our", "Us" or the "Company") (TSX:
VET) (NYSE: VET) is pleased to report operating and condensed
financial results for the three and six months
ended June 30, 2024.
The unaudited interim financial statements and management
discussion and analysis for the three and six months
ended June 30, 2024 will be available on the System for
Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval Plus ("SEDAR+") at
www.sedarplus.ca, on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml, and on
Vermilion's website at www.vermilionenergy.com.
Highlights
- Production during Q2 2024 averaged 84,974 boe/d(8)
(53% natural gas and 47% crude oil and liquids), comprised of
54,987 boe/d(8) from our North American assets and
29,987 boe/d(8) from our International assets.
Production for the quarter was at the upper end of our Q2 2024
guidance range and represents an increase of 2% year-over-year, and
6% year-over-year on a per share basis, primarily due to
Australia, as well as the start-up
of the 8-33 BC battery on our Mica Montney asset, which facilitated
higher production from our recent 16-28 BC Montney wells.
- Given the strong operational performance year-to-date, and
anticipation of new production growth during the second half of the
year in Mica and Croatia
offsetting planned downtime, we are increasing our annual
production guidance to 83,000 to 86,000 boe/d (from 82,000 to
86,000 boe/d previously), while maintaining our capital budget
guidance of $600 to $625 million.
- Q2 2024 fund flows from operations ("FFO")(1) was
$237 million ($1.48/basic share)(2) and exploration
and development ("E&D") capital expenditures(3) were
$111 million, resulting in free cash
flow ("FCF")(4) of $126
million ($0.79/basic
share)(5). The decrease in FFO from the prior quarter
(Q1 2024 - $431 million) was
primarily driven by lower realized commodity hedge gains.
- Vermilion returned $66 million to
shareholders during Q2 2024, comprised of $19 million of dividends and $47 million of share buybacks, representing 62%
of excess FCF ("EFCF")(4). We repurchased and cancelled
2.8 million shares during Q2 2024 and plan to maintain a robust
pace of share buybacks in the months ahead as we manage towards an
annual return of capital target of 50% of EFCF. We have repurchased
and cancelled 6.1 million shares year-to-date, and have reduced our
outstanding common shares to 157.3 million at July 31, 2024.
- Net debt(6) decreased by $38
million in Q2 2024 to $907
million, representing a net debt to trailing FFO
ratio(7) of 0.7 times and the lowest debt level in over
a decade.
- In conjunction with our Q2 2024 release, we announced a
quarterly cash dividend of $0.12 per
share, payable on October 15, 2024 to
shareholders of record on September 27,
2024.
- In Germany, we are currently
equipping our first deep gas exploration well with production
tubing in advance of a planned well test later this quarter. We
continue to prepare for tie-in operations for this well, with an
anticipated on-stream date of early 2025. We plan to commence
drilling on the second exploration well (0.6 net) in the coming
weeks.
- On the SA-10 block in Croatia,
we completed construction of the gas plant and tied in the first of
the two standing wells in late Q2 2024. The second well was tied in
early Q3 2024 and production is ramping up, increasing our exposure
to strong European natural gas prices.
- On the SA-7 block in Croatia,
we drilled one (0.6 net) exploration well and completed two (1.2
net) wells from the prior quarter. The first well tested over 300
bbls/d(15) of light oil, while the second well tested at
4.5 mmcf/d(15) of natural gas. Subsequent to the quarter
we completed drilling on the final well (0.6 net) of this four well
program, and discovered hydrocarbons across multiple zones,
representing a 100% success rate on this four-well exploration
drilling campaign.
- In Canada, construction of the
16,000 boe/d BC Montney battery
was completed during the quarter, with wells from our 16-28 pad
tied-in prior to start-up. The completion of this battery was an
important milestone in our BC Montney development and provides a runway for
future production growth on our Montney asset. We anticipate the wells from
our recently completed 9-21 BC pad to be on line by late Q3 2024.
These wells were completed in significantly less time than previous
wells and used approximately 30% less water, resulting in
approximately 15% completion cost savings as we continue to drive
efficiencies in our Mica Montney operations.
- We released the annual update to our sustainability reporting
in July 2024. Our 2023 Scope 1
emission intensity is in line with our target to reduce our 2019
baseline by 15% to 20% by 2025. The full report is available at
https://www.vermilionenergy.com/sustainability.
($M except as
indicated)
|
Q2
2024
|
Q1
2024
|
Q2
2023
|
YTD
2024
|
YTD
2023
|
Financial
|
|
|
|
|
|
Petroleum and natural
gas sales
|
478,925
|
508,035
|
471,356
|
986,960
|
1,024,054
|
Cash flows from
operating activities
|
266,322
|
354,295
|
173,632
|
620,617
|
562,261
|
Fund flows from
operations (1)
|
236,703
|
431,358
|
247,109
|
668,061
|
500,276
|
Fund
flows from operations ($/basic share) (2)
|
1.48
|
2.68
|
1.51
|
4.16
|
3.05
|
Fund
flows from operations ($/diluted share) (2)
|
1.47
|
2.64
|
1.48
|
4.11
|
2.99
|
Net earnings
(loss)
|
(82,425)
|
2,305
|
127,908
|
(80,120)
|
508,240
|
Net
earnings (loss) ($/basic share)
|
(0.52)
|
0.01
|
0.78
|
(0.50)
|
3.10
|
Cash flows used in
investing activities
|
153,025
|
181,343
|
164,404
|
334,368
|
273,099
|
Capital expenditures
(3)
|
110,610
|
190,442
|
166,845
|
301,052
|
321,665
|
Acquisitions
(9)
|
5,450
|
9,752
|
(9,716)
|
15,202
|
242,056
|
Dispositions
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
182,152
|
Asset retirement
obligations settled
|
11,745
|
4,975
|
11,893
|
16,720
|
14,447
|
Repurchase of
shares
|
46,555
|
36,409
|
24,316
|
82,964
|
54,457
|
Cash dividends
($/share)
|
0.12
|
0.12
|
0.10
|
0.24
|
0.10
|
Dividends
declared
|
18,981
|
19,183
|
16,430
|
38,164
|
16,430
|
% of
fund flows from operations (10)
|
8 %
|
4 %
|
7 %
|
6 %
|
3 %
|
Payout
(12)
|
141,336
|
214,600
|
195,168
|
355,936
|
195,168
|
% of
fund flows from operations (11)
|
60 %
|
50 %
|
79 %
|
53 %
|
39 %
|
Free cash flow
(4)
|
126,093
|
240,916
|
80,264
|
367,009
|
178,611
|
Long-term
debt
|
915,364
|
933,506
|
913,785
|
915,364
|
913,785
|
Net debt
(6)
|
906,715
|
944,496
|
1,321,100
|
906,715
|
1,321,100
|
Net debt to four
quarter trailing fund flows from operations
(7)
|
0.7
|
0.7
|
1.0
|
0.7
|
1.0
|
Operational
|
Production
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Crude oil and condensate (bbls/d)
|
32,879
|
32,695
|
29,342
|
32,787
|
31,305
|
NGLs
(bbls/d)
|
7,196
|
7,046
|
6,538
|
7,121
|
7,213
|
Natural gas (mmcf/d)
|
269.39
|
274.59
|
283.63
|
271.99
|
265.72
|
Total (boe/d)
|
84,974
|
85,505
|
83,152
|
85,240
|
82,805
|
Average realized
prices
|
|
|
|
|
|
Crude oil and condensate ($/bbl)
|
108.93
|
104.26
|
96.64
|
106.49
|
97.66
|
NGLs
($/bbl)
|
31.61
|
34.16
|
28.11
|
32.87
|
32.53
|
Natural gas ($/mcf)
|
5.69
|
6.10
|
7.37
|
5.90
|
8.94
|
Production mix (% of
production)
|
|
|
|
|
|
%
priced with reference to WTI
|
32 %
|
32 %
|
32 %
|
32 %
|
35 %
|
%
priced with reference to Dated Brent
|
15 %
|
15 %
|
12 %
|
15 %
|
11 %
|
%
priced with reference to AECO
|
33 %
|
32 %
|
33 %
|
33 %
|
34 %
|
%
priced with reference to TTF and NBP
|
20 %
|
21 %
|
23 %
|
21 %
|
20 %
|
Netbacks
($/boe)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating netback (12)
|
40.32
|
62.07
|
43.66
|
51.44
|
44.98
|
Fund
flows from operations ($/boe) (13)
|
30.87
|
53.86
|
32.35
|
42.61
|
33.43
|
Average reference
prices
|
|
|
|
|
|
WTI
(US $/bbl)
|
80.57
|
76.96
|
73.80
|
78.76
|
74.97
|
Dated Brent (US $/bbl)
|
84.94
|
83.24
|
78.39
|
84.09
|
79.83
|
AECO
($/mcf)
|
1.18
|
2.50
|
2.45
|
1.84
|
2.84
|
TTF
($/mcf)
|
13.62
|
11.77
|
15.04
|
12.69
|
19.03
|
Share information
('000s)
|
Shares outstanding -
basic
|
158,174
|
159,859
|
164,294
|
158,174
|
164,294
|
Shares outstanding -
diluted (14)
|
161,672
|
164,044
|
168,530
|
161,672
|
168,530
|
Weighted average shares
outstanding - basic
|
159,525
|
161,221
|
164,997
|
160,373
|
164,997
|
Weighted average shares
outstanding - diluted (14)
|
161,069
|
163,648
|
167,364
|
162,022
|
167,364
|
(1)
|
Fund flows from
operations (FFO) is a total of segments measure comparable to net
(loss) earnings that is comprised of sales less royalties,
transportation, operating, G&A, corporate income tax, PRRT,
windfall taxes, interest expense, equity based compensation settled
in cash, realized gain (loss) on derivatives, realized foreign
exchange gain (loss), and realized other income (expense). The
measure is used to assess the contribution of each business unit to
Vermilion's ability to generate income necessary to pay dividends,
repay debt, fund asset retirement obligations, and make capital
investments. FFO does not have a standardized meaning under IFRS
and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures provided by
other issuers. More information and a reconciliation to primary
financial statement measures can be found in the "Non-GAAP and
Other Specified Financial Measures" section of this
document.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Fund flows from
operations per share (basic and diluted) are supplementary
financial measures and are not standardized financial measures
under IFRS, and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures
disclosed by other issuers. They are calculated using FFO (a total
of segments measure) and basic/diluted shares outstanding. The
measure is used to assess the contribution per share of each
business unit. More information and a reconciliation to primary
financial statement measures can be found in the "Non-GAAP and
Other Specified Financial Measures" section of this
document.
|
|
|
(3)
|
Capital expenditures is
a non-GAAP financial measure that is the sum of drilling and
development costs and exploration and evaluation costs from the
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. More information and a
reconciliation to primary financial statement measures can be found
in the "Non-GAAP and Other Specified Financial Measures" section of
this document.
|
|
|
(4)
|
Free cash flow (FCF)
and excess free cash flow (EFCF) are non-GAAP financial measures
comparable to cash flows from operating activities. FCF is
comprised of FFO less drilling and development and exploration and
evaluation expenditures and EFCF is FCF less payments on lease
obligations and asset retirement obligations settled. More
information and a reconciliation to primary financial statement
measures can be found in the "Non-GAAP and Other Specified
Financial Measures" section of this document.
|
|
|
(5)
|
Free cash flow per
basic share is a non-GAAP supplementary financial measure and is
not a standardized financial measure under IFRS and may not be
comparable to similar measures disclosed by other issuers. It is
calculated using FCF and basic shares outstanding.
|
|
|
(6)
|
Net debt is a capital
management measure comparable to long-term debt and is comprised of
long-term debt (excluding unrealized foreign exchange on swapped
USD borrowings) plus adjusted working capital (defined as current
assets less current liabilities, excluding current derivatives and
current lease liabilities). More information and a reconciliation
to primary financial statement measures can be found in the
"Non-GAAP and Other Specified Financial Measures" section of this
document.
|
|
|
(7)
|
Net debt to four
quarter trailing fund flows from operations is a supplementary
financial measure and is not a standardized financial measure under
IFRS. It may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by
other issuers and is calculated using net debt (capital management
measure) and FFO (total of segment measure). The measure is used to
assess the ability to repay debt. Information in this document is
included by reference; refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Specified
Financial Measures" section of this document.
|
|
|
(8)
|
Please refer to
Supplemental Table 4 "Production" of the accompanying Management's
Discussion and Analysis for disclosure by product type.
|
|
|
(9)
|
Acquisitions is a
non-GAAP financial measure that is calculated as the sum of
acquisitions and acquisitions of securities from the Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows, Vermilion common shares issued as
consideration, the estimated value of contingent consideration, the
amount of acquiree's outstanding long-term debt assumed, and net
acquired working capital. More information and a reconciliation to
primary financial statement measures can be found in the "Non-GAAP
and Other Specified Financial Measures" section of this
document.
|
|
|
(10)
|
Dividends % of FFO is a
supplementary financial measure that is not standardized under IFRS
and may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other
issuers, calculated as dividends divided by FFO. The ratio is used
by management as a metric to assess the cash distributed to
shareholders. Reconciliation to primary financial statement
measures can be found in the "Non-GAAP and Other Specified
Financial Measures" section of this document.
|
|
|
(11)
|
Payout and payout % of
FFO are a non-GAAP financial measure and a non-GAAP ratio,
respectively, that are not standardized under IFRS and may not be
comparable to similar measures disclosed by other issuers. Payout
is comparable to dividends declared and is comprised of dividends
declared plus drilling and development costs, exploration and
evaluation costs, and asset retirement obligations settled, while
the ratio is calculated as payout divided by FFO. More information
and a reconciliation to primary financial statement measures can be
found in the "Non-GAAP and Other Specified Financial Measures"
section of this document.
|
|
|
(12)
|
Operating netback is a
non-GAAP financial measure comparable to net earnings and is
comprised of sales less royalties, operating expense,
transportation costs, PRRT, and realized hedging gains and losses.
More information and a reconciliation to primary financial
statement measures can be found in the "Non-GAAP and Other
Specified Financial Measures" section of this document.
|
|
|
(13)
|
Fund flows from
operations per boe is a supplementary financial measure
that is not standardized under IFRS and may not be
comparable to similar measures disclosed by other issuers,
calculated as FFO by boe production. Fund flows
from operations per boe is used by management to assess
the profitability of our business units and Vermilion as a whole.
More information and a reconciliation to primary financial
statement measures can be found in the "Non-GAAP and Other
Specified Financial Measures" section of this document.
|
|
|
(14)
|
Diluted shares
outstanding represent the sum of shares outstanding at the period
end plus outstanding awards under the Long-term Incentive Plan
("LTIP"), based on current estimates of future performance factors
and forfeiture rates.
|
|
|
(15)
|
Zbjegovaca-1 Istok well
(60% working interest) tested at an average rate of 314 bbls/d
during a 14-hour flow period with an average flowing wellhead
pressure of 54psi on a 0.75 inch diameter choke. The flow test
continued an additional 16 hours at reduced choke sizes (0.625" and
0.5") to obtain necessary reservoir information and to minimize
flaring. Load fluid was recovered, and no formation water was
produced during the test. A final shut-in wellhead pressure of
1077psi and bottom hole pressure of 2828psi were recorded following
the flow test. The tested zone was the Okoli formation which was
encountered at at 1991mMD and a 47.5m oil column was logged with
12m of net reservoir and average effective porosity of 14%.
Additional untested formations were also discovered. The Poljana
was encountered at 1838mMD and a 63m oil column was logged with 39m
of net reservoir and an average porosity of 11%, the Bujavica was
encountered at 1194mMD and a 26m gas column was logged with 15.8m
of net reservoir and average porosity of 21%. The test results are
not necessarily indicative of long-term performance or ultimate
recovery.
|
|
|
|
Meduric-1 Istok well (60% working interest)
tested at an average rate of 4.5 mmcf/d during a 2.5-hour
flow period with a stabilized flowing wellhead pressure of 653psi
on a 0.5 inch diameter choke. The flow test continued an additional
19 hours at reduced choke sizes (0.25", 0.3125", 0.375") to obtain
necessary reservoir data and to minimize flaring. Load fluid was
recovered, and no formation water was produced during the test. A
final shut-in wellhead pressure of 1639psi and bottom hole pressure
of 1784psi were recorded following the flow test. The tested zone
was the Poljana formation which was encountered at
1236mMD and a 16m gas column was logged with 11.7m of net reservoir
and an average porosity of 21%. Additional, untested formation were
also discovered. The Bregi was encountered at 981mMD and
a 23m gas column was logged with 13m of net reservoir and an
average porosity of 27%, the Kutinski was encountered at
594mMD and a 14m gas column was logged with 10m of net reservoir
and an average porosity of 32%. The test results are not
necessarily indicative of long-term performance or ultimate
recovery.
|
Message to Shareholders
During the second quarter we achieved key operational milestones
with the completion and startup of the Mica Montney battery in
British Columbia and the SA-10 gas
plant in Croatia. In Canada, we completed the Mica Montney battery
and tied in production from the 16-28 pad during the second
quarter, and subsequent to the quarter we completed fracking
operations on the 9-21 pad which we expect to bring online in late
Q3 2024. The startup of the Mica Montney battery will allow us to
nearly double our Montney
production to approximately 14,000 boe/d in 2025 and provides the
platform for future expansion to 28,000 boe/d with further
de-bottlenecking of infrastructure in the coming years. In
Croatia, we commissioned the gas
plant on the SA-10 block slightly ahead of schedule and currently
have both wells on production. Bringing these wells on production
will support the European gas weighting in our portfolio –
approximately 40% of our corporate natural gas production, or over
100 mmcf/d – and allows us to take advantage of strong natural gas
prices in Croatia, where gas sells
at a premium to other European natural gas benchmarks. Over the
past two years we have grown our European natural gas production by
over 15%, and we continue to organically grow our European natural
gas franchise. TTF Day Ahead natural gas prices averaged
$13.62/mmbtu in Q2 2024, representing
a 16% increase over Q1 2024, and are expected to further strengthen
in the second half of this year and 2025, based on the forward
strip. The TTF forward price is currently trading at approximately
$17/mmbtu for 2025, which we have
been actively hedging. For 2025 we have approximately 42% of our
European natural gas production hedged at an average floor price of
$17/mmbtu.
We are also pleased to report test results from the first two
wells on the SA-7 exploration block in Croatia. The first well tested over 300
bbls/d(2) of light oil, while the second well tested at
4.5 mmcf/d(2) of natural gas. We recently completed
drilling the fourth well of our SA-7 exploration program and are
pleased to report that we discovered gas in this well, representing
100% success rate on our four-well exploration drilling campaign.
We plan to test the remaining two wells in the second half of 2024
while evaluating our future development plans for this block. These
four new discoveries are very encouraging as they serve to prove up
our exploration land and validate our geological evaluations, while
setting the foundation for future growth in Croatia. In Germany, we are currently equipping our first
deep gas exploration well with production tubing in advance of a
planned well test later this quarter. Drilling of the second deep
gas exploration well in Germany
will commence in the coming weeks and is expected to extend into
the fourth quarter. We are excited about the long-term development
potential of our Germany and
Croatia assets and expect these
two countries to provide organic growth in the years ahead.
Production during the second quarter averaged 84,974 boe/d which
was at the upper end of our quarterly production guidance range and
represents an increase of 2% year-over-year, and 6% year-over-year
on a per share basis, primarily due to Australia, as well as the start-up of the 8-33
BC battery on our Mica Montney asset, which facilitated higher
production from our recent 16-28 BC Montney wells. We generated $237 million of fund flows from operations
("FFO") during the second quarter and invested $111 million of E&D capital, resulting in
free cash flow ("FCF") of $126
million. During the second quarter we significantly
increased our pace of share buybacks as we transitioned to a return
of capital payout target of 50% of annual excess FCF ("EFCF")
beginning March 2024. We repurchased
2.8 million shares during Q2 2024 for total proceeds of
$47 million and also paid out
approximately $19 million in
dividends for a total return of $66
million or 62% of EFCF. We have repurchased and cancelled
6.1 million shares year-to-date, and have reduced our outstanding
common shares to 157.3 million at July 31,
2024. With the remaining EFCF being used primarily for debt
reduction, our net debt decreased $38
million in the quarter to $907
million at the end of Q2 2024, representing a net debt to
trailing FFO ratio of 0.7 times.
As a result of consistently strong operational performance
across our asset base, production for the first half of the year
averaged 85,240 boe/d, trending towards the upper end of our
budgeted annual guidance range of 82,000 to 86,000 boe/d. With the
startup of our new Mica Montney battery and Croatia gas plant we expect to ramp up
production from these assets during the second half of the year,
which will be partially muted by planned maintenance downtime and
natural decline in other assets. Given the strong operational
performance year-to-date, and anticipation of new production growth
during the second half of the year in Mica and Croatia offsetting planned downtime, we have
increased our annual production guidance to 83,000 to 86,000 boe/d,
while maintaining our capital budget guidance of $600 to $625
million.
Q2 2024 Operations Review
North America
Production from our North American operations averaged 54,987
boe/d(1) in Q2 2024, an increase of 4% from the previous
quarter due to new production from our recent BC Mica Montney
wells.
At Mica, we drilled one (1.0 net) and brought on production six
(6.0 net) BC Montney liquids-rich
shale gas wells in advance of the start-up of our 8-33 BC battery
in late Q2 2024. In Saskatchewan,
we drilled two (2.0 net) and completed one (1.0 net) light and
medium crude oil wells, while in the
United States we participated in the drilling and completion
of five (0.2 net) non-operated light and medium crude oil
wells.
Construction of the 16,000 boe/d 8-33 BC Montney battery was completed during the
quarter. The completion of this battery was an important milestone
in our BC Montney development as
it provides the runway for future production growth on our
Montney asset. During the second
quarter we brought on production six (6.0 net) new wells from our
16-28 pad prior to start-up of the new battery, producing into
existing infrastructure in order to optimize liquids production
from the field. As a result, initial production from the new 16-28
wells was constrained due to limited throughput capacity and the
commissioning of the new battery. Construction of our water hub
infrastructure adjacent to the 8-33 battery was completed
subsequent to the quarter. The startup of this water hub is
expected to allow for up to 55% recycling of our water needs and
reduce capital costs by approximately $650,000 per well. Our most recent wells on the
9-21 pad were completed in significantly less time than previous
wells and used approximately 30% less water, resulting in
approximately 15% completion cost savings as we continue to drive
efficiencies in our Mica Montney operations.
International
Production from our International operations averaged 29,987
boe/d(1) in Q2 2024, a decrease of 8% from the previous
quarter primarily due to natural declines and planned maintenance
in Germany and Ireland.
In Germany, operations were
focused on the successful discovery on our first deep gas
exploration well where testing was rescheduled to Q3 2024. We
continue to prepare for tie-in operations of the first well and
have procured longer lead time components as we work towards an
anticipated on-stream date of early 2025. We plan to commence
drilling on the second deep gas exploration well (0.6 net) in the
coming weeks. The second well is a higher risk prospect targeting a
very large structure that is expected to take three to four months
to drill. Success on this prospect could allow for follow-up
development given the size of the target structure.
In Croatia, we completed
construction of the gas plant on the SA-10 block in Q2 2024 and we
commissioned the plant in late June. Both of the previously drilled
gas wells are currently on production and ramping up which will
increase our exposure to high netback European natural gas. On the
SA-7 block, we drilled one (0.6 net) exploration well and completed
two (1.2 net) wells from the prior quarter. The first well tested
over 300 bbls/d(2) of light oil, while the second well
tested at 4.5 mmcf/d(2) of natural gas. Subsequent to
the quarter, we also completed drilling on the final well (0.6 net)
of this four well program, and discovered hydrocarbons across
multiple zones, representing a 100% success rate on our four-well
exploration drilling campaign. Three of these four wells are
natural gas wells, aligning with our intention to organically grow
our European natural gas franchise. Testing operations on the
remaining two wells are planned for the second half of 2024, while
we continue to move forward with the permitting process and
evaluating the long-term development potential of the SA-7
block.
Outlook and Guidance Update
Full-year production guidance has been increased to 83,000 to
86,000 boe/d (from 82,000 to 86,000 boe/d previously), reflecting
our strong operational performance year-to-date. Our Q3 2024
capital program includes completing and bringing on production the
five (5.0 net) wells from the 9-21 pad in the BC Montney and commencing our 2H 2024 drilling
program in Alberta and
Saskatchewan. In addition, we will
commence drilling operations on the second exploration well in
Germany while we conduct further
evaluation and testing of the successful exploration wells in
Germany and Croatia. We expect Q3 2024 production to be in
the range of 83,000 to 85,000 boe/d taking into account the
approximately 1,200 boe/d impact of planned turnaround activity,
including a third-party turnaround deferred from Q2 2024, hot
weather-related limitations impacting production, and the shut-in
of approximately 800 boe/d of dry gas production in Alberta due to low gas prices. All other
financial guidance remains unchanged.
Commodity Hedging
Vermilion hedges to manage commodity price exposures and
increase the stability of our cash flows. In aggregate, as of
July 31, 2024, we have 39% of our
expected net-of-royalty production hedged for the remainder of
2024. With respect to individual commodity products, we have hedged
44% of our European natural gas production, 43% of our crude oil
production, and 31% of our North American natural gas volumes,
respectively. Please refer to the Hedging section of our website
under Invest With Us for further details using the following
link:
https://www.vermilionenergy.com/invest-with-us/hedging.
(Signed "Dion Hatcher")
Dion Hatcher
President & Chief Executive Officer
July 31, 2024
(1)
|
Please refer to
Supplemental Table 4 "Production" of the accompanying Management's
Discussion and Analysis for disclosure by product type.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Zbjegovaca-1 Istok well
(60% working interest) tested at an average rate of 314 bbls/d
during a 14-hour flow period with an average flowing wellhead
pressure of 54psi on a 0.75 inch diameter choke. The flow test
continued an additional 16 hours at reduced choke sizes (0.625" and
0.5") to obtain necessary reservoir information and to minimize
flaring. Load fluid was recovered, and no formation water was
produced during the test. A final shut-in wellhead pressure of
1077psi and bottom hole pressure of 2828psi were recorded following
the flow test. The tested zone was the Okoli formation which was
encountered at at 1991mMD and a 47.5m oil column was logged with
12m of net reservoir and average effective porosity of 14%.
Additional untested formations were also discovered. The Poljana
was encountered at 1838mMD and a 63m oil column was logged with 39m
of net reservoir and an average porosity of 11%, the Bujavica was
encountered at 1194mMD and a 26m gas column was logged with 15.8m
of net reservoir and average porosity of 21%. The test results are
not necessarily indicative of long-term performance or ultimate
recovery.
|
|
|
|
Meduric-1 Istok well
(60% working interest) tested at an average rate of 4.5 mmcf/d
during a 2.5-hour flow period with a stabilized flowing wellhead
pressure of 653psi on a 0.5 inch diameter choke. The flow test
continued an additional 19 hours at reduced choke sizes (0.25",
0.3125", 0.375") to obtain necessary reservoir data and to minimize
flaring. Load fluid was recovered, and no formation water was
produced during the test. A final shut-in wellhead pressure of
1639psi and bottom hole pressure of 1784psi were recorded following
the flow test. The tested zone was the Poljana formation which was
encountered at 1236mMD and a 16m gas column was logged with 11.7m
of net reservoir and an average porosity of 21%. Additional,
untested formation were also discovered. The Bregi was encountered
at 981mMD and a 23m gas column was logged with 13m of net reservoir
and an average porosity of 27%, the Kutinski was encountered at
594mMD and a 14m gas column was logged with 10m of net reservoir
and an average porosity of 32%. The test results are not
necessarily indicative of long-term performance or ultimate
recovery.
|
Non-GAAP and Other Specified Financial Measures
This report and other materials released by Vermilion includes
financial measures that are not standardized, specified, defined,
or determined under IFRS and are therefore considered non-GAAP or
other specified financial measures and may not be comparable to
similar measures presented by other issuers. These financial
measures include:
Total of Segments Measures
Fund flows from operations (FFO): Most directly
comparable to net (loss) earnings, FFO is comprised of sales less
royalties, transportation, operating, G&A, corporate income
tax, PRRT, windfall taxes, interest expense, equity based
compensation settled in cash, realized gain (loss) on derivatives,
realized foreign exchange gain (loss), and realized other income
(expense). The measure is used to assess the contribution of each
business unit to Vermilion's ability to generate income necessary
to pay dividends, repay debt, fund asset retirement obligations and
make capital investments.
|
Q2
2024
|
Q2
2023
|
YTD
2024
|
YTD
2023
|
|
$M
|
$/boe
|
$M
|
$/boe
|
$M
|
$/boe
|
$M
|
$/boe
|
Sales
|
478,925
|
62.46
|
471,356
|
61.74
|
986,960
|
62.97
|
1,024,054
|
68.42
|
Royalties
|
(46,610)
|
(6.08)
|
(46,993)
|
(6.16)
|
(95,163)
|
(6.07)
|
(114,337)
|
(7.64)
|
Transportation
|
(25,317)
|
(3.30)
|
(21,905)
|
(2.87)
|
(48,279)
|
(3.08)
|
(44,955)
|
(3.00)
|
Operating
|
(140,230)
|
(18.29)
|
(136,749)
|
(17.91)
|
(289,541)
|
(18.47)
|
(273,574)
|
(18.28)
|
General and
administration
|
(26,537)
|
(3.46)
|
(20,058)
|
(2.63)
|
(50,240)
|
(3.21)
|
(39,947)
|
(2.67)
|
Corporate income tax
expense
|
(12,096)
|
(1.58)
|
(18,928)
|
(2.48)
|
(37,738)
|
(2.41)
|
(41,190)
|
(2.75)
|
Windfall
taxes
|
—
|
—
|
(34,784)
|
(4.56)
|
—
|
—
|
(56,224)
|
(3.76)
|
PRRT
|
(3,638)
|
(0.47)
|
—
|
—
|
(14,421)
|
(0.92)
|
—
|
—
|
Interest
expense
|
(21,062)
|
(2.75)
|
(20,210)
|
(2.65)
|
(39,454)
|
(2.52)
|
(42,085)
|
(2.81)
|
Equity based
compensation
|
(14,361)
|
(1.87)
|
—
|
—
|
(14,361)
|
(0.92)
|
—
|
—
|
Realized gain on
derivatives
|
46,017
|
6.00
|
67,673
|
8.86
|
266,632
|
17.01
|
82,003
|
5.48
|
Realized foreign
exchange gain (loss)
|
2,267
|
0.30
|
3,679
|
0.48
|
4,138
|
0.26
|
(1,092)
|
(0.07)
|
Realized other
income
|
(655)
|
(0.09)
|
4,028
|
0.53
|
(472)
|
(0.03)
|
7,623
|
0.51
|
Fund flows from
operations
|
236,703
|
30.87
|
247,109
|
32.35
|
668,061
|
42.61
|
500,276
|
33.43
|
Equity based
compensation
|
3,860
|
|
(4,998)
|
|
(1,658)
|
|
(28,523)
|
|
Unrealized (loss) gain
on derivative instruments (1)
|
(125,789)
|
|
11,177
|
|
(314,533)
|
|
103,875
|
|
Unrealized foreign
exchange gain (loss) (1)
|
3,069
|
|
35,124
|
|
(18,572)
|
|
19,646
|
|
Accretion
|
(18,209)
|
|
(18,599)
|
|
(36,143)
|
|
(38,650)
|
|
Depletion and
depreciation
|
(161,184)
|
|
(154,389)
|
|
(339,618)
|
|
(302,520)
|
|
Deferred tax (expense)
recovery
|
(20,667)
|
|
480
|
|
(37,312)
|
|
36,946
|
|
Gain on business
combination
|
—
|
|
12,544
|
|
—
|
|
445,094
|
|
Loss on
disposition
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
(226,828)
|
|
Unrealized other
expense
|
(208)
|
|
(540)
|
|
(345)
|
|
(1,076)
|
|
Net (loss)
earnings
|
(82,425)
|
|
127,908
|
|
(80,120)
|
|
508,240
|
|
(1)
|
Unrealized (loss) gain
on derivative instruments, Unrealized foreign exchange gain (loss),
and Unrealized other expense are line items from the respective
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
|
Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Non-GAAP Ratios
Free cash flow (FCF) and excess free cash flow (EFCF):
Most directly comparable to cash flows from operating activities,
FCF is comprised of fund flows from operations less drilling and
development costs and exploration and evaluation cost and EFCF is
comprised of FCF less payments on lease obligations and asset
retirement obligations settled. The measure is used to determine
the funding available for investing and financing activities
including payment of dividends, repayment of long-term debt,
reallocation into existing business units and deployment into new
ventures. EFCF is used to determine the funding available to return
to shareholders after costs attributable to normal business
operations.
($M)
|
Q2
2024
|
Q2
2023
|
2024
|
2023
|
Cash flows from
operating activities
|
266,322
|
173,632
|
620,617
|
562,261
|
Changes in non-cash
operating working capital
|
(41,364)
|
61,584
|
30,724
|
(76,432)
|
Asset retirement
obligations settled
|
11,745
|
11,893
|
16,720
|
14,447
|
Fund flows from
operations
|
236,703
|
247,109
|
668,061
|
500,276
|
Drilling and
development
|
(109,350)
|
(164,070)
|
(291,648)
|
(317,398)
|
Exploration and
evaluation
|
(1,260)
|
(2,775)
|
(9,404)
|
(4,267)
|
Free cash
flow
|
126,093
|
80,264
|
367,009
|
178,611
|
Payments on lease
obligations
|
(7,830)
|
(4,665)
|
(11,932)
|
(9,064)
|
Asset retirement
obligations settled
|
(11,745)
|
(11,893)
|
(16,720)
|
(14,447)
|
Excess free cash
flow
|
106,518
|
63,706
|
338,357
|
155,100
|
Adjusted working capital: Defined as current assets
less current liabilities, excluding current derivatives and current
lease liabilities. The measure is used to calculate net debt, a
capital measure disclosed above.
|
As at
|
($M)
|
Jun 30,
2024
|
Dec 31,
2023
|
Current
assets
|
740,882
|
823,514
|
Current derivative
asset
|
(97,165)
|
(313,792)
|
Current
liabilities
|
(679,478)
|
(696,074)
|
Current lease
liability
|
28,136
|
21,068
|
Current derivative
liability
|
16,274
|
732
|
Adjusted working
capital
|
8,649
|
(164,552)
|
Capital expenditures: Calculated as the sum of
drilling and development costs and exploration and evaluation costs
from the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and most directly
comparable to cash flows used in investing activities. We consider
capital expenditures to be a useful measure of our investment in
our existing asset base. Capital expenditures are also referred to
as E&D capital.
($M)
|
Q2
2024
|
Q2
2023
|
2024
|
2023
|
Drilling and
development
|
109,350
|
164,070
|
291,648
|
317,398
|
Exploration and
evaluation
|
1,260
|
2,775
|
9,404
|
4,267
|
Capital
expenditures
|
110,610
|
166,845
|
301,052
|
321,665
|
Operating netback: Most directly comparable to
net (loss) earnings and is calculated as sales less royalties,
operating expense, transportation costs, PRRT, and realized hedging
gains and losses presented on a per unit basis. Management assesses
operating netback as a measure of the profitability and efficiency
of our field operations.
Payout and payout % of FFO: A non-GAAP financial
measure and non-GAAP ratio respectively most directly comparable to
dividends declared. Payout is comprised of dividends declared plus
drilling and development costs, exploration and evaluation costs,
and asset retirement obligations settled. The measure is used to
assess the amount of cash distributed back to shareholders and
reinvested in the business for maintaining production and organic
growth. The reconciliation of the measure to primary financial
statement measure can be found below. Management uses payout and
payout as a percentage of FFO (also referred to as the payout or
sustainability ratio).
($M)
|
Q2
2024
|
Q2
2023
|
2024
|
2023
|
Dividends
Declared
|
18,981
|
16,430
|
38,164
|
32,656
|
Drilling and
development
|
109,350
|
164,070
|
291,648
|
317,398
|
Exploration and
evaluation
|
1,260
|
2,775
|
9,404
|
4,267
|
Asset retirement
obligations settled
|
11,745
|
11,893
|
16,720
|
14,447
|
Payout
|
141,336
|
195,168
|
355,936
|
368,768
|
%
of fund flows from operations
|
60 %
|
79 %
|
53 %
|
74 %
|
Acquisitions: The sum of acquisitions and
acquisitions of securities from the Consolidated Statements of Cash
Flows, Vermilion common shares issued as consideration, the
estimated value of contingent consideration, the amount of
acquiree's outstanding long-term debt assumed, and net acquired
working capital deficit or surplus. We believe that including these
components provides a useful measure of the economic investment
associated with our acquisition activity and is most directly
comparable to cash flows used in investing activities. A
reconciliation to the acquisitions line items in the Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows can be found below.
($M)
|
Q2
2024
|
Q2
2023
|
2024
|
2023
|
Acquisitions, net of
cash acquired
|
5,450
|
2,196
|
5,829
|
136,421
|
Acquisition of
securities
|
—
|
632
|
9,373
|
2,108
|
Acquired working
capital
|
—
|
(12,544)
|
—
|
103,527
|
Acquisitions
|
5,450
|
(9,716)
|
15,202
|
242,056
|
Capital Management Measure
Net debt: Is in accordance with IAS 1 "Presentation
of Financial Statements" and is most directly comparable to
long-term debt. Net debt is comprised of long-term debt (excluding
unrealized foreign exchange on swapped USD borrowings) plus
adjusted working capital and represents Vermilion's net financing
obligations after adjusting for the timing of working capital
fluctuations.
|
As at
|
($M)
|
Jun 30,
2024
|
Dec 31,
2023
|
Long-term
debt
|
915,364
|
914,015
|
Adjusted working
capital
|
(8,649)
|
164,552
|
Net
debt
|
906,715
|
1,078,567
|
|
|
|
Ratio of net debt to
four quarter trailing fund flows from operations
|
0.7
|
0.9
|
Supplementary Financial Measures
Net debt to four quarter trailing fund flows from
operations: Calculated as net debt (capital management measure)
over the FFO (total of segments measure) from the preceding four
quarters. The measure is used to assess the ability to repay
debt.
Dividends % of FFO: Calculated as dividends declared
divided by FFO (total of segments measure). The measure is used by
management as a metric to assess the cash distributed to
shareholders.
Fund flows from operations per boe: Calculated as
FFO (total of segments measure) by boe production. Fund flows from
operations per boe is used by management to assess the
profitability of our business units and Vermilion as a
whole.
Management's Discussion and Analysis and Consolidated
Financial Statements
To view Vermilion's Management's Discussion and Analysis and
Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the three
and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, please refer to
SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) or Vermilion's website at
www.vermilionenergy.com.
About Vermilion
Vermilion is an international energy producer that seeks to
create value through the acquisition, exploration, development and
optimization of producing assets in North
America, Europe and
Australia. Our business model
emphasizes free cash flow generation and returning capital to
investors when economically warranted, augmented by value-adding
acquisitions. Vermilion's operations are focused on the
exploitation of light oil and liquids-rich natural gas conventional
and unconventional resource plays in North America and the exploration and
development of conventional natural gas and oil opportunities in
Europe and Australia.
Vermilion's priorities are health and safety, the environment,
and profitability, in that order. Nothing is more important to us
than the safety of the public and those who work with us, and the
protection of our natural surroundings. We have been recognized by
leading ESG rating agencies for our transparency on and management
of key environmental, social and governance issues. In addition, we
emphasize strategic community investment in each of our operating
areas.
Vermilion trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York
Stock Exchange under the symbol VET.
Disclaimer
Certain statements included or incorporated by reference in this
document may constitute forward-looking statements or information
under applicable securities legislation. Such forward-looking
statements or information typically contain statements with words
such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", "intend",
"estimate", "propose", or similar words suggesting future outcomes
or statements regarding an outlook. Forward looking statements or
information in this document may include, but are not limited to:
capital expenditures and Vermilion's ability to fund such
expenditures; Vermilion's additional debt capacity providing it
with additional working capital; statements regarding the return of
capital; the flexibility of Vermilion's capital program and
operations; business strategies and objectives; operational and
financial performance; estimated volumes of reserves and resources;
petroleum and natural gas sales; future production levels and the
timing thereof, including Vermilion's 2024 guidance, and rates of
average annual production growth; the effect of changes in crude
oil and natural gas prices, changes in exchange and inflation
rates; significant declines in production or sales volumes due to
unforeseen circumstances; the effect of possible changes in
critical accounting estimates; statements regarding the growth and
size of Vermilion's future project inventory, wells expected to be
drilled in 2024; exploration and development plans and the timing
thereof; Vermilion's ability to reduce its debt; statements
regarding Vermilion's hedging program, its plans to add to its
hedging positions, and the anticipated impact of Vermilion's
hedging program on project economics and free cash flows; the
potential financial impact of climate-related risks; acquisition
and disposition plans and the timing thereof; operating and other
expenses, including the payment and amount of future dividends;
royalty and income tax rates and Vermilion's expectations regarding
future taxes and taxability; and the timing of regulatory
proceedings and approvals.
Such forward looking statements or information are based on a
number of assumptions, all or any of which may prove to be
incorrect. In addition to any other assumptions identified in this
document, assumptions have been made regarding, among other things:
the ability of Vermilion to obtain equipment, services and supplies
in a timely manner to carry out its activities in Canada and internationally; the ability of
Vermilion to market crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas
successfully to current and new customers; the timing and costs of
pipeline and storage facility construction and expansion and the
ability to secure adequate product transportation; the timely
receipt of required regulatory approvals; the ability of Vermilion
to obtain financing on acceptable terms; foreign currency exchange
rates and interest rates; future crude oil, natural gas liquids,
and natural gas prices; and management's expectations relating to
the timing and results of exploration and development activities;
the impact of Vermilion's dividend policy on its future cash flows;
credit ratings; hedging program; expected earnings/(loss) and
adjusted earnings/(loss); expected earnings/(loss) or adjusted
earnings/(loss) per share; expected future cash flows and free cash
flow and expected future cash flow and free cash flow per share;
estimated future dividends; financial strength and flexibility;
debt and equity market conditions; general economic and competitive
conditions; ability of management to execute key priorities; and
the effectiveness of various actions resulting from the Vermilion's
strategic priorities.
Although Vermilion believes that the expectations reflected in
such forward looking statements or information are reasonable,
undue reliance should not be placed on forward looking statements
because Vermilion can give no assurance that such expectations will
prove to be correct. Financial outlooks are provided for the
purpose of understanding Vermilion's financial position and
business objectives, and the information may not be appropriate for
other purposes. Forward looking statements or information are based
on current expectations, estimates, and projections that involve a
number of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results
to differ materially from those anticipated by Vermilion and
described in the forward looking statements or information. These
risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the
ability of management to execute its business plan; the risks of
the oil and gas industry, both domestically and internationally,
such as operational risks in exploring for, developing and
producing crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas; risks
and uncertainties involving geology of crude oil, natural gas
liquids, and natural gas deposits; risks inherent in Vermilion's
marketing operations, including credit risk; the uncertainty of
reserves estimates and reserves life and estimates of resources and
associated expenditures; the uncertainty of estimates and
projections relating to production and associated expenditures;
potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or
development projects; Vermilion's ability to enter into or renew
leases on acceptable terms; fluctuations in crude oil, natural gas
liquids, and natural gas prices, foreign currency exchange rates,
interest rates and inflation; health, safety, and environmental
risks; uncertainties as to the availability and cost of financing;
the ability of Vermilion to add production and reserves through
exploration and development activities; the possibility that
government policies or laws may change or governmental approvals
may be delayed or withheld; uncertainty in amounts and timing of
royalty payments; risks associated with existing and potential
future law suits and regulatory actions against or involving
Vermilion; and other risks and uncertainties described elsewhere in
this document or in Vermilion's other filings with Canadian
securities regulatory authorities.
This document contains references to sustainability/ESG data and
performance that reflect metrics and concepts that are commonly
used in such frameworks as the Global Reporting Initiative, the
Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures, and the
Sustainability Accounting Standards Board. Vermilion has used best
efforts to align with the most commonly accepted methodologies for
ESG reporting, including with respect to climate data and
information on potential future risks and opportunities, in order
to provide a fuller context for our current and future operations.
However, these methodologies are not yet standardized, are
frequently based on calculation factors that change over time, and
continue to evolve rapidly. Readers are particularly cautioned to
evaluate the underlying definitions and measures used by other
companies, as these may not be comparable to Vermilion's. While
Vermilion will continue to monitor and adapt its reporting
accordingly, the Company is not under any duty to update or revise
the related sustainability/ESG data or statements except as
required by applicable securities laws.
The forward looking statements or information contained in this
document are made as of the date hereof and Vermilion undertakes no
obligation to update publicly or revise any forward looking
statements or information, whether as a result of new information,
future events, or otherwise, unless required by applicable
securities laws.
This document contains metrics commonly used in the oil and gas
industry. These oil and gas metrics do not have any standardized
meaning or standard methods of calculation and therefore may not be
comparable to similar measures presented by other companies where
similar terminology is used and should therefore not be used to
make comparisons. Natural gas volumes have been converted on the
basis of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of
oil equivalent. Barrels of oil equivalent (boe) may be misleading,
particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio of six
thousand cubic feet 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 wellhead.
Financial data contained within this document are reported in
Canadian dollars, unless otherwise stated.
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vermilion-energy-inc-announces-results-for-the-three-and-six-months-ended-june-30-2024-302211425.html
SOURCE Vermilion Energy Inc.