CALGARY,
AB, July 24, 2024 /CNW/ - Whitecap Resources
Inc. ("Whitecap" or the "Company") (TSX: WCP) is pleased to report
its operating and unaudited financial results for the three and six
months ended June 30, 2024.
Selected financial and operating information is outlined below
and should be read with Whitecap's unaudited interim consolidated
financial statements and related management's discussion and
analysis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 which are available at
www.sedarplus.ca and on our website at www.wcap.ca.
Financial ($
millions except for share amounts)
|
Three Months ended Jun.
30
|
Six Months ended Jun.
30
|
2024
|
2023
|
2024
|
2023
|
Petroleum and natural
gas revenues
|
980.4
|
797.9
|
1,848.7
|
1,681.6
|
Net income
|
244.5
|
175.4
|
304.3
|
438.0
|
Basic
($/share)
|
0.41
|
0.29
|
0.51
|
0.72
|
Diluted
($/share)
|
0.41
|
0.29
|
0.51
|
0.72
|
Funds flow
1
|
426.4
|
415.1
|
810.4
|
863.1
|
Basic ($/share)
1
|
0.71
|
0.69
|
1.35
|
1.43
|
Diluted
($/share) 1
|
0.71
|
0.68
|
1.35
|
1.41
|
Dividends
declared
|
109.2
|
87.7
|
218.3
|
175.4
|
Per
share
|
0.18
|
0.15
|
0.37
|
0.29
|
Expenditures on
property, plant and equipment 2
|
203.8
|
217.8
|
597.0
|
471.4
|
Free funds flow
1
|
222.6
|
197.3
|
213.4
|
391.7
|
Net Debt
1
|
1,297.0
|
1,361.2
|
1,297.0
|
1,361.2
|
Operating
|
|
|
|
|
Average daily
production
|
|
|
|
|
Crude oil
(bbls/d)
|
93,663
|
82,649
|
91,235
|
84,452
|
NGLs
(bbls/d)
|
20,701
|
15,448
|
20,052
|
16,048
|
Natural gas
(Mcf/d)
|
377,700
|
294,412
|
373,200
|
303,734
|
Total (boe/d)
3
|
177,314
|
147,166
|
173,487
|
151,122
|
Average realized Price
1,4
|
|
|
|
|
Crude oil
($/bbl)
|
102.06
|
90.59
|
95.71
|
91.17
|
NGLs
($/bbl)
|
34.88
|
33.58
|
34.83
|
40.76
|
Natural gas
($/Mcf)
|
1.30
|
2.59
|
1.95
|
3.08
|
Petroleum and natural
gas revenues ($/boe) 1
|
60.76
|
59.58
|
58.55
|
61.48
|
Operating Netback
($/boe) 1
|
|
|
|
|
Petroleum and
natural gas revenues1
|
60.76
|
59.58
|
58.55
|
61.48
|
Tariffs
1
|
(0.42)
|
(0.50)
|
(0.43)
|
(0.52)
|
Processing &
other income 1
|
0.71
|
1.08
|
0.74
|
0.96
|
Marketing
revenues 1
|
3.95
|
5.06
|
3.91
|
4.84
|
Petroleum and natural
gas sales 1
|
65.00
|
65.22
|
62.77
|
66.76
|
Realized gain on
commodity contracts 1
|
0.28
|
0.89
|
0.32
|
0.77
|
Royalties
1
|
(10.09)
|
(9.57)
|
(9.77)
|
(10.56)
|
Operating
expenses 1
|
(13.49)
|
(15.16)
|
(13.87)
|
(14.55)
|
Transportation
expenses 1
|
(2.12)
|
(2.23)
|
(2.09)
|
(2.18)
|
Marketing
expenses 1
|
(3.91)
|
(5.08)
|
(3.88)
|
(4.83)
|
Operating
netbacks
|
35.67
|
34.07
|
33.48
|
35.41
|
Share information
(millions)
|
|
|
|
|
Common shares
outstanding, end of period
|
599.4
|
605.8
|
599.4
|
605.8
|
Weighted average basic
shares outstanding
|
598.8
|
605.2
|
598.4
|
605.6
|
Weighted average
diluted shares outstanding
|
602.1
|
609.2
|
601.9
|
610.1
|
MESSAGE TO SHAREHOLDERS
Whitecap's operational momentum continued into the second
quarter after an active first quarter drilling program and the
start-up of our Musreau facility with record quarterly volumes of
177,314 boe/d, consisting of 114,364 bbls/d of oil and NGLs and
377,700 mcf/d of natural gas. Strong production results across our
Montney and Duvernay assets as well as our conventional
assets in Alberta and Saskatchewan contributed to production being
higher than our internal forecast of 170,500 boe/d in the
quarter.
Funds flow of $426 million
($0.71 per share) benefitted from the
strong operational results and continued crude oil price strength
and, after capital expenditures of $204
million, Whitecap generated free funds flow of $223 million in the second quarter. We returned
approximately $110 million to
shareholders during the quarter through our base dividend and share
repurchases under our normal course issuer bid ("NCIB").
Our balance sheet continues to be in excellent shape with low
leverage and ample liquidity. Net debt at the end of the second
quarter was $1.3 billion (0.6x Debt
to EBITDA5) on total capacity of $2.9 billion.
We also significantly improved our balance sheet with the
partial infrastructure dispositions we press released on
July 2, 2024, for gross proceeds of
$520 million. The 50% working
interest sale of our Musreau 05-09 facility to Topaz Energy Corp.
closed on June 24, 2024, and the 50%
working interest sale of our 15-07 Kaybob complex to Pembina Gas
Infrastructure ("PGI") is expected to close in the third quarter of
this year.
We provide the following second quarter and year to date 2024
financial and operating highlights:
- Production Growth. Strong operational execution resulted
in record average production of 177,314 boe/d in the second quarter
or 4% production per share growth6 compared to the first
quarter of this year and 22% production per share growth compared
to the second quarter of the prior year.
- Funds Flow. Second quarter funds flow of $426 million ($0.71
per share) increased 11% per share compared to the first quarter of
this year and increased 4% per share compared to the second quarter
of the prior year. Our production base is 64% light oil and liquids
and with WTI prices averaging over $110/bbl in Canadian dollars, oil and liquids
represented 95% of our second quarter petroleum and natural gas
revenue.
- Drilling Program. Second quarter capital expenditures
were $204 million and of the 27 wells
spud during the second quarter, nine were Montney and Duvernay, and 18 were conventional. We brought
33 (27.4 net) wells on production during the second quarter,
including three Duvernay wells at
Kaybob and four Montney wells at
Musreau during April.
- Return of Capital. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, we have returned $220 million to shareholders through our monthly
dividend of $0.0608 per share and
share repurchases under our NCIB. Our NCIB was renewed in the
second quarter, providing for up to 59.1 million shares that may be
repurchased prior to May 22,
2025.
- Balance Sheet Strength. Quarter end net debt of
$1.3 billion equated to a debt to
EBITDA ratio of 0.6 times and an EBITDA to interest expense
ratio5 of 27.6 times, both well within our debt
covenants of not greater than 4.0 times and not less than 3.5
times, respectively.
OPERATIONS UPDATE
Montney & Duvernay Assets
We run a continuous two rig program in the Montney and Duvernay and have grown production by 27% over
the past year and a half to approximately 61,000 boe/d from 48,000
boe/d in the fourth quarter of 2022. Our strategic partnership with
PGI and the funding of Lator phase 1 as press released on
July 2, 2024, is an important
milestone for future growth in the Montney and Duvernay to 100,000 boe/d over the next five
years.
Our rigorous technical analysis and customized pad designs have
enabled us to continually refine our approach to asset development,
while at the same time our assets have performed better than
initial expectations and provided increased confidence in the
future deliverability of these areas. Our first eight Montney wells at Musreau have extended this
trend with average IP(90) rates of 1,600 boe/d per well (70%
liquids) which is 19% above our expectations.
We are currently completing a four well pad at Musreau, our
third pad overall and second targeting both the D2 and D3
Montney intervals. The thickness
of pay and high liquids content at Musreau is favorable to
multi-bench development and we expect this pad to be on production
later in the third quarter.
We recently brought 3 (3.0 net) Duvernay wells on production at Kaybob and we
will bring an additional 5 (5.0 net) Duvernay wells and 10 (10.0 net) Montney wells on production in the second half
of the year.
Conventional Assets
Strong results from our conventional drilling program continued
into the second quarter with results exceeding expectations across
our asset base. Our second half drilling program is now underway,
with six currently active rigs and plans to drill a total of 76
(68.9 net) wells on our conventional assets before year end.
Recent results from our Frobisher drilling program in Southeast Saskatchewan highlight the
attractiveness of these light oil weighted assets. Production from
our first quarter program is above our expectations and strong
crude oil prices are improving the already robust economics,
accelerating our projected capital payout7 on these
recent wells to less than six months. Over a three year period,
these wells are projected to pay out our capital investment three
times. We plan to drill 26 (23.8 net) Frobisher wells in the second half of the
year.
Our Central Alberta Glauconite assets have seen steady
improvement since first entering the play in 2021. We have brought
12 (11.7 net) Glauconite wells on production since the start of the
year, with results continuing to exceed our expectations. The
economics are further enhanced by high liquids rates as our recent
6 (5.9 net) wells have exceeded forecasted liquids rates by 40% in
the first 90 days on production. We plan to drill 6 (6.0 net)
Glauconite wells in the second half of the year.
The focus of our Viking program in West Saskatchewan is to improve long term free
cash flow generation through continued operational efficiency
enhancements and cost savings. On our recently consolidated Viking
assets at Elrose, we recently spud
our first 1.5-mile extended reach horizonal well, which will be a
key initiative for potential inventory enhancement in the area.
Initial well results on our 2024 Elrose program are in line with
our expectations and higher than historical results, while we have
also initiated work to reduce operating costs in the area as we
move forward. In aggregate, we plan to drill 32 (32.0 net) Viking
wells in the second half of the year on existing and recently
acquired lands.
OUTLOOK
Operational and financial performance through the first half of
the year has been exceptional and we will look to continue the
momentum through the second half of 2024 and into 2025. Results
across our Montney and
Duvernay assets are increasing the
confidence in the future deliverability of these assets and the
economics of the 2,462 locations8 in inventory, while
our focus on profitability and sustainability within our
conventional asset base will further enhance the corporate free
cash flow capabilities from the 3,980 locations in inventory.
Our 2024 production and capital spending guidance of 167,000 –
172,000 boe/d (64% liquids) and $0.9
- $1.1 billion, respectively, is
being maintained.
Our balance sheet is in excellent shape with pro forma net debt
below $900 million. We plan to
allocate $200 million of the partial
infrastructure disposition proceeds to share repurchases under our
NCIB in the second half of 2024, of which $25 million has been executed to date in July,
with forecast net debt of below $1
billion at year end9.
On behalf of our employees, management team and Board of
Directors, we would like to thank our shareholders for their
continued support.
NOTES
1
|
Funds flow, funds flow
basic ($/share), funds flow diluted ($/share) and net debt are
capital management measures. Average realized price and per boe
disclosure figures are supplementary financial measures. Operating
netback and free funds flow are non-GAAP financial measures.
Operating netbacks ($/boe) is a non-GAAP ratio. Refer to the
Specified Financial Measures section in this press release for
additional disclosure and assumptions.
|
2
|
Also referred to herein
as "capital expenditures", "capital investment" and "capital
budget".
|
3
|
Disclosure of
production on a per boe basis in this press release consists of the
constituent product types and their respective quantities disclosed
herein. Refer to Barrel of Oil Equivalency and Production, Initial
Production Rates and Product Type Information in this press release
for additional disclosure.
|
4
|
Prior to the impact of
risk management activities and tariffs.
|
5
|
Debt to EBITDA ratio
and EBITDA to interest expense ratio are specified financial
measures that are calculated in accordance with the financial
covenants in our credit agreement.
|
6
|
Production per share is
the Company's total crude oil, NGL and natural gas production
volumes for the applicable period divided by the weighted average
number of diluted shares outstanding for the applicable period.
Production per share growth is determined in comparison to the
applicable comparative period.
|
7
|
Also referred to herein
as "half-cycle payout". Refer to Oil and Gas Metrics in this press
release for additional disclosure
|
8
|
Disclosure of drilling
locations in this press release consists of proved, probable, and
unbooked locations and their respective quantities on a gross and
net basis as disclosed herein. Refer to Drilling Locations in this
press release for additional disclosure.
|
9
|
Based on the following
strip commodity pricing and exchange rate assumptions for the
remainder of 2024: US$77/bbl WTI, $1.50/GJ AECO, USD/CAD of
$1.37.
|
CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST
Whitecap has scheduled a conference call and webcast to begin
promptly at 9:00 am MT (11:00 am ET) on Thursday,
July 25, 2024.
The conference call dial-in number is:
1-888-390-0605 or (587) 880-2175 or (416) 764-8609
A live webcast of the conference call will be accessible on
Whitecap's website at www.wcap.ca by selecting
"Investors", then "Presentations & Events".
Shortly after the live webcast, an archived version will be
available for approximately 14 days.
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains forward-looking statements and
forward-looking information (collectively "forward-looking
information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws
relating to the Company's plans and other aspects of our
anticipated future operations, management focus, strategies,
financial, operating and production results and business
opportunities. Forward-looking information typically uses words
such as "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "trend", "sustain",
"project", "expect", "forecast", "budget", "goal", "guidance",
"plan", "objective", "strategy", "target", "intend", "estimate",
"potential", or similar words suggesting future outcomes,
statements that actions, events or conditions "may", "would",
"could" or "will" be taken or occur in the future, including
statements about our strategy, plans, focus, objectives, priorities
and position.
In particular, and without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, this press release contains forward-looking information
with respect to: our forecasts for average daily production
(including by product type and the proportional liquids production)
and capital expenditures for 2024; our belief that our balance
sheet is in excellent shape with low leverage and ample liquidity;
our expectation that the PGI transaction will close in the third
quarter; our expectation for future growth in the Montney and Duvernay to 100,000 boe/d over the next five
years; our belief that the thickness of pay and high liquids
content at Musreau is favourable to multi-bench development; our
expectations to bring on our third pad at Musreau later in the
third quarter; our plans to bring 5 (5.0 net) Duvernay wells and 10 (10.0 net) Montney wells on production in the second half
of the year; our plans to drill a total of 76 (68.9 net) wells on
our conventional assets before year end; our projection for capital
payout in less than six months on our recent Frobisher wells and that over a three year
period the wells will pay out three times; our plans to drill 26
(23.8 net) Frobisher wells in the
second half of the year; our plans to drill 6 (6.0 net) Glauconite
wells in the second half of the year; our plans to drill 32 (32.0
net) Viking wells in the second half of this year on existing and
recently acquired lands; our belief that results across our
Montney and Duvernay assets are increasing the confidence
in the future deliverability of these assets and economics of our
2,462 locations in inventory; our belief that our focus on
profitability and sustainability within our conventional asset base
will further enhance the corporate free cash flow capabilities from
the 3,980 locations in inventory; our forecasted pro forma net
debt; our plans to allocate $200
million of the partial infrastructure disposition proceeds
to share repurchases under our NCIB; and, our forecast for net debt
at year end.
The forward-looking information is based on certain key
expectations and assumptions made by our management, including:
that the disposition to PGI will occur on the terms and timing
disclosed herein; that we will continue to conduct our operations
in a manner consistent with past operations except as specifically
noted herein (and for greater certainty, except with respect to the
proposed disposition to PGI, the forward-looking information
contained herein excludes the potential impact of any acquisitions
or dispositions that we may complete in the future); the general
continuance or improvement in current industry conditions; the
continuance of existing (and in certain circumstances, the
implementation of proposed) tax, royalty and regulatory regimes;
expectations and assumptions concerning prevailing and forecast
commodity prices, exchange rates, interest rates, inflation rates,
applicable royalty rates and tax laws, including the assumptions
specifically set forth herein; the ability of OPEC+ nations and
other major producers of crude oil to adjust crude oil production
levels and thereby manage world crude oil prices; the impact (and
the duration thereof) of the ongoing military actions in the
Middle East and between
Russia and Ukraine and related sanctions on crude oil,
NGLs and natural gas prices; the impact of rising and/or sustained
high inflation rates and interest rates on the North American and
world economies and the corresponding impact on our costs, our
profitability, and on crude oil, NGLs, and natural gas prices;
future production rates and estimates of operating costs and
development capital, including as specifically set forth herein;
performance of existing and future wells; reserve volumes and net
present values thereof; anticipated timing and results of capital
expenditures/development capital, including as specifically set
forth herein; the success obtained in drilling new wells; the
sufficiency of budgeted capital expenditures in carrying out
planned activities; the timing, location and extent of future
drilling operations; the timing and costs of pipeline, storage and
facility construction and expansion; the state of the economy and
the exploration and production business; results of operations;
business prospects and opportunities; the availability and cost of
financing, labour and services; future dividend levels and share
repurchase levels; the impact of increasing competition; ability to
efficiently integrate assets and employees acquired through
acquisitions or asset exchange transactions; ability to market oil
and natural gas successfully; our ability to access capital and the
cost and terms thereof; that we will not be forced to shut-in
production due to weather events such as wildfires, floods,
droughts or extreme hot or cold temperatures; the commodity pricing
and exchange rate forecasts for 2024 specifically set forth herein;
and that we will be successful in defending against previously
disclosed and ongoing reassessments received from the Canada
Revenue Agency and assessments received from the Alberta Tax and
Revenue Administration.
Although we believe that the expectations and assumptions on
which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable,
undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking
information because Whitecap can give no assurance that they will
prove to be correct. Since forward-looking information addresses
future events and conditions, by its very nature it involves
inherent risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not
limited to: the risk that our disposition to PGI does not close on
the terms and/or on the timetable currently anticipated or at all;
the risk that the funds that we ultimately return to shareholders
through dividends and/or share repurchases is less than currently
anticipated and/or is delayed, whether due to the risks identified
herein or otherwise; the risk that any of our material assumptions
prove to be materially inaccurate, including our 2024 forecast
(including for commodity prices and exchange rates); the risks
associated with the oil and gas industry in general such as
operational risks in development, exploration and production,
including the risk that weather events such as wildfires, flooding,
droughts or extreme hot or cold temperatures forces us to shut-in
production or otherwise adversely affects our operations; pandemics
and epidemics; delays or changes in plans with respect to
exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the
uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to reserves,
production, costs and expenses; risks associated with increasing
costs, whether due to high inflation rates, high interest rates,
supply chain disruptions or other factors; health, safety and
environmental risks; commodity price and exchange rate
fluctuations; interest rate fluctuations; inflation rate
fluctuations; marketing and transportation risks; loss of markets;
environmental risks; competition; incorrect assessment of the value
of acquisitions; failure to complete or realize the anticipated
benefits of acquisitions or dispositions; the risk that going
forward we may be unable to access sufficient capital from internal
and external sources on acceptable terms or at all; failure to
obtain required regulatory and other approvals; reliance on third
parties and pipeline systems; changes in legislation, including but
not limited to tax laws, production curtailment, royalties and
environmental (including emissions and "greenwashing") regulations;
the risk that we do not successfully defend against previously
disclosed and ongoing reassessments received from the Canada
Revenue Agency and assessments received from the Alberta Tax and
Revenue Administration and are required to pay additional taxes,
interest and penalties as a result; and the risk that the amount of
future cash dividends paid by us and/or shares repurchased for
cancellation by us, if any, will be subject to the discretion of
our Board of Directors and may vary depending on a variety of
factors and conditions existing from time to time, including, among
other things, fluctuations in commodity prices, production levels,
capital expenditure requirements, debt service requirements,
operating costs, royalty burdens, foreign exchange rates,
contractual restrictions contained in our debt agreements, and the
satisfaction of the liquidity and solvency tests imposed by
applicable corporate law for the declaration and payment of
dividends and/or the repurchase of shares – depending on these and
various other factors as disclosed herein or otherwise, many of
which will be beyond our control, our dividend policy and/or share
buyback policy and, as a result, future cash dividends and/or share
buybacks, could be reduced or suspended entirely. Our actual
results, performance or achievement could differ materially from
those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking information
and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events
anticipated by the forward-looking information will transpire or
occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits that we will derive
therefrom. Management has included the above summary of assumptions
and risks related to forward-looking information provided in this
press release in order to provide security holders with a more
complete perspective on our future operations and such information
may not be appropriate for other purposes.
Readers are cautioned that the foregoing lists of factors are
not exhaustive. Additional information on these and other factors
that could affect our operations or financial results are included
in reports on file with applicable securities regulatory
authorities and may be accessed through the SEDAR+ website
(www.sedarplus.ca).
These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this
press release and we disclaim any intent or obligation to update
publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of
new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than
as required by applicable securities laws.
This press release contains future-oriented financial
information and financial outlook information (collectively,
"FOFI") about our forecast 2024 capital expenditures; our pro forma
net debt of $900 million; our plan to
allocate $200 million to share
repurchases under our NCIB in the second half of 2024; our forecast
for year end net debt of below $1
billion, all of which are subject to the same assumptions,
risk factors, limitations, and qualifications as set forth in the
above paragraphs. The actual results of operations of Whitecap and
the resulting financial results will likely vary from the amounts
set forth herein and such variation may be material. Whitecap and
its management believe that the FOFI has been prepared on a
reasonable basis, reflecting management's best estimates and
judgments. However, because this information is subjective and
subject to numerous risks, it should not be relied on as
necessarily indicative of future results. Except as required by
applicable securities laws, Whitecap undertakes no obligation to
update such FOFI. FOFI contained in this press release was made as
of the date of this press release and was provided for the purpose
of providing further information about Whitecap's anticipated
future business operations. Readers are cautioned that the FOFI
contained in this press release should not be used for purposes
other than for which it is disclosed herein.
OIL AND GAS ADVISORIES
Barrel of Oil Equivalency
"Boe" means barrel of oil equivalent. All boe
conversions in this press release are derived by converting gas to
oil at the ratio of six thousand cubic feet ("Mcf") of natural gas
to one barrel ("Bbl") of oil. Boe may be misleading, particularly
if used in isolation. A Boe conversion rate of 1 Bbl : 6 Mcf is
based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily
applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value
equivalency at the wellhead. Given that the value ratio of oil
compared to natural gas based on currently prevailing prices is
significantly different than the energy equivalency ratio of 1 Bbl
: 6 Mcf, utilizing a conversion ratio of 1 Bbl : 6 Mcf may be
misleading as an indication of value.
Drilling Locations
This press release discloses drilling inventory in two
categories: (i) booked locations (proved and probable); and (ii)
unbooked locations. Booked locations represent the summation of
proved and probable locations, which are derived from McDaniel
& Associates Consultants Ltd.'s reserves evaluation effective
December 31, 2023 and account for
drilling locations that have associated proved and/or probable
reserves, as applicable. Unbooked locations are internal estimates
based on our prospective acreage and an assumption as to the number
of wells that can be drilled per section based on industry practice
and internal review. Unbooked locations do not have attributed
reserves or resources.
- Of the 2,462 (2,213 net) Montney and Duvernay drilling locations identified herein,
262 (226 net) are proved locations, 118 (102 net) are probable
locations, and 2,082 (1,885 net) are unbooked locations.
- Of the 3,980 (3,406 net) conventional drilling locations
identified herein, 1,318 (1,148 net) are proved locations, 201 (169
net) are probable locations, and 2,461 (2,089 net) are unbooked
locations.
Unbooked locations consist of drilling locations that have been
identified by management as an estimation of our multi-year
drilling activities based on evaluation of applicable geologic,
seismic, engineering, production and reserves information. There is
no certainty that we will drill all of these drilling locations and
if drilled there is no certainty that such locations will result in
additional oil and gas reserves, resources or production. The
drilling locations on which we drill wells will ultimately depend
upon the availability of capital, regulatory approvals, seasonal
restrictions, oil and natural gas prices, costs, actual drilling
results, additional reservoir information that is obtained and
other factors. While certain of the unbooked drilling locations
have been de-risked by drilling existing wells in relative close
proximity to such unbooked drilling locations, other unbooked
drilling locations are farther away from existing wells where
management has less information about the characteristics of the
reservoir and therefore there is more uncertainty whether wells
will be drilled in such locations and if drilled there is more
uncertainty that such wells will result in additional oil and gas
reserves, resources or production.
Production, Initial Production Rates & Product Type
Information
References to petroleum, crude oil, natural gas liquids
("NGLs"), natural gas and average daily production in this press
release refer to the light and medium crude oil, tight crude oil,
conventional natural gas, shale gas and NGLs product types, as
applicable, as defined in National Instrument 51-101 ("NI 51-101"),
except as noted below.
NI 51-101 includes condensate within the NGLs product type. The
Company has disclosed condensate as combined with crude oil and
separately from other NGLs since the price of condensate as
compared to other NGLs is currently significantly higher and the
Company believes that this crude oil and condensate presentation
provides a more accurate description of its operations and results
therefrom. Crude oil therefore refers to light oil, medium oil,
tight oil and condensate. NGLs refers to ethane, propane, butane
and pentane combined. Natural gas refers to conventional natural
gas and shale gas combined.
Any reference in this news release to initial production rates
(IP(90)) are useful in confirming the presence of hydrocarbons,
however such rates are not determinative of the rates at which such
wells will continue production and decline thereafter. While
encouraging, readers are cautioned not to place reliance on such
rates in calculating the aggregate production for Whitecap.
The Company's average daily production for the three and six
months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023,
the forecast average daily production for Q2/2024 and 2024
(midpoint), and the average daily production rate per well for our
first 8 (8.0 net) Montney wells at
Musreau disclosed in this press release consists of the following
product types, as defined in NI 51-101 (other than as noted above
with respect to condensate) and using a conversion ratio of 1 Bbl :
6 Mcf where applicable:
Whitecap
Corporate
|
1H
2024
|
1H
2023
|
Q2
2024
|
Q2
2023
|
Light and medium oil
(bbls/d)
|
76,352
|
74,284
|
76,691
|
72,429
|
Tight oil
(bbls/d)
|
14,883
|
10,168
|
16,972
|
10,220
|
Crude oil
(bbls/d)
|
91,235
|
84,452
|
93,663
|
82,649
|
|
|
|
|
|
NGLs
(bbls/d)
|
20,052
|
16,048
|
20,701
|
15,448
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shale gas
(Mcf/d)
|
224,088
|
173,379
|
225,167
|
171,601
|
Conventional natural
gas (Mcf/d)
|
149,112
|
130,355
|
152,533
|
122,811
|
Natural gas
(Mcf/d)
|
373,200
|
303,734
|
377,700
|
294,412
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
(boe/d)
|
173,487
|
151,122
|
177,314
|
147,166
|
Whitecap Corporate
/
Initial Production
Rates
|
|
2024
Guidance
(Mid-Point)
|
Q2
2024
Forecast
|
Musreau IP(90)
per well
|
Light and medium oil
(bbls/d)
|
|
75,200
|
76,000
|
-
|
Tight oil
(bbls/d)
|
|
14,800
|
14,000
|
1,058
|
Crude oil
(bbls/d)
|
|
90,000
|
90,000
|
1,058
|
|
|
|
|
|
NGLs
(bbls/d)
|
|
18,000
|
19,000
|
62
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shale gas
(Mcf/d)
|
|
220,000
|
216,000
|
2,880
|
Conventional natural
gas (Mcf/d)
|
|
149,000
|
153,000
|
-
|
Natural gas
(Mcf/d)
|
|
369,000
|
369,000
|
2,880
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
(boe/d)
|
|
169,500
|
170,500
|
1,600
|
Oil and Gas Metrics
This press release contains metrics commonly used in the oil and
natural gas industry which have been prepared by management, such
as "capital payout" or "half-cycle payout", which is the time
period for the operating netback of a well to equate to the
individual cost of drilling, completing and equipping the well.
Management uses half-cycle payout as a measure of capital
efficiency of a well to make capital allocation
decisions. These terms do not have a standardized meaning and
may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other
companies, and therefore should not be used to make such
comparisons. Management uses these oil and gas metrics for its own
performance measurements and to provide shareholders with measures
to compare our operations over time. Readers are cautioned that the
information provided by these metrics, or that can be derived from
the metrics presented in this press release, should not be relied
upon for investment or other purposes.
SPECIFIED FINANCIAL MEASURES
This press release includes various specified financial
measures, including non-GAAP financial measures, non-GAAP ratios,
capital management measures and supplementary financial measures as
further described herein. These financial measures are not
standardized financial measures under International Financial
Reporting Standards ("IFRS Accounting Standards" or, alternatively,
"GAAP") and, therefore, may not be comparable with the calculation
of similar financial measures disclosed by other companies.
"Average realized prices" for crude oil, NGLs and natural
gas are supplementary financial measures calculated by dividing
each of these components of petroleum and natural gas revenues,
disclosed in Note 16 "Revenue" to the Company's unaudited interim
consolidated financial statements for the three and six months
ended June 30, 2024, by their
respective production volumes for the period.
"Free funds flow" is a non-GAAP financial
measure calculated as funds flow less expenditures on
property, plant and equipment ("PP&E"). Management believes
that free funds flow provides a useful measure of Whitecap's
ability to increase returns to shareholders and to grow the
Company's business. Free funds flow is not a standardized financial
measure under IFRS Accounting Standards and, therefore, may
not be comparable with the calculation of similar financial
measures disclosed by other entities. The most directly comparable
financial measure to free funds flow disclosed in the Company's
primary financial statements is cash flow from operating
activities. Refer to the "Cash Flow from Operating Activities,
Funds Flow and Free Funds Flow" section of our management's
discussion and analysis for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2024 which is incorporated
herein by reference, and available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
In addition, see the following table which reconciles cash flow
from operating activities to funds flow and free funds flow:
|
Three Months ended
Jun. 30,
|
Six Months ended
Jun. 30,
|
($ millions, except
per share amounts)
|
2024
|
2023
|
2024
|
2023
|
Cash flow from
operating activities
|
505.0
|
414.9
|
857.5
|
883.5
|
Net change in non-cash
working capital items
|
(78.6)
|
0.2
|
(47.1)
|
(20.4)
|
Funds flow
|
426.4
|
415.1
|
810.4
|
863.1
|
Expenditures on
PP&E
|
203.8
|
217.8
|
597.0
|
471.4
|
Free funds
flow
|
222.6
|
197.3
|
213.4
|
391.7
|
Funds flow per share,
basic
|
0.71
|
0.69
|
1.35
|
1.43
|
Funds flow per share,
diluted
|
0.71
|
0.68
|
1.35
|
1.41
|
"Funds flow", "funds flow basic ($/share)" and
"funds flow diluted ($/share)" are capital management measures
and are key measures of operating performance as they demonstrate
Whitecap's ability to generate the cash necessary to pay dividends,
repay debt, make capital investments, and/or to repurchase common
shares under the Company's normal course issuer bid. Management
believes that by excluding the temporary impact of changes in
non-cash operating working capital, funds flow, funds flow basic
($/share) and funds flow diluted ($/share) provide useful measures
of Whitecap's ability to generate cash that are not subject to
short-term movements in non-cash operating working capital.
Whitecap reports funds flow in total and on a per share basis
(basic and diluted), which is calculated by dividing funds flow by
the weighted average number of basic shares and weighted average
number of diluted shares outstanding for the relevant period. See
Note 5(e)(ii) "Capital Management – Funds Flow" in the Company's
unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the three
and six months ended June 30,
2024 for additional disclosures.
"Net Debt" is a capital management measure
that management considers to be key to assessing the Company's
liquidity. See Note 5(e)(i) "Capital Management – Net Debt and
Total Capitalization" in the Company's unaudited interim
consolidated financial statements for the three and six months
ended June 30, 2024 for
additional disclosures. The following table reconciles the
Company's long-term debt to net debt:
Net Debt ($
millions)
|
|
Jun. 30,
2024
|
Jun. 30,
2023
|
Dec. 31,
2023
|
Long-term
debt
|
|
1,190.1
|
1,259.5
|
1,356.1
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
(421.6)
|
(357.5)
|
(400.2)
|
Deposits and prepaid
expenses
|
|
(34.7)
|
(28.1)
|
(32.9)
|
Non-current
deposits
|
|
(82.9)
|
-
|
(82.9)
|
Accounts payable and
accrued liabilities
|
|
609.6
|
458.1
|
509.0
|
Dividends
payable
|
|
36.5
|
29.2
|
36.4
|
Net Debt
|
|
1,297.0
|
1,361.2
|
1,385.5
|
"Operating netback" is a non-GAAP financial measure
determined by adding marketing revenues and processing & other
income, deducting realized losses on commodity risk management
contracts or adding realized gains on commodity risk management
contracts and deducting tariffs, royalties, operating expenses,
transportation expenses and marketing expenses from petroleum and
natural gas revenues. The most directly comparable financial
measure to operating netback disclosed in the Company's primary
financial statements is petroleum and natural gas sales. Operating
netback is a measure used in operational and capital allocation
decisions. Operating netback is not a standardized financial
measure under IFRS Accounting Standards and, therefore, may
not be comparable with the calculation of similar financial
measures disclosed by other entities. For further information,
refer to the "Operating Netbacks" section of our management's
discussion and analysis for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2024, which is incorporated
herein by reference, and available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. A
reconciliation of operating netbacks to petroleum and natural gas
revenues is set out below:
|
Three Months ended
Jun. 30,
|
Six Months ended
Jun. 30,
|
Operating Netbacks
($ millions)
|
2024
|
2023
|
2024
|
2023
|
Petroleum and natural
gas revenues
|
980.4
|
797.9
|
1,848.7
|
1,681.6
|
Tariffs
|
(6.8)
|
(6.7)
|
(13.6)
|
(14.3)
|
Processing & other
income
|
11.5
|
14.4
|
23.5
|
26.2
|
Marketing
revenues
|
63.8
|
67.8
|
123.6
|
132.5
|
Petroleum and natural
gas sales
|
1,048.9
|
873.4
|
1,982.2
|
1,826.0
|
Realized gain on
commodity contracts
|
4.5
|
11.9
|
10.1
|
21.0
|
Royalties
|
(162.8)
|
(128.2)
|
(308.4)
|
(288.9)
|
Operating
expenses
|
(217.7)
|
(203.0)
|
(438.0)
|
(398.1)
|
Transportation
expenses
|
(34.2)
|
(29.8)
|
(66.0)
|
(59.6)
|
Marketing
expenses
|
(63.1)
|
(68.0)
|
(122.4)
|
(132.2)
|
Operating
netbacks
|
575.6
|
456.3
|
1,057.5
|
968.2
|
"Operating netback ($/boe)" is a non-GAAP ratio
calculated by dividing operating netbacks by the total production
for the period. Operating netback is a non-GAAP financial measure
component of operating netback per boe. Operating netback per boe
is not a standardized financial measure under IFRS Accounting
Standards and, therefore may not be comparable with the
calculation of similar financial measures disclosed by other
entities. Presenting operating netback on a per boe basis allows
management to better analyze performance against prior periods on a
comparable basis.
"Per boe" or "($/boe)" disclosures for petroleum and
natural gas sales, royalties, operating expenses, transportation
expenses and marketing expenses are supplementary financial
measures that are calculated by dividing each of these respective
GAAP measures by the Company's total production volumes for the
period.
"Petroleum and natural gas revenues ($/boe)", "Tariffs
($/boe)", "Processing and other income ($/boe)" and "Marketing
revenues ($/boe)" are supplementary financial measures
calculated by dividing each of these components of petroleum and
natural gas sales, disclosed in Note 16 "Revenue" to the Company's
unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the three
and six months ended June 30, 2024,
by the Company's total production volumes for the period.
"Realized gain on commodity contracts ($/boe)" is a
supplementary financial measure calculated by dividing realized
gain on commodity contracts, disclosed in Note 5(d) "Financial
Instruments and Risk Management – Market Risk" to the Company's
unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the three
and six months ended June 30, 2024,
by the Company's total production volumes for the period.
Per Share Amounts
Per share amounts noted in this press release are based on fully
diluted shares outstanding unless noted otherwise.
SOURCE Whitecap Resources Inc.