Bonterra Energy Announces First Quarter 2024 Results

In This Article:

CALGARY, AB, May 14, 2024 /CNW/ - Bonterra Energy Corp. (TSX: BNE) ("Bonterra" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its financial and operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. The related unaudited condensed financial statements and notes, as well as management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A"), are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on Bonterra's website at www.bonterraenergy.com.

FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

As at and for the three months ended
($000s except $ per share)

March 31,
 2024

December 31,
 2023

March 31,
 2023

FINANCIAL





Revenue - realized oil and gas sales

68,589

81,739

77,263

Funds flow(1)


27,018

40,442

29,342

Per share - basic


0.73

1.09

0.79

Per share - diluted


0.72

1.08

0.79

Cash flow from operations

21,654

44,596

24,018

Per share - basic

0.58

1.20

0.65

Per share - diluted

0.58

1.19

0.64

Net earnings(2)


848

14,973

7,640

Per share - basic


0.02

0.40

0.21

Per share - diluted


0.02

0.40

0.20

Capital expenditures


32,924

14,009

60,223

Oil and gas property acquisition(2)


24,234

-

-

Total assets


984,464

967,870

963,890

Net debt(3)


176,360

140,400

183,674

Bank debt


38,688

14,822

12,388

Shareholders' equity


529,605

528,258

488,762

OPERATIONS





Light oil

-bbl per day

6,622

7,306

7,068


-average price ($ per bbl)

88.96

97.01

95.71

NGLs

-bbl per day

1,468

1,619

1,155


-average price ($ per bbl)

46.08

48.12

54.54

Conventional natural gas

-MCF per day

36,594

37,214

31,448


-average price ($ per MCF)

2.65

2.73

3.78

Total barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOE)(4)

14,189

15,128

13,464









(1)

Funds flow is not a recognized measure under IFRS. For these purposes, the Company defines funds flow as funds provided by operations including proceeds from sale of investments and investment income received excluding the effects of changes in non-cash working capital items and decommissioning expenditures settled.

(2)

On March 1, 2024, the Company acquired the Charlie Lake Assets for cash consideration of $23.6 million and $0.3 million in non-core mineral rights, including closing adjustments. The Charlie Lake Assets have been accounted for as an asset acquisition, which resulted in an increase of $24.2 million in PP&E and the assumption of $0.3 million in decommissioning liabilities.

(3)

Net debt is not a recognized measure under IFRS. The Company defines net debt as current liabilities less current assets plus long-term bank debt, subordinated debentures and subordinated term debt.

(4)

BOE may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A BOE conversion ratio of 6 MCF: 1 bbl is based on an energy conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.

FINANCIAL & OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS

  • Production in Q1 2024 averaged 14,189 BOE per day, five percent higher than Q1 2023 and six percent lower than the previous quarter due to minimal capital spending in Q4 2023, combined with the impact of production from new wells drilled in Q1 2024 being deferred into Q2 2024. The Company estimates volumes will be within previously announced 2024 production guidance of 13,800 to 14,200 BOE per day1.

  • Funds flow2 totaled $27.0 million ($0.72 per fully diluted share) in Q1 2024, compared to $29.3 million ($0.79 per fully diluted share) generated in Q1 2023, consistent with lower realized oil and gas sales of $68.6 million for the period driven by a 202 percent increase in the differential on Canadian light sweet crude oil from WTI, offset by higher production volumes.

  • Field netbacks2 averaged $28.45 per BOE in Q1 2024, while cash netbacks averaged $20.91 per BOE, both primarily reflecting lower realized commodity prices in the period compared to the prior year, partially offset by lower royalty costs and gains on realized risk management contracts.

  • Production costs averaged $17.98 per BOE in Q1 2024, an increase over the comparable period the prior year, primarily due to additional well maintenance in the period as the Company incurred more service rig costs and other repairs following fewer wells being worked over in Q4 2023, offset by Bonterra's continued focus on cost control and operational enhancements.

  • Capital expenditures totaled $32.9 million during Q1 2024 and included:

    • $27.0 million directed to drilling 11 gross (10.5 net) operated wells and completing, equipping, tying-in and placing on production 11 gross (10.0 net) operated wells, of which four gross (3.6 net) were drilled in the fourth quarter of 2023. The remaining four gross (4.0 net) operated wells were placed on production early in Q2 2024.

    • $5.9 million directed primarily to related land and lease, infrastructure, recompletions and non-operated capital programs.

  • Established a complementary new core area with the Charlie Lake asset acquisition during the quarter, as outlined in the Company's March 4, 2024 press release, acquiring 79 net sections of land prospective for light oil (the "Acquisition").

  • Net debt1 totaled $176.4 million at quarter-end, while bank debt totaled $38.7 million.

    • On April 30, 2024, Bonterra completed the renewal of its $110 million bank facility, which is structured as a normal course, reserve-based credit facility available on a revolving basis through April 30, 2025, with bi-annual borrowing base redeterminations and a maturity of April 30, 2026.

    • The increase in net debt from Q4 2023 is due largely to the $23.9 million Charlie Lake asset acquisition which contributed to a debt to EBITDA ratio of 1.0 times at the end of Q1 2024.