CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Dec. 18, 2013) - DeeThree Exploration Ltd. ("DeeThree" or the Company") (TSX:DTX) announces its 2014 guidance and provides an operational update in respect of a well recently completed on its Brazeau Belly River property.
2014 Guidance
The Company will undertake a $230 million capital expenditure program in 2014. This program is focused on the further exploration and development of the Company's Alberta Bakken property in the Lethbridge area of Southern Alberta and its Belly River property in the Brazeau area of central Alberta by the drilling of approximately 46 gross wells. The 2014 capital program is anticipated to be fully funded through internally generated funds from operations and the Company's existing credit facility.
The Company is forecasting its 2014 production to be within the range of 11,500 to 11,700 boe/d (81% crude oil and NGLs) with a targeted 2014 exit production rate of 13,000 - 13,500 boe/d (82% crude oil and NGLs).
Key highlights of the Company's 2014 capital program and guidance are:
- Average production of 11,500 - 11,700 boe/d (81% crude oil and NGLs).
- Exit production target - 13,000 - 13,500 boe/d (82% crude oil and NGLs).
- Capital expenditures are budgeted at $230 million including the drilling of 46 gross wells on the Lethbridge and Brazeau properties.
- Funds from operations anticipated to be $170 million or $2.06 per basic share.
- Year end net debt to annualized fourth quarter funds from operations is expected to be less than one times, thereby maintaining a strong Balance Sheet.
- Operating netbacks are estimated to be $42.00 - $45.00/boe based on the following assumptions:
- WTI - 2014 US $95.00, Aeco $3.40 GJ
- Differential - WTI to Edmonton - 18% discount
- Exchange rate (US$/Cdn$) - 0.95
- Royalty rate - 22% - 23%
- Operating costs - $9.75/boe - $10.00/boe
- Transportation costs - $1.80 - $2.00
Risk Management
DeeThree presently has the following hedges in place for 2014.
Crude Oil
| Jan. 1/14 - Dec. 31/14 | Crude Oil | Collar | 1,000 bbls/d | WTI-NYMEX | US$85.00/bbl (floor) - | |||||
| US$97.00/bbl (cap) | ||||||||||
| Jan. 1/14 - Dec. 31/14 | Crude Oil | Collar | 500 bbls/d | WTI-NYMEX | CAD$92.50/bbl (floor) - | |||||
| CAD$102.01/bbl (cap) | ||||||||||
| Jan. 1/14 - Dec. 31/14 | Crude Oil | Collar | 500 bbls/d | WTI-NYMEX | CAD$90.00/bbl (floor) - | |||||
| CAD$101.25/bbl (cap) | ||||||||||
| Jan. 1/14 - Dec. 31/14 | Crude Oil | Collar | 1,000 bbls/d | WTI-NYMEX | CAD$90.00/bbl (floor) - | |||||
| CAD$107.85/bbl (cap) |
Foreign Currency
| Pricing Point | ||||||||
| Period | Currency | Type of Contract | Quantity | (Cdn$/US$) | ||||
| Jan. 1/14 - Dec. 31/14 | US$ | Average Rate Range | US$2,500,000 | Target - $1.0825 | ||||
| Bonus Accumulator | Cdn$/US$ + $1,500 | |||||||
| bonus/day (1) |
| (1) The Company can earn a bonus payout of up to $1,500 per day depending on the period in which the exchange rate remains in the applicable range of less than 1.0825. |
Brazeau Belly River Well Test Results
The Company is also pleased to announce the results of a four day production test of its most recent 100% working interest horizontal Belly River oil well drilled in the Brazeau area. After fracture stimulation, this well continued to flow for 4.5 days up the 4 1/2" frac string at an average rate of 940 bbls /d of 44° API reservoir oil and 3.3 mmscf/d of natural gas with a final rate of approximately 850 bbls/d of oil and 3.7 mmscf/d of natural gas (on a 1 1/16" choke at a wellhead pressure of 350 psi). With expected conservation of produced natural gas for sale, this final test rate equates to approximately 1,525 boe/d (70% oil and liquids). This well is an offset to an earlier Upper D discovery that tested at similar rates and helps support the Company's initial interpretation of a much larger pool with several more potential high impact locations.
Reader Advisory
Forward-Looking Statements. Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or the DeeThree's future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "potential", "targeting", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe" and similar expressions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. DeeThree believes that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this press release should not be unduly relied upon by investors. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release and are expressly qualified, in their entirety, by this cautionary statement.
In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements, pertaining to the following: DeeThree's future projects, oil and natural gas production levels, financial results and capital expenditure programs.
With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this press release, DeeThree has made assumptions regarding, among other things: the legislative and regulatory environments of the jurisdictions where DeeThree carries on business or has operations, the price of oil and natural gas, the impact of increasing competition, and DeeThree's ability to obtain additional financing on satisfactory terms.
DeeThree's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of risk factors that may include, but are not limited to: volatility in the market prices for oil and natural gas; uncertainties associated with estimating reserves; uncertainties associated with DeeThree's ability to obtain additional financing on satisfactory terms; geological, technical, drilling and processing problems; liabilities and risks, including environmental liabilities and risks, inherent in oil and natural gas operations; incorrect assessments of the value of acquisitions; competition for, among other things, capital, acquisitions of reserves, undeveloped lands and skilled personnel. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Additional information on these and other factors that could effect DeeThree's operations and financial results are included in reports on file with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and may be accessed through the SEDAR website (www.sedar.com).
This forward-looking information represents DeeThree's views as of the date of this news release and such information should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any date subsequent to the date of this document. DeeThree has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to vary from those current expectations or estimates expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. However, there may be other factors that cause results, performance or achievements not to be as expected or estimated and that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from current expectations. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as results and future events could differ materially from those expected or estimated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.
Test Rates. Test rates are not necessarily indicative of long-term performance or of ultimate recovery. Neither a pressure transient analysis nor a well-test interpretation has been carried out and the data should be considered to be preliminary until such analysis or interpretation has been done.
Non-IFRS Measurements. This news release contains the terms "funds from operations" which should not be considered an alternative to or more meaningful than cash flow from operating activities as determined in accordance with IFRS. This term does not have any standardized meaning as prescribed by IFRS. DeeThree's determination of funds from operations may not be comparable to that reported by other companies. Management uses funds from operations to analyze operating performance and leverage, and considers funds from operations to be a key measure as it demonstrates the Company's ability to generate cash necessary to fund future capital investments and to repay debt. Funds from operations is calculated using cash flow from operating activities as presented in the statement of cash flows before changes in non-cash working capital and settlement of retirement costs. Net debt refers to outstanding bank debt plus working capital deficit (excludes current unrealized amounts pertaining to risk management commodity contracts). Net debt is not a recognized measure under IFRS. Operating netbacks refer to realized wellhead revenue less royalties, operating expenses and transportation costs per barrel of oil equivalent ("boe"). Operating netback is not a recognized measure under IFRS and does not have a standardized meaning.
BOE Presentation. References herein to "boe" mean barrels of oil equivalent derived by converting gas to oil in the ratio of six thousand cubic feet (Mcf) of gas to one barrel (bbl) of oil. 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.
We seek Safe Harbor.
Contact Information:
Martin Cheyne
President and Chief Executive Officer
(403) 263-9130