Divestco Reports 2016 Q1 Results

CALGARY, AB--(Marketwired - May 30, 2016) - (TSX VENTURE: DVT) -- Divestco Inc. ("Divestco" or the "Company"), an exploration services company dedicated to providing a comprehensive and integrated portfolio of data, software and services to the oil and gas industry worldwide, today announced its financial and operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

Financial Highlights

Overall Performance and Operational Results

Q1 2016 vs. Q1 2015

Divestco generated revenue of $3.1 million in Q1 2016 compared to $9.4 million in Q1 2016, a decrease of $6.3 million (67%). This was mainly related to less seismic participation revenue in conjunction with low commodity prices. As a result of the commodity price drop, capital expenditures have been significantly reduced in the upstream oil and gas sector since the later part of 2014. Revenue in the Software & Data segment ($1.1 million) decreased by $0.9 million (45%) mainly due to the sale of the land software assets in Q1 2015. Log data revenue was also down slightly. Revenue in the Seismic Data segment ($0.9 million) decreased by $4.0 million (82%) due to three seismic participation surveys that were completed in Q1 2015; there were no surveys completed in Q1 2016. Seismic brokerage revenue was also lower, however this was partially offset by an increase in seismic data library revenue of $0.7 million. Revenue in the Services segment ($1.2 million) decreased by $1.3 million (52%) due to low commodity prices but was partially offset by the completion of certain international projects.

Operating expenses decreased by $2.7 million (50%) to $2.7 million in Q1 2016 from $5.4 million in Q1 2015. Salaries declined by $1.5 million (48%) due to reduced staffing levels and the austerity measures put in place in response to current economic conditions. G&A expenses declined by $1.1 million (52%) due to a decrease in discretionary expenses as well as software licences and contractor fees.

Finance costs decreased by $103,000 (22%) to $355,000 in Q1 2016 from $458,000 in Q1 2015 mainly related to a slightly lower interest rate on the Company's new bridge loan.

Depreciation and amortization decreased by $5.6 million (80%) to $1.4 million in Q1 2016 from $7.0 million in Q1 2015 mainly due to the addition of new seismic data in Q1 2015; no new data was acquired in Q1 2016. (Divestco's accounting policy is to amortize 40% of participation survey costs immediately upon delivery of new seismic data to participants and the balance over six years straight-line).

Financial Position

As at March 31, 2016, Divestco had an adjusted working capital deficiency⁽¹⁾ of $5.0 million (December 31, 2015: $2.1 million deficiency), excluding deferred revenue of $1.3 million (December 31, 2015: $1.3 million). The increase in the working capital deficit from the end of 2015 was primarily due to the reclassification of the Company's $3.2 million bridge loan from long-term to current at March 31, 2016. The loan is repayable on March 31, 2017.

⁽¹⁾ See the "Non GAAP Measures" section of the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis filed on the Company's website and on SEDAR

Operations Update and Outlook

While there has been an improvement in West Texas Intermediate oil prices from a low of US$27/barrel in February 2016 to US$49/barrel in May 2016; rig counts and utilization remain significantly lower than 2014 levels. Current rig utilization in western Canada is 5%. Lower commodity prices have forced the majority of North American oil and gas producers to keep their capital spending to a minimum and access to capital remains challenging for industry as a whole. Due to significantly lower activity levels, Divestco continues to reduce its operating expenses. As a result of the austerity measures implemented by the Company starting in Q1 2015, salaries have decreased by 48% (Q1 2016 compared to Q1 2015) and all other discretionary expenses have been lowered as well. These measures are expected to remain in place for the remainder of 2016 or until a material change in activity levels is realized.

Mr. Stephen Popadynetz, CEO and President commented: "The austerity measures that were implemented beginning in March 2015 contributed to Divestco achieving positive funds from operations of $397,000 for Q1 2016, an improvement from a negative funds from operations of $382,000 in Q4 2015. Funds from operations in Q1 2015 were $4.1 million mainly related to three seismic programs completed during that period. While Divestco did not complete any seismic surveys in Q1 2016, the Company expects to see some capital being allocated to seismic in the late part of 2016 or 2017 if oil prices continue to improve. Divestco continue to receive bids for international opportunities and domestic markets are starting to show some positive signs."

About the Company

Divestco is an exploration services company that provides a comprehensive and integrated portfolio of data, software, and services to the oil and gas industry. Through continued commitment to align and bundle products and services to generate value for customers, Divestco is creating an unparalleled set of integrated solutions and unique benefits for the marketplace. Divestco's breadth of data, software and services offers customers the ability to access and analyze the information required to make business decisions and to optimize their success in the upstream oil and gas industry. Divestco is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "DVT".

Additional information on the Company is available on its website at Divestco.com and on SEDAR at sedar.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

This press release contains forward-looking information related to the Company's capital expenditures, projected growth, view and outlook with respect to future oil and gas prices and market conditions, and demand for its products and services. Statements that contain words such as "could', "should", "can", "anticipate", "expect", "believe", "will", "may" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning applicable by Canadian securities legislation. Although management of the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct because, should one or more of the risks materialize, or should the assumptions underlying forward-looking statements or forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this press release as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. All of the forward-looking statements and forward-looking information of the Company contained in this press release are expressly qualified, in their entirety, by this cautionary statement. Except where required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements or forward-looking information if conditions or opinions should change.

In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements pertaining to the following: Company's ability to keep debt and liquidity at acceptable levels, improve/maintain its working capital position and maintain profitability in the current economy; availability of external and internal funding for future operations; relative future competitive position of the Company; nature and timing of growth; oil and natural gas production levels; planned capital expenditure programs; supply and demand for oil and natural gas; future demand for products/services; commodity prices; impact of Canadian federal and provincial governmental regulation on the Company; expected levels of operating costs, finance costs and other costs and expenses; future ability to execute acquisitions and dispositions of assets or businesses; expectations regarding the Company's ability to raise capital and to add to seismic data through new seismic shoots and acquisition of existing seismic data; treatment under tax laws; and new accounting pronouncements.

These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions including: future prices for crude oil and natural gas; future interest rates and future availability of debt and equity financing will be at levels and costs that allow the Company to manage, operate and finance its business and develop its software products and various oil and gas datasets including its seismic data library, and meet its future obligations; the regulatory framework in respect of royalties, taxes and environmental matters applicable to the Company and its customers will not become so onerous on both the Company and its customers as to preclude the Company and its customers from viably managing, operating and financing its business and the development of its software and data; and that the Company will continue to be able to identify, attract and employ qualified staff and obtain the outside expertise as well as specialized and other equipment it requires to manage, operate and finance its business and develop its properties.

These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the Company's control, including: general economic, market and business conditions; volatility in market prices for crude oil and natural gas; ability of Divestco's clients to explore for, develop and produce oil and gas; availability of financing and capital; fluctuations in interest rates; demand for the Company's product and services; weather and climate conditions; competitive actions by other companies; availability of skilled labour; failure to obtain regulatory approvals in a timely manner; adverse conditions in the debt and equity markets; and government actions including changes in environment and other regulation.