CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - March 5, 2015) - Freehold Royalties Ltd. (Freehold) (TSX:FRU) today announced 2014 fourth quarter results and reserves as at December 31, 2014.
| Results at a Glance |
| Three Months Ended December 31 | Twelve Months Ended December 31 | |||||||
| FINANCIAL ($000s, except as noted) | 2014 | 2013 | Change | 2014 | 2013 | Change | ||
| Gross revenue | 43,631 | 45,287 | -4% | 199,850 | 181,578 | 10% | ||
| Net income | 11,082 | 14,106 | -21% | 66,447 | 57,852 | 15% | ||
| Per share, basic and diluted ($) | 0.15 | 0.21 | -29% | 0.94 | 0.86 | 9% | ||
| Funds from operations (1) | 30,774 | 29,092 | 6% | 138,447 | 119,431 | 16% | ||
| Per share, basic ($) (1) | 0.41 | 0.43 | -5% | 1.95 | 1.79 | 9% | ||
| Operating income (1) | 37,584 | 37,954 | -1% | 175,192 | 155,844 | 12% | ||
| Operating income from royalties (%) | 80 | 74 | 8% | 78 | 73 | 7% | ||
| Property and royalty acquisitions | 60,566 | 6,891 | 779% | 248,274 | 10,091 | 2360% | ||
| Capital expenditures | 13,500 | 5,335 | 153% | 33,701 | 29,287 | 15% | ||
| Dividends declared | 31,353 | 28,373 | 11% | 119,788 | 112,495 | 6% | ||
| Per share ($) (2) | 0.42 | 0.42 | 0% | 1.68 | 1.68 | 0% | ||
| Net debt obligations (1) | 135,810 | 45,385 | 199% | 135,810 | 45,385 | 199% | ||
| Shares outstanding, period end (000s) | 74,919 | 67,746 | 11% | 74,919 | 67,746 | 11% | ||
| Average shares outstanding (000s) (3) | 74,545 | 67,483 | 10% | 71,029 | 66,900 | 6% | ||
| OPERATING | ||||||||
| Average daily production (boe/d) (4) | 9,836 | 9,173 | 7% | 9,180 | 8,913 | 3% | ||
| Average price realizations ($/boe) (4) | 47.46 | 52.99 | -10% | 58.91 | 55.06 | 7% | ||
| Operating netback ($/boe) (1) (4) | 41.54 | 44.97 | -8% | 52.30 | 47.91 | 9% | ||
| (1) | See Additional GAAP Measures and Non-GAAP Financial Measures. |
| (2) | Based on the number of shares issued and outstanding at each record date. |
| (3) | Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period, basic. |
| (4) | See Conversion of Natural Gas to Barrels of Oil Equivalent (boe). |
March Dividend Announcement
The Board of Directors has declared the March dividend of $0.09 per share, which will be paid on April 15, 2015 to shareholders of record on March 31, 2015. Including the April 15 payment, our 12-month trailing cash dividends total $1.53 per share. This dividend is designated as an eligible dividend for Canadian income tax purposes.
2014 Fourth Quarter Highlights
Freehold delivered strong operational results in the fourth quarter of 2014. Some of the highlights included:
- Production for Q4-2014 averaged 9,836 boe/d, a 7% increase over Q4-2013 and a 4% increase over Q3-2014. The key driver behind the year over year increase in volumes was primarily acquisitions completed by Freehold. In total, our royalty production grew by 17% versus Q4-2013.
- Gross revenue for Q4-2014 totalled $43.6 million compared to $45.3 million in Q4-2013. Revenue was down slightly primarily associated with a reduction in our realized oil price, offset by increased natural gas volumes and pricing.
- Funds from operations totalled $30.8 million in Q4-2014 compared to $29.1 million in Q4-2013. The increase versus 2013 was due to a lower tax expense primarily associated with our East Edson joint venture and the tax pools we created through the development of that asset, with negative offsets from gross revenue as mentioned above.
- Net income for Q4-2014 of $11.1 million was 21% lower than Q4-2013. Variance in earnings versus Q4-2013 was primarily driven by higher depletion and depreciation, lower revenues, lower taxes and recoveries to share based and other compensation expense.
- Dividends for Q4-2014 totalled $0.42 per share, unchanged from last year.
- Announced four separate transactions over Q4-2014 showcasing Freehold's flexibility in enhancing value for shareholders. Based on the consolidated transaction price of $49.6 million (all deals were funded through our bank line), the transactions imply approximately $95,000 per expected boe/d and will add approximately 450 boe/d to 2015 average production.
- Capital expenditures on our working interest properties totalled $13.5 million in Q4-2014 with the majority of spending allocated to southeast Saskatchewan.
- Freehold continues to maintain a strong balance sheet with net debt obligations at year-end of $135.8 million. This implies a net debt to Q4-2014 annualized funds from operations ratio of approximately 1.1 times. Increased leverage reflected acquisitions over Q4-2014 with Freehold facilitating the transactions through its existing credit line.
- Average DRIP participation was 35% in Q4-2014 (Q4-2013 - 27%), allowing us to retain $10.9 million (Q4 2013 - $7.6 million) in dividend payments by issuing shares from treasury for the year.
Subsequent Events
Change to Dividend
On January 14, 2015 Freehold announced that its Board of Directors had approved an adjustment to its monthly dividend to $0.09 per share from $0.14 per share. The revision to the dividend is reflective of the current oil and gas price environment.
Anderson Energy Ltd. Acquisition and Corporate Restructuring
On January 23, 2015 Freehold acquired all of the outstanding shares of Anderson Energy Ltd. ("Anderson") pursuant to a plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) for total consideration of $35 million (subject to certain adjustments) with Freehold funding the deal through its existing credit facilities. Pursuant to the plan of arrangement, Anderson shareholders exchanged their shares for shares of a newly formed publicly listed company, Anderson Energy Inc. ("New Anderson"). In addition, prior to Freehold acquiring the outstanding shares, Anderson transferred certain assets and liabilities to New Anderson. The liabilities transferred to New Anderson included Anderson's liabilities and obligations for its currently outstanding convertible debentures.
Immediately following the completion of the acquisition of Anderson, Freehold completed a corporate restructuring pursuant to which Freehold first amalgamated with Anderson and subsequently amalgamated with its wholly-owned subsidiary, Freehold Resources Ltd. In addition, pursuant to the restructuring, Freehold Holdings Trust was established and became a partner in the Freehold Royalties Partnership.
Increase to Credit Line
On January 23, 2015 Freehold increased its credit facilities from $210 to $260 million through a syndicate of four Canadian chartered banks. This increase allows Freehold to maintain its financial flexibility.
Royalty and Mineral Title Acquisition
On January 23, 2015 Freehold closed an agreement purchasing royalty and mineral title assets in Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan for $12.4 million. These assets produced 72 boe/d (60% gas) in October 2014 and included 35,600 mineral title acres.
Income Tax
The above mentioned acquisitions have added approximately $235 million to our existing December 31, 2014 tax pool balances.
2014 Year-end Reserves and Land Highlights
Freehold's reserves data is presented on a net basis (our share of working interest properties minus royalties payable to others, plus royalties receivable on our royalty lands), as under National Instrument 51-101, royalty interests cannot be included under gross reserves. This causes our gross reserves to be lower than our net reserves and makes it difficult for investors to compare our reserves to exploration and development companies. We believe the most appropriate measure of reserves for Freehold is net reserves. Reserve values do not include potential reserve additions that may occur as a result of future drilling on most of our royalty lands.
- Net proved plus probable reserves at December 31, 2014 totalled 29.7 MMboe, with reserves assigned to 23,514 wells. Net proved plus probable royalty interest reserves increased 35% year-over-year, and net proved plus probable working interest reserves were up 7%. Approximately 66% of our net reserves are in the proved category, and 72% of our net proved reserves are producing. On a boe basis, net reserves are 53% liquids (22% heavy oil, 24% light and medium oil, 7% natural gas liquids) and 47% natural gas.
- Net proved plus probable reserve additions totalled 9.4 MMboe (60% natural gas). Drilling on our royalty lands added 1.1 MMboe of net proved plus probable reserves, development activities added 0.6 MMboe of net proved plus probable reserves, and acquisitions added 7.8 MMboe of net proved plus probable reserves. Based on this, we replaced approximately 286% of 2014 production.
- Freehold's finding costs are calculated based on net reserves. In 2014, finding and development costs for net proved plus probable reserves were $21.87 per boe, while acquisition costs were $30.04 per boe and the all-in finding, development and acquisition (FD&A) cost was $28.60 per boe (including changes in future development capital). Based on an operating netback of $52.30 per boe in 2014, these activities resulted in a recycle ratio of 1.8, and a three-year average recycle ratio of 2.0.
- Our land holdings as at December 31, 2014 encompassed approximately 3.2 million gross acres, up 4% from last year mainly as a result of acquisitions completed throughout the year. Royalty interests comprised 93% of our acreage. Our undeveloped land was independently valued by Seaton-Jordan & Associates Ltd., at $114.0 million.
Royalty Interest Activity
In total, 443 (15.1 equivalent net) wells were drilled on our royalty lands through 2014 representing a 27% improvement versus 2013 on an equivalent net basis (excluding the East Edson joint venture). The increase was the result of a combination of royalty acquisitions made through the year along with the overall prospectivity of our title land.
Our royalty lands give us exposure to several of the attractive resource plays employing horizontal drilling, including Bakken and Mississippian light oil in southeast Saskatchewan, heavy oil in the Lloydminster area, and Cardium light oil in west-central Alberta. Continued success with horizontal drilling (for both oil and liquids-rich natural gas) is positive and bodes well for improved well productivity.
As at December 31, 2014, there were 82 (6.0 equivalent net) licensed drilling locations on our royalty lands; this compares to 51 (3.6 equivalent net) licensed wells seen one year ago.
| Three Months Ended December 31 | Twelve Months Ended December 31 | |||||||||||||||
| 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||
Gross |
Equivalent Net (1) |
Gross |
Equivalent Net (1) |
Gross |
Equivalent Net (1) |
Gross |
Equivalent Net (1) |
|||||||||
| Non-unit-ized wells | 73 | 4.0 | 68 | 4.3 | 258 | 14.0 | 197 | 11.3 | ||||||||
| Unitized wells (2) | 65 | 0.3 | 38 | 0.2 | 185 | 1.1 | 141 | 0.6 | ||||||||
| Total | 138 | 4.3 | 106 | 4.5 | 443 | 15.1 | 338 | 11.9 | ||||||||
| East Edson joint venture (3) | 9 | 13 | ||||||||||||||
| (1) | Equivalent net wells are the aggregate of the numbers obtained by multiplying each gross well by our royalty interest percentage. |
| (2) | Unitized wells are in production units wherein we generally have small royalty interests in hundreds of wells. |
| (3) | Wells drilled on our East Edson joint venture lands, where equivalent net wells cannot be calculated. |
Working Interest Activity
Our development plans are primarily oil related, and are focused almost entirely on our own mineral title lands, where we have chosen to invest our own capital on attractive, low-risk opportunities.
In Q4-2014, capital expenditures totalled $13.5 million, the majority of which was spent to complete, equip, and tie-in wells drilled in southeast Saskatchewan. We participated in the drilling of 25 (5.7 net) wells with a 100% success rate.
- In southeast Saskatchewan there were six (1.9 net) Frobisher oil wells, three (0.8 net) Midale oil wells and three (0.5 net) Bakken oil wells drilled. All of these wells were drilled horizontally.
- The Lloydminster area saw one (0.5 net) vertical oil well drilled in Q4-2014.
- In Alberta, there were three (0.8 net) vertical Glacuonite gas wells and nine (1.2 net) horizontal Cardium oil wells drilled over the quarter.
Freehold spent almost 40% of its 2014 capital in Q4-2014. This spending is expected to add to Q1/15 production levels as these wells are brought onstream.
| Three Months Ended December 31 | Twelve Months Ended December 31 | |||||||||||||||
| 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||
| Gross | Net (1) | Gross | Net (1) | Gross | Net (1) | Gross | Net (1) | |||||||||
| Oil | 22 | 4.9 | 6 | 1.2 | 47 | 11.3 | 41 | 12.9 | ||||||||
| Natural gas | 3 | 0.8 | - | - | 7 | 0.9 | - | - | ||||||||
| Other | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7 | 0.7 | ||||||||
| Total | 25 | 5.7 | 6 | 1.2 | 54 | 12.2 | 48 | 13.6 | ||||||||
| (1) | Excludes royalty interest portion on properties where Freehold has both a working interest and a royalty interest. The royalty interest portion is included in equivalent net wells in the Royalty Interest Wells Drilled table above. |
Fourth Quarter Production
Production volumes in Q4-2014 averaged 9,836 boe/d, an increase of 7% when compared with levels averaged one-year ago.
- Royalty production averaged 7,320 boe/d in Q4-2014, representing a 17% increase when compared to Q4-2013. Oil and natural gas liquids production was up 8%. On the natural gas side, volumes were up 29% from Q4-2013, largely as the result of a full quarter of operations associated with the East Edson joint venture.
- Working interest production volumes averaged 2,516 boe/d in Q4-2014. This represented a 13% decrease versus Q4-2013 with reduced volumes primarily associated with delayed capital spending.
| Three Months Ended December 31 |
Twelve Months Ended December 31 |
||||||
| 2014 | 2013 | Change | 2014 | 2013 | Change | ||
| Royalty interest (1) | |||||||
| Oil (bbls/d) | 3,501 | 3,336 | 5% | 3,384 | 3,177 | 7% | |
| NGL (bbls/d) | 403 | 293 | 38% | 435 | 332 | 31% | |
| Natural gas (Mcf/d) | 20,494 | 15,853 | 29% | 17,915 | 16,115 | 11% | |
| Oil equivalent (boe/d) | 7,320 | 6,271 | 17% | 6,805 | 6,195 | 10% | |
| Working interest (1) | |||||||
| Oil (bbls/d) | 1,972 | 2,225 | -11% | 1,851 | 2,109 | -12% | |
| NGL (bbls/d) | 101 | 91 | 11% | 102 | 103 | -1% | |
| Natural gas (Mcf/d) | 2,657 | 3,515 | -24% | 2,531 | 3,033 | -17% | |
| Oil equivalent (boe/d) | 2,516 | 2,902 | -13% | 2,375 | 2,718 | -13% | |
| Total | |||||||
| Oil (bbls/d) | 5,473 | 5,561 | -2% | 5,235 | 5,286 | -1% | |
| NGL (bbls/d) | 504 | 384 | 31% | 537 | 435 | 23% | |
| Natural gas (Mcf/d) | 23,151 | 19,368 | 20% | 20,446 | 19,148 | 7% | |
| Oil equivalent (boe/d) | 9,836 | 9,173 | 7% | 9,180 | 8,913 | 3% | |
| Number of days in period (days) | 92 | 92 | 0% | 365 | 365 | 0% | |
| Total volumes during period (Mboe) | 905 | 844 | 7% | 3,350 | 3,253 | 3% | |
| (1) | On certain properties where we have both a royalty interest and a working interest, production is allocated based on the applicable royalty and working interest percentages. |
Business Environment
Through the first six months of 2014, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) averaged greater than US$100/bbl as the market responded to concerns of prolonged production disruptions in Libya, hopes for improving worldwide demand and stimulus provided through the U.S. quantitative easing program. Approximately half way through the year sentiment flipped and prices began to steadily decline. OPEC's announcement in late November 2014 that they would not cut production in the face of weaker demand saw prices retreat another 25% through year-end. WTI oil prices fell by greater than 50% from their highs and has traded between US$45-$55/bbl within the last month.
Through 2014 the benchmark WTI crude oil price averaged US$92.99/bbl, slightly lower when compared to 2013. Within Canada, oil and gas producers have been protected somewhat from depressed prices by prevailing weakness in the Canadian dollar with the US$/Cdn$ exchange rate averaging $0.91 for 2014, a 6% decrease versus 2013. Through 2014, the price of Edmonton Par averaged C$94.58/bbl, a 2% increase over 2013. Heavy oil producers have fared slightly better with Western Canadian Select (WCS) prices averaging C$81.10/bbl for 2014, up 8% when compared to 2013. Through improvements in transportation (proliferation of rail and pipelines) within North America we have seen light heavy oil differentials contract from $17.93/bbl in 2013 to $13.48/bbl in 2014 (Edmonton Par to WCS), with the expectation that these levels should sustain themselves as further advancements are made on the infrastructure side.
Looking forward, 2015 is expected to be a very challenging year for oil and gas producers that are levered to crude oil. Without improving economic conditions outside of the U.S, it is likely that the U.S. dollar will remain strong and energy prices may remain at depressed levels. Global oil demand has been weaker than expected, most notably in Asia. While it is expected that demand will pick-up with lower prices, there may be a timing delay. Finally, it is estimated that global oil demand is approximately 2.0 mmbbl/d oversupplied, primarily due to accelerated spending within non-OPEC members (mainly the U.S.). As a result, barring an unanticipated disruption in supply or a decision by OPEC to cut production, prices are likely to remain weak through a large part of 2015.
On the natural gas side, prices were relatively strong, with AECO averaging C$4.41/mcf in 2014, a 40% increase when compared to last year. Similar to crude oil prices, weakness in the Canadian dollar helped mitigate the pricing gap between Henry Hub and AECO through the year. However, in the near to medium term we expect natural gas prices, particularly AECO, to remain challenged. Growth out of the U.S. shale basins, particularly the Marcellus, continues to have an impact by displacing Canadian volumes. It is expected that the Marcellus gas production itself could grow at greater than 2 bcf/d annually over the near-term. Marcellus production is now greater than Canada's total natural gas output. With no near-term solution outlined for getting natural gas off the continent, particularly as it relates to West Coast LNG, it is expected that Canadian producers may be natural gas price challenged.
Drilling Activity
In 2014, a total of 10,920 wells were drilled and completed within the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (the "Basin"), up slightly from 10,883 in 2013. While activity was relatively flat through 2014, with the retreat in commodity prices we have seen a material reduction in drilling activity within the Basin. On January 22, 2015, the Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors (CAODC) published an updated drilling activity forecast. CAODC is now estimating a total of 6,612 wells will be completed within the Basin through 2015 representing a 39% decrease from 2014. CAODC ran its forecasts under the assumption that WTI and AECO average US$55.00/bbl and AECO $3.00/mcf respectively through 2015.
Given the diversity of our asset base, drilling activity on our lands typically mirrors activity within the Basin. In our guidance we are forecasting drilling on our royalty lands will decline by approximately 50% versus 2014.
2014 Performance Compared to Guidance
The following table compares our key operating assumptions during 2014 to our actual results for the year.
Compared to our November guidance:
- Average production for the year was 80 boe/d higher than November guidance. Gains in production were driven primarily by acquisitions.
- Average oil prices, both for WTI and WCS were slightly below our forecasts as prices retreated materially through the fourth quarter.
- Current income tax expense was lower than expected due to benefits obtained from our East Edson joint venture.
| 2014 Key Operating Assumptions | ||||||||||||
| Previous Guidance | ||||||||||||
| 2014 Annual Average | 2014 Actual Results |
Nov. 13, 2014 | Aug. 7, 2014 | May 14, 2014 | Mar. 6, 2014 | |||||||
| Daily production | boe/d | 9,180 | 9,100 | 9,500 | 9,100 | 8,700 | ||||||
| WTI oil price | US$/bbl | 92.99 | 94.00 | 99.00 | 98.00 | 97.00 | ||||||
| Western Canadian Select (WCS) | Cdn$/bbl | 81.10 | 83.00 | 85.00 | 85.00 | 83.00 | ||||||
| AECO natural gas price | Cdn$/Mcf | 4.41 | 4.25 | 4.25 | 4.50 | 4.50 | ||||||
| Exchange rate | Cdn$/US$ | 0.91 | 0.91 | 0.92 | 0.90 | 0.90 | ||||||
| Operating costs | $/boe | 5.67 | 5.70 | 6.00 | 6.00 | 6.00 | ||||||
| General and administrative costs (1) | $/boe | 2.59 | 2.60 | 2.60 | 2.60 | 2.60 | ||||||
| Capital expenditures | $ millions | 34 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 | ||||||
| Dividends paid in shares (DRIP) | $ millions | 32 | 29 | 31 | 29 | 29 | ||||||
| Long-term debt at year end | $ millions | 139 | 142 | 131 | 137 | 38 | ||||||
| Current income tax expense | $ millions | 22 | 26 | 28 | 33 | 32 | ||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding | millions | 71 | 71 | 71 | 68 | 68 | ||||||
| (1) | Excludes share based and other compensation. |
Guidance Update
For 2015, the Board has approved a capital budget of $25 million with our focus continuing to center on oil development within our mineral title lands. Approximately 65% of our spending will be in southeast Saskatchewan (light oil), with 30% allocated to Western Alberta (Cardium light oil) and the remaining balance to heavy oil. Capital may be adjusted as the year progresses, depending on the operating environment and individual well results. Also, an increasing percentage of our capital expenditures are non-operated and therefore dependent on the budgets and changing plans of our partners.
Freehold's royalty drilling for 2015 is expected to see a significant drop-off in activity reflecting commodity weakness. While it remains early in our forecast, we anticipate drilling on our lands could be down as much as 50% relative to 2014 activity levels. We expect light oil development in southeast Saskatchewan, horizontal drilling for shallow heavy oil targets and deeper Cardium oil drilling will be the key plays in 2015.
Based on this level of capital investment, anticipated drilling activity by lessees on our royalty lands, normal production declines, and acquisitions closed to date (but excluding any potential acquisitions), we expect 2015 production to average approximately 9,800 boe per day. Volumes will be comprised of approximately 59% oil and NGL's and 41% natural gas. We continue to maintain our royalty focus with royalty production expected to account for approximately 68% of forecasted 2015 production.
Royalties are expected to be approximately 78% of Freehold's 2015 operating income.
| 2015 Key Operating Assumptions | ||||||||
| Guidance Dated | ||||||||
| 2015 Annual Average | Mar. 5, 2015 | Jan. 14, 2015 | Nov. 13, 2014 | |||||
| Daily production | boe/d | 9,800 | 9,800 | 9,700 | ||||
| WTI oil price | US$/bbl | 60.00 | 60.00 | 85.00 | ||||
| Western Canadian Select (WCS) | Cdn$/bbl | 56.00 | 54.00 | 77.00 | ||||
| AECO natural gas price | Cdn$/Mcf | 3.00 | 3.00 | 3.75 | ||||
| Exchange rate | Cdn$/US$ | 0.80 | 0.84 | 0.87 | ||||
| Operating costs | $/boe | 6.60 | 6.60 | 6.60 | ||||
| General and administrative costs (1) | $/boe | 2.60 | 2.60 | 2.90 | ||||
| Capital expenditures | $ millions | 25 | 25 | 30 | ||||
| Dividends paid in shares (DRIP) (2) | $ millions | 26 | 26 | 27 | ||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding | millions | 76 | 76 | 75 | ||||
| (1) | Excludes share based and other compensation. |
| (2) | Assumes average 30% participation rate in Freehold's dividend reinvestment plan, which is subject to change at the participants' discretion. |
Recognizing the cyclical nature of the oil and gas industry, we continue to closely monitor commodity prices and industry trends for signs of changing market conditions. We caution that it is inherently difficult to predict activity levels on our royalty lands since we have no operational control. As well, significant changes (positive or negative) in commodity prices (including Canadian oil price differentials), foreign exchange rates, or production rates may result in adjustments to the dividend rate.
Based on our current guidance and commodity price assumptions, and assuming no significant changes in the current business environment, we expect to maintain the current monthly dividend rate of $0.09/share through 2015, subject to the Board's quarterly review and approval.
A sensitivity analysis of the potential impact of key variables on funds from operations per share is provided below. For the purposes of the sensitivity analysis, the effect of a change in a particular variable is calculated independently of any change in another variable. In reality, changes in one factor will contribute to changes in another, which can magnify or counteract the sensitivities. For instance, trends have shown a correlation between the movement in the foreign exchange rate of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar and the benchmark WTI crude oil price.
Land and Reserves
The majority of our assets are royalty interests and under National Instrument 51-101 royalty interests cannot be included under gross reserves. This causes our gross reserves to be lower than our net reserves and makes it difficult for investors to compare our reserves and finding and development costs to exploration and development companies. We believe the most appropriate measure of reserves and finding and development costs for Freehold is on a net basis.
As at year-end 2014, our undeveloped land was independently valued at $114.0 million by Seaton-Jordan & Associates Ltd. Our total land holdings encompass approximately 3.2 million gross acres, 93% of which are royalties. Of this, our mineral title lands (including royalty assumption lands), which we own in perpetuity, cover more than 693,000 acres; all but approximately 145,000 gross acres of which are currently leased to third parties. In addition, we have gross overriding royalty interests in over 2.2 million acres.
These royalty interest lands are significant to Freehold. The majority of these lands are leased to third party operators. As a royalty owner, we have no operational control over the operator's future development activities. As such, the extent of drilling and development activity in future years can be difficult to predict. However, these operators have historically invested significant amounts to generate future reserve additions, and production from which Freehold receives certain royalties. Reserve values do not include potential reserve additions that may occur as a result of future drilling on most of our royalty lands. In addition, based on an internal estimate, we have estimated the net present value of the future royalty revenue from our potash reserves at $11.1 million before tax (discounted at 10%).
Our oil and gas reserves were independently evaluated by Trimble Engineering Associates Ltd. (Trimble) as at December 31, 2014. The evaluation was conducted in accordance with the standards contained in the COGE Handbook and the reserve definitions contained in National Instrument 51-101. Our Reserves Committee met with Trimble to review the findings and procedures, and the reserves report has been accepted by our Board.
Summary oil and gas reserves information is provided below. Complete reserves disclosure as required under National Instrument 51-101 will be included in our Annual Information Form.
| Summary of Oil and Gas Reserves | |||||||||
| As of December 31, 2014 | |||||||||
| Forecast Prices and Costs (1) | Light and Medium Oil | Heavy Oil | Total Crude Oil | ||||||
Reserves Category |
Gross (2) (Mbbls) |
Net (3) (Mbbls) |
Gross (2) (Mbbls) |
Net (3) (Mbbls) |
Gross (2) (MMcf') |
Net (3) (MMcf) |
|||
| Proved | |||||||||
| Developed producing | 1,612 | 3,837 | 723 | 3,994 | 2,334 | 7,831 | |||
| Developed non-producing | 109 | 97 | 15 | 16 | 124 | 113 | |||
| Undeveloped | 38 | 80 | - | - | 38 | 80 | |||
| Total proved | 1,758 | 4,014 | 738 | 4,010 | 2,496 | 8,024 | |||
| Probable | 1,508 | 3,106 | 779 | 2,592 | 2,287 | 5,698 | |||
| Total proved plus probable | 3,267 | 7,120 | 1,517 | 6,602 | 4,783 | 13,722 | |||
| Natural Gas | Natural Gas Liquids | Oil Equivalent | |||||||
| Reserves Category | Gross (2) (MMcf) |
Net (3) (MMcf) |
Gross (2) (Mbbls) |
Net (3) (Mbbls) |
Gross (2) (Mboe) |
Net (3) (Mboe) |
|||
| Proved | |||||||||
| Developed producing | 4,199 | 32,458 | 157 | 857 | 3,191 | 14,098 | |||
| Developed non-producing | 1,463 | 3,279 | 80 | 113 | 448 | 772 | |||
| Undeveloped | - | 24,633 | - | 566 | 38 | 4,752 | |||
| Total proved | 5,663 | 60,369 | 237 | 1,536 | 3,676 | 19,622 | |||
| Probable | 5,076 | 22,525 | 230 | 639 | 3,363 | 10,091 | |||
| Total proved plus probable | 10,738 | 82,894 | 466 | 2,175 | 7,040 | 29,713 | |||
| (1) | Numbers may not add due to rounding. |
| (2) | Gross reserves are our share of working interest properties before deduction of royalties payable to others. Gross reserves exclude royalty interests. |
| (3) | Net reserves are defined as our share of working interest properties minus royalties payable to others, plus royalties receivable on our royalty lands. |
The reserves data below is presented on a net basis (our share of working interest properties minus royalties payable to others, plus royalties receivable on our royalty lands).
| Summary of Net Present Values of Future Net Revenue | |||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2014 | |||||||||||
| Forecast Prices and Costs (000's) (1) (2) | Before Income Taxes, Discounted at (% per year) | ||||||||||
| Reserves Category | 0% | 5% | 10% | 15% | 20% | ||||||
| Proved | |||||||||||
| Developed producing | 749,329 | 560,979 | 452,343 | 382,233 | 333,297 | ||||||
| Developed non-producing | 18,449 | 15,640 | 13,824 | 12,493 | 11,446 | ||||||
| Undeveloped | 175,073 | 122,089 | 88,731 | 66,761 | 51,718 | ||||||
| Total proved | 942,852 | 698,708 | 554,898 | 461,487 | 396,461 | ||||||
| Probable | 639,091 | 349,404 | 231,220 | 170,513 | 134,181 | ||||||
| Total proved plus probable | 1,581,943 | 1,048,112 | 786,118 | 632,000 | 530,642 | ||||||
| After Income Taxes, Discounted at (% per year) | |||||||||||
| Reserves Category | 0% | 5% | 10% | 15% | 20% | ||||||
| Proved | |||||||||||
| Developed producing | 673,485 | 503,987 | 406,649 | 343,939 | 300,190 | ||||||
| Developed non-producing | 13,814 | 11,607 | 10,202 | 9,181 | 8,383 | ||||||
| Undeveloped | 130,878 | 91,214 | 66,255 | 49,821 | 38,571 | ||||||
| Total proved | 818,176 | 606,809 | 483,106 | 402,941 | 347,144 | ||||||
| Probable | 478,079 | 259,528 | 170,927 | 125,555 | 98,444 | ||||||
| Total proved plus probable | 1,296,255 | 866,337 | 654,033 | 528,496 | 445,588 | ||||||
| (1) | Based on the December 31, 2014 escalated oil and gas price forecasts by an independent qualified reserves evaluator. Future net revenue values do not represent fair market value. Reserve values do not include potential reserve additions that may occur as a result of future drilling on our royalty lands. Columns may not add due to rounding. |
| (2) | The after-tax net present value calculation reflects the tax burden on the properties on a standalone basis, utilizing our tax pools to the maximum depreciation rate as currently permitted. It does not consider the corporate-level tax situation, or tax planning. It does not provide an estimate of the value at the corporate level, which may be significantly different. See our financial statements and accompanying MD&A for additional tax information. |
| Total Future Net Revenue (Undiscounted) | ||||
| As of December 31, 2014 | ||||
| Forecast Prices and Costs (000's) (1) | Reserves Category | |||
| Proved | Proved Plus Probable | |||
| Royalty income | 856,783 | 1,384,193 | ||
| Revenue from working interest properties | 275,941 | 554,334 | ||
| Royalty expense on working interest | (36,916 | ) | (77,122 | ) |
| Operating costs | (139,502 | ) | (249,933 | ) |
| Development costs | (4,221 | ) | (18,708 | ) |
| Well abandonment and reclamation costs | (9,232 | ) | (10,820 | ) |
| Future net revenue before income taxes | 942,852 | 1,581,943 | ||
| Future income taxes (2) | (124,676 | ) | (285,688 | ) |
| Future net revenue after income taxes | 818,176 | 1,296,255 | ||
| (1) | Future net revenue calculation includes future capital expenditures required to bring booked non-producing and undeveloped reserves on production. Future net revenue values do not represent fair market value. Reserve values do not include potential reserve additions that may occur as a result of future drilling on our royalty lands. Columns may not add due to rounding. |
| (2) | The after-tax net present value calculation reflects the tax burden on the properties on a standalone basis, utilizing our tax pools to the maximum depreciation rate as currently permitted. It does not consider the corporate-level tax situation, or tax planning. It does not provide an estimate of the value at the corporate level, which may be significantly different. See our financial statements and accompanying MD&A for additional tax information. |
| Future Development Costs (Undiscounted) ($000s)(1) | ||
| Forecast Prices and Costs | ||
| Proved Reserves (undiscounted) |
Proved Plus Probable Reserves (undiscounted) |
|
| Year | ||
| 2015 | 2,453 | 8,215 |
| 2016 | 178 | 7,930 |
| 2017 | 1,443 | 1,993 |
| 2018 | 73 | 406 |
| 2019 | 50 | 86 |
| Remainder | 25 | 79 |
| Total | 4,221 | 18,709 |
| (1) | The source of funding for future development costs includes internally generated cash flow, debt or a combination of both. Disclosed reserves and future net revenue will not be materially affected by the costs of funding the future development expenditures. Columns may not add due to rounding. |
| Reserve Life Index | |||
| As of December 31, 2014 (1) | |||
| |
Proved Producing |
Total Proved |
Proved Plus Probable |
| Net reserves (Mboe) | 14,098 | 19,622 | 29,713 |
| Net production (Mboe) | 2,889 | 2,975 | 3,313 |
| Reserve life index (years) | 4.9 | 6.6 | 9.0 |
| (1) | Reflects the theoretical production life of a property if the remaining reserves were produced out at current rates. The index is calculated by dividing the reserves in the selected reserve category at a certain date by the estimated production for the first year's production period (calculated by dividing the Trimble forecast of 2014 net production into the remaining net reserves). |
| Reconciliation of Net Reserves (1) | ||||||||||||||
| By Principal Product Type | ||||||||||||||
| Forecast Prices and Costs | Light and Medium Oil | Heavy Oil | ||||||||||||
Proved (Mbbls) |
Probable (Mbbls) |
Proved Plus Probable (Mbbls) |
Proved (Mbbls) |
Probable (Mbbls) |
Proved Plus Probable (Mbbls) |
|||||||||
| December 31, 2013 | 3,506 | 2,322 | 5,828 | 4,181 | 2,730 | 6,911 | ||||||||
| Extensions | 392 | 315 | 707 | 327 | 158 | 485 | ||||||||
| Improved recovery | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||
| Technical revisions | 389 | (342 | ) | 47 | 367 | (375 | ) | (8 | ) | |||||
| Discoveries | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||
| Acquisitions | 670 | 832 | 1,501 | 34 | 76 | 110 | ||||||||
| Dispositions | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||
| Economic factors | 41 | (21 | ) | 20 | (6 | ) | 4 | (2 | ) | |||||
| Production | (983 | ) | - | (983 | ) | (893 | ) | - | (893 | ) | ||||
| December 31, 2014 | 4,014 | 3,106 | 7,120 | 4,010 | 2,592 | 6,602 | ||||||||
| Natural Gas | Natural Gas Liquids | |||||||||||||
Proved (MMcf) |
Probable (MMcf) |
Proved Plus Probable (MMcf) |
Proved (Mbbls) |
Probable (Mbbls) |
Proved Plus Probable (Mbbls) |
|||||||||
| December 31, 2013 | 35,243 | 18,385 | 53,627 | 923 | 513 | 1,436 | ||||||||
| Extensions | 1,003 | 940 | 1,943 | 69 | 79 | 148 | ||||||||
| Improved recovery | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||
| Technical revisions | 4,321 | (1,734 | ) | 2,588 | 61 | (79 | ) | (18 | ) | |||||
| Discoveries | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||
| Acquisitions | 26,974 | 4,973 | 31,947 | 704 | 126 | 830 | ||||||||
| Dispositions | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||
| Economic factors | 39 | (39 | ) | - | - | - | - | |||||||
| Production | (7,210 | ) | - | (7,210 | ) | (221 | ) | - | (221 | ) | ||||
| December 31, 2014 | 60,369 | 22,525 | 82,894 | 1,536 | 639 | 2,175 | ||||||||
| Oil Equivalent | ||||||||||||||
Proved (Mboe) |
Probable (Mboe) |
Proved Plus Probable (Mboe) |
||||||||||||
| December 31, 2013 | 14,483 | 8,629 | 23,113 | |||||||||||
| Extensions | 956 | 709 | 1,665 | |||||||||||
| Improved recovery | - | - | - | |||||||||||
| Technical revisions | 1,537 | (1,086 | ) | 452 | ||||||||||
| Discoveries | - | - | - | |||||||||||
| Acquisitions | 5,903 | 1,862 | 7,765 | |||||||||||
| Dispositions | - | - | - | |||||||||||
| Economic factors | 42 | (24 | ) | 18 | ||||||||||
| Production | (3,299 | ) | - | (3,299 | ) | |||||||||
| December 31, 2014 | 19,622 | 10,091 | 29,713 | |||||||||||
| (1) | Net reserves are our share of working interest properties minus royalties payable to others, plus royalties receivable on our royalty lands. Numbers may not add due to rounding. |
| Finding, Development and Acquisition (FD&A) Costs (1) | ||||||
| Net Proved Reserves | 2014 |
2013 |
2012 |
Three-Year Results |
||
| Finding and development expenditures ($000s) | 33,701 | 29,287 | 36,746 | 99,734 | ||
| Change in future development capital estimates ($000s) | 1,638 | 1,142 | (934 | ) | 1,846 | |
| Net reserve additions by development (Mboe) | 956 | 834 | 1,071 | 2,860 | ||
| Finding and development costs ($/boe) | 36.98 | 36.47 | 33.45 | 35.51 | ||
| Acquisition expenditures ($000s) | 233,274 | 10,091 | 60,852 | 304,217 | ||
| Net reserve additions by acquisition (Mboe) | 5,902 | 142 | 2,300 | 8,344 | ||
| Acquisition costs ($/boe) | 39.52 | 71.21 | 26.46 | 36.46 | ||
| Total expenditures ($000s) | 266,975 | 39,378 | 97,598 | 403,951 | ||
| Change in future development capital estimates ($000s) | 1,638 | 1,142 | (934 | ) | 1,846 | |
| Net reserve additions (Mboe) | 6,858 | 976 | 3,371 | 11,205 | ||
| Finding, development and acquisition costs ($/boe) | 39.17 | 41.52 | 28.68 | 36.22 | ||
| Net Proved Plus Probable Reserves | 2014 |
2013 |
2012 |
Three-Year Results |
||
| Finding and development expenditures ($000s) | 33,701 | 29,287 | 36,746 | 99,734 | ||
| Change in future development capital estimates ($000s) | 2,702 | 3,448 | 1,916 | 8,065 | ||
| Net reserve additions by development (Mboe) | 1,665 | 1,649 | 1,809 | 5,123 | ||
| Finding and development costs ($/boe) | 21.87 | 19.85 | 21.37 | 21.04 | ||
| Acquisition expenditures ($000s) | 233,274 | 10,091 | 60,852 | 304,217 | ||
| Net reserve additions by acquisition (Mboe) | 7,765 | 294 | 3,483 | 11,542 | ||
| Acquisition costs ($/boe) | 30.04 | 34.38 | 17.47 | 26.36 | ||
| Total expenditures ($000s) | 266,975 | 39,378 | 97,598 | 403,951 | ||
| Change in future development capital estimates ($000s) | 2,702 | 3,447 | 1,916 | 8,065 | ||
| Net reserve additions (Mboe) | 9,430 | 1,943 | 5,292 | 16,665 | ||
| Finding, development and acquisition costs ($/boe) | 28.60 | 22.04 | 18.80 | 24.72 | ||
| (1) | Included in 2014 acquisition costs are $15.2 million of exploration costs from four wells drilled on the East Edson joint venture lands and included in 2014 finding and development costs are $0.1 million of miscellaneous exploration costs. Excluded from 2014 acquisition costs are $15.0 million of costs for undeveloped land acquired during the year. In calculating finding and development costs, NI 51-101 requires that the exploration and development costs incurred in the year and the change in estimated future development costs be aggregated and then divided by the applicable reserve additions. The calculation specifically excludes the effects of acquisitions on both reserves and costs. We believe that by excluding the effects of acquisitions, the provisions of NI 51-101 do not fully reflect Freehold's ongoing reserve replacement costs. Because acquisitions can have a significant impact on annual reserve replacement costs, excluding these amounts could result in an inaccurate portrayal of Freehold's cost structure. Accordingly, we also provide costs that incorporate all acquisitions during the year. The aggregate of the exploration and development costs incurred in the most recent financial year and the change during that year in estimated future development costs generally will not reflect total finding and development costs related to reserves additions for that year. |
| Recycle Statistics, Net Proved Plus Probable Reserves | ||||
($ per boe, except as noted) |
2014 |
2013 |
2012 |
Three-Year Results |
| Operating netback (1) (4) | 52.30 | 47.91 | 45.09 | 48.47 |
| Finding, development and acquisition costs (2) (4) | 28.60 | 22.04 | 18.80 | 24.72 |
| Recycle ratio (times) (3) | 1.8 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 2.0 |
| (1) | Total revenue, less operating costs and royalty expenses. |
| (2) | Development expenditures, plus change in future capital, plus acquisition costs; divided by net reserves added through development and acquisition activities. |
| (3) | Operating netback divided by the average cost of acquiring and developing new reserves. |
| (4) | Operating netback is based on gross production, while development and acquisition costs are based on net reserves. |
| Land Holdings | |||
| As of December 31, 2014 | |||
| LAND HOLDINGS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 | |||
| (gross acres) (1) | Developed | Undeveloped | Total |
| Mineral title lands (2) | 372,122 | 224,711 | 596,833 |
| Royalty assumption lands (3) | 75,391 | 20,875 | 96,266 |
| Total title lands (4) | 447,513 | 245,586 | 693,099 |
| Gross overriding royalty (GORR) lands (5) | 1,671,219 | 586,021 | 2,257,240 |
| Total royalty lands | 2,118,732 | 831,607 | 2,950,339 |
| Working interest properties | 173,758 | 41,213 | 214,971 |
| Total Land Holdings | 2,292,490 | 872,820 | 3,165,310 |
| Land Holdings by Province | ||||||||||||||||
| Royalty Interest | Working Interest | Total | ||||||||||||||
| Developed | Undeveloped | Developed | Undeveloped | Developed | Undeveloped | |||||||||||
| Gross | Gross | Gross | Net | Gross | Net | Gross | Gross | |||||||||
| Alberta | 1,613,627 | 391,285 | 136,256 | 19,692 | 27,710 | 5,743 | 1,749,883 | 418,995 | ||||||||
| Saskatchewan | 321,692 | 213,853 | 18,097 | 5,787 | 7,293 | 4,000 | 339,789 | 221,146 | ||||||||
| Ontario | 88,799 | 173,305 | - | - | - | - | 88,799 | 173,305 | ||||||||
| British Columbia | 84,098 | 25,884 | 19,247 | 1,265 | 6,131 | 101 | 103,345 | 32,015 | ||||||||
| Manitoba | 10,516 | 27,280 | 158 | 37 | 79 | 18 | 10,674 | 27,359 | ||||||||
| Total | 2,118,732 | 831,607 | 173,758 | 26,781 | 41,213 | 9,862 | 2,292,490 | 872,820 | ||||||||
| (1) | Gross acres are the total number of acres in which we have an interest. |
| (2) | The royalties received from the sale of oil, natural gas and potash produced from the leased mineral title lands are determined by the individual lease agreements. All but approximately 145,000 gross acres of our mineral title lands are currently leased to third parties. |
| (3) | Mineral title properties owned by a number of third party oil and gas companies in respect of which gross overriding royalties, varying from 4.7% to 6.5%, have been reserved to Freehold. |
| (4) | Title lands are held in perpetuity. |
| (5) | Gross overriding royalty lands consist of properties leased by a number of third party oil and gas companies in respect of which contractual royalties or net profits interests have been reserved to Freehold. |
| Quarterly Review | ||||||||||
| 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||
| Q4 | Q3 | Q2 | Q1 | Q4 | Q3 | Q2 | Q1 | |||
| Financial ($000s, except as noted) | ||||||||||
| Revenue, net of royalty expense | 42,597 | 50,625 | 52,793 | 48,169 | 43,436 | 49,728 | 42,704 | 39,332 | ||
| Dividends declared | 31,353 | 31,148 | 28,711 | 28,576 | 28,373 | 28,206 | 28,019 | 27,897 | ||
| Per share ($) (1) | 0.42 | 0.42 | 0.42 | 0.42 | 0.42 | 0.42 | 0.42 | 0.42 | ||
| Net income | 11,082 | 17,913 | 19,598 | 17,854 | 14,106 | 18,961 | 14,292 | 10,493 | ||
| Per share, basic and diluted ($) | 0.15 | 0.24 | 0.29 | 0.26 | 0.21 | 0.28 | 0.21 | 0.16 | ||
| Funds from operations (2) | 30,774 | 39,561 | 37,319 | 30,793 | 29,092 | 36,407 | 30,115 | 23,817 | ||
| Per share, basic ($) (2) | 0.41 | 0.54 | 0.55 | 0.45 | 0.43 | 0.54 | 0.45 | 0.36 | ||
| Operating Income (2) | 37,584 | 46,012 | 47,801 | 43,795 | 37,954 | 44,642 | 37,898 | 35,350 | ||
| Net operating income from royalties (%) | 80 | 78 | 77 | 77 | 74 | 69 | 74 | 74 | ||
| Dividends paid in shares (DRIP) | 10,915 | 6,170 | 7,588 | 7,591 | 7,617 | 9,076 | 6,874 | 4,381 | ||
| Average DRIP participation rate (%) (3) | 35 | 20 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 32 | 25 | 16 | ||
| Property and royalty acquisitions | 60,566 | 76,780 | 109,044 | 1,884 | 6,891 | 2,542 | 658 | - | ||
| Capital expenditures | 13,500 | 2,811 | 6,284 | 11,106 | 5,335 | 5,725 | 3,313 | 14,914 | ||
| Net debt obligations | 135,810 | 122,091 | 160,061 | 48,600 | 45,385 | 41,715 | 50,564 | 55,466 | ||
| Shares outstanding | ||||||||||
| Weighted average (000s) | 74,545 | 73,214 | 68,296 | 67,965 | 67,483 | 67,078 | 66,649 | 66,375 | ||
| At quarter end (000s) | 74,919 | 74,286 | 68,520 | 68,157 | 67,746 | 67,326 | 66,874 | 66,522 | ||
| Operating ($/boe, except as noted) | ||||||||||
| Daily production (boe/d) (4) | 9,836 | 9,430 | 8,810 | 8,623 | 9,173 | 8,699 | 8,714 | 9,067 | ||
| Royalty interest (%) | 74 | 75 | 74 | 74 | 68 | 67 | 71 | 71 | ||
| Average selling price | 47.46 | 59.54 | 67.45 | 62.72 | 52.99 | 63.74 | 54.66 | 49.09 | ||
| Operating netback (2) | 41.54 | 53.03 | 59.62 | 56.43 | 44.97 | 55.79 | 47.80 | 43.32 | ||
| Operating expenses | 5.54 | 5.32 | 6.23 | 5.64 | 6.50 | 6.36 | 6.06 | 4.88 | ||
| Working interest properties | 21.66 | 21.05 | 23.61 | 21.40 | 20.53 | 19.50 | 21.00 | 16.91 | ||
| Net general and administrative expenses (5) | 2.32 | 2.16 | 2.36 | 3.62 | 2.13 | 1.74 | 2.04 | 3.47 | ||
| Benchmark Prices | ||||||||||
| WTI crude oil (US$/bbl) | 73.15 | 97.15 | 102.99 | 98.68 | 97.46 | 105.83 | 94.22 | 94.37 | ||
| Exchange rate (US$/Cdn$) | 0.88 | 0.92 | 0.92 | 0.91 | 0.95 | 0.96 | 0.98 | 0.99 | ||
| Edmonton Par crude oil (Cdn$/bbl) | 75.79 | 97.10 | 105.70 | 99.73 | 86.28 | 104.69 | 92.55 | 88.16 | ||
| Western Canadian Select (WCS) (Cdn$/bbl) | 66.74 | 83.82 | 90.44 | 83.40 | 68.44 | 91.71 | 76.78 | 62.96 | ||
| AECO natural gas (Cdn$/Mcf) | 4.01 | 4.22 | 4.68 | 4.75 | 3.15 | 2.82 | 3.59 | 3.08 | ||
| Share Trading Performance | ||||||||||
| High ($) | 23.27 | 26.92 | 28.15 | 23.47 | 24.63 | 24.88 | 24.58 | 24.48 | ||
| Low ($) | 17.02 | 22.64 | 23.01 | 21.41 | 21.54 | 22.50 | 22.46 | 21.00 | ||
| Close ($) | 19.12 | 23.16 | 26.78 | 23.28 | 22.11 | 23.78 | 23.57 | 23.38 | ||
| Volume (000s) | 18,607 | 10,412 | 7,232 | 7,322 | 6,077 | 4,374 | 8,108 | 7,203 | ||
| (1) | Based on the number of shares issued and outstanding at each record date. |
| (2) | See Additional GAAP Measures and Non-GAAP Financial Measures. |
| (3) | Participation in Freehold's DRIP is subject to change at the participants discretion. |
| (4) | Reported production for a period may include minor adjustments from previous production periods. |
| (5) | Excludes share based and other compensation. |
| Consolidated Balance Sheets | |||||||
($000s) (unaudited) |
December 31 2014 |
December 31 2013 |
|||||
| Assets | |||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||
| Cash | $ | 1,126 | $ | 158 | |||
| Accounts receivable | 26,430 | 25,587 | |||||
| Current taxes receivable | 2,597 | - | |||||
| 30,153 | 25,745 | ||||||
| Acquistion advance | 949 | - | |||||
| Exploration and evaluation assets | 37,852 | 24,858 | |||||
| Petroleum and natural gas interests | 584,323 | 377,262 | |||||
| $ | 653,277 | $ | 427,865 | ||||
| Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity | |||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||
| Dividends payable | $ | 10,488 | $ | 9,485 | |||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 15,864 | 10,813 | |||||
| Current taxes payable | - | 730 | |||||
| Current portion of share based and other compensation payable | 611 | 1,102 | |||||
| 26,963 | 22,130 | ||||||
| Decommissioning liability | 21,279 | 15,781 | |||||
| Share based and other compensation payable | 321 | 1,240 | |||||
| Long-term debt | 139,000 | 49,000 | |||||
| Deferred income tax liability | 44,847 | 45,642 | |||||
| Shareholders' equity: | |||||||
| Shareholders' capital | 635,223 | 455,497 | |||||
| Contributed surplus | 2,577 | 2,167 | |||||
| Deficit | (216,933 | ) | (163,592 | ) | |||
| 420,867 | 294,072 | ||||||
| $ | 653,277 | $ | 427,865 | ||||
| Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income | ||||||||||||||
(unaudited) |
Three Months Ended December 31 |
Twelve Months Ended December 31 |
||||||||||||
| ($000s, except per share and weighted average data) | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||
| Revenue: | ||||||||||||||
| Royalty income and working interest sales | $ | 43,631 | $ | 45,287 | $ | 199,850 | $ | 181,578 | ||||||
| Royalty expense | (1,034 | ) | (1,851 | ) | (5,666 | ) | (6,378 | ) | ||||||
| 42,597 | 43,436 | 194,184 | 175,200 | |||||||||||
| Expenses: | ||||||||||||||
| Operating | 5,013 | 5,482 | 18,992 | 19,356 | ||||||||||
| General and administrative | 2,102 | 1,795 | 8,679 | 7,634 | ||||||||||
| Share based and other compensation | (1,164 | ) | (158 | ) | 438 | 1,531 | ||||||||
| Interest and financing | 1,196 | 613 | 4,405 | 2,554 | ||||||||||
| Depletion and depreciation | 19,237 | 15,283 | 67,145 | 61,320 | ||||||||||
| Accretion of decommissioning liability | 123 | 127 | 498 | 452 | ||||||||||
| Management fee | 1,034 | 1,080 | 4,743 | 4,495 | ||||||||||
| 27,541 | 24,222 | 104,900 | 97,342 | |||||||||||
| Income before taxes | 15,056 | 19,214 | 89,284 | 77,858 | ||||||||||
| Income taxes: | ||||||||||||||
| Current expense | 3,273 | 6,214 | 22,178 | 23,558 | ||||||||||
| Deferred expense (recovery) | 701 | (1,106 | ) | 659 | (3,552 | ) | ||||||||
| 3,974 | 5,108 | 22,837 | 20,006 | |||||||||||
| Net income and comprehensive income | $ | 11,082 | $ | 14,106 | $ | 66,447 | $ | 57,852 | ||||||
| Net income per share, basic and diluted | $ | 0.15 | $ | 0.21 | $ | 0.94 | $ | 0.86 | ||||||
| Weighted average number of shares: | ||||||||||||||
| Basic | 74,544,796 | 67,483,469 | 71,029,156 | 66,899,776 | ||||||||||
| Diluted | 74,681,308 | 67,598,380 | 71,170,896 | 67,021,372 | ||||||||||
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | |||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31 |
Twelve Months Ended December 31 |
||||||||||||||
| ($000s) (unaudited) | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||
| Operating: | |||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 11,082 | $ | 14,106 | $ | 66,447 | $ | 57,852 | |||||||
| Items not involving cash: | |||||||||||||||
| Depletion and depreciation | 19,237 | 15,283 | 67,145 | 61,320 | |||||||||||
| Share based and other compensation | (1,164 | ) | (158 | ) | 438 | 1,531 | |||||||||
| Deferred income tax expense (recovery) | 701 | (1,106 | ) | 659 | (3,552 | ) | |||||||||
| Accretion of decommissioning liability | 123 | 127 | 498 | 452 | |||||||||||
| Management fee | 1,034 | 1,080 | 4,743 | 4,495 | |||||||||||
| Expenditures on share based and other compensation | (91 | ) | (189 | ) | (1,195 | ) | (2,299 | ) | |||||||
| Decommissioning expenditures | (148 | ) | (51 | ) | (288 | ) | (368 | ) | |||||||
| Funds from operations | 30,774 | 29,092 | 138,447 | 119,431 | |||||||||||
| Changes in non-cash working capital | 3,741 | 1,336 | (4,060 | ) | (26,196 | ) | |||||||||
| 34,515 | 30,428 | 134,387 | 93,235 | ||||||||||||
| Financing: | |||||||||||||||
| Issuance of shares, net of issue costs | - | - | 141,085 | - | |||||||||||
| Long-term debt | 6,000 | - | 90,000 | 31,000 | |||||||||||
| Dividends paid | (20,350 | ) | (20,697 | ) | (86,521 | ) | (84,340 | ) | |||||||
| (14,350 | ) | (20,697 | ) | 144,564 | (53,340 | ) | |||||||||
| Investing: | |||||||||||||||
| Acquisition advance | 49,211 | - | (949 | ) | - | ||||||||||
| Property and royalty acquisitions | (60,566 | ) | (6,891 | ) | (248,274 | ) | (10,091 | ) | |||||||
| Capital expenditures | (13,500 | ) | (5,335 | ) | (33,701 | ) | (29,287 | ) | |||||||
| Changes in non-cash working capital | 5,014 | 1,965 | 4,941 | (461 | ) | ||||||||||
| (19,841 | ) | (10,261 | ) | (277,983 | ) | (39,839 | ) | ||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash | 324 | (530 | ) | 968 | 56 | ||||||||||
| Cash, beginning of period | 802 | 688 | 158 | 102 | |||||||||||
| Cash, end of period | $ | 1,126 | $ | 158 | $ | 1,126 | $ | 158 | |||||||
| Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity | |||||||
| Twelve Months Ended December 31 |
|||||||
| ($000s) (unaudited) | 2014 | 2013 | |||||
| Shareholders' capital: | |||||||
| Balance, beginning of period | $ | 455,497 | $ | 422,728 | |||
| Shares issued for dividend reinvestment plan | 32,264 | 27,948 | |||||
| Shares issued in lieu of management fee | 4,743 | 4,495 | |||||
| Shares issued for deferred share unit plan redemption | 180 | 326 | |||||
| Shares issued for equity offering | 146,810 | - | |||||
| Issue costs, net of tax effect | (4,271 | ) | - | ||||
| Balance, end of period | 635,223 | 455,497 | |||||
| Contributed surplus: | |||||||
| Balance, beginning of period | 2,167 | 2,036 | |||||
| Share based compensation expense | 666 | 597 | |||||
| Deferred share unit plan redemption | (256 | ) | (466 | ) | |||
| Balance, end of period | 2,577 | 2,167 | |||||
| Deficit: | |||||||
| Balance, beginning of period | (163,592 | ) | (108,949 | ) | |||
| Net income and comprehensive income | 66,447 | 57,852 | |||||
| Dividends declared | (119,788 | ) | (112,495 | ) | |||
| Balance, end of period | (216,933 | ) | (163,592 | ) | |||
| Total shareholders' equity | $ | 420,867 | $ | 294,072 | |||
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release offers our assessment of Freehold's future plans and operations as at March 5, 2015, and contains forward-looking statements that we believe allow readers to better understand our business and prospects. These forward-looking statements include our expectations for the following:
- our outlook for commodity prices including supply and demand factors relating to crude oil, heavy oil, and natural gas;
- light/heavy oil price differentials;
- changing economic conditions;
- foreign exchange rates;
- drilling activity during 2015 and the impact on our production base;
- industry drilling, development activity on our royalty lands, our exposure in emerging resource plays, and the potential impact of horizontal drilling on production and reserves;
- development of working interest properties;
- participation in the DRIP and our use of cash preserved through the DRIP;
- estimated capital budget and expenditures and the timing thereof;
- average production and contribution from royalty lands;
- key operating assumptions;
- amounts and rates of income taxes and timing of payment thereof;
- maintaining our monthly dividend rate through 2015 and our dividend policy.
In addition, statements relating to "reserves" and the future net revenue associated with such reserves are deemed to be forward-looking statements as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, that the reserves described exist in the quantities predicted or estimated and can be profitably produced in the future.
Such statements are generally identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "forecast", "may", "will", "project", "should", "plan", "intend", "believe", and similar expressions (including the negatives thereof). By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control, including the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, volatility of commodity prices, lack of pipeline capacity; currency fluctuations, imprecision of reserve estimates, royalties, environmental risks, taxation, regulation, changes in tax or other legislation, competition from other industry participants, the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management, stock market volatility, and our ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources. Risks are described in more detail in our AIF.
With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this news release, we have made assumptions regarding, among other things, future commodity prices, future capital expenditure levels, future production levels, future exchange rates, future tax rates, future participation rates in the DRIP and use of cash preserved through the DRIP, future legislation, the cost of developing and producing our assets, our ability and the ability of our lessees to obtain equipment in a timely manner to carry out development activities, our ability to market our oil and gas successfully to current and new customers, our expectation for the consumption of crude oil and natural gas, our expectation for industry drilling levels, our ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms, and our ability to add production and reserves through development and acquisition activities. The key operating assumptions with respect to the forward- looking statements referred to above are detailed in the body of this news release.
You are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward- looking statements. Our actual results, performance, or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. We can give no assurance that any of the events anticipated will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what benefits we will derive from them. The forward-looking information contained in this document is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Our policy for updating forward-looking statements is to update our key operating assumptions quarterly and, except as required by law, we do not undertake to update any other forward-looking statements.
You are further cautioned that the preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires management to make certain judgments and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. These estimates may change, having either a positive or negative effect on net income, as further information becomes available and as the economic environment changes.
Conversion of Natural Gas To Barrels of Oil Equivalent (BOE)
To provide a single unit of production for analytical purposes, natural gas production and reserves volumes are converted mathematically to equivalent barrels of oil (boe). We use the industry-accepted standard conversion of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of oil (6 Mcf = 1 bbl). The 6:1 boe ratio is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip. It does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead and is not based on either energy content or current prices. While the boe ratio is useful for comparative measures and observing trends, it does not accurately reflect individual product values and might be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. As well, given that the value ratio, based on the current price of crude oil to natural gas, is significantly different from the 6:1 energy equivalency ratio, using a 6:1 conversion ratio may be misleading as an indication of value.
Additional GAAP Measures
This news release contains the term "funds from operations", which does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and therefore may not be comparable with the calculations of similar measures for other entities. Funds from operations, as presented, is not intended to represent operating cash flow or operating profits for the period nor should it be viewed as an alternative to net income or other measures of financial performance calculated in accordance with GAAP. We consider funds from operations to be a key measure of operating performance as it demonstrates Freehold's ability to generate the necessary funds to fund capital expenditures, sustain dividends, and repay debt. We believe that such a measure provides a useful assessment of Freehold's operations on a continuing basis by eliminating certain non-cash charges. It is also used by research analysts to value and compare oil and gas companies, and it is frequently included in their published research when providing investment recommendations. Funds from operations per share is calculated based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding consistent with the calculation of net income per share.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Within this news release, references are made to terms commonly used as key performance indicators in the oil and natural gas industry. We believe that operating income, operating netback, net debt obligations, and net debt to funds from operations are useful supplemental measures for management and investors to analyze operating performance, financial leverage, and liquidity, and we use these terms to facilitate the understanding and comparability of our results of operations and financial position. However, these terms do not have any standardized meanings prescribed by GAAP and therefore may not be comparable with the calculations of similar measures for other entities.
Operating income, which is calculated as gross revenue less royalties and operating expenses, represents the cash margin for product sold. Operating netback, which is calculated as average unit sales price less royalties and operating expenses, represents the cash margin for product sold, calculated on a per boe basis. Net debt obligations is long- term debt less working capital (current assets less current liabilities). Net debt to funds from operations is calculated as net debt as a proportion of funds from operations for the previous twelve months. In addition, we refer to various per boe figures, such as revenues and costs, also considered non-GAAP measures, which provide meaningful information on our operational performance. We derive per boe figures by dividing the relevant revenue or cost figure by the total volume of oil and natural gas production during the period, with natural gas converted to equivalent barrels of oil as described above.
Availability on SEDAR
Freehold's 2014 audited financial statements and accompanying Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) are being filed today with Canadian securities regulators and will be available at www.sedar.com and on our website at www.freeholdroyalties.com. Our Annual Information Form (including reserves disclosure required under National Instrument NI 51-101) is expected to be filed on or about March 9, 2015.
Contact Information:
Matt Donohue
Manager, Investor Relations
403.221.0833 / tf. 1.888.257.1873
403.221.0888 (FAX)
mdonohue@rife.com
www.freeholdroyalties.com