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Exall Energy Corporation Announces Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010


Published on 2010-05-11 05:10:41 - Market Wire
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CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - May 11, 2010) - Exall Energy Corporation ("Exall") (TSX:EE) is pleased to announce its financial and operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2010. Exall's public filings can all be found at [ www.exall.com ] or [ www.sedar.com ].


Current Production Status

Completion of the waterflood approval and facilities construction phase has precipitated a jump in production rates and cash flow for the Company in the first quarter of 2010 to an average of 814 boe/d with a March 31, 2010 production rate of approximately 1,000 boe/d. With the continued drilling success Exall has achieved with its winter drilling program, and the successful tying in of its 12-25 discovery well, Exall will be producing at a rate of approximately 1,400 boe/d with another 150 boe/d awaiting ERCB approval.

Highlights of the three months ended March 31, 2010 include:

  • A first quarter 2010 production average of 814 boe per day an 18 percent increase over the same quarter in 2009 and an 83 percent increase over the fourth quarter 2009 production average,

  • The successful drilling of 2.0 gross (1.39 net) wells in the Marten Mountain / Mitsue area,

  • The approval of the amended application to the ERCB (Alberta Energy Resources Conservation Board) to implement an enhanced oil recovery scheme by water injection at Exall's Marten Mountain property, in the Mitsue Gilwood A Pool. As a result of the approval, the Marten Mountain 100/02-12-75-6W5 well was granted Good Production Practice (GPP) status and placed on waterflood,

  • The acquisition of 2,600 gross (1,716 net) acres of undeveloped land in Mitsue, Alberta, and

  • The issuance of 5,774,851 common shares for gross proceeds of $3,753,653 by way of a brokered private placement through D & D Securities Company.

HIGHLIGHTSThree months ended March 31
2010 2009 % change
Financial ($)
Gross revenue5,360,889 2,955,661 81
Funds from operations1,893,506 1,123,112 69
Basic and diluted per share0.04 0.02 65
Net income (loss)(125,367)(944,609)87
Basic and diluted per share(0.00)(0.02)87
Capital expenditures, net5,334,772 533,016 901
Net debt8,442,423 5,483,765 40
Operations
Daily production
Crude oil (bbl)693 577 20
Natural gas liquids (bbl)13 14 (7)
Natural gas (mcf)648 598 9
Total daily production (boe @ 6:1)814 690 18
Netback per boe (6:1) ($)33.59 23.97 40

Overview

First quarter 2010 production increased 18 percent to 814 boe per day from 690 barrels of oil per day ("boe/d") in the first quarter of 2009, and 83 percent from the 444 boe/d in the fourth quarter of 2009. This increase was primarily the result of the June 30, 2009 approval for Waterflood Project status and Good Production Practice (GPP) from the ERCB. With the approvals in place Exall built a pipeline and battery facility which allow for higher production rates from the 14-1 and 2-12 wells. Additionally, water source and injection wells in the Marten Mountain area were completed and equipped in the third quarter of 2009 and were operational during the third quarter of 2009. Prior to the GPP approval, the 14-1 well was restricted to a daily allowable production rate of 148 (90 net) boe/d. With the GPP and waterflood in place the 14-1 well produced an average of 615 (406 net) boe/d during first quarter of 2010.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Production

Three months ended March 31
Daily production2010 2009% Change
Oil (bbl/d)69357720
NGLs (bbl/d)1314(8)
Natural gas (mcf/d)6485988
Total production (boe/d) (6:1)81469018

For the first quarter of 2010 oil and natural gas liquids accounted for 87 percent of production which is expected to continue to increase significantly as oil production from the successful first quarter 2010 drilling program is brought on stream and a future GPP application for waterflood is approved and implemented in late 2010. The 12-25 well which was successfully drilled during the first quarter will be produced during the second and third quarters to its allowable maximum of 40,000 bbls, after which it will be shut-in to retire any over production and obtain valuable reservoir information. The 12-25 well will then be placed back on production at a restricted daily allowable rate of 165 (115 net) barrels of oil per day in the latter half of the third quarter of 2010 until GPP is approved by the ERCB for the well.

Commodity Pricing

Three months ended March 31
Average sales prices realized2010 2009% Change
Oil ($/bbls)79.5750.5957
NGLs ($/bbls)67.8643.9055
Natural gas ($/mcf)5.515.098
Weighted average ($/boe) (6:1)73.2147.5654

The average price received per boe in the first quarter of 2010 increased 54 percent over the same period in 2009 to $73.21 and by 11 percent from the fourth quarter of 2009. The price for light, sweet oil at Edmonton in the first quarter of 2010 averaged $80.31 per barrel, up from an average of $76.70 in the fourth quarter of 2009 and a low of $40.15 in February 2009. Alberta natural gas at AECO averaged $5.39 per mcf in the first quarter of 2009 and is currently trading at approximately $3.50 per mcf. The Company's Marten Mountain oil production attracts a price approximating the Edmonton light, sweet oil price due to its high quality. The Company has not entered into any commodity hedges to date.

Oil & Gas Sales & Other Revenue

Three months ended March 31
2010 2009
$%$%
Oil4,960,817932,627,37989
NGLs78,516154,6562
Natural gas321,5666273,6269
Total5,360,8991002,955,661100

Oil and gas revenue in the first quarter of 2010 increased 81 percent from the same period in 2009 as a result of the 57 percent increase commodity prices and the 18 percent increase in production from 2009 to 2010.

Royalties

Three months ended March 31
20102009% Change
Royalties $2,384,7251,046,646128
Average royalty rate (%)443526
Royalties ($/boe)32.5716.8493

The increased royalty rates in the first quarter of 2010, compared with those in the first quarter of 2009, were the result of higher rates incurred by the high volume horizontal wells in the Marten Mountain area. The increase was additionally enhanced by the fact that in the first quarter of 2009 royalty rates where down as a result of the low commodity price environment.

Royalty rates for the second and third quarter of 2010 are anticipated to be lower as the 12-25 well, which was successfully drilled during the first quarter, will be produced from April to July to the New Oil Well Production Period ("NOWPP") allowable maximum of 40,000 bbls during which time the well will have a royalty rate of 5 percent. The 12-25 well will remain at the 5 percent royalty rate for an additional 10,000 bbls of production, after which the royalty rate will move to the Transitional Royalty Rate Framework which is anticipated to be between 35 percent and 40 percent depending upon commodity prices.

Operating Expenses

Three months ended March 31
20102009% Change
Operating expenses $516,791421,13223
Operating expenses ($/boe)7.066.784

Operating expenses during the first quarter of 2010 increased 23 percent compared to the first quarter of 2009 primarily due to the 18 percent increase in production. On a per boe basis, operating costs have increased marginally due to one-time operational expenses related to bringing the 02-12 well on GPP during the first quarter of 2010.

Operating expenses, on a per boe basis, for the first quarter of 2010 have decreased 29 percent to $7.06 from the 2009 annual rate of $9.12, and have decreased 24 percent from the $8.75 recorded during the fourth quarter of 2009. Exall's expectation is that operating costs will continue to decline as additional infrastructure is completed in the Marten Mountain area and additional wells are granted GPP, allowing for higher production rates at Marten Mountain.

Operating Netback

Exall realized the following netbacks from oil and gas operations:

Three months ended March 31
Netback per boe (6:1) $2010 2009% Change
Production revenue73.2147.5654
Royalties32.5716.8493
Operating expenses7.066.784
Operating netbacks ($/boe)33.5823.9440

Operating netbacks in the first quarter of 2010 increased 40 percent to $33.58 per boe compared to the first quarter 2009 operating netbacks of $23.94 per boe. This is primarily the result of overall commodity prices (specifically for oil) being substantially improved for the first quarter of 2010 compared with those in the first quarter of 2009. Operating netback improvements were limited due to the fact that royalty rates in the first quarter of 2010 increased 93 percent compared to those in the first quarter of 2009 primarily as a result of the low commodity price being received in the first quarter of 2009.

Operating netbacks for the second and third quarter of 2010 are anticipated to be higher as the 12-25 well, which was successfully drilled during the first quarter, will be produced from April to July to the new well incentive allowable maximum of 40,000 bbls during which time the well will have a royalty rate of 5 percent. The 12-25 well will remain at the 5 percent royalty rate for an additional 10,000 bbls of production, after which the royalty rate will move to the Transitional Royalty Rate Framework which is anticipated to be between 35 percent and 40 percent depending upon commodity prices.

General & Administrative Expenses and Stock-Based Compensation Expenses

Three months ended March 31
$20102009% Change
Administration, net456,441335,19136
Stock-based compensation60,495117,230(48)

General and administration costs represent the costs required to effectively operate a public company. The increase in costs in 2010 reflects the one-time payment of bonuses ($169,500 to various employees and directors of the Company) approved by the compensation committee and the board of directors as a result of the significant drilling successes achieved in the Marten Mountain, Mitsue area. Management is continually monitoring general and administrative expenses to ensure that they are being managed effectively and efficiently.

Stock-based compensation expense represents the expense for options granted and are recorded over the vesting period of the options. Additional unamortized stock-based compensation costs will be charged to income over the remaining vesting period of the options outstanding as well as any additional options that may be granted in the future. See note 7 of the financial statements for additional details on the options granted and outstanding.

Depletion, Depreciation and Accretion (DD&A)

Three months ended March 31
$20102009% Change
Depletion and depreciation expense1,968,0112,220,037(11)
Accretion expense12,1668,40145
Total1,980,1782,229,421(11)
$/boe27.0435.88(25)

Depletion is calculated using the unit-of-production method based on total estimated proved reserves. DD&A for the first quarter of 2010 was $1,980,178 or $27.04 per boe compared to $2,229,421 or $35.88 per boe for the same period in 2009. DD&A expense per boe in 2010 have declined from 2009 due to additional reserves being recognized by our independent reserves evaluator, primarily due to the successful drilling at Marten Mountain, Alberta. The Company's ceiling test calculation, performed at the period-end, resulted in no additional write downs being recorded.

Net Income and Funds from Operations

Three months ended March 31
$2010 2009
Net income (loss)(125,367)(944,609)
Basic and diluted per share(0.00)(0.02)
Funds from operations1,893,506 1,123,112
Basic and diluted per share0.04 0.02

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Exall has a revolving demand credit facility with a Canadian chartered bank for $6.5 million that bears interest at the lender's base prime rate plus 1.25 percent which is reviewed periodically by the bank. In addition, Exall has a fixed demand credit facility with a private merchant bank for $2.0 million that bears interest at the 12.5 percent which is due May 31, 2010.

At March 31, 2010, the Company had approximately $4.4 million outstanding on its revolving credit facility, $1.75 million outstanding on its fixed credit facility and an approximate working capital deficiency of $2.3 million for total net debt of approximately $8.4 million. On March 22, 2010 and April 05, 2010 Exall announced that it has raised gross proceeds of $3,704,903 by way of a brokered private placement through D & D Securities Company. The net funds from the financing and cash flow from operations during the first quarter of 2010 were used to fund the Company's winter drilling program. Cash flows from increased production levels in 2010 will be used to reduce Exall's working capital deficiency and fund the balance of the Company's 2010 capital program.

During the period ended March 31, 2010, the Company used bank debt, the merchant bank facility, and cash flow from operations to fund capital expenditures and other requirements. For the nine months remaining in fiscal 2010, the Company's capital expenditures will be limited by the cash flow available from operations, additional debt or equity as market conditions may allow and potential asset sales if the Company so chooses.

Capital Expenditures

Oil and gas exploration and development expenditures were $5,334,772 for the first quarter of 2010 as compared to $533,016 for the first quarter of 2009. During the first quarter of 2010 the Company participated in drilling of 1.0 gross well (0.73 net) in the Marten Mountain / Mitsue area, which was a dual leg horizontal well and 1.0 gross well (0.66 net), which was a single leg horizontal well. The Company acquired 2,600 gross (1,716 net) acres of undeveloped land in the Mitsue area. The Company has 17,451 acres (10,217 acres net) of undeveloped land in Canada.

Outlook

In January 2010 Exall announced the completion and commissioning of an oil production pipeline and battery facilities, and the approval of the waterflood project and Good Production Practice (GPP) status for the wells in the Marten Mountain area of Alberta. All facilities and all approvals were in place and the project was on stream at full rates in February 2010. The proven reserves and production capability established by the wells are expected to increase the corporate cash flow and borrowing power sufficiently to fund further development of that key property, as well as other assets owned by the Company.

Exall has focused its capital in development of the Marten Mountain Prospect area. A "B" Sand prospect as previously announced by Exall was drilled as a horizontal well. Over a three day test period the well flowed 600 barrels of 40° API sweet oil and 110 MCFPD of solution gas (620 BOEPD, 445 BOEPD net). The well is immediately adjacent to the Exall pipeline completed in Q4 of last year and is already completed and tied and on production.

A Marten Mountain "A" Sand extension test well was also drilled, as a multi-lateral horizontal well from a common cased wellbore. The well penetrated both "A" and "B" sands with encouraging hydrocarbon shows in both zones on initial completion. A work-over program is planned for the well this summer once permanent access is established.

The wells drilled this winter have established continued sand development on the original Marten Mountain sand trend as well as a new trend with all-weather access. A number of offset drilling opportunities have been identified by the wells and, as the drilling rig was racked on site, the first well will be spud immediately after breakup. Exall plans to drill two to four wells on the "B" Sand trend through the summer as well as two additional wells on the "A" Sand trend after freeze-up next winter. The ability to continue development of this key property through the summer is an exciting change for the Company as access to new drilling had been limited to winter season until discovery of the "B" Sand trend. Summer access will allow Exall to accelerate development plans in the Marten Mountain area.

A major challenge over the past year has been the imposition of the New Royalty Framework ("NRF") in Alberta. Changes have been introduced to the NRF by the Government of Alberta, including Transitional Royalty rates and drilling incentives, with the objective of alleviating the excessive royalty burden of the NRF and to spur drilling have improved the economics of drilling activity in the province. The Government of Alberta has made some significant permanent changes in the Modified Royalty Framework ("MRF") which has several features which will directly affect the future of Exall. The most significant of the changes to Exall are:

  1. The reduction of maximum royalty rate paid on high-rate oil wells from 50 percent to 40 percent starting in January 2011. This change will have a direct impact on the cash flow of Exall. The two Marten Mountain wells currently producing on GPP have been subject to the 50 percent maximum royalty rate since they went on production. The 10 percent reduction at $80 per barrel adds $8 to the operating netback, currently about $35 per barrel, bringing it to $43 per barrel.
  1. Continuation of the 5 percent cap on royalties for the first year or first 50,000 barrels of oil as a permanent program. Netbacks for new wells producing under this program are expected to be over $70 per barrel. Although this program was already in place, the Government has now made assurances that this will be a permanent feature in the Modified Royalty Framework. After the first 50,000 barrels produced new oil wells will be subject to a maximum royalty of 40 percent.
  1. Continuation of the Drilling Credits of $200 per meter to the end of its proposed term at April 1, 2011. Again, this was already in place but we now have the certainty for the planning of the next winter season drilling program.

Completion of the waterflood approval and facilities construction phase has precipitated a jump in production rates and cash flow for the Company starting in January 2010. With the continued drilling success Exall has managed to finance activities through cash flow, increased debt and limited equity issues. The new Modified Royalty Framework provides the necessary incentive to continue to aggressively exploit the high-productivity light, sweet oil assets the Company holds in the Marten Mountain property.

Exall is a light oil-weighted company with high operating margins. Starting from a modest production base of light oil and gas, the Company has shown itself capable of setting and achieving ambitious production and cash flow targets. This puts the Company in a favorable position to exploit existing opportunities and potentially take advantage of opportunities that arise. Exall will continue to focus on organic growth through exploitation and expansion of its existing oil producing properties.

About Exall

Exall is a junior oil and gas company active in its business of oil and gas exploration, development and production from its properties in Alberta, British Columbia and Texas. Exall Energy is currently developing the new Mitsue area "Marten Mountain" discovery in north-central Alberta.

Exall Energy currently has 52,147,745 common shares outstanding. The Company's common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol EE.

Reader Advisory

This news release contains forward-looking statements, which are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those relating to results of operations and financial condition, capital spending, financing sources, commodity prices and costs of production. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, actual results may differ materially from those predicted. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in such statements, and there is no assurance that actual results will be consistent with them. Such factors include fluctuating commodity prices, capital spending and costs of production, and other factors described in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form under the heading "Risk Factors" which has been filed electronically by means of the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval ("SEDAR") located at [ www.sedar.com ]. Such forward-looking statements are made as at the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them, either publicly or otherwise, to reflect new events, information or circumstances, except as may be required under applicable securities law.

For the purposes of calculating unit costs, natural gas has been converted to a barrel of oil equivalent (boe) using 6,000 cubic feet equal to one barrel (6:1), unless otherwise stated. The boe conversion ratio of 6 mcf: 1 bbl is based on an energy equivalency conversion method and does not represent a value equivalency; therefore boe may be misleading if used in isolation. This conversion conforms to the Canadian Securities Regulators' National Instrument 51-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities.