CALGARY, AB --(Marketwired - November 07, 2017) - Parex Resources
Inc. ("Parex" or the "Company") (TSX: PXT), a company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta and
focused on Colombian oil exploration and production, announces its 2018 production and capital budget guidance. All amounts
herein are in United States dollars ("USD").
2018 Production and Base Capital Budget Guidance
Parex has a robust asset portfolio that allows for a growing and a self-funded business model. Assuming a full year 2018 Brent
oil price scenario of approximately $55 per barrel ("bbl"), our 2018 production and capital budget guidance is as follows:
1. Full Year Production: 41,000-43,000 boe/d
- 2018 average production of approximately 41,000-43,000barrels of oil equivalent per day ("boe/d"), an increase of 16-21%
over our expected 2017 full year average production rate of approximately 35,400 boe/d;
- Maintaining a production split that is greater than 99% crude oil;
- Based on the current evaluation of our existing portfolio of development and exploration opportunities, Parex anticipates
production growth of 10%-20% in 2019.
2. Capital Expenditures: $260-$290 million
Brent Oil Price Assumption $55 per barrel (Estimated
USD millions) Maintenance & Development Capital 14 wells (7.7 net) Growth Capital 30-36 wells (20.7-24.8 net) |
$90 $170-$200 |
Total 2018 Capital Budget (44-50 wells) |
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$260-$290 |
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Maintenance & Development Capital: $90 million
- Capital is used to generate a forecast base average production rate of 38,000 boe/d;
- Drill 14 gross (7.7 net) development wells and enhance production facilities on Block LLA-34;
- Build a flowline from LLA-34 to a regional pipeline (ODL) to provide increased transportation capacity for future growth
volumes and reduce health and safety risks;
- Construct Capachos water disposal and production facilities;
- Includes capital for well work-overs, civil works, production facilities;
- We estimate our 2018 corporate decline rate on base production to be approximately 15%.
Growth Capital: $170-$200 million
- Drill 10-12 Aguas Blancas wells and appraise the southern extent of the West field;
- Drill 3-4 Cabrestero wells, 4 VMM-11 wells and 1-2 DeMares wells;
- Drill 12-14 exploration wells (8.1-9.6 net) including: 5 on Block LLA-34, 3 in the Llanos Basin and 4-6 on the Capachos,
DeMares, VMM-9 and VIM-1 blocks;
- Conduct 400 km2 of 3D seismic for $15 million on Block VMM-9;
- Risked oil production from our growth capital is budgeted to average 3,000-5,000 boe/d in 2018, subject to the drill
schedule timing.
Balance Sheet Strength Provides Program Flexibility
We expect that our 2018 Capital budget of approximately $260-$290 million will be fully funded from funds flow
from operations at current Brent strip pricing. As at September 30, 2017 Parex had an undrawn credit facility of $100 million,
positive working capital of approximately $140 million and has no bank debt. Free cash flow may be allocated to business
development and/or share buybacks ("Normal Course Issuer Bid").
2018 Cash Netback Estimates
We have actively managed our portfolio and assets to remain profitable in a low oil price environment.
Defining our cash netbacks as the operating netback less G&A, finance expenses and tax expenses, we forecast our 2018 cash
netbacks as follows:
- At Brent $45/bbl à $15/boe
- At Brent $50/bbl à $18/boe
- At Brent $55/bbl à $21/boe
- At Brent $60/bbl à $24/boe
Included in the cash netback is approximately $0.75/boe of decommissioning and environmental obligation
settlement costs.
Advisories
Certain information regarding Parex set forth in this document contains forward-looking statements that
involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. The use of any of the words "plan", "expect", "prospective",
"project", "intend", "believe", "should", "anticipate", "estimate", "forecast", "budget" or other similar words, or statements
that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements
represent Parex' internal projections, estimates or beliefs concerning, among other things, future growth, results of operations,
production, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof), competitive
advantages, plans for and results of drilling activity, business prospects and opportunities. These statements are only
predictions and actual events or results may differ materially. Although the Company's management believes that the expectations
reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance
or achievement since such expectations are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and
social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors could cause Parex' actual results to differ materially from those expressed
or implied in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, Parex.
In particular, forward-looking statements contained in this document include, but are not limited to, statements with respect
to the performance characteristics of the Company's oil properties; the Company's anticipated 2018 capital budget, including the
amount thereof; the Company's expected 2016 full year average production rate, forecasted 2018 average production based on
certain oil prices, and anticipated production growth in 2018; the Company's 2018 capital expenditure budget, including the
expected allocations of such expenditures to each of maintenance and development capital, appraisal growth capital and
exploration growth capital; the Company's anticipated drilling, development, exploration and other growth plans within its
capital expenditure budget, including the Company's plans to fulfill certain farm-in and other earning commitments; the Company's
belief that its capital budget will be fully funded from funds flow from operations at current Brent strip pricing; Parex'
anticipated debt levels; the Company's anticipated cash netbacks for 2018; financial and business prospects and financial
outlook; and activities to be undertaken in various areas.
These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, the impact of
general economic conditions in Canada and Colombia; prolonged volatility in commodity prices; industry conditions including
changes in laws and regulations including adoption of new environmental laws and regulations, and changes in how they are
interpreted and enforced in Canada and Colombia; competition; lack of availability of qualified personnel; the results of
exploration and development drilling and related activities; obtaining required approvals of regulatory authorities, in Canada
and Colombia; risks associated with negotiating with foreign governments as well as country risk associated with conducting
international activities; volatility in market prices for oil; fluctuations in foreign exchange or interest rates; environmental
risks; changes in income tax laws or changes in tax laws and incentive programs relating to the oil industry; changes to pipeline
capacity; ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources; risks related to the lawsuit brought in Texas
against Parex and certain foreign subsidiaries; failure of counterparties to perform under contracts; risk that Brent oil prices
are lower than anticipated; risk that Parex' evaluation of its existing portfolio of development and exploration opportunities is
not consistent with its expectations; risk that the amounts of operating netbacks, G&A, finance expenses and tax expenses are
higher or lower than anticipated; and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Readers are cautioned
that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Additional information on these and other factors that could affect Parex'
operations and financial results are included in reports on file with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and may be
accessed through the SEDAR website (www.sedar.com).
Although the forward-looking statements contained in this document are based upon assumptions which Management believes to be
reasonable, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements.
With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this document, Parex has made assumptions regarding, among other things:
current and anticipated commodity prices and royalty regimes; availability of skilled labour; timing and amount of capital
expenditures; future exchange rates; the price of oil, including the anticipated Brent oil price; the impact of increasing
competition; conditions in general economic and financial markets; availability of drilling and related equipment; effects of
regulation by governmental agencies; receipt of partner, regulatory and community approvals; royalty rates; future operating
costs; effects of regulation by governmental agencies; uninterrupted access to areas of Parex' operations and infrastructure;
recoverability of reserves and future production rates; the status of litigation; timing of drilling and completion of wells;
on-stream timing of production from successful exploration wells; operational performance of non-operated producing fields;
pipeline capacity; that Parex will have sufficient cash flow, debt or equity sources or other financial resources required to
fund its capital and operating expenditures and requirements as needed; that Parex' conduct and results of operations will be
consistent with its expectations; that Parex will have the ability to develop its oil and gas properties in the manner currently
contemplated; that Parex' evaluation of its existing portfolio of development and exploration opportunities is not consistent
with its expectations; anticipated operating netbacks, G&A, finance expenses and tax expenses for 2018; current or, where
applicable, proposed industry conditions, laws and regulations will continue in effect or as anticipated as described herein;
that the estimates of Parex' reserves volumes and the assumptions related thereto (including commodity prices and development
costs) are accurate in all material respects; that Parex will be able to obtain contract extensions or fulfill the contractual
obligations required to retain its rights to explore, develop and exploit any of its undeveloped properties; and other
matters.
Management has included the above summary of assumptions and risks related to forward-looking information provided in this
document in order to provide shareholders with a more complete perspective on Parex' current and future operations and such
information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Parex' actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially
from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of
the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what benefits Parex will
derive. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this document and Parex disclaims any intent or obligation to
update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise,
other than as required by applicable securities laws.
This press release and, in particular the information in respect of the Company's expected capital expenditures, funds flow
from operations and netbacks for 2018, may contain future oriented financial information ("FOFI") within the meaning of
applicable securities laws. The FOFI has been prepared by management to provide an outlook of the Company's activities and
results and may not be appropriate for other purposes. The FOFI has been prepared based on a number of assumptions including the
assumptions discussed in this press release. The actual results of operations of the Company and the resulting financial results
may vary from the amounts set forth herein, and such variations may be material. The Company and management believe that the FOFI
has been prepared on a reasonable basis, reflecting management's best estimates and judgments. FOFI contained in this press
release was made as of the date of this press release and the press release, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise, unless required pursuant to applicable law.
The term "Bbl" means a barrel of oil equivalent on the basis of 6 Mcf of natural gas to 1 barrel of oil
("bbl"). Bbl's may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A bbl conversation ratio of 6 Mcf: 1 bbl is based on an
energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the
wellhead. Given the value ratio based on the current price of crude oil as compared to natural gas is significantly different
from the energy equivalency of 6 Mcf: 1 bbl, utilizing a conversion ratio at 6 Mcf: 1 bbl may be misleading as an indication of
value.
This press release contains certain oil and gas metrics, including cash netback, which do not have
standardized meanings or standard methods of calculation and therefore such measures may not be comparable to similar measures
used by other companies and should not be used to make comparisons. Such metrics have been included herein to provide readers
with additional measures to evaluate the Company's performance; however, such measures are not reliable indicators of the future
performance of the Company and future performance may not compare to the performance in previous periods and therefore such
metrics should not be unduly relied upon. Cash netback is calculated as operating netback, less G&A, finance expenses and tax
expenses.
Cash netback is not a recognized measure under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and does
not have a standardized meaning. Management believes that such financial measure is useful supplemental information to analyze
operating performance and provide an indication of the results generated by the Company's principal business activities.
Investors should be cautioned that this measure should not be construed as an alternative to other measures of financial
performance as determined in accordance with IFRS. The Company's method of calculating these measures may differ from other
companies, and accordingly, they may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies.