Bonterra Energy Announces Q3 2023 Results Highlighted by Quarter-Over-Quarter Growth in Production, Funds Flow and Net Earnings With 25 Percent Lower Bank Debt

In This Article:

CALGARY, AB, Nov. 8, 2023 /CNW/ - Bonterra Energy Corp. (TSX: BNE) ("Bonterra" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its operating and financial results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023. The related unaudited condensed financial statements and notes, as well as management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A"), are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on Bonterra's website at www.bonterraenergy.com.

FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS


Three months ended

Nine months ended

As at and for the periods ended
($ 000s except for $ per share and $ per BOE)

Sept. 30,
 2023

Sept. 30,
2022

Sept. 30,
 2023

Sept. 30,
2022

FINANCIAL






Revenue - realized oil and gas sales

84,909

88,827

237,778

297,043

Funds flow(1)


42,722

35,454

106,863

144,438

Per share - basic


1.15

0.98

2.87

4.04

Per share - diluted


1.14

0.95

2.86

3.87

Cash flow from operations

37,715

48,810

95,587

148,059

Per share - basic

1.01

1.35

2.57

4.14

Per share - diluted

1.01

1.30

2.56

3.96

Net earnings


13,486

17,696

29,970

61,759

Per share - basic


0.36

0.49

0.81

1.73

Per share - diluted


0.36

0.47

0.80

1.65

Capital expenditures


36,130

20,452

112,469

67,127

Total assets




955,484

948,259

Net debt(2)




167,449

187,128

Bank debt




26,613

74,524

Shareholders' equity




512,479

461,199

OPERATIONS






Light oil

-bbl per day

7,177

6,649

7,176

7,207


-average price ($ per bbl)

104.32

111.44

97.77

116.57

NGLs

-bbl per day

1,410

1,206

1,272

1,119


-average price ($ per bbl)

49.19

64.45

49.08

68.41

Conventional natural gas

-MCF per day

34,241

31,052

32,669

31,333


-average price ($ per MCF)

3.06

4.73

3.27

5.47

Total barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOE)(3)

14,294

13,031

13,893

13,548

(1)     

Funds flow is not a recognized measure under IFRS. For these purposes, the Company defines funds flow as funds provided by operations including proceeds from sale of investments and investment income received excluding the effects of changes in non-cash working capital items and decommissioning expenditures settled.

(2)   

Net debt is not a recognized measure under IFRS. The Company defines net debt as current liabilities less current assets plus long-term bank debt, subordinated debt, subordinated debentures and subordinated term debt.

(3)   

BOE may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A BOE conversion ratio of 6 MCF: 1 bbl is based on an energy conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.

FINANCIAL & OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS

  • Production in Q3 2023 averaged 14,294 BOE per day, a three percent and ten percent increase over Q2 2023 and Q3 2022, respectively, and averaged 13,893 BOE per day in the first nine months of the year, reflecting Bonterra's continued efficient deployment of capital and the outperformance of new wells brought onstream to date in 2023.

  • Funds flow[1] totaled $42.7 million ($1.14 per fully diluted share) in Q3 2023, increasing 23 percent and 20 percent over Q2 2023 and Q3 2022, respectively. During the first nine months of the year, funds flow totaled $106.9 million ($2.86 per fully diluted share).

  • Free funds flow1 totaled $6.6 million in the quarter, directed to reducing net debt, and further advancing the Company's goal of reinstating a sustainable return of capital framework.

  • Net earnings in the third quarter demonstrated full cycle profitability and totaled $13.5 million ($0.36 per diluted share), compared to $8.8 million and $17.7 million in Q2 2023 and Q3 2022, respectively; in the first nine months of 2023, net earnings totaled $30.0 million ($0.80 per diluted share).

  • Field netbacks1 averaged $40.38 per BOE in Q3 2023, an increase of 10 percent and 12 percent over Q2 2023 and Q3 2022; cash netbacks in the same period averaged $32.48 per BOE, an increase of 17 percent and 10 percent over Q2 2023 and Q3 2022, respectively, supported by higher field netbacks and streamlined general and administrative ("G&A") expenses per BOE.

  • Production costs of $16.61 per BOE in Q3 2023 decreased by two percent and 18 percent compared to Q2 2023 and Q3 2022, respectively, due to lower well maintenance costs for well reactivations and the benefit of higher volumes from new wells which drive reduced per unit costs. Production costs for the first nine months of 2023 were $17.00 per BOE, a five percent decrease over the same period in 2022.

  • Capital expenditures in the quarter totaled $36.1 million, of which $27.5 million was directed to the drilling of 12 gross (11.8 net) operated wells while 13 gross (13.0 net) operated wells were completed, equipped, and tied-in. Consistent with the end of Q2, Bonterra continued to have three drilled but uncompleted development wells at quarter-end. Two of the three wells were placed on production early in Q4 2023 and the remaining well is expected to be placed on production early in Q1 2024. Within the capital expenditures for the quarter, Bonterra drilled an exploration Montney well which was completed subsequent to quarter-end. The well is in early stages of flow back with an extended flow test planned in 2024.

  • Net debt1 totaled $167.4 million at September 30, 2023, representing a one percent decline from the previous quarter but a nine percent decrease from Q1 2023, a period during which the Company front end weighted its 2023 capital program. Bank debt at quarter-end decreased by 25 percent over June 30, 2023, reflecting a streamlined capital program combined with increased production levels and enhanced cash flow.