Bonterra shareholders will benefit from being
part of a stronger, more efficient Cardium Champion
The combined entity has many positive attributes that lead to a
clear path to significant share price appreciation
Bonterra has no standalone plan to create shareholder value;
only to add more leverage and hope for better commodity prices
which is clearly inferior to our Offer
Bonterra's Board is conflicted and not working in the best
interest of its shareholders
Obsidian Energy is encouraged by initial discussions with Bonterra
shareholders since making the Offer
Proposed Bonterra EDC and BDC financings will restrict
Bonterra's ability to pay cash dividends for up to four
years
CALGARY, AB, Oct. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - OBSIDIAN ENERGY LTD.
(TSX: OBE) (OTCQX: OBELF) ("Obsidian Energy", "we", or "our") today
wrote the following letter to Bonterra Energy Corp. ("Bonterra")
shareholders to ensure they had a clear understanding of the
benefits of being part of the Cardium Champion, they were aware of
the actions of the Bonterra Board of Directors and that they were
able to make their own, fully-informed decision on Obsidian
Energy's offer (the "Offer") to purchase all of the outstanding
Bonterra common shares ("Bonterra Shares") in consideration for two
Obsidian Energy common shares ("Obsidian Shares") for each Bonterra
Share tendered to the Offer.
October 14, 2020
Dear Bonterra Shareholders,
Last week, Bonterra Energy Corp.'s Board of Directors (the
"Bonterra Board") made an ill-informed recommendation that you
reject our offer (the "Offer") to purchase all of Bonterra's issued
and outstanding shares for consideration of two common shares of
Obsidian Energy Ltd. for each Bonterra share. Despite having
destroyed approximately $1 billion in
shareholder value over the last four years in no small part due to
the mismanagement of Bonterra's balance sheet, which has resulted
in the elimination of the monthly dividend payment to Bonterra's
shareholders, Bonterra's Board has failed to develop an alternative
strategy to deliver improvements to their balance sheet and drive
equity share price appreciation. Their only plan is to add more
debt to an already over-leveraged balance sheet, in their attempt
to preserve the status quo, all with obvious disregard to your best
interests and the best interests of Bonterra.
We believe that our Offer provides a compelling opportunity for
you to own a substantial stake in a stronger combined entity with
an improved financial position, enhanced access to capital, greater
scale and future growth opportunities. As we have previously
disclosed in our Offer letter and corresponding shareholder
presentation, we estimate the implied value of Bonterra shares
could increase by over ~375% to $6.40
per Bonterra share by the end of 2021 and by over 670% to
~$10.40 per Bonterra share by the end
of 2022, as our plan is executed and recognized by equity
markets.1 Accordingly, we strongly believe that
owning shares in the combined entity will provide far greater value
– and significantly less risk – than you will face if Bonterra
remains a standalone company. Our early discussions with Bonterra
shareholders have strengthened our belief that informed
shareholders see the merits of our Offer and we remain committed to
completing this transaction.
Given the extensive discussions we've had with our lenders
and noteholders, including sharing our detailed business plan with
them, we remain confident in our ability to obtain formal approval
for our Offer, though no formal approval has yet been
requested. We offered to share our detailed financing plan
with Bonterra and their financial advisor under the proviso that
there was good faith intent on Bonterra's part to work towards a
definitive transaction, but they refused to engage. As a
result, given the Bonterra Board's unwillingness to consider a
value-creating combination with Obsidian Energy or any other
counterparty, and their lack of strategy to reduce leverage or
improve per-share value for Bonterra shareholders in the future, we
are providing further information below to explain why we believe
our Offer is in your best interests.
THE OFFER IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF BONTERRA
SHAREHOLDERS
Acceptance of our Offer will create "The Cardium Champion" with
a far superior future than Bonterra could achieve on a standalone
basis. You will benefit from being part of a combined entity with a
lower cost structure, improved capital efficiency and the ability
to generate substantially more free cash flow allowing for
accelerated debt repayment, an improved financial position, and a
clear path to significant share price appreciation. Our Offer
provides Bonterra shareholders with an outcome that is both
accretive and de-leveraging – a rare combination for share exchange
transactions.
Bonterra shareholders will benefit more from the combined
entity than Bonterra remaining a standalone company
- The combined entity's increased size will make us a top 20
Western Canadian oil producer, with improved financial metrics,
increased capital markets relevance and enhanced positioning for
future Cardium consolidation.
- The combined entity will have a strong operating platform with
a low decline production base, low cost structure and high
netbacks.
- With improved efficiencies, we expect that the combined entity
will save over $100 million in
synergies over the first three years2, driving increased
cash flow.
- Higher free cash flow will allow for accelerated debt
repayment, lower credit risk, improved access to capital and
ultimately, the reinstatement of cash dividend payments and/or a
share buy-back program. Specifically, Obsidian Energy expects
that the combined entity will achieve 2021E funds flow per Bonterra
share of $3.44 versus $1.94 per Bonterra share on a standalone basis (a
77% improvement for the combined entity, relative to Bonterra
standalone). Through 2024 we project to deliver more than
$300 million of cumulative free cash
flow from the combined entity, which would be used to reduce debt
resulting in a total debt to last twelve months ("LTM") EBITDA of
approximately 1.2x by year-end 2024. This is dramatically better
than the Bonterra standalone year-end 2024 Net Debt-to-LTM EBITDA
of >3x, as projected by Obsidian Energy.3
The Offer is a fair, compelling opportunity to create a
stronger, well positioned company
- We carefully considered many factors in making our Offer and we
believe it is fair. Bonterra would contribute approximately 33%
of total production, cash flow, PDP reserves and drilling inventory
to the combined entity, compared to approximately 67% contributed
by Obsidian Energy. Despite this, at a 2x exchange ratio, Bonterra
shareholders would own approximately 48% of the combined entity,
resulting in an implicit premium paid to Bonterra shareholders.
- The combined entity would initially drill Obsidian Energy's
deep inventory of higher return Willesden Green wells, which are
superior to Bonterra's highest return wells, to drive improved
financial performance.
- We recognize that we have a higher decommissioning liability
than Bonterra. However, this is a long-term liability and has been
fully accounted for in our financial modeling and business plan. Of
note, most of these obligations are in the Cardium where the
combined entity will continue to operate for decades to come. As a
result, the obligations will be remediated over the normal course
of our future and long-term business operations.
IN CONTRAST, BONTERRA HAS NO PLAN TO REDUCE DEBT OR CREATE
SHAREHOLDER VALUE
Adding more debt is not a sustainable business
strategy
- Bonterra is already over-levered. This burden is reflected in
the price of your Bonterra shares and evidenced by Bonterra's now
monthly credit facility extensions. Taking on even more debt to add
production in a low-price environment only adds more risk and fails
to address Bonterra's underlying leverage challenges.
- We struggle to understand Bonterra's strategy of taking on new
and excessive levels of debt to grow production in a low oil price
environment, especially given the fact that Bonterra purposefully
under-spent cash-flow during 2019 when oil prices were much higher
to achieve their then stated goal of debt reduction. This is the
equivalent to a strategy of intentionally buying high and selling
low.
- Consolidation that builds scale and lowers costs is needed in
our industry, and we expect to continue to lead the way in future
consolidation in the Cardium to drive further financial accretion.
Simply put, larger and more efficient companies, like a combined
Obsidian Energy and Bonterra, can generate increased free cash
flow, allowing for debt reduction and value creation for
shareholders while also reducing reliance on semi-annual credit
facility redeterminations.
Bonterra's claims of $104
million of new credit availability is highly misleading and
significantly overstates Bonterra's potential incremental
liquidity
- Contrary to what Bonterra has told you, the $21 million awards in the Site Rehabilitation
Program ("SRP") funds are not a credit commitment to Bonterra and
are not available to Bonterra in the form of new liquidity. In
fact, these funds will be provided directly to Bonterra's service
providers only to be used for decommissioning activity.
- The $38.4 million of Export
Development Canada ("EDC") funds do not increase Bonterra's
available liquidity, but rather only reduces existing lenders'
commitments to Bonterra; thus their current $300 million credit facility will remain
unchanged.
- The $45 million of Business
Development Canada ("BDC") funds do provide liquidity to Bonterra
(if approved by lenders), but these funds have restricted uses and
introduce future restrictions that could directly impact
shareholder value.
Restrictions on Bonterra's proposed EDC and BDC funding
prevent it from paying cash dividends or buying back shares for up
to four years
- Bonterra was not transparent in their Directors' Circular
that as a condition of the EDC and BDC funds, the Bonterra Board is
restricted from paying cash dividends or buying back shares for a
period of up to four years (in the case of BDC) or until the funds
have been repaid. In addition, the BDC funds can only be used
for daily operations and to restore production to 2019 levels, not
beyond. Furthermore, the BDC funds, if approved, are not a solution
to Bonterra's ongoing short-term credit facility extensions. As per
our understanding, these funds only provide a standstill for 120
days with bank lenders, following which Bonterra will again be
exposed to potential actions by its lenders.
- Notwithstanding restrictions from the incremental funding, and
as discussed in our original offer letter, our analysis shows
that growing production on a Bonterra standalone basis at current
strip prices adds a negligible amount of incremental value and is a
vastly inferior outcome to combining with Obsidian Energy on the
terms of the Offer.
Obsidian Energy's operational performance is superior to
Bonterra's
- While the past five years have been a difficult period for the
entire industry, Bonterra's actions, including its inability to
take tangible actions to reduce leverage and land on a sustainable
capital structure, has ultimately resulted in the destruction of
approximately $1 billion dollars in
shareholder value, resulting in some of the lowest total
shareholder returns in the industry over this timeframe.
- By contrast, under the oversight of Obsidian Energy's Board of
Directors, our management team has been rejuvenated and the new
team has come in with fresh ideas and determination that has
already driven demonstrable improvements in Obsidian Energy's
performance.
-
- While we are not satisfied with our share price performance
over the past 12 months, Obsidian Energy's shares have outperformed
Bonterra's and most of our peers.
- Over the past 12 months, Obsidian Energy has reduced total
cash costs to produce a barrel of oil equivalent ("boe") by
approximately 43%, while Bonterra has achieved no real
reduction.4
- Despite a decline in WTI crude oil prices of approximately 51%
from Q3 2019 to Q2 2020 Obsidian Energy's operating netbacks
dropped only 22%, compared to a 61% reduction in Bonterra's
netback, over the same period. In our most recently reported
second quarter 2020, Obsidian Energy's outperformance continued,
with netbacks exceeding Bonterra's by $5.20 per boe, a 55% premium on a comparable
basis.5
- Since 2019, driven by our top-tier performance from our
light-oil rich Willesden Green development, in conjunction with our
significantly reduced operating and administrative expenses, we
estimate a US$10 WTI/bbl reduction to
our go forward break-even cost per barrel of approximately
US$40 WTI/bbl for
2021.6
BONTERRA'S BOARD IS ENTRENCHED AND NOT WORKING IN THE BEST
INTERESTS OF SHAREHOLDERS
We acknowledge that George Fink,
Bonterra's Chairman and CEO, founded Bonterra and has led Bonterra
since its inception. We respect the high-quality asset position
that Mr. Fink has assembled for Bonterra shareholders. However,
Bonterra is a public company owned by its shareholders, and
consistent with their fiduciary obligations, Mr. Fink and the
Bonterra Board have a responsibility in the face of a bona
fide offer, such as ours, to consider all alternatives to
maximize value for Bonterra and its stakeholders. They are failing
to do so. We strongly believe that a merger between Obsidian Energy
and Bonterra is in your best interest.
The Bonterra Board is entrenched and not willing to engage
to understand the merits of our Offer
- The Bonterra Board appears to be more concerned about
preserving the status quo than considering what is best for the
future of Bonterra and its shareholders. We have made several
attempts since late 2018 to discuss the merits of a merger between
our two companies. Despite Mr. Fink agreeing that a combination
between Obsidian Energy and Bonterra "made a lot of sense", the
Bonterra Board has been unwilling to advance these
discussions.7
- Even after stating that we would consider improving our Offer
in the event that the Bonterra Board could demonstrate that greater
value was warranted, as well as conceding that we would consider
social issues inherent in such a transaction – and despite Mr. Fink
saying publicly that "there are a lot of positives putting the two
entities together"8 – Bonterra's Board has refused to
engage with us and has been unwilling to advance discussions to
understand the merits of the proposed transaction.
- In the same vein, Bonterra's Board has said publicly that
Obsidian Energy has no plan for Bonterra's assets. Bonterra's Board
knows that this is not true. Not only have we created a very
detailed plan for the combined entity, including how to best
leverage our combined operational and financial performance, we
offered to share this plan with the Bonterra Board provided that
there was a good faith intent on Bonterra's part to work towards a
definitive transaction, but they refused to engage.
The Bonterra Board is conflicted and has put their own
self interests ahead of shareholders
- Shortly after receiving an email on June
15, 2020, from the Interim CEO of Obsidian Energy stating
that Obsidian Energy's Board of Directors had authorized him to
make a formal offer to Bonterra's Board, Mr. Fink – without
disclosing this information to the public and while these
discussions were open and ongoing – purchased additional
Bonterra shares on June 17,
June 25, June
26 and June 29,
2020.9
- The Bonterra Board has many interconnected business
relationships that give Mr. Fink undue influence over a number of
directors in a manner that could influence their ability to make
independent decisions.
-
- Bonterra's Chairman and CEO, Mr. Fink, and two other Bonterra
directors also sit on the Board of Directors of Pine Cliff Energy
Corp. ("Pine Cliff") where Mr. Fink is also the Chairman of the
Board.
- An additional director runs a company whose business supplies
important services to Bonterra, a clear conflict of interest.
- Two of these conflicted directors are members of the
three-person special committee constituted by the Bonterra Board to
review our Offer.
- This lack of independence among directors who are duty-bound
to safeguard your best interests is compounded by the fact that
three independent directors left the Bonterra Board earlier this
year, including the representative of one of Bonterra's largest
shareholders. This has left only one truly independent
director on Bonterra's Board.10
- The Bonterra Board has limited public company experience and
expertise, with their only outside experience coming from Pine
Cliff, where Bonterra directors make up the majority of the board
members. By contrast, Obsidian Energy's directors have
extensive outside directorship experience, sitting on the boards of
numerous companies in a variety of industries, providing important
insights and expertise and positioning them to better navigate
these challenging times.
- Mr. Fink has excessive influence over Bonterra. He has
personally provided a $12 million
loan to Bonterra that is repayable on demand and is secured by all
of Bonterra's assets. This creates a conflict of interest
and a risk of dilution if the debt were to be swapped for
additional equity in Bonterra.
- To be clear, the value of Mr. Fink's loan to Bonterra is
significantly greater than the current value of his equity stake in
Bonterra. This means he has the potential opportunity to
personally gain significantly if Bonterra fails and undertakes a
debt-for-equity swap as part of a potential restructuring. The
value of your Bonterra shares would be greatly reduced or
eliminated should this outcome occur.
- Given the clear conflicts of interest and shareholder value
destruction that has occurred, it should be of no surprise that
Bonterra shareholders are not happy. At its latest annual
general meeting, the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Fink, barely
received enough support to retain his position on the Board, with
only 52.5% of shareholders voting in support of his re-election in
what was an uncontested election.
THE OPINION FROM BONTERRA'S FINANCIAL ADVISOR IS
INADEQUATE
The reasons provided by the Bonterra Board primarily center on
the fact that Bonterra's financial advisor has provided an opinion
that the consideration offered pursuant to the Offer is inadequate,
from a financial point of view, to Bonterra shareholders. However,
the financial opinion is inadequate for the following reasons:
- Bonterra's financial advisor appears to have a significant
financial incentive to ensure that Bonterra remains a stand-alone
entity. The opinion accompanying the Directors' Circular clearly
states that the financial advisor will receive a fee that is
contingent on the "completion or non-completion of the
Offer". The Bonterra Board has failed to provide further details
regarding this fee arrangement, including the circumstances in
which the fee is payable and the amount of the fee, depriving
Bonterra shareholders of the ability to evaluate the potential
conflict of interest underpinning the opinion. Given the
significance of the opinion, we would encourage Bonterra to
disclose the terms of this fee arrangement.
- Neither Bonterra's Directors' Circular nor the opinion contain
any financial analysis to support such opinion. An unconflicted
Bonterra Board would understand that shareholders deserve
meaningful financial analysis to support the most critical decision
they will make as shareholders.
***
Our Offer is open for acceptance until 5:00 p.m. (Mountain
Standard Time) on January 4, 2021, unless it is extended,
accelerated or withdrawn.
For full information regarding the Offer, please read our Offer
to Purchase and Take-Over Bid Circular dated September 21, 2020 that has been filed on
www.SEDAR.com and on our website at
https://www.obsidianenergy.com/letter-to-bne-shareholders/circular/.
If you have questions, you can contact Kingsdale Advisors, our
information agent and depositary for the Offer, at 1-888-564-7333
(North American Toll-Free Number) or +1-416-867-2272 (Outside North
America) or via email at contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
Sincerely yours,
(signed) "Stephen E.
Loukas"
Stephen E. Loukas
Interim President and Chief Executive Officer
Obsidian Energy Ltd.
ADDITIONAL READER ADVISORIES
NO OFFER OR SOLICITATION
This news release does not constitute an offer to buy or sell,
or an invitation or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, any
securities of Obsidian Energy or Bonterra. The Offer is made
exclusively by means of, and subject to the terms and conditions
set out in, the offer to purchase and take-over bid circular and
related offer documents (the "Offer Documents"). The Offer
Documents have been mailed to Bonterra shareholders and have also
been filed with the Canadian and United
States securities regulators and are available under
Obsidian Energy's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, in the United States on EDGAR at
www.sec.gov and on Obsidian Energy's website at
www.obsidianenergy.com. The Offer is not made or directed to,
nor will deposits of Bonterra Shares be accepted from or on behalf
of, holders of Bonterra Shares in any jurisdiction in which the
making or acceptance of the Offer would not be in compliance with
the laws of such jurisdiction.
ABOUT THE OFFER
The Offer is open for acceptance until 5:00 p.m. (Mountain Standard Time) on
January 4, 2021, unless extended,
accelerated or withdrawn by Obsidian Energy.
As set out in further detail in the Offer Documents, the Offer
is subject to certain conditions, including: that the Bonterra
Shares validly deposited to the Offer, and not withdrawn, represent
at least 66 2/3% of the then outstanding Bonterra Shares (on a
fully-diluted basis) and certain regulatory and third party
approvals (as outlined in the Offer Documents) shall have been
obtained, including Obsidian Energy shareholders approving, as
required by the rules of the Toronto Stock Exchange, the issuance
of the Obsidian Shares to be distributed by Obsidian Energy in
connection with the Offer, and other customary conditions. Subject
to applicable law, Obsidian Energy reserves the right to withdraw,
accelerate or extend the Offer and to not take up and pay for any
Bonterra Shares deposited under the Offer unless each of the
conditions of the Offer is satisfied or waived by Obsidian Energy
at or prior to the expiry of the Offer. Bonterra shareholders are
strongly encouraged to read the Offer Documents carefully and in
their entirety since they contain additional important information
regarding Obsidian Energy and the terms and conditions of the Offer
as well as detailed instructions on how Bonterra shareholders can
tender their Bonterra Shares to the Offer.
Questions? Bonterra shareholders should contact Kingsdale
Advisors, the information agent and depositary for the Offer, at
1-888-564-7333 (North American Toll-Free Number) or +1-416-867-2272
(Outside North America) or via email at
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
The offer and sale of Obsidian Shares pursuant to the Offer
is subject to a registration statement (the "Registration
Statement") filed with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as
amended. The Registration Statement includes various documents
related to such offer and sale. OBSIDIAN ENERGY URGES INVESTORS AND
SHAREHOLDERS OF BONTERRA TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND ANY
AND ALL OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC
IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER AND SALE OF OBSIDIAN SHARES AS THOSE
DOCUMENTS BECOME AVAILABLE, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR
SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL
CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. You will be able to obtain a free
copy of such registration statement, as well as other relevant
filings regarding Obsidian Energy or the Offer, at the SEC's
website (www.sec.gov) under the issuer profile for Obsidian Energy,
or on request without charge from the Corporate Secretary of
Obsidian Energy at Suite 200, 207 –
9th Avenue, SW, Calgary, Alberta T2P 1K3.
Copies of the Offer Documents may also be obtained free of
charge upon request from the Corporate Secretary of Obsidian Energy
at Suite 200, 207 – 9th Avenue, SW, Calgary, Alberta T2P 1K3. The Offer Documents
are also available in Canada on
SEDAR at www.sedar.com, in the United
States on EDGAR at www.sec.com and on Obsidian Energy's
website at www.obsidianenergy.com.
OIL AND GAS INFORMATION ADVISORY
Boe may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe
conversion ratio of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one
barrel of crude oil 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 that the value
ratio based on the current price of crude oil as compared to
natural gas is significantly different from the energy equivalency
conversion ratio of 6:1, utilizing a conversion on a 6:1 basis is
misleading as an indication of value.
NON-GAAP MEASURES
This news release contains references to the terms EBITDA,
Enterprise Value (or EV), Net Debt, Debt, funds flow, cash
flow, free cash flow, and netbacks which do not have a
standardized meaning prescribed by International Financial
Reporting Standards and therefore are considered non-GAAP measures;
accordingly, they may not be comparable to similar measures
provided by other issuers. EBITDA is net earnings (loss) plus
finance expenses (income), provisions for (recovery of) income
taxes, and depletion, depreciation and amortization. Enterprise
Value is a measure of total value of the applicable company
calculated by aggregating the market value of its common shares at
a specific date, adding its total Debt and subtracting its cash and
cash and cash equivalents. Debt is bank debt, notes and, solely in
respect of Bonterra, subordinated debt (including the subordinated
note(s) issued by Bonterra to private related party investors). Net
Debt is bank debt or long-term debt, plus net working capital
(surplus)/deficit, and is a measure of leverage and liquidity.
Funds flow is cash flow from operating activities before changes in
non-cash working capital, decommissioning expenditures, onerous
office lease settlements, the effects of financing related
transactions from foreign exchange contracts and debt repayments,
restructuring charges and certain other expenses and is
representative of cash related to continuing operations. Funds flow
is used to assess the combined entity's ability to fund planned
capital programs. Cash flow is funds flow from operations before
changes in any non-cash working capital changes and decommissioning
expenditures. Free cash flow is funds flow from operations less
capital and decommissioning expenditures. Netback is the per unit
of production amount of revenue less royalties, operating expenses,
transportation expenses and realized risk management gains and
losses, and is used in capital allocation decisions and to
economically rank projects.
ABBREVIATIONS
|
AECO
|
Alberta Energy
Company
|
Bbl/d
|
barrels per
day
|
boe
|
barrel of oil
equivalent
|
boe/d
|
barrel of oil
equivalent per day
|
LTM
|
last twelve
months
|
MMBtu
|
million British
Thermal Units
|
WTI
|
West Texas
Intermediate
|
|
|
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained in this document constitute
forward-looking statements or information (collectively
"forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are
typically identified by words such as "anticipate", "continue",
"estimate", "expect", "forecast", "budget", "may", "will",
"project", "could", "plan", "intend", "should", "believe",
"outlook", "objective", "aim", "potential", "target" and similar
words suggesting future events or future performance. In
particular, this document contains forward-looking statements
pertaining to, without limitation, the following: the timing for
acceptance of the Offer; the satisfaction of the conditions to the
Offer; the anticipated strategic, operational and financial
benefits and synergies that may result from the proposed
combination between Obsidian Energy and Bonterra, including as to
expected cost synergies, accretion, and expectations for each of
the entities on a stand-alone basis; the resulting benefits of the
Offer to Obsidian Energy and Bonterra shareholders; that the Offer
is the better option compared to adding more debt to an already
over-levered balance sheet for Bonterra shareholders; that Bonterra
has no plan to create shareholder value; what the credit
commitments announced by Bonterra can and cannot be used for and
the restrictions to be imposed on Bonterra pursuant to the credit
commitments; and that we are confident in gaining lender and
noteholder approval for the Offer. In addition, all other
statements and other information that address the Offer (including
satisfaction of the Offer conditions) are forward-looking
statements.
With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this
document, Obsidian Energy has made assumptions regarding, among
other things: that both Obsidian Energy and Bonterra, each of which
are subject to short term extensions on their respective senior
revolving credit facilities, continue to obtain extensions in
respect of their thereof and otherwise continue to satisfy the
applicable covenants under such facilities, including following the
completion of the Offer and any subsequent second step transaction,
the ability to complete the Offer and the proposed combination,
integrate Obsidian Energy's and Bonterra's businesses and
operations and realize financial, operational and other synergies
from the proposed combination; that each of Obsidian Energy,
Bonterra and, following the completion of the Offer, the combined
entity will have the ability to continue as a going concern going
forward and realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the
normal course of business; the impact of regional and/or global
health related events, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, on
energy demand; that the combined entity's operations and production
will not be disrupted by circumstances attributable to the COVID-19
pandemic and the responses of governments and the public to the
pandemic; that Bonterra's publicly available information, including
it public reports and securities filings as of October 13, 2020, are accurate and complete;
global energy policies going forward, including the continued
agreement of members of OPEC, Russia and other nations to adhere to existing
production quotas or further reduce production quotas; Obsidian
Energy's ability to execute on its plans as described herein and in
its other disclosure documents and the impact that the successful
execution of such plans will have on Obsidian Energy and, following
the combination, the combined entity and the combined entities'
respective stakeholders; that the current commodity price and
foreign exchange environment will continue or improve; future
capital expenditure levels; future crude oil, natural gas liquids
and natural gas prices and differentials between light, medium and
heavy oil prices and Canadian, WTI and world oil and natural gas
prices; future crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas
production levels, including that we will not be required to
shut-in additional production due to the continuation of low
commodity prices or the further deterioration of commodity prices
and our expectations regarding when commodity prices will improve
such that shut-in properties can be returned to production; future
exchange rates and interest rates; future debt levels; the ability
to execute our capital programs as planned without significant
adverse impacts from various factors beyond our control, including
weather, wild fires, infrastructure access and delays in obtaining
regulatory approvals and third party consents; the combined
entity's ability to obtain equipment in a timely manner to carry
out development activities and the costs thereof; the combined
entity's ability to market our oil and natural gas successfully to
current and new customers; the combined entity's ability to obtain
financing on acceptable terms; and the combined entity's ability to
add production and reserves through our development and
exploitation activities.
Although Obsidian Energy believes that the expectations
reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this
document, and the assumptions on which such forward-looking
statements are made, are reasonable, there can be no assurance that
such expectations will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned
not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements included
in this document, as there can be no assurance that the plans,
intentions or expectations upon which the forward-looking
statements are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking
statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks
and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the
forward-looking statements contained herein will not be correct,
which may cause actual performance and financial results to differ
materially from any estimates or projections of future performance
or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Such assumptions, risks and uncertainties are described in Obsidian
Energy's Annual Information Form and other public filings,
available in Canada on SEDAR at
www.sedar.com and in the United
States on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned that
such assumptions, risks and uncertainties should not be construed
as exhaustive.
The forward-looking statements contained in this document speak
only as of the date of this document. Except as expressly required
by applicable securities laws, we do not undertake any obligation
to publicly update any forward-looking statements. The
forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly
qualified by this cautionary statement.
All references to $ or C$ in this news release are to Canadian
dollars and all references in this news release to US$ are to U.S.
dollars.
1 Assumes US$50 WTI and $1.95/MMBtu
AECO and 4.5x Enterprise Value to 2021 & 2022
EBITDA.
|
2 Assumes US$50/bbl WTI and
$1.95/MMBtu AECO 2021 – 2023.
|
3 Assumes US$50/bbl WTI and
$1.95/MMBtu AECO 2021 – 2024.
|
4 Total cash costs include operating
costs, transportation costs and G&A expenses, refers to Q2 2020
compared to Q3 2019.
|
5 Source: Obsidian Energy and
Bonterra Q2 2020 Management's Discussion and Analysis, refers to Q2
2020 compared to Q3 2019 and includes risk management gains and
losses.
|
6 Breakeven WTI price defined as US$
WTI/bbl price required to fund sustaining capital to maintain flat
production within operating cash flow. WTI / bbl breakeven
forecast assumes US$4.00/bbl Edmonton Par differentials,
US$14.00/bbl WCS, US$1.00/MMBtu AECO differentials and 1.36x C$/US$
foreign exchange rate.
|
7 For
a full description of the background of the Offer, see the Offer to
Purchase and Take-Over Bid Circular dated September 21,
2020.
|
8 "I
am not saying we don't want to do a deal, but we don't want to do a
deal that they proposed at this point. It's too much in favour of
their side," [Mr. Fink] said. "There are a lot of positives putting
the two entitles together, but not the proposal that's in front of
us right now." Calgary Herald, September 4, 2020.
|
9 Source:
Bonterra insider filings on www.SEDI.ca.
|
10 Source: Bonterra's Management
Information Circular dated April 9, 2020 and Bonterra news release
dated March 11, 2020.
|
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SOURCE Obsidian Energy Ltd.