CALGARY,
AB, July 31, 2024 /CNW/ - Tourmaline Oil Corp.
(TSX: TOU) ("Tourmaline" or the "Company") is pleased
to release financial and operating results for the second quarter
of 2024, announce an increase to its quarterly base dividend and
declare a special dividend.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Second quarter average production was 561,787 boepd, a 13%
increase over second quarter 2023 average production of 495,918
boepd and within the second quarter 2024 average production
guidance range of 560,000-570,000 boepd, announced on May 1, 2024.
- Second quarter cash flow(1)(2) ("CF") of
$755.1 million ($2.12 per diluted share(3)) on total
cash capital expenditures(4) of $294.1 million (EP expenditures(5) of
$306.6 million in Q2 2024),
generating free cash flow (6) ("FCF") of
$433.5 million for the quarter
($1.22 per diluted share).
- In 2024, the Company expects to generate CF of $3.4 billion(7) ($9.62 per diluted share) and FCF of $1.3 billion ($3.63
per diluted share) on EP expenditures of $2.0 billion.
- Given the continued strong FCF generation in Q2 2024 and the
full year financial outlook, the Company has elected to increase
the quarterly base dividend effective Q3 2024 by 3% to $0.33/share ($1.32
per share on an annualized basis) from the current $0.32/share, as well as declare and pay a special
dividend of $0.50/share on
August 21, 2024 to shareholders of
record on August 9, 2024. This
special cash dividend is designated as an "eligible dividend" for
Canadian income tax purposes.
- The Company reduced net debt(8) by $136.6 million during Q2 2024, while also
returning $288.5 million in dividends
to shareholders.
PRODUCTION UPDATE
- Second quarter 2024 average production was 561,787 boepd, a 13%
increase over second quarter 2023 average production of 495,918
boepd and within the previously announced second quarter 2024
average production guidance range of 560,000-570,000 boepd.
- During this quarter of low natural gas prices, the Company
completed multiple planned facility maintenance turnarounds and
maximized injection into gas storage reservoirs in California and at Dawn, Ontario. These storage injections reduced Q2
average production volumes by 4,778 boepd and are expected to be
withdrawn from storage during the fourth quarter of 2024 and first
quarter of 2025.
- Second quarter average production was impacted by an unplanned
outage on the Pembina Pipeline Corporation-operated liquids
pipeline system (1,800 boepd reduction to the quarterly average)
and at the Company-operated A-21 gas processing facility in
Laprise, B.C. (1,700 boepd reduction to the quarterly average).
Production has returned to normal levels in both cases.
- The full year 2024 average production guidance range has been
revised to 575,000-585,000 from the previously announced range of
580,000-590,000 boepd. This revision is to account for select Q3
frac deferrals into Q4, to ultimately shift production into an
environment of stronger anticipated winter gas prices. This
production (<1%) deferral is expected to have minimal impact on
2024 cash flow and a positive impact on 2025 cash flow and free
cash flow, based on current strip prices. Third quarter 2024
average production of 550,000-560,000 boepd is currently
anticipated.
FINANCIAL RESULTS
- Second quarter 2024 CF was $755.1
million ($2.12 per diluted
share) on total cash capital expenditures of $294.1 million (EP expenditures of $306.6 million in Q2 2024), generating FCF of
$433.5 million for the quarter
($1.22 per diluted share).
- Tourmaline realized Q2 2024 net earnings of $256.6 million ($0.72 per diluted share), underscoring the
profitability of the business even in an extremely weak natural gas
pricing environment.
- In 2024, using strip pricing on July 15,
2024, the Company expects to generate CF of $3.4 billion ($9.62
per diluted share) and FCF of $1.3
billion ($3.63 per diluted
share) on EP expenditures of $2.0
billion and anticipates generating over $1.0 billion in FCF in every year of the
five-year EP Plan.
- Exit Q2 2024 net debt was $1.6
billion. As previously announced, the Company remains
committed to a long-term net debt target of $1.2-$1.4 billion
and intends to continue to make progress toward that target
throughout 2024. The Company reduced net debt by $136.6 million during Q2 2024. In addition, as of
June 30, 2024, Tourmaline's 45.1
million shares of Topaz Energy Corp. had a market value of
$1.1 billion(9).
MARKETING UPDATE
- Tourmaline's average realized natural gas price in Q2 2024 was
CAD $3.03/mcf, significantly higher
than the AECO 5A index price of CAD $1.20/mcf over the same period, as the Company
benefited from its multi-year diversification portfolio.
- With the addition of new short-term transportation service
(June 2024 to March 2025) and the addition of Great Lakes
transportation capacity starting November
2024, Tourmaline expects to exit 2024 with a total of 1.26
bcfpd of natural gas going to export markets.
- For the remainder of 2024, Tourmaline has an average of
1,032 mmcfpd hedged at a weighted average fixed price of CAD
$4.66/mcf, including an average of
161 mmcfpd in premium markets including Sumas, Malin, PG&E and
JKM at a fixed price of USD $8.57/mcf. Tourmaline also has an average of 188
mmcfpd hedged at a basis to NYMEX of USD $0.32/mcf and an average of 996 mmcfpd of
unhedged volumes exposed to export markets in 2024, of which 56% is
exposed to premium markets.
- Tourmaline has continued to mitigate downside price risk in
local markets and has been successful at reducing both AECO and
Station 2 exposure for the second half of 2024 to approximately 9%
of the Company's total natural gas portfolio.
EP UPDATE
- Tourmaline drilled a total of 47.06 net wells during Q2 2024,
completed 38 net wells in the quarter, and had an inventory of 35.5
DUCs entering Q3 2024.
- Tourmaline is currently operating fourteen drilling rigs and
expects to increase to fifteen rigs in the fourth quarter and
through to 2025 spring break-up, drilling more multi-well pads than
is currently included in the EP plan for 2H 2024-1H 2025. The
Company believes it is a good time to capitalize on lower drilling
costs and continuously improving drill times, while being
positioned to deliver production above currently estimated 2025
levels as it enters a period of stronger anticipated commodity
prices. Due to realized efficiencies and savings, the 2024 EP
capital budget remains unchanged at $2.0
billion.
- As mentioned, given the continued weak natural gas prices, the
Company has shifted some originally planned well-stimulation
activity from the third quarter to the fourth quarter of 2024 but
does not expect 2024 exit volumes to be affected. The Company plans
to match production growth to the natural gas price curve and
deliver flush production volumes into a stronger price environment.
Tourmaline previously removed planned 2024 natural gas growth from
the EP plan in March 2024, in
response to weak AECO pricing (approximately 100 mmcfpd deferral
until 2025 or later). Over the past three years, the Company has
consistently matched growth in natural gas production to
incremental egress out of the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin
and will continue with this market diversification strategy.
NORTH MONTNEY UPDATE
- Tourmaline continues to execute the Conroy/North Montney Phase
1 development, with two important facility components being
completed during 2024. The liquids/condensate hub, which commenced
construction in 2023 and will service both Phase 1 and 2
developments, provides 20,000 bbls/d of condensate mercaptan
treating and 70,000 bbls of condensate storage with regional
pipeline interconnection. The total capital cost for the
liquids/condensate hub is approximately $70.0 million. In addition, the Birch a-44-I
compressor station is expected to be completed during the third
quarter of 2024 and is expected to add 6,000 boepd (net) to
North Montney production levels in
2025.
- Other facility components in the overall Conroy/North Montney development include the Aitken
sales compressor addition (completed in 2023), the Gundy a-21-I compressor expansion which is
expected to be completed in September
2024, and both the Aitken regional gathering line and the
Aitken plant expansion for which construction is currently
anticipated to commence in 2025.
- The Company expects to add 10,000-15,000 boepd (net) in 2025
through completion of the ongoing 2024 Conroy/North Montney facility additions. The total
Conroy/North Montney Phase 1 development is expected to ultimately
add approximately 50,000 boepd (net) over the next three years
(inclusive of the 10,000–15,000 boepd described above), followed by
the Phase 2 development in 2029/2030.
- Tourmaline has received an additional 63 new permits in Q2 2024
for a total of 315 new drilling permits in NEBC since January 1, 2023.
ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENTS
- Tourmaline's diesel displacement initiative in drilling and
completion operations has displaced 151.8 million litres of diesel
by replacing with natural gas and has saved approximately
$149.4 million since June 2017. Drilling and completions operations
powered using natural gas result in lower emissions of carbon
dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide and particulate matter
compared to traditional diesel-powered drilling and completions
operations.
- Tourmaline's joint venture with Clean Energy Fuels for CNG in
long haul trucks continues with one station fully operational in
Edmonton and four other stations
under construction and expected to be completed by Q1 2025. The
initiative represents a further significant diesel displacement
opportunity.
- Methane technologies continue to be advanced at the NGIF
Emissions Testing Centre ("ETC"). Tourmaline operates field testing
for the ETC with the hub for testing located at the Tourmaline West
Wolf gas plant in the Alberta Deep Basin. The ETC recently received
a $15 million grant ($3 million per year over 5 years) from the
Alberta Government to enable acceleration of these technology
initiatives.
DIVIDEND
- In addition to the announced special dividend of $0.50/share payable on August 21, 2024, to shareholders of record at the
close of business on August 9, 2024,
the Company's Board of Directors has approved an increase to the
quarterly base dividend effective Q3 2024 to $0.33/share ($1.32/share on an annualized basis), representing
an increase of 3% over the previous quarterly base dividend. The
base dividend has been increased three times this year which
reflects the ongoing financial strength and profitability of the
Company even through the bottom of the gas price cycle. The
quarterly dividend is expected to be declared in early September
and payable on September 27, 2024, to
shareholders of record at the close of business on September 13, 2024. The special dividend is, and
the quarterly base dividend will be, designated as an eligible
dividend for Canadian income tax purposes.
NORMAL COURSE ISSUER BID
- Tourmaline is also pleased to announce that the Toronto Stock
Exchange (the "TSX") has approved the renewal of
Tourmaline's normal course issuer bid (the "NCIB").
- The NCIB allows Tourmaline to purchase up to 17,621,578 common
shares (representing 5% of its issued and outstanding common shares
as of July 25, 2024) over a period of
twelve months commencing on August 8,
2024. The NCIB will expire on August
7, 2025. Under the NCIB, common shares may be repurchased in
open market transactions on the TSX and other alternative trading
platforms in Canada and in
accordance with the rules of the TSX governing NCIBs. The total
number of common shares Tourmaline is permitted to purchase is
subject to a daily purchase limit of 555,792 common shares,
representing 25% of the average daily trading volume of 2,223,169
common shares on the TSX calculated for the six-month period ended
June 30, 2024; however, Tourmaline
may make one block purchase per calendar week which exceeds the
daily repurchase restrictions. Any common shares that are purchased
under the NCIB will be cancelled upon their purchase by
Tourmaline.
- Under its most recent normal course issuer bid, Tourmaline
obtained approval to purchase up to 16,989,041 of its common
shares, of which Tourmaline purchased no common shares.
- Tourmaline believes that at times, the prevailing share price
does not reflect the underlying value of the common shares and the
repurchase of its common shares for cancellation represents an
attractive opportunity to enhance Tourmaline's per share metrics
and thereby increase the underlying value of its common shares to
its shareholders. Tourmaline will use the NCIB as another tool to
enhance total long-term shareholder returns and it will be used in
conjunction with management's disciplined free cash flow capital
allocation strategy.
____________________
|
(1)
|
This news release
contains certain specified financial measures consisting of
non-GAAP financial measures, non-GAAP financial ratios, capital
management measures and supplementary financial measures. See
"Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" in this news release for
information regarding the following specified financial measures:
"cash flow", "capital expenditures", "EP expenditures", "free cash
flow", "operating netback", "operating netback per boe", "cash flow
per diluted share", "free cash flow per diluted share", "adjusted
working capital" and "net debt". Since these specified financial
measures do not have standardized meanings under
International Financial Reporting Standards ("GAAP"), securities
regulations require that, among other things, they be identified,
defined, qualified and, where required, reconciled with their
nearest GAAP measure and compared to the prior period. See
"Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" in this news release and in
the Company's most recently filed Management's Discussion and
Analysis (the "Q2 MD&A"), which information is incorporated by
reference into this news release, for further information on the
composition of and, where required, reconciliation of these
measures.
|
(2)
|
"Cash flow" is a
non-GAAP financial measure defined as cash flow from operating
activities adjusted for the change in non-cash working capital
(deficit) and current income taxes. See "Non-GAAP and Other
Financial Measures" in this news release and in the Q2
MD&A.
|
(3)
|
"Cash flow per
diluted share" is a non-GAAP financial ratio. Cash
flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, is used as a component of the
non-GAAP financial ratio. See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial
Measures" in this news release and in the Q2
MD&A.
|
(4)
|
"Capital expenditures"
is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as cash flow used in
investing activities adjusted for the change in non-cash working
capital (deficit). See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial
Measures" in this news release and in the Q2 MD&A.
|
(5)
|
"EP expenditures" is
defined as capital expenditures, excluding acquisitions,
dispositions, and other corporate expenditures. See
"Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" in this news release and in
the Q2 MD&A.
|
(6)
|
"Free cash flow" is
a non-GAAP financial measure defined as cash flow less capital
expenditures, excluding acquisitions and dispositions. Free
cash flow is prior to dividend payments. See "Non-GAAP and
Other Financial Measures" in this news release.
|
(7)
|
Based on oil and gas
commodity strip pricing at July 15, 2024.
|
(8)
|
"Net
debt" is a capital management measure. See "Non-GAAP and Other
Financial Measures" in this news release and in the Q2
MD&A.
|
(9)
|
Based on the closing
price of Topaz Energy Corp. shares on the TSX on June 28, 2024 of
$24.00 per share.
|
CORPORATE SUMMARY – SECOND QUARTER 2024
|
Three Months Ended
June 30,
|
|
Six Months Ended
June 30,
|
|
2024
|
2023
|
Change
|
|
2024
|
2023
|
Change
|
OPERATIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas
(mcf/d)
|
2,537,283
|
2,306,340
|
10 %
|
|
2,609,823
|
2,387,592
|
9 %
|
Crude oil, condensate
and NGL (bbl/d)
|
138,906
|
111,528
|
25 %
|
|
141,962
|
112,902
|
26 %
|
Oil equivalent
(boe/d)
|
561,787
|
495,918
|
13 %
|
|
576,933
|
510,834
|
13 %
|
Product
prices(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas
($/mcf)
|
$
3.03
|
$ 4.31
|
(30) %
|
|
$
3.41
|
$
5.27
|
(35) %
|
Crude oil, condensate
and NGL ($/bbl)
|
$ 56.36
|
$ 52.42
|
8 %
|
|
$
54.91
|
$
57.83
|
(5) %
|
Operating expenses
($/boe)
|
$
4.82
|
$ 4.63
|
4 %
|
|
$
4.81
|
$
4.63
|
4 %
|
Transportation costs
($/boe)
|
$
4.96
|
$ 5.15
|
(4) %
|
|
$
5.10
|
$
5.26
|
(3) %
|
Operating netback
($/boe)(2)
|
$ 15.36
|
$ 19.23
|
(20) %
|
|
$
16.38
|
$
23.76
|
(31) %
|
Cash general and
administrative
expenses ($/boe)(3)
|
$
0.79
|
$ 0.73
|
8 %
|
|
$
0.77
|
$
0.70
|
10 %
|
FINANCIAL
($000, except share and per share)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commodity sales from
production
|
1,104,940
|
1,158,766
|
(5) %
|
|
2,579,319
|
2,674,046
|
(4) %
|
Total revenue from
commodity sales and realized gains
|
1,412,692
|
1,436,601
|
(2) %
|
|
3,038,861
|
3,460,185
|
(12) %
|
Royalties
|
127,466
|
127,140
|
- %
|
|
277,937
|
348,352
|
(20) %
|
Cash flow
|
755,117
|
784,008
|
(4) %
|
|
1,626,261
|
1,911,143
|
(15) %
|
Cash flow per share
(diluted)
|
$
2.12
|
$ 2.28
|
(7) %
|
|
$
4.58
|
$
5.56
|
(18) %
|
Net earnings
|
256,597
|
510,671
|
(50) %
|
|
501,471
|
760,991
|
(34) %
|
Net earnings per share
(diluted)
|
$
0.72
|
$ 1.49
|
(52) %
|
|
$
1.41
|
$
2.22
|
(36) %
|
Capital expenditures
(net of dispositions)(2)
|
294,105
|
277,317
|
6 %
|
|
850,350
|
871,814
|
(2) %
|
Weighted average shares
outstanding (diluted)
|
|
|
|
|
355,164,206
|
343,559,982
|
3 %
|
Net debt
|
|
|
|
|
(1,558,287)
|
(791,131)
|
97 %
|
(1)
|
Product prices
include realized gains and losses on risk management activities and
financial instrument contracts.
|
(2)
|
See "Non-GAAP and
Other Financial Measures" in this news release and in the Q2
MD&A.
|
(3)
|
Excluding interest
and financing charges.
|
Conference Call Tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.
MT (11:00 a.m. ET)
Tourmaline will host a conference call tomorrow, August 1, 2024 starting at 9:00 a.m. MT (11:00 a.m.
ET).
To participate without operator assistance, you may register and
enter your phone number at https://emportal.ink/4byxKfv to
receive an instant automated call back.
To participate using an operator, please dial 1-888-664-6383
(toll-free in North America), or
1-416-764-8650 (international dial-in), a few minutes prior to the
conference call.
REPLAY DETAILS
If you are unable to dial into the live conference call on
August 1st, a replay will
be available by dialing
1-888-390-0541 (international 1-416-764-8677), referencing Replay
Code 570032. The recording will expire on August 15, 2024.
Reader Advisories
CURRENCY
All amounts in this news release are stated in Canadian dollars
unless otherwise specified.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This news release contains forward-looking information and
statements (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the
meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words
"forecast", "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate",
"objective", "ongoing", "on track", "may", "will", "project",
"should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are
intended to identify forward-looking information. More particularly
and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking
information concerning Tourmaline's plans and other aspects of its
anticipated future operations, management focus, objectives,
strategies, financial, operating and production results and
business opportunities, including the following: anticipated
petroleum and natural gas production and production growth for
various periods including estimated average production levels for
Q3, full-year and exit 2024; expected free cash flow for
2024 and each year of the Company's five year EP growth plan;
long-term net debt targets; EP expenditures; the timing of
withdrawals of natural gas from storage; diesel reduction
initiatives; the timing for the completion of various facilities;
the future declaration and payment of base and special dividends
and the timing and amount thereof including any future increase;
the use of the NCIB; the expansion of Tourmaline's market
diversification portfolio; the timing and scale of future growth
and developments projects, including the Conroy/North Montney development; projected operating
and drilling costs and drilling times; anticipated future commodity
prices; the ability to generate, and the amount of, anticipated
free cash flow in 2024 and beyond; as well as Tourmaline's future
drilling locations, prospects and plans, business strategy, future
development and growth opportunities, prospects and asset base. The
forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations
and assumptions made by Tourmaline, including expectations and
assumptions concerning the following: prevailing and future
commodity prices and currency exchange and interest rates;
applicable royalty rates and tax laws; future well production rates
and reserve volumes; operating costs, the timing of receipt of
regulatory approvals; the performance of existing and future wells;
the success obtained in drilling new wells; anticipated timing and
results of capital expenditures; the sufficiency of budgeted
capital expenditures in carrying out planned activities; the
timing, location and extent of future drilling operations; the
successful completion of acquisitions and dispositions and the
benefits to be derived therefrom; the state of the economy and the
exploration and production business; the availability and cost of
financing, labour and services; ability to maintain its investment
grade credit rating; and ability to market crude oil, natural gas
and NGL successfully. Without limitation of the foregoing, future
dividend payments, if any, and the level thereof is uncertain, as
the Company's dividend policy and the funds available for the
payment of dividends from time to time is dependent upon, among
other things, free cash flow, financial requirements for the
Company's operations and the execution of its growth strategy,
fluctuations in working capital and the timing and amount of
capital expenditures, debt service requirements and other
factors beyond the Company's control. Further, the ability of
Tourmaline to pay dividends is subject to applicable laws
(including the satisfaction of the solvency test contained in
applicable corporate legislation) and contractual restrictions
contained in the instruments governing its indebtedness, including
its credit facility.
Statements relating to "reserves" are also deemed to be forward
looking information, as they involve the implied assessment, based
on certain estimates and assumptions, that the reserves described
exist in the quantities predicted or estimated and that the
reserves can be profitably produced in the future.
Although Tourmaline believes that the expectations and
assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are
reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the
forward-looking information because Tourmaline can give no
assurances that it will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking
information addresses future events and conditions, by its very
nature it involves inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results
could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a
number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to:
the risks associated with the oil and gas industry in general such
as operational risks in development, exploration and production;
delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or
development projects or capital expenditures; supply chain
disruptions; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating
to reserves, production, revenues, costs and expenses; health,
safety and environmental risks; commodity price and exchange rate
fluctuations; interest rate fluctuations; changes in rates of
inflation; marketing and transportation; loss of markets;
environmental risks; competition; incorrect assessment of the value
of acquisitions; failure to complete or realize the anticipated
benefits of acquisitions or dispositions; stock market volatility;
ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external
sources; uncertainties associated with counterparty credit risk;
failure to obtain required regulatory and other approvals including
drilling permits and the impact of not receiving such approvals on
the Company's long-term planning; climate change risks; severe
weather (including wildfires and drought); risks of wars or other
hostilities or geopolitical events, civil insurrection and
pandemics; risks relating to Indigenous land claims and duty to
consult; data breaches and cyber attacks; risks relating to the use
of artificial intelligence; changes in legislation, including but
not limited to tax laws, royalties and environmental regulations
(including greenhouse gas emission reduction requirements and other
decarbonization or social policies and including uncertainty with
respect to the interpretation of omnibus Bill C-59 and the related
amendments to the Competition Act (Canada)) and general economic and business
conditions and markets. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing
list of factors is not exhaustive.
Additional information on these and other factors that could
affect Tourmaline, or its operations or financial results, are
included in the Company's most recently filed Management's
Discussion and Analysis (See "Forward-Looking Statements" therein),
Annual Information Form (See "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking
Statements" therein) and other reports on file with applicable
securities regulatory authorities and may be accessed through the
SEDAR+ website (www.sedarplus.ca) or Tourmaline's website
(www.tourmalineoil.com).
The forward-looking information contained in this news release
is made as of the date hereof and Tourmaline undertakes no
obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking
information, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise, unless expressly required by applicable securities
laws.
BOE Equivalency
In this news release, production and reserves information may be
presented on a "barrel of oil equivalent" or "BOE" basis. BOEs may
be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A BOE
conversion 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. In
addition, as the value ratio between natural gas and crude oil
based on the current prices of natural gas and crude oil is
significantly different from the energy equivalency of 6:1,
utilizing a conversion on a 6:1 basis may be misleading as an
indication of value.
FINANCIAL OUTLOOKS
Also included in this news release are estimates of Tourmaline's
2024 cash flow and free cash flow, free cash flow per year of the
five-year plan and long-term net debt targets, which are based on,
among other things, the various assumptions as to production
levels, receipt of drilling permits, capital expenditures and other
assumptions disclosed in this news release and including
Tourmaline's estimated average production of 580,000 boepd for
2024, 620,000 boepd for 2025, 660,000 boepd for 2026, 705,000 boepd
for 2027 and 715,000 boepd for 2028, commodity price assumptions
for natural gas ($2.31/mmbtu 2024
NYMEX US, $3.33/mmbtu 2025 NYMEX US,
$3.71/mmbtu 2026 NYMEX US,
$3.78/mmbtu 2027 NYMEX US
$3.72/mmbtu 2028 NYMEX US,
$1.62/mcf 2024 AECO, $2.62/mcf 2025 AECO, $3.07/mcf 2026 AECO, $3.24/mcf 2027 AECO, $3.32/mcf 2028 AECO, $11.54/mcf 2024 JKM US, $12.83/mcf 2025 JKM US, $11.57/mcf 2026 JKM US, $10.10/mcf 2027 JKM US, $9.02/mcf 2028 JKM US ), crude oil ($79.27/bbl 2024 WTI US, $74.40/bbl 2025 WTI US, $70.47/bbl 2026 WTI US, $67.98/bbl 2027 WTI US, $66.41/bbl 2028 WTI US) and an exchange rate
assumption (CAD/USD) of $0.73 for
2024, 0.74 for 2025 and 2026 and 0.75 for 2027 and 2028. In
addition, in the case of the years other than 2024, such estimates
are provided for illustration only and are based on budgets and
forecasts that have not been finalized or approved by the Board of
Directors and are subject to a variety of contingencies including
prior years' results. To the extent such estimates constitute a
financial outlook, it was approved by management and the Board of
Directors of Tourmaline on July 31,
2024 and is included to provide readers with an
understanding of Tourmaline's anticipated cash flow, free cash flow
and net debt levels based on the capital expenditure, production,
pricing, exchange rate and other assumptions described herein and
readers are cautioned that the information may not be appropriate
for other purposes.
NON-GAAP AND OTHER FINANCIAL MEASURES
This news release contains the terms "cash flow", "capital
expenditures", "EP expenditures", "free cash flow", and "operating
netback", which are considered "non-GAAP financial measures" and
the terms "cash flow per diluted share", "free cash flow per
diluted share", "operating netback per boe", and "cash flow
per-boe", which are considered "non-GAAP financial ratios". These
terms do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP. In
addition, this news release contains the terms "adjusted working
capital" and "net debt", which are considered "capital management
measures" and do not have standardized meanings prescribed by GAAP.
Accordingly, the Company's use of these terms may not be comparable
to similarly defined measures presented by other companies.
Investors are cautioned that these measures should not be construed
as an alternative to or more meaningful than the most directly
comparable GAAP measures in evaluating the Company's performance.
See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" in the most recent
Management's Discussion and Analysis for more information on the
definition and description of these terms
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Cash Flow
Management uses the term "cash flow" for its own performance
measure and to provide shareholders and potential investors with a
measurement of the Company's efficiency and its ability to generate
the cash (net of current income taxes) necessary to fund its future
growth expenditures, to repay debt or to pay dividends. The
most directly comparable GAAP measure for cash flow is cash flow
from operating activities. A summary of the reconciliation of
cash flow from operating activities to cash flow, is set forth
below:
|
Three Months Ended
June 30,
|
Six Months Ended
June 30,
|
(000s)
|
2024
|
2023
|
2024
|
2023
|
Cash flow from
operating activities (per GAAP)
|
$
696,011
|
$
972,384
|
$
1,336,628
|
$ 2,510,459
|
Current income
taxes
|
(13,549)
|
(54,602)
|
(45,207)
|
(252,960)
|
Current income taxes
paid
|
38,368
|
4,207
|
487,543
|
29,236
|
Change in non-cash
working capital
|
34,287
|
(137,981)
|
(152,703)
|
(375,592)
|
Cash flow
|
$
755,117
|
$
784,008
|
$
1,626,261
|
$ 1,911,143
|
Capital Expenditures
Management uses the term "capital expenditures" as a measure of
capital investment in exploration and production activity, as well
as property acquisitions and dispositions, and such spending is
compared to the Company's annual budgeted capital
expenditures. The most directly comparable GAAP measure for
capital expenditures is cash flow used in investing
activities. A summary of the reconciliation of cash flow used
in investing activities to capital expenditures, is set forth
below:
|
Three Months Ended
June 30,
|
Six Months Ended
June 30,
|
(000s)
|
2024
|
2023
|
2024
|
2023
|
Cash flow used in
investing activities (per GAAP)
|
$
515,082
|
$
585,637
|
$
1,099,311
|
$ 1,087,235
|
Change in non-cash
working capital
|
(220,977)
|
(308,320)
|
(248,961)
|
(215,421)
|
Capital
expenditures
|
$
294,105
|
$
277,317
|
$
850,350
|
$
871,814
|
EP Expenditures
Management uses the term "EP expenditures" or exploration and
production expenditures as a measure of capital investment in
exploration and production activity which is defined as Capital
Expenditures (a Non-GAAP Financial Measure), excluding property
acquisitions and dispositions and other corporate
expenditures. The most directly comparable GAAP measure for
EP expenditures is cash flow used in investing activities. See
"Non-GAAP Financial Measures – Capital Expenditures" above. A
summary of the reconciliation of Capital Expenditures to EP
expenditures, is set forth below:
|
Three Months Ended
June 30,
|
Six Months Ended
June 30,
|
(000s)
|
2024
|
2023
|
2024
|
2023
|
Capital
expenditures
|
$
294,105
|
$
277,317
|
$
850,350
|
$
871,814
|
Property
acquisitions
|
(23,169)
|
(39,279)
|
(23,581)
|
(39,294)
|
Proceeds from
divestitures
|
50,728
|
498
|
56,225
|
7,789
|
Other
|
(15,061)
|
(13,185)
|
(27,692)
|
(25,737)
|
EP
Expenditures
|
$
306,603
|
$
225,351
|
$
855,302
|
$
814,572
|
Free Cash Flow
Management uses the term "free cash flow" for its own
performance measure and to provide shareholders and potential
investors with a measurement of the Company's efficiency and its
ability to generate the cash necessary to fund its future growth
expenditures, to repay debt and provide shareholder returns.
Free cash flow is defined as cash flow less capital expenditures,
excluding acquisitions and dispositions. Free cash flow is
prior to dividend payment. The most directly comparable GAAP
measure for cash flow is cash flow from operating activities.
See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures – Cash Flow" and " Non-GAAP
Financial Measures – Capital Expenditures" above.
|
Three Months Ended
June 30,
|
Six Months Ended
June 30,
|
(000s)
|
2024
|
2023
|
2024
|
2023
|
Cash flow
|
$
755,117
|
$
784,008
|
$
1,626,261
|
$ 1,911,143
|
Capital
expenditures
|
(294,105)
|
(277,317)
|
(850,350)
|
(871,814)
|
Property
acquisitions
|
23,169
|
39,279
|
23,581
|
39,294
|
Proceeds from
divestitures
|
(50,728)
|
(498)
|
(56,225)
|
(7,789)
|
Free Cash
Flow
|
$
433,453
|
$
545,472
|
$
743,267
|
$ 1,070,834
|
Operating Netback
Management uses the term "operating netback" as a key
performance indicator and one that is commonly presented by other
oil and natural gas producers. Operating netback is defined
as the sum of commodity sales from production, premium (loss) on
risk management activities and realized gains (loss) on financial
instruments less the sum of royalties, transportation costs and
operating expenses. A summary of the reconciliation of
operating netback from commodity sales from production, which is a
GAAP measure, is set forth below:
|
Three Months Ended
June 30,
|
Six Months Ended
June 30,
|
(000s)
|
2024
|
2023
|
2024
|
2023
|
Commodity sales from
production
|
$
1,104,940
|
$
1,158,766
|
$
2,579,319
|
$ 2,674,046
|
Premium on risk
management activities
|
179,627
|
102,576
|
246,972
|
500,924
|
Realized gain on
financial instruments
|
128,125
|
175,259
|
212,570
|
285,215
|
Royalties
|
(127,466)
|
(127,140)
|
(277,937)
|
(348,352)
|
Transportation
costs
|
(253,610)
|
(232,617)
|
(535,663)
|
(486,687)
|
Operating
expenses
|
(246,243)
|
(209,093)
|
(505,476)
|
(428,095)
|
Operating
netback
|
$
785,373
|
$
867,751
|
$ 1,719,785
|
$ 2,197,051
|
Non-GAAP Financial Ratios
Operating Netback per-boe
Management calculates "operating netback per-boe" as operating
netback divided by total production for the period. Netback
per-boe is a key performance indicator and measure of operational
efficiency and one that is commonly presented by other oil and
natural gas producers. A summary of the calculation of
operating netback per boe, is set forth below:
|
Three Months Ended
June 30,
|
Six Months Ended
June 30,
|
($/boe)
|
2024
|
2023
|
2024
|
2023
|
Revenue, excluding
processing income
|
$
27.63
|
$
31.83
|
$
28.94
|
$
37.42
|
Royalties
|
(2.49)
|
(2.82)
|
(2.65)
|
(3.77)
|
Transportation
costs
|
(4.96)
|
(5.15)
|
(5.10)
|
(5.26)
|
Operating
expenses
|
(4.82)
|
(4.63)
|
(4.81)
|
(4.63)
|
Operating
netback
|
$
15.36
|
$
19.23
|
$
16.38
|
$
23.76
|
Capital Management Measures
Adjusted Working Capital
Management uses the term "adjusted working capital" for its own
performance measures and to provide shareholders and potential
investors with a measurement of the Company's liquidity. A
summary of the reconciliation of working capital (deficit) to
adjusted working capital (deficit), is set forth below:
(000s)
|
As at
June 30,
2024
|
As at
December 31,
2023
|
Working capital
(deficit)
|
$
112,002
|
$
(298,280)
|
Fair value of financial
instruments – short-term (asset)
|
(305,339)
|
(437,535)
|
Lease liabilities –
short-term
|
6,357
|
5,796
|
Decommissioning
obligations – short-term
|
45,000
|
45,000
|
Unrealized foreign
exchange in working capital – liability (asset)
|
(4,445)
|
5,524
|
Adjusted working
capital (deficit)
|
$
(146,425)
|
$ (679,495)
|
Net Debt
Management uses the term "net debt", as a key measure for
evaluating its capital structure and to provide shareholders and
potential investors with a measurement of the Company's total
indebtedness. A summary of the reconciliation of bank debt
and senior unsecured notes to net debt, is set forth below:
(000s)
|
As at
June 30,
2024
|
As at
December 31,
2023
|
Bank debt
|
$
(713,685)
|
$ (651,594)
|
Senior unsecured
notes
|
(698,177)
|
(448,643)
|
Adjusted working
capital (deficit)
|
(146,425)
|
(679,495)
|
Net debt
|
$
(1,558,287)
|
$
(1,779,732)
|
Supplementary Financial Measures
The following measures are supplementary financial measures:
cash flow per diluted share, free cash flow per diluted share,
operating expenses ($/boe), cash general and administrative
expenses ($/boe) and transportation costs ($/boe). These measures
are calculated by dividing the numerator by a diluted share count
or by total production for the period, depending on the financial
measure discussed.
OIL AND GAS METRICS
This news release contains certain oil and gas metrics 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 in this document to
provide readers with additional measures to evaluate the Company's
performance; however, such measures are not reliable indicators of
the Company's future performance and future performance may not
compare to the Company's performance in previous periods and
therefore such metrics should not be unduly relied upon. In
addition, the estimated 2P reserves per well from the b-10-B pad at
Aitken referenced in this news release are an internal estimate
prepared by a Qualified Reserves Evaluator ("QRE") in
accordance with the standards contained in the Canadian Oil and Gas
Evaluation Handbook. The information in this news release
pertaining to this estimate is based solely on internal estimates
made by the QRE and such estimates have not been reflected in any
independent reserve or resource evaluations prepared pursuant to NI
51-101. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating
quantities of crude oil, natural gas and NGL reserves. The reserve
information referenced in this news release are estimates only. In
general, estimates of economically recoverable crude oil, natural
gas and NGL reserves therefrom are based upon a number of variable
factors and assumptions, such as historical production from the
properties, production rates, ultimate reserve recovery, timing and
amount of capital expenditures, marketability of oil and natural
gas, royalty rates, the assumed effects of regulation by
governmental agencies and future operating costs, all of which may
vary materially. For those reasons, estimates of the economically
recoverable crude oil, NGL and natural gas reserves attributable to
any particular group of properties and classification of such
reserves based on risk of recovery prepared by different engineers,
or by the same engineers at different times, may vary. The
Company's actual production, revenues, taxes and development and
operating expenditures with respect to its reserves will vary from
estimates thereof and such variations could be material.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION REGARDING PRODUCT TYPES
This news release includes references to Q2 2024 average daily
production, forecast Q3 2024 average daily production and forecast
2024 average daily production. The following table is intended to
provide supplemental information about the product type composition
for each of the production figures that are provided in this news
release:
|
Light and Medium
Crude Oil(1)
|
|
Conventional
Natural Gas
|
|
Shale Natural
Gas
|
|
Natural Gas
Liquids(1)
|
|
Oil Equivalent
Total
|
|
Company Gross
(bbls)
|
|
Company Gross
(mcf)
|
|
Company Gross
(mcf)
|
|
Company Gross
(bbls)
|
|
Company Gross
(boe)
|
Q2 2024 Average Daily
Production
|
45,986
|
|
1,426,180
|
|
1,111,103
|
|
92,920
|
|
561,787
|
Q3 2024 Forecast
Average Daily Production
|
47,170
|
|
1,410,130
|
|
1,100,000
|
|
89,475
|
|
555,000
|
2024 Forecast Average
Daily Production
|
48,785
|
|
1,483,770
|
|
1,140,000
|
|
93,920
|
|
580,000
|
(1)
|
For the purposes of
this disclosure, condensate has been combined with Light and Medium
Crude Oil as the associated revenues and certain costs of
condensate are similar to Light and Medium Crude Oil.
Accordingly, NGLs in this disclosure exclude
condensate.
|
GENERAL
See also "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Non-GAAP and Other
Financial Measures" in the most recently filed Management's
Discussion and Analysis.
Certain Definitions:
1H
|
first half
|
2H
|
second half
|
bbl
|
barrel
|
bbls/day
|
barrels per
day
|
bbl/mmcf
|
barrels per million
cubic feet
|
bcf
|
billion cubic
feet
|
bcfe
|
billion cubic feet
equivalent
|
bpd or
bbl/d
|
barrels per
day
|
boe
|
barrel of oil
equivalent
|
boepd or
boe/d
|
barrel of oil
equivalent per day
|
bopd or
bbl/d
|
barrel of oil,
condensate or liquids per day
|
CNG
|
compressed natural
gas
|
DUC
|
drilled but uncompleted
wells
|
Dutch TTF
|
Dutch Title Transfer
Facility, a natural gas pricing location within the
Netherlands
|
EP
|
exploration and
production
|
FERC
|
Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission
|
gj
|
gigajoule
|
gjs/d
|
gigajoules per
day
|
JKM
|
Japan Korea
Marker
|
mbbls
|
thousand
barrels
|
mmbbls
|
million
barrels
|
mboe
|
thousand barrels of oil
equivalent
|
mboepd
|
thousand barrels of oil
equivalent per day
|
mcf
|
thousand cubic
feet
|
mcfpd or
mcf/d
|
thousand cubic feet per
day
|
mcfe
|
thousand cubic feet
equivalent
|
mmboe
|
million barrels of oil
equivalent
|
mmbtu
|
million British thermal
units
|
mmbtu/d
|
million British thermal
units per day
|
mmcf
|
million cubic
feet
|
mmcfpd or
mmcf/d
|
million cubic feet per
day
|
MPa
|
megapascal
|
mstb
|
thousand stock tank
barrels
|
natural
gas
|
conventional natural
gas and shale gas
|
NGL or NGLs
|
natural gas
liquids
|
PGE
|
Pacific Gas &
Electric
|
Tcf
|
trillion cubic
feet
|
ABOUT TOURMALINE OIL CORP.
Tourmaline is Canada's largest
and most active natural gas producer dedicated to producing the
lowest-cost natural gas in North
America. We are an investment grade exploration and
production company providing strong and predictable operating and
financial performance through the development of our three core
areas in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. With our existing
large reserve base, decades-long drilling inventory, relentless
focus on execution and cost management, and industry-leading
environmental performance, we are excited to provide shareholders
an excellent return on capital, and an attractive source of income
through our base dividend and surplus free cash flow distribution
strategies.
SOURCE Tourmaline Oil Corp.