CALGARY,
AB, March 5, 2025 /CNW/ - Kiwetinohk Energy
Corp. (TSX: KEC) (Kiwetinohk or the Company) today reported its
fourth quarter 2024 financial and operational results and updated
reserve report. As companion documents to this news release, please
review the Company's year-end 2024 management discussion and
analysis (MD&A), consolidated financial statements and annual
information form (available on kiwetinohk.com or www.sedarplus.ca)
for additional details.
"I am extremely pleased with the team's performance throughout
2024. In Upstream, we delivered strong financial and
operational results, meeting or exceeding our annual guidance
expectations. In Power, we successfully positioned our development
projects for sale or third-party financing and completed our first
project sale shortly after year-end," said Pat Carlson, Chief Executive Officer.
"In Upstream, our success in 2024 is highlighted by a 19% annual
production increase to 26,875 boe/d, the largest capital program in
our history, and a 10% growth in total proved plus probable (2P)
reserves, capable of sustaining current production for nearly 25
years. We also achieved a 17% reduction in per barrel annual
operating costs while growing both production and reserves. Our
annual adjusted operating netback of $31.62/boe remains strong and consistent,
averaging $30.52/boe over the last
eight quarters. Our asset continues to deliver top-tier production
rates in the Duvernay, while our
underdeveloped Simonette Montney resource has shown strong
potential, now representing approximately 14% of our total 2P
reserves.
"In Power, we continued to focus on the sale and/or financing
efforts for the projects within our development portfolio. This
resulted in the successful sale of our Opal gas-fired power project
which closed in the first quarter of 2025.
"Recent transactions involving comparable assets, along with our
reserve value, projected cash flow, and current trading multiple
compared to our peers, suggest to us that our assets could be very
attractive to buyers at a price well in excess our current market
value. While we have a strong foundation of high-quality producing
assets, we also have numerous value-enhancing investment
opportunities in both our oil and gas and power
businesses—opportunities that exceed our available funding
capacity. One of the most straightforward ways to address this
challenge is to explore the sale of all or part of one or both
businesses. To ensure a thorough evaluation of all potential
alternatives, we are considering engaging advisors to support this
process. Any alternatives pursued as a result of such process could
take anywhere from several quarters to a year or two to complete.
In the meantime, we intend to continue to profitably grow our
upstream business and opportunistically sell or otherwise monetize
our power development projects."
Financial and operating results
|
For the three months
ended
December 31,
|
For the year
ended
December 31,
|
|
2024
|
2023
|
2024
|
2023
|
Production
|
|
|
|
|
Oil & condensate
(bbl/d)
|
8,627
|
8,407
|
8,396
|
7,183
|
NGLs (bbl/d)
|
4,132
|
3,507
|
3,936
|
2,769
|
Natural gas
(Mcf/d)
|
89,385
|
76,756
|
87,260
|
75,810
|
Total
(boe/d)
|
27,657
|
24,707
|
26,875
|
22,587
|
Oil and condensate % of
production
|
31 %
|
34 %
|
31 %
|
32 %
|
NGL % of
production
|
15 %
|
14 %
|
15 %
|
12 %
|
Natural gas % of
production
|
54 %
|
52 %
|
54 %
|
56 %
|
Realized
prices
|
|
|
|
|
Oil & condensate
($/bbl)
|
95.38
|
95.66
|
95.76
|
96.90
|
NGLs ($/bbl)
|
44.96
|
51.44
|
43.86
|
53.07
|
Natural gas
($/Mcf)
|
3.39
|
3.32
|
3.04
|
3.76
|
Total
($/boe)
|
47.44
|
50.17
|
46.22
|
49.95
|
Royalty expense
($/boe)
|
(3.11)
|
(4.84)
|
(3.53)
|
(4.72)
|
Operating expenses
($/boe)
|
(7.74)
|
(8.55)
|
(7.04)
|
(8.52)
|
Transportation expenses
($/boe)
|
(5.21)
|
(5.49)
|
(5.44)
|
(5.61)
|
Operating netback
1 ($/boe)
|
31.38
|
31.29
|
30.21
|
31.10
|
Realized (loss) gain on
risk management ($/boe) 2
|
(0.18)
|
0.23
|
0.64
|
1.50
|
Realized gain (loss) on
risk management - purchases ($/boe) 2
|
0.11
|
1.20
|
0.31
|
1.69
|
Net commodity sales
from purchases (loss) ($/boe) 1
|
0.87
|
(0.51)
|
0.46
|
(0.80)
|
Adjusted operating
netback 1
|
32.18
|
32.21
|
31.62
|
33.49
|
Financial
results ($000s, except per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
Commodity sales from
production
|
120,721
|
114,038
|
454,598
|
411,826
|
Net commodity sales
from purchases (loss) 1
|
2,239
|
(1,152)
|
4,519
|
(6,642)
|
Cash flow from
operating activities
|
59,921
|
58,946
|
263,203
|
240,760
|
Adjusted funds flow
from operations 1
|
71,708
|
63,697
|
272,115
|
241,311
|
Per share
basic
|
1.64
|
1.46
|
6.23
|
5.49
|
Per share
diluted
|
1.61
|
1.44
|
6.11
|
5.43
|
Net debt to annualized
adjusted funds flow from operations 1
|
1.00
|
0.77
|
1.00
|
0.77
|
Free funds flow
deficiency from operations (excluding acquisitions/dispositions)
1
|
(27,767)
|
(12,713)
|
(64,632)
|
(65,674)
|
Net (loss)
income
|
(16,024)
|
48,302
|
1,065
|
111,896
|
Per share
basic
|
(0.37)
|
1.11
|
0.02
|
2.54
|
Per share
diluted
|
(0.37)
|
1.09
|
0.02
|
2.52
|
Capital expenditures
prior to acquisitions (dispositions) 1
|
99,475
|
76,410
|
336,747
|
306,985
|
Net acquisitions
(dispositions)
|
—
|
(18,000)
|
(318)
|
(19,995)
|
Capital expenditures
and net acquisitions (dispositions) 1
|
99,475
|
58,410
|
336,429
|
286,990
|
1 – Non-GAAP and other
financial measures that do not have any standardized meaning under
IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures
presented by other entities. See Non-GAAP and Other Financial
Measures section herein.
|
2 – Realized (loss)
gain on risk management contracts includes settlement of financial
hedges on production and foreign exchange, with gain (loss) on
contracts associated with purchases presented
separately.
|
3 – Oil and natural gas
reserves are as determined by the Company's independent qualified
reserve evaluator with an effective date of December 31 for the
years shown in accordance with the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation
Handbook and are shown as gross working interest reserves before
royalties.
|
|
2024
|
2023
|
Balance sheet
($000s, except share amounts)
|
|
|
Total assets
|
1,215,575
|
1,085,615
|
Long-term
liabilities
|
388,452
|
305,735
|
Net debt
1
|
272,764
|
186,523
|
Adjusted working
capital (deficit) surplus 1
|
(22,862)
|
7,565
|
Weighted average shares
outstanding
|
|
|
Basic
|
43,760,116
|
43,971,108
|
Diluted
|
44,547,688
|
44,467,348
|
Shares outstanding end
of period
|
43,781,748
|
43,662,644
|
Return on average
capital employed ("ROACE") 1
|
3 %
|
21 %
|
Reserves
|
|
|
Proved reserves (MMboe)
3
|
130.7
|
123.2
|
Proved reserves per
share (boe) 3
|
3.0
|
2.8
|
Proved plus probable
reserves (MMboe) 3
|
246.4
|
224.5
|
Proved plus probable
reserves per share (boe) 3
|
5.6
|
5.1
|
1 – Non-GAAP and other
financial measures that do not have any standardized meaning under
IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures
presented by other entities. See Non-GAAP and Other Financial
Measures section herein.
|
2 – Realized (loss)
gain on risk management contracts includes settlement of financial
hedges on production and foreign exchange, with gain (loss) on
contracts associated with purchases presented
separately.
|
3 – Oil and natural gas
reserves are as determined by the Company's independent qualified
reserve evaluator with an effective date of December 31 for the
years shown in accordance with the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation
Handbook and are shown as gross working interest reserves before
royalties.
|
Fourth Quarter and Annual Highlights
- Annual production of 26,875 boe/d, fourth quarter
production of 27,657 boe/d, and 2024 exit rates >30,000 boe/d
(54% natural gas + 46% condensate and NGLs). Production
growth continued into January with new production taking monthly
average production to just under 32,500 boe/d.
- Four new Duvernay wells and
one Simonette Montney well brought on stream in the fourth quarter,
with one additional well brought on stream early in January 2025.
Average peak 30-day production rates from new wells are
summarized below:
Pad
|
On-stream
|
# wells
|
Natural gas +
associated liquids
(MMcf/d)
|
Condensate
(bbl/d)
|
Average production
per well
(boe/d)
|
% Condensate
|
8-23
(Simonette)
|
November
|
2 Duvernay
|
10.0
|
1,200
|
2,860
|
42 %
|
8-23
(Simonette)
|
November
|
1 Montney
|
1.2
|
450
|
650
|
69 %
|
9-11
(Simonette)
|
December1
|
3 Duvernay
|
7.5
|
1,600
|
2,850
|
56 %
|
____________________________
|
1 Two
wells were brought on-stream in December 2024, with the third well
on the pad brought on-stream in January 2025.
|
The Company more recently brought two Duvernay wells and one Simonette Montney well
at the 14-29 pad on-stream late in February
2025. The wells are still in the initial flow back stage,
performing as expected.
- Strong operating netback2 of
$31.38/boe drove adjusted funds flow
from operations2 of $71.7
million. On an annual basis, the Company achieved an
operating netback of $30.21/boe which
led to record annual adjusted funds flow from
operations2 of $272.1
million or $6.23/share.
- Annual operating costs of $7.04/boe were ahead of plan, declining 17%
year-over-year. In 2024, annual operating costs on a per barrel
basis reached their lowest levels since Kiwetinohk acquired its
primary assets, declining 27% from the time the Company went public
in 2022, demonstrating fixed plant cost economies of scale and the
value of owned and operated infrastructure as the Company moves
towards filling its plant capacity.
- Annual transportation costs of $5.44/boe were ahead of plan during 2024,
with approximately 95% of natural gas production delivered to the
Chicago market through the
Alliance pipeline system. This provided access to premium pricing
with the Chicago City Gate daily index averaging approximately
double AECO 5A pricing in Alberta
during the year.
- Capital expenditures (before
acquisitions/dispositions)2 of $99.5 million brought full year expenditures
to $336.7 million. This represents
the largest annual capital program in the Company's history and it
was executed within 1% of the midpoint of annual guidance
targets.
- Finished the year with a 1.00x net debt to annualized
adjusted funds flow from operations ratio2. The
Company expects to generate free cash flow and apply proceeds to
repay debt during 2025 (see guidance update for current projected
ratios of net debt to annualized adjusted funds flow from
operations).
_____________________________
|
2
Non-GAAP measures that do not have any standardized meaning under
IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures
presented by other entities. Please refer to the section "Non-GAAP
and other financial measures" herein for further
information.
|
Guidance update
Kiwetinohk has updated its sensitivity analysis for expected
adjusted funds flow from operations and the projected net
debt-to-adjusted funds flow from operations ratio. These updates
reflect actual year-to-date realized commodity pricing, a stronger
forward strip for natural gas, the anticipated impact of U.S.
import tariffs on gas volumes sold via the Alliance Pipeline to
Chicago (estimated at
approximately $15–$25 million if they remain in place), the
$21 million Opal disposition in
February 2025, and an expected
$8.4 million payment related to the
Homestead Solar power development project.
Despite the potential impact of U.S. import tariffs, these
revisions have resulted in increased expected adjusted funds flow
from operations and lower projected net debt-to-adjusted funds flow
from operations ratio sensitivities. This reflects the strength of
Kiwetinohk's business, which benefits from strong production with
low operating costs, high-liquids-content production, and critical
access to the Chicago natural gas
market for natural gas sales, which continues to offer premium
pricing compared to Alberta.
All other financial and operational guidance remains as
previously presented on December 16,
2024.
2025 Financial &
Operational Guidance
|
|
Current
March 4,
2025
|
Previous
December 16,
2024
|
2025 Adjusted
Funds Flow from Operations commodity pricing sensitivity
1
|
|
|
US$60/bbl WTI &
US$3.50/MMBtu HH & $0.70 USD/CAD
|
CAD$MM
|
$335 - $375
|
$300 - $335
|
US$70/bbl WTI &
US$5.00/MMBtu HH & $0.70 USD/CAD
|
CAD$MM
|
$405 - $450
|
$360 - $400
|
US$ WTI +/- $1.00/bbl
2
|
CAD$MM
|
+/- $4.3
|
+/- $4.3
|
US$ Chicago +/-
$0.10/MMBtu 2
|
CAD$MM
|
+/- $4.7
|
+/- $4.7
|
CAD$ AECO 5A +/-
$0.10/GJ 2
|
CAD$MM
|
+/- $0.1
|
+/- $0.1
|
Exchange Rate
(USD/CAD) +/- $0.01 2
|
CAD$MM
|
+/- $3.6
|
+/- $3.6
|
2025 Net
debt to Adjusted Funds Flow from Operations sensitivity
1
|
|
|
US$60/bbl WTI &
US$3.50/MMBtu HH & $0.70 USD/CAD
|
X
|
0.5x - 0.7x
|
0.8x - 1.0x
|
US$70/bbl WTI &
US$5.00/MMBtu HH & $0.70 USD/CAD
|
X
|
0.3x - 0.4x
|
0.5x - 0.6x
|
1 – Non-GAAP and other
financial measures that do not have any standardized meaning under
IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures
presented by other entities. Please refer to the section "Non-GAAP
Measures" herein.
|
2 – Assumes US$65/bbl
WTI, US$3.25/mmbtu HH, US$2.60/mmbtu HH - AECO basis diff, 0.70
USD/CAD.
|
A detailed breakdown of current full-year guidance, can be found
in the MD&A for this quarter available on SEDAR+ at
www.sedarplus.ca. The revised sensitivities incorporate updated
information relevant to expectations for financial and operational
results. This corporate guidance is based on commodity price
assumptions and economic conditions and readers are cautioned that
guidance estimates may fluctuate and are subject to numerous risks
and uncertainties. Kiwetinohk will update guidance if and as
required throughout the year.
2024 year-end reserves highlights
- Conversions to proved developed producing (PDP) replaced
approximately 128% of 2024 production; total proved plus
probable (2P) reserve replacement was 323%.
- 2P reserves grew by 10% or approximately 22.0 MMboe
after annual production.
- 2P net present value (NPV10 BT) grew by 4% year over
year to $2.9 billion.
- The 2024 Reserve Report demonstrates significant reserve
value per share: PDP NPV10 (BT) $17.90/share; Total Proved (1P) NPV10 (BT)
$38.09/share; and 2P NPV10 (BT)
$65.34/share compared to a
December 31, 2024 share price of
$16.35.
- PDP reserve life index (RLI) of 4.3, 1P of 12.9
and 2P of 24.3 years.
- Finding and development costs (F&D) for undeveloped
resources are $20.84/boe for 1P
F&D (future development capital divided by proved undeveloped
reserves) and $15.50/boe for 2P
F&D (future development capital divided by total undeveloped
reserves).
- Since listing as a public company in early 2022, 4-year
finding, development and acquisition (FD&A) recycle ratios
were 2.0x for PDP, 1.7x for 1P and 2.2x for 2P based on the four
year average operating netback of $36.46/boe.
- The Company has now booked 31 of 158 potential inventory
locations within the Simonette Montney formation, with booked
reserves now representing ~14% of our total 2P reserves.
Reserves update
McDaniel & Associates conducted an independent reserves
evaluation and prepared the Company's reserve report dated
March 4, 2025 and effective
December 31, 2024 in accordance with
National Instrument 51-101 standards and the requirements of the
Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers (SPEE) and the Canadian
Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook (COGEH).
The reserves evaluation was based on the average forecast
pricing of McDaniel's, GLJ Petroleum Consultants and Sproule
Associates Limited and foreign exchange rates at January 1, 2025 which is available on McDaniel's
website at www.mcdan.com. Reserves included below are presented on
a Company gross basis and reflect the Company's total working
interest reserves before the deduction of any royalties and do not
include any royalty interests payable to or by the Company.
Future development costs (FDC) reflect McDaniel's best estimate
of the future cost to bring Kiwetinohk's proved and probable
developed and undeveloped reserves on production. Actual costs may
be greater than or less than the estimates contained in the
McDaniel Report and referenced in this news release and FDC will be
re-forecast on an annual basis to account for changes in
development activities, new well design or performance, inflation
expectations and various other estimates.
Additional details of Kiwetinohk's 2024 year end reserves can be
found in the Company's AIF available on the Company website and on
the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
The following reserve summary table details the Company's 2024
gross volumetric and valuation reserve results:
|
Tight oil
(Mbbl)
|
Shale gas
(MMcf)
|
Natural
gas liquids
(Mbbl)
|
2024 Total
(Mboe)
|
2023 Total
(Mboe)
|
Proved
producing
|
691
|
147,892
|
18,663
|
44,003
|
41,222
|
Proved developed
non-producing
|
—
|
5,316
|
578
|
1,464
|
54
|
Proved
undeveloped
|
—
|
263,099
|
41,351
|
85,201
|
81,908
|
Total proved
|
691
|
416,307
|
60,592
|
130,668
|
123,184
|
Probable
|
148
|
378,270
|
52,512
|
115,705
|
101,271
|
Total proved plus
probable
|
839
|
794,577
|
113,104
|
246,373
|
224,455
|
Net present value before tax summary:
$ Thousands
|
0 %
|
5 %
|
10 %
|
15 %
|
20 %
|
Proved developed
producing
|
995,821
|
895,776
|
783,868
|
698,307
|
633,368
|
Proved developed
non-producing
|
24,335
|
20,379
|
17,142
|
14,604
|
12,613
|
Proved
undeveloped
|
1,852,467
|
1,242,569
|
866,522
|
621,467
|
454,148
|
Total proved
|
2,872,623
|
2,158,724
|
1,667,532
|
1,334,378
|
1,100,129
|
Probable
|
3,404,591
|
1,905,106
|
1,193,179
|
812,223
|
588,388
|
Total proved plus
probable
|
6,277,214
|
4,063,830
|
2,860,711
|
2,146,601
|
1,688,517
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PDP value / share
1
|
$
22.75
|
$
20.46
|
$
17.90
|
$
15.95
|
$
14.47
|
1P value / share
1
|
$
65.61
|
$
49.31
|
$
38.09
|
$
30.48
|
$
25.13
|
2P value / share
1
|
$
143.38
|
$
92.82
|
$
65.34
|
$
49.03
|
$
38.57
|
1 - based on 43,781,748
shares outstanding as of December 31, 2024
|
Future development costs ("FDC")
The following is McDaniel's estimate of FDC required to bring
total proved and total proved plus probable reserves onto
production:
Year
|
Total proved
($MM)
|
Total proved
plus
probable ($MM)
|
2025
|
282.3
|
282.3
|
2026
|
326.5
|
326.5
|
2027
|
352.4
|
352.4
|
2028
|
381.5
|
381.5
|
2029
|
394.0
|
394.0
|
Thereafter
|
39.2
|
1,211.8
|
Total FDC,
Undiscounted
|
1,775.9
|
2,948.5
|
Total FDC, Discounted
at 10%
|
1,369.2
|
1,987.3
|
1P/2P Future Undeveloped F&D Costs:
Proved
Undeveloped
|
|
1P
|
2P
|
FDC
|
$MM
|
1,776
|
2,948.5
|
Proved undeveloped
reserves
|
Mboe
|
85,201
|
190,198
|
F&D
|
$/boe
|
$
20.84
|
$
15.50
|
Power development update
During 2024, the Company invested $7.1
million on its power development portfolio, including
capitalized costs, project development expenses, and the Generating
Unit Owner's Contribution (GUOC) payment made on the Opal
project.
As previously announced, the Company has recently closed the
sale of its proposed 101-MW Opal natural gas-fired power project
for proceeds of $21 million. In
addition, on February 28, 2025, the
Homestead Solar project advanced to AESO Stage 5, thereby becoming
fully permitted and licensed. This requires an $8.4 million Generating Unit Owner's Contribution
payment to be made in March of 2025. The Company is pursuing a sale
of Homestead and approved this payment in expectation of a future
transaction.
Year-end conference call, 2024 ESG report and first quarter
2025 reporting date
Kiwetinohk management will host a conference call on
March 6, 2025, at 8 AM MT (10 AM ET)
to discuss results and answer questions. Participants can listen to
the conference call by dialing 1-888-510-2154 (North America toll free) or 437-900-0527
(Toronto and area). A replay of
the call will be available until March 13,
2025, at 1-888-660-6345 (North
America toll free) or 646-517-4150 (Toronto and area) by using the code 65191.
Kiwetinohk plans to release its first quarter 2025 results and
its report on 2024 environment, social and governance performance
after TSX close on May 7, 2025.
About Kiwetinohk
Kiwetinohk produces natural gas, natural gas liquids, oil and
condensate and is a developer of renewable and natural gas power
projects, and early stage carbon capture and storage opportunities,
in Alberta.
Kiwetinohk's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange
under the symbol KEC. Additional details are available within the
year-end documents available on Kiwetinohk's website at
kiwetinohk.com and SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
Oil and gas advisories
For the purpose of calculating unit costs, natural gas is
converted to a barrel of oil equivalent using six thousand cubic
feet of natural gas equal to one barrel of oil unless otherwise
stated. The term barrel of oil equivalent (boe) may be misleading,
particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio for gas
of 6 Mcf:1 boe 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 an energy equivalency of 6:1,
utilizing a conversion ratio of 6:1 may be misleading as an
indication of value.
This news release includes references to sales volumes of "crude
oil" "oil and condensate", "NGLs" and "natural gas" and revenues
therefrom. National Instrument 51-101 Standards of Disclosure for
Oil and Gas Activities, includes condensate within the NGLs product
type. The Company has disclosed condensate as combined with crude
oil and separately from other NGLs since the price of condensate as
compared to other NGLs is currently significantly higher, and the
Company believes that this crude oil and condensate presentation
provides a more accurate description of its operations and results
therefrom. Crude oil therefore refers to light oil, medium oil,
tight oil, and condensate. NGLs refers to ethane, propane, butane,
and pentane combined. Natural gas refers to conventional natural
gas and shale gas combined.
References to "initial wellhead rates", "initial results", "peak
rates" and other short-term production rates are useful in
confirming the presence of hydrocarbons, however such rates are not
determinative of the rates at which such wells will commence
production and decline thereafter, and are therefore not indicative
of long term performance or recovery. Investors are encouraged not
to place reliance on such rates when assessing the Company's
aggregate production.
This news release contains metrics commonly used in the oil and
natural gas industry. Each of these metrics is determined by the
Company as set out below or elsewhere in this news release. The
metrics are F&D cost, FD&A cost, recycle ratio, reserves
replacement ratio (excl A&D), and reserve life index. These
metrics do not have standardized meanings and may not be comparable
to similar measures presented by other companies. As such, they
should not be used to make comparisons. Management uses these oil
and gas metrics for its own performance measurements and to provide
shareholders with measures to compare the Company's performance
over time; however, such measures are not reliable indicators of
the Company's future performance and future performance may not
compare to the performance in previous periods and therefore should
not be unduly relied upon. Refer to the "Non-GAAP Financial Ratios"
section of this news release for a description of the calculation
and use of F&D cost, FD&A cost, recycle ratio.
F&D reserve replacement (excl A&D) is calculated by
dividing: (i) the net changes to reserves in such reserves category
from the prior period from extensions & improved recovery,
technical revisions, economic factors, acquisitions, and
dispositions, expressed in boe; by (ii) the actual annual
production for the year. Reserves replacement ratio is a measure
commonly used by management and investors to assess the rate at
which reserves depleted by production are being replaced.
Reserve life index is calculated by dividing: (i) the reserves
by category, expressed in boe; by (ii) the annualized Q4 average
production rate, expressed in boe/d.
Reserves Data
Reserves data set forth in this news release is based upon an
evaluation of the Company's reserves prepared by McDaniel &
Associates Consultants Ltd. ("McDaniel") dated March 4, 2025
and effective December 31, 2024 (the
"McDaniel Report"). The reserves referenced in this news release
are gross reserves. The price forecast used in the McDaniel Report
is the three consultant average forecast prices of McDaniel &
Associates Consultants Ltd., GLJ Ltd. and Sproule Associates
Limited as of January 1, 2025
("Jan 2025 Consultant Avg.") price
forecast. The estimates of reserves contained in the McDaniel
Report and referenced in this news release are estimates only and
there is no guarantee that the estimated reserves will be
recovered. Actual reserves may be greater than or less than the
estimates contained in the McDaniel Report and referenced in this
news release. There is no assurance that the forecast prices and
costs assumptions used in the McDaniel Report will be attained, and
variances could be material. Estimated future net revenue does not
represent fair market value. Readers should refer to the Company's
annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2024, available on Kiwetinohk's
website at www.kiwetinohk.com and the Company's profile on
SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, for a complete description of the
McDaniel Report (including reserves by the specific product types
of shale gas, conventional natural gas, NGLs, tight oil and light
and medium crude oil) and the material assumptions, limitations and
risk factors pertaining thereto.
Forward looking information
Certain information set forth in this news release contains
forward-looking information and statements including, without
limitation, management's business strategy, management's assessment
of future plans and operations. Such forward-looking statements or
information are provided for the purpose of providing information
about management's current expectations and plans relating to the
future. Forward-looking statements or information typically contain
statements with words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect",
"plan", "intend", "estimate", "project", "potential", "may" or
similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding
future performance and outlook. Readers are cautioned that
assumptions used in the preparation of such information may prove
to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results
to differ materially from those predicted as a result of numerous
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of
which are beyond the control of the Company.
In particular, this news release contains forward-looking
statements pertaining to the following:
- drilling and completion activities on certain wells and pads
and the expected timing for certain pads to be brought
on-stream;
- the timing and release of the Company's 2024 environment,
social and governance performance report;
- the potential sale of the Homestead Solar Project and the
anticipated timing thereof;
- the Company's revised 2025 financial and operational guidance
and adjustments to the previously communicated 2025 guidance,
including operations sensitivities;
- expectations of continued premiums in the Chicago natural gas benchmark pricing when
compared to Alberta markets;
- estimated impact of United
States import tariffs;
- the Company's operational and financial strategies and
plans;
- the Company's business strategies, objectives, focuses and
goals and expected or targeted performance and results;
- the expectation of engagement of strategic advisors and the
associated timeline of any process;
- the anticipated reserve life index of the Company's
reserves;
- the ability to generate free cash flows and reduce debt levels
in the future; and
- the timing of the release of the Company's first-quarter 2025
results.
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.
In addition to other factors and assumptions that may be
identified in this news release, assumptions have been made
regarding, among other things:
- the Company's belief that development projects will create
opportunities to provide reliable, dispatchable and affordable
energy;
- the Company's ability to execute on its revised 2025 budget
priorities;
- the timing and costs of the Company's capital projects,
including drilling and completion of certain wells;
- the impact of the federal government's draft clean electricity
regulations on the portfolio and uncertainties regarding same;
- the impact of the provincial government's restructured energy
market on the portfolio and uncertainties regarding same;
- the timing and costs of the Company's capital projects,
including drilling and completion of certain wells;
- the Company's ability to negotiate deal structures and terms on
the Company's power projects;
- the impact of increasing competition;
- the general stability of the economic and political environment
in which the Company operates;
- general business, economic and market conditions;
- the ability of the Company to obtain qualified staff, equipment
and services in a timely and cost efficient manner;
- future commodity and power prices;
- currency, royalty, exchange and interest rates;
- near and long-term impacts of tariffs or other changes in trade
policies in North America, as well
as globally;
- the regulatory framework regarding royalties, taxes, power,
renewable and environmental matters in the jurisdictions in which
the Company operates;
- the ability of the Company to obtain the required capital to
finance its exploration, development and other operations and meet
its commitments and financial obligations;
- the ability of the Company to secure adequate product
processing, transportation, fractionation and storage capacity on
acceptable terms and the capacity and reliability of
facilities;
- the impact of war, hostilities, civil insurrection, pandemics
(including Covid-19), instability and political and economic
conditions (including the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict and
conflict in the Middle East) on
the Company;
- the ability of the Company to successfully market its
products;
- the ability to fund power projects through third parties;
- expectations regarding access of oil and gas leases in light of
caribou range planning; and
- the Company's operational success and results being consistent
with current expectations.
Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive
of all factors and assumptions that have been used. Although the
Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-
looking statements or information are reasonable, undue reliance
should not be placed on forward-looking statements as the Company
can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be
correct.
Forward-looking statements or information involve a number of
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those anticipated by the Company and described in
the forward-looking statements or information. These risks and
uncertainties include, among other things:
- those risks set out in the Annual Information Form (AIF) under
"Risk Factors";
- the ability of management to execute its business plan;
- general economic and business conditions;
- the ability of the Company to proceed with the power generation
projects as described, or at all;
- global economic, financial and political conditions, including
the results of ongoing trade negotiations in North America, as well as globally;
- risks of war, hostilities, civil insurrection, pandemics
(including Covid-19), instability and political and economic
conditions (including the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict and
conflict in the Middle East) in or
affecting jurisdictions in which the Company operates;
- the risks of the power and renewable industries;
- operational and construction risks associated with certain
projects;
- the possibility that government policies or laws may change or
governmental approvals may be delayed or withheld;
- risks relating to regulatory approvals and financing;
- the ability to market in Alberta for power projects;
- uncertainty involving the forces that power certain renewable
projects;
- the Company's ability to enter into or renew leases;
- potential delays or changes in plans with respect to power and
solar projects or capital expenditures;
- risks associated with rising capital costs and timing of
project completion;
- fluctuations in commodity and power prices, foreign currency
exchange rates and interest rates;
- risks inherent in the Company's marketing operations, including
credit risk;
- health, safety, environmental and construction risks;
- risks associated with existing and potential future lawsuits
and regulatory actions against the Company;
- uncertainties as to the availability and cost of
financing;
- the ability to secure adequate processing, transportation,
fractionation and storage capacity on acceptable terms;
- processing, pipeline and fractionation infrastructure outages,
disruptions and constraints;
- financial risks affecting the value of the Company's
investments;
- risks related to the interpretation of, and/or potential claims
made pursuant to, the Government of Canada amendments to the deceptive marketing
practices provisions of the Competition Act (Canada) regarding greenwashing; and
- other risks and uncertainties described elsewhere in this
document and in Kiwetinohk's other filings with Canadian securities
authorities.
Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive
of all possible risks and uncertainties.
The forward-looking statements and information contained in this
news release speak only as of the date of this news release and the
Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements or information, except as expressly
required by applicable securities laws.
Non-GAAP and other financial measures
This news release uses various specified financial measures
including "non-GAAP financial measures", "non-GAAP financial
ratios" and "capital management measures", as defined in National
Instrument 52-112 Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures
Disclosure and explained in further detail below. These
non-GAAP and other financial measures presented in this news
release should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute
for performance measures prepared in accordance with IFRS and
should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements
and MD&A. Readers are cautioned that these non-GAAP measures do
not have any standardized meanings and should not be used to make
comparisons between Kiwetinohk and other companies without also
taking into account any differences in the method by which the
calculations are prepared.
Please refer to the Company's MD&A as at and for the year
ended December 31, 2024, under the
section "Non-GAAP and other financial measures" for a description
of these measures, the reason for their use and a reconciliation to
their closest GAAP measure where applicable. The Company's MD&A
is available on Kiwetinohk's website at kiwetinohk.com or its
SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Capital expenditures, capital expenditures and net acquisitions
(dispositions), operating netback, adjusted operating netback, and
net commodity sales from purchases (loss), are measures that are
not standardized measures under IFRS and might not be comparable to
similar financial measures presented by other companies.
The most directly comparable GAAP measure to capital
expenditures and capital expenditures and net acquisitions
(dispositions) is cash flow used in investing activities. The most
directly comparable GAAP measure to operating netback and adjusted
operating netback is commodity sales from production. The most
directly comparable GAAP measure to net commodity sales from
purchases (loss) is commodity sales from purchases.
Capital Management Measures
Adjusted funds flow from operations, free funds flow
(deficiency) from operations, adjusted working capital surplus
(deficit), net debt, net debt to annualized adjusted funds flow
from operations and net debt to adjusted funds flow from operations
are capital management measures that may not be comparable to
similar financial measures presented by other companies. These
measures may include calculations that utilize non-GAAP financial
measures and should not be considered in isolation or construed as
alternatives to their most directly comparable measure disclosed in
the Company's primary financial statements or other measures of
financial performance calculated in accordance with IFRS.
Capital expenditures, capital expenditures and net acquisitions,
F&D cost, FD&A cost, and recycle ratio, each presented on a
$/boe basis are non-GAAP ratios as they each have a non-GAAP
financial measure as a component. These measures are not
standardized measures under IFRS and might not be comparable to
similar financial measures presented by other companies. These
measures should not be considered in isolation or construed as
alternatives to their most directly comparable measure disclosed in
the Company's primary financial statements or other measures of
financial performance calculated in accordance with IFRS.
F&D costs are calculated by dividing: (i) capital
expenditures, excluding power projects (a non-GAAP financial
measure) for the applicable reserves category and period; by (ii)
the net changes to reserves in such reserves category from the
prior period from extensions & improved recovery, technical
revisions, and economic factors, expressed in boe. F&D costs
are a measure commonly used by management and investors to assess
the relationship between capital invested in oil and gas
exploration and development projects and reserve additions.
FD&A costs are calculated by dividing: (i) capital
expenditures and net acquisitions, excluding power acquisitions (a
non-GAAP financial measure) for the applicable reserves category
and period; by (ii) the net changes to reserves in such reserves
category from the prior period from extensions & improved
recovery, technical revisions, economic factors, acquisitions, and
dispositions, expressed in boe. FD&A costs are a measure
commonly used by management and investors to assess the
relationship between capital invested in oil and gas exploration
and development projects, acquisitions net of dispositions, and
reserve additions.
Recycle ratio is calculated by dividing the netback (a non-GAAP
financial measure) per boe for the period by the F&D costs or
the FD&A costs for the period. Recycle ratio is used by
investors and management to compare the cost of adding reserves to
the netback realized from production.
Readers should refer to the information under the heading
"Statement of Reserves Data – Reserves Reconciliation" in the
Company's Annual Information Forms ("AIF") for the year ended
December 31, 2024, which is available
on Kiwetinohk's website at www.kiwetinohk.com and SEDAR+ at
www.sedarplus.ca, for a description of the net changes to reserves
in each reserves category from the prior year.
Supplementary Financial Measures
This news release contains supplementary financial measures
expressed as: (i) cash flow from operating activities, adjusted
funds flow on a per share – basic and per share – diluted basis,
(ii) realized prices, petroleum and natural gas sales, adjusted
funds flow, revenue, royalties, operating expenses, transportation,
realized loss on risk management, and net commodity sales from
purchases on a $/bbl, $/Mcf or $/boe basis and (iii) royalty
rate.
Cash flow from operating activities, adjusted funds flow and
free cash flow on a per share – basic and diluted basis are
calculated by dividing the cash flow from operating activities,
adjusted funds flow or free cash flow, as applicable, over the
referenced period by the weighted average basic or diluted shares
outstanding during the period determined under IFRS.
Metrics presented on a $/bbl, $/Mcf or $/boe basis are
calculated by dividing the respective measure, as applicable, over
the referenced period by the aggregate applicable units of
production (bbl, Mcf or boe) during such period.
Royalty rate is calculated by dividing royalties by petroleum
and natural gas sales less royalty and other revenue.
This news release also includes reference to net present value
("NPV 10"), which does not have a standardized meaning or a
standard method of calculation, may not be comparable to similar
measures used by other companies and should not be used to make
such comparisons. This metric has been included to provide
investors with an additional measure to evaluate the Company's
performance. Future performance may not compare to the performance
in previous periods, and therefore this metric should not be unduly
relied upon. NPV 10 is the difference between the present value of
cash inflows and the present value of cash outflows over a period
of time at a 10% discount rate. Management uses this metric for its
own performance measurements and to provide users with a measure to
compare the Company's economic returns and operations over time.
Readers are cautioned that the information provided by this metric,
or that can be derived from this metric as presented in this news
release, should not be relied upon for investment or other
purposes.
Future oriented financial information
Financial outlook and future-oriented financial information
referenced in this news release about prospective financial
performance, financial position or cash flows is based on
assumptions about future events, including economic conditions and
proposed courses of action, based on management's assessment of the
relevant information currently available. These projections contain
forward-looking statements and are based on a number of material
assumptions and factors set out above and are provided to give the
reader a better understanding of the potential future performance
of the Company in certain areas. Actual results may differ
significantly from the projections presented herein. These
projections may also be considered to contain future oriented
financial information or a financial outlook. The actual results of
the Company's operations for any period will likely vary from the
amounts set forth in these projections, and such variations may be
material. See "Risk Factors" in the Company's AIF published on the
Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca for a further
discussion of the risks that could cause actual results to vary.
The future oriented financial information and financial outlooks
contained in this news release have been approved by management as
of the date of this news release. Readers are cautioned that any
such financial outlook and future-oriented financial information
contained herein should not be used for purposes other than those
for which it is disclosed herein.
Abbreviations
$/bbl
|
dollars per
barrel
|
$/boe
|
dollars per barrel
equivalent
|
$/Mcf
|
dollars per thousand
cubic feet
|
AESO
|
Alberta Electric
Systems Operator
|
AIF
|
Annual Information
Form
|
AUC
|
Alberta Utilities
Commission
|
bbl/d
|
barrels per
day
|
boe
|
barrel of oil
equivalent, including crude oil, condensate, natural gas liquids,
and natural gas (converted on the basis of one boe per six Mcf of
natural gas)
|
Mboe
|
thousand barrels of oil
equivalent
|
MMboe
|
million barrels of oil
equivalent
|
boe/d
|
barrel of oil
equivalent per day
|
DCET
|
Drill, Complete, Equip
and Tie-in
|
FID
|
Final Investment
Decision
|
Mcf
|
thousand cubic
feet
|
Mcf/d
|
thousand cubic standard
feet per day
|
MD&A
|
Management Discussion
& Analysis
|
MMcf/d
|
million cubic feet per
day
|
MW
|
one million
watts
|
NGLs
|
natural gas liquids,
which includes butane, propane, and ethane
|
|
|
For more information on Kiwetinohk, please
contact:
Investor Relations
email: IR@kiwetinohk.com
phone: (587) 392-4395
Pat Carlson, Chief Executive
Officer
Jakub Brogowski, Chief Financial
Officer
SOURCE Kiwetinohk Energy