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CALGARY, Alberta, Aug. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Questerre Energy Corporation ("Questerre" or the "Company") (TSX,OSE:QEC) reported today on its financial and operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024.
Michael Binnion, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Questerre, commented, "As we advance our high-impact projects, we are growing our conventional assets. Three (0.75 net) wells were completed at Kakwa Central this quarter and should be on production in late August. A new completion design and improved water handling lowered costs by 20% over last year to about $14 million per well. Using a similar approach, the operator at Kakwa North plans to drill three (1.5 net) wells this fall. We will review the final programs to assess our participation. With success, these wells could materially grow our existing production next year."
Commenting on developments in Quebec, he added, "Our carbon storage pilot application in Quebec is well-advanced. A program to find government funding for this project is underway. In what could be a positive development, the Government tabled Bill 69 on the responsible governance of energy resources in response to the impending electric energy shortfall. It requires an integrated plan for managing both electricity and natural gas supply in the province. The added natural gas supply requirement appears very positive and demonstrates a recognition of the long-term need for natural gas supply in Quebec."
Highlights
- Three (0.75 net) wells completed at Kakwa Central
- Government of Quebec introduces Bill 69 for the responsible governance of energy resources in Quebec
- Average daily production of 1,559 boe per day(1) with adjusted funds flow from operations of $4.5 million
Consistent with prior periods, Kakwa continued to account for 80% of corporate production. Natural declines contributed to lower production volumes this year compared to last year when the Company tied-in one (0.25 net) well. Production averaged 1,559 boe/d for the quarter (2023: 1,978 boe/d) and 1,612 boe/d for the first half of the year (2023: 1,884 boe/d). The three (0.75 net) wells drilled and completed in the current year are expected to increase production in the latter half of the third quarter.
Lower production volumes and, to a lesser extent, lower natural gas prices, offset the increase in realized liquids prices resulting in lower revenue for the quarter and six months ended June 30 compared to last year. For the quarter, petroleum and natural gas sales totaled $8.8 million (2023: $10.7 million) and $17.8 million year to date (2023: $21.2 million). The lower revenue contributed to adjusted funds flow from operations of $4.5 million (2023: $5.3 million) in the quarter and $7.4 million for the first six months of the year (2023: $9.6 million).
The revenue also contributed to net income of $1.3 million for the quarter (2023: $1.7 million) and $1.1 million (2023: $2.6 million) for the first half of the year. Capital expenditures in the quarter were $7.0 million (2023: $2.5 million) and $9.7 million year to date (2023: $5.7 million).
The Company also reported on the pending renewal of its credit facility with a Canadian chartered bank. Following a preliminary review conducted in the second quarter, the Company anticipates its credit facilities will remain at $16 million. The renewal will take effect upon receipt of the final requisite approvals in the third quarter. The effective interest rate on the facility for the first half of 2024 was 8.16% (2023: 7.74%). As at June 30, 2024, effectively no amounts were drawn on the facility and the Company held unrestricted cash and term deposits of $37 million. As of June 30, 2024, the Company had a net working capital surplus of $27.6 million (2023: $28 million surplus).
The term "adjusted funds flow from operations" and "working capital surplus" are non-IFRS measures. Please see the reconciliation elsewhere in this press release.
Questerre is an energy technology and innovation company. It is leveraging its expertise gained through early exposure to low permeability reservoirs to acquire significant high-quality resources. We believe we can successfully transition our energy portfolio. With new clean technologies and innovation to responsibly produce and use energy, we can sustain both human progress and our natural environment.
Questerre is a believer that the future success of the oil and gas industry depends on a balance of economics, environment, and society. We are committed to being transparent and are respectful that the public must be part of making the important choices for our energy future.
Advisory Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains certain statements which constitute forward-looking statements or information ("forward-looking statements") including the commencement of production from new wells from Kakwa, timing, participation and expectation of production increases regarding proposed wells at Kakwa North, the Company's plans to seek government funding for its carbon storage pilot in Quebec and its views on the inclusion of natural gas supply in Bill 69. Forward-looking statements are based on several material factors, expectations, or assumptions of Questerre which have been used to develop such statements and information, but which may prove to be incorrect. Although Questerre believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because Questerre can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further, 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, including, without limitation: the implementation of Bill 21 by the Government of Quebec and certain other risks detailed from time-to-time in Questerre's public disclosure documents. Additional information regarding some of these risks, expectations or assumptions and other factors may be found under in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023, and other documents available on the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and Questerre undertakes no obligations to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.
Certain information set out herein may be considered as "financial outlook" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The purpose of this financial outlook is to provide readers with disclosure regarding Questerre's reasonable expectations as to the anticipated results of its proposed business activities for the periods indicated. Readers are cautioned that the financial outlook may not be appropriate for other purposes.
(1) For the three-month period ended June 30, 2024, liquids production including light crude and natural gas liquids accounted for 931 bbls/d (2023: 1,159 bbls/d) and natural gas including conventional and shale gas accounted for 3,767 Mcf/d (2023: 4,911 Mcf/d). For the six-month period ended June 30, 2024, liquids production including light crude and natural gas liquids accounted for 955 bbls/d (2023: 1,091 bbls/d) and natural gas including conventional and shale gas accounted for 3,942 Mcf/d (2023: 4,760 Mcf/d).
Barrel of oil equivalent ("boe") amounts may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio has been calculated using a conversion rate of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of oil and the conversion ratio of one barrel to six thousand cubic feet is based on an energy equivalent conversion method application at the burner tip and does not necessarily represent an economic value equivalent 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 equivalent of 6:1, utilizing a conversion on a 6:1 basis may be misleading as an indication of value.
This press release contains the terms "adjusted funds flow from operations" and "working capital surplus" which are non-GAAP terms. Questerre uses these measures to help evaluate its performance.
As an indicator of Questerre's performance, adjusted funds flow from operations should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, cash flows from operating activities as determined in accordance with GAAP. Questerre's determination of adjusted funds flow from operations may not be comparable to that reported by other companies. Questerre considers adjusted funds flow from operations to be a key measure as it demonstrates the Company's ability to generate the cash necessary to fund operations and support activities related to its major assets.
| Three months ended June 30, | Six months ended June 30, | |||
| ($ thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 |
| Net cash from operating activities | $ 3,141 | $ 4,133 | $ 5,769 | $ 8,871 |
| Change in non-cash operating working capital | 1,314 | 1,202 | 1,659 | 831 |
| Adjusted Funds Flow from Operations | $ 4,455 | $ 5,335 | $ 7,428 | $ 9,612 |
Working capital surplus is a non-GAAP measure calculated as current assets less current liabilities excluding risk management contracts and lease liabilities.
