Crew Energy Inc. ("Crew" or the "Company") (TSX:CR) of Calgary,
Alberta is pleased to announce two transactions in the Company's
British Columbia Montney resource play area of operations.
Through the combination of these two transactions, Crew will
increase its Montney land position from 130,748 net acres to over
150,000 net acres. The Company is consolidating Montney lands
within the Septimus/Groundbirch corridor proximal to Company
infrastructure and reducing the Company's net debt position by
approximately $86 million subject to closing adjustments.
Kobes Transaction
Crew has executed a definitive agreement to sell, for $108
million prior to closing adjustments, approximately 15,800 net
acres of liquids rich Montney land in the Kobes area with current
production of approximately 625 boe per day (29% liquids) and one
cased horizontal well awaiting completion which was expected to add
approximately 1,100 boe per day of production in January 2013. The
lands have proved developed producing reserves of 444 mboe, total
proved reserves of 3,541 mboe, and proved plus probable reserves of
11,862 mboe as assigned by GLJ Petroleum Consultants as at December
31, 2011. Future development capital of $112.3 million was
attributed to the proved plus probable reserve assignment. This
transaction has an effective date of December 1, 2012 and is
expected to close by December 28, 2012, subject to satisfaction of
standard industry closing conditions.
Septimus/Groundbirch Transaction
The second transaction involves assets that are contiguous to
Crew's Septimus area of operation and involves the purchase, for
$22.0 million, of approximately 36,000 net acres of primarily
liquids rich Montney rights, current production of 52 boe per day,
proved developed producing reserves of 152 mboe, total proved
reserves of 1,077 mboe and proved plus probable reserves of 3,280
mboe assigned by GLJ Petroleum Consultants as at December 31, 2011.
Future development capital of $26.1 million was attributed to the
proved plus probable reserve assignment. Crew has retained an
exclusive option to purchase, by March 15, 2013, an additional 140
sections of land, total proved reserves of 1,850 mboe and proved
plus probable reserves of 9,970 mboe, as assigned by GLJ Petroleum
Consultants effective December 31, 2011, for $56 million on the
option lands. Future development capital of $77 million was
attributed to the proved plus probable reserve assignment. The bulk
of the reserves and land in the option area are in the Altares and
Attachie liquids rich areas of the Montney play. This option, if
exercised, is expected to close by March 31, 2013.
Transaction Rationale
These transactions are consistent with Crew's strategy of
building a significant resource base at a reasonable cost while
maintaining a strong balance sheet.
-- Crew's balance sheet is improved with an $86 million net reduction of
debt to an estimated year-end total debt forecast of $294 million
assuming completion of both transactions;
-- Crew's northeast British Columbia Montney ownership has increased by 16%
to over 150,000 net acres. A map of the acreage acquired in the
Septimus/Groundbirch transaction will be posted on the Company's
website;
-- The Kobes lands were purchased by Crew for $3.4 million resulting in
significant value creation from the Kobes transaction;
-- A greater concentration of lands proximal to Company infrastructure at
Septimus and west Septimus/Groundbirch will result in enhanced economies
of scale and improved economics;
-- Crew's infrastructure and lands are situated to take advantage of our
current "flow east" economic solution or can be re-directed for a "flow
west" solution;
-- Of the 36,000 net acres acquired in the first phase of the
Septimus/Groundbirch transaction, approximately 29,000 net acres are in
the "wet gas" window, most of which are in a "sweet spot" with expected
yields of 45 to 59 bbls per mmcf of liquids (17% to 32% condensate),
5,700 net acres are within the Montney "oil" window and 1,300 net acres
are located within the "dry gas" window;
-- The upper Montney at west Septimus/Groundbirch has thicknesses of 450 to
525 feet compared to Septimus at 260 to 450 feet with a total Montney
thickness of approximately 800 feet. While no horizontal wells have been
drilled on the lands to date, the results from tests on several vertical
wells located on the lands and reservoir quality as determined from
petrophysical analysis are similar to vertical tests in significant high
deliverability horizontal Montney developments nearby;
-- Crew has identified and will continue to pursue additional Montney
consolidation opportunities;
-- The addition of the prospective lands will require the expansion of the
Aux Sable Canada, Crew operated Septimus gas plant.
Cautionary Statements
Forward-looking information and statements
This news release contains certain forward-looking information
and statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws.
The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue",
"estimate", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans",
"intends", "forecast" and similar expressions are intended to
identify forward-looking information or statements. In particular,
but without limiting the foregoing, this news release contains
forward-looking information and statements pertaining to the
following: completion of the asset disposition and acquisition and
the timing thereof; projected debt levels including forecast 2012
year end net debt after closing of the transactions; future
development, exploration, acquisition and development activities
and related capital expenditures and the timing thereof; the total
future capital associated with development of reserves and
resources; and methods of funding our capital program.
Forward-looking statements or information are based on a number
of material factors, expectations or assumptions of Crew which have
been used to develop such statements and information but which may
prove to be incorrect. Although Crew believes that the expectations
reflected in such forward-looking statements or information are
reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking
statements because Crew can give no assurance that such
expectations will prove to be correct. In addition to other factors
and assumptions which may be identified herein, assumptions have
been made regarding, among other things: that all conditions to
closing of the transactions are satisfied or waived; the impact of
increasing competition; the general stability of the economic and
political environment in which Crew operates; the timely receipt of
any required regulatory approvals; the ability of Crew to obtain
qualified staff, equipment and services in a timely and cost
efficient manner; drilling results; the ability of the operator of
the projects in which Crew has an interest in to operate the field
in a safe, efficient and effective manner; the ability of Crew to
obtain financing on acceptable terms; field production rates and
decline rates; the ability to replace and expand oil and natural
gas reserves through acquisition, development and exploration; the
timing and cost of pipeline, storage and facility construction and
expansion and the ability of Crew to secure adequate product
transportation; future commodity prices; currency, exchange and
interest rates; regulatory framework regarding royalties, taxes and
environmental matters in the jurisdictions in which Crew operates;
the ability of Crew to successfully market its oil and natural gas
products. Included herein is an estimate of Crew's year-end net
debt based on assumptions as to cash flow, capital spending in 2012
and the other assumptions utilized in arriving at Crew's 2012
capital budget. To the extent such estimate constitutes a financial
outlook, it is included herein to provide readers with an
understanding of estimated capital expenditures and the effect
thereof on debt levels and readers are cautioned that the
information may not be appropriate for other purposes.
The forward-looking information and statements included in this
news release are not guarantees of future performance and should
not be unduly relied upon. Such information and statements,
including the assumptions made in respect thereof, involve known
and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause
actual results or events to defer materially from those anticipated
in such forward-looking information or statements including,
without limitation: changes in commodity prices; changes in the
demand for or supply of Crew's products; unanticipated operating
results or production declines; changes in tax or environmental
laws, royalty rates or other regulatory matters; changes in
development plans of Crew or by third party operators of Crew's
properties, increased debt levels or debt service requirements;
inaccurate estimation of Crew's oil and gas reserve and resource
volumes; limited, unfavourable or a lack of access to capital
markets; increased costs; a lack of adequate insurance coverage;
the impact of competitors; and certain other risks detailed from
time-to-time in Crew's public disclosure documents (including,
without limitation, those risks identified in this news release and
Crew's Annual Information Form).
The forward-looking information and statements contained in this
news release speak only as of the date of this news release, and
Crew does not assume any obligation to publicly update or revise
any of the included forward-looking statements or information,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise,
except as may be required by applicable securities laws.
BOE equivalent
Barrel of oil equivalents or 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. Given that the value ratio based on
the current price of crude oil as compared to natural gas is
significantly different than the energy equivalency of 6:1,
utilizing a 6:1 conversion basis may be misleading as an indication
of value.
Crew is an oil and gas exploration and production company whose
shares are traded on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading
symbol "CR".
Contacts: Crew Energy Inc. Dale Shwed President and C.E.O. (403)
231-8850dale.shwed@crewenergy.com Crew Energy Inc. John Leach
Senior Vice President and C.F.O. (403)
231-8859john.leach@crewenergy.com Crew Energy Inc. Rob Morgan
Senior Vice President and C.O.O. (403)
513-9628rob.morgan@crewenergy.com www.crewenergy.com
Crew Energy (TSX:CR)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024
Crew Energy (TSX:CR)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024
