Canacol Energy Ltd. Reports a 10% Increase in Realized Contractual Natural Gas Sales Volumes, 24% Increase in Adjusted Funds from Operations and Net Income of $7 million in Q4 2021

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Canacol Energy Ltd.
Canacol Energy Ltd.

CALGARY, Alberta, March 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canacol Energy Ltd. (“Canacol” or the “Corporation”) (TSX:CNE; OTCQX:CNNEF; BVC:CNEC) is pleased to report its financial and operating results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2021, as well as its conventional natural gas reserves for the year ended December 31, 2021. Dollar amounts are expressed in United States dollars, with the exception of Canadian dollar unit prices (“C$”) where indicated and otherwise noted.

Highlights for the three months and year ended December 31, 2021

  • Realized contractual natural gas sales volumes increased 10% and 6% to 185.9 million standard cubic feet per day (“MMscfpd”) and 181.4 MMscfpd for the three months and year ended December 31, 2021, compared to 169.8 MMscfpd and 171.6 MMscfpd for the same periods in 2020, respectively. Average natural gas production volumes increased 9% and 7% to 186.1 MMscfpd and 182.8 MMscfpd for the three months and year ended December 31, 2021, compared to 170.1 MMscfpd and 171.1 MMscfpd for the same periods in 2020, respectively. The increases are mainly due to increased firm contract and spot market sales as a result of less COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

  • Total natural gas revenues, net of royalties and transportation expenses increased 10% and 1% to $67 million and $243.4 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $60.9 million and $240.3 million for the same periods in 2020, respectively, mainly attributable to an increase in natural gas production.

  • Adjusted funds from operations increased 24% and 6% to $43.7 million and $153.8 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $35.3 million and $145.1 million for the same periods in 2020, respectively. Adjusted funds from operations per basic share increased 25% and 7% to $0.25 per basic share and $0.86 per basic share for the three months and year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $0.20 per basic share and $0.80 per basic share for the same periods in 2020, respectively.

  • Adjusted EBITDAX increased 7% and 4% to $49.2 million and $194.4 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $45.9 million and $187.5 million for the same periods in 2020, respectively.

  • The Corporation realized a net income of $7 million and $15.2 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2021, compared to a net income of $0.9 million and a net loss of $4.7 million for the same periods in 2020, respectively. The net income realized during the three months and year ended December 31, 2021 was mainly due to a lower deferred tax expense of $10.7 million and $37.4 million realized during the three months and year ended December 31, 2021, respectively, which was mainly as a result of the de-recognition of certain deferred tax assets for non-capital losses in Q4 2020. In addition, there were increased revenues, net of transportation expenses in 2021 due to higher sales volumes.

  • The Corporation’s natural gas operating netback slightly increased to $3.59 per Mcf in the three months ended December 31, 2021, compared to $3.58 per Mcf for the same period in 2020. The increase is mainly due to a decrease in royalties by 8% to $0.67 per Mcf in the three months ended December 31, 2021, compared to $0.73 per Mcf for the same period in 2020. The decrease of royalties was due to lower production at the Corporation’s VIM-5 block, which is subject to a higher royalty rate. The lower royalties were offset by higher operating expenses per Mcf of 9% to $0.35 per Mcf during the three months ended December 31, 2021, compared to $0.32 per Mcf for the same period in 2020, mainly due to an increase in maintenance costs.

  • The Corporation’s natural gas operating netback decreased 5% to $3.40 per Mcf in the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $3.57 per Mcf for the same period in 2020. The decrease is mainly due to the lower average realized prices, net of transportation expense due to lower priced fixed contracts for the 2021 contract year, compared to the 2020 contract year. In addition, the Corporation’s operating expenses per Mcf increased 4% to $0.28 per Mcf in the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $0.27 per Mcf for the same period in 2020.

  • Net capital expenditures for the three months and year ended December 31, 2021 were $21.6 million and $99.9 million, respectively. Net capital expenditures included non-cash adjustments related mainly to decommissioning obligations and right-of-use leased assets of $1.5 million and $2.9 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2021, respectively.

  • On June 17, 2021, the Corporation entered into a three year term credit agreement with Banco Davivienda (“Colombia Bank Debt”) for a principal amount of $12.9 million denominated in COP, which is subject to an annual interest rate of IBR plus 2.5% (IBR was 1.86% at the agreement date). The Colombia Bank Debt was used to repay the Corporation’s litigation settlement liability, which was subject to an 8.74% annual interest rate. The principal is scheduled to mature three years from the agreement date.

  • On November 24, 2021, the Corporation completed a private offering of senior unsecured notes in the aggregate principal amount of $500 million (“2028 Senior Notes”). The 2028 Senior Notes will pay interest semi-annually at a rate of 5.75% per annum, and will mature in 2028, unless earlier redeemed or repurchased in accordance with their terms. In connection with the 2028 Senior Notes offering, the Corporation entered into a tender offer with Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC (“Purchaser”) to purchase any and all of the outstanding $320 million Senior Notes due in 2025 (“Tender Offer”), which were subject to a 7.25% interest rate (“2025 Senior Notes”). The Corporation used the $500 million proceeds to repay its Credit Suisse Bank Debt of $30 million and refinance its 2025 Senior Notes of $320 million.

  • As at December 31, 2021, the Corporation had $138.5 million in cash and cash equivalents and $148.1 million in working capital surplus. The increase in cash and cash equivalents was mainly due to the refinancing of the Corporation’s Senior Notes with an incremental principal amount of $180 million. The Senior Notes interest rate was reduced from 7.25% to 5.75% per annum.