Hammerhead Energy Inc. Announces Record 2022 Annual Results, 2022 Year-end Reserves and Provides 2023 Guidance
Hammerhead Energy Inc.
Hammerhead Energy Inc.

CALGARY, Alberta, March 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hammerhead Energy Inc. (“Hammerhead Energy” or “HEI”) (TSX: HHRS, HHRS.WT ; NASDAQ: HHRS, HHRSW) is pleased to announce record 2022 annual financial and operating results, year-end 2022 reserves and provide 2023 guidance.

On February 23, 2023, HEI completed a plan of arrangement pursuant to a business combination agreement with Decarbonization Plus Acquisition Corporation IV (“DCRD”), an affiliate of HEI's controlling shareholder, Riverstone Holdings LLC, Hammerhead Resources Inc. (the "Company") and certain other parties and their respective shareholders. Pursuant to the plan of arrangement, DCRD amalgamated with a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company which was incorporated for the purpose of effecting the business combination to form Hammerhead Energy Inc. Also pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement, the Company amalgamated with a wholly owned subsidiary of DCRD incorporated to effect the business combination to form Hammerhead Resources ULC, a wholly owned subsidiary of HEI. In this press release, unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, "Hammerhead” and "the Company” refers to Hammerhead Resources Inc.

Scott Sobie notes “I am extremely proud of our accomplishments during 2022 as an organically grown business that continues to deliver sustainable and reliable energy while generating among the best returns in North America. Our successful entry into the public markets represents a significant milestone in the progression of our business. We are excited about the record results delivered in 2022, and our results to date in 2023 have been exceptional. Our corporate netback8 in 2022 exceeded $36/boe and has continued in that range thus far in 2023 due to excellent operational execution and strong realized prices as a result of prudent hedging and natural gas marketing diversification. Prior to the most recent drop in oil prices, we added 7,000 bbl/d of new hedges for Q2 and Q3 2023 at US$75.28. Our Lower Montney lands remains 99% un-booked to date. Our recent 9-well 5-12 pad at North Karr has continued to deliver very strong production with nominal declines to date. A new 7-well pad at North Karr as well as a 7-well pad at Gold Creek are currently being completed and tied in. In 2023 we expect to generate significant cash flow per share growth and complete our infrastructure build-out, such that starting in 2024 we expect to generate substantial free cash flow.”

2022 Highlights:

  • The Company achieved record annual average production of 32,081 boe/d (43% liquids)1 for the year ended December 31, 2022. Liquids weighting increased to 43% from 39% in 2021 as the Company increased development in the Karr area. Annual average production increased 15% and oil production increased 40% over 2021.

  • Oil and gas revenue was $844.6 million and operating netback2 was $457.9 million or $39.10/boe for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of 146% from the same period of 2021.

  • Net cash from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $371.4 million. Adjusted funds from operations3 was $423.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2022, which is a record level and an increase of 218% from the previous year.

  • The Company reported record net profit of $225.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.

  • The Company realized the benefit of market diversification for its natural gas production, generating an average 2022 natural gas price of $7.84/Mcf, 46% above the 2022 average AECO 5A monthly index price of $5.36/Mcf. The Company has 25 MMcf/d of exposure to Malin gas pricing, which averaged $11.20/Mcf for the year ended December 31, 2022.

  • Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $368.2 million. Capital expenditures4 during the year ended December 31, 2022 were $383.9 million, inclusive of $74.0 million of infrastructure expansion capital. The exploration and development program included the drilling of 31.0 gross (29.1 net), completion of 26.0 gross (26.0 net), and on-stream of 34.0 gross (34.0 net) Montney light-oil wells.

  • Net cash from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $371.4 million. In a year of significant production growth (up 15% year-over-year), during which the Company allocated substantial capital to Karr infrastructure expansion, the Company generated free funds flow5 of $39.5 million.

  • The Company exited 2022 with net debt6 of $291.6 million and a net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 0.7 times7.

  • On September 26, 2022 the Company and DCRD announced a business combination that resulted in the formation of HEI which commenced trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) and the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) on February 27, 2023. As at March 28, 2023, HEI had 90,927,765 Class A common shares issued and outstanding (96,779,752 fully diluted).