Long Run Exploration Ltd. Announces 2015 Second Quarter Results

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Jul 29, 2015) - LONG RUN EXPLORATION LTD. (LRE.TO) ("Long Run" or the "Company") announces financial and operational results for the second quarter of 2015.

Commodity prices have continued to demonstrate weakness through the second quarter of 2015, however Long Run is committed to our disciplined capital spending plan. Based on our financial and operational results over the first half of the year, we remain on track to meet our 2015 capital budget, production and funds flow targets. Our team is focused on cost savings initiatives in an effort to reduce capital and operating costs and improve project returns in this challenging commodity price environment.

Long Run continues to examine strategic and financial means to improve the capital structure of the Company. We believe in the value of our diversified asset base and are diligently working towards a balance between improved financial strength and operational momentum.

SECOND QUARTER 2015 HIGHLIGHTS

  • Generated funds flow from operations of $45.9 million ($0.24/share) compared to $73.4 million ($0.54/share) in 2014, reflecting lower commodity prices and lower oil production partially offset by higher natural gas and NGLs production, a gain on financial derivatives and lower royalties. Funds flow from operations in the first half of 2015 totaled $85.9 million ($0.44/share).

  • Averaged 34,457 Boe/d of production, an increase of 6,855 Boe/d from 27,602 Boe/d in 2014. The production increase resulted primarily from the liquids-rich natural gas weighted Deep Basin acquisitions in 2014. Production averaged 35,026 Boe/d over the first six months of 2015.

  • Reduced capital expenditures to $8.8 million compared to $57.3 million in 2014. Capital expenditures of $54.1 million were incurred over the first six months of 2015, in line with our planned expenditures of $50 - $55 million. Expenditures were focused on our Deep Basin Cardium and Peace River Montney core areas.

  • Executed on $10.1 million of non-core dispositions with proceeds being directed towards debt repayment.

  • Reduced net debt at June 30, 2015 by $30.4 million from December 31, 2014, on track with our debt reduction goal of $100 million for 2015. The reduction in net debt was a result of disposition proceeds and funds flow from operations exceeding capital expenditures. As at June 30, 2015, Long Run's net debt was $709.2 million and we were in compliance with all covenants, obligations and conditions of our credit agreement.

  • Recorded a net loss of $50.1 million compared to net earnings of $20.8 million in 2014, primarily as a result of lower funds flow from operations and higher unrealized losses on financial derivatives. Over the first six months of 2015, a net loss of $73.0 million was recorded.

  • Completed the semi-annual review of the Company's credit facilities with our bank syndicate on May 29, 2015. Total credit facilities were maintained at $695 million. The amended credit facilities consist of a $410 million revolving syndicated facility, a $40 million revolving operating facility and a $245 million non-revolving syndicated facility.