Peyto Reports Record Profit and Cash Flow in 2022

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Peyto Exploration & Development Corp.
Peyto Exploration & Development Corp.

CALGARY, Alberta, March 08, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Peyto Exploration & Development Corp. ("Peyto" or the "Company") is pleased to report operating and financial results for the fourth quarter and 2022 fiscal year. Peyto solidified the sustainability of its dividend through reserves, production, and cash flow growth while continuing to reduce debt.

Full Year and Q4 2022 Highlights:

  • Strong 2022 financial metrics Annual operating margin1,2 of 70%, combined with an annual profit margin3 of 32%, delivered a 2022 return on capital employed ("ROCE"4) of 16% and return on equity ("ROE"4) of 19%.

  • Record Funds from Operations5 Annual funds from operations ("FFO") rose 76% from $470 million in 2021 to a record $828 million in 2022 (an increase of 71% per diluted share), due to higher realized commodity prices and greater production. Q4 2022 FFO was $221 million ($1.26/diluted share), up 33% from Q4 2021.

  • Record Earnings of $391 million – Annual earnings of $2.23/diluted share, up 151% from 2021, represented a profit margin of 32% and funded $0.60/share of dividends to shareholders. Fourth quarter 2022 earnings were $113 million, for a 35% profit margin.

  • Annual Production up 14% – Annual production increased 14% from 91,051 boe/d to 103,548 boe/d (544 MMcf/d of natural gas and 12,949 bbl/d of natural gas liquids). Q4 2022 production of 104,944 boe/d (553 MMcf/d of natural gas and 12,840 bbl/d of natural gas liquids), was up 8% over Q4 2021.

  • Free Funds Flow6 Tripled in 2022 – Free funds flow totaled $321 million in 2022 as compared to $105 million in 2021. Net debt7 was reduced by $214 million and the Company returned $102 million to shareholders in the form of dividends.

  • Total Cash Costs8 of $1.62/Mcfe (or $0.88/Mcfe before royalties) – Full year 2022 cash costs of $0.88/Mcfe before royalties were equivalent to 2021 and when combined with a realized price of $5.29/Mcfe ($31.72/boe, inclusive of $9.01/boe hedging loss), resulted in a cash netback of $3.74/Mcfe ($22.43/boe) or a 70% operating margin. Q4 2022 cash costs of $0.86/Mcfe, before royalties of $0.72/Mcfe, were 9% higher than Q4 2021 due to inflationary pressures on costs. Q4 operating costs of $0.41/Mcfe, transportation of $0.22/Mcfe, G&A of $0.02/Mcfe and interest expense of $0.21/Mcfe resulted in a 74% operating margin. Peyto continues to have the lowest cash costs in the Canadian natural gas industry.

  • Low Production and Reserves Replacement9 Costs – The Company invested 64% of FFO in 2022 to replace over 165% of produced reserves in the year and grew Proved Developed Producing ("PDP") reserves by 8% implying only 39% of FFO would have been required to replace produced reserves. Capital efficiency9 for 2022 was $12,600/boe/d for the organic drilling program excluding two separate acquisitions.

  • Long Life, Low Decline Production – Peyto’s base production decline is forecast in the GLJ report at 29% for 2023, while its PDP Reserve Life Index9 ("RLI") is 9 years, based on Q4 2022 production of 104,944 boe/d, which is one of the longest PDP RLIs in the industry. Refer to February 16, 2023 press release.

  • Emissions Reduction – 2022 marks the first year where all new well tie-ins were completed with ultra-low emissions electric separators and along with other emissions reducing projects, the Company is on target to reduce methane flaring and venting intensity by the end of 2023 to 25% of 2016 levels.

  • Dividend Sustainability – The Company increased dividends in January 2023 as a result of strong operational and financial performance in 2022 along with a commitment to disciplined spending, a mechanistic hedging program and confidence in free funds flow under current strip pricing.