Unlock stock picks and a broker-level newsfeed that powers Wall Street.
Prairie Provident Resources Announces Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2021 Financial and Operating Results
Prairie Provident Resources Inc.
Prairie Provident Resources Inc.

CALGARY, Alberta, March 29, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Prairie Provident Resources Inc. ("Prairie Provident", "PPR" or the "Company") (TSX:PPR) is pleased to announce our operating and financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended 2021. PPR’s audited annual consolidated financial statements ("Annual Financial Statements") and related Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) and annual information form dated March 29, 2022 (“AIF”) are available on our website at www.ppr.ca and filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

MESSAGE TO SHAREHOLDERS

Tony Berthelet, President & Chief Executive Officer commented: “2021 saw the Company increase focus to maximizing cash flow from existing assets and unlocking the significant potential of the Michichi asset. Waterflood reserves recognition from the Michichi waterflood pilot in 2021 sets the foundation for further waterflood expansion and reserves development. Enhancing the team across all disciplines sets the Company up for continued optimization of the existing asset base and maximizing value from these legacy assets. The focus for PPR in 2022 is to continue to improve the balance sheet through non-core dispositions and debt reduction.”

2021 HIGHLIGHTS

  • Successful 2021 drilling program and fully funded by adjusted funds flow ("AFF")1: During 2021, we incurred net capital expenditures(1) of $14.7 million, $12.1 million of which to drill, complete, equip and tie-in five gross (5.0 net) wells in the Princess area. All five wells came on production during the year and contributed approximately 415(2) boe/d of incremental production in 2021 and are anticipated to deliver annualized average production of approximately 875(3) boe/d over the 12-month period from their respective on initial production dates. Our capital program was fully funded by 2021 AFF(1) of $15.5 million (excluding decommissioning settlements). The final well was brought on production on December 1, 2021 with an IP30(4) rate of approximately 775 boe/d. Current production on this well remains at approximately 400(5) boe/d.

  • Maintained exit production: Production for 2021 averaged 4,268 boe/d (65% liquids), which was 11% lower than 2020 primarily due to natural declines, partially offset by production from our 2021 drilling program. Even with the suspension of our capital program during 2020, we maintained our year-over-year exit production rate with our 2021 drilling program and workover activities, where Q4 2021 production averaged 4,369 boe/d (65% liquids), similar to Q4 2020.

  • Record operating netback(1) per boe: Operating netback before realized losses on derivatives for Q4 and year of 2021 was $28.86/boe and $22.87/boe, respectively, a record high since PPR became a publicly listed company in 2016. 2021 operating netback before realized losses on derivatives increased by $17.48/boe or 324% from 2020 driven by significant commodity price recoveries in the year. Q4 2021 operating netback per boe before realized losses on derivatives increased by 237% from Q4 2020, due to the same factor that led to the annual increase.

  • Net earnings amidst commodity price recovery: Net earnings totaled $10.4 million in 2021, compared to a net loss of $90.8 million in 2020, driven primarily by impairment reversals recognized in 2021 related to our Evi and Princess CGUs as a result of recoveries of commodity prices versus impairment losses recognized in 2020. For Q4 2021, net income totaled $7.9 million driven by AFF and non-cash items including fourth quarter impairment reversals, unrealized gains on derivative instruments and gains on debt modifications.

  • Improved AFF(1): PPR generated AFF of $15.5 million for 2021 ($0.11 per basic and $0.09 per diluted share), excluding $3.3 million of decommissioning settlements, an increase of 29% or $3.5 million from 2020, reflecting improved operating netbacks. Q4 2021 AFF, excluding $2.6 million of decommissioning settlements, was $4.3 million ($0.03 per basic and diluted share), a 121% increase from Q4 2020.

  • Reduced decommissioning liabilities: During 2021, we actively reduced our decommissioning liabilities with a combination of $2.2 million of funding from Alberta’s Site Rehabilitation Program ("SRP") and $3.3 million of internal funding. In addition, we removed $0.5 million of decommissioning liabilities through property dispositions. PPR continues to increase its focus on environmental stewardship and has budgeted $4.0 million of internally funded decommission settlements for 2022, in addition to $3.7 million of settlements anticipated to be covered by grants under the SRP.

  • Secured liquidity by extending maturity dates of long-term debt: In December 2021, PPR entered into agreements with our lenders for the renewal of our credit facilities including the extension of the maturity date of the revolving facility to December 31, 2023. The amendments also provide for added borrowing base certainty during 2022, as there is to be no scheduled redetermination of the borrowing base until after December 31, 2022. Additionally, the maturity date of the US$28.5 million aggregate original principal of subordinated senior notes issued in October 2017 and November 2018 (together with deferred interest amounts) was extended to June 30, 2024.

  • Net debt(1): As at December 31, 2021, net debt1 totaled $124.3 million which increased by $8.4 million from December 31, 2020. The increase was attributed to accelerating capital spending to take advantage of commodity pricing by drilling short cycle wells in Princess and advancing development of the Michichi Q1 2022 capital program to unlock value from these high quality assets. These capital expenditures coupled with lease payments, deferred interest on long-term debt, decommissioning settlements, and transaction, restructuring and other costs in 2021 exceeded of AFF1. PPR had US$6.4 million (CAN$8.1(6) million equivalent) at December 31, 2021 (December 31, 2020 — US$11.2 million) of available borrowing capacity under the Company's senior secured revolving note facility.