Enerplus Delivers 9% Production Growth and 190% Reserve Replacement in 2012
Enerplus Delivers 9% Production Growth and 190% Reserve Replacement in 2012
This news release includes forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Readers are advised to review the "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements" at the conclusion of this news release. Readers are also referred to "Information Regarding Reserves, Resources and Operational Information", "Notice to U.S. Readers" and "Non-GAAP Measures" at the end of this news release for information regarding the presentation of the financial, reserves, contingent resources and operational information in this news release. A full copy of our 2012 Financial Statements and MD&A have been filed on our website at www.enerplus.com, under our profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the EDGAR website at www.sec.gov.
CALGARY, Feb. 22, 2013 /CNW/ - Enerplus Corporation ("Enerplus") (TSX: ERF) (NYSE: ERF) is pleased to announce fourth quarter 2012 results as well as 2012 year-end operating, financial and reserves results.
We delivered significant production and funds flow growth in 2012 ending the year with strong fourth quarter results. Our funds flow improved by 12% over 2011 due to a 9% increase in production and a higher weighting to crude oil largely due to the successful results of our drilling program at Fort Berthold in North Dakota. We also delivered another strong year in terms of organic reserve growth, replacing over 190% of our production in 2012 at attractive finding and development costs ("F&D costs") for the second year in a row. Our proved plus probable ("P+P") F&D costs including future development capital ("FDC") were $24.21 per BOE in 2012. In addition, we preserved our financial flexibility exiting 2012 with a debt-to-funds flow ratio of 1.7 times and are positioned to deliver on our corporate objectives in 2013.
4TH QUARTER 2012 HIGHLIGHTS
-- As a result of our successful capital development program,
production volumes in the fourth quarter increased by 5% over
the third quarter of 2012 averaging 85,490 BOE per day. When
compared to the fourth quarter of 2011, total production
volumes grew by 11%.
-- Crude oil production in the fourth quarter was 22% higher than
in the fourth quarter of 2011.
-- Marcellus volumes also increased significantly, up 40% from the
third quarter as production volumes previously delayed were
brought on-stream.
-- As a result of higher production volumes, stronger natural gas
prices and lower expenses, funds flow increased by almost 50%
from the third quarter of 2012 to approximately $200 million
($1.01 per share) for the fourth quarter. As a result of this
increase in funds flow, our adjusted payout ratio (capital
spending plus dividends net of participation in the Stock
Dividend Program ("SDP") improved significantly to 104%.
-- Operating costs improved significantly during the quarter, down
25% to $9.24 per BOE compared to the third quarter of 2012.
General and administrative ("G&A") costs continued to track
under our guidance averaging $2.34 per BOE.
-- We continued to focus our capital spending activities on crude
oil assets during the fourth quarter. We invested $160 million
in development capital, 70% of which was weighted to crude oil
drilling 10.8 net wells with 16.5 net wells brought on-stream
during the quarter.
-- We continued to improve the focus and concentration of our
portfolio during the quarter through the sale of non-core
assets. In December, we sold non-core oil assets in Manitoba
including approximately 1,600 BOE per day of production for
approximately $218 million. In addition, in December we
consolidated our ownership in Montana through the purchase of
an additional 20% working interest in the Sleeping Giant Bakken
oil project for $118 million, essentially replacing the volumes
from the Manitoba sale. We realized net proceeds of $100
million on these transactions.
2012 SUMMARY
OPERATIONS
-- As a result of our successful development program in 2012,
Enerplus grew annual average production by 9% to 82,098 BOE per
day, in line with our guidance of 82,000 BOE per day. Average
crude oil production increased by 21% to 36,509 bbls per day in
2012 and when combined with natural gas liquids, represented
49% of our total corporate volumes during the year. This
growth was achieved mainly due to our success in Fort Berthold
as well as positive results from our drilling and enhanced oil
recovery project ("EOR") in Medicine Hat, Alberta. U.S. natural
gas production primarily from the Marcellus continued to grow
throughout 2012, offsetting declines in our Canadian natural
gas volumes. On average, our total natural gas production
remained virtually unchanged at 252 MMcf per day during 2012.
-- We also achieved exit production of approximately 85,800 BOE
per day, within our guidance range of 85,000 BOE per day to
88,000 BOE per day. This is an increase of almost 5% over 2011
exit production rates.
-- Our total capital spending in 2012 was in line with our
guidance at approximately $853 million. Approximately 72% of
our spending was directed to our crude oil plays with the
majority invested at Fort Berthold and in our Canadian crude
oil assets. Approximately 85% of our capital spending was spent
on drilling and completions in 2012 with 75 net wells drilled
across all of our assets and 79 net wells brought on-stream.
RESERVES/RESOURCES
-- Total P+P company interest reserves grew by 7.4% to 345.8 MMBOE
compared to 321.9 MMBOE at December 31, 2011.
-- We added 57.3 MMBOE of P+P reserves as a result of our
successful development program, replacing over 190% of
production.
-- P+P oil and liquids reserves grew by approximately 12% to 206
MMBOE and now represent 60% of our total P+P reserves, up from
57% at year-end 2011. Approximately 66% of the reserve
additions were from crude oil and represented a 283%
replacement of our 2012 oil production.
-- P+P reserves at Fort Berthold increased by 53% from 2011 to
86.1 MMBOE. We replaced almost 800% of our production in 2012
through the addition of 34.2 MMBOE P+P reserves.
-- Canadian oil reserves, which are largely comprised of crude oil
waterflood properties, decreased by 8% to 91.6 MMbbls mainly
due to the sale of 8.3 MMbbls of P+P reserves associated with
our Manitoba assets. Through our successful development
activities, we replaced 107% of Canadian oil production.
-- We replaced 111% of our natural gas production in 2012 and grew
our P+P natural gas reserves by approximately 2% to 837 Bcf.
The majority of the increase is attributable to our Marcellus
shale gas assets where we added 86 Bcf of P+P. Total Marcellus
P+P reserves at year-end increased to 225 Bcf and represented
27% of our total P+P natural gas reserves, up from 19% in 2011.
-- Our P+P reserve life index increased to 10.9 years at December
31, 2012, up from 9.8 years at December 31, 2011 as a result of
the increase in reserves primarily associated with Fort
Berthold and the Marcellus.
Finding and Development Costs
-- Our P+P F&D cost including FDC improved to $24.21 per BOE in
2012 from $26.26 per BOE in 2011.
-- Excluding future development capital, our P+P F&D costs were
$14.88 per BOE.
-- 60% of our reserve additions were attributable to Fort Berthold
and were added at a cost of $25.38 per BOE including FDC. The
recycle ratio associated with these additions was 2.0 times.
-- Our P+P Finding, Development and Acquisition ("FD&A") cost
including FDC was $22.92 per BOE, reflecting the positive
impact of our acquisition and divestment activities.
-- Excluding FDC, our P+P FD&A cost was $13.48 per BOE.
Contingent Resources
-- In addition to booked reserves, an assessment of our portfolio
has identified economic best estimate contingent resources of
364 MMBOE, representing over 100% of our booked P+P reserves.
Our contingent resources are comprised of:
o 33.5 MMBOE of contingent resources attributable to both the
Bakken and Three Forks at Fort Berthold. We converted 31.2
MMBOE of previously assessed contingent resources to reserves
for the year and added 15.6 MMBOE of new contingent resources
primarily associated with the Three Forks formation.
o 60.3 MMBOE of contingent resources attributable to improved
oil recovery ("IOR") and EOR in our Canadian oil assets. We
converted 7.1 MMBOE of previously assessed contingent
resources to reserves and added 14.3 MMBOE of net new
contingent resources associated with our EOR and IOR projects
in our waterflood assets.
o 1.3 Tcf of contingent resources in the Marcellus shale gas.
This estimate has decreased from our contingent resource
estimate of 2.3 Tcf one year ago due to a number of factors.
Approximately 124 Bcf of contingent resources were
reclassified as reserves during 2012. However, as a result of
a decline in the gas price forecast and lower than expected
performance on our operated acreage in Pennsylvania and West
Virginia, the contingent resource estimate has been reduced
in some areas and eliminated in others where the current
economics do not support further development or lease
extension of the acreage. We did see an increase in the
contingent resource estimates assigned to our non-operated
leases in northeast Pennsylvania due to improved performance.
o 283 Bcfe of contingent resources associated with our Wilrich
deep gas assets in Canada were identified as a result of our
successful drilling activities in 2012.
Financial
-- Despite the collapse in natural gas prices during 2012, funds
flow for the year totaled $644 million ($3.29 per share), up
12% from 2011 due to higher oil production, improved netbacks
as well as gains from our hedging program.
-- We took a number of important steps in 2012 to maintain
financial flexibility throughout this period of weak natural
gas prices and widening crude oil differentials: o we raised $331 million in proceeds from an equity offering in early
2012; o we closed a private placement of long-term notes in May for
proceeds of $405 million; o we reduced our monthly dividend from $0.18 per share to $0.09 per
share in July; o we implemented the SDP to allow all of our shareholders the option
to receive Enerplus shares instead of cash dividends; o we sold the majority of our equity interests, including our shares
in Laricina Energy, for proceeds of $147 million; and o in aggregate, we generated proceeds of approximately $200 million
on our property divestment activities, net of acquisitions.
-- As a result, we ended 2012 in a strong financial position with
a debt to trailing 12 month funds flow ratio of 1.7 times,
virtually unchanged from 2011. We had approximately $740
million of unused capacity on our $1 billion credit facility at
December 31, 2012.
-- We paid $1.62 per share in dividends to our shareholders in
2012. Combining our capital spending with our dividends net of
participation in the SDP and Dividend Reinvestment Plan
("DRIP"), our adjusted payout ratio improved to 174% for the
year versus 212% in 2011. We expect our payout ratio to
improve in 2013 as a result of a 20% reduction in our capital
spending for the year and an improved outlook for natural gas
prices.
-- Our operating costs averaged $10.64 per BOE during 2012 and G&A
costs averaged $2.61 per BOE, both in line with our guidance.
-- We realized cash gains on our commodity hedging program of
$18.4 million for the year.
-- During 2012, we recorded accounting impairments of $418 million
on our Developed and Producing (D&P) oil and gas assets due to
a decline in commodity prices, primarily natural gas prices,
and higher future development costs. We also recorded
impairments of $114 million on our Exploration and Evaluation
assets during the year due to expiring undeveloped land and
unrecoverable costs on discontinued projects. These asset
impairments resulted in a net loss of $156 million ($0.80 per
share) for 2012. The impairments do not impact our funds flow
or cash flow. Should natural gas prices improve, we expect the
value of our D&P assets to increase, which would positively
impact net income in future periods.
SELECTED Three months ended December Twelve months ended
FINANCIAL RESULTS 31, December 31,
2012 2011 2012 2011
Financial (000's)
Funds Flow $199,678 $156,682 $643,911 $573,609
Cash and Stock 53,572 97,725 301,560 388,904
Dividends
Net Income/(Loss) (158,711) (299,415) (155,734) 109,437
Debt Outstanding 1,064,365 901,465 1,064,365 901,465
- net of cash
Capital Spending 160,202 344,837 852,843 865,712
Property and Land 121,391 45,263 185,337 255,209
Acquisitions
Property 220,135 3,082 275,771 641,190
Dispositions
Asset Impairments 331,095 327,309 531,825 359,703
Asset Disposition 59,440 (29) 131,166 302,053
gain/(loss)
Debt to Trailing 1.7x 1.6X 1.7x 1.6X
12 Month Funds
Flow
Financial per
Weighted Average
Shares
Outstanding
Funds Flow( ) $1.01 $0.87 $3.29 $3.19
Net Income (0.80) (1.66) (0.80) 0.61
Weighted Average 198,256 180,845 195,633 179,889
Number of Shares
Outstanding
(000's)
Selected
Financial Results
per BOE((1))
Oil & Gas Sales( $45.86 $50.29 $44.56 $48.85
(2))
Royalties (9.54) (9.62) (8.95) (8.92)
Commodity 2.04 (1.54) 0.61 (1.21)
Derivative
Instruments
Operating Costs (9.24) (11.64) (10.53) (10.33)
General and (2.34) (2.53) (2.61) (2.46)
Administrative
Equity Based (0.03) (0.52) (0.18) (0.53)
Compensation
Interest and (1.44) (1.70) (1.42) (1.59)
Other Expenses
Taxes 0.08 (0.68) (0.05) (2.95)
Funds Flow $25.39 $22.06 $21.43 $20.86
SELECTED OPERATING Three months ended Twelve months ended
RESULTS December 31, December 31,
2012 2011 2012 2011
Average Daily
Production
Crude oil
(bbls/day) 38,597 31,715 36,509 30,181
NGLs (bbls/day) 3,576 3,256 3,627 3,306
Natural gas
(Mcf/day) 259,904 253,500 251,773 251,068
Total (BOE/day) 85,490 77,221 82,098 75,332
% Crude Oil &
Natural Gas Liquids 49% 45% 49% 44%
Average Selling Price(
(2))
Crude oil (per bbl) $ 76.75 $ 87.56 $ 78.19 $ 83.48
NGLs (per bbl) 47.31 68.32 53.01 64.99
Natural gas (per
Mcf) 3.01 3.41 2.39 3.72
USD/CDN exchange
rate 0.99 1.02 1.00 0.99
Net Wells drilled 11 36 75 107
((1) )Non-cash amounts have been excluded.
((2) )Net of oil and gas transportation costs, but before the
effects of commodity derivative instruments.
Average Benchmark Three months ended December Twelve months ended
Pricing 31, December 31,
2012 2011 2012 2011
WTI crude oil
(US$/bbl) $88.18 $94.06 $94.21 $95.12
WTI crude oil: CDN$
equivalent
(CDN$/bbl) 87.30 95.94 94.21 94.18
AECO natural gas -
monthly index
(CDN$/Mcf) 3.06 3.47 2.40 3.68
AECO natural gas -
daily index
(CDN$/Mcf) 3.22 3.17 2.39 3.62
NYMEX natural gas -
monthly NX3 index
(US$/Mcf) 3.36 3.61 2.80 4.07
NYMEX natural gas -
monthly NX3 index:
CDN$
equivalent
(CDN$/Mcf) 3.33 3.68 2.80 4.03
US/CDN exchange rate 0.99 1.02 1.00 0.99
((1) Non-cash amounts have been excluded.)
((2) Net of oil and gas transportation costs, but before the effects of
commodity derivative instruments.)
SHARE TRADING INFORMATION
CDN* - ERF U.S.** - ERF
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2012 (CDN$) (US$)
High $26.94 $26.54
Low $11.53 $11.35
Close $12.90 $12.96
* TSX and other Canadian trading data combined.
**NYSE and other U.S. trading data combined.
2012 DIVIDENDS PER SHARE CDN$ US$((1))
First quarter total $0.54 $0.54
Second quarter total $0.54 $0.53
Third quarter total $0.27 $0.27
Fourth quarter total $0.27 $0.27
Total $1.62 $1.61
((1)) (US$ dividends represent CDN$ dividends converted at the
relevant foreign exchange rate on the payment date.)
2012 PRODUCTION &
CAPITAL SPENDING
Q4 2012
2012 2012 2012 Capital Crude Oil & NGLs Average Annual Average Exit Spending (BOE/day) Production Production Production* ($million)
Canada 23,890 23,891 23,712 169
United States 18,283 16,245 18,630 444
Total Crude Oil & NGLs (BOE/day) 42,173 40,136 42,342 $613
Natural Gas (Mcf/day)
Canada 188,628 198,356 181,070 86
United States 71,276 53,417 79,594 154
Total Natural Gas (Mcf/day) 259,904 251,773 260,664 $240
Company Total (BOE/day) 85,490 82,098 85,786 $853
*December month
2012
DRILLING
ACTIVITY
Wells
Pending Dry &
Horizontal Vertical Total Completion/ Wells Abandoned Crude Oil Wells Wells Wells Tie-in * On-stream** Wells
Canada 26.4 1.0 27.4 1.4 31.3 0.1
United States 30.9 0.1 31.0 7.6 28.4 -
Total Crude Oil 57.3 1.1 58.4 9.0 59.7 0.1
Natural Gas
Canada 4.2 1.0 5.2 1.1 5.6 -
United States 11.6 - 11.6 7.5 13.8 -
Total Natural Gas 15.8 1.0 16.8 8.6 19.4 -
Company Total 73.2 2.1 75.2 17.6 79.2 0.1
*Wells drilled during the year that are pending potential completion/tie-in or abandonment as at December 31, 2012.
** Total wells brought on-stream during the year regardless of when they were drilled.
ASSET ACTIVITY
U.S. Crude Oil
Our U.S. crude oil assets located within the Williston Basin represent approximately 40% of Enerplus' total crude oil and natural gas liquids production. Throughout 2012, we continued to focus the majority of our capital spending program in the Fort Berthold region in North Dakota. We also acquired an additional 20% working interest in the Sleeping Giant project in Montana, thereby growing our interests in both regions.
At Fort Berthold, we advanced our understanding of both the Bakken and Three Forks opportunities in the region and grew production by approximately 120% in 2012, exiting at 14,000 BOE per day. We drilled a total of 26 net operated wells, 19 of which were Bakken wells and seven of which were Three Forks wells. We also participated alongside our partners on 5.1 net non-operated wells.
We continue to evaluate optimal spacing and densities in this region. Based upon results to date, we believe that ultimate recoveries will vary depending upon a number of factors including the lateral length and number of frac stages, the number of wells drilled within a drilling spacing unit and whether the wells are producing from the Bakken or Three Forks formation. We anticipate expected ultimate recoveries ("EURs") will be lower for wells landed in the Three Forks formation and for the third and fourth wells drilled in a spacing unit. As a result, we continue to expect that EURs per long lateral well could range between 500 and 800 Mbbls of crude oil.
As a result of our drilling activities, we grew reserves by 53%, adding 34.2 MMBOE of P+P reserves at a cost of $25.38 per BOE including FDC. We have 86.1 MMBOE of P+P reserves booked as of December 31, 2012 and the Fort Berthold region now represents 25% of our corporate P+P reserves. In addition, our internal assessment of the best estimate of contingent resources, as audited by our independent reserve evaluators, is now 33.5 MMBOE at Fort Berthold. We converted 31.2 MMBOE of contingent resources to reserves during the year and added 2.0 MMBOE of Bakken and 13.6 MMBOE of Three Forks contingent resources to our estimate.
In 2013, we expect to reduce our capital spending by approximately 25% over 2012 levels and plan to run a two-rig program drilling between 20 - 25 net operated wells during the year. We expect to grow daily production by approximately 30%. Our focus is to improve our capital efficiencies in 2013. As we exited 2012, we have seen significant cost improvement in the region, particularly in completion costs. As a result of these reductions and an improvement in execution, we would expect our well costs to decrease by 10% - 15% in 2013.
U.S. Natural Gas
Our U.S. natural gas assets are principally comprised of our Marcellus shale gas interests in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. During 2012, our efforts were focused exclusively in the Marcellus and were largely driven by lease retention of core acreage on our non-operated properties in the northeast Pennsylvania region. As natural gas prices declined throughout the year, our partners slowed their activities which resulted in a 20% reduction in capital spending from our original guidance to $154 million. We participated in the drilling of 11.6 net wells with 13.8 net wells brought on-stream. We experienced delays in bringing wells on-stream in the latter half of the year due to pipeline and infrastructure constraints. Despite these delays, production from the Marcellus doubled in 2012 to average 41 MMcf/day. Also as a result of our drilling activities, we estimate that approximately two thirds of our core non-operated acreage is now held by production.
Subsequent to year-end, a number of additional wells were tied-in and production is currently over 65 MMcf per day. Based upon current NYMEX prices, our U.S. natural gas production receives an operating netback of approximately $2.15 per Mcf, roughly 25% higher than our average Canadian natural gas production. We expect our U.S. natural gas production to represent almost 35% of our corporate natural gas volumes in 2013.
As a result of our drilling activities, P+P reserves increased in the Marcellus by 46% to 225 Bcf at year-end. Approximately 124 Bcf of contingent resources associated with our non-operated leases were converted to P+P reserves at year-end. Marcellus shale gas now accounts for approximately 27% of our total P+P natural gas reserves. The best estimate of contingent resources associated with the Marcellus declined to 1.3 Tcf from 2.3 Tcf in 2011.
We expect to reduce our capital program in the Marcellus by over 50% in 2013. We plan to spend approximately $80 million essentially all of which will be invested with our non-operated partners. By year-end, we expect the majority of our core non-operated Marcellus acreage will be held by production.
Canadian Crude Oil
Our Canadian crude oil assets are comprised primarily of properties under waterflood and are a core holding in our portfolio due to their low decline, significant EOR potential and the free cash flow they generate. Our key focus areas in 2012 were the advancement of our EOR programs at Giltedge and Medicine Hat as well as optimization and waterflood development at Medicine Hat Glauc "C", Pembina Cardium and in the Ratcliffe trend of Saskatchewan. In aggregate, a total of $169 million was invested in drilling, facility upgrades and optimization activities. As a result of this investment, we grew production by 7% in 2012, to 23,891 BOE per day up from 22,303 BOE per day in 2011.
At Medicine Hat Glauc "C", we continue to see positive results from our horizontal drilling and polymer injection programs. Production volumes increased from 2,600 BOE per day at the end of 2011 to 4,500 BOE per day at the end of 2012. Given the positive results we are seeing from the polymer injection, we expect to be in a position to make a decision to expand the polymer EOR project by mid-2013. In total, 5.5 MMBOE of incremental P+P reserves were booked at year end, including the conversion of 2.1 MMBOE of contingent resources associated with our EOR project, with an attractive F&D cost of $14.25 per BOE.
We replaced 107% of Canadian crude oil and natural gas liquids production in 2012. Total Canadian proved plus probable crude oil reserves decreased by 8% to 91.6 MMbbls, primarily due to the sale of our Manitoba assets which included 8.3 MMbbls of P+P reserves, In addition, our internal estimate of contingent resources associated with a portion of these assets increased by 7% year-over-year to 60.3 MMBOE with the addition of 14.3 MMBOE of contingent resources.
Canadian Natural Gas
As a result of the weak outlook for natural gas prices, capital investment in our Canadian natural gas assets was limited to projects with associated natural gas liquids. Our activities included delineation of our undeveloped acreage in the Cardium and Duvernay and additional drilling in the Wilrich. No capital was allocated to our shallow natural gas assets. As a result of the reduced spending, Canadian natural gas production and reserves declined in 2012 by 9% and 12% respectively.
Enerplus drilled and completed two horizontal wells in the Wilrich formation in 2012. Based upon our drilling results in 2012, we added approximately 24 Bcfe of P+P reserves and have internally assessed 283 Bcfe of best estimate contingent resources associated with the play.
We drilled our first vertical delineation well in the Duvernay late in 2012. Core and fluid analysis has confirmed that we are in the liquids rich fairway and we plan to drill a number of vertical delineation wells in the latter half of 2013 in order to further increase our understanding of the play. We continue to pursue joint ventures in both the Duvernay and Montney areas given the scale of these opportunities and to provide additional near-term funding.
INDEPENDENT RESERVES EVALUATION
All reserves information, including our U.S. reserves, has been prepared in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 51-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities ("NI 51-101") standards. Independent reserve evaluations have been conducted on approximately 88% of the total proved plus probable value (discounted at 10%) of our reserves at December 31, 2012. McDaniel & Associates Consultants Ltd. ("McDaniel") evaluated 76% of our Canadian reserves and essentially 100% of the reserves associated with our western U.S. assets. They also reviewed the internal evaluation completed by Enerplus on the remaining 24% of our Canadian assets. Haas Petroleum Engineering Services Inc. ("Haas") evaluated 100% of our Marcellus shale gas reserves in the U.S.
See "Information Regarding Reserves, Resources and Operational Information" at the end of this news release for information regarding the presentation of company interest reserves and contingent resources.
Forecast Price Assumptions
The estimated reserve volumes and the net present values of future net revenues ("NPV") at December 31, 2012 were based upon forecast crude oil and natural gas pricing assumptions prepared by McDaniel as of January 1, 2013. These prices were applied to the reserves evaluated by McDaniel and Haas, along with those evaluated internally by Enerplus and reviewed by McDaniel. The base reference prices and exchange rates used by McDaniel are detailed below. These forecast price assumptions reflect a reduction in the prices of natural gas at AECO and Henry Hub and also a decrease in the prices for our portfolio of crude oil as compared to the price assumptions used to calculate our reserves and NPV at December 31, 2011.
McDaniel January 2013 Forecast Price Assumptions
Natural
Light Gas
Crude Oil( Hardisty 30 day
WTI (1)) Heavy Oil Henry Hub spot Exchange
Crude Oil Edmonton 12(o) API Gas Price @ AECO Rate
US$/bbl CDN$/bbl CDN$/bbl US$/MMBtu CDN$/MMBtu US$/CDN$
2013 92.50 87.50 65.60 3.75 3.35 1.00
2014 92.50 90.50 67.90 4.30 3.85 1.00
2015 93.60 92.60 69.50 4.85 4.35 1.00
2016 95.50 94.50 70.90 5.25 4.70 1.00
2017 97.40 96.40 72.30 5.70 5.10 1.00
Thereafter ** ** ** ** ** 1.00
((1)) Edmonton Light Sweet 40 degree API, 0.3% sulphur content crude.
** Escalation varies after 2017.
Reserves Summary
The following table sets out our company interest, gross and net reserve
volumes at December 31, 2012 by production type and reserve category under
McDaniel's forecast price scenarios. Under different price scenarios, these
reserves could vary as a change in price can affect the economic limit and
reserves associated with a property. Company interest reserves consist of
gross reserves, which are before the deduction of any royalties, plus
Enerplus' royalty interests in reserves. It should be noted that tables may
not add due to rounding.
Light &
Natural
Medium Heavy Oil Total Gas Natural Shale Reserves Oil Oil Liquids Gas Gas Total Summary (Mbbls) (Mbbls) (Mbbls) (Mbbls) (MMcf) (MMcf) (MBOE)
Company Interest
Proved producing 65,300 27,328 92,627 7,383 368,806 73,644 173,752
Proved developed non-producing 2,041 198 2,239 133 9,149 25,489 8,145
Proved undeveloped 25,898 3,995 29,893 1,720 35,951 46,994 45,438
Total proved 93,238 31,521 124,759 9,236 413,906 146,127 227,335
Total probable 55,922 10,991 66,913 5,387 198,727 78,373 118,483
Proved plus Probable 149,160 42,512 191,672 14,623 612,634 224,500 345,817
Gross
Proved producing 64,635 27,316 91,951 7,252 354,911 73,644 170,628
Proved developed non-producing 2,037 198 2,235 133 9,126 25,489 8,137
Proved undeveloped 25,893 3,995 29,889 1,700 34,002 46,994 45,087
Total proved 92,565 31,509 124,074 9,085 398,038 146,127 223,853
Total probable 55,732 10,988 66,720 5,327 192,663 78,373 117,220
Proved plus Probable 148,297 42,496 190,793 14,412 590,702 224,500 341,072
Net
Proved producing 55,337 22,074 77,411 5,211 317,836 59,317 145,481
Proved developed non-producing 1,651 173 1,824 104 7,714 20,667 6,658
Proved undeveloped 21,096 3,031 24,127 1,346 31,179 38,088 37,018
Total proved 78,084 25,278 103,362 6,662 356,729 118,072 189,157
Total probable 45,563 8,507 54,070 4,079 170,977 63,170 97,173
Proved plus Probable 123,647 33,784 157,432 10,741 527,705 181,241 286,330
Future Development Capital
Changes in forecast FDC occur annually as a result of development activities, acquisition and disposition activities and capital cost estimates that reflect the independent evaluator's best estimate of what it will cost to bring the proved undeveloped and probable reserves on production. The aggregate of the exploration and development costs incurred in the most recent year and the change during the year in estimated future development costs generally reflect the total finding and development costs related to reserve additions for that year.
The significant increase in FDC reported at year-end 2012 is primarily related to the increase in the number of undeveloped drilling locations added in Fort Berthold and the Marcellus along with higher well cost assumptions on previously booked locations mainly in Fort Berthold. F&D and FD&A costs have been calculated both including and excluding FDC.
The following is a summary of the independent reserve evaluators' estimated FDC required to bring total proved and probable reserves on production:
Proved Proved Plus Future Development Capital Reserves Probable Reserves
($ millions)
2013 420 487
2014 419 501
2015 153 401
2016 46 282
2017 15 37
Remainder 59 70
Total FDC Undiscounted 1,113 1,779
Total FDC Discounted at 10% 954 1,475
F&D and FD&A Costs
2012 2011
($ millions Excluding Including Excluding Including except for per FDC FDC FDC FDC BOE amounts)
Proved Plus Probable Reserves
Finding & Development Costs
Capital $ 852.8 $ 852.8 $ 829.8 $ 829.8
expenditures
Net change - $ 534.6 - $ 435.9
in future
development
capital
Company 57.3 57.3 48.2 48.2
interest
reserve
additions
(MMBOE)
F&D costs $ 14.88 $ 24.21 $ 17.22 $ 26.26 ($/BOE)
Finding, Development & Acquisition Costs
Capital $ 726.4 $ 726.4 $ 370.2 $ 370.2
expenditures
and net
acquisitions
((1))
Net change - $ 509.1 - $ 402.7
in future
development
capital
Company 53.9 53.9 43.2 43.2
interest
reserve
additions
(MMBOE)
FD&A costs $ 13.48 $ 22.92 $ 8.57 $ 17.89
($/BOE)
Proved Reserves
Finding & Development Costs
Capital $ 852.8 $ 852.8 $ 829.8 $ 829.8 expenditures
Net change - $ 248.3 - $ 230.7 in future development capital
Company 38.4 38.4 31.5 31.5 interest reserve additions (MMBOE)
F&D costs $ 22.21 $ 28.67 $ 26.34 $ 33.67 ($/BOE)
Finding,
Development &
Acquisition
Costs
Capital $ 726.4 $ 726.4 $ 370.2 $ 370.2
expenditures
and net
acquisitions
((1))
Net change - $ 241.3 - $ 213.0
in future
development
capital
Company 36.6 36.6 28.9 28.9
interest
reserve
additions
(MMBOE)
FD&A costs $ 19.85 $ 26.44 $ 12.81 $ 20.18
($/BOE)
(1) Capital spending totaled $852.8, net acquisition capital totaled
$126.4 million and is exclusive of
$37 million associated with the Marcellus carry commitment as the
full purchase price associated
with the Marcellus acquisition was used in the calculation of F&D
and FD&A costs in 2009.
Reserve Reconciliation
The following tables outline the changes in Enerplus' proved, probable and
proved plus probable reserves, on a company interest basis, from December 31,
2011 to December 31, 2012:
Proved Reserves - Company Interest Volumes (Forecast Prices)
Heavy Oil Total Oil Natural Gas Natural Gas Shale Gas Total (MBOE)
Light & Medium (Mbbls) (Mbbls) Liquids (MMcf) (MMcf) CANADA Oil (Mbbls) (Mbbls)
Proved 437,622 156,458 Reserves at 29,304 75,741 7,781 - Dec. 31, 2011 46,437
Acquisitions 1 - 1 - 1 - 1
(6,333) (1,545) (6,590) Dispositions (6,333) - - -
Discoveries - - - - - - -
Extensions 4,155 4,889 74 3,268 5,507 & improved - recovery 734
Economic (113) (228) (19,597) (3,607) factors (108) (5) -
Technical 1,253 1,139 448 14,008 3,921 revisions (114) -
(3,186) (7,557) (1,187) (72,599) (20,844) Production (4,371) -
Proved 31,521 67,767 361,158 134,847 Reserves at 6,887 - Dec. 31, 2012 36,246
Light & Medium Heavy Oil Total Oil Natural Gas Natural Gas Shale Gas Total (MBOE) UNITED Oil (Mbbls) (Mbbls) (Mbbls) Liquids (MMcf) (MMcf) STATES (Mbbls)
Proved 40,923 40,923 64,349 Reserves at - 1,434 39,265 92,682 Dec. 31, 2011
Acquisitions 3,751 3,751 6,707 4,868
- - -
Dispositions (51) (51) (48) (59)
- - -
Discoveries
- - - - - - -
Extensions & 12,837 12,837 727 4,854 65,464 25,284 improved - recovery
Economic factors - - - - - - -
Technical 5,339 5,339 328 6,636 2,866 7,250 revisions -
Production (5,805) (5,805) (140) (4,665) (14,885) (9,204)
-
Proved 56,993 56,993 2,349 52,748 146,127 92,488
Reserves at -
Dec. 31,
2012
Light & Medium Heavy Oil Total Oil Natural Gas Natural Gas Shale Gas Total (MBOE) TOTAL Oil (Mbbls) (Mbbls) (Mbbls) Liquids (MMcf) (MMcf) ENERPLUS (Mbbls)
Proved 87,360 29,304 116,664 9,215 476,887 92,682 220,807 Reserves at Dec. 31, 2011
Acquisitions 3,752 3,752 6,707 4,870
- - -
Dispositions (6,384) (6,384) (1,593) (6,650)
- - -
Discoveries
- - - - - - -
Extensions & 13,571 4,155 17,726 801 8,123 65,464 30,791
improved
recovery
Economic (108) (113) (228) (19,597) (3,607)
factors (5) -
Technical 5,224 1,253 6,477 776 20,643 2,866 11,171
revisions
Production (10,177) (3,186) (13,362) (1,327) (77,265) (14,885) (30,048)
Proved 93,238 31,521 124,759 9,236 413,906 146,127 227,335
Reserves at
Dec. 31,
2012
Probable Reserves - Company Interest Volumes (Forecast Prices)
Light & Medium Heavy Oil Total Oil Natural Gas Natural Gas Shale Gas Total (MBOE)
Oil (Mbbls) (Mbbls) (Mbbls) Liquids (MMcf) (MMcf) CANADA (Mbbls)
Probable 13,554 10,090 23,644 2,955 167,346 54,491 Reserves at - Dec. 31, 2011
Acquisitions
- - - - - - -
Dispositions (1,991) (1,991) (14) (2,650) (2,447)
- -
Discoveries
- - - - - - -
Extensions 472 1,277 1,749 202 21,582 5,548 & improved - recovery
Economic (44) (45) (71) (4,750) (908) factors (2) -
Technical 819 (374) 445 71 (10,001) (1,151) revisions -
Production
- - - - - - -
Probable 12,811 10,991 23,802 3,143 171,526 55,533 Reserves at - Dec. 31, 2012
Light & Medium Heavy Oil Total Oil Natural Gas Natural Gas Shale Gas Total (MBOE) UNITED Oil (Mbbls) (Mbbls) (Mbbls) Liquids (MMcf) (MMcf) STATES (Mbbls)
Probable 30,853 30,853 1,456 25,017 60,861 46,621 Reserves at - Dec. 31, 2011
Acquisitions 1,110 1,110 1,980 1,440
- - -
Dispositions (488) (488) (382) (552)
- - -
Discoveries
- - - - - - -
Extensions & 19,067 19,067 1,103 7,349 58,504 31,145 improved - recovery
Economic (44) (4,156) (3,231) (1,275) factors - - -
Technical (7,431) (7,431) (272) (2,608) (37,761) (14,431) revisions -
Production
- - - - - - -
Probable 43,111 43,111 2,243 27,201 78,373 62,950
Reserves at -
Dec. 31,
2012
Light & Medium Heavy Oil Total Oil Natural Gas Natural Gas Shale Gas Total (MBOE) TOTAL Oil (Mbbls) (Mbbls) (Mbbls) Liquids (MMcf) (MMcf) ENERPLUS (Mbbls)
Probable 44,407 10,090 54,497 4,411 192,363 60,861 101,112 Reserves at Dec. 31, 2011
Acquisitions 1,110 1,110 1,980 1,440
- - -
Dispositions (2,480) (2,480) (14) (3,032) (2,999)
- -
Discoveries
- - - - - - -
Extensions & 19,539 1,277 20,815 1,305 28,931 58,504 36,692 improved recovery
Economic (44) (45) (114) (8,906) (3,231) (2,183) factors (2)
Technical (6,611) (374) (6,985) (201) (12,609) (37,761) (15,581) revisions
Production
- - - - - - -
Probable 55,922 10,991 66,913 5,387 198,727 78,373 118,483
Reserves at
Dec. 31,
2012
Proved Plus Probable Reserves - Company Interest Volumes (Forecast Prices)
Natural Gas
Light & Medium Heavy Oil Total Oil Liquids Natural Gas Shale Gas CANADA Oil (Mbbls) (Mbbls) (Mbbls) (Mbbls) (MMcf) (MMcf) Total (MBOE)
Proved Plus Probable Reserves at Dec. 31, 2011 59,991 39,394 99,385 10,736 604,968 - 210,949
Acquisitions
1 - 1 - 1 - 2
Dispositions
(8,324) - (8,324) (14) (4,195) - (9,037)
Discoveries
- - - - - - -
Extensions & improved recovery 1,206 5,431 6,637 276 24,850 - 11,055
Economic factors (152) (7) (159) (299) (24,347) - (4,515)
Technical revisions 705 879 1,584 519 4,006 - 2,770
Production
(4,371) (3,186) (7,557) (1,187) (72,599) - (20,844)
Proved Plus Probable Reserves at Dec. 31, 2012 49,056 42,512 91,568 10,031 532,684 - 190,380
Natural Gas UNITED Light & Medium Heavy Oil Total Oil Liquids Natural Gas Shale Gas STATES Oil (Mbbls) (Mbbls) (Mbbls) (Mbbls) (MMcf) (MMcf) Total (MBOE)
Proved Plus Probable Reserves at Dec. 31, 2011 71,776 - 71,776 2,890 64,282 153,543 110,970
Acquisitions
4,861 - 4,861 - 8,687 - 6,309
Dispositions
(540) - (540) - (430) - (611)
Discoveries
- - - - - - -
Extensions & improved recovery 31,904 - 31,904 1,830 12,204 123,968 56,429
Economic factors - - - (44) (4,156) (3,231) (1,275)
Technical revisions (2,092) - (2,092) 56 4,028 (34,895) (7,180)
Production
(5,805) - (5,805) (140) (4,665) (14,885) (9,204)
Proved Plus
Probable
Reserves at
Dec. 31,
2012 100,104 - 100,104 4,592 79,950 224,500 155,438
Light & Natural Gas TOTAL Medium Oil Heavy Oil Total Oil Liquids Natural Gas Shale Gas ENERPLUS (Mbbls) (Mbbls) (Mbbls) (Mbbls) (MMcf) (MMcf) Total (MBOE)
Proved Plus Probable Reserves at Dec. 31, 2011 131,767 39,394 171,161 13,626 669,250 153,543 321,919
Acquisitions
4,862 - 4,862 - 8,688 - 6,310
Dispositions
(8,864) - (8,864) (14) (4,625) - (9,648)
Discoveries
- - - - - - -
Extensions &
improved
recovery 33,110 5,431 38,541 2,106 37,054 123,968 67,484
Economic
factors (152) (7) (159) (342) (28,503) (3,231) (5,790)
Technical
revisions (1,387) 879 (508) 575 8,035 (34,895) (4,410)
Production (10,177) (3,186) (13,362) (1,327) (77,265) (14,885) (30,048)
Proved Plus
Probable
Reserves at
Dec. 31,
2012 149,160 42,512 191,672 14,623 612,634 224,500 345,817
CONTINGENT RESOURCES
The following table provides a breakdown of the best estimate of contingent
resources associated with a portion of Enerplus' assets. The evaluation of
contingent resources associated with the Wilrich and our leases at Fort
Berthold was conducted by Enerplus and audited by McDaniel. Haas evaluated
100% of our Marcellus shale gas assets in the U.S. and provided the estimate
of contingent resources. The contingent resource assessments associated with a
portion of our waterflood properties were completed internally by qualified
reserve evaluators.
"Best Estimate"
Contingent Contingent Resource Contingent Resources Resources Net Drilling Locations
Canada
Crude oil - IOR/EOR on a portion of waterfloods (MMbbls) 60.3 158
Natural gas - Wilrich (Bcfe) 282.6 57
Total Canada (MMBOE) 107.4 215
United States
Crude oil and NGLs - Fort Berthold (MMBOE) 33.5 50
Natural gas - Marcellus (Bcf) 1,336.4 184
Total United States (MMBOE) 256.2 234
Total Company (MMBOE) 363.6 449
NET PRESENT VALUE OF FUTURE PRODUCTION REVENUE
The following table provides an estimate of the net present value of Enerplus' future production revenue after deduction of royalties, estimated future capital and operating expenditures, and before and after income taxes. It should not be assumed that the present value of estimated future cash flows shown below is representative of the fair market value of the reserves. The after tax net present value of future production revenues reflects the tax burden on properties on a stand-alone basis and does not consider the business entity-level tax situation or any potential tax planning.
Despite a 7.4% increase in our P+P reserves at December 31, 2012, the estimated before tax NPV using a 10% discount was 11% lower than the NPV 10% at December 31, 2011. This is due primarily to a reduction in both the forecast prices of natural gas and crude oil, and wider crude oil differentials used by our independent reserve evaluators.
Net Present Value of Future Production Revenue - Forecast Prices and Costs
Reserves at December 31, 2012, ($ millions, 0% 5% 10% 15% discounted at)
Proved developed producing 5,006 3,565 2,801 2,333
Proved developed non-producing 159 116 90 71
Proved undeveloped 1,083 549 293 147
Total Proved 6,249 4,230 3,183 2,552
Probable 4,523 2,344 1,469 1,023
Total Proved Plus Probable Reserves (before 10,772 6,574 4,652 3,575 tax)
Total Proved Plus Probable Reserves (after 8,191 5,164 3,757 2,954
tax)
NET ASSET VALUE
Enerplus' estimated net asset value is based on the estimated net present
value of all future net revenue from our reserves, before taxes, as estimated
by our independent reserve engineers, McDaniel and Haas, at year-end plus the
estimated value of our undeveloped acreage and other equity investments, less
decommissioning liabilities, long-term debt and net working capital. This
calculation can vary significantly depending on the oil and natural gas price
assumptions used by the independent reserve engineers.
In addition, this calculation does not consider "going concern" value and
assumes only the reserves identified in the reserve reports with no further
acquisitions or incremental development, including development of contingent
resources. At December 31, 2012, the estimate of contingent resources
contained within our leases was 364 million BOE. As we execute our capital
programs, we expect to convert contingent resources to reserves which could
result in a doubling of our booked proved plus probable reserves. The land
values described in the Net Asset Value table below do not necessarily reflect
the full value of the contingent resources associated with these lands.
Net Asset Value (Forecast Prices and Costs
at December 31, 2012)
( $ millions except share amounts,
discounted at) 0% 5% 10% 15%
Total net present value of proved
plus probable reserves (before tax) $10,772 $6,574 $4,652 $3,575
Undeveloped acreage (2012 Year End)
((1)) 426 426 426 426
Decommissioning liability ((2)) (345) (178) (54) (24)
Long-term debt, including current
portion (net of cash) (1,064) (1,064) (1,064) (1,064)
Net working capital including
deferred financial assets and
credits (91) (91) (91) (91)
Other equity investments ((3)) 12 12 12 12
Net Asset Value of Assets $9,710 $5,679 $3,881 $2,834
Net Asset Value per Share ((4)) $48.87 $28.58 $19.53 $14.26
(1) Acreage acquired since 2008 valued at acquisition cost.
Balance of undeveloped
acreage valued at $100/acre.
(2) ( ) Decommissioning liability does not equal the amount on the
balance sheet ($599.7 million) as the
balance sheet amount uses a 2.36% discount rate and a
portion of the decommissioning liability
costs are already reflected in the present value of
reserves computed by the independent
engineers.
(3) Other equity investment portfolio is valued at the
estimated fair value.
(4) ( ) Based on 198,684,000 shares outstanding as at December 31,
2012.
2013 OUTLOOK
We plan to spend approximately $685 million on exploration and development
projects in 2013, 20% lower than our capital spending in 2012. Approximately
85% of our capital is expected to be allocated to crude oil and liquids rich
natural gas projects, with 75% targeted to crude oil specifically. We expect
production to average between 82,000 BOE per day and 85,000 BOE per day with a
50% weighting to crude oil and liquids. This is an expected increase of 2%
versus 2012 using the mid-point of this range. Exit production is expected
to average between 84,000 BOE per day and 88,000 BOE per day. Given the timing
of capital spending and expected downtime for winter weather conditions, we
expect production volumes during the first quarter will be slightly lower than
the fourth quarter of 2012.
Based upon our production expectations and forward commodity prices at
February 7, 2013, we expect to grow funds flow by approximately 8% over 2012
levels. As a result of this growth and lower capital spending, our adjusted
payout ratio is expected to decline significantly in 2013. We plan to
continue to sell non-core assets in order to preserve our financial strength
and also improve the focus of our operations. We expect to end the year with a
year-end debt-to-funds flow ratio of less than 2.0 times.
In addition, with the majority of funds flow expected to be generated from
crude oil, we have hedged a significant amount of our 2013 crude oil
production in order to provide greater certainty with respect to funds flow
for the year. We currently have 60% of our anticipated 2013 crude oil
production net of royalties hedged at an average price of approximately
US$100.00 per barrel. We also have downside protection on 28% of our
anticipated natural gas production net after royalties through 2013.
We navigated a challenging economic environment in 2012 through active
portfolio management and preservation of balance sheet strength. We delivered
significant production and reserves growth in 2012 which has positioned us
well for 2013. We have a large portfolio of future opportunities in crude oil,
dry natural gas and liquids rich natural gas that we will seek to maximize the
value of through both our capital spending programs as well as possible joint
venture opportunities. Our growing component of U.S. based production also
provides us exposure to alternative markets and is expected to help improve
the profitability of our business. Given the results we have achieved in
2012, we believe we provide a compelling value proposition for investors
seeking exposure to the North American energy market.
_______________________________________________________________
|2013 Guidance | 2013E|
|_______________________________________________|_______________|
|Capital expenditures ($millions) | $685|
|_______________________________________________|_______________|
| | |
|_______________________________________________|_______________|
|Annual average daily production (BOE/day) |82,000 - 85,000|
|_______________________________________________|_______________|
| Oil & liquids weighting | 50%|
|_______________________________________________|_______________|
| | |
|_______________________________________________|_______________|
|Exit production (BOE/day) |84,000 - 88,000|
|_______________________________________________|_______________|
| Oil & liquids weighting | 50%|
|_______________________________________________|_______________|
| | |
|_______________________________________________|_______________|
|Adjusted payout ratio* | 125%|
|_______________________________________________|_______________|
|Debt/funds flow at year-end | <2.0x|
|_______________________________________________|_______________|
| | |
|_______________________________________________|_______________|
|Cash operating costs ($/BOE) | $10.70|
|_______________________________________________|_______________|
|Cash G&A costs ($/BOE) | $2.70|
|_______________________________________________|_______________|
|Cash equity based compensation expenses ($/BOE)| $0.45|
|_______________________________________________|_______________|
|Royalties | 21%|
|_______________________________________________|_______________|
|Cash taxes (% of U.S. cash flow) | ~3%|
|_______________________________________________|_______________|
|Interest expense | 5%|
|_______________________________________________|_______________|
*Adjusted payout ratio is defined as capital spending plus dividends
net
of proceeds from the SDP divided by funds flow
Gordon J. Kerr, President and CEO, will host a conference call today, February
22, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. MT (11:00 a.m. ET) to discuss these results. Details of
the conference call are as follows:
Live Conference Call
Date: Friday, February 22, 2013
Time: 9:00 am MT/11:00 am ET
Dial-In: 647-427-7450
888-231-8191 (toll free)
Audiocast: http://www.newswire.ca/en/webcast/detail/1107509/1206991
To ensure timely participation in the conference call, callers are encouraged
to dial in 15 minutes prior to the start time to register for the event. A
podcast of the conference call will also be available on our website for
downloading following the event. A telephone replay will be available for 30
days following the conference call and can be accessed at the following
numbers:
Dial-In: 416-849-0833
1-855-859-2056 (toll free)
Passcode: 96353152
INFORMATION REGARDING RESERVES, RESOURCES AND OPERATIONAL INFORMATION
Currency
All amounts in this news release are stated in Canadian dollars unless
otherwise specified.
Barrels of Oil Equivalent and Cubic Feet of Gas Equivalent
This news release also contains references to "BOE" (barrels of oil
equivalent), "Mcfe" (thousand cubic feet of gas equivalent), "Bcfe" (billion
cubic feet of gas equivalent) and "Tcfe" (trillion cubic feet of gas
equivalent). Enerplus has adopted the standard of six thousand cubic feet of
gas to one barrel of oil (6 Mcf: 1 bbl) when converting natural gas to BOEs,
and one barrel of oil to six thousand cubic feet of gas (1 bbl: 6 Mcf) when
converting oil to Mcfes, Bcfes and Tcfes. BOEs, Mcfes, Bcfes and Tcfes may
be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. The foregoing conversion
ratios are based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily
applicable at the burner tip and do not represent a value equivalency at the
wellhead. Given that the value ratio based on the current price of oil as
compared to natural gas is significantly different from the energy equivalent
of 6:1, utilizing a conversion on a 6:1 basis may be misleading. "MBOE" and
"MMBOE" mean "thousand barrels of oil equivalent" and "million barrels of oil
equivalent", respectively.
Presentation of Production and Reserves Information
All production volumes and revenues presented herein are reported on a
"company interest" basis, before deduction of Crown and other royalties, plus
Enerplus' royalty interest. Unless otherwise specified, all reserves volumes
in this news release (and all information derived therefrom) are based on
"company interest reserves" using forecast prices and costs. "Company interest
reserves" consist of "gross reserves" (as defined in NI 51-101), being
Enerplus' working interest before deduction of any royalties), plus Enerplus'
royalty interests in reserves. "Company interest reserves" are not a measure
defined in NI 51-101 and do not have a standardized meaning under NI 51-101.
Accordingly, our company interest reserves may not be comparable to reserves
presented or disclosed by other issuers. Our oil and gas reserves statement
for the year ended December 31, 2012, which will include complete disclosure
of our oil and gas reserves and other oil and gas information in accordance
with NI 51-101, will be contained within our Annual Information Form for the
year ended December 31, 2012 ("our AIF") which will be available in late
February 2013 on our website at www.enerplus.com and under our SEDAR profile
at www.sedar.com. Additionally, our AIF will form part of our Form 40-F that
will be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and will
available on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Readers are also urged to review the
Management's Discussion & Analysis and financial statements filed on SEDAR and
EDGAR concurrently with this news release for more complete disclosure on our
operations.
Contingent Resource Estimates
This news release contains estimates of "contingent resources". "Contingent
resources" are not, and should not be confused with, oil and gas reserves.
"Contingent resources" are defined in the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation
Handbook (the "COGE Handbook") as "those quantities of petroleum estimated, as
of a given date, to be potentially recoverable from known accumulations using
established technology or technology under development, but which are not
currently considered to be commercially recoverable due to one or more
contingencies. Contingencies may include factors such as ultimate recovery
rates, economic, legal, environmental, political and regulatory matters or a
lack of markets. It is also appropriate to classify as "contingent resources"
the estimated discovered recoverable quantities associated with a project in
the early evaluation stage. Enerplus expects to develop these contingent
resources in the coming years however it is too early in their development for
these resources to be classified as reserves at this time. All of our
contingent resource estimates are economic using established technologies and
under current commodity price assumptions used by our independent reserve
evaluators. There is no certainty that we will produce any portion of the
volumes currently classified as "contingent resources". The "contingent
resource" estimates contained herein are presented as the "best estimate" of
the quantity that will actually be recovered, effective as of December 31,
2012. A "best estimate" of contingent resources means that it is equally
likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will be greater or less
than the best estimate, and if probabilistic methods are used, there should be
at least a 50% probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal
or exceed the best estimate.
For additional information regarding the primary contingencies which currently
prevent the classification of our disclosed "contingent resources" associated
with our Marcellus shale gas properties, our Fort Berthold properties, our
Wilrich natural gas properties and a portion of our Canadian crude oil
properties as reserves and the positive and negative factors relevant to the
"contingent resource" estimates, see our AIF for the year ended December 31,
2012 (and corresponding Form 40-F) dated February 22, 2013, a copy of which is
available under our SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com and a copy of the Form 40-F
which is available under our EDGAR profile at www.sec.gov.
F&D and FD&A Costs
F&D costs presented in this news release are calculated (i) in the case of F&D
costs for proved reserves, by dividing the sum of exploration and development
costs incurred in the year plus the change in estimated future development
costs in the year, by the additions to proved reserves in the year, and (ii)
in the case of F&D costs for proved plus probable reserves, by dividing the
sum of exploration and development costs incurred in the year plus the change
in estimated future development costs in the year, by the additions to proved
plus probable reserves in the year. The aggregate of the exploration and
development costs incurred in the most recent financial year and the change
during that year in estimated future development costs generally reflect total
finding and development costs related to its reserves additions for that
year.
FD&A costs presented in this news release are calculated (i) in the case of
FD&A costs for proved reserves, by dividing the sum of exploration and
development costs and the cost of net acquisitions incurred in the year plus
the change in estimated future development costs in the year, by the additions
to proved reserves including net acquisitions in the year, and (ii) in the
case of FD&A costs for proved plus probable reserves, by dividing the sum of
exploration and development costs and the cost of net acquisitions incurred in
the year plus the change in estimated future development costs in the year, by
the additions to proved plus probable reserves including net acquisitions in
the year. The aggregate of the exploration and development costs incurred in
the most recent financial year and the change during that year in estimated
future development costs generally reflect total finding, development and
acquisition costs related to its reserves additions for that year.
See "Non-GAAP Measures" below.
NOTICE TO U.S. READERS
The oil and natural gas reserves information contained in this news release
has generally been prepared in accordance with Canadian disclosure standards,
which are not comparable in all respects to United States or other foreign
disclosure standards. Reserves categories such as "proved reserves" and
"probable reserves" may be defined differently under Canadian requirements
than the definitions contained in the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") rules. In addition, under Canadian disclosure
requirements and industry practice, reserves and production are reported using
gross (or, as noted above, "company interest") volumes, which are volumes
prior to deduction of royalty and similar payments. The practice in the United
States is to report reserves and production using net volumes, after deduction
of applicable royalties and similar payments. Canadian disclosure requirements
require that forecasted commodity prices be used for reserves evaluations,
while the SEC mandates the use of an average of first day of the month price
for the 12 months prior to the end of the reporting period. Additionally,
the SEC prohibits disclosure of oil and gas resources, whereas Canadian
issuers may disclose oil and gas resources. Resources are different than, and
should not be construed as reserves. For a description of the definition of,
and the risks and uncertainties surrounding the disclosure of, contingent
resources, see "Information Regarding Reserves, Resources and Operational
Information" above.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND STATEMENTS
This news release contains certain forward-looking information and statements
("forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities
laws. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue",
"estimate", "guidance", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project",
"should", "believe", "plans", "intends", "budget", "strategy" and similar
expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information. In
particular, but without limiting the foregoing, this news release contains
forward-looking information pertaining to the following: Enerplus' asset
portfolio; future capital and development expenditures and the allocation
thereof among our resource plays and assets; future development and drilling
locations, plans and costs; the performance of and future results from
Enerplus' assets and operations, including anticipated production levels,
expected ultimate recoveries and decline rates; future growth prospects,
acquisitions and dispositions; the volumes and estimated value of Enerplus'
oil and gas reserves and contingent resource volumes and future commodity
price and foreign exchange rate assumptions related thereto; the life of
Enerplus' reserves; the volume and product mix of Enerplus' oil and gas
production; the amount of future asset retirement obligations; future funds
flow and debt-to-funds flow levels; potential asset sales; returns on
Enerplus' capital program; Enerplus' tax position; sources of funding of
Enerplus' capital program; and future costs, expenses and royalty rates.
The forward-looking information contained in this news release reflects
several material factors and expectations and assumptions of Enerplus
including, without limitation: that Enerplus will conduct its operations and
achieve results of operations as anticipated; that Enerplus' development plans
will achieve the expected results; the general continuance of current or,
where applicable, assumed industry conditions; the continuation of assumed
tax, royalty and regulatory regimes; the accuracy of the estimates of
Enerplus' reserve and resource volumes; commodity price and cost assumptions;
the continued availability of adequate debt and/or equity financing, cash flow
and other sources to fund Enerplus' capital and operating requirements as
needed; and the extent of its liabilities. Enerplus believes the material
factors, expectations and assumptions reflected in the forward-looking
information are reasonable but no assurance can be given that these factors,
expectations and assumptions will prove to be correct.
The forward-looking information included in this news release is not a
guarantee of future performance and should not be unduly relied upon. Such
information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those
anticipated in such forward-looking information including, without limitation:
changes in commodity prices; changes in the demand for or supply of Enerplus'
products; unanticipated operating results, results from development plans or
production declines; changes in tax or environmental laws, royalty rates or
other regulatory matters; changes in development plans by Enerplus or by third
party operators of Enerplus' properties; increased debt levels or debt service
requirements; inaccurate estimation of Enerplus' oil and gas reserves and
resources volumes; limited, unfavourable or a lack of access to capital
markets; increased costs; a lack of adequate insurance coverage; the impact of
competitors; reliance on industry partners; and certain other risks detailed
from time to time in Enerplus' public disclosure documents (including, without
limitation, those risks identified in Enerplus' Annual Information Form and
Form 40-F described above).
The forward-looking information contained in this news release speaks only as
of the date of this news release, and none of Enerplus or its subsidiaries
assume any obligation to publicly update or revise them to reflect new events
or circumstances, except as may be required pursuant to applicable laws.
NON-GAAP MEASURES
In this news release, we use the terms "payout ratio" and "adjusted payout
ratio" to analyze operating performance, leverage and liquidity, and the terms
"F&D costs", "FD&A costs", "recycle ratio" and "operating netback" as measures
of operating performance. We calculate "payout ratio" by dividing dividends
to shareholders, net of our stock dividends and DRIP proceeds, by funds
flow. "Adjusted payout ratio" is calculated as cash dividends to
shareholders, net of our stock dividends and DRIP proceeds, plus capital
spending (including office capital) divided by funds flow. "Operating netback"
is calculated as oil and gas sales revenues after deducting royalties,
operating costs and transportation. A "recycle ratio" is calculated as F&D
costs divided by operating netback.
Enerplus believes that, in addition to net earnings and other measures
prescribed by IFRS, the terms "payout ratio", "adjusted payout ratio", "F&D
costs" and "FD&A costs" are useful supplemental measures as they provide an
indication of the results generated by Enerplus' principal business
activities. However, these measures are not measures recognized by GAAP and do
not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. Therefore, these measures,
as defined by Enerplus, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by
other issuers.
.
Gordon J. Kerr
President & Chief Executive Officer
Enerplus Corporation
For further information, please contact our Investor Relations Department at
1-800-319-6462 or email investorrelations@enerplus.com.
SOURCE: Enerplus Corporation
To view this news release in HTML formatting, please use the following URL:
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2013/22/c7355.html
CO: Enerplus Corporation
ST: Alberta
NI: OIL ERN CONF
-0- Feb/22/2013 11:00 GMT
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