OREANDA-NEWS. Blackbird Energy Inc. (TSX-V:BBI) (“Blackbird” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce record financial and operational results for the quarter ended January 31, 2018. Blackbird’s unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements and related management’s discussion and analysis for the quarter ended January 31, 2018 are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and are also posted on Blackbird’s website at www.blackbirdenergyinc.com.

Highlights

  • Record Corporate Production: Blackbird is pleased to announce that for the three months ended January 31, 2018, the Company achieved record corporate production of 2,082 boe/d (57% liquids) for the 55 days it was on production. Total production averaged 1,273 boe/d on a calendar day basis for the three months, with volumes being impacted by approximately 37 days of unscheduled third party downtime.
  • Record Revenue, Operating Netback and Funds from Operations: Blackbird reported a record $6.0 million ($51.53/boe) of petroleum and natural gas revenue, $3.4 million ($28.75/boe) of operating netback and $2.4 million ($20.51/boe) of funds from operations during the three months ended January 31, 2018. These results were achieved with the Company producing for approximately two-thirds of the quarter due to third party natural gas processing shut-downs. Management of the Company is very pleased with the operating netback per boe and how it compares with industry leaders.
  • Balance Sheet Strength Maintained: Blackbird remains well capitalized, and between its current credit facility and working capital surplus the Company has approximately $27.0 million of available funding in addition to its positive operating cash flow.
  • Advancing Northern Development Program: Blackbird continues to advance its development plans, and has successfully acquired 4 pad sites for near-term development and licensed 11 further wells north of the Wapiti River and to the west of Grande Prairie.

See below for a summary table containing certain financial and operational figures:

By the Numbers – Q2 2018
(CDN$ thousands, except where
otherwise noted)
Three months ended January 31 Six months ended January 31
2018   2017   % Change 2018   2017   % Change
 
Financial(1)
Petroleum and natural gas revenue 6,036   110   5,387   8,618   125   6,794  
Cash provided by (used in) operating
activities
3,536   (1,727 ) 305   1,422   (2,962 ) 148  
Net loss and comprehensive loss (1,705 ) (4,877 ) (65 ) (3,442 ) (5,936 ) (42 )
Net loss per share – basic and diluted
($/share)
(0.00 ) (0.01 ) (100 ) (0.00 ) (0.01 ) (100 )
Total assets 192,184   110,215   74   192,184   110,215   74  
Working capital 6,969   2,262   208   6,969   2,262   208  
Capital expenditures 17,491   30,830   (43 ) 46,732   38,180   22  
 
Operating(1)
Production            
Condensate & oil (bbls/d) 682   14   4,771   505   7   7,114  
NGLs (bbls/d) 49   1   4,800   39   -   100  
Natural gas (mcf/d) 3,248   42   7,633   2,680   21   12,662  
Non-core (boe/d) 1   6   (83 ) 1   10   (90 )
Total (boe/d) 1,273   28   4,446   992   21   4,624  
Liquids ratio (%) 57   54   6   55   33   67  
Condensate gas ratio (bbls/mmcf) 210   333   (36 ) 188   333   (43 )
Total liquids gas ratio (bbls/mmcf) 225   357   (36 ) 203   333   (39 )
             
Average Montney realized selling prices            
Condensate & oil ($/bbl) 72.50   65.80   10   68.60   65.80   4  
NGLs ($/bbl) 31.72   29.35   8   31.63   29.35   8  
Natural gas ($/mcf) 4.49   4.23   6   4.08   4.23   (3 )
             
Netbacks ($/boe)            
Petroleum and natural gas revenue 51.53   44.33   16   47.18   33.63   40  
Royalties (3.12 ) (2.61 ) 19   (2.75 ) (1.75 ) 57  
Operating expenses (5.97 ) (21.76 ) (73 ) (7.64 ) (43.04 ) (83 )
Transportation and processing expenses (13.69 ) (69.72 ) (80 ) (13.20 ) (46.54 ) (71 )
Operating netback(2) 28.75   (49.76 ) 158   23.59   (57.70 ) 140  
             
Pipestone / Elmworth Montney
sections of land (net)
114.5   94.0   21   114.5   94.0   21  

Notes:
(1) See the Company’s Q2 2018 financial statements and related management’s discussion and analysis filed on SEDAR for further discussion and cautionary statements regarding the figures above.
(2) See “Non-IFRS Measures” below.

Q2 2018 Summary

  • Record Production: While on production during the quarter, Blackbird produced 5.4 mmcf/d of natural gas, 1,101 bbls/d of condensate and 81 bbls/d of NGLs for total production of 2,082 boe/d from its Pipestone / Elmworth project. The Company produced for approximately 55 days during the second quarter of 2018 compared to 92 total calendar days in the quarter. Improved run times at Blackbird’s third party natural gas processing facility during the quarter contributed to more consistent production rates and stronger operating results. During the three months ended January 31, 2018, the Company achieved an average total production rate of 1,273 boe/d (including 1 boe/d of non-core production) comprised of 57% liquids;
  • Q2 2018 Condensate Gas Ratio: 210 bbls/mmcf during the three months ended January 31, 2018;
  • Q2 2018 Total Liquids Gas Ratio: 225 bbls/mmcf during the three months ended January 31, 2018;
  • Record Revenue and Operating Netback: Blackbird achieved record revenue and operating netback from its Pipestone / Elmworth project during the second quarter of 2018. The Company reported $6.0 million of petroleum and natural gas revenue and $3.4 million of operating netback during the three months ended January 31, 2018. These results were achieved with the Company producing for approximately two-thirds of the quarter due to third party natural gas processing shut-downs;
  • Record Funds from Operations: The Company generated $2.4 million of funds from operations during the three months ended January 31, 2018;
  • Capital Investment: Blackbird invested $17.5 million during the three months ended January 31, 2018, drilling 1 gross (1.0 net) well, completing 2 gross (2.0 net) wells, recompleting 1 gross (1.0 net) well and bringing 1 gross (1.0 net) well on production. The Company incurred higher drilling and completions capital costs during the period due to a number of factors including: recompleting the 2-20-70-6W6 Middle Montney well utilizing high-intensity Plug and Perf technology, step out drilling and completion operations for exploration wells and production testing costs associated with wells completed. Blackbird expects to continue to reduce its drilling and completions costs in the future as it moves towards pad site development north of the Wapiti River, normalizes completions by deploying the STAGE System in its wells and applies further innovation in its operations;
  • Land: During the three months ended January 31, 2018, the Company acquired 3 gross (2.0 net) additional sections of undeveloped Pipestone / Elmworth Montney land for cash consideration of $0.2 million; and
  • Available Funding and Working Capital Surplus: Blackbird remains well capitalized, and between its current credit facility and working capital surplus has approximately $27.0 million of available funding in addition to its positive operating cash flow. As at January 31, 2018 the Company had positive working capital of approximately $7.0 million, which included $15.7 million of cash and no bank debt. Subsequent to January 31, 2018, Blackbird expanded its existing undrawn operating loan facility with ATB Financial from $1.0 million to $20.0 million. The terms of the facility are unchanged, and Blackbird may, at its option, elect to submit an updated engineering report in advance of its required annual review for the purposes of a borrowing base redetermination. ATB Financial is a premier lender and the largest Alberta-based financial institution. The companies’ core values are very synergistic and Blackbird is pleased to have been able to expand its working relationship with this exceptional company.

Outlook

Subsequent to January 31, 2018, Blackbird completed production testing on its 3-27-71-7W6 Upper Montney delineation well. The 3-27-71-7W6 is the Company’s first operated delineation well north of the Wapiti River and is approximately 14 kilometers north of Blackbird’s previous operated development drilling.

The short-term test results from the Company’s 3-27-71-7W6 well were very encouraging as it exhibited both natural gas rates and casing pressures that exceeded management’s expectations. Details from the production test results can be found in the Company’s press release dated March 13, 2018. Based on internal productivity forecasts, Blackbird now anticipates it will be able to meet its initial 20.0 mmcf/d commitment at the Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure Ltd. (“Tidewater”) proposed deep cut sour gas processing facility, located near Wembley, Alberta, through the drilling, completion and tie-in of 5 gross (5.0 net) additional wells north of the Wapiti River. This compares to previous internal estimates for up to 10 gross (10.0 net) wells being required to meet the initial gas processing commitments associated with the Tidewater agreement, which was entered in November, 2017.

With the successful test result from the 3-27-71-7W6 Upper Montney well proving the productivity of Blackbird’s northern lands, the Company is ready to move forward with its development program north of the Wapiti River. The Company has already secured a compressor site and has made significant progress toward obtaining authorization to commence surveying right of ways for future pipelines. Blackbird has successfully acquired 4 pad sites for near-term development, and has identified, mapped and surveyed an additional 6 pad sites as a part of its ongoing development planning. The Company has licensed 11 additional wells north of the Wapiti River. Further licenses are planned in the near term. Blackbird expects to commence its drilling program in the summer of 2018.

The expansion of the Company’s operating loan facility to $20.0 million is a key step for Blackbird in moving towards this next leg of development. The undrawn loan facility combined with Blackbird’s working capital surplus at January 31, 2018 of $7.0 million provides the Company with approximately $27.0 million of future available funding in addition to its positive operating cash flow. The Company generated $3.4 million of operating netback and $2.4 million of funds from operations during the three months ended January 31, 2018. These results were achieved with the Company producing for approximately two-thirds of the quarter due to third party natural gas processing shut-downs. Blackbird expects to continue its conservative approach to debt, and is currently evaluating a number of non-dilutive options for additional capital liquidity to complement its increased credit facility and prepare for future development.

Appointment of Travis Belak as Controller

Blackbird is pleased to announce the appointment of Travis Belak to the position of Controller. Prior to his appointment as Controller, Mr. Belak held the position of Senior Financial Accountant with the Company.

Mr. Belak is a Chartered Professional Accountant with over eight years of broad finance experience in financial reporting, internal controls, taxation and audit. Mr. Belak began his career with an international big four public accounting firm and has since held positions of increasing responsibility with Canadian Natural Resources Limited and Blackbird.

“I am very pleased to promote Travis to the position of Controller. He has been a long-standing member of the Blackbird team and has been a critical component of the finance team during Blackbird’s transition from an early-stage exploration company to the producer it has become today. I look forward to working with Travis as Blackbird continues to develop our asset and convey results to our shareholders”, says Garth Braun, President and CEO.

About Blackbird

Blackbird Energy Inc. is a highly innovative oil and gas exploration and development company focused on the condensate and liquids-rich Montney fairway at Pipestone / Elmworth, near Grande Prairie, Alberta. 

 

ADVISORIES REGARDING OIL AND GAS INFORMATION

This press release discloses certain production information on a barrels of oil equivalent ("boe") basis with natural gas converted to barrels of oil equivalent using a conversion factor of six thousand cubic feet of gas to one barrel of oil (6:1). Boes may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. The 6:1 conversion ratio is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead or at the plant gate. Although the 6:1 conversion ratio is an industry accepted norm, it is not reflective of price or market value differentials between product types. Based on current commodity prices, the value ratio between crude oil and natural gas is significantly different from the 6:1 energy equivalency ratio. Accordingly, using a conversion ratio of 6:1 may be misleading as an indication of value.

Other abbreviations used in the press release include: “bbl” which mean barrel; “bbls/d” which means barrels per day; “mcf” which means thousand cubic feet; “mcf/d” which means thousand cubic feet per day; “boe/d” which means barrel of oil equivalent per day; “mmcf” which means million cubic feet; “bbls/mmcf” which means barrels per million cubic feet; and “mmcf/d” which means million cubic feet per day.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future performance, events or circumstances, and are based upon internal assumptions, plans, intentions, expectations and beliefs. All statements other than statements of current or historical fact constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically, but not always, identified by words such as "will", "expect", "believe", “anticipate”, “estimate”, "plan", “forecast”, "potential", “continue” and similar expressions. More particularly and without limitation, this press release contains forward looking statements regarding: the Company’s planned development program north of the Wapiti River and timing for commencement of related drilling activities, the potential productivity of Blackbird’s northern Pipestone / Elmworth lands, continuation of the Company’s conservative approach to debt levels, prospective options for additional capital liquidity, internal estimates as to the number of wells needed to meet the Company’s initial 20.0 mmcf/d commitment at the proposed Tidewater facility, the proposed facility itself and the associated commitments, anticipated timing for commencement of Blackbird’s northern development program, and reduction of drilling and completions costs in the future through efficiencies of pad site development north of the Wapiti River, normalized completions utilizing the STAGE System and application of further innovation in its operations.