Penn West announces its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009
Posted on: Wednesday, 6 May 2009, 05:00 CDT
Now more than ever Penn West is focusing on the fundamental building blocks of our business. During the first quarter of 2009, Penn West concentrated on base operations, costs associated with adding new volumes, and broad financial/business strategies. Global market recalibration persisted through the quarter with weak commodity prices and lingering tightness in the credit markets.
Production
Penn West exited the first quarter with daily production averaging approximately 182,300 boe per day, which is ahead of our forecast. This figure is net of dispositions in the quarter of approximately 4,900 boe per day. Guidance for the first six months of 2009 remains unchanged at 180,000 boe per day, before the impact of asset dispositions.
Throughout the first quarter of 2009, we focused on reducing cost structures both internally as well as through external service companies, while adding production volumes through optimization. While operating costs trended higher in the first quarter, we anticipate these costs to moderate in future quarters. Operating costs were
Capital Spending
Our 2009 capital program is partly focused on further development of scalable and repeatable projects. These projects have the potential to add significant production and reserves to Penn West through the use of horizontal, multi-stage completion technology. Particular emphasis is being placed on our developing oil plays at
In
Industry cost structures were initially slow to react to declining market conditions, however we are beginning to experience lower vendor rates and expect to realize lower costs in the second half of this year. As we anticipated this, we weighted a majority of our
Business Strategies
We are actively high-grading our extensive portfolio of producing assets and land base at Penn West. This means the sale of approximately 4,900 boe per day not deemed to be core and the pursuit of those properties in certain key areas which add the kind of scalable and repeatable opportunities necessary for sufficient scale, as demonstrated by the acquisition of Reece Exploration. This process of selling non-core assets and adding to core areas will allow us to further strengthen our presence in plays that are suitable, at our size, to drive more efficient and concentrated reserve additions in the future.
Financial Strategies
Funds flow for the quarter was
Through our issuance of equity early in the first quarter, the proceeds from asset dispositions and the private placement of notes, we have reduced our reliance on bank financing both in absolute terms and through debt diversification. This is consistent with our ongoing strategy of limiting the portion of our debt capital structure that is sourced from banks, both here in
Commodity Prices
Crude oil prices averaged just over
Summary
We at Penn West believe our actions throughout the first quarter have positioned us well for the future. We are continuing our strategy of debt retirement and diversification while balancing reinvestment into our assets with the payment of our monthly distribution. We have adjusted our monthly distribution to a level we believe to be appropriate given current commodity prices. While we are likely to see continued volatility in capital markets broadly and commodity prices specifically, the fundamental drivers of these markets are beginning to show positive signs. Given crude oil and natural gas play a highly prominent role in the functioning of the global economy, we believe the fundamental outlook for our business remains sound.
Penn West believes the best approach during difficult economic times is to ensure effective performance of our assets and staff while continuing to advance key long-term projects and reducing cost structures to levels commensurate with current commodity prices. We continue to do the work necessary to establish the full potential of our opportunity-rich asset base.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, (signed)"William E. Andrew" (signed)"Murray R. Nunns" William E. Andrew Murray R. Nunns Chief Executive Officer President and Chief Operating and Director Officer Calgary, Alberta May 5, 2009Outlook
This outlook section is included to provide unitholders with information as to our expectations as at
Our forecast 2009 development capital expenditures remain at the lower end of our
Our prior forecast, released on
Non-GAAP Measures Advisory
The above information includes non-GAAP measures not defined under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), including funds flow, funds flow per unit-basic, netback, payout ratio and net debt. Non-GAAP measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Funds flow is cash flow from operating activities before changes in non-cash working capital and asset retirement expenditures. Funds flow is used to assess our ability to fund distributions and planned capital programs. Netback is a per-unit-of-production measure of operating margin used in capital allocation decisions. Operating margin is calculated as revenue less royalties, operating costs and transportation. Payout ratio is distributions paid divided by funds flow and we use it to assess the adequacy of funds flow to fund capital programs. Net debt is the total of long-term debt and working capital and is used to assess the appropriateness of our distribution level and capital program.
Calculation of Funds Flow Three months ended March 31 ---------------------------------- (millions, except per unit amounts) 2009 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flow from operating activities $ 282 $ 367 Increase in non-cash working capital 51 251 Asset retirement expenditures 15 14 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Funds flow $ 348 $ 632 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Basic per unit $ 0.87 $ 1.76 Diluted per unit $ 0.87 $ 1.75 -------------------------------------------------------------------------Oil and Gas Information Advisory
Barrels of oil equivalent (boe) are based on six mcf of natural gas equalling one barrel of oil (6:1). This could be misleading if used in isolation as it is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applied at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this document constitute forward-looking statements or information (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the "safe harbour" provisions of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "forecast", "may", "will", "project", "could", "plan", "intend", "should", "believe", "outlook", "potential", "target" and similar words suggesting future events or future performance. In addition, statements relating to "reserves" or "resources" are deemed to be forward-looking statements as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, that the reserves and resources described exist in the quantities predicted or estimated and can be profitably produced in the future.
In particular, this document contains forward-looking statements pertaining to, without limitation, the following: our ability to complete one or more accretive and strategic acquisitions in the future; future distribution levels; the benefits that may accrue to us from the recent acquisition of Reece; the impact that the EIP is anticipated to have on the royalties that we pay in 2009; our ability to restore production volumes lost in the previous quarter; the nature, focus and timing of our 2009 capital program and our expectations regarding the results of said program, including our belief in its potential to add significant production and reserves; our business strategies going forward, including to sell non-core assets and add to our position in core areas, and the potential benefits to be derived therefrom; our financial strategies going forward; our outlook for the capital markets and commodity prices; the opportunities presented by our asset base and our ability to capitalize on them; our risk management strategy going forward; and, the disclosure contained under the headings "Letter to our Unitholders" and "Outlook", which sets forth management's expectations as to our capital expenditures for 2009 and the timing for making said expenditures and the intended focus of such expenditures, our expectation that service costs will decrease as 2009 progresses, and our forecast average production in the first half of 2009.
With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this document, we have made assumptions regarding, among other things: future oil and natural gas prices and differentials between light, medium and heavy oil prices; future capital expenditure levels; future oil and natural gas production levels; future exchange rates and interest rates; the amount of future cash distributions that we intend to pay; our ability to obtain equipment in a timely manner to carry out development activities; our ability to market our oil and natural gas successfully to current and new customers; the impact of increasing competition; our ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms; and our ability to maintain existing production levels and add production and reserves through our development and exploitation activities. In addition, many of the forward-looking statements contained in this document are located proximate to assumptions that are specific to those forward-looking statements, and such assumptions should be taken into account when reading such forward-looking statements: see in particular the assumptions identified under the headings "Distributions" and "Outlook".
Although Penn West believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this document, and the assumptions on which such forward-looking statements are made, are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements included in this document, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which the forward-looking statements are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur, which may cause Penn West's actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any estimates or projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things: the impact of weather conditions on seasonal demand and ability to execute capital programs; risks inherent in oil and natural gas operations; uncertainties associated with estimating reserves and resources; competition for, among other things, capital, acquisitions of reserves, resources, undeveloped lands and skilled personnel; incorrect assessments of the value of acquisitions, including the completed acquisitions discussed herein; geological, technical, drilling and processing problems; general economic conditions in
The forward-looking statements contained in this document speak only as of the date of this document. Except as expressly required by applicable securities laws, Penn West does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
Penn West Energy Trust Consolidated Balance Sheets (CAD millions, unaudited) March 31, 2009 December 31, 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Assets Current Accounts receivable $ 427 $ 386 Risk management 330 448 Other 99 106 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 856 940 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Property, plant and equipment 12,113 12,452 Goodwill 2,020 2,020 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14,133 14,472 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 14,989 $ 15,412 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Liabilities and unitholders' equity Current Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 505 $ 630 Distributions payable 94 132 Convertible debentures 7 7 Future income taxes 94 132 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 700 901 Long-term debt 3,797 3,854 Convertible debentures 282 289 Risk management 10 6 Asset retirement obligations 604 614 Future income taxes 1,288 1,368 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6,681 7,032 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unitholders' equity Unitholders' capital 8,267 7,976 Contributed surplus 86 75 Retained earnings (deficit) (45) 329 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8,308 8,380 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 14,989 $ 15,412 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Penn West Energy Trust Consolidated Statements of Operations and Retained Earnings Three months ended March 31 (CAD millions, except per unit ---------------------------------- amounts, unaudited) 2009 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenues Oil and natural gas $ 625 $ 1,196 Royalties (110) (214) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 515 982 Risk management gain (loss) Realized 156 (60) Unrealized (81) (193) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 590 729 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Expenses Operating 245 205 Transportation 9 8 General and administrative 41 35 Financing 40 52 Depletion, depreciation and accretion 385 396 Unrealized risk management (gain) loss 41 (7) Unrealized foreign exchange loss 43 17 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 804 706 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income (loss) before taxes (214) 23 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Taxes Future income tax recovery (116) (55) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net and comprehensive income (loss) $ (98) $ 78 Retained earnings, beginning of period $ 329 $ 658 Distributions declared (276) (382) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Retained earnings (deficit), end of period $ (45) $ 354 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income (loss) per unit Basic $ (0.25) $ 0.22 Diluted $ (0.25) $ 0.22 Weighted average units outstanding (millions) Basic 399.4 359.5 Diluted 399.4 361.2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Penn West Energy Trust Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Three months ended March 31 ---------------------------------- (CAD millions, unaudited) 2009 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating activities Net income (loss) $ (98) $ 78 Depletion, depreciation and accretion 385 396 Future income tax recovery (116) (55) Unit-based compensation 12 10 Unrealized risk management 122 186 Unrealized foreign exchange loss 43 17 Asset retirement expenditures (15) (14) Change in non-cash working capital (51) (251) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 282 367 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investing activities Acquisition of property, plant and equipment (6) (1) Disposition of property, plant and equipment 146 5 Additions to property, plant and equipment (181) (282) Canetic and Vault acquisition costs - (28) Change in non-cash working capital (108) 120 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (149) (186) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Financing activities Redemption of convertible debentures (4) (24) Repayment of Canetic and Vault credit facilities - (1,557) (Decrease)/increase in bank loan (100) 1,679 Issue of equity 248 13 Distributions paid (277) (292) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (133) (181) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Change in cash - - Cash, beginning of period - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash, end of period $ - $ - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interest paid $ 24 $ 26 Income taxes paid $ - $ 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investor Information -------------------------------------------------------------------------Penn West trust units and debentures are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols PWT.UN, PWT.DB.B, PWT.DB.C, PWT.DB.D, PWT.DB.E and PWT.DB.F and Penn West trust units are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PWE.
A conference call will be held to discuss Penn West's results at
To listen to the conference call, please call one of the following:
416-644-3419 (Toronto) 800-731-5319 (North American toll-free)A taped recording will be available until
Penn West expects to file its Management's Discussion and Analysis and unaudited interim consolidated financial statements on SEDAR and EDGAR shortly.
SOURCE Penn West Energy Trust
Source: PR Newswire
Related Articles
- Cardica Announces Fiscal 2009 Fourth Quarter and Year End Financial Results
- Petroleum Development Corporation Announces 2009 Second Quarter Results
- American Pacific Reports Fiscal 2009 Third Quarter Results - Reaffirms Fiscal Earnings 2009 Guidance
- Samson Oil & Gas Presents to U.S. Investors
- Samson Oil & Gas to Ring the Amex Opening Bell
- Oil & Gas Financial Journal Announces Presenter Schedule for the Houston Energy Financial Forum
- Cal Dive International to Buy Remington Oil & Gas
- Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Annual 2005 Financial Results Including Record Revenues and EBITDA
- Oil, Gas Production Recovery Mired By Katrina's Damage
- Endesa in Drive to Fight Off Gas Natural
User Comments (0)

RSS Feeds