Epsilon Reports First Quarter 2015 Results
(firmenpresse) - HOUSTON, TEXAS -- (Marketwired) -- 04/29/15 -- Epsilon Energy Ltd. ("Epsilon" or the "Company") (TSX: EPS) today reported first quarter 2015 financial and operating results.
Mr. Michael Raleigh, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Despite experiencing historically low realized natural gas prices and electing to plateau production at less than full potential, Epsilon generated $3.9 million of EBITDA during the quarter.
In addition to adopting voluntary production ceilings during the quarter, our wells were subject to higher back pressures from newly completed wells and operations within interconnected systems. During the 4th quarter of 2014, we proposed and received partner approval to install a pressure control valve at the interconnection between the adjacent system and our Auburn Gas Gathering System. This control valve became operational in mid-April, 2015, and our field wide production is now much more controllable.
As a result of previously implemented expense reductions and liquidity improvements, Epsilon remains uniquely positioned to capitalize on the current market conditions in northeast Pennsylvania. As long as realized prices remain weak, Epsilon will continue to rationalize its production, and seek to create value in additional ways such as proving the potential of the Upper Marcellus resource and using free cash flow to opportunistically return capital to our shareholders through our share repurchase program.
We anticipate gradual improvement in natural gas price realizations as the anticipated 4+ Bcf/d of interstate pipeline projects commence service in our local area of the basin over the next few years. As prices improve, we expect to be able to significantly grow the Net Asset Value through realization of the Upper Marcellus potential."
Highlights for the first quarter and material subsequent events following the end of the quarter through the date of this release include:
Capital Expenditures
Epsilon's total capital expenditures were $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015. $1.1 million was allocated to drilling and completing Marcellus wells, and $0.3 million was allocated to the ongoing build-out of the Auburn Gas Gathering system.
Epsilon's 2015 capital forecast for the remainder of the year is $15 million. Approximately $4.7 million is allocated to the Auburn Gas Gathering system which represents a $3.6 million reduction from the $8.6 million originally budgeted for 2015. This decrease in anticipated midstream capital expenditures is commensurate with the reduced pace of upstream drilling and completion activity by the operator given the current low price environment. The remaining $10.3 million upstream budget remains discretionary and will be driven by management's elected pace of proving Upper Marcellus resource on Epsilon's leasehold.
Marcellus Operational Guidance
During the first quarter, Epsilon turned 6 (.15 net) new wells in line. 1 well (.00 net) was returned to production, but 4 (0.06 net) wells were shut-in for adjacent fracing operations. Additionally, throughout the quarter, the Operator periodically shut-in various combinations of producing wells in response to poor natural gas prices. At quarter end, including wells shut in for adjacent fracing operations, 11 (.71 net) wells remained shut-in.
The Operator did not drill or propose any new wells during the quarter. The table below details Epsilon's well development status at March 31, 2015:
Epsilon has not received any well proposals from the Operator subsequent to quarter end.
First Quarter Results
Epsilon generated revenues of $6.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 compared to $14.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The Company's Upstream Marcellus net revenue interest production was 2.3 Bcfe in the first quarter.
Realized natural gas prices averaged $1.40 per Mcf in the first quarter of 2015. Realized natural gas prices in Northeast Pennsylvania continue to be negatively impacted by a significant differential to depressed NYMEX Henry Hub prices. Operating expenses for Marcellus Upstream operations in the first quarter were $1.6 million.
The Auburn Gas Gathering system delivered 26 Bcfe of natural gas during the quarter as compared to 30 Bcfe during the fourth quarter of 2014. Primary gathering volumes increased 3.5% quarter over quarter to 15.3 Bcfe primarily as a result of the commencement of gathering services to the first third party pad in the system. Imported cross-flow volumes decreased 30.5% to 10.8 Bcfe primarily as a result of voluntary well shut-ins and production ceilings in adjacent systems as a response to natural gas prices.
Epsilon reported net after tax loss of $0.7 million attributable to common shareholders or ($0.01) per basic and diluted common shares outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to a net loss of $0.1 million, and $0.00 per basic and diluted common shares outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
For the three months ended March 31, 2015, Epsilon's Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Income Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA") was $3.9 million as compared to $11.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to decreased production and lower natural gas prices.
Adjusted EBITDA
Epsilon defines Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before (1) net interest expense, (2) depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, (3) recovery of prior impairments of oil and gas properties, (4) non-cash stock compensation expense, (5) unrealized gain on derivatives and (6) other income. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of net income or cash flows as determined by IFRS.
Management believes these non-IFRS financial measures facilitate evaluation of the Company's business on a "normalized" or recurring basis and without giving effect to certain non-cash expenses and other items, thereby providing management, investors and analysts with comparative information for evaluating the Company in relation to other oil and gas companies providing corresponding non-IFRS financial measures. These non-IFRS financial measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, measures for financial performance prepared in accordance with IFRS, and that the reconciliations to the closest corresponding IFRS measure should be reviewed carefully.
About Epsilon
Epsilon Energy Ltd. is a North American onshore exploration and production company with a current focus on the Marcellus Shale of Pennsylvania.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward looking statements. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", 'may", "will", "project", "should", 'believe", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve 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 statements are based on reasonable assumption but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and the forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon.
The reserves and associated future net revenue information set forth in this news release are estimates only. In general, estimates of oil and natural gas reserves and the future net revenue therefrom are based upon a number of variable factors and assumptions, such as production rates, ultimate reserves recovery, timing and amount of capital expenditures, ability to transport production, marketability of oil and natural gas, royalty rates, the assumed effects of regulation by governmental agencies and future operating costs, all of which may vary materially from actual results. For those reasons, estimates of the oil and natural gas reserves attributable to any particular group of properties, as well as the classification of such reserves and estimates of future net revenues associated with such reserves prepared by different engineers (or by the same engineers at different times) may vary. The actual reserves of the Company may be greater or less than those calculated. In addition, the Company's actual production, revenues, development and operating expenditures will vary from estimates thereof and such variations could be material.
Statements relating to "reserves" are deemed to be forward-looking statements as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, that the reserves described exist in the quantities predicted or estimated and can be profitably produced in the future. There is no assurance that forecast price and cost assumptions will be attained and variances could be material.
Proved reserves are those reserves which are most certain to be recovered. There is at least a 90% probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the estimated proved reserves. Undeveloped reserves are those reserves expected to be recovered from known accumulations where a significant expenditure (for example, when compared to the cost of drilling a well) is required to render them capable of production. They must fully meet the requirements of the reserves classification (proved, probable) to which they are assigned. Proved undeveloped reserves are those reserves that can be estimated with a high degree of certainty and are expected to be recovered from known accumulations where a significant expenditure is required to render them capable of production.
The estimates of reserves and future net revenue for individual properties may not reflect the same confidence level as estimates of reserves and future net revenue for all properties due to the effects of aggregation. The estimated future net revenues contained in this news release do not necessarily represent the fair market value of the Company's reserves.
Special note for news distribution in the United States
The securities described in the news release have not been registered under the United Stated Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the "1933 Act") or state securities laws. Any holder of these securities, by purchasing such securities, agrees for the benefit of Epsilon Energy Ltd. (the "Corporation") that such securities may not be offered, sold, or otherwise transferred only (A) to the Corporation or its affiliates; (B) outside the United States in accordance with applicable state laws and either (1) Rule 144(as) under the 1933 Act or (2) Rule 144 under the 1933 Act, if applicable.
Contacts:
Michael Raleigh
Chief Executive Officer
281-670-0002
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Datum: 29.04.2015 - 22:01 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 389634
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HOUSTON, TEXAS
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