Epsilon Reports Third Quarter 2015 Results
(firmenpresse) - HOUSTON, TEXAS -- (Marketwired) -- 10/28/15 -- Epsilon Energy Ltd. ("Epsilon" or the "Company") (TSX: EPS) today reported third quarter 2015 financial and operating results.
Mr. Michael Raleigh, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Epsilon's natural gas production continues to be well below its potential as a result of voluntarily imposed production ceilings. In real terms, while shut-ins began at the beginning of the quarter, we have had approximately 50% of our net wells shut-in over the last half of the quarter. This shut-in inventory has continued into the fourth quarter. Though this is frustrating the commodity price environment in northeast Pennsylvania has not been constructive. We are fortunate to be in such a flexible position as we continue to generate a positive cash flow contribution from the upstream and a significant cash flow contribution from our midstream asset. Our cost control discipline and management of capital expenditures are the prudent response to the current price environment. Additionally, we have been moving our $US generated cash to $CDN to take advantage of the exchange rate, effectively hedging future debenture liabilities. Also, we will opportunistically repurchase shares through the recently renewed normal course issuer bid.
Planning, permitting and construction of major interstate pipeline projects in our basin continue to make significant progress towards alleviating supply congestion in the basin. This progress will become evident in natural gas price realizations once these projects commence service."
Highlights for the third 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 $0.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015. $0.1 million was allocated to upstream operations, and $0.4 million was allocated to the Auburn Gas Gathering system.
Epsilon's 2015 capital forecast for the remainder of the year is revised to $0.3 million and is attributable entirely to the Auburn Gas Gathering system. As mentioned in prior press releases, the upstream budget is completely discretionary. Given the continued weakness in natural gas pricing, it is unlikely that any drilling or completion activity will occur in the fourth quarter.
Marcellus Operational Guidance
During the third quarter, Epsilon did not turn any new wells in line. The Operator continued to shut-in various combinations of producing wells throughout the third quarter in response to poor natural gas prices. At quarter end, 45 (12.08 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 September 30, 2015:
Epsilon has not received any well proposals from the Operator subsequent to quarter end.
Third Quarter Results
Epsilon generated revenues of $5.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $11.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014. The Company's Marcellus net revenue interest production was 2.2 Bcfe in the third quarter.
Realized natural gas prices averaged $1.09 per Mcf in the third 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 third quarter were $1.6 million. Also, due to the continuing depressed gas prices management decided to record a $10.0 million impairment on the Upstream assets.
The Auburn Gas Gathering system delivered 24 Bcfe of natural gas during the quarter as compared to 30 Bcfe during the second quarter of 2015. Primary gathering volumes decreased 20.4% quarter over quarter to 12.8 Bcfe primarily as a result of voluntary production curtailment by the Operator and working interest owners. Imported cross-flow volumes also decreased 20.5% to 11.0 Bcfe as a result of similar curtailments by adjacent operators.
Epsilon reported net after tax loss of $7.6 million attributable to common shareholders or ($0.16) per basic and diluted common shares outstanding for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to net income of $0.5 million, and $0.01 per basic and diluted common shares outstanding for the three months ended September 30, 2014.
For the three months ended September 30, 2015, Epsilon's Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Income Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA") was $2.8 million as compared to $8.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 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:
Epsilon Energy Ltd.
Michael Raleigh
Chief Executive Officer
281-670-0002
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Datum: 28.10.2015 - 22:19 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 430247
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HOUSTON, TEXAS
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