CALGARY, AB, Nov. 9, 2021 /CNW/ - Bonterra Energy Corp. (www.bonterraenergy.com) (TSX: BNE) ("Bonterra" or the "Company") today announces its operating and financial results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2021.  The related unaudited condensed financial statements and notes, as well as management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A"), are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on Bonterra's website at www.bonterraenergy.com. 

HIGHLIGHTS

Q3 2021 FINANCIAL & OPERATING SNAPSHOT

• Averaged 12,542 BOE per day of production in Q3 2021, 25 percent higher than in Q3 2020, and 12,389 BOE per day in the first nine months of 2021, a 15 percent increase over the comparative period the prior year.
  
  
• Volumes in Q3 2021 were impacted third-party midstream issues, including a fire at an NGL fractionation plant and compression issues at downstream pipelines and facilities, which led to approximately 650 BOE per day being shut-in during the period.
  
  
• These volumes are expected to be brought back on-stream in Q4 2021, along with approximately 275 BOE per day of production that had previously been shut-in due to weak prices. Bonterra anticipates the impact of these incremental volumes will contribute meaningfully to higher production in the fourth quarter of 2021, with average volumes in the month of October 2021 averaging approximately 14,000 BOE per day¹.
  
  
• Realized oil and gas sales increased 121 percent over Q3 2020 to total $64.5 million in Q3 2021, and in the first nine months of 2021, increased by 92 percent over the same period in 2020 with increases primarily driven by higher realized crude oil prices and growing production volumes.
  
  
• Generated funds flow² of $28.7 million ($0.83 per fully diluted share) in Q3 2021, a 356 percent increase from $6.3 million ($0.19 per fully diluted share) in Q3 2020 while funds flow² in the first nine months of 2021 totaled $68.4 million ($1.98 per fully diluted share) representing an increase of 172 percent from the same period of 2020.
  
  
• Production costs per unit were reduced to $14.45 per BOE in Q3 2021, four percent lower than the preceding quarter.
  
  
• Drilling, completion and equipping costs in the first nine months of 2021 decreased by approximately 29 percent year-over-year to average $1.5 million per well.
  
  
• Field netbacks² averaged $31.03 per BOE in Q3 2021 and $27.80 per BOE in the first nine months of 2021, representing increases of 107 percent and 92 percent over the comparative periods of 2020, respectively, with the increases primarily reflecting significantly higher per unit revenue offset by realized losses on risk management contracts and increased per unit royalty expenses.
  
  
• Capital expenditures totaled $49.6 million in the first nine months of 2021 including $18.6 million invested in Q3 2021. Of the first nine months' capital, $40.5 million was directed to the drilling of 29 gross (27.4 net) wells along with the completion, equip and tie-in of 29 gross (27.2 net) wells, with four of the completed and equipped wells having been drilled in 2020. Of the wells drilled in 2021, 25 have been placed on production as of September 30, 2021. An additional $9.1 million was spent primarily on related infrastructure and recompletions.
  
  
• Net debt² totaled $307.7 million as at September 30, 2021, a $7.8 million improvement from year-end 2020, reflecting the effects of improving commodity prices and the more active capital program which has restored production levels to pre-COVID-19 levels. Subsequent to the quarter and in conjunction with the previously announced brokered private placement debt and warrant financings (as described more fully herein), the Company successfully restructured its bank debt to be a fully conforming revolving credit facility of $220 million, eliminating the non-revolving term loan of $65 million. The first of these financings closed on October 20, 2021, with the second anticipated to close on or about November 10, 2021.

QUARTER IN REVIEW

The Company has continued to benefit from further increases in crude oil and natural gas prices which have now generated nearly $19 million of funds flow in excess of capital expenditures during the first nine months of 2021, attributable to the Company's low decline rate and disciplined approach to capital allocation. During the third quarter of 2021, Bonterra realized average oil prices of $78.42 per bbl, average NGL prices of $48.86 per bbl, and average natural gas prices of $3.94 per mcf. These improved revenues contributed to a 12 percent and 24 percent improvement of field and cash netbacks to $31.03 and $24.84 per BOE, respectively, compared to the prior quarter.

With spring breakup completed, the Company resumed its capital program during the quarter designed to target sustainable production growth, drilling 13 gross (11.5 net) wells and placing on production nine gross (7.5 net) wells.

Bonterra continued to reduce its decommissioning liabilities with support of the Alberta Site Rehabilitation Program ("SRP"). By the end of the third quarter, the Company had abandoned 189.4 net wells  and decommissioned 2.0 net battery sites during the first nine months of the year, having spent $3.1 million of a $5.1 million commitment for the 2021 fiscal year. As the Company continues to execute its abandonment program through the remainder of 2021 and 2022, a further 167.8 net wells that have no deemed future potential are forecast to be abandoned. Bonterra continuously reviews its inactive well inventory for future potential to determine if a well bore should be reactivated, repurposed, or abandoned.

During the third quarter of 2021, the Company appointed Ms. Stacey McDonald to its Board of Directors (the "Board"), effective August 16, 2021. Ms. McDonald will assume the role of Chair of the Reserves Committee, while serving on the Audit, Compensation, and Governance and Nominating Committees. Ms. McDonald's 16 years of energy and finance experience will bring valuable insights and contributions to the Board.

OUTLOOK

The Company expects that shut-ins related to the third-party fractionation plant fire and other downtime at downstream third-party pipelines and facilities will be resolved in the fourth quarter of 2021, returning 650 BOE per day of production which was shut-in during the third quarter of 2021. A further 275 BOE per day of voluntary shut-in production volumes are expected to be reactivated during the fourth quarter.

In Q4 2021, the Company expects to drill 8 gross (8.0 net) operated wells, of which 2 gross (2.0 net) wells will be completed and placed on production to further contribute to quarterly volumes. The remaining 6 wells are forecast to begin production in Q1 2022. The Company also plans to place on production an additional 4 gross (4.0 net) wells in Q4 2021 that were drilled in Q3 2021.

Even with the shut-ins experienced during the third quarter, the Company is pleased to reiterate its previous 2021 average annual production guidance range of 12,800 to 13,200 BOE per day[3], supported by average production of approximately 14,000 BOE per day[4] in October 2021. In the near-term, Bonterra anticipates realizing enhanced benefit from new volumes being brought on-stream into improved commodity prices.

Bonterra plans to announce the Board approved 2022 guidance before the end of December 2021. The 2022 preliminary budget estimates production will be in excess of the Company's 2021 average annual guidance range. Assuming this level of production and current forward strip pricing, Bonterra anticipates a meaningful deleveraging of the balance sheet which would result in an improved debt to cash flow ratio between 1.0x and 1.5x by the end of 2022.

As part of the Company's ongoing efforts to diversify commodity prices and protect future cash flows, Bonterra has put in place physical delivery sales and risk management contracts to the end of September 30, 2022, details of which are included in Note 12 to the third quarter 2021 financial statements. With approximately 30 percent of forecast volumes hedged, the Company can continue to benefit from potential commodity price improvements while mitigating market volatility and locking-in economics.

FINANCING UPDATE

Subsequent to the quarter end, and as previously announced on October 20, 2021, Bonterra successfully closed a brokered private placement debt and warrant financing (the "Initial Offering"), enhancing its financial flexibility and achieving its goal of restructuring all bank debt to a fully conforming revolving credit facility. The combination of senior unsecured debentures and common share purchase warrants provided gross proceeds of $32 million. Concurrent with the closing of the Initial Offering, Bonterra issued a separate offering, which was subsequently upsized, raising an additional $7.5 million on the same terms and conditions as the Initial Offering. The follow-on offer is expected to close on or about November 10, 2021.

In concert with the financings, the Company amended the terms of its credit facility to a $195 million syndicated revolving credit facility and a $25 million non-syndicated revolving facility, representing an elimination of the previous $65 million non-revolving term loan. The amended facility has $10 million step-downs at December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022 prior to the next redetermination date before May 31, 2022, and has a maturity date of November 30, 2022.

Bonterra believes the Company is well positioned to continue reducing bank debt and strengthening the balance sheet, a commitment that has been bolstered by a strengthening commodity price environment. The Company plans to generate profitable growth through this period of improving oil and natural gas markets by prudently developing its high-quality, light oil weighted asset base and directing excess funds flow to a combination of debt repayment plus modest growth. In addition, the Company continues to prioritize environmental, social and governance ("ESG") initiatives, and is committed to employing local services, being a key economic contributor to rural and surrounding communities located within central Alberta, upholding a responsible abandonment and reclamation program, and maintaining rigorous safety measures.

Bonterra Energy Corp. is a conventional oil and gas corporation with operations in Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia, focused on its strategy of long-term, sustainable growth and value creation for shareholders. The Company's shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "BNE".

Cautionary Statements

This summarized news release should not be considered a suitable source of information for readers who are unfamiliar with Bonterra Energy Corp. and should not be considered in any way as a substitute for reading the full report. For the full report, please go to www.bonterraenergy.com.

Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures

Throughout this release the Company uses the terms "funds flow", "free funds flow", "net debt" and "field netback" to analyze operating performance, which are not standardized measures recognized under IFRS and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. These measures are commonly utilized in the oil and gas industry and are considered informative by management, shareholders and analysts. These measures may differ from those made by other companies and accordingly may not be comparable to such measures as reported by other companies.

The Company defines funds flow as funds provided by operations excluding effects of changes in non-cash working capital items and commissioning expenditures settled. Free funds flow is defined as funds flow less dividends paid to shareholders, capital and decommissioning expenditures settled. Net debt is defined as current liabilities less current assets plus long-term bank debt and subordinated debt. Field netback is defined as revenue minus royalties, operating expenses and transportation expenses.

Forward Looking Information

Certain statements contained in this release include statements which contain words such as "anticipate", "could", "should", "expect", "seek", "may", "intend", "likely", "will", "believe" and similar expressions, relating to matters that are not historical facts, and such statements of our beliefs, intentions and expectations about development, results and events which will or may occur in the future, constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and are based on certain assumptions and analysis made by us derived from our experience and perceptions. Forward-looking information in this release includes, but is not limited to: expected cash provided by continuing operations; future asset retirement obligations; future capital expenditures, including the amount and nature thereof; oil and natural gas prices and demand; expansion and other development trends of the oil and gas industry; business strategy and outlook; expansion and growth of our business and operations; and maintenance of existing customer, supplier and partner relationships; supply channels; accounting policies; credit risks; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; and other such matters.

All such forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors we believe are appropriate in the circumstances. The risks, uncertainties, and assumptions are difficult to predict and may affect operations, and may include, without limitation: foreign exchange fluctuations; equipment and labour shortages and inflationary costs; general economic conditions; industry conditions; changes in applicable environmental, taxation and other laws and regulations as well as how such laws and regulations are interpreted and enforced; the ability of oil and natural gas companies to raise capital or maintain its syndicated bank facility; the effect of weather conditions on operations and facilities; the existence of operating risks; volatility of oil and natural gas prices; oil and gas product supply and demand; risks inherent in the ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to meet current and future obligations; increased competition; stock market volatility; opportunities available to or pursued by us; and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.

Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, this forward-looking information and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking information will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what benefits will be derived there from. Except as required by law, Bonterra disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The forward-looking information contained herein is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Frequently recurring terms

Bonterra uses the following frequently recurring terms in this press release: "WTI" refers to West Texas Intermediate, a grade of light sweet crude oil used as benchmark pricing in the United States; "MSW Stream Index" or "Edmonton Par" refers to the mixed sweet blend that is the benchmark price for conventionally produced light sweet crude oil in Western Canada; "AECO" refers to Alberta Energy Company, a grade or heating content of natural gas used as benchmark pricing in Alberta, Canada; "bbl" refers to barrel; "NGL" refers to Natural gas liquids; "MCF" refers to thousand cubic feet; "MMBTU" refers to million British Thermal Units; "GJ" refers to gigajoule; and "BOE" refers to barrels of oil equivalent. Disclosure provided herein in respect of a BOE may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A BOE conversion ratio of 6 MCF: 1 bbl is based on an energy conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.

Numerical Amounts

The reporting and the functional currency of the Company is the Canadian dollar.

The TSX does not accept responsibility for the accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Bonterra Energy Corp.

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