CALGARY, March 20, 2018 /CNW/ - (TSX: EGL):  Eagle Energy Inc. ("Eagle") is pleased to report its financial and operating results and its reserves information for the year ended December 31, 2017.  

Reflecting on Eagle's performance in 2017, Wayne Wisniewski, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Eagle closed out 2017 with strong reserve metrics, production and monthly operating costs within its guidance range and capital expenditures as planned, resulting in an increase to funds flow from operations excluding risk management gains (losses) by 49% year-over-year.  In addition, we improved the reserves replacement ratio this year from 1.8 times to 2.3 times."

Mr. Wisniewski continued, "We are pleased to report that Eagle's first horizontal well in North Texas continues to perform above expectations.  At present, we are moving a drilling rig to a second horizontal location over 10 miles from the first horizontal well.  Success on this second well would prove up additional leased acreage in the area.  A third horizontal well is planned for late 2018."

Eagle's reserves data and other oil and gas information is included in its Annual Information Form dated March 20, 2018 for the year ended December 31, 2017 ("AIF").  Eagle's audited consolidated annual financial statements, management's discussion and analysis and AIF have been filed with the securities regulators and are available online under Eagle's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on Eagle's website at www.EagleEnergy.com.

This news release contains non-IFRS financial measures and statements that are forward-looking.  Investors should read the sections titled "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" and "Note about Forward-Looking Statements" near the end of this news release.  Figures within this news release are presented in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.

Highlights for the Year ended December 31, 2017

Eagle achieved the following results in 2017:

• Successfully drilled, completed and brought on production Eagle's first horizontal well on its North Texas property, with production results exceeding expectations.
• Posted reserve replacement ratios of 274% and 227% on a proved plus probable and proved basis, respectively.
• Reduced general and administrative costs by 25% year-over-year, including reductions in executive compensation.
• Grew funds flow from operations excluding risk management gains (losses) by 49% year-over-year (from $9.7 million to $14.5 million).
• Recorded 2017 funds flow from operations of $12.7 million.

Sale of Salt Flat Field in Texas and Reduction of Debt

• On February 8, 2018, Eagle announced that it sold its oil and gas interests in the Salt Flat Field located in Caldwell County, Texas for approximately $33.3 million cash, subject to customary post-closing adjustments. 
• Eagle used the net proceeds from the sale to reduce its term loan by 34% (from $US 58.2 million to $US 38.5 million) and to further fund its drilling program in North Texas.

2018 Outlook

Eagle remains focused on continuing to drill wells on its North Texas property due to its high netbacks and opportunities for meaningful growth.  This light oil development asset has approximately 25,000 net acres under lease and is the site of Eagle's first horizontal well in North Texas, which continues to perform above expectations.  At present, Eagle is moving a drilling rig to a second horizontal location over 10 miles from the first horizontal well.  Success on this second well would prove up additional leased acreage in the area.  A third horizontal well is planned for late 2018.

In light of our view of the growth opportunities in our North Texas asset, Eagle is seeking to reduce debt and corporate costs, including interest costs, in order to better position itself to capitalize this opportunity.  Alternatives for funding growth potentially include asset sales.  The February 8, 2018 sale of Eagle's assets in the Salt Flat field was an initial step towards Eagle achieving its overall goals.

The sale of the Salt Flat field reduced Eagle's total corporate production by approximately 1,200 barrels of oil equivalent ("boe") per day ("boe/d"). Following the sale of the Salt Flat field, an improved corporate decline rate of 14% lends itself to Eagle sustaining 2018 average corporate production at post-Salt Flat disposition levels with low capital expenditures.

The sale of the Salt Flat field also reduced Eagle's term loan by 34% (from $US 58.2 million to $US 38.5 million).  On a go-forward basis, and excluding one-time interest charges relating to the sale, the lower level of debt at current interest rates will result in reduced monthly interest costs.  In addition, general and administrative expenses are expected to decrease in 2018 as Eagle continues to focus on efficiencies and cost reduction.

To advise us on our plan, Eagle retained Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. Securities – Canada, ULC ("TPH") to act as a financial advisor to Eagle's board of directors (the "Board").  TPH is an independent investment bank with extensive financial and technical knowledge of the energy sector.  Eagle's Board and management are committed to acting in the best interests of Eagle and believe this will ultimately benefit Eagle.  While all transaction alternatives will be evaluated, the Board and management are encouraged by the potential for the North Texas assets to deliver attractive returns to Eagle with continued development. 

Eagle intends to disclose developments with respect to specific transactions, if any, only when they are approved by the Board, unless disclosure is otherwise necessary or appropriate.  Eagle does not intend to set a definite schedule to complete its plan and cautions that there are no assurances or guarantees that a specific transaction will result, or, if a transaction is undertaken, the terms or timing of such a transaction.

2017 Year-end Reserves Information

An independent evaluation of Eagle's U.S. reserves was conducted by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. and of Eagle's Canadian reserves by McDaniel & Associates Consultants Ltd.  These reserves evaluation reports are effective December 31, 2017 and were prepared in accordance with National Instrument 51-101 Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities.  Details regarding Eagle's reserves and oil and gas assets are set forth in Eagle's AIF.

2017 Year-End Reserves Report – Highlights (based on Company Gross reserves)

• Grew year-over-year proved reserves by 11% and proved plus probable reserves by 10%.
• Achieved year-end proved plus probable reserves of 23.2 million boe (68% total proved, 47% proved developed producing).
• Crude oil comprises 92% of proved developed producing reserves.
• Posted reserve replacement ratios of 274% and 227% on a proved plus probable and proved basis, respectively. 
• Increased the reserve life indices to 17.7 years and 12.1 years on a proved plus probable and proved basis, respectively.

The following tables summarize the independent reserves estimates and values of Eagle's reserves as at December 31, 2017. (For information regarding Eagle's reserves estimates and values excluding the Salt Flat properties, see "Reserves Data Excluding the Salt Flat Properties" in the AIF.)

Summary of Reserves

Summary of Net Present Value of Future Net Revenue of Reserves

At a 10% discount factor, proved developed producing reserves comprise 54% (2016 – 57%) of the proved plus probable value and proved reserves account for 70% (2016 – 71%) of the proved plus probable value.

Future Development Costs ("FDC")

Total future development costs are estimated at $77.3 million for total proved and $95.3 million for total proved plus probable reserves.

Reserves Performance Ratios

Eagle achieved the following capital efficiency statistics: 

Selected Annual Information

The following table shows selected information for Eagle's fiscal years ended December 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

Summary of Quarterly Results

For the three months ended December 31, 2017, sales volumes increased 1% from the third quarter as a result of new well production that was offset by natural decline and weather-related effects in October and December 2017 due to extreme cold.

Field netback increased 28% from the third quarter due a 19% increase in realized prices which was commensurate with an increase in the WTI benchmark price. The increase in field netback due to higher pricing was partially offset by a 9% increase in operating, transportation and marketing expenses in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2017, due to well repairs and cold weather in Dixonville. 

Funds flow from operations increased 4% from the third quarter of 2017.  This was primarily due to 28% higher field netbacks which were offset by a risk management loss of $0.1 million in the fourth quarter, compared to a $0.5 million gain in the third quarter.

(Loss) earnings on a quarterly basis often do not move directionally or by the same amounts as funds flow from operations.  This is due to items of a non-cash nature that factor into the calculation of (loss) earnings, and those that are required to be fair valued at each quarter end.  Fourth quarter 2017 funds flow from operations increased by 4% from the third quarter of 2017, yet the fourth quarter net income was 203% less than the third quarter of 2017 primarily as a result of the impairment expense of $12.4 million, offset by a decrease in the unrealized risk management loss due to weaker forward commodity prices at the end of the fourth quarter.  The fourth quarter of 2017 includes an unrealized risk management loss of $0.4 million compared to an unrealized risk management loss of $2.0 million in the third quarter of 2017.

Total non-current liabilities increased slightly in the fourth quarter from the third quarter due to a higher foreign exchange rate applied to Eagle's U.S.-denominated debt. During the first quarter of 2017, Eagle retired all amounts drawn under its bank credit facility that was classified as a "current" liability and entered into a new four year term loan agreement which is classified as a "non-current" liability.  During the second quarter, Eagle prepaid $US 4.0 million of term loan principal.

Advisories

Non-IFRS Financial Measures

Statements throughout this news release make reference to the terms "field netback" and "funds flow from operations excluding risk management gains (losses)", which are non-IFRS financial measures that do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. 

"Field netback" is calculated by subtracting royalties, operating expenses, and transportation and marketing expenses from revenues.  This method of calculating field netback is in accordance with the standards set out in the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook maintained by the Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers (Calgary Chapter).  Management believes that field netback provides useful information to investors and management because such a measure reflects the quality of production and the level of profitability. 

"Funds flow from operations excluding risk management gains (losses)" is calculated by adding back realized risk management gains (losses) to funds flow from operations. Management believes this measure provides useful information to investors and management because it shows what funds flow would have been if Eagle had not had any risk management contracts in place throughout the year.

Note about Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the statements made and information contained in this news release are forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively referred to as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of Canadian securities laws.  All statements other than statements of historic fact are forward-looking statements.  Eagle cautions investors that important factors could cause Eagle's actual results to differ materially from those projected, or set out, in any forward-looking statements included in this news release.   

In particular, and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements pertaining to the following:

• Eagle's drilling plans on its North Texas property and its expectation that additional leased acreage would be proved up in the area if the second horizontal well is successful;
• Eagle's intentions to reduce debt and corporate costs, including interest costs;
• Eagle's expectations regarding alternatives for funding growth potentially including asset sales;
• Eagle's expectations regarding its corporate decline rate of 14% lending itself to Eagle sustaining 2018 average corporate production at post-Salt Flat field disposition levels with low capital expenditures;
• Eagle's expectations regarding reducing its interest costs and general and administrative expenses;
• Eagle's intentions to review transaction alternatives;
• Eagle's expectations regarding the potential for the North Texas assets to deliver attractive returns to Eagle with continued development;
• Eagle's estimated volumes and values of reserves;
• Future development costs associated with reserves; and
• Anticipated crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas production weighting.

With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this news release, assumptions have been made regarding, among other things:

• future crude oil, NGL and natural gas prices, differentials and weighting;
• future foreign exchange and interest rates;
• future production levels;
• future capital expenditures and the ability of Eagle to obtain financing on acceptable terms;
• not including capital required to pursue future acquisitions in the forecasted capital expenditures;
• the ability of Eagle to complete new acquisitions;
• future production estimates, which are based on the proposed drilling program with a success rate that, in turn, is based upon historical drilling success and an evaluation of the particular wells to be drilled, among other things; and
• projected operating costs, which are estimated based on historical information and anticipated changes in the cost of equipment and services, among other things.

Eagle's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the risk factors set forth below and those in the AIF:

• volatility of crude oil, NGL, and natural gas prices;
• commodity supply and demand;
• fluctuations in foreign exchange and interest rates;
• inherent risks and changes in costs associated with the development of petroleum properties;
• ultimate recoverability of reserves;
• timing, results and costs of drilling and production activities;
• availability and terms of financing and capital; and
• new regulations and legislation that apply to the operations of Eagle and its subsidiaries.

Additional risks and uncertainties affecting Eagle are contained in the AIF under the heading "Risk Factors".

As a result of these risks, actual performance and financial results in 2018 may differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by these forward‐looking statements.  Eagle's production rates, operating and general and administrative costs, field netbacks, drilling program, capital budget, reserves and potential transactions are subject to change in light of ongoing results, prevailing economic circumstances, obtaining regulatory approvals, commodity prices, exchange rates, financing terms, and industry conditions and regulations.  New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all of these factors or to assess, in advance, the impact of each such factor on Eagle's business, or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, which are inherently uncertain, are based on estimates and assumptions, and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties (both general and specific) that contribute to the possibility that the future events or circumstances contemplated by the forward-looking statements will not occur.  Although management believes that the expectations conveyed by the forward-looking statements are reasonable based on information available to it on the date the forward-looking statements were made, there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which forward-looking statements are based will in fact be realized.  There are no assurances or guarantees that the transaction review process will result in a transaction or, if a transaction is undertaken, the terms or timing of such a transaction.  Actual results will differ, and the difference may be material and adverse to Eagle and its shareholders.  These statements speak only as of the date of this news release and may not be appropriate for other purposes.  Eagle does not undertake any obligation, except as required by applicable securities legislation, to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Note Regarding Barrel of Oil Equivalency

This news release contains disclosure expressed as "boe" or "boe/d".  All oil and natural gas equivalency volumes have been derived using the conversion ratio of six thousand cubic feet ("Mcf") of natural gas to one barrel ("bbl") of oil.  Equivalency measures may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation.  A conversion ratio of 6 Mcf:1 bbl is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the well head.  In addition, given that the value ratio based on the current price of oil as compared to natural gas is significantly different from the energy equivalent of six to one, utilizing a boe conversion ratio of 6 Mcf:1 bbl would be misleading as an indication of value.

About Eagle Energy Inc.

Eagle is an oil and gas corporation with shares listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "EGL".

All material information about Eagle may be found on its website at www.EagleEnergy.com or under Eagle's issuer profile at www.sedar.com.

SOURCE Eagle Energy Inc.

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