TRAFINA Energy Ltd. Announces First Quarter 2008 Financial and Operational Results
CALGARY, ALBERTA, May 29, 2008 (Marketwire via COMTEX) --
Company: Trafina Energy Ltd (TFA/A)
TRAFINA Energy Ltd. ("TRAFINA" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:TFA.A) announces financial and operating highlights for the three months ended March 31, 2008:
- During the quarter the Company's drilling activity all took place at Wetaskiwin through its participation in a non operated multi well Coal Bed Methane (CBM) Horseshoe Canyon (HSC) drilling program. Nineteen (19) gross and (8.2 net) wells were drilled by the operator. Currently, post drilling testing and evaluation is underway.
- Based on preliminary estimates we believe that the Company's share of reserve additions from the Wetaskiwin drilling program will be approximately 1,042 mm cubic feet of gross proved and 313 mm cubic feet of gross probable; for a total of 1,355mmcf (226,000 BOE) of new natural gas reserves.
- During Q1 the operator commenced and completed Phase 1 of the 12 inch pipeline at Wetaskiwin and commenced tieing in five (5) CBM HSC wells which were drilled during previous years.
- Of the new wells, four (4) of above wells, on average, are producing at expected rates, and one (1) well has under performed. This well was located too close to a previously drilled well which was fraced into a water bearing interval which is in communication with the subject well.
- Funds flow used in operations(1) for the three months ended March 31, 2008 totaled $12,469 or $0.00 per share, which represents an 107% decrease from the comparative prior period.
- Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2008 totaled $337,038 compared to net loss of $225,781 for the same period in 2007.
- Capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2008 totaled $1,827,859, an increase of 139% compared to 2007 due to increased drilling activities in the Wetaskiwin area.
- As of March 31, 2008 TRAFINA had a working capital deficiency of $3,067,111, including bank debt of $1,342,000.
- For the three months ended March 31, 2008 oil sales volume increased 33% to 50.8 BOE/d compared to 38.3 BOE/d in 2007 and gas sales decreased by 15% from 1.37 mmcf/d to 1.16 mmcf/d, resulting in a decrease of 8.4% from 270.5 BOE/d to 247.9 BOE/d.
- 78.3% of TRAFINA's total sales volume was represented by natural gas.
- No recompletions or workover operations, either operated or non operated, were conducted during the first quarter of 2008.
GOING FORWARD
At Wetaskiwin, we anticipate that the balance of the 2008 drilling program, consisting of five (5) additional CBM HSC wells will be completed. By year end 2008, subject to completion by the operator of the 12 inch gas pipeline and successful test results, we are hopeful that an additional twenty three (23) wells will be tied and on production, bringing the total number of additional producing wells to twenty eight (28). Preliminary production and test results, on average, are consistent with pre-drilling area parameters and indicate TRAFINA estimated share of additional production in the range of 610 to 959 mcf/d (101 to 159 BOE/d). Depending on the successful results of the 2008 drilling program, we anticipate the operator may propose a further multi well drilling program for 2009.
At Jenner, TRAFINA has elected to participate as to its 12 1/2% interest in two (2) heavy oil horizontal development wells which are expected to be drilled during the second quarter of 2008. Production facilities are established in the area which will enable the wells to produce without any undue delay.
At Bittern Lake, the ERCB has approved the Company's application for a multi well battery and pipeline, which will allow the 16-22 oil (71% BPO, 50% APO) well to be flow line connected to the 12-23 battery; and commencement of oil production as soon as the third quarter of 2008. Based on short term completion results, we estimate TRAFINA share of additional production in range of 12 to 18 barrels of oil per day.
We do not anticipate participating in new areas and or new asset acquisitions for the balance of the year, due to the lack of available capital.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Three months ended March 31
2008 2007 % Change
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Total gross revenue excluding gain on
sale ($) 1,124,135 1,133,046 -1
Oil and gas revenue, net of royalties
($) 962,788 972,854 -1
Loss before income taxes ($) (479,038) (374,281) -28
Net loss ($) (337,038) (225,781) -49
Per common share - basic (0.06) (0.04) -50
Per common share - diluted (0.06) (0.04) -50
Funds flow from (used in) operations
($)(1) (12,469) 179,590 -107
Per common share - basic (0.00) 0.03 -100
Per common share - diluted (0.00) 0.03 -100
Average shares outstanding - basic 5,776,451 5,762,347 +0
Average shares outstanding - diluted 5,776,451 5,849,379 -1
Capital expenditures ($) 1,827,859 764,376 +139
Working capital (deficiency) ($) (3,067,111) 154,908 -2,080
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(1) Funds flow from operations is a Non-GAAP Measure. See "Non-GAAP
Measures" in the attached Management's Discussion and Analysis.
OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS Three months ended Mar 31
2008 2007 % Change
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DAILY SALES
Natural gas (Mcf/d) 1,163.9 1,372.8 -15
Heavy and light oil (Bbl/d) 50.8 38.3 +33
NGL (Bbl/d) 3.1 3.4 -9
Total BOE/d 247.9 270.5 -8
AVERAGE PRICE
Natural gas ($/Mcf) 7.79 7.73 +1
Heavy and light oil ($/Bbl) 58.58 41.15 +42
NGL ($/Bbl) 53.89 52.07 +3
Total $/BOE 49.25 45.72 +8
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OPERATING ACTIVITY
All of the wells operated by the Company are located at Wetaskiwin and nearby Bittern Lake. All of the operated wells at Wetaskiwin are gas, and the two operated wells at Bittern Lake are oil. At Wetaskiwin, during the first quarter several low volume gas wells were shut in due to being sub economic to operate and in an effort to reduce overall operating expenses. The remaining gas wells continue to flow within normal production and decline expectations. At Bittern Lake, the Company holds interests in two (2) oil wells: the 12-23 well which continues to produce in a satisfactory manner and the 16-22 well which, as previously reported, was awaiting settlement of landowner issues. During the first quarter, meetings were held with the ERCB and subsequently with the landowners, resulting in their objections being dismissed.
With respect to non operated properties, substantially all of TRAFINA's CBM HSC interests at Wetaskiwin are non operated. The 2008 program has been described in the HIGHLIGHTS section above. The Company also holds non operated interests in three (3) other areas; Jenner, Bindloss and Judy/Carson Creek. At Jenner the operator has proposed the drilling of two (2) development horizontal heavy oil wells; and the Company decided to participate as to its 12 1/2% working interest. No capital projects are expected for the other non operated areas during 2008.
No operated or non operated recompletions/workovers are budgeted for 2008.
DRILLING ACTIVITY
TRAFINA drilled 19 gross (8.2 net) CBM wells in the first quarter of 2008, which are now being tested and evaluated prior to being tied in.
Wells Drilled Three months ended March 31
2008 2007
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GROSS NET GROSS NET
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Natural gas 19 8.2 1 1.0
Oil 0 0 0 0.0
Dry and abandoned 0 0 0 0.0
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Total Wells Drilled 19 8.2 1 1.0
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CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
Capital expenditures increased to $1,827,859 in the three months ended March 31, 2008 from $764,376 in the comparable periods of 2007. These increases in the first quarter were due to increased drilling activity and construction of production facilities at Wetaskiwin.
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For the three months ended March 31 2008 2007
($) ($)
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Land Acquisitions 0 2,363
Seismic 0 3,383
Drilling, Completions and Recompletions 1,653,498 501,611
Production Facilities 174,361 212,649
Other 0 44,370
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TOTAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURES 1,827,859 764,376
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SALES VOLUMES
Net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2008 averaged 248 BOE/d, down 8% from 270 BOE/d in the comparable period of 2007. These decreases were the direct result of normal decline of gas wells and extreme cold weather which caused wells to temporarily shut in, in the Wetaskiwin area.
Three months ended March 31, 2008 natural gas sales were down 15% to 1,163 Mcf/d from 1,373 Mcf/d in the comparable period of 2007. Three month ended March 31, 2008 heavy and light oil sales were up 33% to 50.8 Bbl/d from 38.3 Bbl/d in the comparable period of 2007. Three month ended March 31, 2008 NGL sales decreased 9% to 3.1 Bbl/d from 3.4 Bbl/d in the comparable period of 2007. Production on March 31, 2008 was approximately 260 BOE/d.
Sales Volumes by Area (Three months ended March 31)
Natural Gas Oil and NGL Total Volumes
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AREAS 2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
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Mcf/day Mcf/day % Bbl/day Bbl/day % BOE/d BOE/d %
Bindloss 128 134 -4.5 0 0 +0 21 22 -4.5
Carson/
Judy Creek 146 156 -6.3 1 0 +100 25 26 -3.8
Jenner 172 213 -19.1 32 20 +60 61 56 +8.9
Wetaskiwin 717 870 -17.6 21 21 +0 141 166 -15.1
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TOTAL 1,163 1,373 -15.3 54 41 +31.7 248 270 -8.1
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PRICES
Natural gas prices during the three months ended March 31, 2008 averaged $7.79 per thousand cubic feet, an increase of 1% over the comparable period of 2007. TRAFINA's average monthly natural gas prices in the first quarter of 2008 were $7.39, $7.62 and $8.56 per thousand cubic feet for January, February and March, respectively. Average heavy and light oil prices for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were up 42% to $58.58 per barrel from $41.15 per barrel in the comparable period of 2007. Average natural gas liquids prices for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were up 4% to $53.89 per barrel from $52.07 per barrel in the comparable period of 2007.
SUMMARY OF THE FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS
Funds flow in the first quarter of 2008 was negative $12,469 ($0.00 per share) compared with $179,590 ($0.03 per share) for the same period last year largely due to an increase in administration expenses relating to severance payment of $284,000 to an executive officer. 78.3% of TRAFINA's total sales volume was represented by natural gas. Net loss was $337,038 ($0.06 per share) versus $225,781 ($0.04 per share) mainly due to the severance payment to the executive officer. Bank debt including overdraft at the first quarter end March 31, 2008 was $1,342,004 compared to no bank debt as at March 31, 2007. Working capital deficiency at March 31, 2008 was $3,067,111 compared to a working capital of $154,908 at March 31, 2007.
The Company's financial statement and the management's discussion and analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2008 will be filed on SEDAR and can be viewed at www.sedar.com.
MANAGEMENT CHANGE
In February, the Board of Directors completed its review of strategic alternatives reasonably available to the Company, and announced its decision to continue the Company on a going concern basis. At that time, Mr. Roland T. Valentine stepped down as CEO and continues as the Non Executive Chairman and as a Director. Mr. Tom Holland, a member of the Board, was appointed as Interim President and CEO.
BOEs Cautionary Statement: In this press release TRAFINA references BOEs. BOEs may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A BOE conversion ratio of 6 Mcf: 1 Bbl is based on energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the well head.
Forwarding Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements relating to management's approach to operations, expectations relating to the number of wells, amount and timing of capital projects including, without limitation, unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable by TRAFINA at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect.
TRAFINA is an oil and gas company based in Calgary, Alberta. TRAFINA's shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the stock symbol TFA.A.
SOURCE: TRAFINA Energy Ltd.
TRAFINA Energy Ltd. Thomas R. Holland (403) 263-0800 (403) 263-0811 (FAX) Email: info@TRAFINAenergy.com
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Company: Trafina Energy Ltd (TFA/A)
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