Highwood Asset Management Ltd. press release

HIGHWOOD ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD. ANNOUNCES 2024 FIRST QUARTER RESULTS

2024-05-16

TSXV - TSX Venture Exchange · Oil · Natural Gas · Natural Gas Liquids · Lithium · Canada

Canada NewsWire

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S. OR THROUGH U.S. NEWSWIRES

CALGARY, AB , May 16, 2024 /CNW/ - Highwood Asset Management Ltd. (" Highwood " or the " Company ") (TSXV: HAM) is pleased to announce financial and operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 . The Company also announces that its unaudited financial statements and associated Management's Discussion and Analysis (" MD&A ") for the period ended March 31, 2024 , are available on Highwood's website at www.highwoodmgmt.com and on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca .

[](https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2414474/HIGHWOOD_ASSET_MANAGEMENT_LTDHIGHWOOD_ASSET_MANAGEMENT_LTDAN.html)

Highlights

Achieved record corporate production of 5,023 boe/d in the first quarter of 2024 an increase of approximately 25% from the fourth quarter of 2023. As a result of an effective capital program executed in the first quarter of 2024, expected average production in May is 6,000 boe/d representing a 50% increase in production from Q4 2023 production. (1) Highwood delivered record Adjusted EBITDA of $17.4 million ( $1.15 per basic share) and funds flow from operations of $14.7 million ( $0.98 per basic share) in Q1 2024 representing increases of 70% and 88% respectively over Q4 2023. Highwood is pleased to have current Run Rate Net Debt / annualized Adjusted EBITDA of under 1.0x. (1) During the first quarter of 2024, the Company executed a successful development capital program of approximately $24 million , which included five additional wells, all of which were brought onstream in the first quarter. In aggregate, the five wells drilled in the first quarter of 2024 have performed over 25% above type curve expectations and are expected to pay out in less than ten months. Highwood's confidence in its inventory continues to increase with now greater than 100 locations that are projected to generate a before tax IRR in excess of 100% and payout within 12 months at US$75 /bbl oil prices. Of the over 100 locations, 60 are booked in the Company's independent reserve report as 1P reserves to underpin a 1P before tax NPV10 NAV of $21.07 /share fully diluted. (1)(2) As previously stated in the May 7, 2024 press release, as a result of operational outperformance from the most recently completed drilling campaign, and while supported by a now higher oil price strip, Highwood increased its 2024 capital plan to $60–65 million (from $40–45 million) resulting in upwardly revised forecasted 2024 average & exit production guidance of 5,500–5,700 boe/d (+8% increase at midpoint) and 6,400–6,500 boe/d (+19% increase at midpoint), respectively, while continuing to maintain the same target 2024 Net Debt / 2024 Exit EBITDA ratio of approximately 0.8x. Over the 12-month period ended December 2024 , Highwood expects to grow production per share by over +50% (from prior forecasted +25%), while still reducing debt by approximately 25%. (1)(2)

Notes to Highlights:

(1) See ‎"Caution Respecting Reserves Information"‎ and ‎‎"Non-GAAP and other Specified Financial Measures"‎.

(2) Based on Management's projections (not Independent Qualified Reserves Evaluators' forecasts) and applying the following pricing ‎assumptions: WTI: ‎‎US$75.00/bbl; ‎‎WCS Diff: ‎US$14.00/bbl; MSW Diff: ‎‎US$3.75/bbl; AECO: C$2.00 /GJ; 0.73 CAD /USD‎. Management ‎projections are used in place of Independent Qualified Reserves Evaluators' ‎‎‎forecasts as Management believes it provides investors with valuable ‎‎information concerning the liquidity of the Company.‎

Summary of Financial & Operating Results

| | | Three Months Ended March 31, | | | | | | | 2024 | | 2023 | % | | Financial (in thousands) | | | | | | | Petroleum and natural gas sales | | $ 29,089 | | $ 958 | 2,936 | | Transportation pipeline revenues | | 689 | | 748 | (8) | | Total revenues, net of royalties (1) | | 15,969 | | 1,791 | 792 | | Loss | | (544) | | (27) | 1,915 | | Funds flow from operations (5) | | 14,827 | | 278 | 5,233 | | Adjusted EBITDA (5) | | 17,435 | | 284 | 6,039 | | Capital expenditures | | 25,698 | | 685 | 3,652 | | Net debt (2) | | 108,072 | | 710 | 15,121 | | Shareholder's equity (end of period) | | 103,436 | | 10,729 | 864 | | Shares outstanding (end of period) (6) | | 15,148 | | 6,037 | 151 | | Weighted-average basic shares outstanding | | 14,937 | | 6,037 | 147 | | | | | | | | | Operations (3) | | | | | | | Production | | | | | | | Crude oil (bbls/d) | | 3,126 | | 123 | 2,451 | | NGLs (boe/d) | | 586 | | - | 100 | | Natural gas (mcf/d) | | 7,869 | | - | 100 | | Total (boe/d) | | 5,023 | | 123 | 4,000 | | Average realized prices (4) | | | | | | | Crude oil (Cdn$/bbl) | | 89,56 | | 86.88 | 3 | | NGL (Cdn$/boe) | | 37.79 | | - | 100 | | Natural gas (Cdn$/mcf) | | 2.23 | | - | 100 | | Operating netback (per BOE) | | 37.84 | | 37.18 | 2 |

| | | | (1) | Includes unrealized gain and losses on commodity contracts. | | (2) | Net debt consists of bank debt, promissory note, long-term accounts payable and accrued liabilities and working capital surplus (deficit) excluding commodity contract assets and/or liabilities, current portion of decommissioning liabilities and lease liabilities. | | (3) | For a description of the boe conversion ratio, see " _Caution Respecting Reserves Information — Basis of Barrel of Oil Equivalent _". | | (4) | Before hedging. | | (5) | See " _Non-GAAP and Other Specified Financial Measures _". | | (6) | Shares outstanding is adjusted for treasury shares purchased and held in trust. |

Operational Update

With the continued strong commodity prices in the first quarter of 2024, the Company focused primarily on the execution of its capital program. Highwood achieved record corporate production in the first quarter of 2024 of 5,023 boe/d. During the first quarter of 2024, the Company executed a successful $24 million development capital program which included five additional wells, all of which were brought onstream in the first quarter. These five wells consisted of three fracture stimulated wells at Wilson Creek and two additional multi-lateral open hole wells, one in Brazeau and one in the Mannville horizon in eastern Alberta .

The Company anticipates drilling another six wells (5.95 net), beginning late in the second quarter or early in the third quarter when access permits.

The Company will continue to review and assess opportunities which are accretive to the Company as Highwood seeks to grow this segment of its operations. The Company will also assess land offerings in strategic areas where the Company sees significant growth opportunities.

Outlook

Highwood anticipates allocating its organic Free Cash Flow after sustaining capital on a 50:50 basis to support organic production growth of approximately 50% while also expecting to reduce Net Debt by approximately 25%, achieving Net Debt / ‎‎2024 Exit EBITDA of under 0.8x by the end of 2024.

The primary focus over the near-term is the execution of the Company's capital program and growth strategy while reducing the Company's Net Debt. At March 31, 2024 , Highwood had over $300 million in tax pools, including more than $100 million in non-capital losses. Highwood does not anticipate being cash taxable for approximately three years.

Corporately, the Company is dedicated to building a growing profile of Free Cash Flow, on a per share basis, while using prudent leverage to provide it maximum flexibility for organic growth and / or other strategic M&A opportunities, with a longer-term goal to provide significant return of capital to shareholders.

Highwood is continuing to evaluate its undeveloped lands for drilling opportunities and is planning to continue its active capital program while commodity prices remain strong.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

_This news release contains certain statements and information, including forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of applicable securities laws, and which are collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements". The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on Highwood's current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends. When used in this news release, the words ‎ _" _seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "potential", "targeting", "intend", ‎‎ _" could", "might", "should", "believe" and similar expressions, as they relate to Highwood, 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. Actual operational and financial results may differ materially from Highwood's expectations contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company.

Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. By its nature, forward-looking information involves numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur and may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to:

the Company's expectations with respect to future operational results, including, but not limited to, estimated or anticipated production levels, exit production rates, decline rates, recycle ratios, netbacks, capital expenditures and sources of funding thereof, drilling plans and other information discussed in this news release; the quantity of the Company's oil and natural gas reserves and anticipated future cash flows from such reserves; the Company's estimates of its drilling locations inventory, tax pools, non-capital losses and its expectation that it will not be cash taxable for approximately three years ; anticipated financial results of the Company, including but not limited to, 2024 Exit EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Free Cash Flow, Run Rate Net Debt / annualized Adjusted EBITDA, and Net Debt / ‎‎2024 Exit EBITDA ; the Company's expectations regarding capacity of infrastructure associated with its business; the Company's expectations regarding commodity prices and costs; the Company's expectations regarding supply and demand for oil and natural gas; expectations regarding the Company's ability to raise capital and to continually add to reserves through acquisitions and development; treatment under governmental regulatory regimes and tax laws; fluctuations in depletion, depreciation, and accretion rates; expected changes in regulatory regimes in respect of royalty curves and regulatory improvements and the effects of such changes; and Highwood's business and acquisition strategy, the criteria to be considered in connection therewith and the benefits to be derived therefrom.

These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially, including, but not limited to:

operational risks and liabilities inherent in oil and natural gas operations; the accuracy of oil and gas reserves estimates and estimated production levels as they are affected by exploration and development drilling and estimated decline rates; the uncertainties in regard to the timing of Highwood's exploration and development program; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions, including corresponding results and/or synergies; unexpected costs or liabilities related to acquisitions; volatility in market prices for oil and natural gas; adverse general economic, political and market conditions; incorrect assessments of the value of benefits to be obtained from acquisitions and exploration and development programs; unforeseen difficulties in integrating assets acquired through acquisitions into the Company's operations; changes in royalty regimes; competition for, among other things, capital, acquisitions of reserves, undeveloped lands and skilled personnel; that the Company's ability to maintain strong business relationships with its suppliers, service providers and other third parties will be maintained; geological, technical, drilling and processing problems; fluctuations in foreign exchange or interest rates and stock market volatility; liquidity; fluctuations in the costs of borrowing; political or economic developments; uncertainty related to geopolitical conflict; ability to obtain regulatory approvals; and the results of litigation or regulatory proceedings that may be brought against the Company; and changes in income tax laws or changes in tax laws and incentive programs relating to the oil and gas industry.

In addition, 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 can be profitably produced in the future.

There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of oil and natural gas and the future cash flows attributed to such reserves. The reserves and associated cash flow information set forth herein are estimates only. In general, estimates of economically recoverable oil and natural gas and the future net cash flows therefrom are based upon a number of variable factors and assumptions, such as historical production from the properties, production rates, ultimate reserves and resources recovery, timing and amount of capital investments, 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. For these reasons, estimates of the economically recoverable oil and natural gas attributable to any particular group of properties, classification of such reserves based on risk of recovery and estimates of future net revenues associated with reserves prepared by different evaluators, or by the same evaluators at different times, may vary. The actual production, revenues, taxes and development and operating expenditures of the Company with respect to its reserves will vary from estimates thereof and such variations could be material. This news release contains future-oriented financial information and financial outlook information (collectively, " FOFI ") about the Company's prospective Adjusted EBITDA, Free Cash Flow, Net Debt, 2024 Exit EBITDA, Operating Netback (per boe), all of which are subject to the same assumptions, risk factors, limitations, and qualifications as set forth in the above paragraphs. FOFI contained in this news release was made as of the date of this news release and was provided for the purpose of describing the anticipated effects of the Company's anticipated operational results on the Company's business operations. Highwood's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such FOFI. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any FOFI contained in this news release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required pursuant to applicable law. Readers are cautioned that the FOFI contained in this news release should not be used for purposes other than for which it is disclosed herein.

Changes in forecast commodity prices, differences in the timing of capital expenditures and variances in average production estimates can have a significant impact on the key performance metrics included in the Company's guidance for 2024 contained in this news release. The Company's actual results may differ materially from such estimates.

With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this news release, the Company has made assumptions regarding, among other things: the Company's future operational results, including, but not limited to, estimated or anticipated production levels, exit production rates, decline rates, recycle ratios, netbacks, capital expenditures and sources of funding thereof, drilling plans and other information discussed in this news release; that commodity prices will be consistent with the current forecasts of its engineers; field netbacks; the accuracy of reserves estimates; costs to drill, complete and tie-in wells; ultimate recovery of reserves; that royalty regimes will not be subject to material modification; that the Company will be able to obtain skilled labour and other industry services at reasonable rates; the performance of assets and equipment; that the timing and amount of capital expenditures and the benefits therefrom will be consistent with the Company's expectations; the impact of increasing competition; that the conditions in general economic and financial markets will not vary materially; that the Company will be able to access capital, including debt, on acceptable terms; that drilling, completion and other equipment will be available on acceptable terms; that government regulations and laws will not change materially; that royalty rates will not change in any material respect; and that future operating costs will be consistent with the Company's expectations.

Although Highwood believes the expectations and material factors and assumptions reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date hereof, there can be no assurance that these expectations, factors and assumptions will prove to be correct.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur and the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements may not occur, which may cause Highwood's actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any estimates or projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by this news release.

A more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing Highwood is disclosed in Highwood's continuous disclosure filings with Canadian securities regulatory authorities available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca . All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and Highwood disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events, or developments, except as required by law.

Caution Respecting Reserves Information

This news release contains oil and gas metrics commonly used in the oil and gas industry, including "Operating Netback (per boe)" and "NPV10" . These oil and gas metrics do not have any standardized meaning and therefore they should not be used to make comparisons and readers should not place undue reliance on such metrics. Further, these metrics have not been independently evaluated, audited or reviewed and are based on historical data, extrapolations therefrom and management's professional judgement, which involves a high degree of subjectivity. For these reasons, actual metrics attributable to any particular group of properties may differ from our estimates herein and the differences could be significant.

"BT" means before tax .

"IRR" means internal rate of recovery.