Petrolifera update
Petrolifera Petroleum Ltd (C:PDP)
Shares Issued 50,126,510
Last Close 1/11/2008 $8.33
Monday January 14 2008 - News Release
Mr. Richard Gusella reports
PETROLIFERA PETROLEUM PROVIDES ACTIVITY UPDATE
Petrolifera Petroleum Ltd. has provided an update on the company's activity during calendar 2007.
Petrolifera had a productive if somewhat challenging year in 2007. The company drilled at total of 47 wells, all on its Puesto Morales/Rinconada concession in the Neuquen basin, Argentina, during the year. This drilling resulted in 33 oil wells, two natural gas wells, three water injector wells, two dry holes, four non-productive or suspended wells and three wells were being completed at year-end.
At Puesto Morales, a total of 35 wells were drilled, resulting in 25 oil wells, two natural gas wells, three water injector wells, two dry holes, one suspended well and two wells were on completion at year-end. At Rinconada, a total of 12 wells were drilled, resulting in eight oil wells, three non-productive or suspended wells and one well was being completed at year-end. This brings to over 60 the number of wells drilled on the concession since first drilling was initiated in late 2005.
A major undertaking during 2007 was the design, construction and activation of the company's infrastructure and production facilities. This included gathering lines, water treatment facilities, water disposal facilities, a high-pressure natural gas pipeline and initiation of a waterflood at Puesto Morales North. The timetable for these projects was frustrated during the year by energy shortages in Argentina, especially during their winter months, which delayed access to requisite parts and equipment for the various component parts needed by Petrolifera to activate its pressure maintenance program. There were also delays encountered in securing pumps and certain high pressure valves for the company's natural gas pipeline and related facilities.
Petrolifera's sales grew considerably during 2007. All sales were of production in Argentina. Crude oil sales increased 45 per cent over 2006 levels, to average 8,657 barrels per day. Much of the improvement occurred during the early part of the year, when flush production from new Sierras Blancas discoveries at Puesto Morales contributed to record quarterly sales, cash flow from operations before changes in working capital and near-record earnings. Subsequently, production curtailments for natural gas conservation purposes, water incursion at a key high productivity well (1013), pressure depletion awaiting the waterflood, and delays and equipment shortages affected production levels.
Natural gas sales were stronger at modestly better prices during 2007, awaiting the start-up of the waterflood and completion of the company's high-pressure natural gas pipeline to Medanito. Sales rose 97 per cent to average 2.3 million cubic feet per day in 2007.
On an equivalent basis, Petrolifera's 2007 sales rose 47 per cent to average 9,047 barrels of oil equivalent per day compared with only 6,171 boe/d in 2006, the company's first full year of operations. Again, full year results were reflective of the influence of oil production declines during the year, awaiting activation of the company's pressure maintenance scheme which is now under way. Fourth quarter sales were 7,042 boe/d, slightly below third quarter for similar reasons. During November, production was curtailed due to field activities associated with the start-up of certain key facilities, pump installations and the like, well in excess of the impact of natural declines. This was evidenced by the fact that December sales exceeded November levels by 23 per cent and early January, 2008, levels were even higher.
Petrolifera expects robust growth in production and sales in 2008 as increased natural gas volumes are marketed at improved average prices and as new drilling and the impact of the company's recently activated pressure maintenance or waterflood program at Puesto Morales is felt. Also, the company is optimistic about the risk-adjusted potential of its planned exploration program in Argentina during the current year as it continues to evaluate new Jurassic Sierras Blancas and Loma Montosa prospects at Puesto Morales as well as Cretaceous Centenario opportunities on its Puesto Morales block as well as at its Gobernador Ayala II concession, on which a 3-D seismic program was recently completed. This latter block lies just east of and on trend with an area being developed by another Canadian company.
Petrolifera has already announced a 69-well, $76-million capital budget for Argentina during 2008. This planned program will include extensive drilling at Puesto Morales/Rinconada, seismic and drilling on Vaca Mahuida, drilling on the Gobernador Ayala II concession, and 3-D seismic and drilling on the recently confirmed Puesto Guevara concession in Rio Negro province, Argentina. Petrolifera now owns 493,310 net acres of oil and gas rights in Argentina, the equivalent of 21 townships in Western Canada. The total does not include any interest which Petrolifera may ultimately hold in the Salinas Grande concession in La Pampa province. Currently, the company is operating with three rigs and four service rigs.
The company's Argentinean budget will continue to be evaluated in the context of the actual outcome of exploratory drilling results and the evolving policy framework for the country. Recently announced price controls for crude oil and continuing control of natural gas prices below fair value will impact on anticipated cash flow, especially if refineries attempt to transfer imposed burdens on to producers. It is apparent that if increased deregulation was to occur, improved cash flow from operations before changes in working capital would likely result in higher levels of reinvestment in Argentina. Since Petrolifera commenced drilling operations in late 2005, the company has invested approximately $100-million in the country.
Plans are advancing for early drilling in Colombia. Petrolifera has identified three prospective drillable prospects on its Sierra Nevada I licence in the Lower Magdalena Basin. Discussions to secure a drilling rig for a July/August commencement of activities are continuing. A seismic program is also anticipated in 2008 on the company's Turpial block in the Upper Magdalena basin. Staffing is under way and an office has been established in Bogota, Colombia. Petrolifera controls over one million acres of petroleum and natural gas rights in Colombia, fast becoming one of the exploration hot spots in South America for the oil and natural gas industry. An initial 2008 capital budget of $8-million has been established for Colombia; this may be expanded depending upon results and as mentioned, developments in Argentina, although regardless the company has the wherewithal to expand its Colombian budget as warranted by opportunities that develop.
Petrolifera's 2008 Peru capital budget has been established at $56-million, to cover the cost of extensive seismic programs on both Ucayali block 107 and on Maranon block 106 and for the drilling of the company's first well on block 107. These are both jungle blocks with attendant high costs of exploration, including for access and when drilling, for helicopter support. Petrolifera's seismic program on block 107 is proceeding very favourably, with 62 per cent of lines cut at year-end 2007; 60 per cent of shot holes have been drilled and 24 per cent of lines have been shot. Early indications from received data are considered excellent and the company is proceeding with preparation of its environmental impact assessment (EIA) applications for a number of drilling locations. The data will be received, interpreted and reviewed for selection of the preferred prospects, which are anticipated to have considerable potential.
As with Colombia, discussions for a suitable heli-transportable rig are advancing to the contract negotiation stage, initially for a two-well commitment. Drilling is tentatively anticipated for approximately October, 2008, subject to regulatory approval of the company's drilling EIA.
Petrolifera continues to await clarification with respect to its significant $37.7-million face value investment in asset-backed commercial paper (ABCP). It will be recalled the company recorded a book impairment of this investment during the third quarter 2007 and recategorized the investment from a short-term asset to long term on its balance sheet. The company continues to seek ways to recover the full amount of its investment into what was rated as R-1 high by a recognized bond rating agency in Canada. Included in this process is a continuing dialogue with the chartered bank the investment arm of which sold the investment to Petrolifera and awareness of the initiatives of the Montreal Accord. This has been a slow and arduous process with limited free flow of information. The company will advise shareholders and the investment community of any developments directly affecting Petrolifera or its holdings to the extent it is apprised of same.
In the interim, Petrolifera has sufficient cash flow from operations before changes in working capital and access to available credit to be able to finance its capital program without undue difficulty. Obviously, the company would prefer to receive its funds from its ABCP on a timely basis to avoid accessing available credit arrangements for its activities, but fortunately is in a position where it does not have to compromise its growth programs as a consequence of the mid-2007 disappearance of liquidity for these short-term, highly rated instruments.
In late January, 2008, Petrolifera is hosting a visit by invitation of numerous Canadian investment analysts and some portfolio managers from Canada and the United States. These individuals will visit the company's facilities at Puesto Morales and will be provided insight into the opportunities and challenges facing the oil and gas industry in South America by a number of regional experts. Additionally, the company will be reviewing its assets and activities. Accordingly, in conjunction with this press release the company will be posting an updated investor presentation on its website. Click on the link investor info and then on investor presentations to access the January, 2008, Power Point slides.
The company has commissioned GLJ Petroleum Consultants of Calgary, Alta., to prepare its year-end 2007 reserve report. This report is anticipated to be received during the month of February, 2008, and will be released to the public after it has been reviewed by the company's reserves committee and accepted by its board of directors.
The company's audited financial and operating results are anticipated to be released to the public by way of press release on or about March 8, 2008.
In summary, Petrolifera made considerable progress in 2007. Crude oil sales were up 45 per cent over 2006. Natural gas sales were up 97 per cent over 2006. On an equivalent basis, sales were up 47 per cent year over year to 9,047 boe/d, compared with sales of 6,171 boe/d in 2006. During 2007 Petrolifera drilled a record 47 wells in Argentina, resulting in 33 oil wells, two natural gas wells and three injectors, with only two dry holes (the first dry holes since activation of drilling in 2005), four suspended wells and three wells being completed at year-end. Major expenditures were made during 2007 on field facilities including for water treatment and disposal, a waterflood or pressure maintenance facility and a high-pressure natural gas pipeline to Medanito from Puesto Morales. Over $100-million of capital expenditures are anticipated for the full year. These investments are expected to result in restoration of the company's production and sales growth during 2008, aided by continued drilling activity in Argentina (including on new blocks at Gobernador Ayala II, Vaca Mahuida and Puesto Guevara) where the company controls over 493,000 net acres of petroleum and natural gas rights. Seismic and drilling are also anticipated in 2008 in Colombia and in Peru on what are anticipated to be high potential prospects. The company is financially self-sufficient with adequate cash, anticipated cash flow and available credit to finance an anticipated $140-million capital program in 2008.
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