SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Gold/Mining/Energy : KERM'S KORNER -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?


To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (7935)12/15/1997 6:07:00 PM
From: Arnie  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 15196
 
CORP. / Symmetry Resources announces Management Appointments


Symmetry Resources Inc. announces the following management appointments:

Mr. Paul Jackson, P.Geoph. : Manager, Geophysics
An explorationist with 25 years experience, Mr. Jackson's past activities
include geophysical prospect generation, basin analysis, applied geotechnical
research, supervision, and business management with multi-national and
Canadian companies. Most recently, he was Chief Geophysicist for a Calgary
based major international oil and gas company.

Mr. John M.A. van Schyndel, P.Eng.: Manager, Production
Mr. van Schyndel obtained an honors degree in Mechanical Engineering from the
University of Manitoba in 1974. Prior to joining Symmetry, he was Manager,
Production Operations at both Dorset Exploration Ltd. and Morgan Hydrocarbons
Inc.

Mr.Roman Pachovsky, P.Eng.: Manager, Engineering
Mr. Pachovsky graduated in 1974 from Queen's University in Kingston with a
Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering. Prior to joining Symmetry, Mr. Pachovsky
contributed to the growth of several intermediate exploration and production
companies where he held positions of Manager, Heavy Oil and Manager,
Engineering.

Ms. Audrey Abdallah: Manager, Accounting
Ms. Abdallah graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the
University of Calgary. She brings to Symmetry several years of experience in
oil and gas accounting.

Symmetry Resources Inc. is an Alberta based corporation engaged in the
business of exploring for, developing and acquiring oil and gas properties in
the Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

D.C. (Dave) Morgenstern
President and Chief Operating Officer

Listed: The Toronto Stock Exchange

Trading Symbol: SYO



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (7935)12/15/1997 6:17:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
FIELD ACTIVITIES / Hegco Canada updates Drilling Program

EDMOND, Ok., Dec. 15 /CNW/ - The President and Chairman of HEGCO Canada,
Inc., Douglas C. Hewitt, announced today that HEGCO has completed the initial
phase of drilling on the Nemaha No. 4 well. The Company has also begun
preparations for drilling in the next target area. Drilling is expected to
begin on this site shortly.

As drilling begins at the next well site, HEGCO will proceed with the
necessary testing and evaluations of the Nemaha No. 4. Production testing of
the Nemaha No. 2 continues to progress at a restricted production range of 50
- 80 bbls per day. This activity represents the execution of previously
disclosed objectives. HEGCO expects to put on multiple productive zones
through its multi-well program in the Three Sands Field.

HEGCO Canada, Inc., is an Alberta, Canada corporation traded on the
Alberta Stock Exchange under the symbol ''HEG''. The company is an oil and
gas production, servicing and drilling company operating in Oklahoma and
Arkansas.



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (7935)12/15/1997 6:20:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
FINANCING / Alberta Oil & Gas Petroleum cancels Equity Offering

CALGARY, Dec. 15 /CNW/ - Alberta Oil and Gas Petroleum Corp. (''AOG'')
announces that it has, upon the advice of its agents, cancelled its proposed
equity offering and withdrawn the preliminary prospectus filed in several
jurisdictions on November 7, 1997. The recent instability in the financial
equity markets, and particularly the resource sector, signaled a softening of
stock prices. In addition, recent reductions in oil and gas prices have
caused analysts to revise their pricing forecasts for 1998, resulting in a
further discounting of stock prices. In view of these factors, it was
determined not to proceed with the offering at this time.

AOG engaged McDaniel & Associates Consultants Ltd. to prepare an
evaluation of the Company's oil and gas reserves effective October 1, 1997.
Their report was updated December 1, 1997 to incorporate recent production
test results. The updated report indicates total proven reserves of 3,575
mboe valued at $24.8 million (discounted at 15% before tax) and total proven
plus unrisked probable reserves of 4,826 mboe with a discounted value of $30.9
million. The report incorporates McDaniel's escalating price assumptions
based on current prices of $20.00/bbl WTI and $1.75/mmbtu for Alberta gas.

The Company has made substantial progress in meeting its operational
goals and expects to exit the year at approximately 1,600 boepd. AOG will
continue to evaluate methods to reduce the Company's debt position as well as
expand its exploration program.



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (7935)12/15/1997 6:22:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
CORP. / Orbit Oil & Gas Board of Directors recommends Offer Rejection

CALGARY, Dec. 15 /CNW/ - The Board of Directors of Orbit Oil & Gas Ltd.,
based on advice from and consultation with its financial advisors, Griffiths
McBurney & Partners, and other considerations, have concluded that the current
offer of Sunoma Energy Corp. for the common shares of Orbit is inadequate and
does not reflect the full value of Orbit's underlying assets.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIRECTORS' RECOMMENDATION

The Board of Directors of Orbit unanimously recommends that the Offer be
REJECTED and that shareholders NOT tender their Orbit Common Shares to
the Offer. Each of the directors and officers of Orbit, representing
aggregate holdings of approximately 23% of the outstanding Orbit Common
Shares, has indicated his intention not to accept the Offer.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

SHAREHOLDERS RIGHTS PLAN

The Board of Directors believes it is in the best interest of the Orbit
Common Shareholders to continue to seek competing offers, and therefore will
not waive the Orbit Shareholders Rights Plan and if necessary, will make any
applications to regulatory authorities or the Courts to maintain the
protections afforded Orbit Shareholders by the Shareholders Rights Plan.

A Directors' Circular outlining the reasons for the Board's
recommendation will be mailed to Orbit Shareholders today.



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (7935)12/15/1997 6:25:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
EARNINGS / Brialto Energy reports 1st 9 months Results

CALGARY, Dec. 15 /CNW/ - Alan R. Tolg, President and CEO, BriAlto Energy
Corporation, reports on the Company's continued growth through the third
quarter. Oil sales climbed 88% to $391,464 from $207,822 at the close of the
second quarter. While production averaged 59 bopd for the first nine months
and 83 bopd for the third quarter, BriAlto had a September 30 exit rate of 160
bopd. The Company reported net income after tax (deferred) of $59,364
($0.02/sh).

Cash flow amounted to $178,726 or $0.05 Class A common share. Cash flow
attributable to the third quarter was $0.03 per share.

To date, BriAlto has drilled or participated in 7 gross (1.1 net)
horizontal wells and 2 gross (0.5 net) vertical wells in southeastern
Saskatchewan. All have been successful oilwells. Two new horizontal wells
are currently drilling. At Steelman, Saskatchewan, the Company is
participating as to a 33.3% working interest, through a farmout with Adobe
Resources Ltd., in a Frobisher horizontal well. A second follow-up well is
planned for the first quarter of 1998. At Rosebank, Saskatchewan, BriAlto has
a minor working-interest in a low-risk, Frobisher-Alida location.

BriAlto is proceeding with the recently announced Adobe merger, expected
to close prior to year-end, and anticipates a cash receipt of $1,200,000 when
it closes its current flow-through share offering. The Company has allocated
$4,000,000 for acquisitions, exploration and development in 1998.

<<
BRIALTO ENERGY CORPORATION

Condensed Balance Sheet
As at September 30, 1997

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets

Current assets $1,341,012

Capital assets 1,175,425
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
$2,516,437
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

Current liabilities 9,846
Other Liabilities 34,131
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
43,977

Shareholders' equity:
Share capital 2,412,687
Retained earnings 59,773
--------------------------------------------------------------------
2,472,460

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
$2,516,437
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Condensed Statement of Income and Retained Earnings
Nine months ended September 30, 1997

-----------------------------------------------------------
Revenues:
Petroleum sales, net $314,559
Interest 24,643
------------------------------------------------
339,202

Expenses:
Operating 56,470
General and administrative 104,006
Depletion, depreciation
& amortization 90,314
------------------------------------------------
250,790

Income before income taxes 88,412

Deferred income taxes 29,048

-----------------------------------------------------------
Net income for the period 59,364
-----------------------------------------------------------

Retained earnings, beginning of period 409

-----------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings, end of period 59,773

-----------------------------------------------------------
Net income per share $0.02
-----------------------------------------------------------
>>



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (7935)12/15/1997 6:28:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
SERVICE SECTOR / Precision Drilling reports 1st 6 months Results

CALGARY, Dec. 15 /CNW/ - The combination of the various acquisitions in
the Oilfield Services business have generated a dramatic impact upon the
financial performance of Precision Drilling Corporation.

Effective September 30, 1997, the Corporation split its common shares on
a two for one basis and all per share amounts have been stated given effect to
the split.

Financial Highlights

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
Three months ended Six months ended
October 31 October 31

'000's CDN (unaudited) 1997 1996 1997 1996
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue $255,433 $108,814 $478,820 $183,757

Expenses:
Operating 150,881 76,616 295,159 129,234
General and
administrative 12,852 5,806 25,636 11,720
Depreciation and
amortization 20,981 5,560 38,700 9,473
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
184,714 87,982 359,495 150,427

Operating earnings 70,719 20,832 119,325 33,330
Interest (4,621) (1,105) (8,014) (2,073)
Dividend income -- -- 1,923 653
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before income
taxes 66,098 19,727 113,234 31,910
Income taxes:
Current (2,302) 9,347 19,477 14,251
Deferred 37,019 81 38,225 525
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
34,717 9,428 57,702 14,776
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings 31,381 10,299 55,532 17,134
Retained earnings,
beginning of period 121,295 61,834 97,358 54,999
Dividends on preferred shares (61) -- (275) --
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings,
end of period 152,615 72,133 152,615 72,133
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per share:
Basic 0.75 0.37 1.34 0.63
Fully diluted 0.70 0.34 1.25 0.59

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
October 31,
1997 1996
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets

Current assets:
Cash $1,861 $420
Accounts receivable 257,222 91,163
Inventory 26,966 23,589
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
286,049 115,172

Investments 43,530 4,324
Property, plant and equipment,
at cost less accumulated depreciation 616,960 210,473
Deferred financing costs,
net of amortization of $377 10,543 --
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization
of $9,034: 1996 - $1,619 216,304 72,338
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,173,386 402,307
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities and shareholders' Equity
Current Liabilities:
Bank indebtedness $52,300 6,634
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 116,137 42,925
Income taxes payable 12,920 9,825
Current portion of long-term debt 27,484 27,622
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
208,841 87,006
Long-term debt 228,252 42,781
Deferred income taxes 84,482 25,332
Shareholders' equity:
Share capital 499,196 175,055
Retained earnings 152,615 72,133
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
651,811 247,188
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,173,386 402,307
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Operating Highlights

For the six months ended October 31,
1997 1996

Market Market
Precision Industry Share % Precision Industry Share %
Drilling rigs 203 528 38 85 473 18
Operating
days 25,672 63,836 40 8,604 44,792 19
Wells
drilled 3,300 8,685 38 1,544 6,661 23
Metres
drilled
(000's) 3,999 9,792 41 1,625 7,289 22
Rig utilization
rate (%) 70 71 55 47

The Corporation remains optimistic on the long-term industry fundamentals
including the need for heavy oil development for the future.

Precision Drilling Corporation is listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange
under the ticker PD and on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol
PDS.



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (7935)12/15/1997 6:33:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
corp. / Stratic Energy announces Amalgamation

TORONTO, Dec. 15 /CNW/ - Stratic Energy Corporation is pleased to
announce the amalgamation of Malahide Petroleum Corporation and Sahelian Oil
Limited to form Stratic Energy Corporation on December 12, 1997. The
amalgamation was approved by the shareholders of Malahide at a meeting held
December 12, 1997 and by the shareholders of Sahelian at a meeting held
December 11, 1997.

Stratic Energy has interests in three properties located in Mali covering
in the aggregate an area of approximately 503,038 square kilometres. Stratic
is engaged in the selection, acquisition, exploration and development of oil
and gas properties and is proposing to conduct exploration programs on its
properties in Mali.

Stratic Energy has outstanding 8,885,106 common shares and 2,000,000
warrants which are exercisable at US$0.20 per share until September 15, 2002.

As a result of the amalgamation Croesus Emerging Markets Resources Fund
L.L.C., Croesus Emerging Markets Resources Fund L.P. and Croesus Africa Fund
Limited currently hold an aggregate of 3,490,000 shares of Stratic Energy
representing 39.28% of the outstanding common shares of Stratic Energy. The
Croesus Group of Funds, which acquired the shares for investment purposes,
does not presently have any future intention to increase its beneficial
ownership of Stratic Energy but may do so depending on market conditions.



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (7935)12/15/1997 6:37:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
DIVIDEND / Gulfstream Resources Canada Ltd

CALGARY, Dec. 15 /CNW/ - Gulfstream Resources Canada Limited - GUR,
Toronto - announced today that it is paying a dividend on common shares
following a regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting last Friday. The
Corporation has declared a dividend of $0.02 per common share, payable on
December 31, 1997 to the shareholders of record at the close of business on
December 19, 1997.

Gulfstream paid its first ever dividend on December 31, 1996 of $0.01 per
share and this announcement represents a doubling of the dividend when
compared to last year.

Gulfstream Resources Canada is an international oil and gas company with
production and prospects in the Middle East, Africa and the Far East. The
Corporation's common shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange and the
Company is a member of the TSE 300 Index.

As announced Friday, the Qatar Consortium is advancing oil development at
Al-Rayyan, is positioning for an oil exploration program next year, and
continues to pursue a natural gas contract to support a large scale
gas/liquids development.

A three-well appraisal program at Al-Rayyan has now been completed to
better define the boundaries of the field. While the results of the appraisal
drilling are still being evaluated, all wells have encountered oil. Proven
reserves at Al-Rayyan were recently verified by independent engineers. These
results will be incorporated in future development plans.

The Qatar Consortium remains committed to a larger scale development for
the Al-Rayyan field and is finalizing its development strategy. A formal plan
will be submitted to the Qatar Government for approval by the end of January,
1998.

Progress remains encouraging in the Company's other areas of interest. A
seismic program has recently been completed in Madagascar with a view to begin
a new drilling program in the summer of next year. Gulfstream is also
preparing for a seismic and drilling program in Oman to begin in early 1998.



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (7935)12/15/1997 8:39:00 PM
From: Arnie  Read Replies (3) | Respond to of 15196
 
CORP. / Chauvco Resources announces Share Exchange Ratio

CALGARY, Dec. 15 /CNW/ - Chauvco Resources Ltd. (''Chauvco'') announced
today that the share exchange ratio to be used in its transaction with Pioneer
Natural Resources Company (''Pioneer'') has been determined pursuant to the
terms of the Combination Agreement dated September 3, 1997 between Pioneer and
Chauvco.

Chauvco shareholders have until December 16 to elect to receive either
0.493827 of an Exchangeable Share of Pioneer Canada or an equivalent fraction
of a share of Pioneer Common Stock for each Chauvco share held. A Chauvco
shareholders meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. December 18 in Calgary.



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (7935)12/16/1997 8:58:00 AM
From: Kerm Yerman  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 15196
 
BULLETIN / TOP 20 PORTFOLIO CHANGES

Sold Vermilion Resources 1400 shares @$6.75 = $ 9,450.00
Sold Genesis Exploration 575 shares @$6.75 = $ 3,881.25
Sold Beaver Lake Resources 2700 shares @$0.45 = $ 1,215.00

Total Proceeds $14,546.25

SERV 7 Listing & Portfolio

Bought PetroField Ind (PF) 5000 shares @$0.16 = $ 800.00

Comments: Shares in Vermilion Resources and Genesis Exploration have
been maintained in my TOP 20 Listing and Portfolio. (400 shares each)
Thus, TOP 20 LISTING does not change. Decided to take profits and
redeploy funds into larger company shares. Original purchases were
VRM @ $1.40 and GEX @ $2.65.

I will post the bids for companies I will be purchasing shares of.
Shares are to be purchased in companies already listed in the TOP 20.
Thus there is no change anticipated in the listing itself. In effect,
the per company weight of investment in my TOP 20 Portfolio will
change only.

Beaver Lake Resources has been a mistake and yesterday was first
oppotrtunity to dump it. Company has been hung up in activities due
to lack of cash. Not a good situation at this time. There will be a
replacement to be identified when purchase occurs.

Speculated a little with small purchase of Petro-Field Ind. to round
out my list of upstart companies in the SERV 7 Listing and Portfolio.
With the service industry in the dumpster, I may be adding to this
list to include a few of the established players in the sector.