EARNINGS / Wolverine Energy reports 1997 Results
CALGARY, April 7 /CNW/ - Wolverine Energy Corp. (WVE-ASE) posted record numbers in 1997. The attached table outlines the highlights for 1997 that saw the Company drill 22 wells (20.8 net) and added a new core area at year-end. The Company completed a very aggressive capital program that saw reserves nearly triple as Wolverine Energy completed its first full cycle exploration project during 1997.
The Company continued to use the acquisition and development strategy as its main source of growth as a third core area (100% working interest) in southern Alberta was added at year end which adds both crude oil and natural gas reserves. The new property has existing production and comes with significant development drilling potential and operated infrastructure. In addition, Wolverine Energy also completed the acquisition of another 100% owned and operated producing property in the Alliance area in the fourth quarter. Both of these acquisitions are key to the Company's development strategies and provide not only producing reserves, but also facility infrastructure and undeveloped reserve potential.
The full effect of the 1997 capital program will not be seen until 1998 as the Company inventoried land and seismic data to step up its full cycle exploration efforts. In addition, much of the new production from the fourth quarter drilling program came on stream just at the year ended. The Company began directing its capital spending towards natural gas at the end of 1997, and expects a significant portion of the 1998 budget to be spent on acquiring and developing natural gas reserves.
During the first quarter of 1998, Wolverine Energy successfully drilled its first horizontal well on the West Ghost River project. Production testing has just been completed and results will be released later in April when the Company has analyzed the test data and a new independent engineering report is completed to determine the full reserve potential in the West Ghost River and South Ghost River areas.
For additional information on the Company, visit us at our website www.wolverine-energy.com
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HIGHLIGHTS
1997 1996 End of December End of December % Change ------------------------------------------------------------------------ FINANCIAL
Revenue before Royalties $ 3,938,848 $ 1,507,018 161%
Funds Flow from Operations $ 1,170,348 $ 290,512 303% Per Share (Basic) $ 0.11 $ 0.09 22%
Net Earnings $ 279,579 $ 120,867 131% Per Share (Basic) $ 0.03 $ 0.04 -25%
Capital Expenditures $12,288,504 $ 4,351,341 182%
Long Term Debt $(4,237,266) $ -
Shareholders Equity $ 8,616,638 $ 4,518,411 91%
Common Shares Issued and Outstanding 11,761,986 10,223,300 15%
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding 10,494,575 3,343,447 214%
------------------------------------------------------------------------ OPERATING
Crude Oil Production (BOPD) 392 142 176% Price ($/BBL) $ 21.06 $ 25.56 -18%
Natural Gas (Mcf/d) $ 1,440 853 69% Price ($/Mcf) $ 2.04 $ 1.86 10%
Average Production (BOEPD) 536 227 136% Average Production (BOEPD) including Badger/Montag Acquisition 591 227 160%
Exit Production (BOEPD) 1,250 400 215%
Proven Reserves (MBOE) 2,820 1,027 175%
Proven and Risked Probable Reserves (MBOE) 3,678 1,092 237%
Present Value of Reserves (at 10% Disc.) $26,084,000 $ 7,841,000 233% (at 15% Disc.) $21,109,000 $ 7,151,000 195%
Finding and Onstream Costs Per BOE (proven reserves) $ 6.18 $ 4.24 46% Per BOE (proven + probable reserves) $ 4.42 $ 3.99 11%
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EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Wells Drilled Gross 22.0 2.0 1000% Net 20.8 2.0 940%
Success Rate 100% 100%
Producing Land (Hectares) Gross 25,640 21,400 20% Net 7,377 3,329 122%
Undeveloped Land (Hectares) Gross 11,072 5,760 92% Net 9,712 5,360 81% |