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Gold/Mining/Energy : KERM'S KORNER -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?


To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (10605)5/8/1998 9:30:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
NEW LISTING / Chirripo Resources announces ASE Listing


Chirripo Resources Inc. announces that it has been listed on the Alberta
Stock Exchange and its shares will begin trading on Friday, May 8, 1998. as
a junior capital pool company, Chirripo Resources Inc. will be trading under
the symbol of "CHO".

Chirripo Resources Inc. has entered into a non-arm's length letter of intent
with Chirripo Oil and Gas Ltd. (a private oil and gas company,incorporated in
1993) and Issa Abu-Zahra. Chirripo Resources Inc. has tentatively agreed to
purchase all of the shares of Chirripo Oil and Gas Ltd, for an aggregate
purchase price of $540,000.00, with an effective date of May 1, 1998. The
purchase price is subject to adjustment based on the value of Chirripo Oil
and Gas Ltd's assets and liabilities on the effective date. The purchase
price will be paid by the making of a cash payment of $60,000.00 and the
issuance of 1,600,000 common shares of Chirripo Resources Inc. at a deemed
value of $0.30 per share.

Subject to all required minority shareholder and regulatory approval,
Chirripo Resources Inc. intends that the foregoing will constitute its major
transaction as required by the Alberta Stock Exchange.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Chirripo Resources Inc.,
Issa Abu-Zahra, President
Telephone :(403)531-9112




To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (10605)5/8/1998 9:34:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
FINANCING / Raptor Capital reports Extension & Price Adjuctment to Warrants

CALGARY, May 8 /CNW/ - Norman Mackenzie, Chairman of the Board of
Directors of Raptor Capital Corporation (''Raptor''), announces the following
amendments to Share Purchase Warrants (''Warrants''):

1) The expiry date of three million two hundred thousand (3,200,000)
Warrants issued February 7, 1997 at an exercise price of $0.50 per
common share is extended to July 8, 1998.

2) The expiry date of two million four hundred thousand (2,400,000)
Warrants issued February 25, 1997 at an exercise price of $1.00 per
common share is extended to July 19, 1998 and the exercise price is
reduced to $0.80 per common share.



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (10605)5/8/1998 9:35:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
FIELD ACTIVITIES / Torex Resources updates Drilling Activity

CALGARY, May 8 /CNW/ - Torex Resources Inc. is pleased to update recent
drilling activity. The corporation is currently drilling the final well of a
4 well (3 net) drilling program at Neptune, Saskatchewan. Two of the recently
drilled wells have been completed and tied into company operated facilities
and are contributing over 200 (150 net) barrels of oil production per day. The
second two wells will be completed and flow-lined by the end of May.

Operating costs from this core area have decreased substantially to $3.50
per barrel from $22 per barrel in January of 1997. Operating costs were
lowered as a result of installing three-phase power in February of this year
and also from increased production volumes. The low operating costs on
production enables the company to yield high net backs despite low oil prices.

Torex continues to build its inventory of prospects in this area. The
corporation has recently tripled its undeveloped land base at Neptune by
acquiring 5 sections of land at a recent crown land sale and also by
completing a farmin on 7 additional sections of land from a large producer.
The two transactions have increased the amount of land available to the
corporation to 19 sections and includes 64 km of 3D seismic and 72 km of 2D
seismic.



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (10605)5/8/1998 9:38:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
SERVICE SECTOR / Bonus Resource Services reports 1st 3 Months Results

CALGARY, May 8 /CNW/ - Tom Alford, President and Chief Operating Officer,
is pleased to announce the first quarter results of Bonus Resource Services
Corp. Revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 increased 108 percent to
$44.3 million compared to $21.3 million for the comparable period in 1997.
This increase is reflective of the continuing high demand for services rigs
and the increase in the Company's fleet from 76 rigs at March 31, 1997 to 167
rigs at March 31, 1998.

Net earnings and funds from operations followed the increase in revenues
and were up 51 percent and 39 percent year over year. Net earnings and funds
from operations were $4.2 million ($0.10/share) and $7.3 million ($0.17/share)
respectively for the three months ended March 31, 1998, while the figures for
the comparable period in 1997 were $2.8 million ($0.11/share) and $5.3 million
($0.20/share) respectively. Mr. Alford commented that ''the dilutive effect of
not having fully invested a large portion of the cash associated with the
issue of 7.9 million common shares in late 1997 was the primary cause of the
reduction in per share amounts.'' Mr. Alford further stated that ''Bonus
intends to invest this available cash in the service rig business however, we
will not make investment for the sake of growth, but rather in a prudent
manner to ensure our shareholders earn an adequate return over the
longer-term.''

During the first quarter Bonus did utilize a portion of the cash proceeds
from the 1997 equity offering to complete two further acquisitions. The first
involved purchasing control over seven rigs in Australia while the second was
a 13 rig acquisition from Canuck Well Servicing Ltd. The Australian
acquisition provides Bonus with a low risk entrance to the international
market while the Canuck acquisition further strengthens Bonus' position in the
northern Alberta market. As these acquisitions were made during the quarter,
the full financial effect will be seen through the remainder of 1998.

Overall, industry activity remained strong during the quarter as the
company posted a utilization rate of 112 percent compared to 120 percent in
the year prior. Mr. Alford noted that ''the fundamentals of Bonus' business
remain strong and we expect the demand for our services to continue at higher
than historical levels during the remainder of 1998.''

Bonus is the largest provider of service rigs to the Canadian oilpatch
operating 160 rigs in western Canada and seven in Australia. Bonus trades on
The Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol BOU.

<<
Bonus Resource Services Corp.
Financial and Operating Highlights

Three Months Ended March 31, 1998 March 31, 1997
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Results ($000s)
Revenue 44,299 21,315
Net earnings 4,230 2,793
Net earnings per share 0.10 0.11
Funds from operations 7,347 5,291
Funds from operations per share 0.17 0.20
Weighted average shares outstanding (000s) 44,495 26,454

March 31, 1998 December 31, 1997
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Position ($000s)
Total assets 210,207 202,035
Long-term debt 38,842 40,433
Shareholders' equity 131,373 126,590
Working capital 30,948 50,643 Three Months Ended March 31, 1998 March 31, 1997
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Statistics
Number of rigs (end of quarter) 167 76
Canadian rig operating hours 109,032 61,642
Canadian rig utilization (%) 112 120
Gross margin as percentage of revenue (%) 34 38
G&A as percentage of revenue (%) 10 7
Employees (end of quarter) 1,201 559
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Retained Earnings
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 1998 and 1997

Thousands of Canadian Dollars Except Per Share Data (Unaudited)
1998 1997
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue $ 44,299 $ 21,315
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses
Operating 29,336 13,142
General and administrative 4,564 1,464
Interest on long-term debt 1,091 302
Depreciation and amortization 2,151 1,309
------------------------------------------------------------------------
37,142 16,217
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings from operations 7,157 5,098

Other income 388 -
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before income taxes 7,545 5,098

Income taxes 3,315 2,305
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings for the period 4,230 2,793

Retained earnings, beginning of the period 12,279 1,744
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings, end of the period $ 16,509 $ 4,537
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings per share $ 0.10 $ 0.11
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average number of
shares outstanding (000s) 44,495 26,454
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bonus Resource Services Corp.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As at March 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997

Thousands of Canadian Dollars (Unaudited)
March 31, 1998 December 31, 1997
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Current assets $ 59,202 $ 74,883
Capital assets 148,376 124,439
Deferred financing charges 2,243 2,303
Other assets 386 410
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 210,207 $ 202,035
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILTIES
Current liabilities $ 28,254 $ 24,240
Long-term debt 38,842 40,433
Deferred income taxes 11,738 10,772
------------------------------------------------------------------------
78,834 75,445
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Share capital 114,864 114,311
Retained earnings 16,509 12,279
------------------------------------------------------------------------
131,373 126,590
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 210,207 $ 202,035
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Financial Position
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 1998 and 1997

Thousands of Canadian Dollars Except Per Share Data (Unaudited)
1998 1997
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by (used in) operations:
Net earnings for the period $ 4,230 $ 2,793
Add non-cash items
Depreciation and amortization 2,151 1,309
Deferred income taxes 966 1,189
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funds from operations 7,347 5,291
Net change in non-cash working
capital items (5,476) (6,843)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,871 (1,552)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by (used in) financing:
Long-term debt (1,312) 1,074
Issuance of share capital 553 448
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(759) 1,522
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash used in investing:
Acquisition of businesses (21,575) -
Purchase of capital assets (4,493) (3,170)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(26,068) (3,170)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Decrease in cash position for the period (24,956) (3,200)
Cash (bank indebtedness),
beginning of the period 42,932 (5,206)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash (bank indebtedness),
end of the period $ 17,976 $ (8,406)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funds from operations per share $ 0.17 $ 0.20
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (10605)5/8/1998 9:41:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
SERVICE SECTOR / Pason Systems Corp reports 1st 3 months Results

CALGARY, May 8 /CNW/ - Pason reports first quarter earnings of $1,983,000
up 156% from earnings of $774,000 for the comparable quarter in 1997. Earnings
per share for the quarter were $0.124 a share (basic) versus $0.56 in 1997.

(all numbers in '000's except per share amounts)

<< Three Months
1998 1997 Chg. %

Revenue $7,369 $2,507 +194

Cash Flow $2,766 $1,138 +143

Net Income $1,983 $774 +156

Basic
Avg. Shares O/S 15,990 13,779
Earnings Per Share $0.124 $0.056

Fully Diluted
Avg. Shares O/S 17,426 15,109
Earnings Per Share $0.114 $0.049
>>

(for more detailed financial information visit Pason's website at
www.pason.com)

Pason continued to invest heavily in new electronic drilling recorder
(EDR) and pit volume totalizer (PVT) systems during the quarter with the
following numbers manufactured and available for rental at quarter end:

<<
Canada United States Total

EDR systems 236 46 282
PVT systems 171 29 200
>>

Despite Pason's record financial results in the first quarter, the
financial contribution from the United States (Pason RMGE) was negligible.
This was due to the first quarter in the United States generally being that
market's slowest quarter plus the US subsidiary made a significant investment
in the hiring and training of new fieldmen to install and service Pason's EDR
and PVT products. This resulted in an increase in rental expenses which will
not generate returns until the third quarter. Pason continues to be optimistic
about the potential in the United States as during and immediately subsequent
to the quarter, Pason RMGE commenced test jobs for its equipment on four new
major US drilling contractors. These tests are proceeding favourably and the
Company hopes to begin large scale installations during the third quarter.

The Canadian active rig count in April and May has been only half of the
unusually busy levels recorded in 1997. The Industry view is that last year
was an anomaly and that this year's lower levels reflect a normal spring
breakup and not the affects of lower commodity prices on Operators' drilling
budgets. Due to a very dry spring it appears that drilling activity will
rebound strongly in June. Should this occur, and with the improving
contribution from Pason RMGE, the Company expects a solid second quarter.



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (10605)5/8/1998 9:57:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
EARNINGS / Del Mar Energy reports 1997 Results

CALGARY, May 8 /CNW/ - Del Mar Energy Inc.(''Del Mar'') is pleased to
announce results from the year ending December 31, 1997 and reports that 1997
was a year of international growth for the company. Del Mar's international
focus became a reality in November 1997 as a result of the acquisition of
Vista Oil Ltd. by Rockbound Resources Inc. and a subsequent name change. Del
Mar is primarily focused on South America and specifically on Trinidad and
Venezuela.

Audited financial results for 1997 are summarized below:

<<
FINANCIAL Cdn$
--------- ----
Revenue 573,215
Cash Flow from (used in) Operations (95,286)
Net Loss (251,500)
Per Share (0.02)
Long Term Debt 0
Shareholders Equity 4,446,344

OPERATIONS
----------
Production, bbls/day 55
Average Sales Price (Cdn/bbl) 27.95
Reserves (proven plus probable)
Crude Oil, mbbl 1,200
Natural Gas, mmcf 1,380
>>

In addition to activities on the Mora licence as previously announced,
Del Mar is currently evaluating several other onshore and offshore oil and gas
projects in Trinidad as part of its strategic alliance agreement with Dr.
Krishna Persad and Mr. Darcy Carr, two well respected oil strategists based in
Trinidad. Del Mar is also investigating opportunities in Venezuela.

Further information on Del Mar can be found on Del Mar's website
www.delmar-energy.com.



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (10605)5/8/1998 10:03:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
FIELD ACTIVITIES / Hurricane Hydrocarbons April production Update

CALGARY, May 8 /CNW/ - Hurricane Hydrocarbons Ltd. has made arrangements
to ensure its oil production in May will not be affected by a scheduled
maintenance shutdown at the local refinery. The company's crude oil is
processed at the Shymkent refinery in southern Kazakhstan. The refinery has
closed for a period of approximately two weeks in May for maintenance.
Hurricane has made arrangements for storage capacity and no cutbacks in
production are scheduled.

The company announced a monthly production of 226,198 tonnes of oil for
April 1998. Kazakhstan measures oil production and sales in tonnes and
Hurricane converts these numbers into barrels for North American audiences.
The number of barrels per tonne varies depending on the specific gravity of
the oil. The specific gravity varies each month depending on the source of
the product and the temperature. The conversion factor for April was 7.67,
giving a daily average of 57,837 barrels for April 1998 compared to 44,441 for
April 1997. The first three months of 1998 averaged 55,400 barrels per day
compared to 43,178 for the first quarter of 1997. The company is focused on
increasing production in 1998 through improved technology and an aggressive
program of drilling, well workers and recompletions.

Hurricane is an independent international energy corporation engaged in
the acquisition, exploration and production of oil, principally in the
Republic of Kazakhstan.

Hurricane is listed on the Alberta (ASE) and Toronto (TSE) stock
exchanges under the trading symbol HHL.A and on Nasdaq under the symbol HHLAF.
Hurricane is a member of the TSE 300 and TSE 200 composite indices.



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (10605)5/8/1998 10:06:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
NORMAL COURSE ISSUER BID / Lexxor Energy

CALGARY, May 8 /CNW/ - The notice provides that the Corporation may,
during the 12 month period commencing May 12, 1998 and ending May 11, 1999,
purchase on The Alberta Stock Exchange up to 675,000 Class A Shares and up to
125,000 Class B Shares in total, being approximately 10% of the ''public
float''. The price which the Corporation will pay for any such shares will be
the market price at the time of acquisition. The actual number of Class A
Shares and Class B Shares which may be purchased and the timing of any such
purchases will be determined by the Corporation, up to a maximum of 2% of the
outstanding Class A Shares or Class B Shares, in any one month. There are
approximately 8,789,683 Class A Shares and 1,381,856 Class B Shares of the
Corporation outstanding with the public float amounting to approximately
6,849,783 Class A Shares and 1,281,896 Class B Shares.

The Corporation believes that its Class A Shares and Class B Shares have
been trading in a price range which does not adequately reflect their value in
relation to the Corporation's business and its future business prospects. As
a result, depending upon future price movements and other factors, the
Corporation believes that its outstanding Class A Shares and Class B Shares
may represent an attractive investment and a desirable use of a portion of its
available funds. The Corporation purchased 383,700 Class A Shares and 36,600
Class B Shares under a previous normal course issuer bid which commenced on
May 12, 1997 and terminated on May 11, 1998.

Lexxor Energy Inc's business is the exploration for, and development and
production of, oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids in Alberta, British
Columbia and Saskatchewan. The Corporation's Class A Shares and Class B
Shares are listed on The Alberta Stock Exchange, symbols LXX.A and LXX.B,
respectively.



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (10605)5/8/1998 10:09:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
CORP. / Para-Tech Energy announcement

CALGARY, May 8 /CNW/ - Para-Tech Energy Corporation is pleased to
announce the company has received approval from The Alberta Stock Exchange to:

(a) retain the services of Tony Nunziata as an Investor Relations
Consultant for Para-Tech on approximately a 50% full time
basis with remuneration by way of a monthly consulting fee;

(b) grant 100,000 stock options to Tony Nunziata with an exercise
price of $0.38 per share expiring 30 days after Mr. Nunziata's
services terminate on May 15, 2001 (whichever is earlier).




To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (10605)5/8/1998 10:15:00 PM
From: Arnie  Read Replies (5) | Respond to of 15196
 
CORP. / Bison Resources announces amendment to Transaction

CALGARY, May 8 /CNW/ - Bison Resources Ltd. (''Bison'') (ASE: BIS.A.)
announces that Bison has amended the terms of its major transaction
(originally announced on December 31, 1997) to acquire 100% of the shares of
Lupine Investment Corporation (''Lupine'') to reduce the number of shares
issuable to the vendors from 1,000,000 to 500,000. The acquisition of Lupine
was completed on December 30, 1997 but payment or the agreed consideration was
delayed until completion of title review work. Bison agreed with the vendors
of the Lupine shares to accept a 50% reduction in the number of shares issued
as compensation for all unresolved title deficiencies. The original purchase
price (prior to working capital adjustments) was to be $500,000 payable
$250,000 in cash and 1,000,000 shares valued at $0.25 per share. The amended
purchase price (prior to working capital adjustments) is $500,000 payable
$250,000 in cash and 500,000 shares valued at $0.50 per share. It is
estimated that the working capital adjustment as of the November 30 effective
date will require an additional payment by Bison to the Lupine shareholders of
approximately $55,000.

As previously disclosed in earlier press releases, Bison has completed 2
private placements of shares. On December 31, 1997 Bison issued 1,000,000
flow-through shares at $0.35 per share ($350,000) and on January 9, 1998 Bison
issued 1,000,000 shares without flow-through benefits at $0.25 per share
($250,000).

Bison Resources Ltd. is a junior oil and gas pool corporation whose
shares are listed for trading on The Alberta Stock Exchange under the symbol
BIS.A.



To: Kerm Yerman who wrote (10605)5/9/1998 12:19:00 PM
From: Arnie  Respond to of 15196
 
HELP...HELP...HELP...HELP...HELP

In order for this site to stay active and up to date, Kerm needs help.
The time required is approximately 45 minutes per day. I found by helping Kerm I was up to date on the major events in the Oil and Gas world which helped me tremendously in my personal investing. I know Kerm personally and am aware of the many long hours per week he dedicates to this thread and to the Canadian Oil and Gas thread. No where else can YOU obtain the quantity and quality of information that Kerm supplies for free. How about SOMEBODY helping for a few months. I have to stop posting the end of next week for a few months due to an impending move. Please...Please...contact Kerm if you can help.

Arnie