Calgary, Alberta and Houston, Texas–(Newsfile Corp. – February 18, 2021) – PetroTal Corp. (TSX: TAL) (AIM: PTAL) (“PetroTal” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce its 2021 capital program of US$100 million. The program will be fully funded from the recently announced US$100 million bond issue, supplemented with funds generated from operations and existing cash resources.
The drilling focused development program is expected to start in March 2021 and continue through December 2021. The program is designed to enable PetroTal to more than double production from Q1 2021 to Q4 2021, and complete phase two of the highly scalable central processing facility (“CPF-2”) in Q3 2021. All amounts are quoted in US dollars.
2021 Capital Program Highlights
- Drill and complete three horizontal development wells, one deviated production well and a second water disposal well at the Bretana oil field;
- Complete the second phase of CPF-2 in Q3 2021, taking overall fluid production capacity up to 124,000 barrels per day, sufficient to handle 24,000 barrels of oil per day (“bopd”);
- Target average 2021 oil production between 11,000 and 12,000 bopd with a target 2021 exit range of 18,000 to 19,000 bopd,
- Generate cash flow (“EBITDA”) of approximately $90 million, based on a forecast Brent oil price of $50 per barrel flat;
- Total 2021 capital expenditures of $100 million, fully funded from proceeds of the recent $100 million bond issue, funds from operations and existing cash resources; and,
- In addition to ongoing Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) initiatives, PetroTal has allocated over $1 million in operating and capital spending for specific community investments.
2021 CAPITAL BUDGET
Based on the successful 2019 and 2020 drilling results, PetroTal will spud five new development wells at Block 95 costing approximately $7 million for the deviated well and between $12- $14 million per horizontal well. Four of these oil wells are expected to be producing in 2021, with the fifth well on production in February 2022. A second water disposal well is planned in May at an estimated cost of $9 million, providing an expected 50,000 barrels of water per day of additional disposal capacity and enabling oil production growth beyond 20,000 bopd.
Completion of CPF-2 in Q3 2021 for an estimated $12 million will boost fluid handling capacity to 124,000 barrels per day, sufficient for approximately 24,000 bopd. The additional investment will bring total investment in CPF-2 to $24 million, approximately $4 million less than the original estimate. Extensions to the loading dock to handle larger oil volumes and optimal integration of CPF-1 and CPF-2 will require $3 million. Commissioning CPF-2 for commencement in Q3 2021 is designed to facilitate our Q4 2021 average oil production target of between 16,000 and 17,000 bopd.
Remaining notable capital investments include injection pumps, electrical infrastructure, and various field and security upgrades. These smaller capital items will complement the expected operational pace and fluids growth profile throughout 2021. In addition, a $1 million workover on the 4H well will commence in March that will result in a higher capacity pump being installed. The 4H well has been shut in since late January due to a transformer failure during the commissioning of the new crude oil power generation plant, thereby causing issues with the original pump. With the enhanced capacity pump, the estimated lost production of approximately 100,000 barrels of oil will be recovered in Q3 2021 and will lead to consistently higher production rates and a higher estimated ultimate recovery for the 4H well.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Included in the 2021 operating and capital budget are amounts related to community and social focused projects. Notable items include over $1 million allocated for community upgrades to electricity and water systems, building infrastructure and a commitment to provide diesel at Bretaña for community use. In addition, as part of these corporate social awareness initiatives, PetroTal has delivered certified construction materials for a 200-meter bridge in the community of Urarinas. This will benefit more than 65 families, including 175 children, who will have direct access to their school, and can avoid commuting via boat. As in past years, PetroTal will continue to provide ongoing agricultural and aquaculture training to over 300 local families to promote the local economy. Additionally, as part of our overall COVID-19 protocol we continue assisting the local communities of the Bretana district with medical supplies and testing kits.
BLOCK 107
Approximately $1.8 million will be allocated for continued technical and permitting work at Block 107, representing approximately 2% of the 2021 total capital program.
| Capital Budget Summary | $ millions |
| Drilling and Completion | $68 |
| Production Facilities | $13 |
| Infrastructure and ESG | $17 |
| Other – Block 107 | $2 |
| Total 2021 Capital Budget | $100 |
PRODUCTION GUIDANCE
With this capital program, PetroTal estimates 2021 average production of between 11,000 and 12,000 bopd, an increase from the 2020 average production of 5,675 bopd, and well above the Q4 2020 average production of 6,413 bopd.
The first 2021 development well is expected to be on production in April and increase oil production rates to pre-May 2020 shut-in levels of between 10,500 and 11,500 bopd, inclusive of base reservoir declines. In addition, before the end of June 2021, PetroTal will drill a water disposal well, resulting in H1 2021 average production of 9,000 to 10,000 bopd, equivalent to the Q1 2020 pre COVID-19 rate. Three additional horizontal development wells are expected on production through H2 2021 with the final well of the 2021 program drilled in late 2021 and on production in early February 2022. Production is expected to average between 14,000 and 15,000 bopd in H2 2021.
PRODUCTION AND CAPITAL PROFILE
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | 2021 | |
| New oil wells completed* | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| New water disposal wells | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Oil production (bopd) | 7,000 – 8,000 | 10,000 – 11,000 |
11,500 -12,500 | 16,000 -17,000 | 11,000 -12,000 |
| Total CAPEX ($ millions) | 15 | 30 | 30 | 25 | 100 |
*Excludes one horizontal well to commence drilling in December 2021 and be completed in early 2022
CAPITAL PROGRAM FUNDING
The fully subscribed $100 million bond offering, which closed on February 16, 2021, allows PetroTal to kickstart its 2021 capital program in March 2021 and immediately commence near term operations without working capital constraints. The 2021 capital budget has been planned conservatively and is fundable down to an unhedged $44/bbl Brent flat for the remainder of 2021. At $50/bbl Brent flat, the 2021 budget is substantially funded out of cash flow by 2021 year end, allowing PetroTal the flexibility to allocate additional liquidity from the bond issuance to the highest return weighted projects, while maintaining strong credit metrics. With an enhanced risk management focus, PetroTal plans to implement a robust hedging program with an emphasis on protecting the 2021 capital budget and ensuring covenant compliance should oil prices fall materially from current levels. The program may include swaps, puts, and collars over the next twelve months’ production.
Manuel Pablo Zuniga-Pflucker, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented:
“We are excited about our early achievements in 2021. As a management team, we overcame many unique challenges in 2020 and we are now positioned stronger than before the pandemic. With the successful placement of our three year bond, we can pivot into a forward leaning position operationally and have the financial confidence to execute what we do best, namely development of the Bretana oil field. We believe our approved 2021 capital budget is balanced and paced appropriately to fit our short and long-term targets. Ongoing operational success and financial discipline will allow the Company to be rewarded in a rising oil price environment. We intend for 2021 to be a year of operational excellence as we continue to demonstrate our repeatable organic growth story to the market. Having additional liquidity will also allow our highly experienced technical team to evaluate further opportunities to the benefit of our stakeholders.
2021 will be a defining year for the Company as we look to double production and realize scale and synergies that compete with the best oil plays in the world. I would like to sincerely thank the entire PetroTal team, the Board, our shareholders, and our new bondholders for their continued support in what is an exciting period for PetroTal.”
Qualified Person’s Statement
Estuardo Alvarez-Calderon, the Company’s Vice President, Exploration and Development, who has over 35 years of relevant experience in the oil industry, has approved the technical information contained in this announcement. Mr. Alvarez-Calderon received a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of Texas at Austin and is registered on the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists.
ABOUT PETROTAL
PetroTal is a publicly traded, dual‐quoted (TSX: TAL) (AIM: PTAL) oil and gas development and production company domiciled in Calgary, Alberta, focused on the development of oil assets in Peru. PetroTal’s flagship asset is its 100% working interest in Bretana oil field in Peru’s Block 95 where oil production was initiated in June 2018, and in early 2020 became the second largest crude oil producer in Peru. Additionally, the Company has large exploration prospects and is engaged in finding a partner to drill the Osheki prospect in Block 107. The Company’s management team has significant experience in developing and exploring for oil in Northern Peru and is led by a Board of Directors that is focused on safely and cost effectively developing the Bretana oil field.
For further information, please see the Company’s website at www.petrotal-corp.com, the Company’s filed documents at www.sedar.com, or contact:
Douglas Urch
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Durch@PetroTal-Corp.com
T: (713) 609-9101
Manuel Pablo Zuniga-Pflucker
President and Chief Executive Officer
Mzuniga@PetroTal-Corp.com
T: (713) 609-9101
Celicourt Communications
Mark Antelme / Jimmy Lea
petrotal@celicourt.uk
T: 44 (0) 208 434 2643
Strand Hanson Limited (Nominated & Financial Adviser)
James Spinney / Ritchie Balmer
T: 44 (0) 207 409 3494
Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited (Joint Broker)
Callum Stewart / Simon Mensley / Ashton Clanfield
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7710 7600
Auctus Advisors LLP (Joint Broker)
Jonathan Wright / Rupert Holdsworth Hunt / Harry Baker
T: +44 (0) 7711 627449
READER ADVISORIES
FORWARD‐LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release contains certain statements that may be deemed to be forward‐looking statements. Such statements relate to possible future events, including, but not limited to: PetroTal’s business strategy, objectives, strength and focus; the $100 million bond issue and the closing thereof; drilling, water and other activities and the anticipated costs and results of such activities; the ability of the Company to achieve drilling success consistent with management’s expectations; anticipated future production and revenue; drilling plans including the timing of drilling; oil production levels, including average production and exit production in 2021; decline rates; the 2021 capital program and budget, including drilling plans, the proposed scale-up of CPF-2 and the timing thereof; development of Block 107; commitment to ESG principles; hedging program and the terms thereof; and future development and growth prospects. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward‐looking statements. Forward‐ looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “plan”, “estimate”, “potential”, “will”, “should”, “continue”, “may”, “objective” and similar expressions. The forward‐looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company, including, but not limited to, expectations and assumptions concerning the ability of existing infrastructure to deliver production and the anticipated capital expenditures associated therewith, reservoir characteristics, recovery factor, exploration upside, prevailing commodity prices and the actual prices received for PetroTal’s products, the availability and performance of drilling rigs, facilities, pipelines, other oilfield services and skilled labour, royalty regimes and exchange rates, the application of regulatory and licensing requirements, the accuracy of PetroTal’s geological interpretation of its drilling and land opportunities, current legislation, receipt of required regulatory approval, the success of future drilling and development activities, the performance of new wells, the Company’s growth strategy, general economic conditions and availability of required equipment and services. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward‐looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward‐looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward‐looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, risks associated with the oil and gas industry in general (e. g. , operational risks in development, exploration and production; delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the uncertainty of reserve estimates; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to production, costs and expenses; and health, safety and environmental risks), commodity price volatility, price differentials and the actual prices received for products, exchange rate fluctuations, legal, political and economic instability in Peru, access to transportation routes and markets for the Company’s production, changes in legislation affecting the oil and gas industry and uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures. In addition, the Company cautions that current global uncertainty with respect to the spread of the COVID-19 virus and its effect on the broader global economy may have a significant negative effect on the Company. While the precise impact of the COVID-19 virus on the Company remains unknown, rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus may continue to have a material adverse effect on global economic activity, and may continue to result in volatility and disruption to global supply chains, operations, mobility of people and the financial markets, which could affect interest rates, credit ratings, credit risk, inflation, business, financial conditions, results of operations and other factors relevant to the Company. Please refer to the risk factors identified in the Company’s annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2019 and management’s discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2019 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward‐looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward‐looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.
FOFI DISCLOSURE: This press release contains future oriented financial information and financial outlook information (collectively, “FOFI”) about PetroTal’s prospective results of operations, production and production capacity, operating costs, EBITDA, 2021 capital program and budget (including the expectation that such budget will be cash flow funded by 2021 year end), bond offering and components thereof, 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 press release was approved by management as of the date of this press release and was included for the purpose of providing further information about PetroTal’s anticipated future business operations. PetroTal disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any FOFI contained in this press 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 press release should not be used for purposes other than for which it is disclosed herein.
OIL REFERENCES: All references to “oil” or “crude oil” production, revenue or sales in this press release mean “heavy crude oil” as defined in National Instrument 51-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities.
Neither the 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 press release.
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