Veren Announces Q3 2024 Results & Updated Outlook
CALGARY, AB, Oct. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Veren Inc. ("Veren" or the "Company") (TSX: VRN) (NYSE: VRN) is pleased to announce its operating and financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, revised 2024 guidance, 2025 budget and updated five-year outlook.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
-- Generated third quarter excess cash flow of $114 million, with full year
2024 excess cash flow expected to total $625 million.
-- Returned $290 million to shareholders in dividends and share repurchases
year-to-date, including $85 million in third quarter.
-- Entered into a strategic infrastructure transaction, directing $400
million of net cash proceeds to debt reduction.
-- Expect year-end net debt of $2.5 billion, or 1.1x debt to funds flow,
reflecting $1.3 billion of total debt reduction in 2024.
-- Production results from Gold Creek West pad in the Alberta Montney rank
in the top one percent of wells in North America.
-- Disciplined and returns-focused 2025 budget expected to generate excess
cash flow of $575 million to $775 million.
"We continue to be excited about the quality of the resource and excess cash flow deliverability of our Kaybob Duvernay and Alberta Montney assets," said Craig Bryksa, President and CEO of Veren. "We have successfully enhanced our drilling efficiencies since entering each of these plays and are making adjustments to our completions design in the Alberta Montney to further enhance deliverability and returns. Under our disciplined and returns-focused budget for 2025 and five-year plan, we expect to generate significant excess cash flow and returns for shareholders."
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
-- Adjusted funds flow totaled $548.3 million during third quarter 2024, or
$0.89 per share diluted, driven by a strong operating netback of $34.09
per boe.
-- For the quarter ended September 30, 2024, development capital
expenditures, which included drilling and development, facilities and
seismic costs, totaled $395.9 million.
-- Veren's net debt as at September 30, 2024 was $3.0 billion. During the
quarter, the Company announced a strategic transaction related to the
sale of certain infrastructure assets in the Alberta Montney to Pembina
Gas Infrastructure ("PGI"), which included net cash proceeds of $400
million. Subsequent to the quarter, Veren successfully closed the
transaction and directed all proceeds toward its balance sheet. The
Company now expects its net debt to be $2.5 billion by year-end 2024.
-- Subsequent to the quarter, Veren successfully renewed and extended its
unsecured, covenant-based credit facilities with a maturity date of
November 2028. The Company also elected to cancel its $400 million
unsecured syndicated credit facility, decreasing the size of its
combined facilities to $2.4 billion. Veren currently has an unutilized
credit capacity of $1.5 billion.
-- The Company continues to hedge a portion of its production as part of
its ongoing commodity marketing and diversification program. Veren has
hedged 50 percent of its oil and liquids production and 30 percent of
its natural gas production for the remainder of 2024, net of royalty
interest. In the first half of 2025, Veren has hedged 35 percent of its
oil and liquids production and over 30 percent of its natural gas
production, net of royalty interest. The Company has also diversified
its pricing exposure for natural gas, resulting in the majority of its
production through 2026 receiving a combination of fixed prices and
pricing related to major U.S. markets.
-- Veren reported net income of $277.2 million, or $0.45 per share diluted,
for the quarter ended September 30, 2024.
RETURN OF CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS
-- During third quarter 2024, the Company returned $84.6 million to
shareholders, including the base dividend, for a total of $290 million
year-to-date. Veren remains committed to returning 60 percent of its
annual excess cash flow to shareholders through a combination of
dividends and share repurchases.
-- The Company repurchased 1.3 million shares for $13.7 million through its
normal course issuer bid ("NCIB") during third quarter. Year-to-date,
Veren has repurchased 6.9 million shares under its NCIB.
-- Subsequent to the quarter, the Company's Board of Directors declared a
quarterly cash base dividend of $0.115 per share payable on January 2,
2025, to shareholders of record on December 15, 2024.
OPERATIONAL UPDATE
-- Average production in third quarter 2024 was 184,829 boe/d (65% oil and
liquids). Veren's third quarter production reflects the full impact of
the disposition of non-core assets in Saskatchewan, which closed in late
second quarter, in addition to unplanned third-party facilities downtime
and capacity constraints within some of the Company's Alberta Montney
infrastructure. Veren plans to accelerate incremental capital spending
during the remainder of the year to implement several recently
identified facilities projects to improve infrastructure and reduce
future downtime in the play. Excluding the impact of the disposition and
downtime, Veren's production grew by approximately 6,000 boe/d between
second and third quarter 2024.
-- Veren tested a plug-and-perforation ("P&P") completions design on wells
in the Gold Creek area of its Alberta Montney in 2024 as part of its
efforts to continuously seek additional efficiencies. The Company
brought on stream two multi-well pads in this area with average peak
30-day rates of 600 to 900 boe/d per well (60% light oil, 10% NGLs) and
recently brought on stream two additional multi-well pads that have been
flowing for less than 30 days, using the P&P design. These wells are
economic and were completed at a lower cost than wells completed using
the single-point entry ("SPE") design in this area. However, production
has underperformed the SPE completed wells which generated an average
peak 30-day rate of 1,200 boe/d per well in 2023. While significantly
enhancing the Company's knowledge of the play, Veren has determined that
the results do not support moving away from using SPE design in this
area. The Company's development plan going forward, as reflected in its
revised 2024 guidance, 2025 guidance and the five-year plan,
incorporates the use of SPE design in the Gold Creek area.
-- In the Karr area of the Alberta Montney, Veren has brought on stream two
multi-well pads to date which were completed using the P&P design,
generating average peak 30-day rates of 1,000 to 1,300 boe/d per well
(70% light oil, 5% NGLs). The Company is testing SPE completions design
in this area with three additional multi-well pads that are expected to
be on stream between late 2024 and early 2025.
-- Wells within the Company's most recent Gold Creek West pad in the
Alberta Montney ranked amongst the top one percent of all oil and
liquids wells brought on stream in North America over the last three
years based on an initial production rate of 180 days. This four well
pad was originally brought on stream in first quarter 2024 and generated
a peak 30-day rate of 2,000 boe/d per well (80% light oil, 5% NGLs).
Strong performance from this pad has resulted in average cumulative
production of 450,000 boe (70% light oil, 5% NGLs) per well over its
first nine months, while currently producing at a rate of 1,800 boe/d
per well. The Company expects to bring on stream an adjacent seven well
pad in early 2025. Veren is also expanding capacity at its facility in
the area in fourth quarter 2024 to accommodate increasing expected
production from future pads. Veren has over 300 net internally
identified drilling locations in this area.
-- In the Kaybob Duvernay, Veren brought three multi-well pads on stream in
the Volatile Oil window during third quarter with average peak 30-day
rates of 800 to 1,300 boe/d per well (70% condensate, 5% NGLs), further
demonstrating the consistency of Veren's operational execution and
results in the play. These pads included wells drilled on the eastern
portion of the Company's land position, further delineating Veren's
acreage in the area. The Company is currently completing additional
delineation wells on the western portion of its land position which it
expects to bring on stream in fourth quarter 2024.
-- Veren continues to target efficiency improvements through knowledge
transfer across its assets to enhance overall returns. In the Alberta
Montney and Kaybob Duvernay, the Company has reduced average drilling
days per 1,000 meter lateral length by approximately 20 percent and 30
percent, respectively, since entering these plays.
-- In its Southeast Saskatchewan operations, the Company continues to
progress its open-hole multi-lateral ("OHML") development. Veren
recently brought on stream a step-out well on the eastern portion of its
lands which generated a strong peak 30-day rate of 250 bbl/d (100% light
oil) and plans to bring additional wells on stream through the remainder
of the year.
Adjusted funds flow, adjusted funds flow per share diluted, excess cash flow, operating netback, development capital expenditures, total return of capital, net debt, net debt to adjusted funds flow and base dividends are specified financial measures - refer to the Specified Financial Measures section in this press release for further information. All
financial figures are approximate and in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted. This press release contains forward-looking information and references to specified financial measures. Significant related assumptions and risk factors, and reconciliations are described under the Specified Financial Measures, Forward-Looking Statements and Reserves
and Drilling Data sections of this press release, respectively. Further information breaking down the production information contained in this press release by product type can be found in the "Product Type Production Information" section of this press release.
UPDATED 2024 GUIDANCE
-- Veren now expects to generate annual average production of 191,000 boe/d
(65% oil and liquids) in 2024. The Company also expects its 2024 annual
development capital expenditures to be $1.45 billion to $1.50 billion,
reflecting incremental capital spending on facilities projects and
changes to further optimize its completions design in the Alberta
Montney, partially offset by a reallocation of development capital from
its Saskatchewan assets.
-- Based on US$75/bbl WTI and $1.50/Mcf AECO for the full year, the Company
expects to generate excess cash flow of $625 million in 2024. Veren
expects to exit the year with net debt of $2.5 billion, reflecting a
total reduction of $1.3 billion in 2024.
2025 GUIDANCE
-- Based on the current commodity price outlook, Veren expects its
development capital expenditures to total $1.48 billion to $1.58 billion
in 2025, generating annual average production of 188,000 to 196,000
boe/d (65% oil and liquids). Adjusting for non-core asset dispositions
in 2024, the mid-point of the 2025 production guidance range represents
growth of 10,000 boe/d, or five percent, year-over-year.
-- Approximately 85 percent of the Company's 2025 budget is allocated to
its Alberta Montney and Kaybob Duvernay plays, which provide top
quartile returns, scalability and quick well payouts. In the Alberta
Montney, the company has allocated incremental capital for recently
identified facilities projects to increase capacity in the play. The
remaining capital budget is allocated to Veren's long-cycle, low-decline
Saskatchewan assets, which generate among the highest operating netbacks
in the portfolio and significant excess cash flow. Consistent with its
capital allocation framework, the Company's annual budget also includes
a portion of capital allocated to long-term projects, such as decline
mitigation, and various environmental initiatives.
-- Under its 2025 budget, the Company expects to generate excess cash flow
of $575 million to $775 million at US$70/bbl to US$75/bbl WTI and
$2.50/Mcf AECO, allowing for significant returns to shareholders and
further strengthening of the balance sheet. Veren will continue to
target the return of 60 percent of its excess cash flow to shareholders,
with plans to increase the percentage of excess cash flow returned as
the Company further reduces its debt. Veren maintains a strong balance
sheet with ample liquidity, access to the investment-grade institutional
debt market and an active hedging program to mitigate against commodity
price volatility.
-- Veren will monitor the macroeconomic environment, including results from
the upcoming OPEC meeting, and will retain flexibility to lower its
overall capital budget and allocation in response to weakness in
commodity prices. The Company will continue to prioritize operational
execution, strengthening and optimizing its balance sheet and increasing
its return of capital to shareholders.
UPDATED FIVE-YEAR PLAN
-- Veren's annual average production is forecast to grow to 250,000 boe/d
in 2029 under its updated five-year plan, driven by its Alberta Montney
and Kaybob Duvernay assets. The Company expects to generate $3.9 billion
of cumulative after-tax excess cash flow at US$70/bbl WTI and $3.00/Mcf
AECO. Under the updated five-year plan, the Company expects to generate
excess cash flow per share growth of over 10 percent on a compounded
annual basis, similar to its prior plan.
CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS
Veren's management will host a conference call on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. MT (12:00 p.m. ET) to discuss the Company's results and outlook. A slide deck will accompany the conference call and can be found on Veren's website.
Participants can listen to this event online via webcast. To join the call without operator assistance, participants may register online by entering their phone number to receive an instant automated call back. Alternatively, the conference call can be accessed with operated assistance by dialing 1?888?510?2154. Participants will be able to take part in a question and answer session through both the webcast dashboard and the conference line following management's opening remarks.
The webcast will be archived for replay and can be accessed online. The replay will be available shortly after the call's completion.
The Company's most recent investor presentation is available on Veren's website.
2024 GUIDANCE
The Company's guidance for 2024 is as follows:
Prior Revised
Total Annual Average Production (boe/d)
(1) 192,500 -
197,500 191,000
Development Capital Expenditures ($ millions) (2)
$1,400 - $1,500
$1,450 - $1,500
Other Information for 2024 Guidance
Annual operating expenses ($/boe)
$12.50 - $13.50 $13.50
Royalties 10.00% - 11.00% 10.00% - 11.00%
1)
Revised total annual average production (boe/d) is comprised of approximately 65% Oil, Condensate & NGLs and 35% Natural Gas
2) Specified financial measure that does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and, therefore may not be comparable with the
calculation of similar measures presented by other entities. Refer to the Specified Financial Measures section for further information. Excludes
capitalized administration of approximately $40 million, in addition to land expenditures and net property acquisitions and dispositions.
Revised development capital expenditures spend is allocated on an approximate basis as follows: 90% drilling & development and 10% facilities &
seismic
2025 GUIDANCE
The Company's guidance for 2025 is as follows:
Total Annual Average Production (boe/d)
(1) 188,000 -
196,000
Development Capital Expenditures ($ millions) (2)
$1,475 - $1,575
Other Information for 2025 Guidance
Annual operating expenses ($/boe)
$12.75 - $13.75
Royalties 10.75% - 11.75%
1)
Total annual average production (boe/d) is comprised of approximately 65% Oil, Condensate & NGLs and 35% Natural Gas
2) Specified financial measure that does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and, therefore may not be comparable with the
calculation of similar measures presented by other entities. Refer to the Specified Financial Measures section for further information Excludes
capitalized administration of approximately $40 million, in addition to land expenditures and net property acquisitions and dispositions.
Development capital expenditures spend is allocated on an approximate basis as follows: 85% drilling & development and 15% facilities & seismic
RETURN OF CAPITAL OUTLOOK
Base Dividend
Current quarterly base dividend per share $0.115
Total Return of Capital
% of excess cash flow (1) 60 %
1) Total return of capital is based on a framework that targets to return to shareholders 60% of excess
cash flow on an annual basis
The Company's unaudited consolidated financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, will be available on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval ("SEDAR+") at www.sedarplus.ca, on EDGAR at www.sec.gov and on Veren's website at www.vrn.com.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
Three months ended September Nine months ended September
30 30
(Cdn$ millions except per share and per boe amounts) 2024 2023 2024 2023
Financial
Cash flow from operating activities 561.7 648.9 1,598.7 1,584.4
Adjusted funds flow from operations (1) 548.3 687.1 1,728.2 1,764.6
Per share (1) (2) 0.89 1.28 2.79 3.24
Net income (loss) 277.2 (809.9) 126.5 (380.9)
Per share (2) 0.45 (1.52) 0.20 (0.70)
Adjusted net earnings from operations (1) 177.0 315.5 601.8 739.8
Per share (1) (2) 0.29 0.59 0.97 1.36
Dividends declared 70.9 71.7 213.9 143.6
Per share (2) 0.115 0.135 0.345 0.267
Net debt (1) 2,959.4 2,876.2 2,959.4 2,876.2
Net debt to adjusted funds flow from operations (1) (3) 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic 616.6 534.3 618.4 542.0
Diluted 617.5 536.9 620.0 544.8
Operating
Average daily production
Crude oil and condensate (bbls/d) 102,373 114,997 108,769 103,094
NGLs (bbls/d) 16,859 21,635 17,656 19,519
Natural gas (mcf/d) 393,582 263,694 393,347 215,012
Total (boe/d) 184,829 180,581 191,983 158,448
Average selling prices (4)
Crude oil and condensate ($/bbl) 95.05 105.24 95.65 97.72
NGLs ($/bbl) 34.64 27.45 35.99 30.40
Natural gas ($/mcf) 1.21 2.81 1.97 3.19
Total ($/boe) 58.39 74.42 61.54 71.65
Netback ($/boe)
Oil and gas sales 58.39 74.42 61.54 71.65
Royalties (6.36) (9.67) (6.43) (9.46)
Operating expenses (13.48) (14.58) (13.68) (14.75)
Transportation expenses (4.46) (3.03) (4.51) (2.99)
Operating netback(1) 34.09 47.14 36.92 44.45
Realized gain (loss) on commodity derivatives 1.98 (0.57) 0.66 0.20
Other (5) (3.83) (5.21) (4.73) (3.86)
Adjusted funds flow from operations netback (1) 32.24 41.36 32.85 40.79
Capital Expenditures
Capital acquisitions (6) 26.4 1.1 26.4 2,075.8
Capital dispositions (6) (1.4) (0.2) (648.3) (11.2)
Development capital expenditures (1)
Drilling and development 354.7 285.1 1,023.4 777.8
Facilities and seismic 41.2 30.4 121.7 82.0
Total 395.9 315.5 1,145.1 859.8
Land expenditures 1.1 23.0 36.2 31.4
(1) Specified financial measure that does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and, therefore, may not be comparable with the
calculation of similar measures presented by other entities. Refer to the Specified Financial Measures section for further information.
(2)
The per share amounts (with the exception of dividends per share) are the per share - diluted amounts.
(3) Net debt to adjusted funds flow from operations is calculated as the period end net debt divided by the sum of adjusted funds flow from
operations for the trailing four quarters.
(4)
The average selling prices reported are before realized derivatives and transportation.
(5) Other includes net purchased products, general and administrative expenses, interest on long-term debt, foreign exchange, cash-settled share-
based compensation and certain cash items and excludes transaction costs, foreign exchange on US dollar long-term debt and certain non-cash
items.
(6) Capital acquisitions and dispositions, net represent total consideration for the transactions, including long-term debt and working capital
assumed, and exclude transaction costs.
FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Three months ended September Nine months ended September
30 30
(Cdn$ millions except per share and per boe amounts) 2024 2023 2024 2023
Financial
Cash flow from operating activities from continuing operations 561.7 537.1 1,598.7 1,272.8
Adjusted funds flow from continuing operations (1) 548.3 548.6 1,728.2 1,440.6
Per share (1) (2) 0.89 1.02 2.79 2.64
Net income from continuing operations 277.2 133.6 139.2 496.8
Per share (2) 0.45 0.25 0.22 0.92
Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations (1) 177.0 226.6 601.8 585.8
Per share (1) (2) 0.29 0.42 0.97 1.08
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic 616.6 534.3 618.4 542.0
Diluted 617.5 536.9 620.0 544.8
Operating
Average daily production from continuing operations
Crude oil and condensate (bbls/d) 102,373 92,824 108,769 85,372
NGLs (bbls/d) 16,859 16,119 17,656 14,690
Natural gas (mcf/d) 393,582 244,777 393,347 198,796
Production from continuing operations (boe/d) 184,829 149,739 191,983 133,195
Average selling prices from continuing operations (3)
Crude oil and condensate ($/bbl) 95.05 104.15 95.65 96.34
NGLs ($/bbl) 34.64 30.81 35.99 33.72
Natural gas ($/mcf) 1.21 2.83 1.97 3.16
Total ($/boe) 58.39 72.50 61.54 70.19
Netback from Continuing Operations ($/boe)
Oil and gas sales 58.39 72.50 61.54 70.19
Royalties (6.36) (7.23) (6.43) (7.41)
Operating expenses (13.48) (15.55) (13.68) (15.57)
Transportation expenses (4.46) (3.32) (4.51) (3.25)
Operating netback (1) 34.09 46.40 36.92 43.96
Realized gain (loss) on commodity derivatives 1.98 (0.36) 0.66 0.36
Other (4) (3.83) (6.22) (4.73) (4.70)
Adjusted funds flow from continuing operations netback (1) 32.24 39.82 32.85 39.62
Capital Expenditures
Development capital expenditures from continuing operations (1) 395.9 260.4 1,145.1 568.9
(1) Specified financial measure that does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and, therefore, may not be comparable with the
calculation of similar measures presented by other entities. Refer to the Specified Financial Measures section for further information.
(2)
The per share amounts (with the exception of dividends per share) are the per share - diluted amounts.
(3)
The average selling prices reported are before realized derivatives and transportation.
(4) Other includes net purchased products, general and administrative expenses, interest on long-term debt, foreign exchange, cash-settled share-
based compensation and certain cash items and excludes transaction costs, foreign exchange on US dollar long-term debt and certain non-cash
items.
Specified Financial Measures
Throughout this press release, the Company uses the terms "total operating netback", "total operating netback from continuing operations", "total netback", "total netback from continuing operations", "operating netback", "netback", "adjusted funds flow from operations" (or "adjusted FFO"), "adjusted funds flow from operations per share - diluted", "adjusted funds flow from continuing operations", "adjusted funds flow from continuing operations per share - diluted", "adjusted funds flow from discontinued operations", "adjusted funds flow from operations netback", "adjusted funds flow from continuing operations netback", "excess cash flow", "base dividends", "total return of capital", "adjusted working capital deficiency", "net debt", "net debt to adjusted funds flow from operations", "adjusted net earnings from operations", "adjusted net earnings from operations per share - diluted", "adjusted net earnings from continuing operations", "adjusted net earnings from continuing operations per share - diluted", "adjusted net earnings from discontinued operations", "development capital expenditures", "development capital expenditures from continuing operations", and "development capital expenditures from discontinued operations". These terms do not have any standardized meaning as prescribed by IFRS and, therefore, may not be comparable with the calculation of similar measures presented by other issuers. For information on the composition of these measures and how the Company uses these measures, refer to the Specified Financial Measures section of the Company's MD&A for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, which section is incorporated herein by reference, and available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.
Adjusted funds flow from operations netback is a non-GAAP financial ratio and is calculated as adjusted funds flow from operations divided by total production. Adjusted funds flow from operations netback is a common metric used in the oil and gas industry and is used to measure operating results on a per boe basis.
The following table reconciles oil and gas sales to total operating netback from continuing operations, total netback from continuing operations and total adjusted funds flow from continuing operations netback:
Three months ended September Nine months ended September
30 30
($ millions) 2024 2023 % Change 2024 2023 % Change
Oil and gas sales 992.9 998.7 (1) 3,237.2 2,552.3 27
Royalties (108.2) (99.6) 9 (338.0) (269.4) 25
Operating expenses (229.3) (214.2) 7 (719.8) (566.0) 27
Transportation expenses (75.9) (45.8) 66 (237.4) (118.3) 101
Total operating netback from continuing operations 579.5 639.1 (9) 1,942.0 1,598.6 21
Realized gain (loss) on commodity derivatives 33.6 (4.9) (786) 34.7 13.0 167
Total netback from continuing operations 613.1 634.2 (3) 1,976.7 1,611.6 23
Other (1) (64.8) (85.6) (24) (248.5) (171.0) 45
Total adjusted funds flow from continuing operations netback 548.3 548.6 1,728.2 1,440.6 20
(1) Other includes net purchased products, general and administrative expenses, interest on long-term debt, foreign exchange, cash-settled share-
based compensation and certain cash items and excludes transaction costs, foreign exchange on US dollar long-term debt and certain non-cash
items.
The following table reconciles cash flow from operating activities to adjusted funds flow from operations and excess cash flow:
Three months ended September Nine months ended September
30 30
($ millions) 2024 2023 (1) % Change 2024 2023 (1) % Change
Cash flow from operating activities 561.7 648.9 (13) 1,598.7 1,584.4 1
Changes in non-cash working capital (29.3) 27.1 (208) 84.8 136.9 (38)
Transaction costs 1.8 0.3 500 16.0 16.7 (4)
Decommissioning expenditures (2) 14.1 10.8 31 28.7 26.6 8
Adjusted funds flow from operations 548.3 687.1 (20) 1,728.2 1,764.6 (2)
Development capital and other expenditures (404.7) (351.9) 15 (1,210.3) (928.4) 30
Payments on principal portion of lease liability (9.2) (5.6) 64 (26.6) (16.2) 64
Decommissioning expenditures (14.1) (10.8) 31 (28.7) (26.6) 8
Unrealized gain (loss) on equity derivative contracts (6.2) 6.4 (197) (6.8) (23.6) (71)
Transaction costs (1.8) (0.3) 500 (16.0) (16.7) (4)
Other items (3) 1.3 (3.3) (139) (2.0) (0.3) 567
Excess cash flow 113.6 321.6 (65) 437.8 752.8 (42)
(1) Comparative period revised to reflect current period
presentation.
(2) Excludes amounts received from government grant
programs.
(3) Other items exclude net acquisitions and
dispositions.
The following table reconciles cash flow from operating activities from discontinued operations to adjusted funds flow from discontinued operations:
Three months ended September Nine months ended September
30 30
($ millions) 2024 2023 % Change 2024 2023 % Change
Cash flow from operating activities from discontinued operations 111.8 (100) 311.6 (100)
Changes in non-cash working capital 26.7 (100) 12.4 (100)
Adjusted funds flow from discontinued operations 138.5 (100) 324.0 (100)
The following tables reconcile cash flow from operating activities and adjusted funds flow from operations from continuing and discontinued operations:
Three months ended September Nine months ended September
30 30
($ millions) 2024 2023 % Change 2024 2023 % Change
Cash flow from operating activities from continuing operations 561.7 537.1 5 1,598.7 1,272.8 26
Cash flow from operating activities from discontinued operations 111.8 (100) 311.6 (100)
Cash flow from operating activities 561.7 648.9 (13) 1,598.7 1,584.4 1
Three months ended September Nine months ended September
30 30
($ millions) 2024 2023 % Change 2024 2023 % Change
Adjusted funds flow from continuing operations 548.3 548.6 1,728.2 1,440.6 20
Adjusted funds flow from discontinued operations 138.5 (100) 324.0 (100)
Adjusted funds flow from operations 548.3 687.1 (20) 1,728.2 1,764.6 (2)
Adjusted funds flow from operations per share - diluted is a supplementary financial measure and is calculated as adjusted funds flow from operations divided by the number of weighted average diluted shares outstanding.
The following table reconciles adjusted working capital deficiency:
($ millions) September 30, 2024 December 31, 2023 % Change
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 566.0 634.9 (11)
Dividends payable 70.9 56.8 25
Long-term compensation liability (1) 48.1 66.8 (28)
Cash (8.2) (17.3) (53)
Accounts receivable (323.7) (377.9) (14)
Prepaids and deposits (102.4) (87.8) 17
Deferred consideration receivable (2) (60.3) (79.2) (24)
Adjusted working capital deficiency 190.4 196.3 (3)
(1)
Includes current portion of long-term compensation liability and is net of equity derivative contracts.
(2) Deferred consideration receivable is comprised of $49.5 million included in other current assets and $10.8 million included in other long-term
assets (December 31, 2023 - $79.2 million in other current assets and nil in other long-term assets).
The following table reconciles long-term debt to net debt:
($ millions) September 30, 2024 December 31, 2023 % Change
Long-term debt (1) 2,776.7 3,566.3 (22)
Adjusted working capital deficiency 190.4 196.3 (3)
Unrealized foreign exchange on translation of hedged US dollar long-term debt (7.7) (24.5) (69)
Net debt 2,959.4 3,738.1 (21)
(1) Includes current portion of long-
term debt.
The following table reconciles net income (loss) to adjusted net earnings from operations:
Three months ended September Nine months ended September
30 30
($ millions) 2024 2023 % Change 2024 2023 % Change
Net income (loss) 277.2 (809.9) (134) 126.5 (380.9) (133)
Amortization of E&E undeveloped land 31.2 11.0 184 90.6 18.9 379
Impairment 773.8 (100) 512.3 773.8 (34)
Unrealized derivative (gains) losses (146.6) 35.4 (514) 11.1 155.5 (93)
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss on translation of hedged US dollar long-term debt (16.2) 55.9 (129) (14.6) (73.2) (80)
Net (gain) loss on capital dispositions (0.3) (0.1) 200 10.4 (4.2) (348)
Deferred tax adjustments 31.7 249.4 (87) (134.5) 249.9 (154)
Adjusted net earnings from operations 177.0 315.5 (44) 601.8 739.8 (19)
The following table reconciles net income (loss) from discontinued operations to adjusted net earnings from discontinued operations:
Three months ended September Nine months ended September
30 30
($ millions) 2024 2023 % Change 2024 2023 % Change
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations (943.5) (100) (12.7) (877.7) (99)
Amortization of E&E undeveloped land 0.1 (100) 0.1 (100)
Impairment 728.4 (100) 728.4 (100)
Unrealized derivative loss 24.0 (100) 24.0 (100)
Net loss on capital dispositions 12.7 100
Deferred tax adjustments 279.9 (100) 279.2 (100)
Adjusted net earnings from discontinued operations 88.9 (100) 154.0 (100)
The following table reconciles adjusted net earnings from continuing and discontinued operations:
Three months ended September Nine months ended September
30 30
($ millions) 2024 2023 % Change 2024 2023 % Change
Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations 177.0 226.6 (22) 601.8 585.8 3
Adjusted net earnings from discontinued operations 88.9 (100) 154.0 (100)
Adjusted net earnings from operations 177.0 315.5 (44) 601.8 739.8 (19)
The following table reconciles development capital and other expenditures to development capital expenditures:
Three months ended September Nine months ended September
30 30
($ millions) 2024 2023 % Change 2024 2023 % Change
Development capital and other expenditures 404.7 351.9 15 1,210.3 928.4 30
Payments on drilling rig lease liabilities 3.3 100 9.6 100
Land expenditures (1.1) (23.0) (95) (36.2) (31.4) 15
Capitalized administration (1) (9.9) (11.9) (17) (34.9) (33.4) 4
Corporate assets (1.1) (1.5) (27) (3.7) (3.8) (3)
Development capital expenditures 395.9 315.5 25 1,145.1 859.8 33
(1) Capitalized administration excludes capitalized
equity-settled SBC.
The following table reconciles development capital expenditures from continuing and discontinued operations:
Three months ended September Nine months ended September
30 30
($ millions) 2024 2023 % Change 2024 2023 % Change
Development capital expenditures from continuing operations 395.9 260.4 52 1,145.1 568.9 101
Development capital expenditures from discontinued operations 55.1 (100) 290.9 (100)
Development capital expenditures 395.9 315.5 25 1,145.1 859.8 33
Total return of capital is a supplementary financial measure and is comprised of base dividends, special dividends and share repurchases, adjusted for the timing of special dividend payments.
Excess cash flow for 2024 is a forward-looking non-GAAP measures and is calculated consistently with the measures disclosed in the Company's MD&A. Refer to the Specified Financial Measures section of the Company's MD&A for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.
Management believes the presentation of the specified financial measures above provide useful information to investors and shareholders as the measures provide increased transparency and the ability to better analyze performance against prior periods on a comparable basis.
Notice to US Readers
All amounts in the news release are stated in Canadian dollars unless otherwise specified.
Forward-Looking Statements
Any "financial outlook" or "future oriented financial information" in this press release, as defined by applicable securities legislation has been approved by management of Veren. Such financial outlook or future oriented financial information is provided for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and "forward-looking information" for the purposes of Canadian securities regulation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). The Company has tried to identify such forward-looking statements by use of such words as "could", "should", "can", "anticipate", "expect", "believe", "will", "may", "intend", "projected", "sustain", "continues", "strategy", "potential", "projects", "grow", "take advantage", "estimate", "well-positioned" and other similar expressions, but these words are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.
In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements pertaining, among other things, to the following: expected 2024 excess cash flow, year-end 2024 net debt and net debt to funds flow at the commodity prices specified; disciplined and returns-focused budget for 2025 expected to generate excess cash flow as specified herein; 2024 debt reduction; quality of resources and excess cash flow deliverability of the Kaybob Duvernay and Alberta Montney; further productivity in the Kaybob Duvernay and Alberta Montney; 2025 budget and five-year plan expected to generate significant excess cash flow and returns for shareholders; extent and benefits of hedging; diversification of pricing exposure; return of capital commitments; return of capital outlook, percentage of annual excess cash flow to be returned to shareholders and methods thereof; incremental capital to implement several previously identified facilities projects to improve infrastructure and reduce future downtime in the Alberta Montney; expectations of the P&P and SPE completions designs; timing to bring on stream three multi-well pads in the Karr area using SPE design; using the SPE completions design moving forward; bringing on Alberta Montney seven well pad in early 2025; expanded capacity in its facility in the Alberta Montney in fourth quarter 2024 and benefits and capabilities thereof; drilling locations in Gold Creek West; timing to bring on stream additional delineation wells in the Kaybob Duvernay; timing for additional OHML wells to come on stream and benefits thereof; Veren's priorities; Veren's 2025 guidance; Veren's 2024 and 2025 production (including oil and liquids percentages) and development capital expenditures guidance (and components thereof); and other information for Veren's 2024 and 2025 guidance, including capitalized administration, annual operating expenses and royalties; 2025 budget allocation by area and and area attributes, expectations and focuses; capital allocated to long-term projects; five-year plan production forecast by 2029 (and drivers thereof) and expected cumulative after-tax excess cash flow at the commodity prices specified; expected excess cash flow per share growth under the five-year plan; 2024 and 2025 outlook; 2025 budget excess cash generation at the commodity prices specified; 2025 budget allowing for significant returns to shareholders and further strengthening the balance sheet; return of capital outlook, including base dividend, and the additional return of capital targeted as a percentage of excess cash flow; plans to increase the percentage of excess cash flow returned to shareholders as it further reduces debt; portion of excess cash flow directed to debt repayment; strong balance sheet, ample liquidity, access to investment-grade institutional debt market and active hedging program; 2025 budget characteristics and responsiveness; flexibility in overall capital budget and allocation in response to commodity prices; and that the Company will continue to prioritize operational execution, strengthening and optimizing its balance sheet and increasing its return of capital to shareholders.
Statements relating to "reserves" are also deemed to be forward-looking statements, as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, that the reserves described exist in the quantities predicted or estimated and that the reserves can be profitably produced in the future. Actual reserve values may be greater than or less than the estimates provided herein.
Unless otherwise noted, reserves referenced herein are given as at December 31, 2023. Also, estimates of reserves and future net revenue for individual properties may not reflect the same confidence level as estimates and future net revenue for all properties due to the effect of aggregation. All required reserve information for the Company is contained in its Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023, which is accessible at www.sedarplus.ca.
With respect to disclosure contained herein regarding resources other than reserves, there is uncertainty that it will be commercially viable to produce any portion of the resources and there is significant uncertainty regarding the ultimate recoverability of such resources.
All forward-looking statements are based on Veren's beliefs and assumptions based on information available at the time the assumption was made. Veren believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this report should not be unduly relied upon. By their nature, such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which could cause actual results or other expectations to differ materially from those anticipated, expressed or implied by such statements, including those material risks discussed in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023 under "Risk Factors" and our Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023, under the headings "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Information" and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, under the headings "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Information". The material assumptions are disclosed in the Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023, under the headings "Capital Expenditures", "Liquidity and Capital Resources", "Critical Accounting Estimates", "Risk Factors" and "Changes in Accounting Policies" and in the Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, under the headings "Overview", "Commodity Derivatives", "Liquidity and Capital Resources", "Guidance", "Royalties" and "Operating Expenses". In addition, risk factors include: financial risk of marketing reserves at an acceptable price given market conditions; volatility in market prices for oil and natural gas, decisions or actions of OPEC and non-OPEC countries in respect of supplies of oil and gas; delays in business operations or delivery of services due to pipeline restrictions, rail blockades, outbreaks, pandemics, and blowouts; the risk of carrying out operations with minimal environmental impact; industry conditions including changes in laws and regulations including the adoption of new environmental laws and regulations and changes in how they are interpreted and enforced; uncertainties associated with estimating oil and natural gas reserves; risks and uncertainties related to oil and gas interests and operations on Indigenous lands; economic risk of finding and producing reserves at a reasonable cost; uncertainties associated with partner plans and approvals; operational matters related to non-operated properties; increased competition for, among other things, capital, acquisitions of reserves and undeveloped lands; competition for and availability of qualified personnel or management; incorrect assessments of the value and likelihood of acquisitions and dispositions, and exploration and development programs; unexpected geological, technical, drilling, construction, processing and transportation problems; the impacts of drought, wildfires and severe weather events; availability of insurance; fluctuations in foreign exchange and interest rates; stock market volatility; general economic, market and business conditions, including uncertainty in the demand for oil and gas and economic activity in general; changes in interest rates and inflation; uncertainties associated with regulatory approvals; geopolitical conflicts, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine and conflict in the Middle East; uncertainty of government policy changes; the impact of the implementation of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement; uncertainty regarding the benefits and costs of dispositions; failure to complete acquisitions and dispositions; uncertainties associated with credit facilities and counterparty credit risk; and changes in income tax laws, tax laws, crown royalty rates and incentive programs relating to the oil and gas industry; and other factors, many of which are outside the control of the Company. The impact of any one risk, uncertainty or factor on a particular forward-looking statement is not determinable with certainty as these are interdependent and Veren's future course of action depends on management's assessment of all information available at the relevant time.
Included in this press release are Veren's 2024 and 2025 guidance in respect of capital expenditures and average annual production which is based on various assumptions as to production levels, commodity prices and other assumptions and are subject to a variety of contingencies. The Company's return of capital framework is based on certain facts, expectations and assumptions that may change and, therefore, this framework may be amended as circumstances necessitate or require. To the extent such estimates constitute a "financial outlook" or "future oriented financial information" in this press release, as defined by applicable securities legislation, such information has been approved by management of Veren. Such financial outlook or future oriented financial information is provided for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.
Additional information on these and other factors that could affect Veren's operations or financial results are included in Veren's reports on file with Canadian and U.S. securities regulatory authorities. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date it is expressed herein. Veren undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required to do so pursuant to applicable law. All subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to Veren or persons acting on the Company's behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.
Product Type Production Information
The Company's annual aggregate production for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 and the references to "natural gas", "crude oil" and "condensate" reported in this Press Release consist of the following product types, as defined in NI 51-101 and using a conversion ratio of 6 mcf : 1 bbl where applicable:
Three months ended September Nine months ended September
30 30
2024 2023 2024 2023
Light & Medium Crude Oil (bbl/d) 7,062 12,405 9,374 12,823
Heavy Crude Oil (bbl/d) 3,617 2,154 3,826
Tight Oil (bbl/d) 67,262 54,605 70,873 47,461
Total Crude Oil (bbl/d) 74,324 70,627 82,401 64,110
NGLs (bbl/d) 44,908 38,316 44,024 35,952
Shale Gas (mcf/d) 390,322 232,235 388,887 188,243
Conventional Natural Gas (mcf/d) 3,260 12,542 4,460 10,553
Total Natural Gas (mcf/d) 393,582 244,777 393,347 198,796
Total production from continuing operations (boe/d) 184,829 149,739 191,983 133,195
Three months ended September Nine months ended September
30 30
2024 2023 2024 2023
Light & Medium Crude Oil (bbl/d) 7,062 12,405 9,374 12,823
Heavy Crude Oil (bbl/d) 3,617 2,154 3,826
Tight Oil (bbl/d) 67,262 75,882 70,873 64,376
Total Crude Oil (bbl/d) 74,324 91,904 82,401 81,025
NGLs (bbl/d) 44,908 44,728 44,024 41,588
Shale Gas (mcf/d) 390,322 251,152 388,887 204,459
Conventional Natural Gas (mcf/d) 3,260 12,542 4,460 10,553
Total Natural Gas (mcf/d) 393,582 263,694 393,347 215,012
Total average daily production (boe/d) 184,829 180,581 191,983 158,448
NI 51-101 includes condensate within the natural gas liquids (NGLs) product type. The Company has disclosed condensate as combined with crude oil and/or separately from other natural gas liquids in this press release since the price of condensate as compared to other natural gas liquids is currently significantly higher and the Company believes that this crude oil and condensate presentation provides a more accurate description of its operations and results therefore.
Two multi-well pads recently bought on stream in the Gold Creek area of the Alberta Montney, with average peak 30-day rates between 600 to 900 boe/d per well, consisted of 60% light crude oil, 10% NGLs and 30% shale gas.
The Company's prior wells in the eastern portion of its Gold Creek area, which were brought on stream in 2023 and completed using the SPE design, produced average peak 30-day rates 1,200 boe/d per well with product types of 50% light crude oil, 10% NGLs and 40% shale gas.
In the Karr area of the Alberta Montney, the Company has brought on stream two multi-well pads to-date which have generated average peak 30-day rates between 1,000 to 1,300 boe/d per well with product types of 60% to 75% light crude oil, 5% NGLs and 20% to 35% shale gas.
Wells within the Company's most recent Gold Creek West pad originally brought on stream in first quarter 2024 had the following peak 30-day rate product types: 79% light crude oil, 3% NGLs and 18% shale gas, with average cumulative production of 450,000 boe per well over the first nine months having product types consisting of 70% light crude oil, 5% NGLs and 25% shale gas.
In the Kaybob Duvernay, Veren brought three pads on stream in the Volatile Oil window during third quarter with average product types of 70% condensate, 5% NGLs and 25% shale gas.
Reserves and Drilling Data
The reserves information contained in this press release has been prepared in accordance with NI 51-101.
Where applicable, a barrels of oil equivalent ("boe") conversion rate of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of oil equivalent (6mcf:1bbl) has been used based on an energy equivalent conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip. Given that the value ratio based on the current price of crude oil as compared to natural gas is significantly different than the energy equivalency of the 6:1 conversion ratio, utilizing the 6:1 conversion ratio may be misleading as an indication of value.
This press release contains metrics commonly used in the oil and natural gas industry, including "netbacks". These terms do not have a standardized meaning and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies and, therefore, should not be used to make such comparisons. Readers are cautioned as to the reliability of oil and gas metrics used in this press release.
Netback is calculated on a per boe basis as oil and gas sales, less royalties, operating and transportation expenses and realized derivative gains and losses. Netback is used by management to measure operating results on a per boe basis to better analyze performance against prior periods on a comparable basis.
There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs reserves and the future cash flows attributed to such reserves. The reserve and associated cash flow information set forth above are estimates only. In general, estimates of economically recoverable crude oil, natural gas and NGLs reserves and the future net cash flows therefrom are based upon a number of variable factors and assumptions, such as historical production from the properties, production rates, ultimate reserve recovery, timing and amount of capital expenditures, marketability of oil and natural gas, royalty rates, the assumed effects of regulation by governmental agencies and future operating costs, all of which may vary materially. For these reasons, estimates of the economically recoverable crude oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves attributable to any particular group of properties, classification of such reserves based on risk of recovery and estimates of future net revenues associated with reserves prepared by different engineers, or by the same engineers at different times, may vary. The Company's actual production, revenues, taxes and development and operating expenditures with respect to its reserves will vary from estimates thereof and such variations could be material.
Initial production is for a limited time frame only (30 or 180 days) and may not be indicative of future performance. Peak IP30 refers the 30 consecutive days with the highest production rates since a pad has come on production and may not be indicative of future performance. Individual properties may not reflect the same confidence level as estimates of reserves for all properties due to the effects of aggregation. This press release contains estimates of the net present value of the Company's future net revenue from our reserves. Such amounts do not represent the fair market value of our reserves. The recovery and reserve estimates of the Company's reserves provided herein are estimates only and there is no guarantee that the estimated reserves will be recovered.
This press release discloses in the Gold Creek West region, 310 potential internally identified net drilling locations, of which 37 are proved plus probable locations as assigned in the company's year end 2023 independent reserves evaluation in accordance with NI 51-101 and the COGE Handbook, and an incremental 273 are unbooked locations. The Company's ability to drill and develop new locations and the drilling locations on which the Company actually drills wells depends on a number of uncertainties and factors, including, but not limited to, the availability of capital, equipment and personnel, oil and natural gas prices, costs, inclement weather, seasonal restrictions, drilling results, additional geological, geophysical and reservoir information that is obtained, production rate recovery, gathering system and transportation constraints, the net price received for commodities produced, regulatory approvals and regulatory changes. As a result of these uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the potential future drilling locations that the Company has identified will ever be drilled and, if drilled, that such locations will result in additional crude oil, natural gas or NGLs produced. As such, the Company's actual drilling activities may differ materially from those presently identified, which could adversely affect the company's business.
The reserve data provided in this news release presents only a portion of the disclosure required under National Instrument 51-101. All of the required information is contained in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023, on SEDAR+ (accessible at www.sedarplus.ca and EDGAR (accessible at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml) and further supplemented by Material Change Reports as applicable.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON VEREN, PLEASE CONTACT:
Sarfraz Somani, Manager, Investor Relations
Telephone: (403) 693-0020 Toll-free (US and Canada): 888-693-0020
Address: Veren Inc. Suite 2000, 585 - 8th Avenue S.W. Calgary AB T2P 1G1
Veren shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange under the symbol VRN.
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SOURCE Veren Inc.
