Frontera Announces 2nd Quarter 2022 Results.
CALGARY, AB: Frontera Energy Corporation (TSX: FEC) ("Frontera"' or the "Company") released financial and operational results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022 and announced updated 2022 capital and production guidance. All financial amounts in this news release are in United States dollars, unless otherwise stated.
Gabriel de Alba, Chairman of the Board of Directors, commented:
Frontera continued to perform ahead of plan, substantially delivering on its financial and operating objectives in the first six months of 2022, while extending its track record of ESG delivery and focusing on enhancing shareholder returns through its ongoing normal course issuer bid share buyback and the C$65 million substantial issuer bid. Subsequent to the quarter, Frontera announced a transaction with CGX that will increase the Company's working interest in the Corentyne block, offshore Guyana to 68% and secure funding of up to $130 million for the Joint Venture's second exploration well, Wei-1, which is anticipated to be spud in October in one of the most exciting exploration basins in the world.
In light of the Company's strong operational and financial performance in the first half of this year and the momentum the Company expects to carry into the second half of the year, Frontera is tightening its 2022 production guidance to 41,000-43,000 boe/d and increasing its operating EBITDA guidance to $675-$700 million as a result of an increase in assumed Brent prices at $100/bbl. The Company reiterates its cost guidance including production costs of $11.00-$12.00/boe and transportation costs of $10.00-$11.00/boe. Consistent with its increased working interest in the Corentyne block in Guyana, as previously announced on July 22, 2022, and reflective of the spending commitment at the Wei-1 exploration well, the Company anticipates increased total capital expenditures for the year of $435-$495 million. Frontera looks forward to advancing its exciting inventory of development and exploration opportunities in the second half of this year.
Orlando Cabrales, Chief Executive Officer, Frontera, commented:
"I am very pleased with Frontera's strong financial and operating results in the second quarter of 2022. The Company increased production by 1% to 41,586 boe/d including record production at CPE-6 block, improved its operating netback by 16% to $68.01/boe, increased its net sales realized price by 12% to $91.50/boe, grew its cash provided by operating activities by 114% to $246.6 million and generated $190.7 million in EBITDA. This is the fourth consecutive quarter of growth in these important metrics. The Company also unlocked opportunities within its portfolio with drilling successes during the quarter in Guyana at Kawa-1 and in Ecuador at Yin-1. Importantly, during the quarter, the Company released its 2021 Sustainability Report which details the Company's achievement of 98% of its 2021 ESG targets and outlines its 2022 ESG targets. Frontera has a healthy balance sheet with a sizable amount of cash on hand and low debt balances and we continue to manage operating costs during a time of rising inflationary pressures. Looking ahead to the second half of the year, the Company remains on track to optimize capital efficiency and free cash flow after development capex, while maintaining strong capital discipline and a targeted investment approach."
Executive Updates
Effective June 3, 2022, Mr. Rene Burgos Diaz was appointed as Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") of the Company replacing Mr. Alejandro Pineros. Mr. Burgos is a financial markets executive with over 20 years of experience in investment management, leveraged finance, restructuring and financial advisory expertise across multiple industries and geographies, specifically Latin America. Prior to his appointment as CFO, Rene served on Frontera's Board of Directors since December 2019.
Second Quarter 2022 Operational and Financial Summary
Q2 2022
Q1 2022
Q2 2021
Operational Results
Heavy crude oil production (1)
(bbl/d)
21,455
21,214
17,241
Light and medium crude oil production (1)
(bbl/d)
17,348
17,248
17,142
Total crude oil production
(bbl/d)
38,803
38,462
34,383
Conventional natural gas production (1)
(mcf/d)
10,374
9,530
5,164
Natural gas liquids (1)
(boe/d)
963
966
393
Total production (2)
(boe/d) (3)
41,586
41,100
35,682
Total inventory balance
(bbl)
1,423,695
1,434,111
969,028
Oil and gas sales, net of purchases (4)
($/boe)
103.34
90.42
64.54
Realized loss on risk management contracts (5)
($/boe)
(1.15)
(1.06)
(8.00)
Royalties (5)
($/boe)
(10.57)
(7.58)
(0.53)
Dilution costs (5)
($/boe)
(0.12)
(0.12)
(0.34)
Net sales realized price (4)
($/boe)
91.50
81.66
55.67
Production costs (5)
($/boe)
(12.65)
(13.48)
(11.72)
Transportation costs (5)
($/boe)
(10.84)
(9.74)
(11.15)
Operating netback (4)
($/boe)
68.01
58.44
32.80
Financial Results
Oil & gas sales, net of purchases (6)
($M)
312,910
229,569
200,581
Realized loss on risk management contracts
($M)
(3,476)
(2,682)
(24,877)
Royalties
($M)
(32,018)
(19,244)
(1,640)
Dilution costs
($M)
(376)
(298)
(1,056)
Net sales (6)
($M)
277,040
207,345
173,008
Net income (loss) (7)
($M)
13,484
102,228
(25,648)
Per share - basic
($)
0.14
1.08
(0.26)
Per share - diluted
($)
0.14
1.05
(0.26)
General and administrative
($M)
15,097
14,656
14,132
Operating EBITDA (6)
($M)
190,678
132,998
83,072
Cash provided by operating activities
($M)
246,615
114,980
87,391
Capital expenditures (6)
($M)
93,835
113,545
61,214
Cash and cash equivalents - unrestricted
($M)
295,098
257,373
358,325
Restricted cash short and long-term (8)
($M)
57,975
66,146
128,283
Total cash (8)
($M)
353,073
323,519
486,608
Total debt and lease liabilities (8)
($M)
535,454
558,281
565,238
Consolidated total indebtedness (excluding Unrestricted Subsidiaries) (9)
($M)
409,694
410,161
468,424
Net debt (excluding Unrestricted Subsidiaries) (9)
($M)
168,512
199,303
138,701
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Reference to heavy crude oil, light and medium crude oil combined, natural gas liquids, or conventional natural gas production in the above table and elsewhere
in this press release refer to the heavy crude oil, light and medium crude oil combined, natural gas liquids, and conventional natural gas, respectively, product types
as defined in National Instrument 51-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities.
-
Represents working interest ("W.I.") production before royalties. Refer to the "Further Disclosures" section on page 27 of the Company's management's discussion
and analysis dated August 9, 2022 (the "MD&A").
-
Boe has been expressed using the 5.7 to 1 Mcf/bbl conversion standard required by the Colombian Ministry of Mines & Energy. Refer to the "Further Disclosures -
Boe Conversion" section on page 27 of the MD&A.
-
Non-IFRS ratio (equivalent to a "non-GAAP ratio", as defined in NI 52-112 - Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure ("NI 52-112"). Refer to the
"Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures'' section on page 16 of the MD&A.
-
Supplementary financial measure (as defined in NI 52-112). Refer to the "Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures'' section on page 16 of the MD&A.
-
Non-IFRS financial measure (equivalent to a...
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