February 29, 2016 - 7:42 PM EST
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Delphi Energy Releases Year End 2015 Reserves

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Feb. 29, 2016) - Delphi Energy Corp. ("Delphi" or the "Company") (TSX:DEE) is pleased to report its crude oil and natural gas reserves information for the year ended December 31, 2015.

While remaining focused on its large-scale Montney project at Bigstone, the Company successfully streamlined its business in 2015 through two major asset dispositions. The dispositions represented approximately 26 percent of the Company's total proved plus probable reserves at December 31, 2014, and 2,600 barrels of oil equivalent per day ("boe/d") or 26 percent of the Company's production capability in 2015 and resulted in a 30 percent reduction in debt to $121.7 million at December 31, 2015.

At December 31, 2015, the Montney reserves at Bigstone represent approximately 95 percent of the Company's total proved and total proved plus probable reserves and approximately 90 percent of its current production capability.

Highlights

  • Achieved average corporate production in 2015 of 9,469 boe/d with the Montney representing 70 percent or 6,590 boe/d. Fourth quarter corporate production averaged 8,814 boe/d with the Montney representing 79 percent or 6,924 boe/d;

  • Invested capital of $50.6 million drilling 6.0 gross (5.3 net) Montney horizontal wells during 2015. The capital program was directed at infill locations to minimize capital spending on infrastructure. All Montney locations drilled were previously booked as undeveloped locations. Disposition proceeds during the year totaled $60.7 million;

  • Reduced total future development costs ("FDC") for total proved and total proved plus probable reserves by $122.1 million and $147.6 million, respectively, as a result of dispositions, reserve category reclassifications resulting from the infill drilling program, undeveloped locations removed from the report due to economic considerations and realized capital cost reductions;

  • Added 5.4 million boe (3.9 million boe after technical revisions) of proved producing reserves through its 2015 capital program. Excluding reserves associated with the dispositions, the Company replaced 110 percent of the 3.5 million boe produced in 2015. Proved producing Montney reserves increased 19 percent to 11.6 million boe;

  • Achieved corporate finding and development costs ("F&D"), including changes in FDC, of $12.04 per boe for proved producing reserves compared to the 2013-15 three year average of $14.54 per boe. With a realized operating netback(1) of $16.45 per boe, achieved a proved producing recycle ratio(2) of 1.4 times;

  • For the Montney program, Delphi achieved F&D costs, including changes in FDC, of $10.12 per boe for proved producing reserves compared to the 2013-15 three year average of $13.41 per boe; and

  • Achieved gross average drill and complete costs on the 6 wells drilled in 2015 of $8.1 million per well compared to a gross average of $10.2 million per well in 2014. Costs have been further reduced to an average of $7.0 million on the most recent three wells.

    (1) Operating netback is calculated by subtracting royalties, operating and transportation costs from revenues and includes hedging gains or losses.
    (2) Recycle ratio is calculated as operating netback per boe divided by F&D or FD&A costs, including change in FDC, per boe.

Reserves Summary

GLJ Petroleum Consultants Ltd. ("GLJ"), the Company's independent petroleum engineering firm, has evaluated Delphi's crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids reserves as at December 31, 2015 and prepared a reserves report ("GLJ Report") in accordance with National Instrument 51-101 "Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities" and the "Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook". GLJ's price forecast dated January 1, 2016 was used in the evaluation.

The following is summary reserves information detailed in the GLJ Report at December 31, 2015:

             
    Total Natural Gas(1)   Natural Gas Liquids   Oil Equivalent(2)
    Company   Company   Company   Company   Company   Company
    Gross   Net   Gross   Net   Gross   Net
Reserves Category   (mmcf)   (mmcf)   (mbbls)   (mbbls)   (mboe)   (mboe)
Proved                        
  Producing   53,814   45,089   4,030   2,611   12,999   10,126
  Developed Non-Producing   2,102   1,810   146   91   496   393
  Undeveloped   40,082   37,037   3,716   2,900   10,396   9,073
Total Proved   95,998   83,937   7,892   5,602   23,891   19,592
Total Probable   86,749   77,926   7,114   5,100   21,572   18,088
Total Proved Plus Probable   182,745   161,862   15,005   10,703   45,463   37,680
 
(1) Total Natural Gas includes product types of Shale Gas and Conventional Natural Gas. Product type Shale Gas accounts for approximately 94 percent of Total Proved Natural Gas and 95 percent of Total Proved Plus Probable Natural Gas.
(2) Oil equivalent amounts have been calculated using a conversion rate of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of oil (6:1).

Net Present Value of Future Net Revenue

The estimated future net revenues associated with Delphi's reserves at December 31, 2015, based on the GLJ January 1, 2016 price forecast, are summarized in the following table.

         
    Net Present Values of Future Net Revenue   Unit Value Before Income
    Before Income Taxes Discounted At (%/year)(1)   Tax Discounted at
                        10%/year(2)
($ thousands)   0%   5%   10%   15%   20%   $/boe   $/mcfe
Proved                            
  Producing   167,197   134,159   112,019   96,575   85,321   11.06   1.84
  Developed Non-Producing   4,343   2,837   1,870   1,222   766   4.76   0.79
  Undeveloped   125,890   76,716   48,169   30,588   19,155   5.31   0.88
Total Proved   297,431   213,712   162,059   128,385   105,242   8.27   1.38
Total Probable   331,428   176,290   103,092   63,947   40,783   5.70   0.95
Total Proved Plus Probable   628,859   390,002   265,151   192,332   146,026   7.04   1.17
 
(1) Future net revenues are estimated using forecast prices, costs arising from the anticipated development and production of reserves, net of the associated royalties, operating costs, development costs, and abandonment and reclamation costs. The estimated values disclosed do not necessarily represent fair market value.
(2) Unit values are calculated using net reserves defined as Delphi's working interest share after deduction of royalty obligations plus Delphi's royalty interests.

Future Development Costs

Future development costs have been reduced by $122.1 million and $147.6 million for the total proved and total proved plus probable categories, respectively as a result of dispositions, undeveloped reserve conversions, reduced forecast development costs and FDC related to locations removed from the report due to economic considerations.

The following table provides the future development costs, undiscounted, included in the GLJ Report for total proved and total proved plus probable reserves.

                             
($ thousands)   2016   2017   2018   2019   2020   Rem   Total
Total Proved   26,700   36,692   45,335   -   -   593   109,320
Total Proved Plus Probable   50,100   51,240   123,053   17,621   459   1,312   243,785

Forecast Prices

The following is a summary of GLJ's January 1, 2016 price forecast used in the evaluation.

 
    Natural Gas   Oil            
    AECO/NIT   NYMEX   Edmonton   NYMEX   Pentanes Plus       Exchange
    Spot   Henry Hub   Light   WTI   Edmonton   Inflation   Rate
Year   $CDN/MMBtu   $US/MMBtu   $CDN/bbl   $US/bbl   $CDN/bbl   %   $US/$CDN
2016   2.76   2.60   55.86   44.00   60.79   2.0   0.73
2017   3.27   3.10   64.00   52.00   68.48   2.0   0.75
2018   3.45   3.30   68.39   58.00   73.17   2.0   0.78
2019   3.63   3.50   73.75   64.00   78.91   2.0   0.80
2020   3.81   3.70   78.79   70.00   84.30   2.0   0.83
2021   3.90   3.90   82.35   75.00   88.12   2.0   0.85
2022   4.10   4.10   88.24   80.00   94.41   2.0   0.85
2023   4.30   4.30   94.12   85.00   100.71   2.0   0.85
2024   4.50   4.50   96.48   87.88   103.24   2.0   0.85
2025   4.60   4.60   98.41   89.63   105.30   2.0   0.85
2026+   +2.0%/yr   +2.0%/yr   +2.0%/yr   +2.0%/yr   +2.0%/yr   2.0   0.85

Reserves(1) Reconciliation

The following reconciliation of Delphi's reserves compares changes in the Company's Gross reserves at December 31, 2014 to the reserves at December 31, 2015, each evaluated in accordance with National Instrument 51-101 definitions.

                 
    Light and   Total        
    Medium   Natural   Natural Gas   Total Oil
    Crude Oil   Gas(2)   Liquids   Equivalent
Proved   (mbbls)   (mmcf)   (mbbls)   (mboe)
December 31, 2014   19   181,458   12,641   42,903
Extensions and Improved Recovery   -   10,528   907   2,662
Technical Revisions   -   (9,893)   (812)   (2,462)
Discoveries   -   -   -   -
Acquisitions   -   -   -   -
Dispositions   (7)   (54,118)   (2,710)   (11,736)
Economic Factors   (2)   (17,605)   (1,086)   (4,022)
Production   (10)   (14,372)   (1,049)   (3,454)
December 31, 2015   -   95,997   7,892   23,891
 
 
    Light and   Total        
    Medium   Natural   Natural Gas   Total Oil
    Crude Oil   Gas(2)   Liquids   Equivalent
Probable   (mbbls)   (mmcf)   (mbbls)   (mboe)
December 31, 2014   5   131,662   9,477   31,426
Extensions and Improved Recovery   -   (5,615)   (538)   (1,474)
Technical Revisions   -   (14,919)   (1,078)   (3,565)
Discoveries   -   -   -   -
Acquisitions   -   -   -   -
Dispositions   (7)   (31,815)   (1,544)   (6,854)
Economic Factors   2   7,436   797   2,039
Production   -   -   -   -
December 31, 2015   -   86,749   7,114   21,572
                 
                 
    Light and   Total        
    Medium   Natural   Natural Gas   Total Oil
    Crude Oil   Gas(2)   Liquids   Equivalent
Proved Plus Probable   (mbbls)   (mmcf)   (mbbls)   (mboe)
December 31, 2014   24   313,120   22,118   74,329
Extensions and Improved Recovery   -   4,913   369   1,188
Technical Revisions   -   (24,813)   (1,891)   (6,026)
Discoveries   -   -   -   -
Acquisitions   -   -   -   -
Dispositions   (14)   (85,934)   (4,254)   (18,590)
Economic Factors   -   (10,169)   (289)   (1,983)
Production   (10)   (14,372)   (1,049)   (3,454)
December 31, 2015   -   182,745   15,005   45,463
 
(1) Gross reserves represent the operated and non-operated working interest share of reserves before deduction of royalties and does not include any royalty interests of the Company.
(2) Total Natural Gas includes product types of Shale Gas and Conventional Natural Gas.

In the total proved and total proved plus probable reserve categories of the report for the year ended December 31, 2015 negative revisions associated with both non-Montney and Montney reserves were reported due to both economic factors and technical revisions.

Finding and Development Costs

In 2015, corporate finding and development costs ("F&D"), including changes in FDC, were $12.04 per boe for proved producing reserves compared to the 2013-15 three year average of $14.54 per boe. Three year average corporate F&D costs are $12.31 per boe and $10.99 per boe for total proved and total proved plus probable reserves respectively. Including acquisitions and dispositions, three year average corporate finding, development, acquisition and disposition ("F,D&A") costs are $18.33 per boe, $16.81 per boe, and $17.01 per boe for proved producing, total proved and total proved plus probable reserves respectively.

One year F&D and one year F,D&A costs in the total proved and total proved plus probable categories are not meaningful in 2015 as the reduction in future development costs from 2014 to 2015 exceeded actual capital spent and total reserve additions, including technical revisions and economic factors, are also negative. One year F,D&A costs in the proved producing category is also not meaningful as disposition proceeds exceeded actual capital spent and total reserve additions are also negative.

                 
    2015   2013 - 2015 Totals/Average
            Total           Total
    Proved   Total   Proved plus   Proved   Total   Proved plus
    Producing   Proved   Probable   Producing   Proved   Probable
Capital ($ thousands)                        
Exploration and Development ("E&D") Costs(1)   50,551   50,551   50,551   223,358   223,358   223,358
Change in Future Development Costs related to E&D   (3,858)   (79,225)   (79,425)   244   46,302   101,360
Total E&D Costs   46,693   (28,674)   (28,874)   223,602   269,660   324,718
 
Acquisition and Disposition ("A&D") Costs   (60,679)   (60,679)   (60,679)   (49,291)   (49,291)   (49,291)
Change in Future Development Costs related to A&D   (2,483)   (42,923)   (68,210)   (2,483)   (44,616)   (58,011)
Total Acquisition and Disposition ("A&D") Costs   (63,162)   (103,602)   (128,889)   (51,774)   (93,907)   (107,302)
 
Total Costs   (16,469)   (132,276)   (157,763)   171,829   175,754   217,417
 
Reserves (mboe)                        
Total Reserve Discoveries, Extensions & Revisions(2)   3,877   (3,822)   (6,821)   15,376   21,913   29,540
Total Acquisitions and Dispositions   (6,126)   (11,736)   (18,590)   (6,000)   (11,456)   (16,762)
 
Total Reserve Additions   (2,249)   (15,558)   (25,411)   9,376   10,457   12,778
 
Finding, Development, Acquisition and Disposition Costs ($/boe)                    
E&D, including change in FDC related to E&D (F&D)   12.04   7.50   4.23   14.54   12.31   10.99
E&D and A&D, including change in FDC (F,D&A)   7.32   8.50   6.21   18.33   16.81   17.01
                         
Total exploration and development costs incurred in the most recent financial year and the change during that year in estimated future development costs generally will not reflect the total cost of reserve additions in that year.
 
(1) Unaudited.
(2) Includes extensions and improved recovery, technical revisions, discoveries, and economic factors.

For the Montney program, Delphi achieved F&D costs, including changes in FDC, of $10.12 per boe(1) for proved producing reserves compared to the 2013-15 three year average of $13.41 per boe(2). Three year average Montney F&D costs are $11.71 per boe(2) and $10.14 per boe(2) for total proved and total proved plus probable reserves respectively. Three year average Montney F,D&A costs are $14.79 per boe(3), $12.58 per boe(3) and $10.62 per boe(3) for proved producing, total proved and total proved plus probable reserves respectively. At December 31, 2015, the average gross estimated ultimate recoverable reserves of an extended reach, slickwater stimulated horizontal Montney well is 973 mboe, 900 mboe, 1,212 mboe and 1,065 mboe in the proved producing, total proved, proved plus probable producing and total proved plus probable categories respectively.

One year F&D and F,D&A costs in the total proved and total proved plus probable categories are not meaningful in 2015 as the reduction in future development costs from 2014 to 2015 exceeded actual capital spent and total reserve additions, including technical revisions and economic factors, are also negative.

(1) Capital invested of $46.7 million; change in FDC of -$3.9 million; reserve extensions, improved recovery, technical revisions and economic factors of 4.2 million boe.
(2) Capital invested of $213.7 million; change in FDC of $0.6 million, $71.8 million and $147.2 million for proved producing, total proved and total proved plus probable respectively; reserve extensions, improved recovery, technical revisions and economic factors of 16.0 million boe, 24.4 million boe and 35.6 million boe for proved producing, total proved and total proved plus probable respectively.
(3) Capital invested of $213.7 million; change in FDC of $0.6 million, $76.8 million and $167.0 million for proved producing, total proved and total proved plus probable respectively; acquisition costs of $22.6 million; reserve extensions, improved recovery, acquisitions, technical revisions and economic factors of 16.0 million boe, 24.9 million boe and 38.0 million boe for proved producing, total proved and total proved plus probable respectively.

Net Asset Value

The estimated net asset value of the Company at December 31, 2015 has been calculated using the before tax, net present value of reserves discounted at five and ten percent as follows:

         
($ thousands except share count and per share value)   5%   10%
Estimated future net revenues of Proved Plus Probable reserves(1)   390,002   265,151
Undeveloped land(2)   85,205   85,205
Mark-to-market value of hedging contracts(3)   18,461   18,461
In-the-money option proceeds(4)   1,863   1,863
Total asset value   495,531   370,680
Bank debt plus working capital deficiency (unaudited)   (121,664)   (121,664)
Net asset value   373,867   249,016
Common shares outstanding and in-the-money options   157,810,378   157,810,378
Net asset value per share   2.37   1.58
 
(1) Discounted at five and ten percent and before deducting future income tax expenses. The Company estimates it has approximately $335.7 million of tax deductions available to offset future taxable income.
(2) Undeveloped land was determined by an independent land valuation report by Seaton-Jordan & Associates Ltd. as at December 31, 2015. Fair market value was determined in accordance with NI 51-101 5.9(1)(e).
(3) Financial and physical contracts at December 31, 2015.
(4) In-the-money option proceeds are based on the closing December 31, 2015 share price of $0.89.

Operations Update

Since the end of 2015, Delphi has added another Montney well (0.88 net) to its production base with the 14-27-60-23W5M ("14-27") well that was drilled at the end of 2015. 14-27 was completed in early January utilizing a 37 stage slickwater frac. The well was produced on clean-up over a 3.1 day period recovering approximately 14 percent of the initial load frac water. Over the last 24 hours prior to running production tubing, the well flowed on clean-up at an average rate of 7.2 million cubic feet per day ("mmcf/d") of raw gas and 1,384 barrels per day ("bbls/d") of wellhead condensate (192 bbls/mmcf of raw gas). Total production for the 14-27 well over this 24 hour period was approximately 2,670 barrels of oil equivalent per day ("boe/d"), including an estimated plant natural gas liquids ("NGL") yield of 34 bbls/mmcf of raw gas. 14-27 was brought on production at the beginning of February and is currently producing at a restricted rate of approximately 5.0 mmcf/d of raw gas and 550 bbls/d of wellhead condensate. Initial average production rates over the first 30 days will be reported once the data is available.

The Company has also drilled and completed the 13-21-60-23W5 ("13-21") well (0.66 net). The 13-21 well is the western-most Montney well drilled by Delphi and completed with slickwater fracs. It was drilled to a total depth of 5,690 metres with a horizontal lateral length of 2,781 metres. Delphi continues to optimize its completion techniques, as the 13-21 well was fraced over 37 stages with the largest sand tonnage and slickwater volumes for Delphi Montney wells to date. The 13-21 well was flowed on clean-up over a 2.8 day period, recovering approximately 17 percent of the initial load frac water. Over the last 24 hours prior to running production tubing, the well flowed on clean-up at an average rate of 6.1 mmcf/d of raw gas and 1,872 bbls/d of wellhead condensate (309 bbls/mmcf of raw gas). Total production for the 13-21 well over this 24 hour period was approximately 2,954 boe/d, including an estimated plant NGL yield of 34 bbls/mmcf of raw gas. 13-21 is expected to be brought on production at a restricted rate in March 2016.

Delphi has also commenced drilling of the 15-23-60-23W5 well (1.0 net) and is expected to finish in early March. Completion operations are scheduled after spring break-up conditions allow for access, likely early in the third quarter of 2016.

The Company continues to pursue opportunities to reduce operating costs at its Bigstone property. Delphi estimates $6.0 - $7.0 million in reduced operating costs in 2016 over 2015, as the more efficient Montney production replaces the lower netback properties disposed of in 2015. A new fuel gas pipeline accessing higher quality fuel gas has been installed and the 7-11 compression and dehydration facility has been expanded with an owned compressor replacing two existing rental compressors resulting in reduced maintenance and rental costs as well as increased throughput capacity. In addition, with the disposition of the lower netback properties, the Company has reduced its staff from 36 to 24 (34 percent), resulting in expected general and administrative savings of $2.0 - $2.5 million.

The following table has been updated to reflect new well production data since it was previously released and continues to illustrate the significant impact the slickwater hybrid fracturing technique has had on well performance at Bigstone in comparison to smaller conventional frac methods.

Initial Production (IP) Rate Well Performance (1)

            Number   IP30   IP30   IP30   IP90   IP180   IP270   IP365   IP 2yr
        HZ
Length
  of
Fracs
  Total
Sales
  FCond
Rate
  Total
NGL
  Total
Sales
  Total
Sales
  Total
Sales
  Total
Sales
  Total
Sales
    Well(2)                   Yield                    
        (metres)       (boe/d)   (bbls/d)   (bbl/mmcf)   (boe/d)   (boe/d)   (boe/d)   (boe/d)   (boe/d)
Conventional Fracs
(original completion technique)
                               
16-30   #1   2,760   20   1,099   273   104   798   558   454   395    
05-02   #2   3,005   20   969   170   80   683   479   407   352   253
14-23   #3   2,238   20   1,570   223   70   939   635   532   445   294
Slickwater Fracs
(new completion technique)
                               
15-10   #4   1,424   20   991   194   86   842   660   559   482   330
12-17   S.BS Expl(3)   1,848   26   865   199   102   719   554   470   415    
Type Well   2,400 - 3,000   30 - 40   1,629   449   119   1,306   1,083   943   843   614
10-27   #5   2,407   30   1,815   582   133   1,667   1,364   1,173   1,019   688
16-23   #6   2,809   30   1,781   465   108   1,502   1,235   1,068   964   708
15-24   #7   2,328   30   1,387   454   136   1,221   1,059   944   853   615
15-30   #8   3,014   30   2,076   566   113   1,837   1,517   1,324   1,164   795
15-21   #9   2,886   30   1,293   499   170   1,053   875   769   689    
13-30   #10   2,593   30   2,075   655   136   1,750   1,457   1,268   1,119    
02-01   #11   2,807   30   634   209   142   498   422   367   329    
02-07   #12   2,702   30   1,116   327   126   940   750   647   570    
08-21   #13   2,692   30   978   280   123   870   712   607   529    
16-15   #14   2,949   30   1,503   298   91   1,217   1,017   861   749    
03-26   #15   2,601   30   1,053   330   134   755   592   506   447    
13-23   #16   2,161   30   1,556   400   111   1,282   966   820   717    
16-27   #17   2,883   40   1,659   413   108   1,296   1,045   890   761    
12-27   #18   2,662   30   1,670   593   154   1,337   1,102   935        
16-24   #19   2,802   40   1,182   410   150   929   757            
13-24   #20   2,716   40   1,526   469   132   1,172                
14-30   #21   2,729   37   1,840   505   118   1,407                
14-24(4)   #22   2,602   37   1,119   435   172                    
14-27   #23   2,887   37                                
13-21   #24   2,781   37                                
Average Wells #5 through #22       1,459   438   131   1,220   991   870   762   702
(1) Average production calculated on operating days, excludes non-producing days. Includes estimated NGL gas plant recoveries.
(2) Wells numbered chronologically.
(3) Initial Exploration Well on Delphi's South Bigstone Lands.
(4) Production from 14-24 w as restricted during first 29 days of flow.

Risk Management

On December 1, 2015, Delphi began delivering the majority of its natural gas production on its Alliance pipeline firm capacity into the Chicago market rather than the AECO market. Well in advance of commencement of these deliveries, the Company continued execution of its successful risk management strategy to protect its revenue stream into the Chicago market through NYMEX, Chicago basis and US/CDN foreign exchange rate contracts. As a result, the Company is very well hedged through 2016 with approximately 75 percent of its natural gas production hedged at an average price of Cdn. $4.43 per mcf (excluding transportation costs). For 2017, the Company has approximately 50 percent of its natural gas production hedged at an average price of Cdn. $4.24 per mcf (excluding transportation costs). Delphi also has approximately 43 percent of its condensate volumes hedged at a floor price of $76.49 per barrel. The table below summarizes the Company's current commodity price risk management contracts for 2016 and future years.

                 
Natural Gas (Cdn)   2016   2017        
Volume (mmcf/d)   2.8   2.4        
% Hedged (1)   8%   7%        
Hedge Price (Cdn $/mcf) (2)   $3.84   $3.96        
Strip Price (Cdn $/mcf)   $1.71   $2.42        
                 
                 
Natural Gas (US)   2016   2017   2018   2019
Volume (mmcf/d)   23.5   15.0   5.0   2.0
% Hedged (1)   67%   43%   14%   6%
Hedge Price (US $/mcf)   $3.50   $3.23   $2.79   $2.81
Strip Price (US $/mcf)   $2.07   $2.49   2.57   $2.62
% Hedged in Cdn $ (3)   99%   113%   99%   100%
Hedge Price (Cdn $/mcf) (4)   $4.50   $4.28   $3.70   $4.02
 
 
Crude Oil   2016            
Volume (bbls/d)   800            
% Hedged (1)   43%            
Floor Price (WTI Cdn $/bbl)   $78.50            
Ceiling Price (WTI Cdn $/bbl) (5)   $85.00            
Strip Price (WTI Cdn $/bbl)   $50.66            
 
(1) Percent hedged is based on expected 2016 average natural gas production of 35 mmcf/d and 1,850 bbls/d of condensate and C5+, consistent with guidance.
(2) Before deduction of transportation costs to ship production to AECO on TCPL pipeline.
(3) Percent of US $ hedge value locked in with Cdn/US FX hedges.
(4) Before deduction of transportation costs to ship production to Chicago on Alliance pipeline.
(5) 400 bbls/d have upside to a ceiling price of $85.00 per barrel at a deferred cost of $4.02 per barrel.

Outlook

Delphi continues to navigate this very challenging low commodity price environment with a singular focus on its core Bigstone Montney asset. This focused effort is successfully improving foundational cash generating efficiencies that will be more fully recognized as the rate of capitalization and production growth accelerates into the recovery phase of this commodity price cycle.

Continued innovation of our well design, driving costs lower, while maintaining full ownership and control of our infrastructure are both paramount in our continued effort towards top decile capital and cash generating efficiencies. Generating margin growth trumps production growth in the current environment. The Company's significant hedge position through 2016 and 2017, protects both the equity account and the balance sheet, while contributing to a meaningful capital program of four to five wells in 2016. Delphi's significant drilling inventory is immediately accessible to deliver production growth into a strengthening commodity price environment.

Delphi anticipates releasing its audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 on March 16, 2016 and its Annual Information Form by March 31, 2015, which will include all required National Instrument 51-101 reserves disclosure.

Certain financial and operating information included in this press release for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2015, such as, but not limited to, finding and development costs, production information, net asset value calculations, are based on unaudited financial results for the year ended December 31, 2015 and are subject to the same limitations as discussed under forward-looking statements outlined at the end of this release. These estimate amounts may change upon completion of the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 and those changes may be material.

Delphi Energy is a Calgary-based company that explores, develops and produces oil and natural gas in Western Canada. The Company is managed by a proven technical team. Delphi trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol DEE.

Forward-Looking Statements. The release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance and are based upon the Company's internal assumptions and expectations. All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "may", "will", "should", "believe", "intends", "forecast", "plans", "guidance", "budget" and similar expressions.

More particularly and without limitation, this release contains forward-looking statements and information relating to petroleum and natural gas production estimates and weighting, projected crude oil and natural gas prices, future exchange rates, expectations as to royalty rates, expectations as to transportation and operating costs, expectations as to general and administrative costs and interest expense, expectations as to capital expenditures and net debt, planned capital spending, future liquidity and Delphi's ability to fund ongoing capital requirements through operating cash flows and its credit facilities, supply and demand fundamentals for oil and gas commodities, timing and success of development and exploitation activities, cash availability for the financing of capital expenditures, access to third-party infrastructure, treatment under governmental regulatory regimes and tax laws and future environmental regulations.

Furthermore, statements relating to "reserves" are deemed to be forward-looking statements as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions that the reserves described can be profitable in the future.

The forward-looking statements and information contained in this release are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Delphi. The following are certain material assumptions on which the forward-looking statements and information contained in this release are based: the stability of the global and national economic environment, the stability of and commercial acceptability of tax, royalty and regulatory regimes applicable to Delphi, exploitation and development activities being consistent with management's expectations, production levels of Delphi being consistent with management's expectations, the absence of significant project delays, the stability of oil and gas prices, the absence of significant fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and interest rates, the stability of costs of oil and gas development and production in Western Canada, including operating costs, the timing and size of development plans and capital expenditures, availability of third party infrastructure for transportation, processing or marketing of oil and natural gas volumes, prices and availability of oilfield services and equipment being consistent with management's expectations, the availability of, and competition for, among other things, pipeline capacity, skilled personnel and drilling and related services and equipment, results of development and exploitation activities that are consistent with management's expectations, weather affecting Delphi's ability to develop and produce as expected, contracted parties providing goods and services on the agreed timeframes, Delphi's ability to manage environmental risks and hazards and the cos t of complying with environmental regulations, the accuracy of operating cost estimates, the accurate estimation of oil and gas reserves, future exploitation, development and production results and Delphi's ability to market oil and natural gas successfully to current and new customers. Additionally, estimates as to expected average annual production rates assume that no unexpected outages occur in the infrastructure that the Company relies on to produce its wells, that existing wells continue to meet production expectations and any future wells scheduled to come on in the coming year meet timing and production expectations.

Commodity prices used in the determination of forecast revenues are based upon general economic conditions, commodity supply and demand forecasts and publicly available price forecasts. The Company continually monitors its forecast assumptions to ensure the stakeholders are informed of material variances from previously communicated expectations.

Financial outlook information contained in this release about prospective results of operations, financial position or cash flows is based on assumptions about future events, including economic conditions and proposed courses of action, based on management's assessment of the relevant information currently available. Readers are cautioned that such financial outlook information contained in this release should not be used for purposes other than for which it is disclosed.

Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and information are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Delphi's actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits Delphi will derive therefrom. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, the risks associated with the oil and gas industry in general such as 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 estimates and projections relating to production rates, costs and expenses, commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations, marketing and transportation, environmental risks, competition from others for scarce resources, the ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, changes in governmental regulation of the oil and gas industry and changes in tax, royalty and environmental legislation. Additional information on these and other factors that could affect the Company's operations or financial results are included in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form and other reports on file with the applicable securities regulatory authorities and may be accessed through the SEDAR website (www.sedar.com).

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements contained in this release are made as of the date of this release for the purpose of providing the readers with the Company's expectations for the coming year. The forward-looking statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Delphi 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. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

Basis of Presentation. For the purpose of reporting production information, reserves and calculating unit prices and costs, natural gas volumes have been converted to a barrel of oil equivalent (boe) using six thousand cubic feet equal to one barrel. A boe conversion ratio of 6:1 is based upon an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. This conversion conforms with the Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 51-101 when boes are disclosed. Boes may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation.

As per CSA Staff Notice 51-327 initial test results and initial production performance should be considered preliminary data and such data is not necessarily indicative of long-term performance or of ultimate recovery.

Non-IFRS Measures. The release contains the terms "funds from operations", "funds from operations per share", "net debt", "operating netbacks" "cash netbacks" and "netbacks" which are not recognized measures under IFRS. The Company uses these measures to help evaluate its performance. Management considers netbacks an important measure as it demonstrates its profitability relative to current commodity prices and costs of production. Management uses funds from operations to analyze performance and considers it a key measure as it demonstrates the Company's ability to generate the cash necessary to fund future capital investments and to repay debt. Funds from operations is a non-IFRS measure and has been defined by the Company as cash flow from operating activities before accretion on long term and subordinated debt, decommissioning expenditures and changes in non-cash working capital from operating activities. The Company also presents funds from operations per share whereby amounts per share are calculated using weighted average shares outstanding consistent with the calculation of earnings per share. Delphi's determination of funds from operations may not be comparable to that reported by other companies nor should it be viewed as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities, net earnings or other measures of financial performance calculated in accordance with IFRS. The Company has defined net debt as the sum of long term debt and subordinated debt plus/minus working capital excluding the current portion of the fair value of financial instruments. Net debt is used by management to monitor remaining availability under its credit facilities. Operating netbacks have been defined as revenue less royalties, transportation and operating costs. Cash netbacks have been defined as operating netbacks less interest and general and administrative costs. Netbacks are generally discussed and presented on a per boe basis.

Delphi Energy Corp.
David J. Reid
President & CEO
(403) 265-6171

Delphi Energy Corp.
Brian P. Kohlhammer
Senior V.P. Finance & CFO
(403) 265-6171

Delphi Energy Corp.
300, 500 - 4 Avenue S.W.
Calgary, Alberta T2P 2V6
(403) 265-6207
(403) 265-6171
info@delphienergy.ca
www.delphienergy.ca


Source: Marketwired (Canada) (February 29, 2016 - 7:42 PM EST)

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