CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - May 5,
2009) - NAL Oil & Gas Trust ("NAL" or the "Trust") (TSX:NAE.UN)
today announced its financial and operational results for the first
quarter of 2009. All amounts are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise
stated.
On NAL's first quarter, Mr. Andrew Wiswell stated "Our positive
first quarter and actions taken to add opportunities through the Trust's
development program, partnerships and acquisitions have all contributed
to increased capital and production guidance for 2009. NAL's financial
flexibility remains strong with an attractive balance sheet, available
credit lines, a shelf prospectus and a long term financial partner in
Manulife."
2009 YEAR TO DATE ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS
- The Trust has made significant progress during the first quarter
toward achieving key objectives for full year 2009. To date, the Trust
has:
-- Captured opportunities with the proposed acquisition of Alberta
Clipper Energy Inc. ("Alberta Clipper") in partnership with Manulife
Financial Corp. ("Manulife") (expected to close June 1, 2009).
-- Finalized a multi-year joint venture partnership agreement with a
major industry player in the Cardium oil play in central Alberta.
-- Experienced ongoing success in our natural gas exploration program with Talisman in Sukunka, B.C.
-- Remained committed to operate within cash flow during 2009, including distributions and capital.
-- Renewed the Trust's fully secured revolving credit facility at
the current level of $450 million with its largely Canadian banking
syndicate, $145 million of which is currently available.
-- Filed a base shelf prospectus to broaden financial flexibility and expedite access to capital to fund future opportunities.
SUMMARY OF FIRST QUARTER RESULTS
- Production volumes exceeded expectations in the first quarter,
averaging 23,836 boe per day compared to 23,601 boe per day a year
earlier and remains weighted 52 percent toward oil and liquids and 48
percent toward natural gas. This increase was largely due to strong
performance from the Trust's fourth quarter 2008 and first quarter 2009
capital program.
- Funds from operations ("FFO"), equaled $62.0 million or $0.64 per
unit ($0.62 fully diluted), 19 percent lower compared to $76.2 million
or $0.83 per unit ($0.79 fully diluted) a year earlier. These results
were driven by significantly lower commodity prices on a Canadian dollar
basis, partially offset by higher production volumes and strong
realized gains from the Trust's commodity hedging program.
- NAL's first quarter 2009 operating netback averaged $19.26 per boe
before hedging, increasing by $12.95 per boe to $32.21 per boe after
hedging. In comparison, the first quarter 2008 operating netback was 29
percent higher at $41.71 per boe after hedging. Higher operating costs
per boe in first quarter 2009 were more than offset by lower royalty
rates.
- Net capital expenditures by the Trust (excluding property
acquisitions) totaled $36.9 million in the quarter, up 26 percent from
$29.3 million a year ago. These higher expenditures were concentrated on
horizontal oil drilling in Saskatchewan and Alberta, and drilling and
completion activities in northeast B.C.
- Overall, net bank debt increased $6 million to $325 million at
quarter end from $319 million at year end 2008, resulting in a net debt
(including convertible debentures to trailing 12 month cash flow ratio
of 1.36 times.
2009 UPDATED GUIDANCE
Based upon positive first quarter performance and the opportunities
added to our portfolio, the Trust has increased its production and
capital guidance for 2009, while maintaining its objective of operating
within cash flow. The capital program is flexible and will be adjusted
based on commodity prices.
March 2009 May 2009
February 2009 Inc. Alberta Increased Guidance
Guidance Clipper Inc. Alberta Clipper
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Production (boe/d) 22,000 - 23,000 22,700 - 23,700 23,000 - 24,000
Net capital
expenditures ($MM) 95 95 115
Operating costs
($/boe) 11.60 - 11.90 11.60 - 11.90 11.60 - 11.90
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The Trust's expanded capital program is expected to be lower during
break-up in the second quarter and ramp up in the third and fourth
quarters, focusing on the Cardium resource play utilizing horizontal
drilling with multi-stage fracs. The increased capital is expected to
add eight to ten wells (65 percent working interest), which will be tied
in over the last half of 2009 to take advantage of the new Alberta
royalty incentive program. Overall, full year average production is
expected to increase by 300 - 500 boe. This incremental program will be
primarily funded by higher production volume, drilling and royalty
credit under the Alberta Government three point incentive program and
industry cost structures that are trending lower.
NAL outlines the following 2009 full year financial forecast based on
certain key assumptions:
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2009 Forecast Assumptions Key Assumptions
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Case 1 Case 2
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WTI oil price (US$/bbl)(1) 45.00 55.00
AECO natural gas price (C$/GJ)(1) 3.50 4.00
Exchange rate (CAD/USD)(1) 1.23 1.20
Capital expenditures ($MM) 105 115
Production (boe/d) (2) 23,200 23,500
Monthly distribution ($/unit) 0.09 0.09
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2009 Financial Forecasts Sensitivities
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Case 1 Case 2
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Funds from operations ($MM)(3) 211 229
Full year weighted average number
of units outstanding (MM) 100 100
Funds from operations ($/unit - basic) $2.11 $2.29
Funds from operations ($/unit - fully diluted) $2.00 $2.17
Payout ratio (%) 53 49
Payout with capital (%) 103 99
Payout with DRIP (%) 98 94
Debt / cash flow (x) 1.6 / 2.0(4) 1.5 / 1.8(4)
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(1) Commodity and exchange rate forecasts use actual prices for the first
quarter 2009 and utilize the key assumptions for the nine month period
April - December 2009.
(2) Includes Alberta Clipper volumes net to the Trust effective June 1,
2009.
(3) Includes impact of hedging and estimated $7.5 million royalty rebate
and drilling credit associated with the Alberta Government three
point incentive program.
(4) Includes convertible debentures.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Please refer to the disclaimer on forward-looking information set
forth under the Management's Discussion and Analysis in this document.
The disclaimer is applicable to all forward-looking information in this
document, including the guidance for full year 2009 set forth above.
NON-GAAP MEASURES
Please refer to the discussion of non-GAAP measures set forth under
the Management's Discussion and Analysis regarding the use of the
following terms: "funds from operations", "payout ratio" and "operating
netback".
CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS
At 3:30 p.m. MDT (5:30 p.m. EDT) on May 5, 2009, NAL will hold a
conference call to discuss the first quarter 2009 results. Mr. Andrew
Wiswell, President and CEO, will host the conference call with other
members of the Management Team. The call is open to analysts, investors,
and all interested parties. If you wish to participate, call
1-866-300-4047 toll free across North America. The conference call will
also be accessible through the internet at
http://events.onlinebroadcasting.com/nal/050509/index.php
A recorded playback of the call will be available until May 12, 2009 by calling 1-800-408-3053, reservation 4755352.
Notes: (1) All amounts are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.
(2) When converting natural gas to barrels of oil equivalent (boe)
within this report, NAL uses the widely recognized standard of
six thousand cubic feet (Mcf) to one barrel of oil. However,
boe's may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A
conversion ratio of 6 Mcf:1 boe is based on an energy equivalency
conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does
not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.
FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
Three months ended
(thousands of dollars, except per unit and boe data)
(unaudited)
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March 31, March 31, December 31,
2009 2008 2008
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FINANCIAL
Revenue(1) $80,662 $145,209 $107,041
Cash flow from operating activities 66,546 70,561 77,326
Cash flow per unit - basic 0.69 0.77 0.80
Cash flow per unit - diluted 0.67 0.73 0.77
Funds from operations 62,024 76,220 67,040
Funds from operations per unit - basic 0.64 0.83 0.70
Funds from operations per unit - diluted 0.62 0.79 0.67
Net income 4,724 13,733 55,374
Distributions declared 29,816 44,025 46,167
Distributions per unit 0.31 0.48 0.48
Basic payout ratio:
based on cash flow from
operating activities 45% 62% 60%
based on funds from operations 48% 58% 69%
Basic payout ratio including
capital expenditures(2):
based on cash flow from
operating activities 99% 104% 110%
based on funds from operations 107% 96% 126%
Units outstanding (000's)
Period end 96,181 93,519 96,181
Weighted average 96,181 91,717 96,145
Capital expenditures(3) 36,936 29,323 41,212
Property acquisitions (dispositions),
net 1,314 6,870 (127)
Corporate acquisitions - 58,107 315
Net debt(4) 324,614 309,347 319,044
Convertible debentures (at face value) 79,744 100,000 79,744
OPERATING
Daily production
Crude oil (bbl/d) 9,990 10,254 10,223
Natural gas (Mcf/d) 68,966 67,210 69,049
Natural gas liquids (bbl/d) 2,352 2,145 2,254
Oil equivalent (boe/d) 23,836 23,601 23,984
OPERATING NETBACK (boe)
Revenue before hedging gains (losses) 37.60 67.61 48.51
Royalties (6.59) (13.65) (9.59)
Operating costs (11.95) (9.91) (11.67)
Other income(5) 0.20 0.22 0.18
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Operating netback before hedging 19.26 44.27 27.43
Hedging gains (losses) 12.95 (2.56) 7.49
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Operating netback 32.21 41.71 34.92
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(1) Oil, natural gas and liquid sales less transportation costs and prior
to royalties.
(2) Capital expenditures included are net of non-controlling interest
amount of $0.6 million (2008 - $nil) attributable to the Tiberius and
Spear properties.
(3) Excludes property and corporate acquisitions.
(4) Bank debt plus working capital, excluding derivative contracts, notes
payable/receivable and future income tax balances.
(5) Excludes interest on notes with Manulife Financial Corporation.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
The following discussion and analysis ("MD&A") should be read in
conjunction with the interim unaudited consolidated financial
statements for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and the audited
consolidated financial statements and MD&A for the year ended
December 31, 2008 of NAL Oil & Gas Trust ("NAL" or the "Trust"). It
contains information and opinions on the Trust's future outlook based on
currently available information. All amounts are reported in Canadian
dollars, unless otherwise stated. Where applicable, natural gas has been
converted to barrels of oil equivalent ("boe") based on a ratio of six
thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of oil. The boe rate is
based on an energy equivalent conversion method primarily applicable at
the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalent at the
wellhead. Use of boe in isolation may be misleading.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
Throughout this discussion and analysis, Management uses the terms
funds from operations, funds from operations per unit, payout ratio,
cash flow from operations per unit, net debt to trailing 12 month cash
flow, operating netback and cash flow netback. These are considered
useful supplemental measures as they provide an indication of the
results generated by the Trust's principal business activities.
Management uses the terms to facilitate the understanding of the results
of operations. However, these terms do not have any standardized
meaning as prescribed by Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles ("GAAP"). Investors should be cautioned that these measures
should not be construed as an alternative to net income determined in
accordance with GAAP as an indication of NAL's performance. NAL's method
of calculating these measures may differ from other income funds and
companies and, accordingly, they may not be comparable to measures used
by other income funds and companies.
Funds from operations is calculated as cash flow from operating
activities before changes in non-cash working capital. Funds from
operations does not represent operating cash flows or operating profits
for the period and should not be viewed as an alternative to cash flow
from operating activities calculated in accordance with GAAP. Funds from
operations is considered by Management to be a more meaningful key
performance indicator of NAL's ability to generate cash to finance
operations and to pay monthly distributions. Funds from operations per
unit and cash flow from operations per unit are calculated using the
weighted average units outstanding for the period.
Payout ratio is calculated as distributions declared for a period as
a percentage of either cash flow from operating activities or funds
from operations; both measures are stated.
Net debt to trailing 12 months cash flow is calculated as net debt
as a proportion of funds from operations for the previous 12 months. Net
debt is defined as bank debt, plus convertible debentures at face
value, plus working capital, excluding derivative contracts, notes
payable/receivable and future income tax balances.
The following table reconciles cash flows from operating activities to
funds from operations:
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Three months ended March 31
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$(000s) 2009 2008
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Cash flow from operating activities 66,546 70,561
Add back change in non-cash working capital (4,522) 5,659
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Funds from operations 62,024 76,220
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FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking information as
to the Trust's internal projections, expectations and beliefs relating
to future events or future performance. Forward looking information is
typically identified by words such as "anticipate", "continue",
"estimate", "expect", "forecast", "may", "will", "could", "plan",
"intend", "should", "believe", "outlook", "project", "potential",
"target", and similar words suggesting future events or future
performance. In addition, statements relating to "reserves" are
forward-looking statements as they involve the implied assessment, based
on certain estimates and assumptions, that the reserves described exist
in the quantities estimated and can be profitably produced in the
future.
In particular, this MD&A contains forward-looking information
pertaining to the following, without limitation: the amount and timing
of cash flows and distributions to unitholders; reserves and reserves
values; 2009 production; future tax treatment of the Trust; future
structure of the Trust and its subsidiaries; the Trust's tax pools;
future oil and gas prices; operating costs; the amount of future asset
retirement obligations; future liquidity and future financial capacity;
future results from operations; payout ratios; cost estimates and
royalty rates; drilling plans; tie-in of wells; future development,
exploration, and acquisition and development activities and related
expenditures; and the successful acquisition of Alberta Clipper Energy
Inc. "Alberta Clipper")..
With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this
MD&A and the press release through which it was disseminated, we
have made assumptions regarding, among other things: future oil and
natural gas prices; future capital expenditure levels; future oil and
natural gas production levels; future exchange rates; the amount of
future cash distributions that we intend to pay; the cost of expanding
our property holdings; our ability to obtain equipment in a timely
manner to carry out development activities; our ability to market our
oil and natural gas successfully to current and new customers; the
impact of increasing competition; our ability to obtain financing on
acceptable terms; and our ability to add production and reserves through
our development and exploitation activities.
Although NAL believes that the expectations reflected in the
forward-looking information contained in the MD&A and the press
release through which it was disseminated, and the assumptions on which
such forward-looking information are made, are reasonable, readers are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward looking statements
as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations
upon which the forward-looking information are based will occur. Such
information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially
from those anticipated and which may cause NAL's actual performance and
financial results in future periods to differ materially from any
estimates or projections of future performance. These risks and
uncertainties include, without limitation: changes in commodity prices;
unanticipated operating results or production declines; the impact of
weather conditions on seasonal demand and ability to execute the capital
program; risks inherent in oil and gas operations; the imprecision of
reserve estimates; limited, unfavorable or no access to capital or
credit markets; the impact of competitors; the lack of availability of
qualified operating or management personnel; the ability to obtain
industry partner and other third party consents and approvals, when
required; failure to receive the shareholders, court or regulatory
approvals required to complete the acquisition of Alberta Clipper;
failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions; general
economic conditions in Canada, the United States and globally;
fluctuations in foreign exchange or interest rates; changes in
government regulation of the oil and gas industry, including
environmental regulation; changes in royalty rates; changes in tax laws;
including the impact of legislation relating to the taxation of
"specified investment flow-through" entities; stock market volatility
and market valuations; OPEC's ability to control production and balance
global supply and demand for crude oil at desired price levels;
political uncertainty, including the risk of hostilities in the
petroleum producing regions of the world; and other risk factors
discussed in other public filings of the Trust including the Trust's
current Annual Information Form.
NAL cautions that the foregoing list of factors that may affect
future results is not exhaustive. The forward-looking information
contained in the MD&A is made as of the date of this MD&A. The
forward-looking information contained in the MD&A is expressly
qualified by this cautionary statement.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS:
Base Shelf Prospectus
Earlier today, NAL filed a Preliminary Short Form Base Shelf
Prospectus with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada. The
base shelf prospectus is intended to increase flexibility and expedite
access to capital to fund future opportunities. Once the prospectus is
cleared and the shelf registration statement becomes effective, these
filings will allow NAL to offer and issue Trust Units, Debt Securities,
Subscription Receipts, and Warrants (collectively the "Securities") by
way of one or more Prospectus Supplements at any time during the
25-month period that the prospectus remains in place. The Securities
will be issued from time to time at the discretion of NAL, with an
aggregate offering amount not to exceed Cdn $600 million. Unless
otherwise indicated in a Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular
offering of Securities, NAL intends to use the net proceeds from the
sale of any Securities for the direct or indirect financing of future
growth opportunities, including acquisitions and capital expenditures,
repayment of indebtedness related to any such opportunities and/or
general trust purposes. The terms of such future offerings, if any,
would be established at the time of such offering. This news release
shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to
buy the Securities, nor shall there be any sale of the Securities in
any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be
unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities
laws of such jurisdiction.
Joint Venture Partnership Agreement
Effective April 20, 2009, the Trust and Manulife Financial
Corporation ("MFC") entered into a joint venture partnership agreement
with a senior industry player. The arrangement consists of a three year
commitment to spend $50 million to earn an interest in freehold and
crown acreage. The Trust has a 65 percent interest in this agreement and
MFC a 35 percent interest and therefore the Trusts net commitment is
$32.5 million. The agreement is exclusive and structured to be
extendible for up to an additional six years for a total potential
commitment of $150 million ($97.5 million net) to earn an interest in
over 150 sections (97.5 net) of freehold and crown acreage. If the
capital spending commitments are not met, interests in the freehold and
crown acreage will not be earned and the Trust will not be required to
pay unspent commitment amounts to the senior industry player. This
transaction doubles NAL's Cardium oil acreage position by adding land
south of NAL's Garrington area.
Renewal of Credit Facility
On April 6, 2009, the Trust announced the renewal of its credit
facility at the previously approved amount of $450 million, with the
same lending syndicate
Plan of Arrangement - Alberta Clipper Energy Inc.
On March 23, 2009 NAL and Alberta Clipper entered into an
arrangement agreement pursuant to which NAL will indirectly acquire all
of the issued and outstanding common shares of Alberta Clipper by way of
a Plan of Arrangement. Under the arrangement, Alberta Clipper
shareholders will receive 0.078875 trust units of NAL for each share of
Alberta Clipper resulting in the expected issuance of approximately 5.7
million trust units. The transaction is subject to the approval of the
Alberta Clipper shareholders, the Court of Queen's Bench of the Province
of Alberta, and the regulatory authorities and is expected to close on
or about June 1, 2009.
Concurrent with the execution of the arrangement agreement, the
Trust has entered into a letter of agreement with MFC, pursuant to which
MFC has agreed, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions,
including the preparation of definitive documentation, to purchase a 50
percent working interest in all the oil and gas assets of Alberta
Clipper, for a cash purchase price of approximately $57.5 million
adjusted to approximately $52.5 million to reflect the value of certain
corporate assets not transferred to MFC. The letter of agreement between
the Trust and MFC contains provisions whereby MFC will indemnify the
Trust for a 50 percent share of certain corporate liabilities of Alberta
Clipper. All of the cash proceeds received from MFC will be used to pay
down the debt assumed by the Trust in the transaction. It is expected
that the closing of the sale of assets to MFC will occur immediately
following completion of the acquisition of Alberta Clipper by the Trust.
MFC is a related party to the Trust, see "Related Party Transactions".
This acquisition is anticipated to add approximately 1,550 boe/d of
net production to the Trust and 4.3 million boe of proved plus probable
reserves, in addition to 110,000 acres of undeveloped land and $216
million of tax pools.
EXPLORATION & DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
The Trust spent $30.5 million on drilling, completion and tie-in
operations during the first quarter of 2009, compared to $22.5 million
during the first quarter of 2008 and drilled 26 (9.8 net) wells in the
first quarter, compared to 43 (18.4 net) wells during the same period in
2008.
The Trust participated in 14 (5.8 net) horizontal wells across
Saskatchewan and Alberta during the quarter and it is expected that the
remaining operated drilling program for 2009 will be focused on
horizontal oil prospects.
First Quarter Drilling Activity
Crude Oil Natural Gas Service Wells
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Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net
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Operated wells 11 6.1 4 2.8 0 0
Non-operated wells 5 0.4 6 0.5 0 0
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Total wells drilled 16 6.5 10 3.3 0 0
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Dry & Abandoned Total
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Gross Net Gross Net
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Operated wells 0 0 15 8.9
Non-operated wells 0 0 11 0.9
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Total wells drilled 0 0 26 9.8
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Southeast Saskatchewan (Alida, Nottingham, Rosebank, Midale, Elswick)
In Saskatchewan, there were eight (3.1 net) horizontal oil wells
drilled during the first quarter. Activity was focused on the
Mississippian in Alida, Nottingham and Torquay with results meeting
expectations. Construction on the expansion of the Nottingham gas plant
is proceeding with start up expected by the third quarter.
Alberta (Garrington, Westward Ho, Drumheller, Pine Creek, Lacombe, Medicine River, Sylvan Lake)
In Alberta, NAL participated in drilling 18 (6.7 net) locations
including 10 (0.9 net) non-operated minor interest wells. Operated
drilling was successful in the Pine Creek and Garrington areas with five
horizontal wells being brought on stream during the month of April at a
combined flush production rate of 1,500 boe/d, net to the Trust. It is
expected that these initial production rates will decline by 50 percent
in the first two to three months of production.
Northeast British Columbia (Sukunka)
NAL is a partner with Talisman, which has successfully completed the
d-27-F well that tested at a rate of approximately 40 mmcf/d (Trust
working interest 10 percent). Production is expected to be on stream by
the third quarter of 2009. Processing capacity at the Pine River gas
plant is limited so initial production rates will be restricted by
system hydraulics and the available interruptible capacity at the plant.
The Trust is also participating in one additional well at a-100-C
(Trust working interest 20 percent) with drilling expected to be
complete by mid year 2009.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
Capital expenditures, before property acquisitions, for the quarter
ended March 31, 2009 totaled $36.9 million compared with $29.3 million
for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. The year-over-year increase is
attributed to a shift towards horizontal drilling and multi stage frac
completions significantly increasing per well costs.
Capital Expenditures ($000s)
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Three months ended March 31
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2009 2008
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Drilling, completion and production equipment 30,464 22,530
Plant and facilities 2,859 3,231
Seismic 89 756
Land 1,975 994
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Total exploitation and development 35,387 27,511
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Office equipment 238 315
Capitalized G&A 1,159 942
Capitalized unit-based compensation 152 555
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Total other capital 1,549 1,812
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Total capitalized expenditures before acquisitions 36,936 29,323
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Property acquisitions (dispositions), net 1,314 6,870
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Total capitalized expenditures 38,250 36,193
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PRODUCTION
First quarter 2009 production of 23,836 boe/d, which exceeded
expectations, was above production of 23,601 boe/d in the comparable
period of 2008. The increase is due to the ongoing execution of the
Trust's capital program. New production from five horizontal wells in
Alberta were positioned for April start up in order to capture new
royalty incentives and are expected to provide a strong start to second
quarter volumes.
Average Daily Production Volumes
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Three months ended March 31
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2009 2008
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Oil (bbl/d) 9,990 10,254
Natural gas (Mcf/d) 68,966 67,210
NGLs (bbl/d) 2,352 2,145
Oil equivalent (boe/d) 23,836 23,601
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The oil equivalent volumes of 23,836 boe/d for the first quarter of
2009 include 442 boe/d (2008 - 212 boe/d), attributable to the
non-controlling interest in the Tiberius and Spear properties (see
"Related Party Transactions"). The Trust's net production, after
deducting the non-controlling interest, is 23,394 boe/d for the first
quarter of 2009, as compared to 23,389 boe/d for the first quarter of
2008.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, oil and natural gas liquids
totaled 52 percent of production with natural gas at 48 percent.
Production Weighting
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Three months ended March 31
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2009 2008
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Oil 42% 43%
Natural gas 48% 48%
NGLs 10% 9%
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REVENUE
Gross revenue from oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids sales,
after transportation costs, totaled $80.7 million for the three months
ended March 31, 2009, 44 percent lower than the first quarter of 2008.
The decrease is due to a 44 percent decrease in the average realized
price per boe, driven by a 50 percent decrease in the realized crude oil
price and a 34 percent decrease in the realized natural gas price. The
decrease in realized prices reflects lower West Texas Intermediate
("WTI"), partially offset by a weaker Canadian dollar, and lower AECO
prices in the first quarter of 2009.
Revenue
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Three months ended March 31
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2009 2008
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Revenue(1) ($000s)
Oil 40,684 83,888
Gas 32,576 48,796
NGL's 6,977 12,409
Sulphur 425 116
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Total revenue 80,662 145,209
$/boe 37.60 67.61
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(1) Oil, natural gas and liquid sales less transportation costs and prior
to royalties.
OIL MARKETING
NAL sells its crude oil based on refiners' posted prices at
Edmonton, Alberta and Cromer, Manitoba adjusted for transportation and
the quality of crude oil at each field battery. The refiners' posted
prices are influenced by the WTI benchmark price, transportation costs,
exchange rates and the supply/demand situation of particular crude oil
quality streams during the year.
NAL's first quarter average realized Canadian crude oil price per
barrel, net of transportation costs excluding hedging, was $45.25, as
compared to $89.90 for the comparable quarter of 2008. The decrease in
realized price quarter-over-quarter of 50 percent, or $44.65/bbl, was
primarily driven by a 56 percent decrease in WTI (U.S.$/bbl) over the
comparable period, partially offset by a 24 percent decrease in the
value of the Canadian dollar.
For the first quarter of 2009, NAL's crude oil price differential
was 84 percent, a decrease of eight percent from the comparable period
in 2008. The differential is calculated as realized price as a
percentage of WTI stated in Canadian dollars. The decrease in 2009
resulted from a wider differential between WTI and Edmonton/Cromer
posted prices, due to lower demand for light crude in western Canada
during the first quarter.
Natural gas liquids averaged $32.96/bbl in the first quarter of
2009, a 48 percent decrease from the $63.57/bbl realized in 2008.
NATURAL GAS MARKETING
Approximately 73 percent of NAL's current gas production is sold
under marketing arrangements tied to the Alberta monthly or daily spot
price ("AECO"), with the remaining 27 percent tied to NYMEX or other
indexed reference prices.
For the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Trust's natural gas
sales averaged $5.25/Mcf compared to $7.98/Mcf in the comparable period
of 2008, a decrease of 34 percent. The quarter-over-quarter decrease in
gas prices was attributable to a 38 percent decrease in the benchmark
AECO daily spot prices.
Prices for Lake Erie natural gas decreased to $6.32/Mcf in the first
quarter of 2009, compared to $9.23/Mcf in 2008, a decrease of 32
percent. Lake Erie production of 3.3 mmcf/d accounted for 5 percent of
the Trust's natural gas production in the first quarter of 2009, the
same percentage experienced during the comparable period of 2008.
Natural gas sales from the Lake Erie property generally receive a higher
price due to the close proximity of the Ontario and Northeastern U.S.
markets.
Average Pricing
(net of transportation charges)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liquids
WTI (US$/bbl) 43.08 97.90
NAL average oil (Cdn$/bbl) 45.25 89.90
NAL natural gas liquids (Cdn$/bbl) 32.96 63.57
Natural Gas (Cdn$/mcf)
AECO - daily spot 4.92 7.97
AECO - monthly 5.63 7.06
NAL Western Canada natural gas 5.19 7.93
NAL Lake Erie natural gas 6.32 9.23
NAL average natural gas 5.25 7.98
NAL Oil Equivalent before hedging (Cdn$/boe - 6:1) 37.60 67.61
Average Foreign Exchange Rate (Cdn$/US$) 1.245 1.004
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
RISK MANAGEMENT
NAL employs risk management practices to assist in managing cash
flows and to support capital programs and distributions. NAL currently
has derivative contracts in place to assist in managing the risks
associated with commodity prices, interest rates and foreign exchange
rates.
NAL's management has authorization to hedge up to 50 percent of
forecasted total production, net of royalties. Management's practice is
to hedge more near-term volumes on a six month forward basis with more
limited volumes hedged in future periods. The execution of NAL's
commodity hedging program is layered in using a combination of swaps and
collars. As at March 31, 2009, NAL had several financial WTI oil
contracts and AECO natural gas contracts in place.
NAL's management has authorization to fix the interest rate on up to
50 percent of outstanding debt for periods of up to five years. As at
March 31, 2009, NAL had several interest rate swaps outstanding with a
total notional value of $139.0 million.
NAL's management has authorization to fix the foreign exchange rate
on up to 50 percent of the Trust's U.S. dollar exposure for periods of
up to 24 months. As at March 31, 2009, NAL had three exchange rate swaps
outstanding with a total notional value of U.S.$48 million.
All derivative contract counterparties are Canadian chartered banks in the Trust's lending syndicate.
All derivative contracts are recorded on the balance sheet at fair
value based upon forward curves at March 31, 2009. Changes in the fair
value of the derivative contracts are recognized in net income for the
period.
Fair value is calculated at a point in time based on an
approximation of the amounts that would be received or paid to settle
these instruments, with reference to forward prices at March 31, 2009.
Accordingly, the magnitude of the unrealized gain or loss will continue
to fluctuate with changes in commodity prices, interest rates and
foreign exchange rates.
The fair value of the derivatives at March 31, 2009 was a net asset
of $46.9 million, comprised of a $34.5 million asset on oil contracts, a
$12.7 million asset on gas contracts and a $0.7 million asset on
foreign exchange contracts, partially offset by a $1.0 million liability
on interest rate swaps.
First quarter income for 2009 includes an $18.5 million unrealized
loss on derivatives resulting from the change in the fair value of the
derivative contracts during the quarter from an unrealized gain of $65.4
million at December 31, 2008 to an unrealized gain of $46.9 million at
March 31, 2009. The $18.5 million unrealized loss was comprised of a
$21.2 million unrealized loss on crude oil contracts and a $0.7 million
unrealized loss on interest rate swaps, partially offset by a $2.7
million unrealized gain on natural gas contracts and a $0.7 million
unrealized gain on foreign exchange swaps.
The gain/loss on derivative contracts is as follows:
Gain / (Loss) on Derivative Contracts ($000's)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrealized gain (loss):
Crude oil contracts (21,198) (3,763)
Natural gas contracts 2,701 (18,772)
Interest rate swaps (678) -
Exchange rate swaps 671 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrealized loss (18,504) (22,535)
Realized gain (loss):
Crude oil contracts 20,752 (7,031)
Natural gas contracts 6,956 1,540
Interest rate swaps (29) -
Exchange rate swaps 83 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized gain (loss) 27,762 (5,491)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gain (loss) on derivative contracts 9,258 (28,026)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following is a summary of the realized gains and losses on risk
management contracts:
Realized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Contracts ($000s)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commodity contracts:
Average crude volumes hedged (bbl/d) 3,603 4,200
Crude oil realized gain (loss) ($000s) 20,752 (7,031)
Gain (loss) per bbl hedged ($) 63.99 (18.40)
Average natural gas volumes hedged (GJ/d) 29,000 20,841
Natural gas realized gain ($000s) 6,956 1,540
Gain per GJ hedged ($) 2.67 0.81
Average BOE hedged (boe/d) 8,185 7,492
Total realized commodity contracts gain ($000s) 27,708 (5,491)
Gain (loss) per boe hedged ($) 37.61 (8.05)
Gain (loss) per boe ($) 12.91 (2.56)
Exchange rate swaps realized gain ($000s) 83 -
Gain per boe ($) 0.04 -
Interest rate swaps realized loss ($000s) (29) -
Loss per boe ($) (0.01) -
Total realized gain (loss) ($000s) 27,762 (5,491)
Gain (loss) per boe ($) 12.94 (2.56)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average hedged boes for the first quarter of 2009 were 8,185 as compared to
9,893 for the fourth quarter of 2008.
NAL has the following interest rate risk management contracts outstanding:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount Trust Counterparty
(millions) Fixed Floating
INTEREST RATE Remaining Term (1) Rate Rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAD-BA-CDOR
Swaps-floating to fixed Apr 2009 - Dec 2011 $39.0 1.5864% (3 months)
CAD-BA-CDOR
Swaps-floating to fixed Apr 2009 - Jan 2013 $22.0 1.3850% (3 months)
CAD-BA-CDOR
Swaps-floating to fixed Apr 2009 - Jan 2014 $22.0 1.5100% (3 months)
CAD-BA-CDOR
Swaps-floating to fixed Mar 2010 - Mar 2013 $14.0 1.8500% (3 months)
CAD-BA-CDOR
Swaps-floating to fixed Mar 2010 - Mar 2013 $14.0 1.8750% (3 months)
CAD-BA-CDOR
Swaps-floating to fixed Mar 2010 - Mar 2014 $14.0 1.9300% (3 months)
CAD-BA-CDOR
Swaps-floating to fixed Mar 2010 - Mar 2014 $14.0 1.9850% (3 months)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Notional debt amount
NAL has the following exchange rate risk management contracts outstanding:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trust
Amount(1) Fixed Counterparty
EXCHANGE RATE Remaining Term (US$ MM) Rate Floating Rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BofC Average
Swaps-floating to fixed Apr 2009 - Nov 2009 $16.0 1.2730 Noon Rate
BofC Average
Swaps-floating to fixed Apr 2009 - Nov 2009 $16.0 1.2875 Noon Rate
Swaps-floating to BofC Average
fixed(i) Apr 2009 - Nov 2009 $16.0 1.2625 Noon Rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i)Entered into subsequent to quarter-end
(1) Notional US$ denominated commodity sales
NAL has the following commodity risk management contracts outstanding:
CRUDE OIL Q2-09 Q3-09 Q4-09 Q1-10 Q2-10 Q3-10 Q4-10
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
US$ Collar Contracts
$US WTI Collar Volume
(bbl/d) 200 100 - 1,300 1,100 400 400
Bought Puts - Average
Strike Price ($US/bbl) $110.00 $110.00 - $57.88 $58.41 $60.00 $60.00
Sold Calls - Average
Strike Price ($US/bbl) $154.95 $157.50 - $69.29 $69.61 $70.61 $70.61
US$ Swap Contracts
$US WTI Swap Volume
(bbl/d) - 900 900 - - - -
Average WTI Swap Price
($US/bbl) - $ 59.22 $ 59.22 - - - -
Cdn$ Collar Contracts
$Cdn WTI Collar Volume
(bbl/d) 1,567 1,100 1,500 300 - - -
Bought Puts - Average
Strike Price ($Cdn/bbl) $127.27 $121.56 $102.07 $66.00 - - -
Sold Calls - Average
Strike Price ($Cdn/bbl) $168.57 $170.81 $137.63 $80.17 - - -
Cdn$ Swap Contracts
$Cdn WTI Swap Volume
(bbl/d) 2,970 1,600 1,300 - - - -
Average WTI Swap Price
($Cdn/bbl) $ 92.49 $ 97.94 $ 92.55 - - - -
Total Oil Volume
(bbl/d) 4,737 3,700 3,700 1,600 1,100 400 400
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NATURAL GAS Q2-09 Q3-09 Q4-09 Q1-10 Q2-10 Q3-10
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Collar Contracts
AECO Collar Volume (GJ/d) 5,000 5,000 1,685 - - -
Bought Puts - AECO Average
Strike Price ($Cdn/GJ) $ 8.90 $ 8.90 $ 8.90 - - -
Sold Calls - AECO Average
Strike Price ($Cdn/GJ) $ 11.44 $ 11.44 $ 11.44 - - -
Swap Contracts
AECO Swap Volume (GJ/d) 5,319 17,630 27,000 22,000 15,000 15,000
AECO Average Price
($Cdn/GJ) $ 7.54 $ 6.01 $ 5.95 $ 5.95 $ 5.60 $ 5.60
Total Natural gas Volume
(GJ/d) 10,319 22,630 28,685 22,000 15,000 15,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the remainder of 2009, the Trust has outstanding contracts
representing approximately 40 percent of its net liquids and natural gas
production after royalties, assuming a royalty rate of 20 percent.
ROYALTY EXPENSES
Crown, freehold and overriding royalties were $14.1 million for the
three months ended March 31, 2009. Expressed as a percentage of gross
sales net of transportation costs, before gain/loss on derivative
contracts, the net royalty rate was 17.5 percent for the quarter ended
March 31, 2009, a decrease from the 20.2 percent experienced in the same
period of the previous year. Included in the first quarter of 2009 are a
number of prior period benefits recognized in the current period.
Royalties decreased to $6.59 per boe for the first quarter of 2009, a
decrease of 52 percent compared to the first quarter of 2008. The
decrease is attributable to lower commodity prices on a
quarter-over-quarter basis.
On January 1, 2009, the new royalty framework for Alberta became
effective. This new framework, first announced on October 25, 2007,
provides for conventional oil and gas royalties calculated on a sliding
scale that is determined by commodity price and production volumes.
Natural gas royalty rates have increased from 35 percent to 50 percent,
with rates capped at $16.59/GJ. Crude oil royalty rates have increased
from 35 percent to 50 percent, with rates capped at $120/bbl.
In response to the economic downturn, on November 19, 2008 the
Government of Alberta announced special transitional rates for some
conventional oil and gas wells. The lower transitional rates apply to
newly drilled oil and gas wells at depths between 1,000 and 3,500
metres.
On March 3, 2009, the Government of Alberta announced a new three
point incentive program for the energy sector. Firstly, there is a
drilling royalty credit for new conventional oil and natural gas wells.
The credit is on a sliding scale, based on prior year production levels,
to a maximum of $200 per metre drilled or 50 percent of the royalties
owed. Secondly, there is a new well incentive program that provides for a
maximum five per cent royalty rate for the first 12 months of
production up to a maximum of 50,000 barrels of oil or 500 million cubic
feet of natural gas. The 12 month period starts on the date of
production provided it occurs between April 1, 2009 and March 31, 2010.
Thirdly, the province will invest $30 million in a fund committed to
abandoning and reclaiming old well sites, to encourage the clean up of
inactive oil and gas wells.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, 25 percent of crude oil and 71 percent of natural gas production is from Alberta.
Royalty Expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Royalties ($000s) 14,134 29,311
As % of revenue 17.5 20.2
$/boe 6.59 13.65
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING COSTS
Operating costs averaged $11.95 per boe for the quarter ended March
31, 2009, up from $9.91 per boe for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. A
one time prior period adjustment from a non operated property added
$0.33 per boe to quarterly operating costs.
Operating costs for the full year are expected to be at the lower
end of guidance ($11.60 - $11.90 per boe) as activity falls off from
2008 levels and the Trust continues its program to reduce costs in all
areas of its business.
Operating Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating costs ($000s) 25,640 21,273
As a % of revenue 31.8 14.6
$/boe 11.95 9.91
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER INCOME
Other income was $0.45 per boe for the first quarter of 2009
compared to $0.37 per boe in the comparable quarter of 2008. Other
income includes gas processing, blending income, other miscellaneous
income and fees and interest income and interest expense on notes due
from and to MFC (see "Related Party Transactions"). In the first quarter
of 2009, this interest totaled $0.5 million.
Other Income
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest on notes with MFC ($000s) 544 323
Other ($000s) 420 482
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total other income ($000s) 964 805
As a % of revenue 1.20 0.55
Interest on notes with MFC ($/boe) 0.25 0.15
Other ($/boe) 0.20 0.22
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total other income ($/boe) 0.45 0.37
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING NETBACK
For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, NAL's operating netback before
hedging gains was $19.26 per boe, a decrease of 56 percent from $44.27
per boe for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. The decrease was due to
lower revenues, a result of lower commodity prices, and increased
operating costs, partially offset by decreased royalty expense. Hedging
gains, related to commodity and exchange rate derivative contracts, were
$12.95 per boe in the first quarter of 2009, as compared to a loss of
$2.56 per boe in 2008, attributable mainly to lower realized commodity
prices in 2009.
Operating Netback ($/boe)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue 37.60 67.61
Royalties (6.59) (13.65)
Operating expenses (11.95) (9.91)
Other income(1) 0.20 0.22
-----------------------------
Operating netback, before hedging 19.26 44.27
Hedging gains (losses)(2) 12.95 (2.56)
-----------------------------
Operating netback, after hedging 32.21 41.71
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Excludes interest on notes with MFC.
(2) Hedging gains/losses on commodity and exchange rate derivative contracts
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
General and administrative ("G&A") expenses include direct costs
incurred by the Trust plus the reimbursement of the G&A expenses
incurred by NAL Resources Management Limited (the "Manager") on the
Trust's behalf.
For the three months ended March 31, 2009, G&A expenses were
$2.6 million, compared with $3.7 million in the comparable quarter of
2008. In addition, $1.2 million of G&A costs relating to
exploitation and development activities were capitalized in the first
quarter of 2009, compared with $0.9 million in the first quarter of
2008. G&A expense per boe was $1.22 in the quarter, as compared to
$1.74 for the same period in 2008.
The year-over-year decrease in total G&A of $0.9 million is
attributable to a lower payout under the 2008 short term incentive plan
of the Manager than was provided for at December 31, 2008 ($0.6
million), plus other cost saving measures within G&A expenses.
General and Administrative Expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
G&A expenses ($000s)
G&A 2,627 3,641
Retention bonus - 96
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expensed G&A ($000s) 2,627 3,737
Capitalized G&A ($000s) 1,159 942
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total G&A ($000s) 3,786 4,679
Expensed G&A costs:
G&A, excluding retention bonus ($/boe) 1.22 1.70
Retention bonus ($/boe) - 0.04
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total G&A expenses ($/boe) 1.22 1.74
As % of revenue 3.3 2.6
Per trust unit ($) 0.03 0.04
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNIT-BASED INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
The employees of the Manager are all members of a unit-based
incentive plan (the "Plan"). The Plan results in employees receiving
cash compensation based upon the value and overall return of a specified
number of notional trust units. The Plan consists of Restricted Trust
Units ("RTUs") and Performance Trust Units ("PTUs"). RTUs vest as to one
third of the amount of the grant on November 30 in each of three years
after the date of grant. PTUs vest on November 30, three years from the
date of grant. Distributions paid on the Trust's outstanding trust units
during the vesting period are assumed to be paid on the awarded
notional trust units and reinvested in additional notional units on the
date of distribution. Upon vesting, the employee is entitled to a cash
payout based on the trust unit price at the date of vesting of the units
held. In addition, the PTUs have a performance multiplier which is
based on the Trust's performance relative to its peers and may range
from zero to two times the market value of the notional trust units held
at vesting.
During the first quarter of 2009, the Trust recorded a $0.4 million
charge for unit-based incentive compensation that reflects the impact of
vesting, additional notional units and an increase in the PTU
performance multiplier for the 2008 grants. These factors were partially
offset by a decrease in the unit price of the Trust of 16 percent, from
$8.05 at December 31, 2008 to $6.80 at March 31, 2009. A decrease in
unit price results in previously accrued amounts being reversed.
Unit-based incentive compensation decreased by 73 percent compared
to the first quarter of 2008, from $1.7 million in 2008 to $0.4 million
in 2009. The decrease is a reflection of a 49 percent decrease in unit
price used to determine the compensation, year-over-year. In addition,
during the first quarter of 2008 the unit price increased from the
December 31, 2007 unit price by 14 percent, resulting in an increase to
previously accrued amounts.
At March 31, 2009, the unit price used to determine unit-based
incentive compensation was $6.80. The closing unit price of the Trust on
the Toronto Stock Exchange on May 4, 2009 was $9.38.
The calculation of unit-based compensation expense is made at the
end of each quarter based on the quarter end trust unit price and
estimated performance factors. The compensation charges relating to the
units granted are recognized over the vesting period based on the trust
unit price, number of RTUs and PTUs outstanding, and the expected
performance multiplier. As a result, the expense recorded in the
accounts will fluctuate in each quarter and over time.
At March 31, 2009, the Trust has recorded a liability for unit-based
incentive compensation in the amount of $3.9 million, of which $2.5
million is recorded as current as it is payable in December 2009, and
$1.4 million is long-term as it is payable in December 2010 and December
2011.
Unit-Based Compensation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit-based compensation ($000s):
Expensed 293 1,108
Capitalized 152 555
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total unit-based compensation 445 1,663
Expensed unit-based compensation:
As % of revenue 0.36 0.76
$/boe 0.14 0.52
Per trust unit ($) 0.01 0.01
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Trust is managed by the Manager. The Manager is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of MFC and also manages NAL Resources Limited ("NAL
Resources"), another wholly-owned subsidiary of MFC. NAL Resources and
the Trust maintain ownership interests in many of the same oil and
natural gas properties in which NAL Resources is the joint operator. As a
result, a significant portion of the net operating revenues and capital
expenditures during the year are based on joint amounts from NAL
Resources. These transactions are in the normal course of joint
operations and are measured using the fair value established through the
original transactions with third parties.
The Manager provides certain services to the Trust and its
subsidiary entities pursuant to an Administrative Services and Cost
Sharing Agreement (the "Agreement"). This agreement requires the Trust
to reimburse the Manager at cost for G&A and unit-based compensation
expenses incurred by the Manager on behalf of the Trust calculated on a
unit of production basis. The Agreement does not provide for any base
or performance fees to be payable to the Manager.
The Trust paid $1.9 million (2008 - $2.9 million) for the
reimbursement of G&A expenses during the first quarter. The Trust
also pays the Manager its share of unit-based incentive compensation
expense when cash compensation is paid to employees under the terms of
the Plan, of which $2.4 million was paid in the first quarter of 2009,
representing units that vested on November 30, 2008 (2008 - $1.8
million).
At March 31, 2009 the Trust owed the Manager $1.2 million for the
reimbursement of G&A and had a payable to NAL Resources of $1.1
million, relating to capital expenditures less net operating revenues.
The Trust and a wholly owned subsidiary of MFC jointly own a limited
partnership (the "Partnership"). This Partnership holds the assets
acquired from the acquisitions of Tiberius and Spear in February 2008.
In addition, both the Trust and MFC entered into net profit interest
royalty agreements ("NPI") with the Partnership. These agreements
entitle each royalty holder to a 49.5 percent interest in the cash flow
from the Partnership's reserves. In exchange for this interest, the
royalty holders each paid $49.6 million to the Partnership by way of
promissory notes in 2008. Although the MFC note resided in the
Partnership, it was consolidated by virtue of the Trust having control
over the Partnership as described below.
The Trust, by virtue of being the owner of the general partner of
the Partnership under the partnership agreement, is required to
consolidate the results of the Partnership into its financial statements
on the basis that the Trust has control over the Partnership.
Accordingly, the Trust reports all revenues, expenses, assets and
liabilities of the Partnership, together with its wholly owned
subsidiaries and partnerships, in its consolidated financial statements.
The 50 percent share of net income and net assets of the Partnership
attributable to MFC is then deducted from net income and net assets as a
one-line entry, in the income statement and balance sheet, ensuring
that the bottom line net income and net assets reported represent only
the Trust's interest.
During the first quarter of 2009, MFC repaid the note receivable to
the Partnership of $49.6 million. The note receivable bore interest at
prime plus three percent. The Partnership then paid an equal
distribution of $49.6 million to MFC. This resulted in a $49.6 million
reduction to the non-controlling interest on the balance sheet.
As at March 31, 2009, there is a note payable of $9.8 million with
MFC arising from the Tiberius and Spear acquisition. The note payable is
included on consolidation of the Partnership, but is effectively
eliminated through the non-controlling interest. The note is due on
demand, unsecured and bears interest at prime plus three percent. The
amount of the note payable to MFC is adjusted to reflect MFC's share of
the capital expenditures of the Partnership which MFC has funded, less
any loan repayments made.
Net interest on these notes of $0.5 million for the first quarter of
2009 was received by the Trust and is reported as other income.
INTEREST
Interest on bank debt includes charges on borrowings, plus standby
fees on the unused portion of the bank credit facility. Interest on bank
debt for the first quarter of 2009 was $2.0 million, a decrease of $2.0
million from $4.0 million for the comparable period in 2008. The
decrease was due to a decrease in the average effective interest rate,
partially offset by an increase in average debt levels. Average
outstanding bank debt for the first quarter of 2009 was $296.4 million,
$0.9 million higher than the $295.5 million outstanding for the first
quarter of 2008. NAL's effective interest rate averaged 2.58 percent
during the first quarter of 2009, compared to 5.35 percent during the
comparable period in 2008. The decrease in the rate from the first
quarter of 2008 is attributable to lower rates in the market. NAL's
interest is calculated based upon a floating rate.
Interest on convertible debentures represents interest charges of
$1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 as compared to
$1.7 million for the same period in 2008, based on interest at 6.75
percent, and accretion of the debt discount of $0.4 million (2008 - $0.5
million). The decrease in interest and accretion in 2009 is due to
conversions of convertible debentures to trust units that occurred after
March 31, 2008.
Interest and Debt
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest on bank debt ($000s) 1,963 3,981
Interest and accretion on convertible
debentures ($000s) 1,724 2,142
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total interest ($000) 3,687 6,123
Bank debt outstanding at period end ($000s) 304,918 313,370
Convertible debentures at period end ($000s)(i) 74,382 91,353
$/boe:
Interest on bank debt 0.92 1.85
Interest on convertible debentures 0.63 0.78
Accretion on convertible debentures 0.17 0.22
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total interest 1.72 2.85
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) Debt component of the debentures, as reported on the balance sheet.
CASH FLOW NETBACK
For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, NAL's cash flow netback was
$29.54 per boe, a 20 percent decrease from $36.97 per boe for the
comparable period in 2008. The decrease was due to lower operating
netback after hedging, offset by lower G&A expenses, including
unit-based incentive compensation, lower interest charges and higher
interest income on the notes with MFC.
Cash Flow Netback ($/boe)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating netback, after hedging 32.21 41.71
G&A expenses, including unit-based incentive
compensation (1.36) (2.26)
Interest on bank debt and convertible
debentures(1) (1.55) (2.63)
Interest on notes with MFC(2) 0.25 0.15
Realized loss on interest rate derivative
contracts (0.01) -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flow netback 29.54 36.97
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Excludes non-cash accretion on convertible debentures.
(2) Reported as other income.
DEPLETION, DEPRECIATION AND ACCRETION OF ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS ("DDA")
Depletion of oil and natural gas properties, including the
capitalized portion of the asset retirement obligations, and
depreciation of equipment is provided for on a unit-of-production basis
using estimated proved reserves volumes.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, depletion on property, plant
and equipment and accretion on the asset retirement obligations was
$20.99 per boe, five percent lower than the $22.12 per boe for the same
period in 2008. The decrease in depletion rate per boe in 2009 reflects
an increase in proved reserves volumes and a decrease in the related
cost base, year-over-year.
The DDA rate will fluctuate period-over-period depending on the
amount and type of capital expenditures and the amount of reserves
added.
Depletion, Depreciation and Accretion Expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depletion and depreciation ($000s) 43,208 45,712
Accretion of asset retirement obligation ($000s) 1,828 1,798
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total DDA ($000s) 45,036 47,510
DDA rate per boe ($) 20.99 22.12
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAXES
In the first quarter of 2009, NAL had a future income tax recovery
of $6.1 million compared to a $6.5 million recovery in the corresponding
period of the prior year. The recovery in the first quarter of 2009 is
mainly attributable to the unrealized loss on derivative contracts, a
result of a decrease in the fair value of derivative contracts since
December 31, 2008.
The Trust is a taxable entity and files a trust income tax return
annually. The Trust's taxable income consists of royalty income,
distributions from a subsidiary trust and interest and dividends from
other subsidiaries, less deductions for the Trust's G&A expenses,
Canadian Oil and Gas Property Expense ("COGPE"), and issue costs. In
addition, Canadian Exploration Expense ("CEE"), Canadian Development
Expense ("CDE") and Undepreciated Capital Cost ("UCC") are incurred and
deducted by the Trust's subsidiaries. The Trust is taxable only on
remaining income, if any, that is not distributed to unitholders.
As at March 31, 2009, the Trust's (including all subsidiaries)
estimated tax pools (unaudited) available for deduction from future
taxable income approximated $743.9 million, of which approximately 40
percent represented COGPE, 28 percent represented UCC, with the
remaining balance represented by CEE, CDE, trust unit issue costs and
non-capital loss carry forwards.
Estimated Tax Pools ($ millions)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31,
March 31, 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canadian exploration expense 12 12
Canadian development expense 214 202
Canadian oil and gas property expense 295 301
Undepreciated capital costs 208 209
Other (including loss carry forwards) 15 14
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total estimated tax pools 744 738
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on current strip prices at March 31, 2009, the Trust is not expected to be taxable in 2009.
Under the specified investment flow-through ("SIFT") legislation,
which becomes effective January 1, 2011, distributions to unitholders
will not be deductible against income by publicly traded income trusts
and, as a result, the Trust will be taxed on its income similar to
corporations. These measures are considered enacted for purposes of
GAAP. Accordingly, the Trust has measured future income tax assets and
liabilities under the SIFT tax rules. For 2009, the Trust has recognized
$14.2 million of future income tax liability in the financial
statements under the SIFT tax rules ($15.0 million in 2008), the
decrease from 2008 reflecting a lower SIFT tax rate. It is expected that
all remaining taxable temporary differences not recognized as a future
tax liability will reverse prior to January 1, 2011, the date the
taxation changes take effect. The scheduling of the reversal of
temporary differences is based on management's best estimates and
current assumptions, which may change. Bill C-10, containing the
legislation for the provincial SIFT rate, received Royal Assent on March
12, 2009. The Alberta provincial tax rate for 2011 is expected to be 10
percent. This will result in an effective combined SIFT rate of 26.5
percent in 2011 and 25.0 percent in 2012, a three percent decrease from
the original legislation.
NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST
The Trust has recorded a non-controlling interest in respect of the
50 percent ownership interest held by MFC in the Partnership holding the
Tiberius and Spear assets (see "Related Party Transactions").
The operations attributable to the Tiberius and Spear assets were as
follows:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Impact Net Impact to
$(000s) 2009(1) to Trust(2) 2008(3) the Trust(2)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total production volumes
(boes) 79,527 39,764 38,680 19,340
Production volumes (boe/d) 884 442 425 213
Oil, natural gas and liquid
sales $ 3,630 $1,815 $ 3,910 $1,955
Royalties (490) (245) (538) (269)
Operating costs (1,335) (667) (321) (161)
General and administrative (62) (31) (28) (14)
Unit-based incentive
compensation (11) (5) (20) (10)
Interest income, net 1,086 543 646 323
Depletion, depreciation and
accretion (1,101) (551) (199) (99)
Net profit interest income
(expense) (486) (243) (2,957) (1,478)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income $ 1,231 $616 $493 $247
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Total results of the Partnership consolidated into the results of the
Trust
(2) Net impact to the Trust, removing 50 percent of results attributable to
MFC
(3) Represents results of operations commencing February 27, 2008, the
closing date of the acquisition
The non-controlling interest presented in the statement of income
has two components: the royalty paid to MFC under the NPI, being a cash
payment to the royalty holder, and 50 percent of net income remaining in
the Partnership, after NPI expense, attributable to MFC. This share of
net income attributable to MFC is a non-cash item.
The non-controlling interest in the consolidated statement of income is comprised of:
Non-Controlling Interest ($000s)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net profits interest expense 243 1,478
Share of net income attributable to MFC 616 247
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
859 1,725
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME
Net income is a measure impacted by both cash and non-cash items.
The largest non-cash items impacting the Trust's net income are DDA,
unrealized gains or losses on derivative contracts and future income
taxes.
Net income for the first quarter of 2009 was $4.7 million compared
to $13.7 million for the comparable period in 2008. The decrease of $9.0
million was mainly due to decreased revenues net of royalties, ($49.2
million) and increased operating costs ($4.3 million), largely offset by
increased gains on derivative contracts ($37.3 million) and decreased
DD&A expense ($2.5 million).
Net Income ($000s)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income 4,724 13,733
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
The capital structure of the Trust is comprised of trust units, bank debt and convertible debentures.
As at March 31, 2009, NAL had 96,181,397 trust units outstanding, the same amount as at December 31, 2008.
Under NAL's distribution reinvestment plan (the "DRIP"), unitholders
may elect to reinvest distributions or make optional cash payments to
acquire trust units from treasury under the DRIP at 95 percent of the
average market price with no additional fees or commissions. The
operation of the DRIP was reinstated effective with the March
distribution payable on April 15, 2009, following suspension of the
program in October 2008.
The premium distribution reinvestment plan ("Premium DRIP") allows
unitholders to exchange such units for a cash payment, from the plan
broker, equal to 102 percent of the monthly distribution. The Premium
DRIP program has been suspended since March 10, 2006.
As at March 31, 2009 the Trust had net debt of $404.4 million (net
of working capital and excluding derivative contracts, note payable with
MFC and future income taxes) including convertible debentures at face
value of $79.7 million. Excluding the convertible debentures, net debt
was $324.6 million, compared with $319.0 million at December 31, 2008.
The increase in net debt, excluding convertible debentures, of $5.6
million during 2009 is attributable to increased bank debt of $22.6
million, offset by a positive change in working capital of $17.0
million.
Bank debt outstanding was $304.9 million at March 31, 2009 compared
with $282.3 million as at December 31, 2008. Of the $304.9 million
outstanding at March 31, 2009, $5.9 million is outstanding under the
working capital facility and $299.0 million outstanding under the
production facility.
At the end of the first quarter, the Trust had a net debt (excluding
convertible debentures) to 12 months trailing cash flow ratio of 1.09
times and a total net debt (including convertible debentures) to 12
months trailing cash flow ratio of 1.36 times.
Subsequent to quarter end, the Trust renewed its credit facility at
the previously approved amount of $450 million. The credit facility is a
fully secured, extendible, revolving facility and will revolve until
April 28, 2010 at which time it is extendible for a further 364-day
revolving period upon agreement between the Trust and the bank
syndicate. The facility consists of a $440 million production facility
and a $10 million working capital facility. The credit facility is fully
secured by first priority security interests in all present and after
acquired properties and assets of the Trust and its subsidiary and
affiliated entities. The purpose of the facility is to fund property
acquisitions and capital expenditures. Principal repayments to the bank
are not required at this time. Should principal repayments become
mandatory, and in the absence of refinancing arrangements, the Trust
would be required to repay the facility in five equal quarterly
installments commencing April 29, 2011.
The Trust has outstanding $79.7 million principal amount of 6.75%
convertible extendible unsecured subordinated debentures. Interest on
these debentures is paid semi-annually in arrears, on February 28 and
August 31, and the debentures are convertible at the option of the
holder, at any time, into fully paid trust units at a conversion price
of $14.00 per trust unit. The debentures mature on August 31, 2012 at
which time they are due and payable. The debentures are redeemable by
the Trust at a price of $1,050 per debenture on or after September 1,
2010 and on or before August 31, 2011, and at a price of $1,025 per
debenture on or after September 1, 2011 and on or before August 31,
2012. On redemption or maturity, the Trust may opt to satisfy its
obligation to repay the principal by issuing trust units. If all of the
outstanding debentures were converted at the conversion price, an
additional 5.7 million trust units would be required to be issued.
The convertible debentures are classified as debt on the balance
sheet with a portion of the proceeds allocated to equity, representing
the value of the conversion feature. As the debentures are converted to
trust units, a portion of the debt and equity amounts are transferred to
Unitholders' Capital. The debt component of the convertible debentures
is carried net of issue costs of $4 million. The debt balance, net of
issue costs, accretes over time to the principal amount owing on
maturity. The accretion of the debt discount and the interest paid to
debenture holders are expensed each period as part of the line item
"interest and accretion on convertible debentures" in the consolidated
statement of income.
The Trust recognized $0.4 million (2008 - $0.5 million) of accretion of the debt discount in the first quarter of 2009.
As at May 4, 2009, the Trust has 96,352,012 trust units and $79.7 million in convertible debentures outstanding.
Capitalization
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31,
March 31, 2009 2008 March 31, 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trust unit equity ($000s) 532,171 557,263 511,072
Bank debt ($000s) 304,918 282,332 313,370
Working capital deficit
(surplus)(1) ($000s) 19,696 36,712 (4,023)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net debt excluding
convertible debentures 324,614 319,044 309,347
Convertible debentures
($000s)(2) 79,744 79,744 100,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net debt 404,358 398,788 409,347
Net debt excluding
convertible debentures to
trailing 12 month cash
flow(3) 1.09 1.03 1.29
Total net debt to trailing
12-month cash flow(3) 1.36 1.28 1.70
Trust units outstanding (000s) 96,181 96,181 93,519
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Working capital excludes derivative contracts and future income tax
asset.
(2) Convertible debentures included at face value.
(3) Calculated as net debt divided by funds from operations for the previous
12 months.
The current economic slowdown, reduced availability of credit, and
challenging equity markets have resulted in the Trust setting its
objective for 2009 to operating within forecasted funds from operations
and targeting a total payout ratio of approximately 100 percent
(distribution plus capital). Funds from operations is a non-GAAP measure
used by management as an indicator of the Trust's ability to generate
cash from operations. Currently, the Trust has a bank line of $450
million of which $305 million is drawn down at March 31, 2009, leaving
available capacity of $145 million.
On March 11, 2009 the Trust announced a reduction in distributions
from $0.11 per unit to $0.09 per unit commencing with the distribution
to be paid on April 15, 2009. This reduction was made in response to
declining commodity prices, taking into account the need for an ongoing
capital program and maintenance of a strong balance sheet.
For 2009, the Trust is benefiting from an active hedging program at
prices above current market levels. Currently, the Trust has in place
oil hedges for approximately 43 percent of net budgeted production
(after royalty) for the remaining nine months of 2009. Volumes are
hedged at an average floor price of $99.96 per boe. For natural gas,
remaining 2009 hedges total approximately 36 percent of net budgeted
production volumes hedged at an average floor price in excess of $6.66
per GJ (or $7.02 per Mcf).
NAL's capital program for 2009 has been designed to be scalable and
flexible in response to uncertain commodity prices and market
conditions. NAL initially planned a $110 million capital program with
the expectation to drill approximately 82 (40 net) wells. Capital for
the first half of 2009 was reduced in February by $15 million in
response to weaker commodity prices. Capital has now been increased for
the second half of 2009 to reflect a $115 million program for 2009, in
response to the Alberta Clipper acquisition and the joint venture
partnership agreement. The Trust, through the Manager, operates over 90
percent of the assets to which the capital program is directed allowing
for significant flexibility over the timing and scale of the program.
Fluctuations in commodity prices, other market factors, or growth
opportunities may make it necessary to adjust forecasted capital
expenditures or distributions levels.
Under the tax legislation regarding the change in the taxation of
income trusts, the Trust has a grandfathering period to 2011, when the
rules come into effect. The grandfathering period restricts "undue
expansion" of the Trust by placing growth limits for issuances of equity
and convertible debt, based on the market capitalization of the Trust
on October 31, 2006, the date of the announcement of the changes in the
tax legislation. For 2009 and 2010, the Trust has approximately $1.11
billion of available safe harbour prior to the acquisition of Alberta
Clipper, all of which is currently available.
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION
At March 31, 2009, the Trust reported an asset retirement obligation
("ARO") balance of $92.3 million ($90.8 million as at December 31,
2008) for future abandonment and reclamation of the Trust's oil and gas
properties and facilities. The ARO balance was increased by $0.8 million
due to liabilities incurred and revisions to estimates and $1.8 million
from accretion expense, and was reduced by $1.1 million for actual
abandonment and environmental expenditures incurred during the first
quarter.
DISTRIBUTIONS TO UNITHOLDERS
For the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Trust distributed 45
percent of its cash flow from operating activities, as compared to 62
percent for the same period in 2008. The payout associated with cash
flow from operating activities will fluctuate significantly period over
period as cash flow from operating activities includes changes in
non-cash working capital associated with operating activities. The Trust
has distributed in excess of its net income in each period, due to the
non-cash charges included in net income. Cash flow from operations
usually exceeds net income, as net income includes non-cash charges such
as DDA, future income tax expense and unrealized gains and losses on
derivative contracts.
The Board of Directors of NAL Energy Inc. sets distribution levels
taking into consideration commodity prices, the forecasted cash flow of
the Trust, financial market conditions, availability of financing,
internal capital investment opportunities and taxability.
Given that distributions exceeded net income during 2009, the excess
could be considered to be an economic return of capital to the
unitholders. The Trust's business model is such that it distributes a
certain proportion of its cash flow while retaining cash to execute
planned capital programs. As a result of the depleting nature of oil and
gas assets, some capital expenditure is required in order to minimize
production declines as well as to invest in facilities and
infrastructure. NAL's 2009 capital program may not fully replace
production. When the Trust sets distribution levels, depletion expense
is not considered to be indicative of a measure for maintaining
productive capacity, and therefore, net income is not considered a
driver of distribution levels. The Trust grows its productive capacity
and sustains its cash flow through development activities and
acquisitions. NAL's productive capacity and future cash flow will be
dependent on its ability to acquire assets and continue to find economic
reserves. Acquisitions are financed through equity, debt or a
combination of the two.
Generally, the capital expenditures of the Trust and the
distributions in any given period exceed the cash flow from operating
activities. The shortfall is financed from the credit facility. However,
given the current economic slowdown, the Trust is targeting cash flow
to equal distributions and capital expenditures in order to preserve the
Trust's balance sheet. Fluctuations in commodity prices, other market
factors, or growth opportunities may make it necessary to adjust
forecasted capital expenditures or distributions levels.
NAL intends to continue to make cash distributions to unitholders.
However, these cash distributions cannot be guaranteed. The primary
drivers of the level of distributions are the assumptions that
contribute to cash flow, namely production, operating costs and
commodity prices. The implication of this policy is that the Trust is
likely to continue to distribute in excess of its net income for any
given period. The future sustainability of this distribution policy will
be dependent upon maintaining productive capacity through both capital
expenditures and acquisitions. A significant further decrease in
commodity prices or continuing low commodity prices may impact cash from
operating activities, access to credit facilities and the Trust's
ability to fund operations and maintain distributions.
Distributions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
($000s except for percentages) 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flow from operating activities 66,546 70,561
Net income 4,724 13,733
Actual cash distributions paid or payable 29,816 44,025
Excess of cash flow from operating activities
over cash distribution paid 36,730 26,536
Percentage of cash flow from operations
distributed 45% 62%
Excess (shortfall) of net income over cash
distributions paid (25,092) (30,292)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
As stated in the non-GAAP measures section of the MD&A, NAL uses
funds from operations as a key performance indicator to measure the
ability of the Trust to generate cash from operations and to pay monthly
distributions.
For the three months ended March 31, 2009, funds from operations
amounted to $62.0 million, compared with $76.2 million for the three
months ended March 31, 2008. The 19 percent decrease is due to lower
revenues resulting from lower commodity prices, offset by realized
hedging gains of $27.8 million. On a per trust unit basis, funds from
operations decreased 23 percent from $0.83 in 2008 to $0.64 in 2009.
Funds from Operations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funds from operations ($000s) 62,024 76,220
Funds from operations per trust unit 0.64 0.83
Payout ratio based on funds from operations 48% 58%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
NAL has no variable interest entities.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
NAL has entered into several contractual obligations as part of
conducting day-to-day business. NAL has the following commitments for
the next five years:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
($000s) 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office lease(1) 3,108 3,799 - - -
Transportation agreement 2,926 2,320 2,320 - -
Processing agreement(2) 336 428 414 401 384
Convertible debentures(3) - - - 79,744 -
Bank debt - - 182,951 121,967 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 6,370 6,547 185,685 202,112 384
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Represents the full amount of office lease commitments, including both
base rent and operating costs, in relation to the lease held by the
Manager, of which the Trust is allocated a pro rata share (currently
approximately 59 percent) of the expense on a monthly basis.
(2) Represents a gas processing agreement with a take or pay component.
(3) Principal amount.
QUARTERLY INFORMATION
2009 2008 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
($000s,
except per
unit and
production
amounts) Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue,
net of
royalties
(1) 77,791 161,156 234,993(3) 58,861(4) 89,611 86,262 78,573 83,268
Per unit 0.81 1.68 2.46 0.63 0.98 0.96 0.95 1.06
Funds from
operations
(2) 62,024 67,040 79,233 88,578 76,220 59,537 50,817 54,156
Per unit 0.64 0.70 0.83 0.94 0.83 0.66 0.61 0.69
Net income
(loss) 4,724 55,374 111,045 (17,572) 13,733 10,556 7,801 21,390
Per unit
basic 0.05 0.58 1.16 (0.19) 0.15 0.12 0.09 0.27
diluted 0.05 0.56 1.11 (0.19) 0.15 0.12 0.09 0.27
Average oil
equivalent
production
(boe/d
6:1) 23,836 23,984 23,808 23,791 23,601 23,656 20,369 19,094
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Represents revenue, net of royalties, plus gain (loss) on derivative
contracts
(2) Represents cash flow from operating activities prior to the change in
non-cash working capital items
(3) Excluding the unrealized gain on derivative contracts of $111,053,000;
Revenue, net of royalties would be $123,940,000
(4) Excluding the unrealized loss on derivative contracts of $70,148,000;
Revenue net of royalties would be $129,009,000
DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES ("DC&P")
NAL's certifying officers have designed DC&P, or caused them to
be designed under their supervision, to provide reasonable assurance
that information required to be disclosed by NAL in its interim filings
is processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified
in applicable securities legislation and that all material information
relating to NAL is made known to them by others.
INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING ("ICFR")
NAL's certifying officers are responsible for establishing and
maintaining ICFR. They have designed ICFR, or caused it to be designed
under their supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial
statements for external purposes in accordance with Canadian GAAP. The
control framework the officers used to design NAL's ICFR is the Internal
Control - Integrated Framework ("Framework") published by the Committee
of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO").
While management believes that NAL's controls provide a reasonable
level of assurance with regard to their effectiveness, they do not
expect that the DC&P or ICFR will prevent all errors and fraud. A
control system, no matter how well conceived or operated, can provide
only reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the
control system are met.
There are no changes in the Trust's ICFR for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 that materially affected the Trust's ICFR.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The significant accounting policies used by NAL are disclosed in the
notes to NAL's December 31, 2008 audited consolidated financial
statements. Certain accounting policies require that management make
appropriate decisions when formulating estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and
expenses. The Manager reviews the estimates regularly. The emergence of
new information and changed circumstances may result in actual results
or changes in estimated amounts that differ materially from current
estimates. NAL might realize different results from the application of
new accounting standards published, from time to time, by various
regulatory bodies. An assessment of NAL's significant accounting
estimates is discussed in the MD&A filed with NAL's audited
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2008.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARD
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Effective January 1, 2009, the Trust implemented the provisions of
CICA Handbook Section 3064, "Goodwill and Intangible Assets". Section
3064 establishes standards for the recognition, measurement,
presentation and disclosure of goodwill and intangible assets. Standards
concerning goodwill are unchanged from the previous standards,
resulting in no impact to the consolidated financial statements of the
Trust from the implementation of this Section.
FUTURE ACCOUNTING CHANGES
International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS")
The Trust continues to prepare for the forthcoming conversion to
IFRS. 2009 activities to date have concentrated on an in-depth review of
the significant Canadian GAAP differences and their related policy
choices. Other areas being addressed include the impacts on information
systems, internal controls, financial reporting, debt covenants and
compensation arrangements. For further details on the transition plan
please refer to the annual MD&A.
Dated: May 5, 2009
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(thousands of dollars) (unaudited)
As at
As at December 31,
March 31, 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets
Current assets
Cash $ 12,615 $ 5,584
Accounts receivable and other 48,557 57,825
Note receivable (Note 3) - 49,599
Derivative contracts (Note 11) 48,085 65,680
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
109,257 178,688
Derivative contracts (Note 11) 25 -
Goodwill 14,722 14,722
Property, plant and equipment (Note 4) 1,013,022 1,017,187
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 1,137,026 $ 1,210,597
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities and Unitholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 72,212 $ 84,732
Note payable (Note 3) 9,814 9,609
Distributions payable to unitholders 8,656 15,389
Future income tax liability 11,731 16,788
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
102,413 126,518
Bank debt (Note 5) 304,918 282,332
Convertible debentures (Note 6) 74,382 74,004
Derivative contracts (Note 11) 1,208 274
Unit-based incentive compensation (Note 7) 1,361 890
Asset retirement obligations (Note 8) 92,345 90,844
Future income tax liability 21,034 22,092
Non-controlling interest (Note 9) 7,194 56,380
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
604,855 653,334
Unitholders' equity
Unitholders' capital (Note 10) 1,042,183 1,042,183
Equity component of convertible debentures
(Note 6) 4,592 4,592
Deficit (Note 10) (514,604) (489,512)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
532,171 557,263
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 1,137,026 $ 1,210,597
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subsequent event (Note 12)
Trust units outstanding (000s) 96,181 96,181
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME, COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND DEFICIT
Three months ended March 31,
(thousands of dollars, except per unit amounts) (unaudited)
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue
Oil, natural gas and liquid sales $ 81,703 $ 146,143
Crown royalties (10,611) (21,848)
Freehold and other royalties (3,523) (7,463)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
67,569 116,832
Gain (loss) on derivative contracts (Note 11):
Realized gain (loss) 27,762 (5,491)
Unrealized loss (18,504) (22,535)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
9,258 (28,026)
Other income 964 805
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
77,791 89,611
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses
Operating 25,640 21,273
Transportation 1,041 934
General and administrative 2,627 3,737
Unit-based incentive compensation (Note 7) 293 1,108
Interest on bank debt 1,963 3,981
Interest and accretion on convertible
debentures 1,724 2,142
Depletion, depreciation and amortization 43,208 45,712
Accretion on asset retirement obligations 1,828 1,798
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
78,324 80,685
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before taxes and
non-controlling interest (533) 8,926
Income tax recovery 1 4
Future income tax reduction 6,115 6,528
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total income tax reduction 6,116 6,532
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before non-controlling interest 5,583 15,458
Non-controlling interest (Note 9) (859) (1,725)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income and comprehensive income 4,724 13,733
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deficit, beginning of period (489,512) (470,630)
Net income 4,724 13,733
Distributions declared (29,816) (44,025)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deficit, end of period $ (514,604) $ (500,922)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income per trust unit (Note 10)
Basic $ 0.05 $ 0.15
Diluted $ 0.05 $ 0.15
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average trust units outstanding (000s) 96,181 91,717
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Three months ended March 31,
(thousands of dollars) (unaudited)
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Activities
Net income $ 4,724 $ 13,733
Items not involving cash:
Depletion, depreciation and amortization 43,208 45,712
Accretion on asset retirement obligations 1,828 1,798
Unrealized loss on derivative contracts 18,504 22,535
Future income tax reduction (6,115) (6,528)
Non-cash accretion expense on convertible
debentures 378 477
Non-controlling interest 616 247
Abandonment and environmental expenditures (1,119) (1,754)
Change in non-cash working capital 4,522 (5,659)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
66,546 70,561
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financing Activities
Distributions paid to unitholders (36,549) (36,376)
Increase in bank debt 22,586 37,740
Issue of trust units, net of issue costs - (14)
Note repayment from MFC (Note 3) 49,599 -
Partnership distribution paid to MFC (49,802) -
Change in non-cash working capital 33 (426)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(14,133) 924
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investing Activities
Additions to property, plant and equipment (36,936) (29,323)
Property acquisitions (1,314) (6,870)
Acquisition of Tiberius and Spear - (76,984)
Disposition of Tiberius and Spear - 58,107
Acquisition of Seneca - 337
Change in non-cash working capital (7,132) (2,969)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(45,382) (57,702)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase in cash 7,031 13,783
Cash, beginning of period 5,584 1,394
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash, end of period $ 12,615 $ 15,177
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplementary disclosure of cash flow
information:
Cash paid (received) during the period for:
Interest $ 4,678 $ 6,522
Tax $ (72) $ -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Three months ended March 31, 2009
(Tabular amounts in thousands of dollars, except per unit amounts)
(unaudited)
1. SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Management prepared the interim consolidated financial statements of
NAL Oil & Gas Trust ("NAL" or the "Trust") in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in Canada and following the
same accounting policies and methods of computation as the consolidated
financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. The
following disclosure is incremental to the disclosure included within
the annual financial statements. Please read the interim consolidated
financial statements in conjunction with the consolidated financial
statements and notes thereto in NAL's annual report for the year ended
December 31, 2008.
2. PLAN OF ARRANGEMENT
On March 23, 2009 NAL and Alberta Clipper Energy Inc. ("Alberta
Clipper") entered into an arrangement agreement pursuant to which NAL
will indirectly acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares
of Alberta Clipper by way of a Plan of Arrangement. Under the
arrangement, Alberta Clipper shareholders will receive 0.078875 trust
units of NAL for each share of Alberta Clipper held, resulting in the
expected issuance of approximately 5.7 million trust units. The
transaction is subject to the approval of the Alberta Clipper
shareholders, the Court of Queens Bench of the Province of Alberta and
regulatory authorities, and is expected to close on or about June 1,
2009.
Concurrent with the execution of the arrangement agreement, the
Trust entered into a letter of agreement with Manulife Financial
Corporation ("MFC"), pursuant to which MFC has agreed, subject to the
satisfaction of certain conditions, including the preparation of
definitive documentation, to purchase a 50% working interest in all the
oil and gas assets of Alberta Clipper for a cash purchase price of
approximately $52.5 million. It is expected that the closing of the sale
of assets to MFC will occur immediately following completion of the
acquisition of Alberta Clipper by the Trust.
3. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Trust is managed by NAL Resources Management Limited (the
"Manager"). The Manager is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MFC and manages
on their behalf NAL Resources Limited, another wholly-owned subsidiary
of MFC.
The Manager provides certain services to the Trust pursuant to an
administrative services and cost sharing agreement. This agreement
requires the Trust to reimburse the Manager, at cost, for general and
administrative ("G&A") expenses incurred by the Manager on behalf of
the Trust. The Trust paid $1.9 million (2008 - $2.9 million) for the
reimbursement of G&A expenses during the first quarter. The Trust
also pays the Manager its share of unit-based compensation expense when
cash compensation is paid to employees under the terms of the Manager's
incentive compensation plans. During the first quarter, $2.4 million was
paid relating to notional units that vested on November 30, 2008 (2008 -
$1.8 million).
The Trust and a wholly owned subsidiary of MFC jointly own a limited
partnership (the "Partnership"). This Partnership holds the assets
acquired from the acquisition of Tiberius Exploration Inc and Spear
Exploration Inc ("Tiberius and Spear") in February 2008. Both the Trust
and MFC have entered into net profit interest royalty agreements ("NPI")
with the Partnership. These agreements entitle each royalty holder to a
49.5 percent interest in the cash flow from the Partnership's reserves.
In exchange for this interest, the royalty holders each paid $49.6
million to the Partnership by way of promissory notes in 2008. Although
the MFC note resided in the Partnership, it was consolidated by virtue
of the Trust having control of the Partnership as described below.
The Trust, by virtue of being the owner of the general partner under
the partnership agreement, is required to consolidate the results of
the Partnership into its financial statements on the basis that the
Trust has control over the Partnership.
During the first quarter of 2009, MFC repaid the note receivable to
the Partnership for $49.6 million. The note receivable bore interest at
prime plus three percent. The Partnership then paid an equal
distribution of $49.6 million to MFC. This resulted in a $49.6 million
reduction to the non-controlling interest (Note 9).
As at March 31, 2009, there is a note payable of $9.8 million with
MFC arising from the Tiberius and Spear acquisition. The note payable is
included on consolidation of the Partnership, but is effectively
eliminated through the non-controlling interest. The note is due on
demand, unsecured and bears interest at prime plus three percent. The
amount of the note payable to MFC is adjusted to reflect MFC's share of
the capital expenditures of the Partnership which MFC has funded, less
any loan repayments made.
Net interest on these notes of $0.5 million for the first quarter of
2009 (2008 - $0.3 million) was received by the Trust and is reported as
other income.
The following amounts are due to and from related parties as at
March 31, 2009 and have been included in accounts receivable, note
receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities and note payable on
the balance sheet:
March 31, December 31,
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Due to NAL Resources Limited $ (1,146) $ (10,042)
Due to NAL Resources Management Limited (1,185) (3,881)
Due (to) from Manulife Financial Corporation(1) (10,886) 45,512
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ (13,217) $ 31,589
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Included on consolidation, eliminated through non-controlling interest.
Represents note payable $9.8 million (2008: $9.6 million), plus amounts
due from (to) MFC of ($1.1) million (2008: $5.5 million), presented in
accounts receivable, relating to the net interest and NPI amounts due.
4. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
March 31, December 31,
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Petroleum and natural gas properties, at cost $ 1,948,567 $ 1,909,524
Less: Accumulated depletion and depreciation (935,545) (892,337)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 1,013,022 $ 1,017,187
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Costs associated with undeveloped land of $40.1 million (2008 -
$31.2 million) have been excluded from the depletion calculation for the
three months ended March 31, 2009.
Future development costs for proved reserves of $46.3 million (2008 -
$49.8 million) have been included in the depletion calculation.
During the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Trust capitalized
$1.2 million (2008 - $0.9 million) of G&A costs and $0.2 million
(2008 - $0.6 million) of unit-based incentive compensation that were
directly related to exploitation and development programs.
5. BANK DEBT
March 31, December 31,
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Production loan facility $ 298,961 $ 281,984
Working capital facility 5,957 348
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total debt outstanding $ 304,918 $ 282,332
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Trust maintains a fully secured, extendible, revolving term
credit facility with a syndicate of Canadian chartered banks and one
U.S. based lender. The facility consists of a $440 million production
facility and a $10 million working capital facility. The total amount of
the facility is determined by reference to a borrowing base. The
borrowing base is calculated by the bank syndicate and is based on the
net present value of the Trust's oil and gas reserves and other assets.
Given that the borrowing base is dependent on the Trust's reserves and
future commodity prices, lending limits are subject to change on
renewal.
The credit facility is fully secured by first priority security
interests in all existing and future acquired properties and assets of
the Trust and its subsidiary and affiliated entities. The facility will
revolve until April 28, 2010 at which time it may be extended for a
further 364-day revolving period upon agreement between the Trust and
the bank syndicate. If the credit facility is not extended in April
2010, the amounts outstanding at that time will be converted to a
two-year term loan. The term loan will be payable in five equal
quarterly installments commencing April 29, 2011.
The Trust is restricted under the credit facility from making
distributions to its unitholders in excess of its consolidated operating
cash flow during the 18 month period preceding the distribution date.
The Trust is in compliance with this covenant.
Amounts are advanced under the credit facility in Canadian dollars
by way of prime interest rate based loans and by issues of bankers'
acceptances and in U.S. dollars by way of U.S. based interest rate and
Libor based loans. The interest charged on advances is at the prevailing
interest rate for bankers' acceptances, Libor loans, lenders' prime or
U.S. base rates plus an applicable margin or stamping fee. The
applicable margin or stamping fee, if any, varies based on the
consolidated debt-to-cash flow ratio of the Trust. As at March 31, 2009
and December 31, 2008 all amounts outstanding were in Canadian dollars.
On March 31, 2009 the effective interest rate on amounts outstanding
under the credit facility was 1.80 percent (2008 - 5.26 percent). The
Trust's interest charge includes this fixed interest rate component,
plus a standby fee, a stamping fee and the fee for renewal.
6. CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES
The following table reconciles the principal amount, debt component and equity component of the convertible debentures.
Principal Debt Equity
amount of component of component of
debentures debentures debentures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 2007 $ 100,000 $ 90,876 $ 5,759
Conversion to trust units (20,256) (18,568) (1,167)
Accretion - 1,696 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 2008 $ 79,744 $ 74,004 $ 4,592
Accretion - 378 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, March 31, 2009 $ 79,744 $ 74,382 $ 4,592
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. UNIT-BASED INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
The Trust recorded a total compensation expense of $0.5 million in
the first three months of 2009, of which $0.3 million was recorded as an
expense and $0.2 million as property, plant and equipment ($1.8 million
was expensed and $0.8 million recorded as property, plant and equipment
for the year ended December 31, 2008). The compensation expense was
based on the March 31, 2009 trust unit price of $6.80 (December 31, 2008
- $8.05), accrued distributions, performance factors, and the number of
units vesting on maturity.
The following table reconciles the change in total accrued trust unit-based incentive compensation relating to the plan:
Three months ended Year ended
March 31, December 31,
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, beginning of period $ 5,802 $ 4,996
Increase in liability 488 2,573
Cash payout, relating to units vested (2,362) (1,767)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, end of period 3,928 $ 5,802
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current portion of liability(1) 2,567 $ 4,912
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term liability $ 1,361 $ 890
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
8. ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
The following table reconciles the Trust's asset retirement obligations.
Three months ended Year ended
March 31, December 31,
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, beginning of period $ 90,844 $ 89,602
Accretion expense 1,828 7,299
Revisions to estimates 558 (262)
Liabilities incurred 234 1,422
Liabilities acquired - 1,636
Liabilities settled (1,119) (8,853)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, end of period $ 92,345 $ 90,844
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAL's estimated credit-adjusted risk-free rate of nine percent (2008
- eight to nine percent) and an inflation rate of two percent (2008 -
two percent) were used to calculate the present value of the asset
retirement obligations.
9. NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST
The Trust has recorded a non-controlling interest in respect of the
50 percent ownership interest held by MFC in the Partnership holding the
Tiberius and Spear assets (Note 3). The non-controlling interest on the
balance sheet represents 50 percent of the net assets of the
Partnership as follows:
Three months ended Year ended
March 31, December 31,
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-controlling interest, beginning
of period $ 56,380 $ -
Non-controlling interest on acquisition - 54,057
Net income attributable to
non-controlling interest 616 3,823
Distributions to MFC (49,802) (1,500)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-controlling interest, end of period $ 7,194 $ 56,380
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The non-controlling interest in the statement of income is comprised of:
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net profits interest $ 243 $ 1,478
Share of net income attributable to MFC 616 247
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 859 $ 1,725
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. UNITHOLDERS EQUITY
Units Issued:
Three months ended Year ended
March 31, 2009 December 31, 2008
Units Amount Units Amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, beginning of the period 96,181 $ 1,042,183 90,494 $ 969,588
Issued on corporate acquisitions - - 2,409 29,496
Less issue expenses - - - (29)
Issued from Distribution Reinvestment
Plan - - 1,831 23,393
Issued on conversion of debentures - - 1,447 19,735
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, end of the period 96,181 $ 1,042,183 96,181 $ 1,042,183
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Unit Information
Basic net income per trust unit is calculated using the weighted
average number of trust units outstanding. The calculation of diluted
net income per trust unit excludes the convertible debentures as the
trust units potentially issuable on the conversion of the convertible
debentures are anti-dilutive for the three months ended March 31, 2009
and 2008. Total weighted average trust units issuable on conversion of
the convertible debentures and excluded from the diluted net income per
trust unit calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2009 were
5,696,000 (2008 - 7,142,857). As at March 31, 2009, the total
convertible debentures outstanding were immediately convertible to
5,696,000 trust units.
Deficit
The deficit is comprised of the following:
Three months ended Year ended
March 31, 2009 December 31, 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated income $557,755 $553,031
Accumulated cash distributions (1,072,359) (1,042,543)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
($514,604) ($489,512)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT
Foreign currency exchange rate risk
During 2009 the Trust has entered into foreign exchange rate
derivative contracts. NAL's management has authorization to fix the
exchange rate on up to 50 percent of the Trust's U.S. dollar exposure
for periods of up to 24 months.
NAL has the following foreign exchange rate derivative contracts
outstanding:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trust Counterparty
Amount Fixed Floating
EXCHANGE RATE Remaining Term (US$ MM)(1) Rate Rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BofC Average
Swaps-floating to fixed Apr 2009 - Nov 2009 $16.0 1.2730 Noon Rate
BofC Average
Swaps-floating to fixed Apr 2009 - Nov 2009 $16.0 1.2875 Noon Rate
Swaps-floating to BofC Average
fixed(i) Apr 2009 - Nov 2009 $16.0 1.2625 Noon Rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) Entered into subsequent to quarter-end
(1) Notional US$ denominated commodity sales
Commodity price risk
NAL has the following commodity derivative contracts outstanding:
CRUDE OIL Q2-09 Q3-09 Q4-09 Q1-10 Q2-10 Q3-10 Q4-10
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
US$ Collar Contracts
$US WTI Collar
Volume (bbl/d) 200 100 - 1,300 1,100 400 400
Bought Puts -
Average Strike
Price ($US/bbl) $110.00 $110.00 - $ 57.88 $ 58.41 $ 60.00 $ 60.00
Sold Calls -
Average Strike
Price ($US/bbl) $154.95 $157.50 - $ 69.29 $ 69.61 $ 70.61 $ 70.61
US$ Swap Contracts
$US WTI Swap Volume
(bbl/d) - 900 900 - - - -
Average WTI Swap
Price ($US/bbl) - $ 59.22 $ 59.22 - - - -
Cdn $ Collar
Contracts
$Cdn WTI Collar
Volume (bbl/d) 1,567 1,100 1,500 300 - - -
Bought Puts -
Average Strike
Price ($Cdn/bbl) $127.27 $121.56 $102.07 $ 66.00 - - -
Sold Calls -
Average Strike
Price ($Cdn/bbl) $168.57 $170.81 $137.63 $ 80.17 - - -
Cdn$ Swap Contracts
$Cdn WTI Swap
Volume (bbl/d) 2,970 1,600 1,300 - - - -
Average WTI Swap
Price ($Cdn/bbl) $ 92.49 $ 97.94 $ 92.55 - - - -
Total Oil Volume
(b/d) 4,737 3,700 3,700 1,600 1,100 400 400
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NATURAL GAS Q2-09 Q3-09 Q4-09 Q1-10 Q2-10 Q3-10
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Collar Contracts
AECO Collar Volume
(GJ/d) 5,000 5,000 1,685 - - -
Bought Puts - AECO
Average Strike
Price ($Cdn/GJ) $ 8.90 $ 8.90 $ 8.90 - - -
Sold Calls - AECO
Average Strike
Price ($Cdn/GJ) $ 11.44 $ 11.44 $ 11.44 - - -
Swap Contracts
AECO Swap Volume
(GJ/D) 5,319 17,630 27,000 22,000 15,000 15,000
AECO Average Price
($Cdn/GJ) $ 7.54 $ 6.01 $ 5.95 $ 5.95 $ 5.60 $ 5.60
Total Natural gas
Volume (GJ/d) 10,319 22,630 28,685 22,000 15,000 15,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The fair value of commodity derivative contracts has been included
on the balance sheet with changes in the fair value reported separately
on the statement of income as unrealized gain (loss). As at March 31,
2009, if oil and natural gas liquids prices had been $1.00 per barrel
lower and natural gas prices $0.10 per Mcf lower, with all other
variables held constant, net income for the year would have been $2.1
million higher, due to changes in the fair value of the derivative
contracts. An equal and opposite effect would have occurred to net
income had oil and natural gas liquids prices been $1.00 per barrel
higher and natural gas $0.10 per Mcf higher.
Interest rate risk
NAL has the following interest rate derivative contracts outstanding:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount Trust Counterparty
(millions) Fixed Floating
INTEREST RATE Remaining Term (1) Rate Rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAD-BA-CDOR
Swaps-floating to fixed Apr 2009 - Dec 2011 $39.0 1.5864% (3 months)
CAD-BA-CDOR
Swaps-floating to fixed Apr 2009 - Jan 2013 $22.0 1.3850% (3 months)
CAD-BA-CDOR
Swaps-floating to fixed Apr 2009 - Jan 2014 $22.0 1.5100% (3 months)
CAD-BA-CDOR
Swaps-floating to fixed Mar 2010 - Mar 2013 $14.0 1.8500% (3 months)
CAD-BA-CDOR
Swaps-floating to fixed Mar 2010 - Mar 2013 $14.0 1.8750% (3 months)
CAD-BA-CDOR
Swaps-floating to fixed Mar 2010 - Mar 2014 $14.0 1.9300% (3 months)
CAD-BA-CDOR
Swaps-floating to fixed Mar 2010 - Mar 2014 $14.0 1.9850% (3 months)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Notional debt amount
Fair Value of Derivative Contracts
Derivative contracts are recorded at fair value on the balance sheet
as current or long-term, assets or liabilities, based on their fair
values on a contract by contract basis. The fair value of commodity
contracts is determined as the difference between the contracted prices
and published forward curves (ranging from US$49.66 per barrel to
US$68.82 per barrel for oil and $3.78 per GJ to $7.20 per GJ for natural
gas) as of the balance sheet date, using the remaining contracted oil
and natural gas volumes. The fair value of the interest rate swaps is
determined by discounting the difference between the contracted interest
rate and forward bankers' acceptances rates (ranging from 1.166 percent
to 1.539 percent) as of the balance sheet date, using the notional debt
amount and outstanding term of the swap. The fair value of the exchange
rate derivatives is calculated as the discounted value of the
difference between the contracted exchange rate and the market forward
exchange rates (ranging from 1.2560 to 1.2606) as of the balance sheet
date, using the notional commodity sale amount and outstanding term of
the swap. The fair value of the derivative contracts is as follows:
Three months ended Year ended
March 31, 2009 December 31, 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair value of commodity contracts $47,183 $65,680
Fair value of interest rate swaps (952) (274)
Fair value of foreign exchange rate
swaps 671 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$46,902 $65,406
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The gain/(loss) on derivative contracts is as follows:
Gain / (Loss) on Derivative Contracts ($000's)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrealized gain (loss):
Crude oil contracts (21,198) (3,763)
Natural gas contracts 2,701 (18,772)
Interest rate swaps (678) -
Exchange rate swaps 671 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrealized gain (loss) (18,504) (22,535)
Realized gain (loss):
Crude oil contracts 20,752 (7,031)
Natural gas contracts 6,956 1,540
Interest rate swaps (29) -
Exchange rate swaps 83 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized gain (loss) 27,762 (5,491)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gain (loss) on derivative contracts 9,258 (28,026)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
These contracts are presented on the balance sheet as short term / long
term, assets and liabilities as follows:
Three months ended Year ended
March 31, 2009 December 31, 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long term unrealized loss on
derivative contracts $ (1,208) $ (274)
Long term unrealized gain on
derivative contracts 25 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net long term unrealized loss on
derivative contracts (1,183) (274)
Current unrealized gain on derivative
contracts 48,085 65,680
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net fair value of derivative
contracts $ 46,902 $ 65,406
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following table reconciles the movement in the fair value of the Trust's
derivative contracts:
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrealized gain (loss), beginning of period 65,406 $ (9,584)
Unrealized gain (loss), end of period 46,902 (32,119)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrealized loss for the period (18,504) (22,535)
Realized gain (loss) in the period 27,762 (5,491)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gain (loss) on derivative contracts 9,258 $ (28,026)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
Effective April 20, 2009, the Trust and MFC entered into a joint
venture partnership agreement with a senior industry player. The
arrangement consists of a three year commitment to spend $50 million, on
or before August 31, 2012, that provides the Trust and MFC an
opportunity to earn an interest in freehold and crown acreage. The Trust
has a 65 percent interest in this agreement and MFC a 35 percent
interest. The three year commitment net to the Trust is $32.5 million.
The agreement is exclusive and structured to be extendible for up to an
additional six years for a total potential commitment of $150 million,
or a $97.5 million net commitment to the Trust, to earn an interest in
over 150 sections (97.5 net) of freehold and crown acreage. If the
capital spending commitments are not met, interests in the freehold and
crown acreage will not be earned and the Trust will not be required to
pay unspent commitment amounts to the senior industry player.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRADING PERFORMANCE
For the Quarter Ended
-------------------------------------------------
31-Mar-09 31-Dec-08 31-Mar-08 31-Dec-07
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRICE
High $ 8.99 $ 13.14 $ 13.47 $ 12.90
Low $ 5.38 $ 5.90 $ 10.81 $ 10.94
Close $ 6.80 $ 8.05 $ 13.25 $ 11.60
Daily Average Volume 359,591 475,410 321,650 291,677
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAL Oil & Gas Trust provides investors with a yield-oriented
opportunity to participate in the Canadian Upstream Conventional Oil and
Gas Industry. The Trust generates monthly cash distributions for its
Unitholders by pursuing a strategy of acquiring, developing, producing
and selling crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids from pools in
southeastern Saskatchewan, central Alberta, northeastern British
Columbia and Lake Erie, Ontario. Trust units trade on the Toronto Stock
Exchange under the symbol "NAE.UN".
Contact Information:
NAL Oil & Gas Trust
Investor Relations
(403) 294-3600 or Toll Free: 1-888-223-8792
(403) 294-3601 (FAX)
Email: Investor.Relations@nal.ca
Website: www.nal.ca