CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - May 4,
2010) - NAL Oil & Gas Trust ("NAL" or the "Trust") (TSX:NAE.UN)
today announced its financial and operational results for the first
quarter of 2010. All amounts are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise
stated.
SUMMARY
Following positive performance in 2009, NAL's active first quarter
delivered results that are on target with guidance announced earlier
this year. Commenting on NAL's first quarter, Mr. Andrew Wiswell,
President and CEO stated, "operationally and financially, the Trust has
built on the momentum created in 2009 by completing the Trust's most
active capital spending program in its 14 year history. Overall, results
were positive and build on management's track record of delivering
consistent results. Operationally, the Trust spent 37 percent of the
revised capital program, running 11 rigs concentrated in our core areas.
Financially, the Trust's balance sheet strength and capability were
enhanced through a $100 million equity financing and renewed credit
lines at the existing $550 million level. With approximately $350
million of available credit today, NAL continues to actively evaluate
assets that will add opportunity to the portfolio and create value for
our unitholders."
2010 YEAR TO DATE ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS
-- Spent $78 million in capital expenditures of which $56.0 million
was directed toward drilling, completion and tie-in operations, running
11 rigs throughout each of our core areas, drilling 48 (21.1 net) wells,
of which 75 percent were horizontal oil wells.
-- Participated in 11 Cardium oil wells focused on the Garrington
area, which continue to deliver volumes consistent with expectations and
achieving rates of return in the 30 - 50 percent range.
-- Delineated a new pool discovery at Hoffer in SE Saskatchewan,
which was drilled during the fourth quarter 2009. The initial well came
on at a first month average production rate of 300 bbls/d and continues
to produce at approximately 150 bbls/d after six months (Trust 50
percent working interest).
-- Drilled one natural gas well at Fireweed, BC (Trust 100 percent
working interest). Initial production from the Fireweed Doig horizontal
commenced in April at a rate of 1,000 boe/d. Results in Fireweed have
validated the significant resource potential of this liquids rich gas
pool.
-- Opportunistically added strategic land in existing core areas,
spending approximately $20 million on land and seismic in the Edson area
of Alberta and in the Torquay and Hoffer areas in SE Saskatchewan.
-- Delivered record quarterly production volumes in line with expectations in the first quarter, averaging 30,120 boe per day.
-- Reduced operating costs by 10 percent to $10.81 per boe compared
to $11.95 per boe for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. Operating costs
continue to trend down driven by lower natural gas prices impacting the
cost of power and continued gains from an aggressive optimization
program in field operations.
-- Renewed the Trust's fully secured revolving credit facility at
the current level of $550 million, approximately $350 million of which
is currently available after taking the recent equity financing into
consideration.
-- Completed a $100 million equity financing, with approximately $10
- 15 million of the proceeds to be directed toward second half 2010
drilling and $20 million dedicated toward strategic land acquisition in
NAL's core areas. NAL remains active in evaluating property and
corporate acquisitions.
2010 UPDATED GUIDANCE
Based on first quarter performance and the recently completed $100
million equity financing, the Trust has increased its capital
expenditure guidance for 2010 and lowered its operating cost forecast.
May 2010 January 2010
Guidance Guidance
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Production (boe/d) 29,500 - 30,500 29,500 - 30,500
Net capital expenditures ($MM) 210 175
Operating costs ($/boe) 10.75 - 11.25 11.00 - 11.50
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CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ALLOCATION
The table below illustrates the allocation of the increased capital
expenditures. The incremental capital will be directed toward drilling
in the third and fourth quarters of 2010 in support of the active land
acquisition program in the first quarter. Due to the timing of the
incremental spending, the Trust does not expect material incremental
volumes during the year and as a result, has not adjusted the full year
average production volumes guidance at this time.
2010 Exploration & Development Guidance ($MM)
May January
Drill, Complete & Tie-in 153 140
Recompletion 7 7
Plant & Facilities 10 8
Land & Seismic 30 10
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Subtotal E&D 200 165
Other 10 10
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Total 210 175
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PAYOUT RATIO
NAL's first quarter total payout ratio of 158 percent, based on
funds from operations ("FFO"), is largely the result of an active first
quarter drilling and land acquisition program. Historically and
strategically, the Trust's first quarter capital program tends to be
higher in order to complete winter drilling activities prior to spring
break-up and road bans coming into effect. In 2010, NAL spent $78
million in total capital expenditures which represents approximately 107
percent of FFO, while the distribution payout represents approximately
51 percent of FFO. On a full year basis, NAL expects to maintain a total
payout ratio which includes capital expenditures and distributions in
the 125 - 130 percent range. Despite this level of spending, and after
taking into consideration the net proceeds from the recent equity
financing, the Trust's balance sheet position remains solid with a
forecast total debt to cash flow ratio of 1.5 times, including
debentures, on a full year average basis.
CORPORATE CONVERSION
Currently, NAL plans to convert to a dividend paying corporation in
the fall of 2010. By itself, the change in structure of the underlying
entity from a trust to corporation, does not affect our business plan or
our disciplined operational and financial focus.
NAL's Board will continue to assess the Trust's dividend and payout
policy based upon commodity prices, NAL's asset base and opportunities,
and other market factors. Assuming commodity prices remain consistent
with current levels, the Trust has no plans to change the $0.09 per
month distribution prior to conversion. After conversion, the Trust's
total return will be driven by a combination of growth and yield, with
yield remaining a strong component of the overall return. Specific
payout and dividend levels will be established closer to the time of
conversion.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Please refer to the disclaimer on forward-looking information set
forth under the Management's Discussion and Analysis in this press
release. The disclaimer is applicable to all forward-looking information
in this press release, including the updated guidance for full year
2010 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 4, 2010, NAL will hold a
conference call to discuss the first quarter 2010 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
1-800-769-8320 toll free across North America. The conference call will
also be accessible through the internet at
http://events.digitalmedia.telus.com/nal/050410/index.php
A recorded playback of the call will be available until May 11, 2010 by calling 1-800-408-3053, reservation 2425380.
Notes: (1) All amounts are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.
(2) When converting natural gas to barrels of oil equivalent (boe)
within this press release, 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)
----------------------------------------
March 31, March 31, December 31,
2010 2009 2009
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FINANCIAL
Revenue(1) $ 136,883 $ 80,662 $ 111,477
Cash flow from operating
activities 63,648 66,546 53,060
Cash flow per unit - basic 0.46 0.69 0.45
Cash flow per unit - diluted 0.44 0.67 0.44
Funds from operations 73,242 62,024 62,953
Funds from operations per unit
- basic 0.53 0.64 0.53
Funds from operations per unit
- diluted 0.51 0.62 0.51
Net income 29,349 4,724 5,634
Distributions declared 37,185 29,816 32,625
Distributions per unit 0.27 0.31 0.27
Basic payout ratio:
based on cash flow from
operating activities 58% 45% 61%
based on funds from operations 51% 48% 52%
Basic payout ratio including
capital expenditures(2) :
based on cash flow from
operating activities 181% 99% 130%
based on funds from operations 158% 107% 110%
Units outstanding (000's)
Period end 137,881 96,181 137,471
Weighted average 137,660 96,181 118,174
Capital expenditures(3) 78,317 36,936 36,764
Property acquisitions
(dispositions), net (12,702) 1,314 (17,255)
Corporate acquisitions, net(4) 309 - 310,051
Net debt, excluding convertible
debentures(5) 309,136 324,614 282,727
Convertible debentures (at face
value) 194,744 79,744 194,744
OPERATING
Daily production(6)
Crude oil (bbl/d) 11,788 9,990 10,290
Natural gas (Mcf/d) 93,328 68,966 78,265
Natural gas liquids (bbl/d) 2,777 2,352 2,413
Oil equivalent (boe/d) 30,120 23,836 25,748
OPERATING NETBACK ($/boe)
Revenue before hedging gains
(losses) 50.49 37.60 47.06
Royalties (8.54) (6.59) (8.95)
Operating costs (10.81) (11.95) (10.21)
Other income(7) 0.16 0.20 0.15
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Operating netback before
hedging 31.30 19.26 28.05
Hedging gains (losses) 0.63 12.95 4.71
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Operating netback 31.93 32.21 32.76
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(1) Oil, natural gas and liquid sales less transportation costs and prior to
royalties and hedging.
(2) Capital expenditures included are net of non-controlling interest amount
of $0.1 million (2009 - $0.6) for the three months ended March 31, 2010,
attributable to the Tiberius and Spear properties.
(3) Excludes property and corporate acquisitions, and is net of drilling
incentive credits of $2.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.
(4) Represents total consideration for corporate acquisitions including
fees.
(5) Bank debt plus working capital and other liabilities, excluding
derivative contracts, notes payable/receivable and future income tax
balances.
(6) Includes royalty interest volumes.
(7) Excludes minimal Trust interest paid 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, 2010 and the audited
consolidated financial statements and MD&A for the year ended
December 31, 2009 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 and other liabilities, 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
-----------------------------
$ (000s) 2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flow from operating activities $63,648 $ 66,546
Add back change in non-cash working capital 9,594 (4,522)
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Funds from operations $73,242 $ 62,024
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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; 2010 production; future tax treatment of the Trust; future
corporate conversion of the Trust and its subsidiaries; the Trust's tax
pools; future oil and gas prices; operating, drilling and completion
costs; the amount of future asset retirement obligations; future
liquidity and future financial capacity; the initiation of an
"at-the-market" financing program; 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 rates of return.
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 exploration and 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 NAL's ability to execute its
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
inability to obtain industry partner and other third party consents and
approvals, when required; 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;
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.
EXPLORATION & DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
The Trust spent $56.0 million on drilling, completion and tie-in
operations during the first quarter of 2010 compared to $30.5 million
during the first quarter of 2009. There were 48 (21.1 net) wells drilled
in the first quarter compared to 26 (9.8 net) wells during the same
period in 2009 which is consistent with an expanded capital program year
over year. Operations were conducted across NAL's operations with 22
wells drilled in Saskatchewan, two in British Columbia and 24 in
Alberta.
The Trust participated in 36 (18 net) horizontal wells with 85
percent of the activity focused on oil projects across Saskatchewan and
Alberta. There were two (1.5 net) water injectors drilled in East
Prairie for pressure support in an existing oil pool and one (0.5 net)
dry and abandoned Leduc well drilled in the Sylvan Lake area. The Trust
will continue to focus on horizontal oil drilling for the remainder of
the year with significant programs in the Cardium drilling 15 (10 net)
additional wells and in the Mississippian throughout southeast
Saskatchewan drilling 40 (19 net) wells.
First Quarter Drilling Activity
Service Dry &
Crude Oil Natural Gas Wells Abandoned Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net
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Operated wells 33 16.0 2 1.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 38 19.5
Non-operated
wells 6 0.7 4 0.9 0 0 0 0 10 1.6
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Total wells
drilled 39 16.7 6 2.4 2 1.5 1 0.5 48 21.1
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Southeast Saskatchewan
In Saskatchewan, there were 22 (10.1 net) horizontal oil wells
drilled during the first quarter with activity focused on the
Mississippian in Alida, Nottingham and Hoffer.
A new pool discovery at Hoffer was drilled in the fourth quarter of
2009. The 1D15-31/1D7-6-2-15W2 well has had cumulative oil production of
34,000 bbls over a six month period with a water cut less than 30
percent and is expected to capture over 200,000 bbls of oil reserves.
Current production from this well is 150 bbls of oil per day. The Trust
has successfully completed the first program of delineation drilling
with five additional wells on stream in April at rates of 75 - 200 bbls
of oil per day. Seismic and mapping support significant running room on
this play over a large contiguous land block (35 sections at 50 percent
working interest) which NAL controls. Additional capital of $5 million
has been layered in to support step out drilling over the next three
quarters allowing NAL to test the continuity and extent of the play. It
is expected that the Trust will drill between 10 - 15 gross wells in
this area over the remainder of the year. Plans to build a full scale
battery are in the preliminary stages with expectations for construction
starting in the first quarter of 2011. These wells qualify for the
100,000 bbl royalty holiday in Saskatchewan which, coupled with current
oil prices, yield netbacks of approximately $45/boe and a recycle ratio
of three times.
A successful 10 well drilling program in Alida and Nottingham
continues to deliver efficient production additions to existing
infrastructure where incremental operating costs are less than $5/bbl
and capital efficiency is between $10 - 15/boe. This program will
continue with an expectation of 10 additional wells being drilled over
the next three quarters.
Alberta
In Alberta, NAL participated in drilling 24 (9.6 net) locations
including 11 (6 net) Cardium wells: six (3.5 net) at Garrington and five
(2.5 net) at Pine Creek with production expected to commence during the
second quarter. The Trust is currently drilling a three well pad
through break up in Garrington and it is expected that another three
well pad will be drilled in July. The 16-9-34-4W5M well was completed
using water and has been on production for 14 days. Early results appear
to be in line with surrounding wells completed using oil which lends
support for a broader application of water as a completion fluid in this
area. Savings are anticipated to be $300,000 - $400,000 per well, but
we will continue to monitor well performance to get more history before
we move forward with a change in completion practices. Cardium well
results to date continue to meet production expectations with first
month average actual production rates of 166 boe/d and six month average
rates at 77 boe/d. These production rates combined with drill and
completion costs of $2.5 - 3.0 million yield 40 percent rates of return
at current prices which continue to support an active development
program going forward.
NAL has updated its' corporate presentation that lists those Cardium
wells in the Garrington area which have at least one month of
production history. NAL's corporate presentation may be found on the
website at
www.nal.ca.
In Pine Creek, drilling and completion costs were higher in the
Cardium than expected due to lower penetration rates and increased rock
stress creating additional difficulties for placing proppant / sand
during completion operations. Outcomes are highly variable and the Trust
will be monitoring results from recent wells before considering an
expanded program.
NAL is planning a three well Cardium program at Lochend/North
Cochrane in order to evaluate the considerable land base in the area.
Drilling is expected to commence in July.
The Trust has the financial capability and prospect inventory to
capture the maximum drilling incentives available in the current Alberta
program through the end of the first quarter in 2011 with a focus on
resource style oil drilling. The continuation of the five percent
royalty program and a reduction in the cap on maximum royalty rates for
oil from 50 to 40 percent and natural gas from 50 to 36 percent will
continue to support competitive economics and encourage activity in
Alberta.
Northeast British Columbia
There were two (1.5 net) wells drilled in Fireweed and Trutch during
the first quarter. Production from the Fireweed Doig horizontal
A-A086-I/094-A-12 commenced in April at a rate of 1,000 boe/d (5 mmcf/d +
40 bbls/mmcf of free condensate) at a flowing tubing pressure of 12
mpa. Continued good results in Fireweed have validated the significant
resource potential of this pool. A second Fireweed well at
D-B007-A/94-A-12 was rig released in April with completion activity to
commence in June and production expected in the third quarter. The
Trutch halfway horizontal C-A024-I/094-G-10 was testing at rates of 2.2
mmcf/d and is expected to be tied in by the end of the third quarter
depending on access conditions.
In Sukunka, the d-27-F well was shut in for March and most of April
to repair a casing leak resulting in a 130 boe/d negative impact to
average production in the first and second quarters. The well is now
back on stream and producing 400 boe/d net to the Trust.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
Capital expenditures, before property acquisitions and dispositions,
for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 totaled $78.3 million compared
with $36.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. The
year-over-year increase is tied to the corresponding increase in wells
drilled as well as a continued shift towards horizontal drilling and
multi stage frac completions which significantly increases per well
costs. First quarter land expenditures of $18.1 million represent a
combination of Crown and private land purchases adding 26.5 net sections
to core positions in the Pine Creek and Edson area of Alberta and
contiguous lands on trend with Hoffer and Torquay in southeast
Saskatchewan.
Capital Expenditures ($000s)
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Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Drilling, completion and production equipment 55,993 30,464
Plant and facilities 427 2,859
Seismic 1,661 89
Land 18,149 1,975
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Total exploitation and development 76,230 35,387
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Office equipment 290 238
Capitalized G&A 1,524 1,159
Capitalized unit-based compensation 275 152
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Total other capital 2,089 1,549
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Total capitalized expenditures before
acquisitions 78,319 36,936
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Property acquisitions (dispositions), net (12,702) 1,314
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Total capitalized expenditures 65,617 38,250
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PRODUCTION
First quarter 2010 production of 30,120 boe/d was slightly above the
guidance mid-point of 30,000 boe/d after taking into account 100 boe/d
of dispositions. This production level represents an increase of 26
percent over production of 23,836 boe/d in the comparable period of
2009. The increase is due to the ongoing execution of the Trust's
capital program as well as the impact of acquisitions completed in 2009.
Average Daily Production Volumes
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Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2010 2009
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Oil (bbl/d) 11,788 9,990
Natural gas (Mcf/d) 93,328 68,966
NGLs (bbl/d) 2,777 2,352
Oil equivalent (boe/d) 30,120 23,836
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Oil equivalent volumes of 30,120 boe/d for the first quarter of 2010
include 301 boe/d (2009 - 442 boe/d), attributable to the
non-controlling interest in the Tiberius and Spear properties (see
"Related Party Transactions").
For the quarter ended March 31, 2010, oil and natural gas liquids
production represented 48 percent of total production volume with
natural gas representing 52 percent of total production volume.
Production Weighting
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oil 39% 42%
Natural gas 52% 48%
NGLs 9% 10%
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REVENUE
Gross revenue from oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids sales,
after transportation costs and prior to hedging, totaled $136.9 million
for the three months ended March 31, 2010, 70 percent higher than the
first quarter of 2009. The increase is due to a 26 percent increase in
production and a 34 percent increase in the average realized price per
boe, driven by a 69 percent increase in the realized crude oil price
partially offset by a five percent decrease in the realized natural gas
price. The increase in realized prices reflects higher West Texas
Intermediate ("WTI") prices, slightly offset by a stronger Canadian
dollar.
Revenue
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Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue(1) ($000s)
Oil 81,085 40,684
Gas 42,064 32,576
NGLs 13,752 6,977
Sulphur (18) 425
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Total revenue 136,883 80,662
$/boe 50.49 37.60
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(1) Oil, natural gas and liquid sales less transportation costs and prior to
royalties and hedging.
OIL MARKETING
NAL markets 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 $76.43, as
compared to $45.25 for the comparable quarter of 2009. The increase in
realized price quarter-over-quarter of 69 percent, or $31.18/bbl, was
primarily driven by a 83 percent increase in the WTI price (U.S.$/bbl)
over the comparable period, partially offset by a 16 percent increase in
the value of the Canadian dollar.
For the first quarter of 2010, NAL's crude oil price differential
was 93 percent, an increase of nine percentage points from the
comparable period in 2009. The differential is calculated as realized
price as a percentage of the WTI price stated in Canadian dollars. The
increase in 2010 resulted from a tighter differential between WTI and
Edmonton/Cromer posted prices, due to relatively strong demand for light
crude in western Canada during the first quarter.
Natural gas liquids averaged $55.02/bbl in the first quarter of
2010, a 67 percent increase from the $32.96/bbl realized in 2009.
NATURAL GAS MARKETING
Approximately 70 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 30 percent tied to NYMEX or other
indexed reference prices.
For the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Trust's natural gas
sales averaged $5.01/Mcf compared to $5.25/Mcf in the comparable period
of 2009, a decrease of five percent. The quarter-over-quarter decrease
in gas price was largely attributable to marketing a portion of natural
gas based on the monthly benchmark. The AECO monthly price decreased
five percent quarter-over-quarter, compared to a one percent increase in
the daily AECO price.
Prices for Lake Erie natural gas decreased to $5.70/Mcf in the first
quarter of 2010, compared to $6.32/Mcf in 2009, a decrease of ten
percent. Lake Erie production of 3.2 mmcf/d accounted for three percent
of the Trust's natural gas production in the first quarter of 2010, as
compared to five percent in the comparable period of 2009. Natural gas
sales from the Lake Erie property generally receive a higher price due
to the close proximity of the Ontario and Northeastern U.S. markets.
Average Pricing
(net of transportation charges)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liquids
WTI (US$/bbl) 78.69 43.08
NAL average oil (Cdn$/bbl) 76.43 45.25
NAL natural gas liquids (Cdn$/bbl) 55.02 32.96
Natural Gas (Cdn$/mcf)
AECO - daily spot 4.96 4.92
AECO - monthly 5.36 5.63
NAL Western Canada natural gas 4.98 5.19
NAL Lake Erie natural gas 5.70 6.32
NAL average natural gas 5.01 5.25
NAL Oil Equivalent before hedging
(Cdn$/boe - 6:1) 50.49 37.60
Average Foreign Exchange Rate (Cdn$/US$) 1.041 1.245
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 commodity hedging policy currently provides authorization for
management to hedge up to 60 percent of forecasted total production, net
of royalties. Management's practice is to hedge more near-term volumes
on a six to 12 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,
2010, NAL had several financial WTI oil contracts and AECO natural gas
contracts in place.
NAL hedges floating rate debt for periods of up to five years. As at
March 31, 2010, NAL had several interest rate swaps outstanding with a
total notional value of US$139 million.
NAL's foreign exchange hedging policy currently provides
authorization to hedge up to 50 percent of US dollar exposure for up to
24 months. As at March 31, 2010, NAL had several exchange rate swaps
outstanding with a total notional value of US$72 million.
All derivative contract counterparties are Canadian chartered banks in the Trust's lending syndicate.
Realized gains on derivative contracts were $1.4 million for the
first quarter of 2010, compared to $27.8 million in the comparable
quarter of 2009. Gains are lower due primarily to rising oil prices
versus hedge positions and lower gains on gas positions due to lower gas
prices. Oil losses are somewhat offset by foreign exchange gains
related to a rising Canadian dollar.
All derivative contracts are recorded on the balance sheet at fair
value based upon forward curves at March 31, 2010. 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, 2010.
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, 2010 was a net asset
of $16.0 million, comprised of a $19.0 million asset on gas contracts,
partially offset by a $11.3 million liability on oil contracts, a $5.7
million asset on foreign exchange contracts and a $2.7 million asset on
interest rate swaps.
First quarter income for 2010 includes an $18.5 million unrealized
gain on derivatives resulting from the change in the fair value of the
derivative contracts during the quarter from an unrealized loss of $2.5
million at December 31, 2009 to an unrealized gain of $16.0 million at
March 31, 2010. The $18.5 million unrealized gain was comprised of a
$1.5 million unrealized gain on crude oil contracts, a $0.2 million
unrealized gain on interest rate swaps, a $15.0 million unrealized gain
on natural gas contracts and a $1.8 million unrealized gain on foreign
exchange swaps.
The gain/loss on all forward derivative contracts is as follows:
Gain / (Loss) on Derivative Contracts ($000s)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrealized gain (loss):
Crude oil contracts 1,546 (21,198)
Natural gas contracts 15,021 2,701
Interest rate swaps 191 (678)
Exchange rate swaps 1,751 671
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrealized gain (loss) 18,509 (18,504)
Realized gain (loss):
Crude oil contracts (2,082) 20,752
Natural gas contracts 2,497 6,956
Interest rate swaps (257) (29)
Exchange rate swaps 1,290 83
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized gain 1,448 27,762
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gain on derivative contracts 19,957 9,258
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following is a summary of the realized gains and losses on risk
management contracts:
Realized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Contracts
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commodity contracts:
Average crude volumes hedged (bbl/d) 6,366 3,603
Crude oil realized gain (loss) ($000s) (2,082) 20,752
Gain (loss) per bbl hedged ($) (3.63) 63.99
Average natural gas volumes hedged (GJ/d) 37,967 29,000
Natural gas realized gain ($000s) 2,497 6,956
Gain per GJ hedged ($) 0.73 2.67
Average BOE hedged (boe/d) 12,363 8,185
Total realized commodity contracts gain
($000s) 415 27,708
Gain per boe hedged ($) 0.37 37.61
Gain per boe ($) 0.15 12.91
Exchange rate swaps realized gain ($000s) 1,290 83
Gain per boe ($) 0.48 0.04
Interest rate swaps realized gain (loss)
($000s) (257) (29)
Gain (loss) per boe ($) (0.09) (0.01)
Total realized gain ($000s) 1,448 27,762
Gain per boe ($) 0.54 12.94
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average hedged boes for the first quarter of 2010 were 12,363 as compared to
10,226 for the fourth quarter of 2009.
NAL has the following interest rate risk management contracts outstanding:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount Trust
INTEREST RATE (millions) Fixed Counterparty
CONTRACT Remaining Term (1) Rate Floating Rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Swaps-floating
to fixed Mar 2010 - Dec 2011 $39.0 1.5864% CAD-BA-CDOR (3 months)
Swaps-floating
to fixed Mar 2010 - Jan 2013 $22.0 1.3850% CAD-BA-CDOR (3 months)
Swaps-floating
to fixed Mar 2010 - Jan 2014 $22.0 1.5100% CAD-BA-CDOR (3 months)
Swaps-floating
to fixed Mar 2010 - Mar 2013 $14.0 1.8500% CAD-BA-CDOR (3 months)
Swaps-floating
to fixed Mar 2010 - Mar 2013 $14.0 1.8750% CAD-BA-CDOR (3 months)
Swaps-floating
to fixed Mar 2010 - Mar 2014 $14.0 1.9300% CAD-BA-CDOR (3 months)
Swaps-floating
to fixed Mar 2010 - Mar 2014 $14.0 1.9850% CAD-BA-CDOR (3 months)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Notional debt amount
NAL has the following exchange rate risk management contracts outstanding:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXCHANGE RATE Amount(1) Trust Counterparty
CONTRACT Remaining Term (US$ MM) Fixed Rate Floating Rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Swaps-floating
to fixed Apr - Dec 2010 $8.0 1.0966 BofC Average Noon Rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Notional US$ denominated commodity sales per month.
From April 1 to December 31, 2010, NAL also has a commitment to sell
US$9 million ($1 million/month) at 1.045 if the monthly Bank of Canada
average noon rate exceeds 1.045. NAL is paid a premium of approximately
$10,000 a month when the average noon rate falls between 0.95 and 1.045.
NAL has the following commodity risk management contracts outstanding:
CRUDE OIL Q2-10 Q3-10 Q4-10 Q1-11 Q2-11
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
US$ Collar Contracts
-------------------------
$US WTI Collar Volume
(bbl/d) 3,700 2,800 2,600 800 800
Bought Puts - Average
Strike Price ($US/bbl) $ 63.59 $ 65.63 $ 65.87 $ 81.25 $ 81.25
Sold Calls - Average
Strike Price ($US/bbl) $ 74.94 $ 77.55 $ 78.05 $ 94.47 $ 94.47
US$ Swap Contracts
-------------------------
$US WTI Swap Volume
(bbl/d) 2,800 3,200 3,300 - -
Average WTI Swap Price
($US/bbl) $ 79.45 $ 83.91 $ 83.82 - -
Total Oil Volume (bbl/d) 6,500 6,000 5,900 800 800
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NATURAL GAS Q2-10 Q3-10 Q4-10 Q1-11 Q2-11
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Swap Contracts
-------------------------
AECO Swap Volume (GJ/d) 39,000 40,000 27,337 4,000 4,000
AECO Average Price
($Cdn/GJ) $ 5.60 $ 5.61 $ 5.66 $ 5.78 $ 5.78
Total Natural gas Volume
(GJ/d) 39,000 40,000 27,337 4,000 4,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the remainder of 2010, the Trust has outstanding contracts
representing approximately 48 percent of its net liquids and natural gas
production after royalties.
ROYALTY EXPENSES
Crown, freehold and overriding royalties were $23.1 million for the
three months ended March 31, 2010. Expressed as a percentage of gross
sales net of transportation costs, before gain/loss on derivative
contracts, the net royalty rate was 16.9 percent for the quarter ended
March 31, 2010, a decrease from the 17.5 percent experienced in the same
period of the previous year.
Royalties increased to $8.54 per boe for the first quarter of 2010,
an increase of 30 percent compared to the first quarter of 2009. The
increase is attributable to higher commodity prices on a
quarter-over-quarter basis.
On March 11, 2010 the Alberta Government announced measures to
improve the Province of Alberta's competitive position in the oil and
gas industry. The current royalty framework for natural gas and
conventional oil will be modified for all production effective January
1, 2011. The government will make the five percent maximum royalty rate
during the first year of production incentive permanent and the maximum
royalties paid on oil and gas production will be lowered from 50 percent
to 40 percent for oil and 36 percent for natural gas.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2010, 45 percent of crude oil and 67 percent of natural gas production was from Alberta.
Royalty Expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Royalties ($000s) 23,146 14,134
As % of revenue 16.9 17.5
$/boe 8.54 6.59
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING COSTS
Operating costs averaged $10.81 per boe for the quarter ended March
31, 2010, down 10 percent from $11.95 per boe for the quarter ended
March 31, 2009. Operating costs continue to trend down driven by lower
natural gas prices impacting the cost of power and continued gains from
an aggressive optimization program in field operations. Based on
emerging cost trends the Trust has lowered its guidance for operating
costs to a range of $10.75 - 11.25 per boe.
Operating Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating costs ($000s) 29,304 25,640
As a % of revenue 21.4 31.8
$/boe 10.81 11.95
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER INCOME
Other income was $0.12 per boe for the first quarter of 2010
compared to $0.45 per boe in the comparable quarter of 2009. Other
income includes gas processing fees, 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 2010,
interest expense totaled $0.1 million, as compared to net interest
income of $0.5 million for the comparable period of 2009, the decrease
being attributable to the repayment of a note receivable from MFC in the
first quarter of 2009.
Other Income
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest on notes with MFC ($000s) (112) 544
Other ($000s) 443 420
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total other income ($000s) 331 964
As a % of revenue 0.2 1.20
Interest on notes with MFC ($/boe) (0.04) 0.25
Other ($/boe) 0.16 0.20
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total other income ($/boe) 0.12 0.45
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING NETBACK
For the quarter ended March 31, 2010, NAL's operating netback,
before hedging gains, was $31.30 per boe, an increase of 63 percent from
$19.26 per boe for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. The increase was
due to higher revenues, a result of higher crude oil prices, and
decreased operating costs, partially offset by increased royalty
expense. Hedging gains, related to commodity and exchange rate
derivative contracts, were $0.63 per boe in the first quarter of 2010,
as compared to $12.95 per boe in 2009, the decrease in 2010 attributable
mainly to higher realized crude oil prices.
Operating Netback
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
AVERAGE DAILY PRODUCTION
Oil (bbl/d) 11,788 9,990
Gas (Mcf/d) 93,328 68,966
NGLs (bbl/d) 2,777 2,352
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total (boe/d) 30,120 23,836
REVENUE
Oil ($/bbl) 76.43 45.25
Gas ($/Mcf) 5.01 5.25
NGLs ($/bbl) 55.02 32.96
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total ($/boe) 50.49 37.60
ROYALTIES
Oil ($/bbl) 15.11 8.62
Gas ($/Mcf) 0.47 0.77
NGLs ($/bbl) 12.54 7.73
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total ($/boe) 8.54 6.59
OPERATING EXPENSES
Oil ($/bbl) 10.92 11.36
Gas ($/Mcf) 1.83 2.16
NGLs ($/bbl) 9.28 9.59
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total ($/boe) 10.81 11.95
OTHER INCOME(1)
Oil ($/bbl) 0.25 0.24
Gas ($/Mcf) 0.02 0.03
NGLs ($/bbl) 0.18 0.19
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total ($/boe) 0.16 0.20
OPERATING NETBACK, BEFORE HEDGING
Oil ($/bbl) 50.65 25.51
Gas ($/Mcf) 2.73 2.35
NGLs ($/bbl) 33.38 15.83
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total ($/boe) 31.30 19.26
HEDGING GAINS/(LOSSES)(2)
Oil ($/bbl) (0.75) 23.17
Gas ($/Mcf) 0.30 1.12
NGLs ($/bbl) - -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total ($/boe) 0.63 12.95
OPERATING NETBACK, AFTER HEDGING
Oil ($/bbl) 49.90 48.68
Gas ($/Mcf) 3.03 3.47
NGLs ($/bbl) 33.38 15.83
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total ($/boe) 31.93 32.21
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Excludes interest on notes with MFC.
(2) Realized 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, 2010, G&A expenses were
$4.4 million, compared with $2.6 million in the comparable quarter of
2009. In addition, $1.5 million of G&A costs relating to
exploitation and development activities were capitalized in the first
quarter of 2010, compared with $1.2 million in the first quarter of
2009. G&A expense per boe was $1.61 in the quarter, as compared to
$1.22 for the same period in 2009.
The year-over-year increase in total G&A of $2.1 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, resulting in
lower charges in the first quarter of 2009 ($0.8 million), plus slightly
higher compensation costs in the first quarter of 2010 as compared to
2009.
General and Administrative Expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
G&A ($000s)
Expensed 4,359 2,618
Capitalized 1,524 1,159
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total G&A ($000s) 5,883 3,777
Expensed G&A costs:
($/boe) 1.61 1.22
As % of revenue 3.2 3.2
Per trust unit ($) 0.03 0.03
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 of the
Manager 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
of the Manager 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 2010, the Trust recorded a $0.7 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 2009 grant. These factors were partially
offset by a decrease in the unit price of the Trust of six percent, from
$13.74 at December 31, 2009 to $12.95 at March 31, 2010. A decrease in
unit price results in previously accrued amounts being reversed to the
extent not vested.
Unit-based incentive compensation increased by 57 percent compared
to the first quarter of 2009, from $0.5 million in 2009 to $0.7 million
in 2010. The increase is a reflection of a 90 percent increase in unit
price used to determine the compensation, year-over-year, from $6.80 a
unit at March 31, 2009 to $12.95 at March 31, 2010. In addition, during
the first quarter of 2010 the unit price decreased from the December 31,
2009 unit price by six percent, resulting in a decrease to previously
accrued amounts.
At March 31, 2010, the unit price used to determine unit-based
incentive compensation was $12.95. The closing unit price of the Trust
on the Toronto Stock Exchange on May 3, 2010 was $12.67.
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, 2010, the Trust has recorded a total accumulated
liability for unit-based incentive compensation in the amount of $10.2
million, of which $5.4 million is recorded as current as it is payable
in December 2010, and $4.8 million is long-term as it is payable in
December 2011 and December 2012.
Unit-Based Compensation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit-based compensation ($000s):
Expensed 439 302
Capitalized 275 152
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total unit-based compensation 714 454
Expensed unit-based compensation:
As % of revenue 0.3 0.37
$/boe 0.16 0.14
Per trust unit ($) - -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Trust is managed by the Manager. The Manager is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation ("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. 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 $3.6 million (2009 - $1.9 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 $6.9 million was paid in the first quarter of 2010,
representing units that vested on November 30, 2009 (2009 - $2.3
million).
At March 31, 2010 the Trust owed the Manager $1.7 million for the
reimbursement of G&A and had a payable to NAL Resources of $0.8
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 Exploration Inc. ("Tiberius")
and Spear Exploration Inc. ("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.
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 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, 2010, there is a note payable of $8.3 million to 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 expense on this note of $0.1 million was payable by the
Trust for the first quarter of 2010 (2009 - $0.5 million net interest
income) and is reported as other income.
INTEREST
Interest on bank debt includes the interest rate charge on
borrowings, plus a standby fee, a stamping fee and the fee for renewal.
Interest on bank debt for the first quarter of 2010 was $3.1 million, an
increase of $1.1 million from $2.0 million for the comparable period in
2009. The increase was due to an increase in average effective interest
rates, partially offset by a decrease in average debt levels. Average
outstanding bank debt for the first quarter of 2010 was $232.5 million,
$63.9 million lower than the $296.4 million outstanding for the first
quarter of 2009. NAL's effective interest rate averaged 5.39 percent
during the first quarter of 2010, compared to 2.58 percent during the
comparable period in 2009. The increase in the rate from the first
quarter of 2009 is attributable to increases in the bank fees that are
included in debt costs. NAL's interest is calculated based upon a
floating rate before the effect of any interest rate swaps.
Interest on convertible debentures represents interest charges of
$3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 as compared to
$1.3 million for the same period in 2009. The interest includes the
interest on the 2007 debentures at 6.75 percent and the interest on the
debentures issued in December 2009 at 6.25 percent. Accretion of the
debt discount was $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010
as compared to $0.4 million for the same period in 2009. The increase
in interest and accretion is due to the December 2009 issuance of
convertible debentures.
Interest and Debt
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest on bank debt ($000s)(1) 3,086 1,963
Interest and accretion on convertible
debentures ($000s) 4,133 1,724
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total interest ($000) 7,219 3,687
Bank debt outstanding at period end ($000s) 244,695 304,918
Convertible debentures at period end ($000s)(2) 178,624 74,382
$/boe:
Interest on bank debt 1.14 0.92
Interest on convertible debentures 1.16 0.63
Accretion on convertible debentures 0.37 0.17
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total interest 2.67 1.72
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Excludes interest rate contract impact.
(2) Debt component of the debentures, as reported on the balance sheet.
CASH FLOW NETBACK
For the quarter ended March 31, 2010, NAL's cash flow netback was
$27.73 per boe, a six percent decrease from $29.54 per boe for the
comparable period in 2009. The decrease was due to a lower operating
netback after hedging, higher G&A expenses, including unit-based
incentive compensation, and higher interest charges.
Cash Flow Netback ($/boe)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating netback, after hedging 31.93 32.21
G&A expenses, including unit-based incentive
compensation (1.77) (1.36)
Interest on bank debt and convertible
debentures(1) (2.30) (1.55)
Interest on notes with MFC(2) (0.04) 0.25
Realized loss on interest rate derivative
contracts (0.09) (0.01)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flow netback 27.73 29.54
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(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, 2010, depletion on property, plant
and equipment and accretion on the asset retirement obligations was
$23.86 per boe, 14 percent higher than the $20.99 per boe for the same
period in 2009. The increase in depletion rate per boe in 2010 reflects a
higher depletion rate associated with the oil and gas properties of
Breaker Energy Ltd. which was acquired in December 2009.
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
-----------------------------
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depletion and depreciation ($000s) 62,036 43,208
Accretion of asset retirement obligation
($000s) 2,631 1,828
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total DDA ($000s) 64,667 45,036
DDA rate per boe ($) 23.86 20.99
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAXES
In the first quarter of 2010, NAL had a future income tax recovery
of $2.2 million compared to a $6.1 million recovery in the corresponding
period of the prior year.
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, 2010, the Trust's (including all subsidiaries)
estimated tax pools (unaudited) available for deduction from future
taxable income approximated $1.3 billion, of which approximately 34
percent represented COGPE, 21 percent represented UCC, with the balance
represented by CEE, CDE, trust unit issue costs and non-capital loss
carry forwards.
Estimated Tax Pools ($ millions)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31,
March 31, 2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canadian exploration expense 51 50
Canadian development expense 412 379
Canadian oil and gas property expense 440 436
Undepreciated capital costs 272 274
Other (including loss carry forwards) 123 128
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total estimated tax pools 1,298 1,267
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on current strip prices at March 31, 2010, the Trust is not expected to be taxable in 2010.
Under the specified investment flow-through ("SIFT") legislation,
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. 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 that in the
original legislation. The Trust has tax effected all temporary
differences.
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 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
-----------------------------
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net profits interest expense (income) 618 243
Share of net income attributable to MFC 174 616
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
792 859
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 2010 was $29.3 million compared
to $4.7 million for the comparable period in 2009. The increase of $24.6
million was mainly due to increased revenues net of royalties ($47.8
million) and increased gains on derivative contracts ($10.7 million),
offset by increased operating costs ($3.7 million), increased G&A
($1.7 million), increased DD&A expense ($18.8 million), a lower tax
recovery ($4.0 million) and increased interest charges ($3.5 million).
Net Income ($000s)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income 29,349 4,724
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
The capital structure of the Trust is comprised of trust units, bank debt and convertible debentures.
As at March 31, 2010, NAL had 137,880,631 trust units outstanding,
compared with 137,471,209 trust units as at December 31, 2009. The
increase from December 31, 2009 is attributable to 409,422 units issued
under the Trust's distribution reinvestment plan ("DRIP").
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. Participation in the DRIP has averaged 13.9
percent for this quarter.
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.
On April 14, 2010, the Trust issued pursuant to a bought deal
offering 7,550,000 trust units at a price of $13.25 per unit for
aggregate gross proceeds of $100.0 million.
As at March 31, 2010 the Trust had net debt of $503.9 million (net
of working capital and other liabilities, excluding derivative
contracts, note payable with MFC and future income taxes) including the
convertible debentures at face value of $194.7 million. Excluding the
convertible debentures, net debt was $309.1 million, compared with
$282.7 million at December 31, 2009. The increase in net debt, excluding
convertible debentures, of $26.4 million during 2010 is attributable to
increased bank debt of $14.0 million and a negative change in working
capital of $12.4 million.
Bank debt outstanding was $244.7 million at March 31, 2010 compared
with $230.7 million as at December 31, 2009. Of the $244.7 million
outstanding at March 31, 2010, all is 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 1.28
times and a total net debt (including convertible debentures) to 12
months trailing cash flow ratio of 2.08 times.
Subsequent to quarter end, the Trust renewed its credit facility at
the previously approved amount of $550 million. The credit facility is a
fully secured, extendible, revolving facility and will revolve until
April 30, 2011 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 $535 million production facility
and a $15 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 May 1, 2012.
The Trust has two series of convertible debentures currently outstanding.
On December 3, 2009, the Trust issued $115 million principal amount
of 6.25 percent convertible unsecured subordinated debentures. Interest
on the debentures is paid semi-annually in arrears, on June 30 and
December 31, and the debentures are convertible at the option of the
holder, at anytime, into fully paid trust units at a conversion price of
$16.50 per trust unit. The debentures mature on December 31, 2014 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 January 1, 2013
and on or before December 31, 2013, and at a price of $1,025 per
debenture on or after January 1, 2014 and on or before December 31,
2014. 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 7.0 million trust units would be required to be issued.
In addition, the Trust has outstanding $79.7 million principal
amount of 6.75 percent 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. 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 $1.0 million (2009 - $0.4 million) of accretion of the debt discount in the first quarter of 2010.
As at May 3, 2010, the Trust has 145,599,324 trust units and $194.7 million in convertible debentures outstanding.
Capitalization
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 31, December 31, March 31,
2010 2009 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trust unit equity ($000s) 891,380 894,192 532,171
Bank debt ($000s) 244,695 230,713 304,918
Working capital deficit
(surplus)(1) ($000s) 64,441 52,014 21,057
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net debt excluding convertible
debentures 309,136 282,727 325,975
Convertible debentures
($000s)(2) 194,744 194,744 79,744
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net debt 503,880 477,471 405,719
Net debt excluding convertible
debentures to trailing 12-
month cash flow(3) 1.28 1.23 1.10
Total net debt to trailing
12-month cash flow(3) 2.08 2.07 1.37
Trust units outstanding (000s) 137,881 137,471 96,181
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Working capital and other liabilities, excludes derivative contract,
future income tax and notes with MFC.
(2) Convertible debentures included at face value.
(3) Calculated as net debt divided by funds from operations for the previous
12 months.
The Trust actively manages its payout ratio (including capital) to
ensure that its capital program can be executed and distribution levels
are maintained. The targeted payout ratios may change over time in
response to market conditions and opportunities available to the Trust.
In addition to cash generated from operations, the Trust may use a
combination of equity and debt to take advantage of opportunities, both
internally generated and acquisitions. The recent equity offering will
be used to repay indebtedness incurred in connection with certain
acquisitions and to fund the Trust's expanded 2010 capital program.
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 $550 million of which $245
million is drawn down at March 31, 2010, leaving available capacity of
$305 million.
For 2010, the Trust expects to continue to benefit from an active
hedging program. Currently, the Trust has in place oil hedges for
approximately 53 percent of net forecasted (after royalty) production
for 2010. Crude volumes are hedged at an average price of US$82.54 per
boe on fixed price contracts. On collared contracts, crude volumes are
hedged at an average ceiling price of US$76.63 per boe and at an average
floor price of US$64.87 per boe. For natural gas, remaining 2010 hedges
total approximately 44 percent of net budgeted production volumes
hedged at an average floor price in excess of $5.62 per GJ ($5.93 per
Mcf).
NAL's capital program is designed to be scalable and flexible in
response to commodity prices and market conditions. For 2010, the Trust
plans for a $210 million capital program. The Trust, through the
Manager, operates approximately 85 percent of the assets to which the
capital program is directed, allowing for significant flexibility over
the scale and timing of the program.
Fluctuations in commodity prices, market conditions or potential
growth opportunities may make it necessary to adjust forecasted capital
expenditures and/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 the remainder of 2010, the Trust has approximately
$428 million of safe harbour available, after taking into consideration
the equity offering that closed subsequent to quarter end.
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION
At March 31, 2010, the Trust reported an asset retirement obligation
("ARO") balance of $131.9 million ($127.9 million as at December 31,
2009) for future abandonment and reclamation of the Trust's oil and gas
properties and facilities. The ARO balance was increased by $2.3 million
due to liabilities incurred and revisions to estimates and $2.6 million
from accretion expense, and was reduced by $0.9 million for actual
abandonment and reclamation expenditures incurred during the first
quarter.
DISTRIBUTIONS TO UNITHOLDERS
For the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Trust distributed 58
percent of its cash flow from operating activities, as compared to 45
percent for the same period in 2009. 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 have exceeded net income during 2010, 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, ongoing capital expenditures are required in order to
manage production declines as well as to invest in facilities and
infrastructure. NAL's 2010 capital program may not fully replace
production. When the Trust sets distribution levels, depletion expense
is not considered to be an indicative 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 a combination of debt and
equity. 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 factors that contribute to
cash flow, namely production, operating costs and commodity prices as
well as the opportunities for capital expenditures. 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 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) 2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flow from operating activities 63,648 66,546
Net income 29,349 4,724
Actual cash distributions paid or payable 37,185 29,816
Excess of cash flow from operating activities
over cash distribution paid 26,463 36,730
Percentage of cash flow from operations
distributed 58% 45%
Excess (shortfall) of net income over cash
distributions paid (7,836) (25,092)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, 2010, funds from operations
amounted to $73.2 million, compared with $62.0 million for the three
months ended March 31, 2009. The 18 percent increase is due to higher
revenues resulting from higher crude oil prices. On a per trust unit
basis, funds from operations decreased 17 percent from $0.64 in 2009 to
$0.53 in 2010.
Funds from Operations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funds from operations ($000s) 73,242 62,024
Funds from operations per trust unit 0.53 0.64
Payout ratio based on funds from operations 51% 48%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
NAL has no variable interest entities.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
Joint Venture Agreement:
Effective April 20, 2009, the Trust and MFC entered into a joint
venture agreement with a senior industry partner. 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 Trust's 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 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 partner. As at March 31, 2010, the Trust had spent $3.6
million under this agreement.
Farm-in Agreement:
Effective August 10, 2009, the Trust and MFC entered into a Farm-in
Agreement with a senior industry partner. The arrangement consists of a
two year initial commitment, with a minimum capital commitment of $30
million in the first year and $50 million in the second year, with an
option for a third year, at NAL's election, for an additional $50
million commitment. The Trust has a 60 percent interest in this
agreement and MFC a 40 percent interest. The Agreement provides the
opportunity to earn an interest in approximately 1,400 gross sections of
undeveloped oil and gas rights in Alberta held by the partner. If the
capital spending commitments are not met, interest in the acreage will
not be earned and the Trust will not be required to pay any unspent
amounts under the Agreement. As at March 31, 2010, the Trust has spent
$15.6 million under this agreement.
Other:
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) 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office lease(1) 3,116 3,505 3,505 3,482 3,414
Office lease - Clipper
and Breaker(2) 1,633 2,184 2,192 358 -
Transportation agreement 3,544 - - - -
Processing agreement(3) 1,529 2,242 401 384 -
Convertible debentures(4) - - 79,744 - 115,000
Bank debt - - 146,817 97,878 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 9,822 7,931 232,659 102,102 118,414
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(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 64 percent) of the expense on a monthly basis.
(2) Represents the full amount of office lease assumed with the acquisitions
of the Clipper and Breaker. MFC will reimburse the Trust for 50 percent
of the Clipper obligation under the base price adjustment clause.
(3) Represents gas processing agreements with take or pay components.
(4) Principal amount.
QUARTERLY INFORMATION
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
($000s, except per unit
and production amounts) Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue, net of
royalties(1) 135,662 88,165 85,988 60,922 77,791
Per unit 0.99 0.75 0.77 0.60 0.81
Cash flow from operations 63,648 53,060 52,999 63,690 66,546
Per unit 0.46 0.45 0.47 0.63 0.69
Funds from operations(2) 73,242 62,953 53,766 51,998 62,024
Per unit 0.53 0.53 0.48 0.51 0.64
Net income (loss) 29,349 5,634 8,249 (9,407) 4,724
Per unit
basic 0.21 0.05 0.07 (0.09) 0.05
diluted 0.21 0.05 0.07 (0.09) 0.05
Average oil equivalent
production (boe/d - 6:1) 30,120 25,748(3) 23,418 23,049 23,836
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
($000s, except per unit
and production amounts) Q4 Q3 Q2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue, net of
royalties(1) 161,156 234,993 58,861
Per unit 1.68 2.46 0.63
Cash flow from operations 77,326 98,860 73,295
Per unit 0.80 1.03 0.78
Funds from operations(2) 67,040 79,233 88,578
Per unit 0.70 0.83 0.94
Net income (loss) 55,374 111,045 (17,572)
Per unit
basic 0.58 1.16 (0.19)
diluted 0.56 1.11 (0.19)
Average oil equivalent
production (boe/d - 6:1) 23,984 23,808 23,791
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(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) Includes Breaker volumes effective December 11, 2009
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 all material 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.
INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING ("ICFR")
The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer are
responsible for establishing and maintaining ICFR, as such term is
defined in National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in
Issuers' Annual and Interim Filings. The control framework NAL's
officers used to design NAL's ICFR is the Internal Control -- Integrated
Framework (the "COSO Framework") published by The Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO").
Under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief
Financial Officer, NAL conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of
its ICFR as at December 31, 2009 based on the COSO Framework. Based on
this evaluation, the officers concluded that as of December 31, 2009,
NAL's ICFR provides reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of
financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with Canadian GAAP.
There has not been any change in NAL's internal control over
financial reporting during the first three months of 2010 that has
materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, NAL's
internal control over financial reporting.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The significant accounting policies used by NAL are disclosed in the
notes to NAL's December 31, 2009 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, 2009.
FUTURE ACCOUNTING CHANGES
International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS")
In February 2008, the Accounting Standards Board confirmed that the
transition date to IFRS from Canadian GAAP will be January 1, 2011 for
publicly accountable enterprises. Therefore, the Trust will be required
to report its results in accordance with IFRS starting in 2011, with
comparative disclosure for 2010.
The Trust has an IFRS conversion plan and has established timelines
for the completion and execution of the conversion project. The
conversion plan includes the following phases:
1. An IFRS diagnostic phase which involves a high level assessment
of the differences between Canadian GAAP and IFRS, identifying major
impact areas.
2. An in-depth review of GAAP differences and determination of
transition policy choices as well as ongoing IFRS accounting policies.
3. The implementation phase where solutions are developed and
assessed. This involves an evaluation of information systems, business
processes, procedures, internal controls and training to support the new
accounting requirements.
4. A post implementation phase which involves the parallel running
of 2010 financial results, the preparation of IFRS financial statements
and disclosures and a review of processes and controls to make any
required changes.
The IFRS diagnostic phase is complete. Phase two progress to date
has included an in-depth review of the significant areas of difference
in order to identify all specific Canadian GAAP and IFRS differences and
to make recommendations to the Board of Directors on IFRS accounting
policies.
The Trust considers the significant IFRS differences and majority of
the implementation work to be in relation to property, plant equipment
("PP&E"). To date, IFRS policies for PP&E have been developed,
subject to Board approval. At this stage, it is premature to provide
meaningful numerical analysis on the impact of the anticipated changes.
Despite this, implementation steps are being mapped out in anticipation
of this approval.
The Trust has also identified a number of other areas where
potentially significant differences between Canadian GAAP and IFRS exist
for the Trust. Provisions, including asset retirement obligations
("ARO") and onerous contracts, as well as unit based compensation have
been reviewed, accounting policies recommended and implementation steps
are being developed. During the first quarter of 2010, the review of all
other IFRS standards where potential differences between Canadian GAAP
and IFRS exist has been completed, including financial instruments,
interests in joint ventures and income taxes, with recommendations for
accounting policies developed, subject to Board approval.
Next steps include the review of presentation and disclosure standards.
In July 2009, the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB")
issued certain amendments and exemptions to IFRS 1 in order to make it
more practical for Canadian entities adopting IFRS for the first time.
The amendment allows the Trust to elect to measure its oil and gas
assets at the date of transition to IFRS using the net book value based
on the entity's previous GAAP at December 31, 2009, allowing for IFRS to
be adopted prospectively to its full cost pool, rather than performing
retrospective assessment of the oil and gas assets and related
expenditures. The Trust intends to use this election on adoption of
IFRS.
The most significant change identified will be to PP&E. The
Trust, like many other Canadian oil and gas reporting issuers, applies
the "full cost" accounting methodology to its oil and gas assets. Under
full cost, capital expenditures are maintained in a single cost centre
for each country, and the cost centre is subject to a single depletion
calculation and impairment test. IFRS will require a much more detailed
assessment of oil and gas assets as follows:
- Capital expenditures have to be segregated between exploration and
evaluation ("E&E") and development and production ("D&P")
assets. In addition, assets have to be aggregated at a component level.
On transition, this requires establishing the book value of the
undeveloped land and unproved properties and then allocating the
remaining carrying value to the D&P assets, based on reserve
allocations for each component.
- For depletion and depreciation purposes, the Trust must determine
an appropriate depletion or depreciation method, and must deplete by
component. There is the choice whether to deplete E&E assets or not.
In addition, there is the option to deplete using a reserve base of
proved reserves or both proved plus probable reserves. NAL has not yet
selected the depletion methodology it will use.
- Impairment tests are to be calculated at a cash generating unit
level ("CGU"), which is defined as the lowest level of assets that
produce independent cash inflows. The Trust must identify its CGU's for
this purpose. An impairment test must be performed individually for all
CGU's when indicators suggest there may be impairment. There will be
more CGU's than the single Canadian full cost pool. The recognition of
impairment in a prior year must be reversed should impairment conditions
reverse.
Provisions and contingent liabilities and assets, including ARO are
identified and calculated somewhat differently under IFRS. ARO
calculations are expected to be impacted due to differences in the
discount rates to be used to present value the liability. In addition,
under IFRS, ARO is required to be revalued each reporting period at the
then prevailing interest rate. This may increase or decrease the ARO
recorded on the balance sheet depending on the direction of change in
interest rates. In addition, onerous contracts will require
identification and, to the extent they exist, must be recorded as a
liability on the balance sheet.
IFRS would allow the Trust to use IFRS rules for business
combinations on a prospective basis rather than restating all business
combinations. The IFRS business combination rules converge with the new
CICA Handbook Section 1582 that is also effective for NAL on January 1,
2011, however, early adoption is permitted. The Trust intends to elect
this exemption on transition to IFRS.
Regular reporting on the status of IFRS is provided to the Board of
Directors through the Audit Committee. The expectation is to finalize
all policy recommendations for IFRS reporting and to submit these
policies to the Board for approval during the second quarter of 2010.
In addition, the Trust has actively engaged its auditors in the
conversion project and will continue to engage in ongoing discussions as
the project progresses.
The development of the Trust's opening balance sheet in accordance
with IFRS, as at January 1, 2010, is in progress. In addition, the Trust
expects to commence parallel internal reporting of 2010 results during
the second quarter of 2010.
Financial systems have been modified to accommodate the reporting of
both Canadian GAAP financial results and IFRS financial results in
2010. In addition, modifications have been made to ensure data is
captured with the added level of granularity required under IFRS. As
accounting policies are finalized further modifications to the financial
systems may be required. Other IT systems that capture data used in the
financial system are under review as to whether any modifications are
required.
Internal staff have been assigned to lead the transition project,
supplemented with consultants as required. Training of key internal
finance and accounting personnel has begun both through external IFRS
oil and gas training and internal training. As accounting policies are
finalized, training will be expanded to other key personnel within the
organization.
As accounting policies are finalized under IFRS, NAL will be
assessing the impact on its various business activities, including
banking arrangements, compensation arrangements and risk management
agreements, during 2010.
Internal business processes and controls are being assessed and
developed to enable the collection of information so that data can be
attained in the manner necessary to report under IFRS both on an ongoing
basis and on transition. For example, processes are currently being
developed to enable the monitoring of E&E assets and when the
transfer to D&P will occur. As processes are developed or amended,
internal controls are being assessed to determine any required changes.
This will be an ongoing process throughout 2010 to ensure all changes in
accounting policies include appropriate controls and procedures.
In addition, NAL will also ensure that adequate information
regarding the transition is provided to all stakeholders on a timely
basis. It is anticipated that IFRS information will be provided at
investor conferences during the second half of 2010.
The International Accounting Standards Board is currently
undertaking an extractive activities project to develop accounting
standards specifically related to the oil and gas industry. However, it
is not expected that the project will be completed prior to IFRS
adoption in Canada.
The transition from Canadian GAAP to IFRS is a significant
undertaking that may materially affect our reported financial position
and results of operations. As we have not finalized our accounting
policies, we are unable to quantify the impact of adopting IFRS on our
financial statements. Notwithstanding this, the Trust is confident that
it will meet the requirements for transition by the changeover deadline.
Dated: May 4, 2010
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(thousands of dollars) (unaudited)
As at As at
March 31, December 31,
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets
Current assets
Cash $ 5,042 $ 1,604
Accounts receivable 51,255 61,631
Prepaids and other receivables 11,301 15,663
Derivative contracts (Note 11) 24,714 6,285
Future income tax asset - 3,132
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
92,312 88,315
Derivative contracts (Note 11) 2,652 2,461
Goodwill 14,722 14,722
Property, plant and equipment (Note 3) 1,511,167 1,503,952
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 1,620,853 $ 1,609,450
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities and Unitholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 111,495 $ 110,897
Note payable (Note 2) 8,331 8,907
Distributions payable to unitholders 12,409 12,372
Derivative contracts (Note 11) 11,342 11,231
Future income tax liability 1,665 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
145,242 143,407
Bank debt (Note 4) 244,695 230,713
Convertible debentures (Note 5) 178,624 177,977
Other liabilities (Note 6) 8,135 7,643
Asset retirement obligations (Note 8) 131,917 127,872
Future income tax liability 17,818 24,778
Non-controlling interest (Note 9) 3,042 2,868
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
729,473 715,258
Unitholders' equity
Unitholders' capital (Note 10) 1,487,053 1,482,029
Equity component of convertible debentures
(Note 5) 12,628 12,628
Deficit (Note10) (608,301) (600,465)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
891,380 894,192
$ 1,620,853 $ 1,609,450
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commitments (Note 12)
Subsequent event (Note 13)
Trust units outstanding (000s) 137,881 137,471
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME, COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND DEFICIT
Three months ended March 31,
(thousands of dollars, except per unit amounts) (unaudited)
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue
Oil, natural gas and liquid sales $ 138,520 $ 81,703
Crown royalties (17,105) (10,611)
Freehold and other royalties (6,041) (3,523)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
115,374 67,569
Gain (loss) on derivative contracts (Note 11):
Realized gain 1,448 27,762
Unrealized gain (loss) 18,509 (18,504)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
19,957 9,258
Other income 331 964
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
135,662 77,791
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses
Operating 29,304 25,640
Transportation 1,637 1,041
General and administrative 4,359 2,618
Unit-based incentive compensation (Note 7) 439 302
Interest on bank debt 3,086 1,963
Interest and accretion on convertible
debentures 4,133 1,724
Depletion, depreciation and amortization 62,036 43,208
Accretion on asset retirement obligations 2,631 1,828
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
107,625 78,324
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before taxes and non-controlling
interest 28,037 (533)
Income tax recovery (expense) (59) 1
Future income tax reduction 2,163 6,115
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total income tax reduction 2,104 6,116
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before non-controlling interest 30,141 5,583
Non-controlling interest (Note 9) (792) (859)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income and comprehensive income 29,349 4,724
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deficit, beginning of period (600,465) (489,512)
Net income 29,349 4,724
Distributions declared (37,185) (29,816)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deficit, end of period $ (608,301) $ (514,604)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income per trust unit (Note 10)
Basic $ 0.21 $ 0.05
Diluted $ 0.21 $ 0.05
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average trust units outstanding
(000s) 137,660 96,181
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Three months ended March 31,
(thousands of dollars) (unaudited)
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Activities
Net income $ 29,349 $ 4,724
Items not involving cash:
Depletion, depreciation and amortization 62,036 43,208
Accretion on asset retirement obligations 2,631 1,828
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative
contracts (18,509) 18,504
Future income tax reduction (2,163) (6,115)
Non-cash accretion expense on convertible
debentures 991 378
Non-controlling interest 174 616
Lease amortization (376)
Abandonment and reclamation (891) (1,119)
Change in non-cash working capital (9,594) 4,522
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
63,648 66,546
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financing Activities
Distributions paid to unitholders (31,969) (36,549)
Increase in bank debt 13,982 22,586
Issue of trust units, net of issue costs (155) -
Note repayment from MFC (Note 2) - 49,599
Partnership distribution paid to MFC - (49,802)
Issuance of convertible debentures, net of
issue costs (344) -
Change in non-cash working capital - 33
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(18,486) (14,133)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investing Activities
Additions to property, plant and equipment (78,319) (36,936)
Property acquisitions (1,974) (1,314)
Proceeds from dispositions 14,676 -
Disposition of Spearpoint (309) -
Change in non-cash working capital 24,202 (7,132)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(41,724) (45,382)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase in cash 3,438 7,031
Cash, beginning of period 1,604 5,584
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash, end of period $ 5,042 $ 12,615
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplementary disclosure of cash flow
information:
Cash paid (received) during the period for:
Interest $ 6,796 $ 4,678
Tax $ 59 $ (72)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Refer to Notes 8 and 10 for significant non-cash amounts not included in the
cash flow statement.
See accompanying notes.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Three months ended March 31, 2010
(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, 2009. 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, 2009.
2. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Trust is managed by NAL Resources Management Limited (the
"Manager"). The Manager is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Manulife
Financial Corporation ("MFC") and also manages on its 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 $3.6 million (2009 - $1.9 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, of which $6.9 million was paid relating to
notional units that vested on November 30, 2009 (2009 - $2.3 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 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). In addition, during
2009 the Partnership paid distributions to its partners, MFC's share
being $5.0 million (Note 9).
As at March 31, 2010, there is a note payable of $8.3 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 expense on this note of $0.1 million was payable by the
Trust for the first quarter of 2010 (2009 - $0.5 million net interest
income) and is reported as other income.
The following amounts are due to and from related parties as at
March 31, 2010 and have been included in prepaids and other receivables,
accounts payable and accrued liabilities and note payable on the
balance sheet:
March 31, December 31,
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Due from (to) NAL Resources Limited $ (757) $ 1,731
Due from (to) NAL Resources Management Limited (1,660) (8,753)
Due from (to) Manulife Financial
Corporation(1) (9,187) (9,472)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ (11,604) $ (16,494)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Included on consolidation, eliminated through non-controlling interest.
Represents note payable of $8.3 million (2009: $8.9 million), plus
amounts due from (to) MFC of ($0.9) million (2009: ($0.6) million),
presented in accounts payable/accounts receivable, relating to the net
interest and NPI amounts due.
3. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
March 31, December 31,
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Petroleum and natural gas properties, at cost $ 2,648,519 $ 2,579,268
Less: Accumulated depletion and depreciation (1,137,352) (1,075,316)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 1,511,167 $ 1,503,952
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The calculation of first quarter depletion and depreciation included
future development costs for proved reserves of $209.2 million (2009 -
$46.3 million) and excluded costs associated with undeveloped land and
unproved properties of $141.0 million (2009 - $40.1 million)
During the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Trust capitalized
$1.5 million (2009 - $1.2 million) of G&A costs and $0.3 million
(2009 - $0.2 million) of unit-based incentive compensation that were
directly related to exploitation and development programs.
4. BANK DEBT
March 31, December 31,
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Production loan facility $ 244,695 $ 230,713
Working capital facility - -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total debt outstanding $ 244,695 $ 230,713
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 $535 million production
facility and a $15 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 30, 2011 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
2011, 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 May 1, 2012.
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, 2010
and December 31, 2009 all amounts outstanding were in Canadian dollars.
On March 31, 2010 the effective interest rate on amounts outstanding
under the credit facility was 3.33 percent (2009 - 1.80 percent). The
Trust's interest charge includes this fixed interest rate component,
plus a standby fee, a stamping fee and the fee for renewal.
5. CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES
The following table reconciles the principal amount, debt component and
equity component of the convertible debentures.
Three months ended March 31, 2010
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.25% 6.75% Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Principal, beginning of period $ 115,000 $ 79,744 $ 194,744
Issued during period - - -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Principal, end of period $ 115,000 $ 79,744 $ 194,744
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Debt component, beginning of
period $ 102,450 $ 75,527 $ 177,977
Issued during period - - -
Issue costs (344) - (344)
Accretion 605 386 991
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Debt component, end of period $ 102,711 $ 75,913 $ 178,624
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity component, beginning of
period $ 8,036 $ 4,592 $ 12,628
Issued during period - - -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity component, end of period $ 8,036 $ 4,592 $ 12,628
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended December 31, 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.25% 6.75% Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Principal, beginning of period $ - $ 79,744 $ 79,744
Issued during period 115,000 - 115,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Principal, end of period $ 115,000 $ 79,744 $ 194,744
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Debt component, beginning of
period $ - $ 74,004 $ 74,004
Issued during period 106,965 - 106,965
Issue costs (4,714) - (4,714)
Accretion 199 1,523 1,722
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Debt component, end of period $ 102,450 $ 75,527 $ 177,977
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity component, beginning of
period $ - $ 4,592 $ 4,592
Issued during period 8,036 - 8,036
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity component, end of period $ 8,036 $ 4,592 $ 12,628
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. OTHER LIABILITIES
March 31, December 31,
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit-based incentive compensation (Note 7) $ 4,847 $ 3,935
Excess office lease obligations(1) 3,288 3,708
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 8,135 $ 7,643
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Represents the present value of the long-term portion of office lease
obligations, in excess of sub-leases, assumed on the acquisitions of
Clipper and Breaker. MFC will reimburse the Trust for 50 percent of the
Clipper obligation of $0.7 million, under the base price adjustment
clause.
7. UNIT-BASED INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
The Trust recorded a total compensation expense of $0.7 million in
the first three months of 2010, of which $0.4 million was recorded as an
expense and $0.3 million as property, plant and equipment ($8.8 million
was expensed and $3.7 million recorded as property, plant and equipment
for the year ended December 31, 2009). The compensation expense was
based on the March 31, 2010 trust unit price of $12.95 (December 31,
2009 - $13.74), 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,
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, beginning of period $ 16,411 $ 6,274
Increase in liability 714 12,461
Cash payout, relating to units vested (6,944) (2,324)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, end of period $ 10,181 $ 16,411
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current portion of liability(1) $ 5,334 $ 12,476
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term liability(2) $ 4,847 $ 3,935
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
(2) Included in other liabilities.
8. ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
The following table reconciles the Trust's asset retirement obligations.
Three months ended Year ended
March 31, December 31,
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, beginning of period $ 127,872 $ 90,844
Accretion expense 2,631 7,856
Revisions to estimates (569) 558
Liabilities incurred 954 1,522
Liabilities acquired 2,062 32,311
Liabilities disposed (142) -
Liabilities settled (891) (5,219)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, end of period $ 131,917 $ 127,872
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAL's estimated credit-adjusted risk-free rate of eight to nine
percent (2009 - eight to nine percent) and an inflation rate of two
percent (2009 - 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. 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,
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-controlling interest, beginning of period $ 2,868 $ 56,380
Net income attributable to non-controlling
interest 174 1,040
Distributions to MFC(1) - (54,552)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-controlling interest, end of period $ 3,042 $ 2,868
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Includes $49.6 million distribution paid following settlement of note
receivable (Note 2).
The non-controlling interest in the statement of income is comprised of:
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net profits interest expense $ 618 $ 243
Share of net income attributable to MFC 174 616
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 792 $ 859
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. UNITHOLDERS EQUITY
Units Issued:
Three months ended Year ended
March 31, 2010 December 31, 2009
Units Amount Units Amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, beginning of the period 137,471 $ 1,482,029 96,181 $ 1,042,183
Equity offering - - 9,603 86,422
Issued on corporate acquisitions - - 30,453 345,075
Less issue expenses (net of tax) - (155) - (3,565)
Issued from Distribution
Reinvestment Plan 410 5,179 1,234 11,914
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, end of the period 137,881 $ 1,487,053 137,471 $ 1,482,029
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 includes the weighted average trust units
potentially issueable on the conversion of the convertible debentures.
For the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, the trust units
potentially issueable on the conversion of the convertible debentures
are anti-dilutive and are therefore excluded from the calculation. 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, 2010 were 12,665,697
(2009 - 5,696,000). As at March 31, 2010, the convertible debentures
outstanding are convertible to 12,665,697 trust units.
Deficit
The deficit is comprised of the following:
Three months ended Year ended
March 31, December 31,
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated income $ 591,580 $ 562,231
Accumulated cash distributions (1,199,881) (1,162,696)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ (608,301) $ (600,465)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT
Foreign currency exchange rate risk
NAL has the following foreign exchange rate derivative contracts
outstanding:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXCHANGE RATE Amount Trust Counterparty
CONTRACT Remaining Term (US$ MM)(1) Fixed Rate Floating Rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Swaps-floating
to fixed Apr - Dec 2010 $8.0 1.0966 BofC Average Noon Rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Notional US$ denominated commodity sales per month.
From April 1 to December 31, 2010, NAL also has a commitment to sell
US$9 million ($1 million/month) at 1.045 if the monthly Bank of Canada
average noon rate exceeds 1.045. NAL is paid a premium of approximately
$10,000 a month when the average noon rate for the day falls between
0.95 and 1.045.
The fair value of foreign exchange 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, 2010, if exchange rates had strengthened by $0.01, with all
other variables held constant, net income for the period would have been
$0.7 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 exchange rates been $0.01 weaker.
Commodity price risk
NAL has the following commodity derivative contracts outstanding:
CRUDE OIL Q2-10 Q3-10 Q4-10 Q1-11 Q2-11
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
US$ Collar Contracts
-------------------------
$US WTI Collar Volume
(bbl/d) 3,700 2,800 2,600 800 800
Bought Puts - Average
Strike Price ($US/bbl) $ 63.59 $ 65.63 $ 65.87 $ 81.25 $ 81.25
Sold Calls - Average
Strike Price ($US/bbl) $ 74.94 $ 77.55 $ 78.05 $ 94.47 $ 94.47
US$ Swap Contracts
-------------------------
$US WTI Swap Volume
(bbl/d) 2,800 3,200 3,300 - -
Average WTI Swap Price
($US/bbl) $ 79.45 $ 83.91 $ 83.82 - -
Total Oil Volume (bbl/d) 6,500 6,000 5,900 800 800
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NATURAL GAS Q2-10 Q3-10 Q4-10 Q1-11 Q2-11
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Swap Contracts
-------------------------
AECO Swap Volume (GJ/d) 39,000 40,000 27,337 4,000 4,000
AECO Average Price
($Cdn/GJ) $ 5.60 $ 5.61 $ 5.66 $ 5.78 $ 5.78
Total Natural gas Volume
(GJ/d) 39,000 40,000 27,337 4,000 4,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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,
2010, 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 period would have been $2.4
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
INTEREST RATE (millions) Fixed Counterparty
CONTRACT Remaining Term (1) Rate Floating Rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Swaps-floating
to fixed Mar 2010 - Dec 2011 $39.0 1.5864% CAD-BA-CDOR (3 months)
Swaps-floating
to fixed Mar 2010 - Jan 2013 $22.0 1.3850% CAD-BA-CDOR (3 months)
Swaps-floating
to fixed Mar 2010 - Jan 2014 $22.0 1.5100% CAD-BA-CDOR (3 months)
Swaps-floating
to fixed Mar 2010 - Mar 2013 $14.0 1.8500% CAD-BA-CDOR (3 months)
Swaps-floating
to fixed Mar 2010 - Mar 2013 $14.0 1.8750% CAD-BA-CDOR (3 months)
Swaps-floating
to fixed Mar 2010 - Mar 2014 $14.0 1.9300% CAD-BA-CDOR (3 months)
Swaps-floating
to fixed Mar 2010 - Mar 2014 $14.0 1.9850% CAD-BA-CDOR (3 months)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Notional debt amount
The fair value of interest rate 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, 2010, if interest rates had been one percent lower, with all
other variables held constant, net income for the period would have been
$4.2 million lower, due to changes in the fair value of the derivative
contracts. An equal and opposite effect would have occurred to net
income had exchange rates been one percent higher.
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$83.76 per barrel to
US$86.04 per barrel for oil and $3.44 per GJ to $4.82 per GJ for natural
gas) as of the balance sheet date, using the remaining contracted oil
and natural gas volumes with option contracts also including an element
of volatility. 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 0.539 percent to 2.766
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 1.0146 to 1.0208) as of the balance sheet date,
using the notional U.S. dollar amount and outstanding term of the swap.
The fair value of the derivative contracts is as follows:
Three months ended Year ended
March 31, December 31,
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair value of commodity contracts $ 7,635 $ (8,932)
Fair value of interest rate swaps 2,652 2,461
Fair value of foreign exchange rate swaps 5,737 3,986
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 16,024 $ (2,485)
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The gain/(loss) on derivative contracts is as follows:
Gain / (Loss) on Derivative Contracts
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Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2010 2009
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Unrealized gain (loss):
Crude oil contracts $ 1,546 $ (21,198)
Natural gas contracts 15,021 2,701
Interest rate swaps 191 (678)
Exchange rate swaps 1,751 671
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Unrealized gain (loss) 18,509 (18,504)
Realized gain (loss):
Crude oil contracts (2,082) 20,752
Natural gas contracts 2,497 6,956
Interest rate swaps (257) (29)
Exchange rate swaps 1,290 83
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Realized gain 1,448 27,762
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Gain on derivative contracts $ 19,957 $ 9,258
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These contracts are presented on the balance sheet as short term / long
term, assets and liabilities as follows:
Three months ended
March 31, December 31,
2010 2009
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Current unrealized loss on derivative
contracts $ (11,342) $ (11,231)
Current unrealized gain on derivative
contracts 24,714 6,285
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Current unrealized gain (loss) on derivative
contracts 13,372 (4,946)
Long term unrealized gain on derivative
contracts 2,652 2,461
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Net fair value of derivative contracts $ 16,024 $ (2,485)
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The following table reconciles the movement in the fair value of the Trust's
derivative contracts:
Three months ended March 31
-----------------------------
2010 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrealized gain (loss), beginning of period $ (2,485) $ 65,406
Unrealized gain, end of period 16,024 46,902
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Unrealized gain (loss) for the period 18,509 (18,504)
Realized gain in the period 1,448 27,762
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Gain on derivative contracts $ 19,957 $ 9,258
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12. COMMITMENTS
(i) Joint Venture Agreement:
Effective April 20, 2009, the Trust and MFC entered into a joint
venture agreement with a senior industry partner. The arrangement
consists of a three year commitment to spend $50 million on or before
August 31, 2012, 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 Trust's 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 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 partner. As at March
31, 2010, the Trust had spent $3.6 million under this agreement.
(ii) Farm-in Agreement:
Effective August 10, 2009, the Trust and MFC entered into a farm-in
agreement with a senior industry partner. The arrangement consists of a
two year initial commitment, with a minimum capital commitment of $30
million in the first year and $50 million in the second year, with an
option for a third year, at NAL's election, for an additional $50
million commitment. The Trust has a 60 percent interest in this
agreement and MFC a 40 percent interest. The agreement provides the
opportunity to earn an interest in approximately 1,400 gross sections of
undeveloped oil and gas rights in Alberta held by the partner. If the
capital spending commitments are not met, interest in the acreage will
not be earned and the Trust will not be required to pay any unspent
amounts under the agreement. As at March 31, 2010, the Trust has spent
$15.6 million under this agreement.
(iii) Other:
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:
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($000s) 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office lease(1) 3,116 3,505 3,505 3,482 3,414
Office lease - Clipper
and Breaker(2) 1,633 2,184 2,192 358 -
Transportation agreement 3,544 - - - -
Processing agreement(3) 1,529 2,242 401 384 -
Convertible debentures(4) - - 79,744 - 115,000
Bank debt - - 146,817 97,878 -
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Total 9,822 7,931 232,659 102,102 118,414
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(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 64 percent) of the expense on a monthly basis.
(2) Represents the full amount of office lease assumed with the acquisitions
of the Clipper and Breaker. MFC will reimburse the Trust for 50 percent
of the Clipper obligation under the base price adjustment clause.
(3) Represents gas processing agreements with take or pay components.
(4) Principal amount.
13. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On April 14, 2010, the Trust issued pursuant to a bought deal offering
7,550,000 trust units at a price of $13.25 per unit for aggregate gross
proceeds of $100 million.
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TRADING PERFORMANCE
For the Quarter Ended
------------------------------------------
31-Mar-10 31-Dec-09 31-Mar-09 31-Dec-08
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PRICE
High $ 14.95 $ 14.00 $ 8.99 $ 13.14
Low $ 12.50 $ 10.75 $ 5.38 $ 5.90
Close $ 12.95 $ 13.74 $ 6.80 $ 8.05
Daily Average Volume 589,149 490,127 359,591 475,410
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NAL Oil & Gas Trust provides investors with a yield-oriented
opportunity to participate in the Canadian Upstream 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
403.294.3620 or Toll Free: 888.223.8792
403.294.3601 (FAX)
Investor.Relations@nal.ca
www.nal.ca