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NAL Oil & Gas Trust TSX: NAE.UN 
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Aug 06, 2008 16:30 ET
NAL Oil & Gas Trust Reports Record Production Volumes and Cash Flows in the Second Quarter
CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Aug. 6, 2008) - NAL Oil & Gas Trust (TSX:NAE.UN) ("NAL" or the "Trust") today announced its financial and operational results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2008. All amounts are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.
On NAL's second quarter results, President and CEO Andrew Wiswell commented: "the Trust reported its highest production volume and cash flows in its twelve year history. The Board has authorized a further $8 million increase (for a full year total of $152 million net to the Trust) in opportunity capital to position projects in 2009 and beyond."
Summary of Second Quarter
- Production volumes increased 25 percent in the second quarter to 23,791 barrels per day (boe/d), up from 19,094 in the second quarter 2007, driven primarily by the corporate acquisitions of Seneca Energy Canada Inc. ("Seneca"), Tiberius Exploration Inc. ("Tiberius") and Spear Exploration Inc. ("Spear") and the ongoing execution of our core business and capital program. Production mix was 52 percent crude oil and natural gas liquids and 48 percent natural gas.
- Funds from operations ("FFO") equaled $88.6 million in the quarter, an increase of 65 percent from $54.2 million a year earlier driven by higher volumes and stronger netbacks from higher commodity prices. On a per unit basis, FFO of $0.94 ($0.89 fully diluted) compared favourably with $0.69 ($0.69 fully diluted), an increase of 36 percent year-over-year.
- Operating netbacks before corporate hedging programs equaled $58.82 per boe versus $35.76 in second quarter a year earlier, an increase of 64 percent. These higher netbacks are driven primarily by our high quality crude and were achieved despite higher operating costs due to inflationary pressure in the industry. At $10.37/boe in Q2, NAL's operating costs remain better than the trust sector average.
- Capital expenditures increased to $27.7 million in the second quarter versus $18.9 million a year earlier, taking advantage of higher cash flows and broader opportunities in our asset base.
- Convertible debt outstanding decreased from $100.0 million to $82.3 million at the end of the second quarter as $17.7 million of debentures converted to units. At June 30, 2008, total net debt (including convertible debentures) represented 1.1 times annualized first half 2008 FFO.
2008 Guidance and Outlook
Production volumes during the second quarter were curtailed by tie in delays, extended plant turnarounds, weather related road bans and lower capital spending compared to plan due to inability to access drilling and completion locations. Currently, the Trust has 900 boe/d of production in the completion and tie in phase. With 60% of its capital program still to be spent in Q3 and Q4, the Trust is forecasting production within our 2008 full year guidance range with an expected 2008 exit rate in excess of 25,000 boe/d.
NAL provides the following update to the outlook for full year 2008:
2008 Full Year Outlook
January 23, May 1, August 6,
2008 2008 2008
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Production (boe/d) 23,000-24,000 24,400-24,800(1) 24,400-24,800(1)
Net capital
expenditures ($MM) 110 - 120 140 - 150 150 - 160
Operating costs
($/boe) 9.50 - 9.80 9.50 - 9.80 10.00 - 10.50
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(1) Includes non-controlling interest.
NAL outlines the following 2008 full year financial forecast based upon
certain assumptions:
2008 Forecast Assumptions Key Assumptions
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WTI oil price (U.S.$/bbl)(3) 100.00 120.00 130.00
AECO natural gas price
(C$/GJ)(3) 8.00 8.50 9.00
Exchange rate (Cdn/USD)(3) 1.02 1.02 0.98
Capital expenditures (C$ MM)(4) 160 160 160
Production (boe/d) 24,400(1)(2) 24,400(1)(2) 24,400(1)(2)
Monthly distribution ($/unit ) 0.16 0.16 0.16
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(1) Including February 2008 acquisitions of Tiberius/Spear.
(2) Includes non-controlling interest.
(3) Commodity and exchange rate forecasts assumptions for the July-December
2008 period.
(4) Includes non-controlling interest capital of $8 million, resulting in
trust net capital of $152 million.
2008 Financial Forecasts Sensitivities
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Funds from operation ($MM)(1) 333 349 353
Funds from operation ($/unit
basic) $3.51 $3.68 $3.73
Funds from operation ($/unit
fully diluted) $3.32 $3.49 $3.53
Payout ratio (%) 55 52 51
Payout with capital (%) 100 96 95
Payout with DRIP (%) 92 87 86
Debt / cash flow (x) 0.9 / 1.1(2) 0.8 / 1.0(2) 0.8 / 1.0(2)
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(1) Includes impact of hedging gains and losses
(2) Includes convertible debentures.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Please refer to our disclaimer on forward-looking information set forth under the Management's Discussion and Analysis in this document. The disclaimer is applicable to all forward-looking information in this document, including the outlook for full year 2008 and the 2008 full year financial forecasts set forth above.
NON-GAAP MEASURES
Please refer to our 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 netbacks.
CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS
At 3:30 p.m. MST (5:30 p.m. EST) on Wednesday, August 6, 2008, NAL will hold a conference call to discuss the second quarter 2008 results. Mr. Andrew Wiswell, President and CEO, will host the conference call with other members of the Management Team. The call is open to analysts, investors, and all interested parties. If you wish to participate, call 1-866-300-4047 toll free across North America. The conference call will also be accessible by internet at http://events.onlinebroadcasting.com/nal/080608/index.php
A recorded playback of the call will be available until August 13, 2008 by calling 1-800-408-3053, reservation 3265792.
Notes: All amounts are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.
When converting natural gas to barrels of oil equivalent (boe)
within this report, NAL uses the widely recognized standard of six
thousand cubic feet (Mcf) to one barrel of oil. However, boe's may be
misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A conversion ratio of
6 Mcf:1 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
(thousands of dollars, except per unit and boe data)
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Three months ended Six months ended
June 30 June 30
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2008 2007 2008 2007
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FINANCIAL
Gross revenue, net of royalties,
before hedging gains (losses) 149,356 77,197 266,188 151,764
Cash flow from operating activities 73,295 56,021 143,856 108,987
Cash flow per unit - basic 0.78 0.71 1.55 1.39
Cash flow per unit - diluted 0.74 0.71 1.47 1.39
Funds from operations 88,578 54,156 164,798 108,391
Funds from operations per unit
- basic 0.94 0.69 1.77 1.38
Funds from operations per unit
- diluted 0.89 0.69 1.68 1.38
Net income (loss) (17,572) 21,390 (3,839) 38,100
Distributions declared 45,302 37,877 89,327 75,483
Distributions per unit 0.48 0.48 0.96 0.96
Payout ratio:
based on cash flow from operating
activities 62% 68% 62% 69%
based on funds from operations 51% 70% 54% 70%
Units outstanding (000's)
Period end 95,277 79,086 95,277 79,086
Weighted average 94,101 78,824 92,909 78,543
Capital expenditures 27,714 18,925 63,907 45,984
Corporate acquisitions - - 58,363
Net debt(1) 288,201 222,408 288,201 222,408
Convertible debentures
(at face value) 82,259 - 82,259 -
OPERATING
Daily production(2)
Crude Oil (bbl/d) 10,286 9,114 10,270 9,240
Natural gas (mcf/d) 68,890 47,461 68,050 47,821
Natural gas liquids (bbl/d) 2,023 2,071 2,084 2,116
Oil equivalent (boe/d) 23,791 19,094 23,696 19,326
OPERATING NETBACK (boe)
Revenue before hedging gains (losses) 86.53 55.88 77.11 54.71
Royalties (17.99) (11.79) (15.83) (11.66)
Operating costs (10.37) (8.60) (10.14) (8.31)
Other income 0.65 0.27 0.51 0.35
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Operating netback before hedging 58.82 35.76 51.65 35.09
Hedging gains (losses) (10.04) 0.49 (6.31) 0.89
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Operating netback 48.78 36.25 45.34 35.98
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(1) Excluding convertible debentures.
(2) Includes royalty income volumes.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
The following discussion and analysis ("MD&A") should be read in conjunction with the interim consolidated financial statements for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and the audited consolidated financial statements and MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2007 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 and financial position. However, these terms do not have any standardized meaning as prescribed by Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"). Investors should be cautioned that these measures should not be construed as an alternative to net income determined in accordance with GAAP as an indication of NAL's performance. NAL's method of calculating these measures may differ from other income funds and companies and, accordingly, they may not be comparable to measures used by other income funds and companies.
Funds from operations is calculated as cash flow from operating activities before changes in non-cash working capital. Funds from operations does not represent operating cash flows or operating profits for the period and should not be viewed as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities calculated in accordance with GAAP. Funds from operations is considered by Management to be a more meaningful key performance indicator of NAL's ability to generate cash to finance operations and to pay monthly distributions. Funds from operations per unit and cash flow from operations per unit are calculated using the weighted average units outstanding for the period.
Payout ratio is calculated as distributions declared for a period as a percentage of either cash flow from operating activities or funds from operations; both measures are stated.
Net debt to trailing 12 months cash flow is calculated as net debt as a proportion of funds from operations for the previous 12 months. Net debt is defined as bank debt, plus convertible debentures at face value, plus working capital, excluding derivative contracts, notes payable/receivable and future income tax balances.
The following table reconciles cash flows from operating activities to funds from operations:
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Three months ended Six months ended
June 30 June 30
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$(000s) 2008 2007 2008 2007
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Cash flow from operating activities 73,295 56,021 143,856 108,987
Add back change in non-cash working
capital 15,283 (1,865) 20,942 (596)
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Funds from operations 88,578 54,156 164,798 108,391
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FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking information as to the Trust's internal projections, expectations or 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" or "resources" are forward-looking statements as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, that the reserves and resources 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; 2008 production; future tax treatment of the Trust; future structure of the Trust and its subsidiaries; the Trust's tax pools; future oil and gas prices; the amount of future asset retirement obligations; future liquidity and future financial capacity; future results from operations; payout ratios; cost estimates and royalty rates; drilling plans; tie in of wells; future development, exploration, and acquisition and development activities and related expenditures.
With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this MD&A and the press release through which it was disseminated, we have made assumptions regarding, among other things: future oil and natural gas prices; future capital expenditure levels; future oil and natural gas production levels; future exchange rates; the amount of future cash distributions that we intend to pay; the cost of expanding our property holdings; our ability to obtain equipment in a timely manner to carry out development activities; our ability to market our oil and natural gas successfully to current and new customers; the impact of increasing competition; our ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms; and our ability to add production and reserves through our development and exploitation activities.
Although NAL believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information contained in the MD&A and the press release through which it was disseminated, and the assumptions on which such forward-looking information are made, are reasonable, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which the forward-looking information are based will occur. Such information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated and which may cause NAL's actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any estimates or projections of future performance.
These risk and uncertainties include, without limitation: changes in commodity prices; unanticipated operating results or production declines; the impact of weather conditions on seasonal demand and ability to execute the capital program; risks inherent in oil and gas operations; imprecision of reserve estimates; limited, unfavorable or no access to capital markets; the impact of competitors; the lack of availability of qualified operating or management personnel; the ability to obtain industry partner and other third party consents and approvals, when required; failure to 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 the royalty rates, particularly in light of the Alberta government's royalty review; changes in tax laws; including the impact of legislation relating to the taxation of "specified investment flow-through" entities and proposed amendments to the Income Tax Act (Canada) to permit the conversion of income trusts into corporations by the Federal government; 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 and MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2007.
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.
ACQUISITION OF TIBERIUS EXPLORATION INC. AND SPEAR EXPLORATION INC.
Effective February 27, 2008 the Trust acquired all the issued and outstanding common shares of Tiberius Exploration Inc. ("Tiberius") and Spear Exploration Inc. ("Spear"), which have interests in southeast Saskatchewan.
On February 29, 2008 the Trust transferred the assets into a newly formed limited partnership ("Partnership") in exchange for a 50 percent partnership interest and a note receivable of $3.7 million. A wholly owned subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation ("MFC") acquired the remaining 50 percent share in the Partnership and a note receivable of $3.7 million, by payment in cash of one half of the total purchase price for Tiberius and Spear. MFC is a related party to the Trust, see "Management Contract and Fees".
The net acquisition cost to the Trust for its 50 percent share in the acquired properties is $57.8 million, before acquisition costs, comprised of $28.3 million in cash and $29.5 million from the issuance of 2.4 million trust units at a price of $12.24 per unit. The unit price was based on the average market price of the units at the announcement date for the acquisition of February 11, 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. The equivalent carrying amounts of property, plant and equipment related to this interest is recorded on the books of each royalty holder and was removed from the books of the Partnership.
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. 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 are 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.
Consequently, substantially all analysis in the MD&A includes 100 percent of the results of the Partnership, with 50 percent of these results being removed through the non-controlling interest.
The results of operations from the Tiberius and Spear properties have been included in the consolidated financial statements of the Trust commencing February 27, 2008, the closing date of the transaction.
The fair values assigned to the net assets acquired from Tiberius and Spear and the consideration paid by the Trust is as follows:
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Net assets
acquired Total Disposition Trust, net Net to
$(000s): Acquisition to Manulife Acquisition NPI(1) Trust
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Cash $ 9,734 $ - $ 9,734 $ - $ 9,734
Working capital
deficiency (5,620) - (5,620) - (5,620)
Notes
receivable, net
from MFC - (3,750) (3,750) 49,599 45,849
Property, plant
and equipment 111,258 - 111,258 (49,599) 61,659
Future income
taxes (23,389) 11,588 (11,801) - (11,801)
Asset
retirement
obligations (1,636) - (1,636) - (1,636)
Goodwill 26,238 (12,003) 14,235 - 14,235
Non-controlling
interest - (54,057) (54,057) - (54,057)
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$ 116,585 $ (58,222) $ 58,363 $ - $ 58,363
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Consideration:
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Cash $ 86,118 $ (57,807) $ 28,311 $ - $ 28,311
Issuance of
trust units 29,496 - 29,496 - 29,496
Acquisition
costs 971 (415) 556 - 556
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$ 116,585 $ (58,222) $ 58,363 $ - $ 58,363
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(1) Net profit interest agreement entered into with MFC in exchange for a
note receivable.
The operations attributable to the Tiberius and Spear assets were as
follows:
Three months
ended
June 30, Net Impact to Year-to- Net Impact to
$ (000s) 2008(1) Trust(2) date(1) Trust(2)
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Total production
volumes (boes) 79,707 39,854 118,387 59,194
Production volumes
(boe/d) 876 438 650 325
Oil, natural gas and
liquid sales $ 9,244 $ 4,622 $ 13,154 $ 6,577
Royalties (834) (417) (1,372) (686)
Operating costs (867) (434) (1,188) (594)
General and
administrative (142) (71) (170) (85)
Unit-based incentive
compensation (61) (30) (81) (41)
Interest income, net 1,806 903 2,452 1,226
Depletion,
depreciation
and accretion (562) (281) (761) (380)
Net profit interest
expense (7,165) (3,583) (10,122) (5,061)
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Net income $ 1,419 $ 709 $ 1,912 $ 956
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(1) Total results of the Partnership consolidated into the results of the
Trust.
(2) Net impact to the Trust, removing 50 percent of results attributable to
MFC.
The non-controlling interest presented in the statement of income has two components: the royalty paid to MFC under the NPI agreement, 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:
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June 30 June 30
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$(000s) 2008 2007 2008 2007
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Net profits interest expense $3,583 $ - $5,061 $ -
Share of net income attributable
to MFC 709 - 956 -
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$4,292 $ - $6,017 $ -
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EXPLORATION & DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
The Trust spent $17.8 million on drilling operations during the second quarter of 2008, versus $14.2 million in 2007 and participated in the drilling of 23 (11.1 net) wells during the second quarter of 2008, compared to seven (3.8 net) wells during the same period in 2007. Drilling activity was up year over year but below expectations by $5 million due to weather and surface lease acquisition delays. Although fewer locations were drilled than expected during the quarter, the program was successful with all wells being cased for completion. Activity is expected to remain high through the third and fourth quarters with an additional 25 to 30 net wells expected to be drilled.
Historically, NAL's assets have been concentrated in southeast Saskatchewan and central Alberta. The purchase of Seneca in 2007 added a new core area at Monkman in northeast British Columbia and expanded the Trust's W4M operations in the Hanna to Drumheller area of Alberta. The Tiberius/Spear acquisition added to NAL's Nottingham/Alida operations in southeast Saskatchewan.
Second Quarter Drilling Activity
Natural Service Dry &
Crude Oil Gas Wells Abandoned Total
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Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net
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Operated wells 18 8.8 3 1.7 0 0.0 0 0.0 21 10.5
Non-operated
wells 2 0.6 0 0 0 0.0 0 0.0 2 0.6
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Total wells
drilled 20 9.4 3 1.7 0 0.0 0 0.0 23 11.1
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Year to Date Drilling Activity
Natural Service Dry &
Crude Oil Gas Wells Abandoned Total
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Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net Gross Net
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Operated wells 40 20.9 9 6.4 0 0.0 0 0.0 49 27.3
Non-operated
wells 10 1.0 6 1.1 0 0.0 0 0.0 16 2.1
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Total wells
drilled 50 21.9 15 7.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 65 29.4
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Southeast Saskatchewan (Alida, Nottingham, Rosebank, Midale, Elswick)
In Saskatchewan, there were 16 (7.7 net) oil wells drilled during the second quarter. Activity was primarily focused in the Mississippian at Alida, Nottingham, Rosebank and Midale. The Trust expects to have two drilling rigs working for the remainder of the year on Mississippian and Bakken prospects in the area.
As at July 31, 2008, we have drilled three wells at Hoffer and they are currently being completed and evaluated.
Field operations were forced to shut in production of 300 boe/d on average for the quarter on the newly acquired Tiberius and Spear properties. This shut in occurred during April and May as a result of road bans which prevented the Trust from hauling production to our processing facilities from single well batteries. Planning and procurement for new facilities to link these properties into the Trust's Nottingham and Alida gathering systems are under way and construction is expected to be completed during the third and fourth quarters of this year.
Engineering and procurement work are completed for the Nottingham gas plant expansion which will increase capacity from 13 mmcf/d to 18 mmcf/d. It is expected that equipment delivery and construction will commence in October, with commissioning and start up to occur in early 2009.
Alberta (Garrington, Westward Ho, Drumheller, Pine Creek, Lacombe, Medicine River, Sylvan Lake)
In Alberta, NAL drilled seven (3.4 net) wells during the quarter with results meeting expectations. The Trust expects to have one rig working through the rest of the year drilling 10 - 15 stacked Mannville opportunities in Pine Creek and the greater Sylvan Lake area with a second rig used to drill three horizontal Cardium oil wells in the Garrington/Sylvan areas.
Two Glauconite oil wells were brought on production at a combined rate of 200 boe/d (net to the Trust) in the Hussar area of southern Alberta. Three additional wells to be drilled in 2008 are expected to delineate this new pool. The Trust has finished five recompletions in the Drumheller area as part of a wellbore optimization program and results have been positive with total production of 200 boe/d added.
The second quarter was significantly impacted by six extended turnarounds at operated and third party facilities across central Alberta. Volumes for the quarter were negatively impacted in excess of NAL's forecasted amounts by an average of 300 boe/d for the quarter. Most turnarounds were anticipated but several were extended and slow to come back up to capacity. NAL had planned to redirect 650 boe/d of production to another third party plant during one extended turnaround but capacity became unavailable at that plant due to an outage that was unknown at the time of our forecast.
Northeast British Columbia (Monkman)
In the Monkman area, the focus for 2008 is to participate in three wells and tie in the a-26-E discovery. The exploration drill at c-21-K (Trust 10 percent WI) has reached intermediate casing point and drilling information to date is encouraging with rig release expected in October. The a-37-F well (Trust 10 percent WI) is approaching intermediate casing point and is also expected to be rig released in October. One additional location (Trust 20 percent WI) is expected to commence drilling in the fourth quarter using one of the existing rigs. NAL expects to test successful wells during the fourth quarter, but is not forecasting production from these wells in 2008.
The 2007 exploration drill at a-26-E was successfully tested in two intervals at combined rates in excess of 60 mmcf/d gross raw gas and has been subsequently tied into the Spectra Pine River Gas plant. The well was on stream in May 2008, and is currently flowing at 40 - 45 mmcf/d gross raw gas (approximately 7.5mmcf/d net sales gas for the Trust) from one interval. Currently, the b-60-E well is being curtailed due to operating efficiency being affected as the plant is approaching capacity. Production from b-60-E and the second interval at a-26-E provide ample deliverability to fill all additional interruptible capacity that may become available through the current 40 mmcf/d expansion and decline in total volumes going to the facility.
At the time of our January 2008 guidance, there was significant work left to complete in order to get a-26-E on stream. This operation took a month longer than expected and was finalized at the end of April rather than April 1. As a result, production was below forecast by 850 boe/d for April representing 283 boe/d average for the second quarter of 2008.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
Capital expenditures for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 totaled $27.7 million (including $1.0 million of property acquisitions) compared with $18.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2007.
On a year-to-date basis, capital expenditures totaled $63.9 million compared to $46.0 million in the comparable period of 2007. Included in 2008 is $7.8 million of net property acquisitions.
The Board of Directors has approved an $8 million (net to the Trust) increase to the capital budget for the full year 2008. This new capital is intended to fund repositioning activities for land, seismic and strategic drilling, setting up additional activity for 2009. The production impact from any of this new capital spent on drilling will be late in the year and have limited impact on NAL's production volumes for full year 2008.
Year-to-date, NAL has spent 42 percent of its $152.0 million capital budget (net to the Trust) and expects an active second half of 2008. NAL's strategy of building future opportunities into its portfolio for 2009 - 2010 has resulted in 21 percent of its exploitation and development capital being spent on plant and facilities, seismic and land in the first six months of 2008 as compared to 12 percent a year earlier. Over the balance of 2008, NAL expects that trend to continue as it executes its capital program.
Capital Expenditures ($000s)
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Three months ended Six months ended
June 30 June 30
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2008 2007 2008 2007
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Drilling, completion and production
equipment 17,754 14,198 40,284 37,849
Plant and facilities 3,476 2,143 6,707 4,395
Seismic 51 268 807 527
Land 2,828 106 3,822 357
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Total exploitation and development 24,109 16,715 51,620 43,128
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Office equipment 303 230 618 274
Capitalized G&A 1,401 1,669 2,343 2,436
Capitalized unit-based compensation 935 311 1,490 171
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Total other capital 2,639 2,210 4,451 2,881
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Property acquisitions
(dispositions), net 966 - 7,836 (25)
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Total capitalized expenditures 27,714 18,925 63,907 45,984
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PRODUCTION
Second quarter 2008 production of 23,791 boe/d exceeded production of 19,094 boe/d in the comparable period of 2007 by 25 percent. This increase is attributable to the acquisition of Seneca, Tiberius and Spear production as well as the ongoing execution of the Trust's capital program.
For the six months ended June 30, 2008, production of 23,696 boe/d exceeded the 19,326 boe/d for the comparable period in 2007, by a margin of 23 percent for the same reasons.
Delay and unexpected down time had a significant impact on the quarter as production was 880 boe/d below expectations due to the impact of increased turnarounds, shut in production for road bans in Saskatchewan and a one month start up delay at Monkman, British Columbia. As a result of these timing issues, the Trust expects to meet the lower end of production guidance (24,400 - 24,800 boe/d) for the full year 2008.
June production (24,061 boe/d) gives management confidence that production for the balance of 2008 is expected to be on plan.
As of July 31, 2008, the Trust had 900 boe/d of production in the completion and tie in phase that will come on stream during the third quarter. The main contributing areas for this production are Pine Creek (300 boe/d), central Alberta (400 boe/d), and southeast Saskatchewan (200 boe/d).
It is anticipated that the December 2008 production exit rate will be in the 25,000 - 25,500 boe/d range.
Average Daily Production Volumes
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Three months ended Six months ended
June 30 June 30
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2008(1) 2007(1) 2008(1) 2007(1)
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Oil (bbl/d) 10,286 9,114 10,270 9,240
Natural gas (Mcf/d) 68,890 47,461 68,050 47,821
NGLs (bbl/d) 2,023 2,071 2,084 2,116
Oil equivalent (boe/d) 23,791 19,094 23,696 19,326
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(1) Volumes include royalty income volumes.
The oil equivalent volumes of 23,791 boe/d for the second quarter of 2008 and 23,696 boe/d year-to-date include 438 boe/d and 325 boe/d, respectively, attributable to the non-controlling interest in the Tiberius and Spear properties. The Trust's net production, after deducting the non-controlling interest, is 23,353 boe/d for the second quarter of 2008 and 23,371 boe/d year-to-date.
Oil and natural gas liquids totaled 52 percent of production with natural gas increasing to 48 percent of production as a result of the natural gas weighted Seneca acquisition.
Production Weighting
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2008 2007 2008 2007
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Oil 43% 48% 43% 48%
Natural gas 48% 41% 48% 41%
NGLs 9% 11% 9% 11%
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REVENUE
Gross revenue from oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids sales, after transportation costs, totaled $187.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008, 93 percent higher than the second quarter of 2007. The increase is due to a 25 percent increase in production as a result of acquisitions and the ongoing execution of our capital program, as well as a 55 percent increase in the average realized price per boe. The Trust's realized commodity prices increased for all production, highlighted by a 73 percent quarter-over-quarter increase in realized crude oil prices.
For the six month period ended June 30, 2008, revenue after transportation costs totaled $332.6 million, an increase of 74 percent from the comparable period in 2007. The increase is attributable to a 23 percent increase in production, due to acquisitions, and an increase of 41 percent in the average realized price per boe.
Revenue
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Three months ended Six months ended
June 30 June 30
----------------------------------------
2008 2007 2008 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue(1) ($000s) 187,341 97,090 332,550 191,374
$/boe 86.53 55.88 77.11 54.71
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(1) Oil, natural gas and liquid sales less transportation costs and prior to
royalties.
OIL MARKETING
NAL sells its crude oil based on refiners' posted prices at Edmonton, Alberta and Cromer, Manitoba adjusted for transportation and the quality of crude oil at each field battery. The refiners' posted prices are influenced by the West Texas Intermediate ("WTI") benchmark price, transportation costs, exchange rates and the supply/demand situation of particular crude oil quality streams during the year.
NAL's second quarter average realized Canadian crude oil price per barrel, net of transportation costs, was $116.51, as compared to $67.18 for the comparable quarter of 2007. The increase in realized price quarter-over-quarter of 73 percent, or $49.33/bbl, was primarily driven by a 91 percent increase in WTI (U.S.$/bbl) over the comparable period, offset by a strengthening Canadian dollar.
For the second quarter of 2008, NAL's crude oil price differential compared to WTI priced in Canadian dollars was 93 percent, a one percentage point decrease from the comparable period in 2007. The differential is calculated as realized price as a percentage of WTI stated in Canadian dollars.
For the six months ended June 30, 2008, NAL's average oil price was $103.23 per barrel as compared to $64.37 for the comparable period in 2007. The increase in realized price was driven by an 80 percent increase in WTI (US$/bbl). Differentials were consistent year-over-year at 92 percent.
Natural gas liquids averaged $78.01/bbl in the second quarter of 2008, a 61 percent increase from $48.33/bbl realized in 2007. For the six months ended June 30, 2008, natural gas liquids averaged $70.58/bbl, an increase of 51 percent from the comparable period in 2007.
On July 22, 2008, SemGroup L.P. announced that the it and certain of its North American subsidiaries had filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code as well as an application for creditor protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act in Canada.
NAL has a maximum net potential exposure of $7.0 million from oil, butane and condensate sales to SemCanada Crude Company ("SemCanada"), a subsidiary of SemGroup, L.P. for the marketing of a portion of NAL's production. NAL management has retained legal counsel and continues to have discussions with SemCanada and its Monitor to best manage and resolve this matter.NAL is currently uncertain what portion of the exposure may be collectible, but the amount is not considered significant to NAL's financial position. Further, no provision has been made in the financial statements against this receivable as at June 30, 2008, since a reasonable determination of impairment can not be made at this time.
NATURAL GAS MARKETING
Approximately 74 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 26 percent tied to NYMEX or other indexed reference prices.
For the three months ended June 30, 2008, the Trust's natural gas sales averaged $10.12/mcf compared to $7.40/mcf in the comparable period of 2007, an increase of 37 percent. The quarter-over-quarter increase in gas prices was attributable to a 44 percent increase in the benchmark AECO daily spot prices.
Prices for Lake Erie natural gas increased to $12.12/mcf in the second quarter of 2008, compared to $8.99/mcf in 2007, an increase of 35 percent. Lake Erie production of 3.48 mmcf/d accounted for five percent of the Trust's natural gas production in the second quarter of 2008, compared to seven percent in the same period of 2007; the decrease is attributable to the gas weighted Seneca acquisition effective September 1, 2007. Natural gas sales from the Lake Erie property receive a higher price due to the close proximity to the Ontario and Northeastern U.S. markets.
For the six months ended June 30, 2008, NAL averaged $9.06/mcf, a 19 percent increase from the $7.59/mcf realized in the comparable period in 2007.
Average Pricing
(net of transportation charges)
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2008 2007 2008 2007
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Liquids
WTI (US$/bbl) 123.99 65.03 110.94 61.60
NAL average oil (Cdn$/bbl) 116.51 67.18 103.23 64.37
NAL natural gas liquids (Cdn$/bbl) 78.01 48.33 70.58 46.82
Natural Gas (Cdn$/Mcf)
AECO -- daily spot 10.20 7.07 9.09 7.24
AECO -- monthly 9.35 7.37 8.21 7.42
NAL Western Canada natural gas 10.01 7.27 8.98 7.40
NAL Lake Erie natural gas 12.12 8.99 10.67 9.88
NAL average natural gas 10.12 7.40 9.06 7.59
NAL Oil Equivalent before hedging
(Cdn$/boe -- 6:1) 86.53 55.88 77.11 54.71
Average Foreign Exchange Rate
(Cdn$/U.S.$) 1.010 1.098 1.007 1.135
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RISK MANAGEMENT
NAL employs risk management practices to assist in managing cash flows and to support capital programs and distributions. NAL's management has authorization to hedge up to 50 percent of budgeted total production, net of royalties, for a period of up to two years. Management's practice is to hedge more near-term volumes on a rolling 12 month forward basis with more limited volumes hedged in the 13 - 24 month forward period. The execution of NAL's hedging program is layered in over time in small increments using a combination of swaps and collars. As at June 30, 2008, NAL had several financial WTI oil contracts and AECO natural gas contracts in place. The following is a summary of the realized gains and losses on risk management contracts:
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2008 2007 2008 2007
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Average crude volumes hedged (bbl/d) 4,833 2,300 4,516 2,300
Crude oil realized gain (loss)
($000's) (18,001) 700 (25,032) 2,937
Gain (loss) per bbl hedged (40.93) 3.34 (30.45) 7.06
Average natural gas volumes hedged
(GJ/d) 29,330 16,000 25,085 15,250
Natural gas realized gain (loss)
($000's) (3,729) 148 (2,189) 185
Gain (loss) per GJ hedged (1.40) 0.10 (0.48) 0.07
Average BOE hedged (boe/d) 9,466 5,113 8,479 4,981
Total realized gain (loss) ($000's) (21,730) 848 (27,221) 3,122
Gain (loss) per boe hedged (25.23) 1.82 (17.64) 3.46
Gain (loss) per boe (10.04) 0.49 (6.31) 0.89
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All derivative contracts are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. The Trust has not designated any of its derivative contracts as effective accounting hedges, even though the Trust considers all commodity contracts to be effective economic hedges. Therefore, 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. Accordingly, the magnitude of the unrealized gain or loss will continue to fluctuate with changes in commodity prices.
The fair value of the derivatives at June 30, 2008 was a liability of $102.3 million, comprised of a $70.6 million liability on oil contracts and a $31.7 million liability on gas contracts.
Second quarter income for 2008 includes a $70.2 million unrealized loss on derivatives resulting from the change in the fair value of the derivative contracts during the quarter from a liability of $32.1 million at March 31, 2008 to a liability of $102.3 million at June 30, 2008. The $70.2 million unrealized loss was comprised of a $53.9 million unrealized loss on crude oil contracts, and a $16.3 million unrealized loss on natural gas contracts. The unrealized loss in the second quarter is primarily attributable to higher crude oil forward prices compared to March 31, 2008. Average hedged boes for the second quarter were 9,466 as compared to 7,492 for the first quarter of 2008.
For the six months ended June 30, 2008, income includes an unrealized loss of $92.7 million, resulting from the change in the fair value of the derivatives during the period. The unrealized loss was comprised of a $57.7 million unrealized loss on crude oil contracts, and a $35.0 million unrealized loss on natural gas contracts. The unrealized loss in the period is reflective of the significant increase in commodity prices since December 31, 2007.
The gain/loss on derivative contracts is as follows:
Gain / Loss on Derivative Contracts ($000's)
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2008 2007 2008 2007
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Unrealized gain (loss)
Crude oil contracts (53,893) (1,811) (57,656) (5,340)
Natural gas contracts (16,255) 5,177 (35,027) 956
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Unrealized gain (loss) (70,148)(1) 3,366 (92,683)(1) (4,384)
Realized gain (loss) (21,730) 848 (27,221) 3,122
Reclassification from other
comprehensive income - 1,394 - 2,773
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Gain (loss) on derivative
contracts (91,878) 5,608 (119,904) 1,511
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(1) Based on August 5, 2008, forward strip pricing, the unrealized losses
would be $9,457 for the three months ended June, 30, 2008, and $31,992
for the six months ended June 30, 2008, representing an improvement of
$60,691.
For the remainder of 2008, NAL has the following risk management contracts
outstanding:
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CRUDE OIL U.S.$ CDN$
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Swap (bbls) 337,300 361,900
Swap (bbl/d) 1,833 1,967
$/bbl $91.71 $91.64
Collars (bbls) 110,400 128,800
Collars (bbl/d) 600 700
$/bbl $84.17 - $95.75 $91.93 - $109.03
Total (bbls) 447,700 490,700
Total (bbl/d) 2,433 2,667
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NATURAL GAS CDN$
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Swap (GJ) 4,665,000
Swap (GJ/d) 25,353
$/GJ $7.42
Collars (GJ) 855,000
Collars (GJ/d) 4,647
$/GJ $8.00 - $9.70
Total GJ 5,520,000
Total (GJ/d) 30,000
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For 2009, NAL has the following risk management contracts outstanding:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CRUDE OIL U.S.$ CDN$
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Swap (bbls) 272,900 209,100
Swap (bbl/d) 748 573
$/bbl $105.24 $100.21
Collars (bbls) 364,500 105,900
Collars (bbl/d) 998 290
$/bbl $109.91 - $156.39 $105.60 - $125.82
Total (bbls) 637,400 315,000
Total (bbl/d) 1,746 863
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NATURAL GAS CDN$
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Swap (GJ) 1,598,000
Swap (GJ/d) 4,378
$/GJ $8.20
Collars (GJ) 2,510,000
Collars (GJ/d) 6,877
$/GJ $8.44 - $10.36
Total GJ 4,108,000
Total (GJ/d) 11,255
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ROYALTY EXPENSES
Crown, freehold and overriding royalties were $38.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008. Expressed as a percentage of gross sales net of transportation costs, before gain/loss on derivative contracts, the net royalty rate was 20.8 percent for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, down from 21.1 percent experienced in the comparable period of the previous year.
Royalties increased to $17.99 per boe for the second quarter of 2008, an increase of 53 percent compared to the second quarter of 2007. The increase is attributable to significantly higher commodity prices on a quarter-over-quarter basis.
On a year-to-date basis, royalties were $68.3 million, up from $40.8 million in the comparable period of 2007. Expressed as a percentage of gross sales net of transportation costs, before gain/loss on derivative contracts, the net royalty rate was 20.5 percent as compared to 21.3 percent in the comparable period in 2007.
Royalty Expenses
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2008 2007 2008 2007
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Royalties ($000s) 38,941 20,487 68,252 40,801
As % of revenue 20.8 21.1 20.5 21.3
$/boe 17.99 11.79 15.83 11.66
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OPERATING COSTS
Operating costs averaged $10.37 per boe for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, a 21 percent increase from the $8.60 per boe for the quarter ended June 30, 2007. On a year-to-date basis, operating costs were $10.14 per boe as compared to $8.31 in 2007.
Operating costs are projected to be $10.00 - $10.50 per boe for the full year 2008. Costs have climbed steadily through 2007 and into 2008 with operations receiving ongoing cost increase notices from the Trust's vendors resulting in a significant departure from year-over-year spending profiles. Approximately $0.50 per boe of the current increase is attributable to the full year effect of higher costs associated with the Seneca production. The remaining $1.27 per boe increase is mainly due to higher than forecast escalation in contract services, property taxes, fuel, electricity and third party processing costs that have occurred in the increasing commodity price environment.
Operating Costs
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2008 2007 2008 2007
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Operating costs ($000s) 22,443 14,952 43,716 29,078
As a % of revenue 11.98 15.40 13.14 15.19
$/boe 10.37 8.60 10.14 8.31
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OPERATING NETBACK
For the quarter ended June 30, 2008, NAL's operating netback before hedging gains (losses) was $58.82 per boe, an increase of $23.06 from $35.76 per boe for the quarter ended June 30, 2007. The increase was due to higher revenues driven by stronger commodity prices, partially offset by increases in royalties and operating expenses. Hedging losses were $10.04 per boe in the second quarter of 2008, as compared to a gain of $0.49 per boe in 2007.
On a year-to-date basis, similar trends resulted in an operating netback, before hedging, of $51.65 per boe as compared to $35.09 per boe in 2007.
Operating Netback ($/boe)
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----------------------------------------
2008 2007 2008 2007
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Revenue 86.53 55.88 77.11 54.71
Royalties (17.99) (11.79) (15.83) (11.66)
Operating expenses (10.37) (8.60) (10.14) (8.31)
Other income 0.65 0.27 0.51 0.35
----------------------------------------
Operating netback, before hedging 58.82 35.76 51.65 35.09
Hedging gains (losses) (10.04) 0.49 (6.31) 0.89
----------------------------------------
Operating netback, after hedging 48.78 36.25 45.34 35.98
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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 June 30, 2008, G&A expenses were $4.5 million, compared with $3.8 million in the comparable quarter of 2007. In addition, $1.4 million of G&A costs relating to exploitation and development activities were capitalized in the second quarter of 2008 compared with $1.7 million in the second quarter of 2007. G&A expense per boe, excluding retention bonus, was $2.08 in the quarter, representing no change as compared to the equivalent quarter in 2007.
For the six months ended June 30, 2008, G&A expense increased seven percent to $8.3 million from $7.8 million in the comparable period in 2007. In addition, on a year-to-date basis, $2.3 million of G&A costs relating to exploitation and development activities were capitalized, compared with $2.4 million in 2007. Year-to-date total G&A increased only $0.4 million despite a 23 percent increase in production year-over-year due to acquisitions, which has resulted in lower G&A per boe rates. The retention bonus program concluded on June 30, 2008, ($0.03 per boe year-to-date) and there will be no further expense relating to this program.
General and Administrative Expenses
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----------------------------------------
2008 2007 2008 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
G&A expenses ($000s)
G&A 4,494 3,614 8,135 6,975
Retention bonus 45 230 141 784
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expensed G&A ($000s) 4,539 3,844 8,276 7,759
Capitalized G&A ($000s) 1,401 1,669 2,343 2,436
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total G&A ($000s) 5,940 5,513 10,619 10,195
Expensed G&A costs:
G&A, excluding retention bonus
($/boe) 2.08 2.08 1.89 1.99
Retention bonus ($/boe) 0.02 0.13 0.03 0.22
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total G&A expenses ($/boe) 2.10 2.21 1.92 2.21
As % of revenue 2.4 4.0 2.5 4.1
Per trust unit ($) 0.05 0.05 0.09 0.10
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UNIT-BASED INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
The employees of the Manager are all members of a unit-based incentive plan (the "Plan"). The Plan results in employees receiving cash compensation based upon the value and overall return of a specified number of notional trust units. The Plan consists of Restricted Trust Units ("RTUs") and Performance Trust Units ("PTUs"). RTUs vest one third on November 30 in each of three years after grant date. PTUs vest on November 30, three years after their date of grant. Distributions paid on the Trust's outstanding trust units during the vesting period are assumed to be paid on the awarded notional trust units and reinvested in additional notional units on the date of distribution. Upon vesting, the employee is entitled to a cash payout based on the trust unit price at the date of vesting of the units held. In addition, the PTUs have a performance multiplier which is based on the Trust's performance relative to its peers and may range from zero to two times the market value of the notional trust units held at vesting.
During the second quarter of 2008, the Trust accrued $2.8 million of unit-based incentive compensation charges as compared to a $1.0 million in the comparable quarter of 2007. The increase in unit-based compensation in 2008 reflects an increase in unit price and the performance factors attached to the PTUs.
On a year-to-date basis, the Trust has accrued $4.5 million compared to $0.8 million in the comparable period in 2007. The increase in unit-based compensation in 2008 is a result of an increase in the unit price and an increase in the performance factors attached to the PTUs, as compared to 2007 when the unit price and performance factors were decreasing.
This calculation is made at the end of each quarter based on the quarter end trust unit price and 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 June 30, 2008, the Trust has recorded a liability for unit-based incentive compensation in the amount of $7.7 million, of which $3.2 million is recorded as current as it is payable in December 2008, and $4.5 million is long-term as it is payable in December 2009 and December 2010.
Unit-Based Compensation
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----------------------------------------
2008 2007 2008 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit-based compensation:
Expensed ($000s) 1,889 688 2,997 664
Capitalized ($000s) 935 311 1,490 171
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total unit-based compensation ($000s) 2,824 999 4,487 835
Expensed unit-based compensation:
As % of revenue 1.0 0.70 0.90 0.34
$/boe 0.87 0.40 0.69 0.19
Per trust unit ($) 0.02 0.01 0.03 0.01
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Full year 2008 G&A guidance of $1.90 - $2.10 per boe includes unit-based compensation expense. On a year-to-date basis, G&A expense, including $0.69 of unit-based compensation expense, was $2.61 per boe, exceeding guidance as a result of a higher than estimated trust unit price and stronger relative performance factors.
MANAGEMENT CONTRACT AND FEES
The Trust is managed by the Manager. The Manager is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MFC and also manages NAL Resources Limited ("NAL Resources"), another wholly-owned subsidiary of MFC. NAL Resources and the Trust maintain ownership interests in many of the same oil and natural gas properties in which NAL Resources is the joint operator. As a result, a significant portion of the net operating revenues and capital expenditures during the year are based on joint amounts from NAL Resources. These transactions are in the normal course of joint operations and are measured using the fair value established through the original transactions with third parties.
The Manager provides certain services to the Trust and its subsidiary entities pursuant to a management contract. This contract provides for no base or performance fees and requires the Trust to reimburse the Manager at cost for general and administrative and unit-based compensation expenses incurred by the Manager on behalf of the Trust calculated on a unit of production basis.
The Trust paid $3.5 million (2007 - $3.1 million) for the reimbursement of G&A expenses during the second quarter, and $6.5 million (2007 - $6.0 million) year-to-date. 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 $1.8 million has been paid year-to-date, representing units that vested November 30, 2007 (2007 - $2.2 million).
INTEREST
Interest on bank debt includes charges on borrowings, plus standby fees on the unused portion of the bank credit facility. NAL's average outstanding bank debt for the second quarter of 2008 was $313.6 million, compared to $234.0 million for the second quarter of 2007. The increase in average debt levels is primarily attributable to the debt required for the acquisitions of Seneca ($31.8 million) and Tiberius and Spear ($28.3 million) and increased working capital. NAL's effective interest rate averaged 4.87 percent during the second quarter of 2008, compared to 5.46 percent during the comparable period in 2007. The decrease in the rate from the second quarter of 2007 is attributable to rate decreases in the market. NAL's interest is at a floating rate.
For the six months ended June 30, 2008, NAL's average debt was $304.6 million, compared to $228.8 million for the corresponding period in 2007. NAL's effective interest rate averaged 5.10 percent in 2008, compared to 5.20 percent in 2007.
Interest on bank debt for the second quarter of 2008 was $3.9 million, an increase of $0.8 million from $3.1 million for the comparable period in 2007. The increase was due to the higher average debt levels, partially offset by the decrease in the average effective interest rate for the second quarter of 2008. A similar trend is noted for the six months ended June 30, 2008.
Interest on convertible debentures represents interest charges, at 6.75 percent, of $1.6 million ($3.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008) and accretion of the debt discount of $0.4 million ($0.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008) for the second quarter of 2008. The debentures were issued on August 28, 2007.
As at August 6, 2008, the Trust has 95,515,513 trust units and $79.8 million in convertible debentures outstanding.
Interest and Debt
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended Six months ended
June 30 June 30
----------------------------------------
2008 2007 2008 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest on bank debt ($000s) 3,879 3,137 7,860 5,996
Interest and accretion on
convertible debentures ($000s) 2,071 - 4,213 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total interest ($000) 5,950 3,137 12,073 5,996
Bank debt outstanding at period end
($000s) 308,115 233,517 308,115 233,517
Convertible debentures at period
end ($000s) 75,561 - 75,561 -
$/boe:
Interest on bank debt 1.79 1.81 1.82 1.71
Interest on convertible debentures 0.74 - 0.76 -
Accretion on convertible
debentures 0.22 - 0.22 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total interest 2.75 1.81 2.80 1.71
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FLOW NETBACK
For the quarter ended June 30, 2008, NAL's cash flow netback was $43.28 per boe, a 36 percent increase from $31.83 for the comparable period in 2007. The increase is due to higher operating netbacks after hedging in 2008, partially offset by an increase in G&A, including unit-based incentive compensation, ($0.36 per boe), and interest charges ($0.72 per boe). Similar trends are noted for the six months ended June 30, 2008.
Cash Flow Netback ($/boe)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended Six months ended
June 30 June 30
----------------------------------------
2008 2007 2008 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating netback, after hedging 48.78 36.25 45.34 35.98
G&A expenses, including unit-based
incentive compensation (2.97) (2.61) (2.61) (2.40)
Interest on bank debt and
convertible debentures(1) (2.53) (1.81) (2.58) (1.71)
Cash flow netback 43.28 31.83 40.15 31.87
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----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Excludes non-cash accretion on convertible debentures.
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 June 30, 2008, depletion on property, plant and equipment and accretion on the asset retirement obligations increased by nine percent on a boe basis over the comparable period in 2007. The increase in the DDA rate per boe is largely attributable to the acquisition of Seneca in August 2007 and Tiberius and Spear in February 2008. Similar trends are noted for the six months ended June 30, 2008.
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
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Three months ended Six months ended
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2008 2007 2008 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depletion and depreciation ($000s) 47,347 34,822 93,059 69,250
Accretion of asset retirement
obligation ($000s) 1,827 1,302 3,625 2,599
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total DDA ($000s) 49,174 36,124 96,684 71,849
DDA rate per boe ($) 22.71 20.79 22.42 20.54
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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TAXES
In the second quarter of 2008, NAL had a future income tax reduction of $12.8 million compared with a $2.5 million provision in the corresponding period for the prior year. For the six month period ended June 30, 2008, NAL had a future income tax reduction of $19.3 million compared to $0.2 million in 2007.
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. The Trust does not expect to incur any cash taxes in 2008.
As at June 30, 2008, the Trust's (including all subsidiaries) estimated tax pools (unaudited) available for deduction from future taxable income approximated $689.2 million, of which approximately 45 percent represented COGPE and 30 percent UCC, with the remaining balance represented by CEE, CDE, trust unit issue costs and non-capital loss carry forwards.
Based on current strip prices at June 30, 2008, and our forecast for year-end tax pools, the Trust is not expected to be taxable in 2008. This is in part attributable to the deferral of a small portion of partnership income to the following year.
On June 22, 2007, the Budget Implementation Act, 2007 (Canada) was enacted to, among other things, implement the October 31, 2006 announcement of the changes to taxability of income trusts made by the Department of Finance. Under this legislation, distributions to unitholders will not be deductible by publicly traded income trusts and, as a result, the Trust will be taxed on its income similar to corporations. These measures are now considered enacted for purposes of GAAP. Accordingly, the Trust has measured future income tax assets and liabilities associated with this new tax. During the second quarter of 2008, $5.0 million of future income tax liability has been recognized in the financial statements. The future tax recognition in the second quarter of 2008 is attributable to higher commodity prices resulting in a small portion of temporary differences reversing after 2010. It is expected that all remaining taxable temporary differences will reverse prior to January 1, 2011, the date the taxation changes take effect. The scheduling of the reversal of temporary differences is based on management's best estimates and current assumptions, which may change.
Effective for the third quarter of 2008, the Trust income tax rate is expected to decrease by three percent from the current 29.5 percent to 26.5 percent once the new provincial SIFT tax rate is enacted. The impact of this rate reduction is not expected to be significant for the Trust.
NET INCOME (LOSS)
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 depletion, accretion, unrealized gains or losses on derivative contracts and future income taxes.
The net loss for the second quarter of 2008 was ($17.6) million compared to net income of $21.4 million for the comparable period in 2007. The decrease of $39.0 million is primarily due to an increased loss on derivative contracts of $97.5 million, increased depletion of $12.5 million, increased operating costs of $7.5 million, partially offset by higher revenues, net of royalties, of $72.2 million and a future tax reduction of $15.3 million.
Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2008 of ($3.8) million was $41.9 million lower than the comparable period of 2007. The decrease is due to similar trends as noted for the second quarter of 2008.
Net Income (loss) ($000s)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended Six months ended
June 30 June 30
----------------------------------------
2008 2007 2008 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) (17,572) 21,390 (3,839) 38,100
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CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
The capital structure of the Trust is comprised of trust units, bank debt and convertible debentures.
As at June 30, 2008, NAL had 95,277,293 trust units outstanding, compared with 90,494,151 trust units at December 31, 2007. The increase from December 31, 2007 is attributable to 2,408,898 trust units issued on the acquisition of Tiberius and Spear, 1,267,204 trust units issued on the conversion of outstanding convertible debentures and 1,107,040 trust units issued under the Trust's distribution reinvestment program ("DRIP").
Under the equity issuance associated with the acquisition of Tiberius and Spear, 2.4 million trust units were issued at a price of $12.24 per trust unit for a total consideration of $29.5 million.
For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the DRIP resulted in 1.1 million trust units being issued at an average price of $12.58 per trust unit for total proceeds of $13.9 million.
Unitholders electing to reinvest distributions or make optional cash payments to acquire trust units from treasury under the DRIP may do so at 95 percent of the average market price with no additional fees or commissions. 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.
The participation rate in the regular DRIP averaged 16 percent over the six months ended June 30, 2008, consistent with recent experience. The Trust continues to monitor the participation in this plan in conjunction with its capital requirements.
As at June 30, 2008 the Trust had net debt of $370.5 million (net of working capital and excluding derivative contracts, notes payable/receivable with MFC and future income tax asset), including convertible debentures at face value of $82.3 million. Excluding the convertible debentures, net debt was $288.2 million, compared with $291.1 million at December 31, 2007, and $222.4 million as at June 30, 2007. The decrease in net debt, excluding convertible debentures, of $2.9 million during the first half of 2008 is attributable to a $35.3 million positive change in working capital offset by increased bank debt of $32.4 million.
Bank debt outstanding was $308.1 million at June 30, 2008 compared with $275.6 million as at December 31, 2007. The $308.1 million is comprised of $302.9 under the production facility and $5.2 million under the working capital facility. The increase in the bank debt during the first six months of 2008 is due to the acquisition of Tiberius and Spear, of which $28.3 million was funded by debt. During the second quarter, the Trust reduced bank debt by $5.3 million. During the first half of 2008, working capital increased $35.3 million, which is a reflection of the increase in funds from operations over the period. Funds from operations increased to $164.8 million in the first six months of 2008 from $110.4 million in the last six months of 2007, an increase of $54.4 million or 49 percent. The increase in funds from operations was driven by increased commodity prices.
At the end of the second quarter, the Trust had a net debt (excluding convertible debentures) to 12 months trailing cash flow ratio of 1.05 times and a total net debt (including convertible debentures) to 12 months trailing cash flow ratio of 1.35 times.
During the second quarter, the current banking group agreed to expand the bank group through the addition of two new banks and increase the credit facility by $50 million to $450 million, subject to final documentation approval, reflecting the Tiberius and Spear acquisitions. The credit facility is a fully secured, extendible, revolving facility and will revolve until April 29, 2009 at which time it is extendible for a further 364-day revolving period upon agreement between the Trust and the bank syndicate. The facility will consist of a $440 million production facility and a $10 million working capital facility. The credit facility is fully secured by first priority security interests in all present and after acquired properties and assets of the Trust and its subsidiary and affiliated entities. The purpose of the facility is to fund property acquisitions and capital expenditures. Principal repayments to the bank are not required at this time. Should principal repayments become mandatory, and in the absence of refinancing arrangements, the Trust would be required to repay the facility in four equal quarterly installments commencing May 2010.
The Trust has outstanding $82.3 million principal amount of 6.75% convertible extendible unsecured subordinated debentures. Interest on these debentures is paid semi-annually in arrears, on February 28 and August 31, and the debentures are convertible at the option of the holder, at any time, into fully paid trust units at a conversion price of $14.00 per trust unit. During the second quarter of 2008, face value $17.7 million in debentures were converted at $14.00 per unit into 1,267,204 trust units. 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. Assuming conversion of all outstanding debentures at the conversion price, an additional 5.9 million trust units would be required to be issued.
The convertible debentures are classified as debt on the balance sheet with a portion of the proceeds allocated to equity, representing the value of the conversion feature. As the debentures are converted to trust units, a portion of the debt and equity amounts are transferred to Unitholders' Capital. The debt component of the convertible debentures is carried net of issue costs of $4 million. The debt balance, net of issue costs, accretes over time to the principal amount owing on maturity. The accretion of the debt discount and the interest paid to debenture holders are expensed each period as part of the line item "interest and accretion on convertible debentures" in the consolidated statement of income.
The Trust recognized $0.9 million of accretion of the debt discount in the first six months of 2008.
As at August 6, 2008, the Trust has 95,515,513 trust units and $79.8 million in convertible debentures outstanding.
Capitalization
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
June 30, Dec 31, June 30,
2008 2007 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trust unit equity ($000s) 471,221 504,717 433,510
Bank debt ($000s) 308,115 275,630 233,517
Working capital deficit (surplus)(1) ($000s) (19,914) 15,429 (11,109)
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Net debt 288,201 291,059 222,408
Convertible debentures ($000s)(2) 82,259 100,000 -
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Total Net debt(2) 370,460 391,059 222,408
Net debt to trailing 12 month cash flow(3) 1.05 1.33 1.02
Total Net debt to trailing 12 month cash
flow(2) 1.35 1.79 1.02
Trust units outstanding (000s) 95,277 90,494 79,086
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(1) Working capital excludes derivative contracts, the future income tax
asset, and notes payable/receivable with MFC.
(2) Convertible debentures included at face value.
(3) Calculated as net debt excluding convertible debentures divided by funds
from operations for the previous 12 months.
Subject to fluctuations in commodity prices, the Trust anticipates that it will continue to maintain adequate liquidity to fund planned capital spending during 2008 through a combination of funds from operations, funds received from its DRIP and bank debt.
If assumptions underlying the forecast, including commodity prices and production, change, the Trust may be required to reconsider its financing, distribution level or capital expenditures.
Under the tax legislation regarding the change in the taxability 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 remaining six months of 2008, the Trust has approximately $554 million of available safe harbour and, for each of 2009 and 2010, an additional $280 million.
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION
At June 30, 2008, the Trust reported an asset retirement obligation ("ARO") balance of $92.0 million ($89.6 million as at December 31, 2007) for future abandonment and reclamation of the Trust's oil and gas properties and facilities. The ARO balance was increased by $1.6 million due to the Tiberius and Spear acquisitions, $0.5 million due to liabilities incurred and revisions to estimates, and $3.6 million from accretion expense and was reduced by $3.3 million for actual abandonment and environmental expenditures incurred in 2008.
DISTRIBUTIONS TO UNITHOLDERS
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 the Trust distributed 62 percent of its cash flow from operating activities, as compared to 68 percent and 69 percent for the same periods in 2007. 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 (loss) each period, due to the non-cash charges included in net income (loss). Cash flow from operations usually exceeds net income, as net income includes non-cash charges such as depletion, depreciation, accretion, future income tax expense and unrealized gains and losses on derivative contracts.
The Trust bases its distributions on the cash flow of the Trust, commodity prices, financial market conditions, internal capital investment opportunities and the resulting impact on taxability. The Trust develops an annual forecast, which is updated regularly by management. The Board sets distributions at a level it believes will be sustainable for a period of time and formally reviews distribution levels quarterly.
Given that distributions exceed net income (loss), the excess could be considered to be an economic return of capital to the unitholders. The Trust's business model is such that it distributes a certain proportion of its cash flow while retaining cash to execute planned capital programs. As a result of the depleting nature of oil and gas assets some capital expenditure is required in order to minimize production declines as well as to invest in facilities and infrastructure. NAL's 2008 capital program may not fully replace production. When the Trust sets distribution levels, depletion expense is not considered to be indicative of a measure for maintaining productive capacity, and therefore, net income is not considered a driver of distribution levels. The Trust grows its productive capacity and sustains its cash flow through 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 proceeds from the DRIP and debt. Over the medium term, fluctuations in commodity prices, other market factors, or development opportunities may make it necessary to fund the excess of distributions and capital expenditures over cash, from the credit facility. The credit facility and other sources of cash are expected to be sufficient to meet NAL's near term capital requirements, sustain distributions and provide for the resources to pursue potential growth opportunities.
NAL intends to continue to make cash distributions to unitholders. However, these cash distributions cannot be guaranteed. The intent is to continue to distribute a certain proportion of cash flow from operating activities, the level of distributions being dependent on the drivers of cash flow, namely production and commodity prices. The implication of this policy is that the Trust is likely to continue to distribute in excess of its net income for any given period. The future sustainability of this distribution policy will be dependent upon maintaining productive capacity through both capital expenditures and acquisitions. A significant decrease in commodity prices could impact cash from operating activities, access to credit facilities and the Trust's ability to fund operations and maintain distributions.
Distributions
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Three months ended Six months ended
June 30 June 30
----------------------------------------
($000s except for percentages) 2008 2007 2008 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flow from operating activities 73,295 56,021 143,856 108,987
Net income (loss) (17,572) 21,390 (3,839) 38,100
Actual cash distributions paid or
payable 45,302 37,877 89,327 75,483
Excess of cash flow from operating
activities over cash distribution
paid 27,993 18,144 54,529 33,504
Percentage of cash flow from
operations distributed 62% 68% 62% 69%
Shortfall of net income over cash
distributions paid (62,874) (16,487) (93,166) (37,383)
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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 June 30, 2008, funds from operations amounted to $88.6 million, compared with $54.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. The 63 percent increase is due to increased revenue driven by higher production and pricing offset partially by higher costs. On a per trust unit basis, funds from operations increased 36 percent from $0.69 in 2007 to $0.94 in 2008, the increase in funds from operations being partially offset by the increase in the number of trust units outstanding due to equity issuances associated with the acquisitions of Seneca, Tiberius and Spear.
For the six months ended June 30, 2008, funds from operations increased 52 percent to $164.8 from $108.4 for the comparable period in 2007. The increase is primarily due to increased revenues driven by higher prices and production.
Funds from Operations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended Six months ended
June 30 June 30
----------------------------------------
2008 2007 2008 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funds from operations ($000s) 88,578 54,156 164,798 108,391
Funds from operations per trust
unit 0.94 0.69 1.77 1.38
Payout ratio based on funds from
operations 51% 70% 54% 70%
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VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
NAL has no variable interest entities.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
NAL has entered into several contractual obligations as part of conducting day-to-day business. NAL has the following commitments for the next five years:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
($000s) 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Thereafter
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office lease(1) 2,018 4,036 3,700 - - -
Transportation agreement 955 881 881 - - -
Processing agreement(2) 236 446 428 414 401 384
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 3,209 5,363 5,009 414 401 384
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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 58 percent) of the expense on a monthly basis.
(2) Represents a gas processing agreement with a take or pay component.
QUARTERLY INFORMATION
2008 2007 2006
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
($000s, except
per unit
and production
amounts) Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue, net of
royalties 58,861 89,611 86,262 78,573 83,268 71,231 75,358 75,798
Per unit 0.63 0.98 0.96 0.95 1.06 0.91 0.97 0.98
Funds from
operations(1) 88,578 76,220 59,537 50,817 54,156 54,234 55,795 54,107
Per unit 0.94 0.83 0.66 0.61 0.69 0.69 0.72 0.70
Net income (loss) (17,572) 13,733 10,556 7,801 21,390 16,710 20,472 20,473
Per unit - basic
and diluted (0.19) 0.15 0.12 0.09 0.27 0.21 0.26 0.27
Average oil
equivalent
production
(boe/d - 6:1) 23,791 23,601 23,656 20,369 19,094 19,561 19,517 19,079
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(1) Represents cash flow from operating activities prior to the change in
non-cash working capital items.
FINANCIAL REPORTING DISCLOSURE CONTROLS
Management has designed and evaluated the effectiveness of the Trust's financial reporting disclosure controls and procedures as at June 30, 2008 and has concluded that such controls and procedures were effective as at that date.
While NAL's management believes that the Trust's disclosure controls and procedures provide a reasonable level of assurance with respect to their effectiveness, they do not expect that such controls and procedures will prevent all errors and fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived or operated, provides only reasonable, and not absolute assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.
INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management has designed or caused to be designed under its supervision, internal controls over financial reporting related to the Trust and its subsidiaries, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with Canadian GAAP.
There were no changes to the Trust's internal controls over financial reporting since December 31, 2007 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Trust'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, 2007 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, 2007.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Effective January 1, 2008, the Trust implemented the provisions of CICA Handbook Section 1535 "Capital Disclosures", Section 3862 "Financial Instruments - Disclosures", and Section 3863 "Financial Instruments - Presentation".
Section 1535 establishes standards for disclosing information about an entity's capital and how it is managed. This Section specifies disclosure about objectives, policies and processes for managing capital, quantitative data about what the entity regards as capital, whether the entity has complied with any capital requirements, and if it has not complied, the consequences of such non-compliance. Sections 3862 and 3863 establish standards for the presentation and disclosure of information that enable users to evaluate the significance of financial instruments to the entity's financial position, and the nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments and how the entity manages those risks.
The implementation of these new standards did not impact the Trust's financial results but did, however, result in additional disclosures.
FUTURE ACCOUNTING CHANGES
International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS")
In February 2008, the Canadian Accounting Standards Board ("AcSB"), confirmed that the changeover to IFRS from Canadian GAAP will be required for publicly accountable enterprises interim and annual financial statements effective for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2011. The AcSB issued the "omnibus" exposure draft of IFRS with comments due by July 31, 2008, wherein early adoption by Canadian entities is also permitted. The Canadian Securities Administrators ("CSA") have also issued Concept Paper 52-402, which requested feedback on the early adoption of IFRS as well as the continued use of US GAAP by domestic issuers. The eventual changeover to IFRS represents a change due to new accounting standards. The transition from current Canadian GAAP to IFRS is a significant undertaking that may materially affect the Trust's reported financial results.
The International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") has stated that it plans to issue an exposure draft relating to certain amendments and exemptions to IFRS 1 in order to make it more useful to Canadian entities adopting IFRS for the first time. One such exemption relating to full cost oil and gas accounting is expected to reduce the administrative burden in the transition from the current Canadian Accounting Guideline 16 to IFRS. It is anticipated that this exposure draft will not result in an amended IFRS 1 standard until late 2009. The amendment will potentially permit the Trust to apply IFRS prospectively to its full cost pool, rather than performing retrospective assessment of capitalized exploration and development expenses, with the provision that a ceiling test, under IFRS standards, be conducted at the transition date.
Although the Trust has not completed its IFRS changeover plan, an initial evaluation of IFRS 1 has been completed. NAL is planning detailed reviews, in the third quarter, of the significant differences between IFRS and Canadian GAAP as they apply to the Trust. During the remainder of 2008, NAL will finalize its changeover plan, which will include project structure and governance, resourcing and training, a complete analysis of key GAAP differences and a phased plan to assess accounting policies under IFRS, as well as potential IFRS 1 exemptions. The Trust anticipates completing its project scoping, which will include a timetable for assessing the impact on data systems, internal controls over financial reporting, and business activities, such as financing and compensation arrangements, by the end of 2008.
Dated: August 6, 2008
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(thousands of dollars) (unaudited)
As at As at
June 30, December 31,
2008 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $12,867 $1,394
Accounts receivable and other 111,182 70,791
Note receivable (Note 3) 49,599 -
Derivative contracts (Note 12) - 3,389
Future income tax asset 21,656 2,602
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
195,304 78,176
Future income tax asset - 4,096
Goodwill (Note 3) 14,235 -
Property, plant and equipment (Notes 3 and 5) 1,014,640 980,888
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$1,224,179 $1,063,160
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities and Unitholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $88,893 $73,135
Note payable (Note 3) 3,935 -
Distributions payable to unitholders 15,242 14,479
Derivative contracts (Note 12) 84,218 12,973
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
192,288 100,587
Bank debt (Note 6) 308,115 275,630
Convertible debentures (Note 7) 75,561 90,876
Derivative contracts (Note 12) 18,049 -
Unit-based incentive compensation (Note 8) 4,489 1,748
Asset retirement obligations (Note 9) 92,032 89,602
Future income tax liability 7,411 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
697,945 558,443
Non-controlling interest (Note 10) 55,013 -
Unitholders' equity
Unitholders' capital (Note 11) 1,030,280 969,588
Equity component of convertible debentures (Note
7) 4,737 5,759
Deficit (563,796) (470,630)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
471,221 504,717
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$1,224,179 $1,063,160
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trust units outstanding (000s) 95,277 90,494
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS), COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) AND
DEFICIT
(thousands of dollars, except per unit amounts) (unaudited)
Three months ended Six months ended
June 30 June 30
2008 2007 2008 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue
Oil, natural gas and liquid
sales $ 188,297 $ 97,684 $ 334,440 $ 192,565
Crown royalties (28,834) (14,757) (50,682) (29,786)
Freehold and other royalties (10,107) (5,730) (17,570) (11,015)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
149,356 77,197 266,188 151,764
Gain (loss) on derivative
contracts (Note 12):
Realized gain (loss) (21,730) 848 (27,221) 3,122
Unrealized gain (loss) (70,148) 3,366 (92,683) (4,384)
Reclassification from other
comprehensive income - 1,394 - 2,773
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(91,878) 5,608 (119,904) 1,511
Other income 1,383 463 2,188 1,224
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
58,861 83,268 148,472 154,499
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses
Operating 22,443 14,952 43,716 29,078
Transportation 956 594 1,890 1,191
General and administrative 4,539 3,844 8,276 7,759
Unit-based incentive
compensation (Note 8) 1,889 688 2,997 664
Interest on bank debt 3,879 3,137 7,860 5,996
Interest and accretion on
convertible debentures 2,071 - 4,213 -
Depletion, depreciation and
amortization 47,347 34,822 93,059 69,250
Accretion on asset
retirement obligations 1,827 1,302 3,625 2,599
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
84,951 59,339 165,636 116,537
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before taxes
and non-controlling interest (26,090) 23,929 (17,164) 37,962
Income tax provision (10) (84) (6) (108)
Future income tax reduction
(provision) 12,820 (2,455) 19,348 246
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total income tax reduction
(provision) 12,810 (2,539) 19,342 138
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before
non-controlling interest (13,280) 21,390 2,178 38,100
Non-controlling interest
(Note 10) (4,292) - (6,017) -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) (17,572) 21,390 (3,839) 38,100
Other comprehensive income:
Reclassification to net
income, net of tax - (979) - (1,946)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income (loss) (17,572) 20,411 (3,839) 36,154
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deficit, beginning of period (500,922) (389,382) (470,630) (368,486)
Net income (loss) (17,572) 21,390 (3,839) 38,100
Distributions declared (45,302) (37,877) (89,327) (75,483)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deficit, end of period $ (563,796) $ (405,869) $ (563,796) $ (405,869)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) per trust
unit - basic and diluted
(Note 11) $ (0.19) $ 0.27 $ (0.04) $ 0.49
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average trust units
outstanding (000s) 94,101 78,824 92,909 78,543
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-------------------------------------------------------