Touchstone Exploration Inc. (TSX, LON:TXP) has reported its operating and financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022. Selected information is outlined below and should be read in conjunction with our June 30, 2022 unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and related Management’s discussion and analysis, both of which will be available under our profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and on our website (www.touchstoneexploration.com). Unless otherwise stated, all financial amounts herein are rounded to thousands of United States dollars.
Second Quarter 2022 Financial and Operational Highlights
· Achieved quarterly average crude oil production volumes of 1,420 barrels per day (“bbls/d”), representing a 2 percent increase relative to the preceding quarter and a 1 percent increase from the 1,402 bbls/d produced in the second quarter of 2021.
· Realized petroleum sales of $12,596,000 from an average crude oil price of $97.48 per barrel compared to petroleum sales of $7,586,000 from an average realized price of $59.06 per barrel in the comparative quarter of 2021.
· Generated an operating netback of $44.99 per barrel, a 19 percent increase from the first quarter of 2022 and a 71 percent increase from the $26.30 per barrel reported in the second quarter of 2021.
· Recognized current income tax expenses of $1,547,000 in the quarter compared to $432,000 in the second quarter of 2021, driven by $1,043,000 in supplemental petroleum tax expenses based on our average realized oil price exceeding the $75.00 per barrel threshold in 2022.
· Our funds flow from operations was $1,133,000 in the quarter, which was net of $540,000 accrued for reclamation costs related to the previously announced oil spill which occurred as a result of vandalism in June 2022.
· Recognized a net loss of $262,000 in the quarter compared to a net loss of $284,000 reported in the same period of 2021, reflecting the $540,000 provision for oil spill reclamation costs.
· Capital investments of $3,368,000 primarily focused on facility and pipeline expenditures related to the Coho-1 facility and investments directed to the Cascadura natural gas facility.
· Exited the quarter with cash of $9,425,000, a working capital surplus of $346,000 and $30,000,000 drawn on our term credit facility, resulting in a net debt position of $23,654,000.
Post Period-End Highlights
· Daily crude oil sales averaged 1,303 bbls/d in July 2022 with a realized price of $89.52 per barrel.
· Preparation for Coho gas facility and pipeline pre-commissioning operations is underway, which will be followed by system commissioning operations to introduce natural gas from the Coho-1 well into the facility and pipeline.
· Received confirmation from the Trinidad and Tobago Environmental Management Authority that determination of our Certificate of Environmental Clearance application for development operations in the Cascadura area will be made by September 15, 2022.
Paul Baay, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented:
“This quarter represents the end of an era for the Company as a pure crude oil producer in Trinidad with the next quarter seeing a transition to a combination of oil and natural gas production from our Coho-1 gas well. Our team has maintained base production while remaining focused on our Coho and Cascadura projects including associated commissioning operations and regulatory approvals, which are both progressing. Our Trinidad team successfully implemented our emergency response plan in response to the vandalism at Fyzabad which had a minimal impact to the environment and residents affected in the area but resulted in reclamation costs which we fully accrued for in the quarter. We will continue to complete the restoration required and work with our insurance provider to identify any costs that may be recoverable under our policy.“
| Three months ended June 30, | % change | Six months ended June 30, | % change | |||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |||
| Operational | ||||||
| Average daily oil production(1) (bbls/d) | 1,420 | 1,402 | 1 | 1,408 | 1,350 | 4 |
| Brent benchmark price(2) ($/bbl) | 113.84 | 68.98 | 65 | 107.2 | 64.95 | 65 |
| Operating netback ($/bbl) | ||||||
| Realized sales price(3) | 97.48 | 59.06 | 65 | 90.61 | 55.9 | 62 |
| Royalties(3) | -34.97 | -17.98 | 94 | -31.8 | -16.94 | 88 |
| Operating expenses(3) | -17.52 | -14.78 | 19 | -17.35 | -14.72 | 18 |
| Operating netback(3) | 44.99 | 26.3 | 71 | 41.46 | 24.24 | 71 |
| Financial | ||||||
| ($000’s except per share amounts) | ||||||
| Petroleum sales | 12,596 | 7,586 | 66 | 23,092 | 13,706 | 68 |
| Cash from (used in) operating activities | 3,516 | 1,008 | 249 | 3,849 | -226 | n/a |
| Funds flow from operations | 1,133 | 1,205 | -6 | 2,559 | 1,743 | 47 |
| Per share – basic and diluted(3) | 0.01 | 0.01 | – | 0.01 | 0.01 | – |
| Net loss | -262 | -284 | -8 | -498 | -744 | -33 |
| Per share – basic and diluted | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – |
| Exploration capital expenditures | 2,932 | 6,664 | -56 | 4,806 | 9,618 | -50 |
| Development capital expenditures | 436 | 125 | 249 | 1,116 | 252 | 343 |
| Capital expenditures | 3,368 | 6,789 | -50 | 5,922 | 9,870 | -40 |
| Working capital surplus(3) | -346 | -4,671 | -93 | |||
| Principal long-term balance of term loan | 24,000 | 7,500 | 220 | |||
| Net debt(3) – end of period | 23,654 | 2,829 | 736 | |||
| Share Information (000’s) | ||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted | 212,204 | 209,757 | 1 | 211,517 | 209,579 | 1 |
| Outstanding shares – end of period | 212,275 | 210,732 | 1 | |||
Notes:
(1) References to crude oil production volumes in the above table and elsewhere in this announcement refer to light, medium and heavy crude oil product types as defined in National Instrument 51-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities. Our reported crude oil production is a mix of light and medium crude oil and heavy crude oil for which there is not a precise breakdown given our oil sales volumes typically represent blends of more than one type of crude oil.
(2) References to Brent benchmark pricing in the above table and elsewhere in this announcement refer to the average daily closing spot prices of Dated Brent over the specified time period. Source: US Energy Information Administration.
(3) Non-GAAP financial measure.
