CALGARY, ALBERTA — (Marketwired) — 05/22/13 — Yoho Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE: YO) (“Yoho” or the “Company”) has filed today on SEDAR the financial statements for the six months ended March 31, 2013 and the related managements– discussion and analysis (“MD&A”). Copies of these documents may be found on .
Yoho is also pleased to announce the results of updated reserve and contingent resource assessments of the Company–s Kaybob Duvernay assets and certain of the Company–s Nig Montney assets as evaluated by GLJ Petroleum Consultants Ltd. (“GLJ”).
Highlights
RESERVES AND RESOURCE EVALUATION FOR KAYBOB DUVERNAY
Due to the recent drilling of additional Duvernay wells at Kaybob by Yoho and other operators during fiscal 2013, GLJ was engaged to prepare an updated independent evaluation report of Yoho–s reserves and contingent resources at Kaybob, Alberta effective as at March 31, 2013 (the “GLJ Kaybob Report”). The GLJ Kaybob Report was prepared in accordance with NI 51-101 and the COGE Handbook.
Reserves Evaluation
The Company–s working interest of total proved plus probable reserves for the Duvernay at Kaybob as at March 31, 2013 is estimated by GLJ to be 19.4 MMboe. As at September 30, 2012, a total of 15.0 MMboe of proved plus probable reserves were assigned to the Company–s working interest in the Duvernay at Kaybob. The reserves evaluation incorporates approximately 30% of Yoho–s land base at Kaybob, Alberta based on GLJ–s assumption of four wells per section.
Contingent resources are those quantities of petroleum estimated, as of a given date, to be potentially recoverable from known accumulations using established technology or technology under development, but which are not currently considered to be commercially recoverable due to one or more contingencies. Contingencies which must be overcome to enable the reclassification of contingent resources as reserves can be categorized as economic, non-technical and technical. The COGE Handbook identifies non-technical contingencies as legal, environmental, political and regulatory matters or a lack of markets. There are several non-technical contingencies that prevent the classification of the contingent resources estimated above as being classified as reserves. The primary contingency which prevents the classification of Yoho–s contingent resources at Kaybob as reserves is the current early stage of development of such properties. Additional drilling, completion, and testing data is generally required before Yoho can commit to their future development. It is also appropriate to classify as contingent resources the estimated discovered recoverable quantities associated with a project in the early evaluation stage. As additional drilling takes place, it is expected that the contingent resources will be booked into the reserves category. Estimates of contingent resources described herein are estimates only; the actual resources may be higher or lower than those calculated in the GLJ Kaybob Report. There is no certainty that it will be commercially viable to produce any portion of the resources described in the evaluation.
The most significant positive and negative factors with respect to the contingent resource estimates relate to the fact that the Kaybob Duvernay formation is currently at an evaluation/delineation stage. Resource-in-place, productivity and capital costs may be higher or lower than current estimates. Additional drilling and testing are required to confirm volumetric estimates and reservoir productivity for the contingent resources to be reclassified as reserves.
RESERVES AND RESOURCE EVALUATION FOR NIG MONTNEY
Subsequent to the property swap at Nig (press release April 3, 2013) and Yoho securing additional production information in the area, GLJ was engaged to prepare an independent evaluation report of Yoho–s reserves and contingent resources at Nig, British Columbia effective as at March 31, 2013 (the “GLJ Nig Report”). The GLJ Nig Report was prepared in accordance with NI 51-101 and the COGE Handbook.
Reserves Evaluation
The Company–s working interest of total proved plus probable reserves for the Montney at Nig as at March 31, 2013 is estimated by GLJ to be 10.7 MMboe. As at September 30, 2012, a total of 4.9 MMboe of proved plus probable reserves were assigned to the Company–s working interest in the Upper Montney at Nig. The reserves evaluation incorporates approximately 10% of Yoho–s land base at Nig, British Columbia.
Resource Evaluation
The GLJ Nig Report provides an update to the contingent resource evaluation report previously prepared by GLJ which evaluated approximately 82% of Yoho–s acreage at Nig. Subsequent to the property swap at Nig, GLJ has now re-evaluated a total of 74% of the Company–s acreage at Nig for the Upper Montney only as part of this resource evaluation.
Contingent resources are those quantities of petroleum estimated, as of a given date, to be potentially recoverable from known accumulations using established technology or technology under development, but which are not currently considered to be commercially recoverable due to one or more contingencies. Contingencies which must be overcome to enable the reclassification of contingent resources as reserves can be categorized as economic, non-technical and technical. The COGE Handbook identifies non-technical contingencies as legal, environmental, political and regulatory matters or a lack of markets. There are several non-technical contingencies that prevent the classification of the contingent resources estimated above as being classified as reserves. The primary contingency which prevents the classification of Yoho–s contingent resources as reserves at Nig is the current early stage of development of such properties. Additional drilling, completion, and testing data is generally required before Yoho can commit to their future development. As additional drilling and/or development takes place, it is expected that some or all of the contingent resources will be booked as reserves. Additional drilling and testing are required to confirm volumetric estimates and reservoir productivity for the contingent resources to be reclassified as reserves. It is also appropriate to classify as contingent resources the estimated discovered recoverable quantities associated with a project in the early evaluation stage. As additional drilling takes place, it is expected that the contingent resources will be booked into the reserves category. The most significant positive and negative factors with respect to the contingent resource estimates at Nig relate to the fact that the field is currently at an evaluation/delineation stage. At Nig, the Montney formation is aerially extensive in this region; however, well control in certain areas of Yoho–s lands is limited. As well, the resource evaluation includes the Upper Montney only and does not include an assessment of the Lower Montney which the Company considers prospective over its land base. Resource-in-place, productivity and capital costs may be higher or lower than current estimates. There is no certainty that it will be commercially viable to produce any portion of the resources described in the evaluation.
The most significant positive and negative factors with respect to the contingent resource estimates relate to the fact that the Nig Upper Montney formation is currently at an evaluation/delineation stage. Resource-in-place, productivity and capital costs may be higher or lower than current estimates. Additional drilling and testing are required to confirm volumetric estimates and reservoir productivity for the contingent resources to be reclassified as reserves.
The GLJ April 1, 2013 price forecast is summarized as follows:
RESERVE AND RESOURCE SUMMARY
The following table provides a summary of the reserve and best estimate resource net present values at March 31, 2013 discounted at 10% based on the information disclosed above.
OUTLOOK
For fiscal 2013, Yoho is currently planning a total capital program of between $35.0 and $38.0 million, with the majority of the exploration program and related capital budget allocated to the Duvernay at Kaybob. It is estimated that Yoho–s average production for fiscal 2013 will be approximately 2,500 boe per day. For the remainder of calendar 2013, Yoho plans to drill 3 (1.25 net) horizontal wells from two separate pad sites at Kaybob. Yoho expects that it will have the cash flow and available bank lines to fund planned activity in fiscal 2013 and exit the year without impairing the balance sheet.
About Yoho
Yoho Resources Inc. is a Calgary based junior oil and natural gas company with operations focusing in West Central Alberta and northeast British Columbia. The common shares of Yoho are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “YO”.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in any jurisdiction. The common shares of Yoho will not be and have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States, or to a U.S. person, absent registration or applicable exemption therefrom.
Cautionary Statements
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information
In the interest of providing readers with information regarding Yoho, including management–s assessment of the future plans and operations of Yoho, certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking statements or information (collectively “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as “anticipate”, “continue”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “could”, “plan”, “intend”, “should”, “believe”, “outlook”, “potential”, “target” and similar words suggesting future events or future performance. In addition, statements relating to “reserves” and “resources” are deemed to be 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 predicted or estimated and can be profitably produced in the future. In particular, this news release contains, without limitation, forward-looking statements pertaining to: Yoho–s planned capital expenditure program for the remainder of fiscal 2013, including the estimated budget and the allocation of capital to the Kaybob – Duvernay area; Yoho–s estimated average production levels for fiscal 2013 and estimated average production volumes for fiscal Q3 2013; Yoho–s drilling plans for the remainder of calendar 2013; and the sufficiency of funds, including cash flows and bank debt, to fund Yoho–s anticipated capital program. Readers are cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of such information may prove to be incorrect.
With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this document, Yoho has made a number of assumptions. The key assumptions underlying the aforementioned forward-looking statements include assumptions that: capital and skilled personnel will continue to be available at the level Yoho has enjoyed to date; Yoho will be able to obtain equipment in a timely manner to carry out exploration, development and exploitation activities; production rates for fiscal 2013 will be in line with the Company–s estimates and type curves; Yoho will have sufficient financial resources (including cash flows and bank debt) with which to conduct its anticipated capital program; the current tax and regulatory regime will remain substantially unchanged; future commodity prices will be consistent with the Company–s current pricing assumptions; that Yoho will continue to conduct its operations in a manner consistent with past operations; the impact of increasing competition; and the ability of Yoho to add production and reserves through development and exploitation activities. Although Yoho believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release, and the assumptions on which such forward-looking statements are made, are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements included in this news release, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which the forward-looking statements are based will occur.
By their nature, forward looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur, which may cause Yoho–s actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any estimates or projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation: risks associated with oil and gas exploration, development, exploitation, production, marketing and transportation; loss of markets; volatility of commodity prices; environmental risks; the inability to access credit and other debt facilities; inability to obtain drilling rigs or other services; capital expenditure costs, including drilling, completion and facility costs; unexpected decline rates in wells; wells not performing as expected; delays resulting from or inability to obtain required regulatory approvals and ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources; the impact of general economic conditions in Canada, the United States and overseas; industry conditions; changes in laws and regulations (including the adoption of new environmental laws and regulations) and changes in how they are interpreted and enforced; increased competition; the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management; fluctuations in foreign exchange or interest rates; stock market volatility; and market valuations of companies with respect to announced transactions and the final valuations thereof. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.
Yoho–s actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits, including the amount of proceeds, that the Company will derive therefrom. All subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Additional information on these and other factors that could affect Yoho–s operations and financial results are included in reports on file with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and may be accessed through the SEDAR website () or Yoho–s website ().
The forward-looking statements contained in this document are made as at the date of this news release and Yoho does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.
Special Note Regarding Disclosure of Reserves and Resources
Contingent resources is defined in the COGE Handbook as those quantities of petroleum estimated, as of a given date, to be potentially recoverable from known accumulations using established technology or technology under development, but which are not currently considered to be commercially recoverable due to one or more contingencies. Contingencies may include factors such as economic, legal, environmental, political, and regulatory matters, or a lack of markets. It is also appropriate to classify as contingent resources the estimated discovered recoverable quantities associated with a project in the early evaluation stage. Contingent resources are further classified in accordance with the level of certainty associated with the estimates and may be subclassified based on project maturity and/or characterized by their economic status.
The contingent resources estimates herein, including the corresponding estimates of before tax present value estimates, are estimates only and the actual results may be greater than or less than the estimates provided herein. There is no certainty that it will be commercially viable or technically feasible to produce any portion of the resources.
Probability
“Low Estimate” is a classification of estimated resources described in the COGE Handbook as being considered to be a conservative estimate of the quantity that will actually be recovered. It is likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the Low Estimate. If probabilistic methods are used, there should be a 90% probability (P90) that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the Low Estimate. “Best Estimate” is a classification of estimated resources described in the COGE Handbook as being considered to be the best estimate of the quantity that will actually be recovered. It is equally likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will be greater or less than the Best Estimate. If probabilistic methods are used, there should be a 50% probability (P50) that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the Best Estimate. “High Estimate” is a classification of estimated resources described in the COGE Handbook as being considered to be an optimistic estimate of the quantity that will actually be recovered. It is unlikely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the High Estimate. If probabilistic methods are used, there should be a 10% probability (P10) that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the High Estimate.
BOE Equivalency
Barrel of oil equivalents or BOEs may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A BOE conversion ratio of 6 Mcf: 1 bbl is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. Given the value ratio based on the current price of crude oil as compared to natural gas is significantly different from the energy equivalency of 6 mcf: 1 bbl, utilizing a conversion ratio of 6 mcf: 1 bbl may be a misleading indication of value.
Oil and Gas Advisory
The reserves information contained in this press release has been prepared in accordance with NI 51-101. Listed below are cautionary statements applicable to our reserves information that are specifically required by NI 51-101:
Selected Definitions
The following terms used in this press release have the meanings set forth below:
“AECO” refers to a natural gas storage facility located at Suffield, Alberta
“API” means American Petroleum Institute
“Bbl” means barrel
“boe” means barrel of oil equivalent of natural gas and crude oil on the basis of 1 boe for six thousand cubic feet of natural gas (this conversion factor is and industry accepted norm and is not based on either energy content or current prices)
“Mboe” means 1,000 barrels of oil equivalent
“Mcf” means thousand cubic feet
“MMbtu” means million British Thermal Units
“$M” means thousands of dollars
“NGL” means natural gas liquids
“WTI” means West Texas Intermediate, the reference price paid in U.S. dollars at Cushing, Oklahoma for the crude oil standard grade.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contacts:
Wendy S. Woolsey, CA
Vice President, Finance and CFO
Yoho Resources Inc.
(403) 537-1771