We are discontinuing research coverage of Spartan Energy, as the stock has been delisted following its recently approved acquisition by Vermilion Energy. All prior production and financial estimates, as well as research ratings and target prices, must no longer be relied upon.
Companies: Spartan Energy
Management reported annual production of 22,200 boe/d, which is largely in line with our estimates of 22,125 boe/d and represents y/y PPS growth of 17%. This results in 4Q17 production of 22,636 boe/d, which is relatively flat QoQ but slightly ahead of our estimates of 22,340 boe/d. The company reported quarterly adjusted funds flow from operations of $65 mm ($0.35/sh dil), which was significantly ahead of our estimates of $57 mm ($0.31/sh dil) and consensus at ~$0.31/share. We don’t have the full financials yet leaving us to speculate on the reason for the large cash flow beat. Our guess at this juncture is better than forecasted realized light oil pricing and operating costs but we await the release of the audited statements in the middle of March. Reserves increased 2% on a PDP basis to 45.3 mmboe, 5% on a 1P basis to 73 mmboe and 4% on a 2P basis to 113.5 mmboe. PDP reserves made up 62% of 1P and 40% of 2P reserves, which is relatively flat y/y. Based on 2017 production, this represents a 2P RLI of 13.9 years. We have updated our model to reflect 2017YE results and reserves. With our current 2018 estimates in line with management’s 2018 guidance, we have not made any changes to our forecasts. With an implied return of 72%, we are maintaining our BUY rating.
Spartan plans for 2018 E&D spending of $183 million plus $22 million for discretionary spending on waterflood and seismic initiatives. The 2018 drilling program calls for 140 net development oil wells including 64 net open-hole wells, 29 net Ratcliffe wells, 30 net frac’d Midale, and the remaining to the Viking light oil play. Management expects this to result in average annual production of 23,400 boe/d and an exit rate of 25,000 boe/d, representing growth of 6% YoY and 11% exit to exit. Average production was below our prior estimate of 24,270 boe/d and consensus of 24,470 boe/d. However, 2018 exit rate guidance aligned with our prior 4Q18 forecast of 25,100 boe/d. Based on US$60/b WTI, management forecasts cash flow of $267 million ($1.51/sh), which is higher than our prior estimates of $1.35/sh ($1.40/sh on strip) and consensus of $1.28/sh. We attribute this largely to 2018e production expense guided at $16.65/boe vs. GMP FE at $17.35/boe. We have updated our estimates to reflect the 2018 guidance. With an implied projected return of 42%, we are maintaining our BUY rating.
The stocks on the GMP FirstEnergy Best Ideas List represent our highest conviction BUY recommendations with an expected return of 20% or more over the next 12 months. The investment thesis for each name on the list is laid out in this report.
Companies: CNQ AAV ATU PXX KEL RRX SPE WCP PXT SES PPL
3Q17 production of 22,630 boe/d was slightly ahead of our GMP FEestimate of 21,750 boe/d and the street estimate of 21,730 boe/d. Quarterly cash flow of $41.1 mm ($0.22/sh dil) was in line with ourestimates of $40.1 mm ($0.22/share dil) and consensus of $0.21/share. Production costs in the quarter were down 6% QoQ and were 5% belowour estimates ($17.28/boe vs GMPFE estimates of $18.15/boe). This is due to the fact that production costs were elevated in 2Q17 so it was positive to see the reduction to more normalized levels. Reported realized pricing look like it came in a bit light at $46.98/boe vs. GMP FE at $48.12/boe. The company spent $35.1 mm on E&D, which included drilling 39 (28 net) wells and bringing on-stream 37 (27.2 net) wells. SPE exited the quarter with net debt (ex. financial lease) of $205.1 mm (1.3x annualized 3Q CF) and $193.3 mm drawn on its $350 mm credit facility. We have updated our estimates to reflect quarterly results. With an implied projected return of 37%, we are maintaining our BUY rating.
Impact: Neutral. Spartan's 2Q16 financial results were consistent with our outlook on all key figures and inline with consensus cash flow estimates.
Impact: Neutral. Spartan's most recent acquisition continues to consolidate its land position at its key properties and build inventory in SE Saskatchewan at reasonable metrics. The Company's updated 2016e capital budget of $68 mm is cautiously below our prior view (FCC was $80 mm) and is expected to generate annual production of 10,700 boe/d (FCC was 11,000 boe/d) which will likely result in a minor reduction to our proforma production and cash flow outlook. Although we expect this acquisition and financing announcement, in isolation, would show as slightly dilutive to our CFPS outlook given financing proceeds well above the transaction price, recall, the Company has completed three meaningfully accretive transactions ($148.7 mm for 2,980 boe/d) since mid-May without concurrent equity issues.
Some Recovery on Segmented Cash Flow Generation Over Q1 Though Still Down 56% Y/Y. In aggregate, the Intermediate, Mid, and Small Cap groups are expected to generate 2Q16e cash flow of $1,281 mm, $183 mm, and $53 mm, or $1.517 billion in total, that while depressed relative to the same period last year (~$2.647 billion combined), is up 17% sequentially from the prior quarter, largely on the strength of crude oil price recovery in the period. Severely weak natural gas pricing picture markedly reversed into summer, market likely to ignore financials for natural gas producers and look ahead to winter and formalization of sell-side 2018e estimates in coming months. Spot AECO natural gas prices recently crested C$2.60/mcf, and with a reasonable alignment of previously distressed NE BC Stn2 differentials, augmented by a withdrawal expected next week, view the market psyche as constructive and looking ahead, with the analogy that this market is shaping up to mirror 2012 still holding. That said, with crude oil poised to retest support levels, combined with strong stock price performance broadly observed YTD, we would characterize sentiment as slightly pessimistic in the near-term which could reduce or unwind momentum-based investment strategies that have worked thus far in 2016.
Companies: AAV ARX BTE BNP CPG ERF POU PEY PGF PWT PSK VII TOU VET WCP BNE CJ CR DEE JOY KEL LTS NVA PPY PMT PNE RRX RMP SRX SGY TOG TET ATU CKE GXE IKM LXE MQL PRQ SPE SKX TVE TVL YO ZAR
Impact: Positive. Spartan continues to capitalize on the low in the commodity cycle further consolidating its land base in SE Saskatchewan, adding low decline production and bolstering its well inventory at attractive metrics. We expect the Company balance sheet will continue to screen as flexible with ~$100 mm forecast to be drawn on its recently renewed and unchanged $150 mm credit facility following these transactions.
Spartan is acquiring, privateco, Wyatt Oil + Gas Inc. for $77 mm through an all-share transaction which includes the assumption of $42 mm of debt. The deal adds 1,330 boe/d, 14.6 mm 2P reserves, 45 net sections of land and 177 drilling locations in southeast Saskatchewan which are proximal to Spartan’s existing core operations. Given our revised estimates point to 10% per share accretion on a CFPS basis while 2017e/2016e PPS share growth (debt-adjusted) jumps to 13%, we are increasing our target price to $3.75 per share.
Impact: Positive. The deal brings in production and a stable of drilling locations proximal to Spartan's current assets at a reasonable valuation. This marks the Company's first significant acquisition in ~2 years.
Spartan delivered 1Q16 results that were in line on a cash flow basis, however ahead on a production basis. Spending was modestly higher than anticipated.
Neutral to slightly positive with production ~5% ahead of expectations (on higher capital spending) while cash flow overlaid our estimates. Higher 1Q16 production and mild spring break-up conditions could have positive implications for estimates for 2Q16e and beyond.
With this publication we briefly summarize our projections for 1Q16e quarterly results for the Junior E&P (Intermediate, Mid & Small Cap) segments of our coverage universe
Companies: AAV ARX BTE BNP CPG ERF POU PEY PGF PSK VII TOU VET WCP BNE CJ CR DEE JOY KEL LTS LRE NVA PPY PMT PNE RRX RMP SRX SGY TOG TET ATU CKE GXE IKM LXE MQL RE SPE SKX TVE TVL YGR YO ZAR
After coming off restriction following our participation in Spartan’s $96 mm equity financing wherein the Company issued 39.9 mm shares at $2.41 per share, we summarize the Company’s 4Q15 results, 2015 reserves and 2016 capital guidance. Fourth quarter results beat both our production and cash flow estimates while the Company posted single digit 1P and 2P basis F&D costs in a relatively quiet and organic year of operations, aided by a y/y reduction in FDC. A conservative 1H16e budget of $18 - $20 mm will see volumes remain at at Spartan’s 2015 average of just over 8,850 boe/d. Our target price continues to be supported by our updated NAV methodology, offering decent returns, particularly on a risk-adjusted basis.
Research Tree provides access to ongoing research coverage, media content and regulatory news on Spartan Energy. We currently have 31 research reports from 1 professional analysts.
A number of REITs have the ability to thrive in current market conditions and thereafter. Not only do they hold assets that will remain in strong demand, but they have focus and transparency. The leases and underlying rents are structured in a manner to provide long visibility, growth and security. Hardman & Co defined an investment universe of REITs that we considered provided security and “safer harbours”. We introduced this universe with our report published in March 2019: “Secure income” REITs – Safe Harbour Available. Here, we take forward the investment case and story. We point to six REITs, in particular, where we believe the risk/reward is the most attractive.
Companies: AGY ARBB ARIX BUR CMH CLIG DNL HAYD NSF PCA PIN PXC PHP RE/ RECI SCE SHED VTA
Robust, cash-generative production from mining waste Jubilee operates several chrome-Platinum Group Metal (PGM) operations in South Africa and is constructing a zinc-lead (vanadium) plant at Kabwe in Zambia after already commissioning the copper and cobalt circuits (the ‘Sable' refinery). The company has a growth pipeline identified and significant opportunities to find new projects in Africa (or globally); more specifically, Jubilee announced that it is looking to increase its copper (cobalt) production in Zambia aggressively to make full use of the Sable Refinery. Jubilee also owns the Tjate PGM project in South Africa, which is currently on hold. The company model is to treat its own waste materials and to supplement these with third party ores and wastes where possible. This year has been nothing if not eventful for Jubilee, but further progress and material catalysts are expected over the course of 2020. Jubilee has a high-margin business with cash on hand, and we see plenty of opportunities for Jubilee to capitalise on its robust business model through the global Covid-19 crisis and beyond. We initiate with a fair value of 11.2p/sh
Companies: Jubilee Platinum
Operational update
Companies: Hurricane Energy
U.S. futures and European stocks dropped on Friday as investors mulled a reported conflict among policy makers over a stimulus package for the single-currency region, as well as political upheaval in France. The Stoxx 600 Index fell after Bloomberg News reported the European Central Bank is facing a potential rift over how much their emergency bond-purchase program should stay weighted toward weaker countries such as Italy. The euro fluctuated following French President Emmanuel Macron's decision to name a new prime minister after asking his government to resign. Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc slumped after the British jet-engine maker said its exploring options to raise funds to strengthen its balance sheet. The dollar was slightly down, posting its first weekly drop in a month, while American cash equity and bond markets were shut for Independence Day. President Donald Trump will attend an early July 4 celebration at Mount Rushmore with thousands of guests who won't be required to wear masks, while his U.K. counterpart Boris Johnson urged Britons to act responsibly as pubs prepare to re-open and the government lifts quarantine rules on travel for 60 countries. The friction at the ECB highlights the risk to markets should promised stimulus measures fall short. Investors continue to weigh policy support and upbeat economic data against relentless new outbreaks of the virus. U.S payrolls figures Thursday fuelled optimism of a V-shaped recovery in the world's biggest economy, even as Florida reported that infections and hospitalizations jumped the most yet, and Houston had a surge in intensive-care patients. Emerging-market stocks posted the biggest weekly gain in a month. Elsewhere, crude oil dipped but remained on track for a weekly gain.
Companies: TGL JSE IAE ADME BP/ DGOC ENOG NTQ NTOG PMO RBD ROSE RDSA UKOG TRIN
Stable platform agreement approved by creditors
Companies: Premier Oil
Caledonia's Q2 2020 production from its 64% owned Blanket mine in Zimbabwe was 13.5koz gold. This was an increase over the same period last year of 6.2%, leaving Caledonia with a first half production of 27.7koz – well ahead of this time last year (24.7koz) and on track to meet its 2020 full year guidance of 53-56koz (WHI etc. 55.5koz). Spectra Systems Corporation is a provider of machine-readable high-speed banknote authentication, brand protection technologies and gaming security software. The company has announced that it has executed a new contract with a major world central bank to ‘enhance existing authentication sensors to detect a unique type of counterfeit notes'.
Companies: Spectra Systems Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc Com Shs Npv
Over the last 18 months, Powerhouse has cemented its relationship with Peel Environmental, which is targeting the development of at least 30 distributed modular generation (DMG) plants across the UK. Each of these will potentially generate £0.5m in annual licence fees for Powerhouse. This roll-out is conditional on shareholders approving the proposed acquisition of former development partner Waste2Tricity (W2T) at the general meeting on 14 July
Companies: Powerhouse Energy Group
The market should be in no doubt that Pure Gold will deliver first gold before the end of the year before ramping up to 66koz in 2021 through to 125koz in 2025 (the company is already looking at ways it can accelerate the ramp up). All critical path items are on track with long lead equipment on order, all license applications expected to be approved by Q2, and mine sequencing being planned. Management are already planning on how they might ramp up quicker, improving flexibility in the system with a new decline and tweaking metallurgical recoveries. Perhaps most importantly they are growing their knowledge of the geology with the team putting together a drill programme to start next year once in production. This will target extensions to the 1Moz, 9g/t reserve (will be the 17th highest grade mine in the world when in production) down dip, at satellite deposits and, most excitingly, at Zone 8 where there is already a 0.5Mt resource grading 21g/t.
Companies: Pure Gold Mining
Pure Gold (LSE/TSX: PUR/PGM) have announced a project update for its Red Lake Mine and also its financial results for YE December 2019 today. Importantly the Ontario Government has deemed exploration and mineral extraction an essential business with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic and Red Lake has no known infections at the moment. As such the Project is proceeding as planned with first production due before the end of the year.
AFC Energy is a global leader in the fuel cell sector. It has a proven fuel cell technology which it is commercialising through its H-Power™ product, an off-grid electric vehicle charging system which is run on hydrogen and produces no emissions. The company's core fuel cell technology is a liquid alkaline fuel cell called HydroX-Cell(L)™. The company is also developing a solid alkaline fuel cell called HydroX-Cell(S)™ , the critical component of which is a is a solid electrolyte which upon validation will be marketed under the AlkaMem™ trademark. We expect the AlkaMem™ product to have multiple electro-chemical applications outside of fuel cells. The purpose of this note is to compare AFC Energy's products, markets and business strategy against its listed peers Ceres Power and ITM Power. The note also assesses the state and outlook of the hydrogen market in addition to the proton exchange membrane market, which is relevant for AFC Energy's AlkaMem™ product. As a reminder, we believe AFC Energy has a fair value of 27p/sh.
Companies: AFC AFC AFC
In this note, we analyze the indebtedness of 35 international E&Ps publicly listed in the UK, Canada, Norway, Sweden and the USA. For each company, we look at (1) cash position, (2) level and nature of debt (including covenants), (3) debt service and principal repayment framework and (4) Brent price required from April to YE20 to meet all the obligations and keep cash positions intact. We also estimate YE20 cash if Brent were to average US$20/bbl from April to YE20. While the oil demand and oil price collapse are of unprecedented historical proportions and the opportunities to cut costs much more limited than in 2014, most companies (with a few exceptions) entered the crisis in much better position than six years ago, with stronger balance sheets and often already extended debt maturities. In addition, this time around, many E&Ps have already been deleveraging for 1-2 years and are not caught in the middle of large developments that cannot be halted. The previous crisis also showed that debt providers could relax debt covenants for a certain period as long as interest and principal repayment obligations were met. This implies that as long as operations are not interrupted and counterparties keep paying their bills (Kurdistan), the storm can be weathered by most for a few quarters. With (1) Brent price of about US$50/bbl in 1Q20, (2) reduced capex programmes, (3) material hedging programmes covering a large proportion of FY20 production at higher prices and (4) limited principal repayments in 2020, we find that most companies can meet all their costs and obligations in 2020 at Brent prices below US$40/bbl and often below US$35/bbl) from April until YE20 and keep their cash intact, allowing them to remain solvent at much lower prices for some time. In particular, Maha Energy and SDX Energy are cash neutral at about US$20/bbl. When factoring the divestment of Uganda, Tullow needs only US$9/bbl to maintain its YE20 cash equal to YE19. Canacol Energy, Diversified Gas and Oil, Independent Oil & Gas, Orca Exploration, Serica Energy and Wentworth Resources are gas stories not really exposed to oil prices and Africa Oil has hedged 95% of its FY20 production at over US$65/bbl.
Companies: AKERBP AOI CNE CNE DGOC EGY ENOG ENQ GENL GKP GPRK GTE HUR IOG JSE KOS LUPE MAHAA OKEA ORC.B PEN PHAR PMO PTAL PXT RRE SDX SEPL TETY TGL TLW TXP WRL
Recent test results have confirmed the ‘tremendous’ potential of Touchstone’s Cascadura discovery, onshore Trinidad. The results point to a larger discovery than previously expected, with higher well deliverability. This drives a significant increase to our valuation, raising our risked-NAV and price target by 33% to 68p/sh. A return to exploration beckons, with the Chinook well approaching and further drilling at Cascadura and Royston planned over the next 12 months. Beyond that, a further 20 drilling locations have already been identified on the Ortoire block. While Touchstone trades at a higher multiple of NAV than peers, that is for good reason as this equity story is set to run and run.
Companies: Touchstone Exploration
Caledonia, which operates the Blanket gold mine in Zimbabwe, announces today a second dividend increase for 2020 with an increase of their dividend from 7.5c a quarter to 8.5c a quarter – an annualised 34c/yr which currently yields 2.3%. This comes on the back of a first increase in January of this year when Caledonia raised its dividend from 6.9c/quarter. Avation is a lessor of 48 commercial aircraft to a diversified airline client base. This morning, the group has released results for the nine months to 31 March 2020, which illustrate that the business remained profitable in Q3 FY 2020. Phoenix copper today provides the results from the initial metallurgical test work to recover precious metals from the Empire deposit. Results from leaching with non-toxic ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) resulted in high gold recoveries of nearly 98% gold, and silver recoveries of between 70% and 80%. A full metallurgical report on this new work is available on Phoenix Copper's website.
Companies: CMCL AVAP PXC
Acquisitions and creditors update
Rockfire Resources, the gold and copper exploration junior with projects in northern Queensland has recently commenced a major £0.8m drilling programme on Plateau, its most advanced project. Drilling is likely to be followed by a resource update in late 2020 and a scoping study in Q1 2021. We believe that the updated resource estimate could be commercially significant. This reflects the promising drilling results post July 2019’s resource assessment and the potential for the drilling programme to expand the resource base given the analogous Mt Wright mine geology 47 km to the NE. The new drilling programme will include diamond drilling for the first time which will enable deeper higher-grade targets to be targeted. The drilling programme has been underpinned by the recently announced £1m raise. We believe the scope for positive news flow in the coming months is excellent while the gold market backdrop should be supportive for gold exploration as well as production plays over the balance of 2020.
Companies: Rockfire Resources
