TPZ Topaz Energy Corp

CALGARY, AB, Nov. 4, 2024 /CNW/ - Topaz Energy Corp. (TSX: TPZ) ("Topaz" or the "Company") is pleased to provide third quarter 2024 financial results and provide updated 2024e guidance estimates.  Select financial information is outlined below and should be read in conjunction with Topaz's interim condensed consolidated financial statements ("Consolidated Financial Statements") and related management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") as at and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on Topaz's website at www.topazenergy.ca.

Highlights

• On November 1, 2024, Topaz completed the previously announced acquisition from Tourmaline Oil Corp. ("Tourmaline") of gross overriding royalty interests on approximately 3.0 million gross acres (over 50% undeveloped), across Topaz's NEBC Montney, Alberta Deep Basin and Peace River High core royalty areas for total cash consideration of $278.2 million before customary closing adjustments (the "Strategic Royalty Acquisition")⁽¹⁵⁾. The Strategic Royalty Acquisition increased Topaz's royalty acreage by 50%, including a 38% increase to Topaz's premium Montney rights acreage, and provides 12% immediate royalty production growth as well as 100% alignment to all of Tourmaline's future identified growth projects⁽¹⁵⁾.
  
  
• On October 22, 2024, Topaz completed the previously announced bought-deal equity financing, at $25.05 per share, whereby Topaz issued 8,050,000 common shares, which includes common shares issued upon the exercise in full of the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters, for gross proceeds of $201.7 million (the "Equity Financing")⁽¹⁵⁾. Concurrent with the closing of the Equity Financing, certain directors, officers, employees and their associates of the Company, purchased a total of 209,177 common shares, at $25.05 per share, on a private placement basis. The aggregate gross proceeds of $206.9 million were used to fund the Strategic Royalty Acquisition⁽¹⁵⁾.
  
  
• Topaz's undeveloped lands attracted 17%⁽⁸⁾ of total WCSB development activity during Q3 2024 (Q2 2024 - 15%⁽⁸⁾), driven by a company record 216 gross wells drilled across Topaz's royalty acreage during the quarter. 49% of the Q3 2024 new wells drilled were in Topaz's high growth royalty areas, NEBC Montney and the Clearwater, which together represent 49% of Topaz's royalty production and 26% of Topaz's royalty acreage⁽¹⁶⁾. Since the beginning of 2023, 43% of all new wells drilled across the Clearwater area in Alberta, and 25% of all new wells drilled across the NEBC Montney area, were on Topaz's royalty acreage⁽⁸⁾, where the underlying gross operator production on Topaz's royalty acreage has increased 34% and 6%, respectively⁽⁹⁾.
  
  
• Based on planned operator drilling activity, 29 to 31 drilling rigs are expected to be active across Topaz's royalty acreage through the fourth quarter of 2024⁽³⁾. The activity includes dedicated drilling rigs contracted by Topaz's strategic partners in addition to estimated, variable activity attributed to Topaz's other operators. Dedicated, Tourmaline-operated drilling rigs across Topaz's royalty acreage have increased from 13 during Q3 2024 to 16 rigs during Q4 2024, driven by Topaz's acreage expansion following completion of the Strategic Royalty Acquisition⁽¹⁵⁾.
  
  
• During the third quarter, Topaz generated cash flow of $67.0 million ($0.46 per diluted share⁽²⁾) and FCF⁽¹⁾ of $64.8 million ($0.44 per diluted share⁽²⁾), which was allocated to dividends and debt repayment. Topaz paid $47.8 million in dividends during the third quarter ($1.32 per share annualized, providing a 5.2% yield⁽¹⁰⁾). During Q3 2024, Topaz reduced net debt⁽¹⁾ by $17.4 million from June 30, 2024.
  
  
• Third quarter total revenue and other income of $73.6 million ($0.51 per diluted share⁽²⁾), was generated from Topaz's income streams as follows: 28% ($20.9 million) from high-margin infrastructure assets; 54% ($39.5 million) from crude and heavy oil royalty revenue; and 18% ($13.1 million) from natural gas & natural gas liquids royalty revenue.
  
  
• Through 2024e and 2025e, Topaz's dividends and payout ratio remain sustainable down to very low commodity prices ($0.01 per mcf natural gas and US$50.00 per bbl crude oil⁽³⁾), attributable to Topaz's financial derivative contracts in place⁽¹²⁾, and the high-margin, contracted revenue generated from Topaz's infrastructure portfolio.

Third Quarter 2024 Update

Financial Overview

• Topaz generated $73.6 million total revenue and other income, 72% of which from royalty assets that generated a 99% operating margin⁽¹⁾ and 28% from infrastructure assets that generated an 89% operating margin⁽¹⁾. 
  
  
• During the third quarter, Topaz paid $47.8 million in dividends (71% payout ratio⁽¹⁾), and generated $17.0 million of Excess FCF⁽¹⁾.  YTD 2024, Topaz paid $140.6 million in dividends (68% payout ratio⁽¹⁾), and generated $60.0 million of Excess FCF⁽¹⁾.
  
  
• Topaz exited Q3 2024 with $381.1 million of net debt⁽¹⁾.  Subsequent to Q3 2024, Topaz utilized its existing credit facilities to partially fund the Strategic Royalty Acquisition.  As at November 4, 2024, Topaz has $0.5 billion of available credit capacity⁽⁶⁾.

Royalty Activity

• Topaz generated Q3 2024 and YTD 2024 average royalty production of 18,712 boe/d⁽⁴⁾ (32% oil and liquids), and 18,874 boe/d⁽⁴⁾ (32% oil and liquids), respectively, which includes 9% and 11% growth in crude and heavy oil royalty production relative to Q3 2023 and YTD 2023, respectively. 
  
  
• During the third quarter, operators spud 216 gross wells (7.9 net)⁽⁷⁾ and reactivated 1 gross well across Topaz's royalty acreage, compared to 94 gross wells spud (3.8 net)⁽⁷⁾ and 7 gross wells reactivated during the prior quarter. 
  
  
• Topaz estimates that operators invested $0.7 billion to $0.8 billion of development capital across the Company's royalty acreage in Q3 2024⁽³⁾ ($1.6 billion to $1.8 billion YTD 2024)⁽³⁾. Third quarter drilling activity (216 gross wells spud⁽⁷⁾) was diversified across Topaz's portfolio as follows: 59 Clearwater, 46 NEBC Montney, 39 Deep Basin, 31 Peace River, 26 Central Alberta and 15 SE Saskatchewan. 
  
  
• At the end of the third quarter, 129 (60%) of the 216 gross wells drilled during Q3 2024 were not yet brought on production which includes 76 (89%) of the 85 natural gas focused gross wells drilled and not yet brought on production.  The wells are expected to be brought on production during Q4 2024 and into 2025 alongside anticipated egress improvements with the planned commissioning of LNG Canada (Phase I) during 2025, growth in the North American LNG market and acceleration of natural gas-powered electrical generation requirements⁽³⁾.

Infrastructure Activity

• Topaz generated $20.9 million in processing revenue and other income which was 15% higher than both the prior quarter and the prior year, attributed to the Alberta Montney infrastructure acquisition completed during Q2 2024.  During Q3 2024, Topaz incurred $2.2 million in operating expenses, generating an 89% operating margin⁽¹⁾.  The infrastructure assets generated 100% utilization and Topaz incurred $1.5 million in maintenance-related capital expenditures (before capitalized G&A) during Q3 2024. 
  
  
• The previously announced Clearwater Natural Gas Gathering Infrastructure project is nearly complete and is anticipated to be on-stream by the end of December 2024, upon which Topaz will fund the $26.0 million estimated construction costs^(3)(14).  Topaz expects to generate $4.3 million^(3)(14) of annual processing revenue beginning January 1, 2025.  The Clearwater Natural Gas Gathering Infrastructure is designed to conserve natural gas across Topaz's existing West Marten Hills royalty acreage and is also expected to increase Topaz's existing royalty production revenue up to $0.5 million in 2025^(3)(14).

Dividend 

• Topaz's Board approved the Company's quarterly dividend and declared the fourth quarter 2024 dividend at $0.33 per share which is expected to be paid on December 31, 2024, to shareholders of record on December 13, 2024.  The quarterly cash dividend is designated as an "eligible dividend" for Canadian income tax purposes. 
  
  
• Topaz's 2024 and 2025 estimated dividends are sustainable down to very low commodity prices ($0.01 per mcf natural gas and US$50.00 per bbl crude oil) due to the Company's high-margin, stable infrastructure income and hedging strategy^(3)(11).  For Q4 2024, 15,000 GJ/d of natural gas is hedged at a weighted average fixed price of C$3.17 per mcf and for 2025, 22,500 GJ/d is hedged at a weighted average fixed price of C$3.32 per mcf⁽¹²⁾.  For Q4 2024 through to Q4 2025, over 1,500 bbl/d of crude oil is hedged at a weighted average floor price of C$95.68 per bbl using collar structures to maintain upside price participation⁽¹²⁾.

Guidance Outlook

2024e Guidance Estimates Updated

• Topaz has updated the Company's previously announced 2024e guidance estimates, which includes average annual royalty production ranging between 19,100 and 20,000 boe/d⁽³⁾⁽⁴⁾ and processing revenue and other income between $75.5 and $78.0 million⁽³⁾.  Topaz's royalty production guidance anticipates operator-funded capital development between $2.2 billion and $2.8 billion⁽³⁾, and also allows for deferral of certain natural gas completion or tie-in activities in response to natural gas supply and demand dynamics.  Based on current commodity pricing⁽⁵⁾, Topaz expects to exit 2024e with net debt⁽¹⁾ between $460.0 and $470.0 million, which includes $79.2 million to fund the Strategic Royalty Acquisition⁽¹⁵⁾ and $26.0 million to fund the Clearwater Natural Gas Gathering Infrastructure⁽¹⁴⁾.

Dividend Sustainability and Capital Allocation 

• Topaz's 2024e dividend payout ratio⁽¹⁾ of 69%^(3)(13) remains at the lower end of the Company's targeted long-term payout of 60-90% to maintain financial flexibility for acquisition growth opportunities. Topaz's strategy is to continue to provide further dividend increases alongside sustainable organic and acquisition growth.
  
  
• Topaz's year-end 2024e net debt to EBITDA⁽¹⁾ is estimated at 1.5 times⁽³⁾⁽⁵⁾ before consideration of incremental acquisition activity. The Company has a $700.0 million covenant-based unsecured credit facility, expandable to $1.0 billion⁽⁶⁾, which provides financial flexibility and growth optionality.

Additional information

Additional information about Topaz, including the Consolidated Financial Statements and MD&A as at and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca under the Company's profile, and on Topaz's website at www.topazenergy.ca.

Q3 2024 CONFERENCE CALL

Topaz will host a conference call tomorrow, Tuesday, November 5, 2024 starting at 9:00 a.m. MST (11:00 a.m. EST). To join the conference call without operator assistance, participants can register and enter their phone number at  https://emportal.ink/3XUqlDX to receive an instant automated call back. Alternatively, participants can join by calling a live operator at 416-764-8659 or 1-888-664-6392 (North American toll free).  The conference call ID is 08125.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Topaz is a unique royalty and infrastructure energy company focused on generating free cash flow growth and paying reliable and sustainable dividends to its shareholders, through its strategic relationship with Canada's largest and most active natural gas producer, Tourmaline Oil Corp. ("Tourmaline"), an investment-grade senior Canadian E&P company, and leveraging industry relationships to execute complementary acquisitions from other high-quality energy companies. Topaz focuses on top-quartile energy resources and assets best positioned to attract capital in order to generate sustainable long-term growth and profitability.

Topaz's common shares are listed and posted for trading on the TSX under the trading symbol "TPZ" and it is included in the S&P/TSX Composite Index. This is the headline index for Canada and is the principal benchmark measure for the Canadian equity markets, represented by the largest companies on the TSX.

For further information, please visit the Company's website at  www.topazenergy.ca. Topaz's SEDAR+ filings are available at www.sedarplus.ca.

NOTE REFERENCES
This news release refers to financial reporting periods in abbreviated form as follows: "Q1 2024" refers to the three months ended March 31, 2024; "Q2 2024" refers to the three months ended June 30, 2024; "Q3 2024" and "Q3 2023" refer to the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively; "YTD 2024" and "YTD 2023" refer to the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively; and "Q4 2024" refers to the three months ended December 31, 2024.  In addition, "2024e" refers to estimated amounts or results for the year ending December 31, 2024.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") that relate to the Company's current expectations and views of future events. These forward-looking statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as "will likely result", "are expected to", "expects", "will continue", "is anticipated", "anticipates", "believes", "estimated", "intends", "plans", "forecast", "projection", "strategy", "objective" and "outlook") are not historical facts and may be forward-looking statements and may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. In particular and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements pertaining to the following: Topaz's future growth outlook, guidance and strategic plans; estimated annual average royalty production for 2024; estimated processing revenue and other income for 2024; anticipated 2024e net debt levels and 2024e net debt to EBITDA levels; dividend amounts, and the estimated dividend payout ratio; the sustainability of the dividend and the rationale for such sustainability; the maintenance of financial flexibility for strategic acquisition growth opportunities; the anticipated capital expenditure and drilling plans; the number of drilling rigs to be active on Topaz's royalty acreage; the future declaration and payment of dividends and the timing and amount thereof; the costs and completion timing with respect to the Clearwater Natural Gas Gathering System; the forecasts described under the headings "Guidance Outlook - 2024e Guidance Estimates Updated" and "Dividend Sustainability and Capital Allocation" and the assumptions and estimates described under the heading "Note References" above; and the Company's business as described under the heading "About the Company" above.

Forward‐looking statements are based on a number of assumptions including those highlighted in this news release including future commodity prices, capital expenditures, infrastructure ownership capacity utilization and operator development plans, and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward‐looking statements.

Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the failure to complete acquisitions on the terms or on the timing announced or at all and the failure to realize some or all of the anticipated benefits of acquisitions including estimated royalty production, royalty production revenue and FCF per share growth, changes in laws and regulations, including environmental, regulatory and taxation laws, including uncertainty with respect to the interpretation of omnibus Bill C-59 and the related amendments to the Competition Act (Canada), and the interpretation of such changes to Topaz's business and the factors discussed in the Company's recently filed Management's Discussion and Analysis (See "Forward-Looking Statements" therein), 2023 Annual Information Form (See "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Statements" therein) and other reports on file with applicable securities regulatory authorities and may be accessed through the SEDAR+ website (www.sedarplus.ca) or Topaz's website (www.topazenergy.ca).

Statements relating to "reserves" are also deemed to be forward looking statements, as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, that the reserves described exist in the quantities predicted or estimated and that the reserves can be profitably produced in the future.

Without limitation of the foregoing, future dividend payments, if any, and the level thereof is uncertain, as the Company's dividend policy and the funds available for the payment of dividends from time to time is dependent upon, among other things, FCF, financial requirements  for the Company's operations and the execution of its growth strategy, fluctuations in working capital and the timing and amount of capital expenditures, debt service requirements and other factors  beyond the Company's control. Further, the ability of Topaz to pay dividends will be subject to applicable laws (including the satisfaction of the solvency test contained in applicable corporate legislation) and contractual restrictions contained in the instruments governing its indebtedness, including its credit facility.

Topaz does not undertake any obligation to update such forward‐looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.

FINANCIAL OUTLOOK

Also included in this news release are estimates of the average royalty production range and processing revenue and other income range for the year ending December 31, 2024 and range of year-end exit net debt and net debt to EBITDA for 2024, which are based on, among other things, the various assumptions as to production levels and capital expenditures and other assumptions disclosed in this news release including under the heading "Guidance Outlook" and "Note References" above and are based on the following key assumptions: Topaz's estimated capital expenditures (excluding acquisitions) of $4 to $5 million in 2024; the working interest owners' anticipated 2024 capital plans attributable to Topaz's undeveloped royalty lands; estimated average annual royalty production range of 19,100 to 20,000 boe/d in 2024; 2024 average infrastructure ownership capacity utilization of 95%; estimated timing of completion and commissioning of the Clearwater Natural Gas Gathering System on or before December 31, 2024; December 31, 2024 exit net debt range between $460 and $470 million, 2024 average commodity prices of: $1.54/mcf (AECO 5A), US$75.90/bbl (NYMEX WTI), US$14.99/bbl (WCS oil differential), US$5.05/bbl (MSW oil differential) and US$/CAD$ foreign exchange 0.73. 

To the extent such estimates constitute financial outlooks, they were approved by management and the board of directors of Topaz on November 4, 2024 and are included to provide readers with an understanding of the estimated revenue, net debt and the other metrics described above for the year ending December 31, 2024 based on the assumptions described herein and readers are cautioned that the information may not be appropriate for other purposes.

NON-GAAP AND OTHER FINANCIAL MEASURES

Certain financial terms and measures contained in this news release are "specified financial measures" (as such term is defined in National Instrument 52-112 - Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure ("NI 52-112")). The specified financial measures referred to in this news release are comprised of "non-GAAP financial measures", "capital management measures" and "supplementary financial measures" (as such terms are defined in NI 52-112). These measures are defined, qualified, and where required, reconciled with the nearest GAAP measure below.

Non-GAAP Measures and Ratios
The non-GAAP financial measure used herein does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP. Accordingly, the Company's use of this term may not be comparable to similarly defined measures presented by other companies. Investors are cautioned that the non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered in isolation nor as an alternative to net income (loss) or other financial information determined in accordance with GAAP, as an indication of the Company's performance.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This news release makes reference to the terms "acquisitions, excluding decommissioning obligations" and "operating margin", which are considered non-GAAP financial measures under NI 52-112; defined as a financial measure disclosed by an issuer that depicts the historical or expected future financial performance, financial position, or cash flow of an entity, and is not disclosed in the financial statements of the issuer.

Other Financial Measures
Capital management measures
Capital management measures are defined as financial measures disclosed by an issuer that are intended to enable an individual to evaluate the entity's objectives, policies and processes for managing the entity's capital, are not a component of a line item or a line item on the primary financial statements, and which are disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. The Company's capital management measures disclosed in the Consolidated Financial Statements as at and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 include adjusted working capital, net debt (cash), free cash flow (FCF) and Excess FCF.

Supplementary financial measures
This news release makes reference to the terms "cash flow per basic or diluted share", "FCF per basic or diluted share", "EBITDA per basic or diluted share", "FCF margin", "operating margin percentage" and "payout ratio" which are all considered supplementary financial measures under NI 52-112; defined as a financial measure disclosed by an issuer that is, or is intended to be, disclosed on a periodic basis to depict the historical or expected future financial performance, financial position or cash flow of an entity, is not disclosed in the financial statements of the issuer, and is not a non-GAAP financial measure or non-GAAP financial ratio.

The following terms are financial measures as defined under the Company's Syndicated Credit Facility, presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements as at and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024: (i) consolidated senior debt, (ii) total debt, (iii) EBITDA and (iv) capitalization.

Cash flow, FCF, FCF margin, and Excess FCF
Management uses cash flow, FCF, FCF margin and Excess FCF for its own performance measures and to provide investors with a measurement of the Company's efficiency and its ability to generate the cash necessary to fund or increase dividends, fund future growth opportunities and/or to repay debt; and furthermore, uses per share metrics to provide investors with a measure of the proportion attributable to the basic or diluted weighted average common shares outstanding.

Cash flow is a GAAP measure which is derived of cash from operating activities excluding the change in non-cash working capital and is presented in the consolidated statements of cash flows.  FCF is a capital management measure presented in the notes to the interim consolidated financial statements and is defined as cash flow, less capital expenditures. The supplementary financial measure "FCF margin", is defined as FCF divided by total revenue and other income (expressed as a percentage of total revenue and other income).  The capital management measure "Excess FCF", is defined as FCF less dividends paid.  The supplementary financial measures "cash flow per basic or diluted share" and "FCF per basic or diluted share" are calculated by dividing cash flow and FCF, respectively, by the basic or diluted weighted average common shares outstanding during the period.

A summary of the reconciliation from cash from operating activities (per the consolidated statements of cash flows) to cash flow (per the consolidated statements of cash flows), cash flow per basic or diluted share, FCF, Excess FCF, FCF per basic or diluted share and FCF margin is set forth below:

Operating margin and operating margin percentage
Operating margin is a non-GAAP financial measure derived from processing revenue and other income, less operating expenses. Operating margin percentage is a supplemental financial measure, calculated as operating margin, expressed as a percentage of total processing revenue and other income. Operating margin and operating margin percentage are used by management to analyze the profitability of its infrastructure assets.

A summary of the reconciliation of operating margin and operating margin percentage is set forth below:

Adjusted working capital and net debt
Management uses the terms "adjusted working capital" and "net debt" to measure the Company's liquidity position and capital flexibility, as such these terms are considered capital management measures. "Adjusted working capital" is calculated as current assets less current liabilities, adjusted for financial instruments and work in progress capital costs.  "Net debt" is calculated as total debt outstanding less adjusted working capital.

A summary of the reconciliation from working capital, to adjusted working capital and net debt is set forth below:

EBITDA and EBITDA per basic or diluted share
EBITDA, as defined under the Company's Syndicated Credit Facility and disclosed in note 8 of the interim consolidated financial statements, is considered by the Company as a capital management measure which is used to evaluate the Company's operating performance and provides investors with a measurement of the Company's cash generated from its operations, before consideration of interest income or expense. "EBITDA" is calculated as consolidated net income or loss from continuing operations, excluding extraordinary items, plus interest expense, income taxes, and adjusted for non-cash items and gains or losses on dispositions. 

EBITDA per basic or diluted share is a supplementary financial measure that is calculated by dividing EBITDA by the basic or diluted weighted average common shares outstanding during the period and provides investors with a measure of the proportion of EBITDA attributed to the basic or diluted weighted average common shares outstanding.

A summary of the reconciliation of net income (per the consolidated statements of net income and comprehensive income), to EBITDA, is set forth below:

Payout ratio
"Payout ratio", a supplementary financial measure, represents dividends paid, expressed as a percentage of cash flow and provides investors with a measure of the percentage of cash flow that was used during the period to fund dividend payments. Payout ratio is calculated as cash flow divided by dividends paid.

A summary of the reconciliation from cash flow to payout ratio is set forth below:  

Acquisitions, excluding decommissioning obligations
"Acquisitions, excluding decommissioning obligations", is considered a non-GAAP financial measure, and is calculated as: acquisitions (per the consolidated statements of cash flows) plus non-cash acquisitions but excluding non-cash decommissioning obligations.

A summary of the reconciliation from acquisitions (per the consolidated statements of cash flow) to acquisitions, excluding decommissioning obligations is set forth below:

BOE EQUIVALENCY

Per barrel of oil equivalent amounts have been calculated using a conversion rate of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of oil equivalent (6:1). Barrel of oil equivalents (boe) 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.  In addition, as the value ratio between natural gas and crude oil based on the current prices of natural gas and crude oil is significantly different from the energy equivalency of 6:1, utilizing a conversion on a 6:1 basis may be misleading as an indication of value.

OIL AND GAS METRICS

This news release contains certain oil and gas metrics which do not have standardized meanings or standard methods of calculation and therefore such measures may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies and should not be used to make comparisons. Such metrics have been included in this news release to provide readers with additional measures to evaluate the Company's performance; however, such measures are not reliable indicators of the Company's future performance and future performance may not compare to the Company's performance in previous periods and therefore such metrics should not be unduly relied upon.

INFORMATION REGARDING PUBLIC ISSUER COUNTERPARTIES

Certain information contained in this news release relating to the Company's public issuer counterparties which include Tourmaline and others, and the nature of their respective businesses is taken from and based solely upon information published by such issuers. The Company has not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of any such information.

CREDIT RATINGS

This news release makes reference to Tourmaline's credit rating. Credit ratings are intended to provide investors with an independent measure of credit quality of an issue of securities. Credit ratings are not recommendations to purchase, hold or sell securities and do not address the market price or suitability of a specific security for a particular investor. There is no assurance that any rating will remain in effect for any given period of time or that any rating will not be revised or withdrawn entirely by a rating agency in the future if, in its judgment, circumstances so warrant.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION REGARDING PRODUCT TYPES

This news release includes references to actual and estimated average royalty production. The following table is intended to provide supplemental information about the product type composition for each of the production figures that are provided in this news release:

SOURCE Topaz Energy Corp