Baytex Energy Corp. reports its operating and financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021.
“During the third quarter, we remain focused on strong capital discipline, generating free cash flow and reducing debt. We have already repurchased and cancelled US$200 million of our 2024 bonds this year and at current commodity prices we now expect to generate record levels of free cash flow in excess of $400 million. Our operating results continue to build momentum as we appraise and develop our Clearwater oil play at Peace River. We have some of the best results in all of the Clearwater, and will now drill four additional wells during the fourth quarter, which will enable us to accelerate our development plans in 2022,” commented Ed LaFehr, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Q3 2021 Highlights
• Generated production of 79,872 boe/d (82% oil and NGL) in Q3/2021 and 79,942 boe/d (81% oil and NGL) for the first nine months of 2021.
• Delivered adjusted funds flow of $198 million ($0.35 per basic share) in Q3/2021 and $531 million ($0.94 per basic share) for the first nine months of 2021.
• Generated free cash flow of $101 million ($0.18 per basic share) in Q3/2021 and $284 million ($0.50 per basic share) for the first nine months of 2021.
• Reduced net debt by $65 million during the third quarter and by $283 million through the first nine months of 2021.
• Subsequent to quarter-end, repurchased and cancelled US$85 million principal amount of 5.625% long-term notes, bringing the total repurchased and cancelled to US$200 million (50% of the original principal amount outstanding).
2021 Outlook
As a result of our strong operating performance through the first nine months of 2021, we are tightening our production guidance to 79,500 to 80,000 boe/d, up from 79,000 to 80,000 boe/d, previously.
We are intensely focused on maintaining capital discipline. The Clearwater has emerged as one of the most profitable plays in Canada and our 2021 appraisal program has delivered exceptional results. As a result, we will drill four additional Clearwater wells during the fourth quarter which are expected to be on-stream in late 2021. Accordingly, we are tightening our forecast 2021 exploration and development expenditures range to $300 to $315 million, as compared to $285 to $315 million, previously.
At current commodity prices, we expect to deliver over $400 million ($0.71 per basic share) of free cash flow this year, which has accelerated our debt reduction efforts.
Five-Year Outlook
Our five-year outlook (2021 to 2025) highlights our financial and operational sustainability and meaningful free cash flow generation. Through this plan period, we are committed to a disciplined, returns based capital allocation philosophy. Under constant US$65/bbl and US$75/bbl WTI pricing scenarios, we expect to generate cumulative free cash flow of approximately $2.0 billion and $2.6 billion, respectively.
Based on the strong pricing environment and continued capital discipline, we now anticipate hitting our initial net debt target of $1.2 billion during Q2/2022. Throughout the plan period we will monitor our leverage position and assess market conditions to determine the best methods or combination thereof to enhance shareholder returns. These could include share buy-backs, a dividend and/or reinvestment for organic growth.
Our 2022 capital budget is expected to be released in early December following approval by our Board of Directors. We will also update our five-year plan to include drilling opportunities on our Clearwater lands.
Q3/2021 Results
During Q3/2021, we delivered strong operating and financial results and continued to advance our exciting new Clearwater play in northwest Alberta with the two strongest initial rate wells drilled to date in the play.
During the quarter, we delivered adjusted funds flow of $198 million ($0.35 per basic share) and net income of $33 million ($0.06 per basic share). We generated free cash flow of $101 million ($0.18 per basic share), which brings our year-to-date free cash flow to $284 million ($0.50 per basic share). We have directed 100% of our free cash flow this year to reduce our net debt, which now sits at $1.56 billion, down from $1.85 billion at the beginning of the year.
Production during the third quarter averaged 79,872 boe/d (82% oil and NGL), as compared to 81,162 boe/d (81% oil and NGL) in Q2/2021. Our operating results reflect strong performance across our light and heavy oil assets in Canada with volumes up 2% over the second quarter, while Eagle Ford volumes were lower due to the number of wells brought on-stream. Exploration and development expenditures totaled $94 million in Q3/2021 that included the drilling of 57 (46.7 net) wells with a 100% success rate.
2021 Guidance
In 2021, we are benefiting from our diversified oil weighted portfolio and our commitment to allocate capital effectively. Based on the forward strip(1), we expect to generate over $400 million of free cash flow in 2021.
We are intensely focused on maintaining capital discipline. The Clearwater has emerged as one of the most profitable plays in Canada and our 2021 appraisal program has delivered production results beyond our initial expectations. As a result, we have committed to drill four additional Clearwater wells during the fourth quarter with the wells expected to be on-stream in late 2021. Accordingly, we are tightening our forecast 2021 exploration and development expenditures range to $300 to $315 million, as compared to $285 to $315 million, previously.
As a result of our continued strong operating performance through the first nine months of 2021, we are also tightening our production guidance range to 79,500 to 80,000 boe/d, up from 79,000 to 80,000 boe/d, previously.
We have also fine-tuned several of our cost assumptions. Our interest expense guidance is 3% lower due to reduced net debt and the repurchase and cancellation of a portion of the 5.625% long-term notes due 2024.
Operating Results
Eagle Ford and Viking Light Oil
Production in the Eagle Ford averaged 31,748 boe/d (79% oil and NGL) during Q3/2021, as compared to 33,957 boe/d in Q2/2021. The lower volumes reflect level of completion activity during the quarter. We commenced production from 17 (3.4 net) wells during the third quarter, as compared to 62 (17.2 net) wells in the first half of 2021. In Q3/2021, we invested $19 million on exploration and development in the Eagle Ford and generated an operating netback of $117 million. We expect to bring approximately 23 net wells on production in the Eagle Ford in 2021.
Production in the Viking averaged 17,132 boe/d (90% oil and NGL) during Q3/2021, as compared to 16,301 boe/d in Q2/2021. We maintained an active pace of development during the third quarter with 23.0 net wells drilled and 37.0 net wells brought on production. In Q3/2021, we invested $29 million on exploration and development and generated an operating netback of $88 million. We expect to bring approximately 115 net wells on production in the Viking during 2021.
Heavy Oil
Our heavy oil assets at Peace River and Lloydminster (excluding our Clearwater development) produced a combined 22,577 boe/d (91% oil and NGL) during the Q3/2021, as compared to 23,304 boe/d in Q2/2021. After a quiet first half of the year, our heavy oil program kicked off during the third quarter and included drilling 2 net Bluesky wells at Peace River and 14 net wells at Lloydminster. In Q3/2021, we invested $18 million on exploration and development in Peace River and Lloydminster and generated an operating netback of $60 million.
Peace River Clearwater
We are committed to building and maintaining respectful relationships with Indigenous communities and creating opportunities for meaningful economic participation and inclusion. In early 2020, we executed a strategic agreement with the Peavine Métis Settlement in the Peace River area that covered 60 sections of land directly to the south of our existing Seal operations. At the time, we identified significant potential for an early stage exploratory play targeting the Spirit River formation, a Clearwater formation equivalent. In August 2021, we executed a second strategic agreement with the Peavine Métis Settlement that covers an additional 20 sections, bringing our total Peavine acreage to 80 contiguous sections. When combined with our legacy acreage position in northwest Alberta, we estimate that over 120 sections are prospective for Clearwater development.
Production in the Clearwater averaged 1,540 bbl/d during Q3/2021. We currently have five producing wells on our Peavine acreage and production has increased from zero at the beginning of this year to approximately 1,900 bbl/d, currently. Our three eight-lateral wells continue to outperform type curve assumptions and two of our wells rank as the top initial rate wells drilled to-date across the play.
As we continue to progress our development plan, we have committed to drill four additional Clearwater wells during the fourth quarter. In addition, as part of our 2022 plan, which is to be confirmed and released in early December 2021, we are working with the Peavine Métis Settlement and are preparing to execute an expanded program of up to 18 wells. To-date, we have de-risked 20 sections of land and pending further success, the play holds the potential for greater than 200 locations. At current commodity prices, the Clearwater generates among the strongest economics within our portfolio with payouts of less than six months and has the ability to grow organically while enhancing our free cash flow profile.
Pembina Area Duvernay Light Oil
Production in the Pembina Duvernay averaged 1,528 boe/d (79% oil and NGL) during Q3/2021, as compared to 1,698 boe/d in Q2/2021. During the third quarter, we drilled two 100% working interest wells and initial flow back rates are very encouraging. The first well (7-8) was brought on-stream October 18 and is currently producing 1,010 boe/d (756 bbl/d oil, 162 bbl/d NGLs and 0.6 mmcf/d of natural gas). The second well (6-8) was brought on-stream October 30 and is currently producing 1,500 boe/d (1,270 bbl/d oil, 147 bbl/d NGLs and 0.5 mmcf/d of natural gas). We now have eleven producing wells in the Pembina area and have significantly de-risked our approximately 38-kilometre long acreage fairway, where we hold approximately 200 sections (100% working interest) of Duvernay land.
Financial Liquidity
Our credit facilities total approximately $1.0 billion and have a maturity date of April 2, 2024. These are not borrowing base facilities and do not require annual or semi-annual reviews. As of September 30, 2021, we had $471 million of undrawn capacity on our credit facilities, resulting in liquidity, net of working capital, of $454 million.
Our net debt, which includes our credit facilities, long-term notes and working capital, totaled $1.56 billion at September 30, 2021, down from $1.63 billion at June 30, 2021.
During 2021, we have repurchased and cancelled US$200 million of the 5.625% long term notes due June 2024. This represents 50% of the original US$400 million outstanding and includes US$84.5 million repurchased and cancelled subsequent to quarter end.
Risk Management
To manage commodity price movements, we utilize various financial derivative contracts and crude-by-rail to reduce the volatility of our adjusted funds flow.
For Q4/2021, we have entered into hedges on approximately 45% of our net crude oil exposure utilizing a combination of fixed price swaps at US$45/bbl and a 3-way option structure that provides price protection at US$44.71/bbl with upside participation to US$52.42/bbl. We also have WTI-MSW differential hedges on approximately 50% of our expected net Canadian light oil exposure at US$5.03/bbl and WCS differential hedges on approximately 45% of our net expected heavy oil exposure at a WTI-WCS differential of approximately US$13.23/bbl.
For 2022, we have entered into hedges on approximately 42% of our net crude oil exposure utilizing a combination of a 3-way option structure that provides price protection at US$57.76/bbl with upside participation to US$67.51/bbl and swaptions at US$53.50/bbl. We also have WTI-MSW differential hedges on approximately 25% of our expected net Canadian light oil exposure at US$4.43/bbl and WCS differential hedges on approximately 70% of our expected net heavy oil exposure at a WTI-WCS differential of approximately US$12.28/bbl.
A complete listing of our financial derivative contracts can be found in Note 16 to our Q3/2021 financial statements.
