PrimeWest Announces Distribution Level for December 2006 and Operating Guidance
for 2007
NOV 7, 2006 - 19:18 ET
CALGARY, ALBERTA--(CCNMatthews - Nov. 7, 2006) - PrimeWest Energy Trust (TSX:PWI.UN)(TSX:PWX)(TSX:PWI.DB.A)(TSX:PWI.DB.B)(NYSE:PWI)
(PrimeWest or the Trust) announces that the distribution payable December 15th,
2006 will be $0.25 per Trust Unit. The ex-distribution date is November 20th, 2006
and the record date is November 22nd, 2006.
Using a Canadian to U.S. dollar exchange rate of 1.1293, the distribution amount
is approximately US$0.22 per Trust Unit. The actual U.S. dollar equivalent distribution
will be based upon the U.S./Canadian dollar exchange rate in effect on the payment
date, net of applicable Canadian withholding taxes.
CORPORATE GUIDANCE 2007
PrimeWest also announces financial and operating guidance for 2007. PrimeWest plans
to release 2006 financial and operating results on February 21, 2007.
CORPORATE GUIDANCE 2007
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Production Volumes (BOE/day) 39,000 - 40,000
Natural Gas (MMcf/d) plus/minus 155.0
Crude Oil (Bbls/d) plus/minus 10,000
Natural Gas Liquids (Bbls/d) plus/minus 3,500
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Capital ($ millions)
Conventional Development (including Shallow Gas) $105
Tight Gas $ 50 - $ 75
US Assets $ 40
Coalbed Methane (CBM)(1) 0
Land, Seismic, maintenance, capitalized G&A
and lease rentals $ 35
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Total Capital $ 230 - 255
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Operating Costs ($ per BOE) $ 9.50 - $10.00
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(1) The timing of commercial Coalbed Methane development is contingent on
our long-term view of natural gas prices. A commercial development
program could be brought forward in 2007 depending on the strength of
the natural gas markets.
Capital
The 2007 capital program reflects continued development activities at our Tight
Gas, Conventional Development (including Shallow Gas properties) and the US Assets.
We expect to drill approximately 110 gross (92.9 net) operated wells and expect
our partners to drill approximately 44 gross (17.6 net) non-operated wells. PrimeWest
has identified approximately $1.0 billion of future development opportunities on
its assets to pursue over the next several years (including 2007 capital). This
development portfolio is subject to change based on fluctuating commodity prices,
federal tax initiatives and provincial government royalty policies.
Capital expenditures for the Tight Gas Play for 2007 are estimated at $50-$75 million,
primarily at Caroline and Columbia. Development plans at Columbia are highly sensitive
to natural gas prices. In the event of weakness in natural gas prices in 2007, development
activity at Columbia may be curtailed. Planned investments in the Conventional Development
Plays, which includes Shallow Gas, are estimated at $105 million. For 2007, $40
million has been allocated to further development and waterflood optimization projects
in relation to our US assets.
PrimeWest is not committing at this time to the commencement of commercial development
of its CBM resources in 2007. While preliminary tests confirm a large resource base
in place, the timing with respect to full-scale development of CBM assets will be
further evaluated in 2007 and will be contingent on our long-term view of the natural
gas price environment.
The proved plus probable reserves additions associated with the 2007 planned capital
spending should result in the replacement of greater than 100 percent of production.
Based on the current commodity price outlook, we anticipate a recycle ratio of over
2.0 from this program.
In order to continue building our development portfolio and to maintain a competitive
position in our core areas, PrimeWest has allocated $35 million to land and seismic
expenditures, maintenance, capitalized G&A and lease rentals.
Production
Production rates are expected to remain relatively stable during 2007, at 39,000
to 40,000 BOE/day. This forecast includes the potential sale of non-core assets
representing approximately 1,000 BOE/day of production, which we anticipate will
occur in the first half of 2007.
Operating Costs
PrimeWest expects operating costs to be between $9.50 and $10.00 per BOE. This estimate
reflects cost efficiencies implemented at our field operations in 2006, offset by
inflation considerations in the order of 7%, which have been applied to numerous
cost drivers, including operating services, power, chemical, repair and maintenance
and labour costs.
Other
For 2007, PrimeWest anticipates $5 million per month in proceeds from the Distribution
Reinvestment Program (DRIP).
PrimeWest is a Calgary-based conventional oil and gas royalty trust that actively
acquires, develops, produces, and sells natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas
liquids for the generation of monthly cash distributions to Unitholders.
Trust Units of PrimeWest trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol
"PWI.UN" and on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "PWI". Exchangeable
shares of PrimeWest Energy Inc. are listed on the TSX under the symbol "PWX". Five-year
convertible debentures of PrimeWest trade on the TSX under the symbol "PWI.DB.A"
and the seven-year convertible debentures trade under the symbol "PWI.DB.B".
To learn more about PrimeWest, please visit our Website at
www.primewestenergy.com
For Investor Relations inquiries, please contact our offices during regular business
hours. Calls are returned as promptly as possible, however, during times of high
call volume it may take up to two business days to respond.
This guidance document contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks
and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. Please refer
to PrimeWest's public disclosure documents for more information on these risks and
uncertainties as they apply to PrimeWest. Except for the historical and present
factual information contained herein, the matters set forth in this news release,
including words such as "expects", "forecasts", "projects", "plans", "outlook" and
similar expressions are forward-looking statements. PrimeWest Energy disclaims any
responsibility to update these forward-looking statements.
All calculations required to convert natural gas to a crude oil equivalent (BOE)
have been made using a ratio of 6,000 cubic feet of natural gas to 1 barrel of crude
oil. BOE's may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. The BOE conversion
ratio is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at
the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.
All figures reported in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated. Production figures
stated are Company Interest before the deduction of royalties.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
PrimeWest Energy Trust
Diane Zuber, CFA
Investor Relations Advisor
(403) 699-7356 or Toll-Free: 1-877-968-7878
Email: investor@primewestenergy.com
Website: www.primewestenergy.com