EX-99.2 3 d458893dex992.htm EX-99.2 EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017

This management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations (“MD&A”) of Obsidian Energy Ltd. (“Obsidian Energy”, the “Company”, “we”, “us”, “our”) should be read in conjunction with the Company’s unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2016. The date of this MD&A is November 9, 2017. All dollar amounts contained in this MD&A are expressed in millions of Canadian dollars unless noted otherwise.

Effective June 26, 2017, the Company changed its name from Penn West Petroleum Ltd. to Obsidian Energy Ltd.

Certain financial measures such as funds flow from operations, funds flow from operations per share-basic, funds flow from operations per share-diluted, netback, gross revenues and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) included in this MD&A do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and therefore are considered non-GAAP measures; accordingly, they may not be comparable to similar measures provided by other issuers. This MD&A also contains oil and gas information and forward-looking statements. Please see the Company’s disclosure under the headings “Non-GAAP Measures”, “Oil and Gas Information”, and “Forward-Looking Statements” included at the end of this MD&A.

Quarterly Financial Summary

(millions, except per share and production amounts)(unaudited)

 

     Sep. 30     June 30     Mar. 31      Dec. 31     Sep. 30     June 30     Mar. 31     Dec. 31  

Three months ended

   2017     2017     2017      2016     2016     2016     2016     2015  

Gross revenues (1)

   $ 98     $ 111     $ 132      $ 133     $ 136     $ 209     $ 231     $ 273  

Funds flow from operations

     40       43       57        48       32       55       47       39  

Basic per share

     0.08       0.09       0.11        0.10       0.06       0.11       0.09       0.08  

Diluted per share

     0.08       0.09       0.11        0.10       0.06       0.11       0.09       0.08  

Net income (loss)

     (44     (9     27        (232     (232     (132     (100     (1,606

Basic per share

     (0.09     (0.02     0.05        (0.46     (0.46     (0.26     (0.20     (3.20

Diluted per share

   $ (0.09   $ (0.02   $ 0.05      $ (0.46   $ (0.46   $ (0.26   $ (0.20   $ (3.20

Production

                 

Liquids (bbls/d) (2)

     18,779       19,033       21,169        21,295       23,355       41,848       53,012       53,339  

Natural gas (mmcf/d)

     68       68       82        103       107       130       144       144  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total (boe/d)

     30,166       30,436       34,900        38,481       41,233       63,568       77,010       77,398  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes realized gains and losses on commodity contracts.
(2) Includes crude oil and natural gas liquids.

 

OBSIDIAN ENERGY THIRD QUARTER 2017    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS     1


Calculation of Funds Flow from Operations

 

     Three months ended
September 30
     Nine months ended
September 30
 

(millions, except per share amounts)

   2017      2016      2017      2016  

Cash flow from operating activities

   $ 61      $ (98    $ 118      $ (93

Change in non-cash working capital

     (34      16        (18      103  

Decommissioning expenditures

     2        1        9        5  

Office lease settlements

     3        —          11        —    

Monetization of foreign exchange contracts

     —          —          —          (32

Settlements of normal course foreign exchange contracts

     —          (9      (8      (3

Monetization of transportation commitment

     —          —          —          (20

Realized foreign exchange loss – debt prepayments

     —          113        —          113  

Realized foreign exchange loss – debt maturities

     —          —          4        36  

Carried operating expenses (1)

     5        4        15        11  

Restructuring charges

     3        5        9        14  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Funds flow from operations

   $ 40      $ 32      $ 140      $ 134  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Per share

           

Basic per share

   $ 0.08      $ 0.06      $ 0.28      $ 0.27  

Diluted per share

   $ 0.08      $ 0.06      $ 0.28      $ 0.27  

 

(1) The benefit of carried operating expenses from the Company’s partner under the Peace River Oil Partnership.

In 2017, funds flow from operations increased from the comparable period mainly due to higher commodity prices and an improved cost structure, specifically lower operating costs and general and administrative expenses. This was partially offset by lower production levels from asset disposition activity which resulted in lower revenues.

On a year-to-date basis in 2017, the Company repaid senior notes in the amount of US$15 million (2016 – $627 million maturities and prepayments in aggregate) as part of normal course maturities resulting in a realized foreign exchange loss. In 2017, the Company had a foreign exchange forward contract mature with a notional value of US$25 million and recorded a realized gain of $8 million.

In 2016, the Company monetized a total of US$115 million of foreign exchange forward contracts and recorded a $32 million realized gain and permanently disposed of a pipeline commitment and received $20 million of proceeds from the sale.

 

OBSIDIAN ENERGY THIRD QUARTER 2017    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS    2


Business Strategy

In 2017, the Company has taken a balanced and disciplined approach to developing its asset portfolio with a focus on organic production growth and living within funds flow from operations. During the third quarter of 2017, the Company completed its most active quarter in 2017 with capital expenditures totaling $55 million.

The Company’s key focuses in 2017 include:

 

    further development of the Company’s light-oil Cardium interests by focusing on integrated waterflood development to build a long-term, low-decline base;

 

    primary, “cold-flow”, development within the Peace River area with the support of the Company’s joint venture partner under the Peace River Oil Partnership;

 

    leveraging existing infrastructure within the Alberta Viking area to profit from the shorter cycle time and quick payout of wells in the area; and

 

    pursuing Deep Basin development on existing land positions, which includes development in the Mannville, which begun during the third quarter of 2017.

In early 2017, the Company completed its formal asset disposition program and closed transactions to dispose of properties located in British Columbia, the Swan Hills area of Alberta as well as other minor asset dispositions to further concentrate its asset portfolio. The Company’s operations are now solely focused in Alberta.

As Obsidian Energy moves forward, the Company believes its plans offer a predictable growth profile focused on creating liquids weighted, sustainable value for all stakeholders.

Business Environment

The following table outlines quarterly averages for benchmark prices and the Company’s realized prices for the previous five quarters.

 

     Q3 2017     Q2 2017     Q1 2017     Q4 2016     Q3 2016  

Benchmark prices

          

WTI crude oil ($US/bbl)

   $ 48.21     $ 48.29     $ 51.91     $ 49.29     $ 44.95  

Edm mixed sweet par price (CAD$/bbl)

     56.63       61.83       63.87       61.58       54.68  

NYMEX Henry Hub ($US/mcf)

     3.00       3.18       3.32       2.98       2.81  

AECO Index (CAD$/mcf)

     1.75       2.78       2.82       2.95       2.26  

Foreign exchange rate (CAD$/$US)

     1.2528       1.3449       1.3238       1.3344       1.3046  

Average sales price (1)

          

Light oil (CAD$/bbl)

     55.94       61.46       63.21       58.76       53.97  

Heavy oil (CAD$/bbl)

     30.36       31.61       33.21       27.09       21.67  

NGL (CAD$/bbl)

     28.29       29.14       27.79       25.09       17.91  

Total liquids (CAD$/bbl)

     45.05       48.86       51.15       45.82       40.81  

Natural gas (CAD$/mcf)

     2.35       3.10       3.22       2.98       2.46  

Benchmark differentials

          

WTI—Edm Light Sweet ($US/bbl)

     (2.89     (2.26     (3.54     (3.11     (2.96

WTI—WCS Heavy ($US/bbl)

   $ (9.94   $ (11.13   $ (14.58   $ (14.32   $ (13.50

 

(1) Excludes the impact of realized hedging gains or losses.

Crude Oil

During the third quarter of 2017, WTI prices recovered from the end of the previous quarter trading between US$44 per barrel to US$52 per barrel for an average of US$48.21 per barrel. Continued discussions of supply versus demand rebalancing and commitments to extended production ceilings by OPEC and non-OPEC producers contributed to the improved market outlook.

 

OBSIDIAN ENERGY THIRD QUARTER 2017    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS     3


Canadian heavy oil differentials continued to narrow through the third quarter of 2017 as outages and turnarounds contributed to strong demand for Canadian heavy oil. Light oil prices widened as synthetic crude supply returned to the market that was previously offline due to maintenance.

Currently, the Company has the following crude oil hedges in place:

 

     Q4 2017      Q1 2018      Q2 2018      Q3 2018      Q4 2018      Q1 2019      Q2 2019  

WTI $USD

     —        $ 50.82      $ 50.00      $ 50.05      $ 49.78      $ 50.02        —    

bbl/day

     —          7,000        7,000        8,000        8,000        3,000        —    

WTI $CAD

   $ 67.70      $ 71.03      $ 71.03      $ 71.04      $ 71.04      $ 66.90      $ 67.30  

bbl/day

     7,900        5,000        5,000        4,000        4,000        4,000        2,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total bbl/day

     7,900        12,000        12,000        12,000        12,000        7,000        2,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Additionally, the Company has the following foreign exchange contracts in place for 2018:

 

    Foreign exchange swaps at an average of 1.261 on notional US$6 million per month.

 

    Foreign exchange collar at an average of 1.210 – 1.272 on notional US$2 million per month.

Natural Gas

NYMEX Henry Hub natural gas prices traded between US$2.90 per mcf and US$3.15 per mcf for the third quarter of 2017 and averaged US$3.00 per mcf. AECO prices in Alberta experienced significant volatility as major restrictions on the TransCanada pipeline system caused fluctuations in daily gas prices which led to downward pressure on the AECO basis differential to Henry Hub.

Currently, the Company has the following natural gas hedges in place:

 

     Q4 2017      Q1 2018      Q2 2018      Q3 2018      Q4 2018  

AECO $CAD

   $ 3.00      $ 2.83      $ 2.72      $ 2.67      $ 2.67  

mcf/day

     20,900        28,400        22,700        17,100        15,200  

Ventura $USD (1)

     —        $ 2.79      $ 2.79      $ 2.79      $ 2.79  

mcf/day

     —          7,500        7,500        7,500        7,500  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total mcf/day

     20,900        35,900        30,200        24,600        22,700  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Until the third quarter of 2020, the Company has an agreement in place to sell 15 mmcf per day at the Ventura index price less the cost of transportation from AECO. Recent transportation deductions for the Company to bring product to the Ventura market have been approximately $0.55 per mcf.

 

OBSIDIAN ENERGY THIRD QUARTER 2017    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS    4


Average Sales Prices

 

     Three months ended
September 30
    Nine months ended
September 30
 
   2017      2016      %

change

    2017      2016      %

change

 

Light oil (per bbl)

   $ 55.94      $ 53.97        4     $ 60.37      $ 46.16        31  

Commodity gain (per bbl) (1)

     4.78        15.14        (68     6.66        11.11        (40
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Light oil net (per bbl)

     60.72        69.11        (12     67.03        57.27        17  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Heavy oil (per bbl)

     30.36        21.67        40       31.69        20.12        58  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NGL (per bbl)

     28.29        17.91        58       27.79        15.79        76  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Natural gas (per mcf)

     2.35        2.46        (4     2.91        1.92        52  

Commodity gain (per mcf) (1)

     0.22        0.13        69       0.10        0.23        (57
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Natural gas net (per mcf)

     2.57        2.59        (1     3.01        2.15        40  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average (per boe)

     33.37        29.50        13       36.60        27.86        31  

Commodity gain (per boe) (1)

     2.24        5.58        (60     2.69        5.19        (48
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average net (per boe)

   $ 35.61      $ 35.08        2     $ 39.29      $ 33.05        19  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Realized risk management gains and losses on commodity contracts are included in gross revenues.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Production

 

     Three months ended
September 30
    Nine months ended
September 30
 

Daily production

   2017      2016      %

change

    2017      2016      %

change

 

Light oil (bbls/d)

     10,975        14,236        (23     11,768        25,658        (54

Heavy oil (bbls/d)

     5,456        5,711        (4     5,434        9,844        (45

NGL (bbls/d)

     2,349        3,408        (31     2,450        3,844        (36

Natural gas (mmcf/d)

     68        107        (36     73        127        (43
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total production (boe/d)

     30,166        41,233        (27     31,816        60,533        (47
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company continued to experience strong production results due to results from its development program and improvements in its base production declines from waterflood performance. As a result, the Company remains on track to deliver double-digit percentage production growth from the fourth quarter of 2016 to the fourth quarter of 2017. Additionally, during the first nine months of 2017, the Company completed its formal asset disposition program and closed several dispositions which included properties located in British Columbia and in the Swan Hills area of Alberta. Associated average production on these dispositions was 10,600 boe per day.

During the third quarter of 2017, average production within the Company’s key development areas and within the Company’s Legacy area was as follows:

 

    Cardium—18,876 boe per day

 

    Peace River—4,823 boe per day

 

    Alberta Viking—1,766 boe per day

 

    Legacy—4,701 boe per day

 

OBSIDIAN ENERGY THIRD QUARTER 2017    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS    5


In 2016, the Company closed several asset dispositions with associated average production of approximately 30,000 boe per day as it focused on reducing its debt levels. This resulted in a decline in production in 2017 compared to 2016. Significant dispositions in 2016 included:

 

    the Saskatchewan Viking disposition in June which had associated average production of approximately 13,700 boe per day;

 

    the Slave Point disposition in April which had associated average production of approximately 3,900 boe per day; and

 

    several non-core asset dispositions during the third quarter of 2016 with associated average production of approximately 6,000 boe per day.

Netbacks

 

     Three months ended September 30  
     2017      2016  
     Liquids
(bbl)
     Natural Gas
(mcf)
     Combined
(boe)
     Combined
(boe)
 

Operating netback:

           

Sales price (1)

   $ 45.05      $ 2.35      $ 33.37      $ 29.50  

Commodity gain (2)

     2.79        0.22        2.24        5.58  

Royalties

     (3.22      (0.11      (2.27      (1.63

Transportation

     (3.00      (0.23      (2.38      (1.71

Operating costs

     (14.83      (1.34      (12.26      (13.40
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Netback

   $ 26.79      $ 0.89      $ 18.70      $ 18.34  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (bbls/d)      (mmcf/d)      (boe/d)      (boe/d)  

Production

     18,779        68        30,166        41,233  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Excluded from the netback calculation for 2016 was $3 million of other income.
(2) Realized risk management gains and losses on commodity contracts.

In the third quarter of 2017, the Company’s netbacks were comparable to the prior year as higher commodity prices were partially offset by lower commodity gains. Operating costs include the benefit of carried operating expenses from the Company’s partner under the Peace River Oil Partnership of $5 million or $1.79 per boe on a total Company basis (2016—$4 million or $1.04 per boe). The Company anticipates to fully utilize the deferred funding asset by the end of 2017.

 

     Nine months ended September 30  
     2017      2016  
     Liquids
(bbl)
     Natural Gas
(mcf)
     Combined
(boe)
     Combined
(boe)
 

Operating netback:

           

Sales price (1)

   $ 48.45      $ 2.91      $ 36.60      $ 27.86  

Commodity gain (2)

     3.99        0.10        2.69        5.19  

Royalties

     (3.56      (0.15      (2.54      (1.04

Transportation

     (2.84      (0.32      (2.50      (1.74

Operating costs

     (15.35      (1.84      (13.70      (12.99
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Netback

   $ 30.69      $ 0.70      $ 20.55      $ 17.28  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (bbls/d)      (mmcf/d)      (boe/d)      (boe/d)  

Production

     19,652        73        31,816        60,533  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Excluded from the netback calculation for 2016 was $28 million of other income which was primarily related to proceeds received by the Company from disposing a pipeline commitment.
(2) Realized risk management gains and losses on commodity contracts.

 

OBSIDIAN ENERGY THIRD QUARTER 2017    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS    6


For the first nine months of 2017, the Company’s netbacks increased from 2016 primarily due to improvements in commodity prices which was partially offset by lower commodity gains and higher royalties. The Company continues to have an active hedging program as it aims to mitigate volatility in the commodity price environment. Operating costs include the benefit of carried operating expenses from the Company’s partner under the Peace River Oil Partnership of $15 million or $1.75 per boe on a total Company basis (2016—$11 million or $0.66 per boe).

Production Revenues

Revenues from the sale of liquids and natural gas consisted of the following:

 

     Three months ended
September 30
    Nine months ended
September 30
 

(millions)

   2017      2016      %
change
    2017      2016      %
change
 

Liquids

   $ 82      $ 110        (25   $ 281      $ 501        (44

Natural gas

     16        26        (38     60        75        (20
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross revenues (1)

   $ 98      $ 136        (28   $ 341      $ 576        (41
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes realized risk management gain on commodity contracts which totaled $6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 (2016—$21 million) and $23 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (2016—$86 million).

Gross revenues have reduced from the prior year as a result of significant disposition activity, mainly in 2016, which led to a decrease in production and revenue. This was partially offset by increases in the commodity price environment, specifically crude oil prices.

Reconciliation of Change in Production Revenues

 

(millions)

      

Gross revenues—January 1—September 30, 2016

   $ 576  

Decrease in liquids production

     (257

Increase in liquids prices (1)

     65  

Decrease in natural gas production

     (32

Increase in natural gas prices (1)

     17  

Decrease in other income (2)

     (28
  

 

 

 

Gross revenues—January 1—September 30, 2017

   $ 341  
  

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes realized risk management gains and losses on commodity contracts.
(2) Decrease in other income mainly relates to proceeds received from disposing of a pipeline commitment in 2016.

Royalties

 

     Three months ended
September 30
     Nine months ended
September 30
 
     2017     2016     %
change
     2017     2016     %
change
 

Royalties (millions)

   $ 6     $ 6            $ 22     $ 17       29  

Average royalty rate (1)

     7     5     40        7     4     75  

$/boe

   $ 2.27     $ 1.63       39      $ 2.54     $ 1.04       >100  

 

(1) Excludes effects of risk management activities.

In 2017, royalties have increased from the comparable periods as a result of improved crude oil prices. Additionally, in the second quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a $2 million provision as a result of receiving its annual gas cost allowance invoice (2016—$8 million credit).

 

OBSIDIAN ENERGY THIRD QUARTER 2017    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS    7


Expenses

 

     Three months ended
September 30
    Nine months ended
September 30
 

(millions)

   2017      2016      %
change
    2017      2016      %
change
 

Operating

   $ 39      $ 55        (29   $ 134      $ 227        (41

Transportation

     6        7        (14     21        29        (28

Financing

     6        22        (73     17        103        (83

Share-based compensation

   $ 2      $ 4        (50   $ 6      $ 11        (45

 

     Three months ended
September 30
    Nine months ended
September 30
 

(per boe)

   2017      2016      %
Change
    2017      2016      %
change
 

Operating (1)

   $ 12.26      $ 13.40        (9   $ 13.70      $ 12.99        5  

Transportation

     2.38        1.71        39       2.50        1.74        44  

Financing

     1.99        5.70        (65     1.93        6.20        (69

Share-based compensation

   $ 0.51      $ 1.23        (59   $ 0.65      $ 0.70        (7

 

(1) Includes the benefit of carried operating expenses from its partner under the Peace River Oil Partnership of $5 million or $1.79 per boe (2016 - $4 million or $1.04 per boe) for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and $15 million or $1.75 per boe (2016 - $11 million or $0.66 per boe) for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Operating

The Company’s per boe metrics improved on a quarterly basis as a result of successfully implementing several initiatives to increase efficiencies in its field operations and a more focused asset base compared to the third quarter of 2016.

On a year-to-date basis, in early 2017, the timing of certain asset disposition activity and costs associated with assets sold or held for sale led to a higher per boe figure than the comparable period. Additionally, in early 2017 the Company increased its maintenance activity compared to 2016 when all discretionary spending was reduced as it focused on debt reduction.

On an absolute basis, operating costs decreased from the comparable periods as the Company completed several asset dispositions and focused its operations within Alberta.

The Company continues to target annual 2017 operating costs of $13.00 - $13.50 per boe, net of carried operating costs.

Transportation

In 2017, transportation costs on a per boe basis increased from the comparable periods as the Company’s Peace River asset, which has higher average trucking costs due to its proximity to market, is now a larger percentage of the Company’s portfolio as a result of disposition activity closed over the past year.

Financing

In the second quarter of 2017, the Company transitioned to a reserve-based syndicated credit facility. The underlying borrowing base of the syndicated credit facility is $550 million, less the amount of outstanding pari passu senior notes and outstanding GBP cross currency swap, resulting in $410 million currently available under the credit facility. The initial revolving period of the syndicated credit facility ends on May 17, 2018, with an additional one-year term out period, and is subject to a semi-annual borrowing base redetermination in May and November of each year. At September 30, 2017, the Company had $145 million of unused credit capacity available under the syndicated credit facility.

 

OBSIDIAN ENERGY THIRD QUARTER 2017    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS    8


At September 30, 2017, the value of the Company’s senior notes was $113 million (December 31, 2016 – $140 million). Summary information on our senior notes outstanding as at September 30, 2017 is as follows:

 

    

Issue date

  

Amount (millions)

  

Term

  

Average

interest

rate

  

Weighted

average

remaining

term

2007 Notes

   May 31, 2007    US$5    8 – 15 years    5.90%    1.7

2008 Notes

   May 29, 2008    US$28    8 – 12 years    6.31%    1.0

2009 Notes

   May 5, 2009    US$8    5 – 10 years    9.32%    1.6

2010 Q1 Notes

   March 16, 2010    US$10    5 – 15 years    5.85%    2.5

2010 Q4 Notes

   December 2, 2010, January 4, 2011    US$27    5 – 15 years    4.78%    3.4

2011 Notes

   November 30, 2011    US$12    5 – 10 years    4.78%    4.1

Obsidian Energy’s debt structure includes short-term financings under its syndicated credit facility and long-term financing through its senior notes. Financing charges in 2017 decreased from 2016 as the Company applied asset disposition proceeds to re-pay outstanding indebtedness on its syndicated credit facility and to pre-pay outstanding senior notes.

In 2015, as part of entering into amending agreements with its lenders and noteholders, the Company agreed to grant floating charge security over all of its property in favour of the lenders and the noteholders on a pari passu basis, which security will be fully released on such date when both (a) no default or event of default is continuing under the Company’s syndicated credit facility or senior notes and (b) the Company has achieved both (i) a Senior Debt to EBITDA ratio of 3:1 or less for four consecutive quarters, and (ii) an investment grade rating on its senior secured debt.

The interest rates on any non-hedged portion of the Company’s syndicated credit facility are subject to fluctuations in short-term money market rates as advances on the syndicated credit facility are generally made under short-term instruments. As at September 30, 2017, 69 percent (December 31, 2016 – 70 percent) of the Company’s outstanding debt instruments were exposed to changes in short-term interest rates.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-based compensation expense relates to the Company’s Stock Option Plan (the “Option Plan”), Restricted and Performance Share Unit Plan (“RPSU”), Deferred Share Unit Plan (“DSU”) and Performance Share Unit Plan (“PSU”).

Share-based compensation consisted of the following:

 

     Three months ended
September 30
    Nine months ended
September 30
 

(millions)

   2017      2016      %
change
    2017     2016      %
change
 

Options

   $ —        $ 1        (100   $ —       $ 2        (100

RPSU—liability method

     —          1        (100     (1     3      > (100

RPSU—equity method

     2        1        100       6       4        50  

PSU

     —          1        (100     1       2        (50
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Share-based compensation

   $ 2      $ 4        (50   $ 6     $ 11        (45
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The share price used in the fair value calculation of the RPSU plan under the liability method, PSU and DSU obligations at September 30, 2017 was $1.32 (2016 – $2.35). Share-based compensation related to the DSU was insignificant in both periods.

 

OBSIDIAN ENERGY THIRD QUARTER 2017    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS    9


General and Administrative Expenses

 

     Three months ended
September 30
    Nine months ended
September 30
 

(millions, except per boe amounts)

   2017      2016      %
change
    2017      2016      %
change
 

Gross

   $ 11      $ 22        (50   $ 37      $ 65        (43

Per boe

     4.06        5.82        (30     4.29        3.91        10  

Net

     6        14        (57     22        43        (49

Per boe

   $ 2.36      $ 3.74        (37   $ 2.60      $ 2.59        —    

In 2016 and in early 2017, the Company completed several asset dispositions which resulted in a reduced workforce and lower cost structure.

In the comparable period in 2016, the Company released a bonus provision totaling $2 million which had a $0.12 per boe effect on a year-to-date basis.

Restructuring Expense

 

     Three months ended
September 30
    Nine months ended
September 30
 

(millions, except per boe amounts)

   2017      2016      %
change
    2017      2016      %
change
 

Restructuring

   $ 3      $ 111        (97   $ 9      $ 122        (93

Per boe

   $ 1.11      $ 29.25        (96   $ 1.03      $ 7.34        (86

In 2017, as a result of disposition activity, the Company aligned its organizational structure to its operations which led to lower staff levels and associated restructuring costs.

In 2016, the Company recorded a charge totaling $108 million on certain office lease commitments as they were considered onerous contracts. The charge was the result of completing several asset dispositions that led to staff reductions and the need for less office space.

Depletion, Depreciation, Impairment and Accretion

 

     Three months ended
September 30
    Nine months ended
September 30
 

(millions, except per boe amounts)

   2017      2016      %
change
    2017      2016      %
change
 

Depletion and depreciation (“D&D”)

   $ 74      $ 62        19     $ 217      $ 295        (26

D&D expense per boe

     26.94        16.57        63       25.06        17.87        40  

PP&E Impairment

     4        18        (78     3        223        (99

PP&E Impairment per boe

     1.40        4.75        (71     0.31        13.45        (98

Accretion of decommissioning liability

     3        4        (25     9        18        (50

Accretion expense per boe

   $ 1.08      $ 1.19        (9   $ 1.04      $ 1.09        (5

On a year-to-date basis, the Company’s total D&D expense decreased from the comparative period mainly due to asset disposition activity and impairment charges recorded in 2016.

In 2016, the Company announced it had entered into a definitive sale agreement to sell several assets. As the sales were not closed by the balance sheet dates, the assets were classified as held for sale and impairment tests were required. As the book value of these assets exceeded the fair value received, non-cash impairment charges of $163 million ($223 million before-tax) were recorded.

 

OBSIDIAN ENERGY THIRD QUARTER 2017    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS    10


Taxes

 

     Three months ended
September 30
    Nine months ended
September 30
 

(millions)

   2017      2016      %
change
    2017      2016      %
change
 

Deferred tax recovery

   $ 17      $ 83        (80   $ 10      $ 186        (95

The deferred income tax recovery in the comparable periods were primarily due to impairment charges as a result of classifying certain properties as held for sale.

Foreign Exchange

Obsidian Energy records unrealized foreign exchange gains or losses to translate U.S. denominated senior secured notes and the related accrued interest to Canadian dollars using the exchange rates in effect on the balance sheet date. Realized foreign exchange gains or losses are recorded upon repayment of the senior notes.

The split between realized and unrealized foreign exchange losses is as follows:

 

     Three months ended
September 30
    Nine months ended
September 30
 

(millions)

   2017      2016     %
change
    2017     2016     %
change
 

Realized foreign exchange loss on maturities

   $      $           $ (4   $ (36     (89

Realized foreign exchange loss on prepayments

            (113     (100           (113     (100

Unrealized foreign exchange gain

     3        94       (97     9       235       (96
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Foreign exchange gain

   $ 3      $ (19   > (100   $ 5     $ 86       (94
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the first nine months of 2017, debt maturities on senior notes totaled US$15 million (2016 – $627 million maturities and prepayments in aggregate) and led to the realized foreign exchange loss.

The unrealized foreign exchange gains in 2017 are due to the strengthening of the Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar.

Net Loss

 

     Three months ended
September 30
    Nine months ended
September 30
 

(millions, except per share amounts)

   2017     2016     %
change
    2017     2016     %
change
 

Net loss

   $ (44   $ (232     (81   $ (26   $ (464     (94

Basic per share

     (0.09     (0.46     (80     (0.05     (0.92     (95

Diluted per share

   $ (0.09   $ (0.46     (80   $ (0.05   $ (0.92     (95

In both periods of 2017, the net loss was lower as the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges in 2016 as a result of classifying certain properties as assets held for sale.

 

OBSIDIAN ENERGY THIRD QUARTER 2017    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS    11


Capital Expenditures

 

     Three months ended
September 30
    Nine months ended
September 30
 

(millions)

   2017     2016     %
change
    2017     2016     %
change
 

Drilling and completions

   $ 44     $ 13       >100     $ 78     $ 31       >100  

Facilities and well equipping

     22       4       >100       59       20       >100  

Land and geological/geophysical

     2       1       100       4       4        

Corporate

     1             100       1             100  

Capital carried by partners

     (14     (5     >100       (37     (23     61  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Exploration and development capital expenditures

     55       13       >100       105       32       >100  

SR&ED tax credits

                             (3     (100

Property acquisitions (dispositions), net

     2       (76     >(100     (71     (1,401     (95
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total capital expenditures

   $ 57     $ (63     >(100   $ 34     $ (1,372     >(100
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

During the third quarter of 2017, the Company continued to focus its development activities across its three key areas which include the Cardium, Peace River and Alberta Viking. Key activities during the third quarter included:

 

    Cardium—Drilled four producers and continue to focus on the Company’s waterflood platform by drilling five injectors.

 

    Peace River—Favourable weather conditions during the quarter allowed for eight gross wells drilled and seven gross wells brought on production.

 

    Alberta Viking – Continued to experience excellent results in the area with six wells drilled and six brought on production.

 

    Mannville—Drilled the Company’s first three wells in the area with strong initial results with one well brought on production during the quarter and the other two in early October.

In October 2017, the Company entered into a definitive sales agreement to dispose of certain royalty interests in east central Alberta. Total proceeds from this transaction are expected to be $40 million, subject to closing adjustments. The Company anticipates this transaction to close in November 2017.

Gain on asset dispositions

 

     Three months ended
September 30
    Nine months ended
September 30
 

(millions)

   2017      2016      %
change
    2017     2016     %
change
 

Loss (gain) on asset dispositions

   $      $ 2        (100   $ (40   $ (30     33  

In early 2017, the Company closed several property dispositions as it focused its asset portfolio to within Alberta.

Environmental and Climate Change

The oil and gas industry has a number of environmental risks and hazards and is subject to regulation by all levels of government. Environmental legislation includes, but is not limited to, operational controls, site restoration requirements and restrictions on emissions of various substances produced in association with oil and natural gas operations. Compliance with such legislation could require additional expenditures and a failure to comply may result in fines and penalties which could, in the aggregate and under certain assumptions, become material.

Obsidian Energy is dedicated to managing the environmental impact from its operations through its environmental programs which include resource conservation, water management and site abandonment/reclamation/remediation. Operations are continuously monitored to minimize environmental impact and allocate sufficient capital to reclamation and other activities to mitigate the impact on the areas in which the Company operates.

 

OBSIDIAN ENERGY THIRD QUARTER 2017    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS    12


Liquidity and Capital Resources

Capitalization

 

(millions)

   September 30, 2017      December 31, 2016  

Common shares issued, at market (1)

   $ 666      $ 1,192  

Credit facility and long-term notes

     364        469  

Cash

     (4      (11
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total enterprise value

   $ 1,026      $ 1,650  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) The share price at September 30, 2017 was $1.32 (December 31, 2016 - $2.37).

The Company’s working capital deficiency was $46 million at September 30, 2017 (December 31, 2016 – $29 million deficiency) which excludes the current portion of deferred funding asset, risk management, long-term debt and provisions. As at December 31, 2016, $4 million working capital surplus was related to assets classified as held for sale.

Liquidity

In the second quarter of 2017, the Company transitioned to a reserve-based syndicated credit facility. For further details on the Company’s debt instruments, please refer to the “Financing” section of this MD&A.

The Company actively manages its debt portfolio and considers opportunities to reduce or diversify its debt capital structure. Management contemplates both operating and financial risks and takes action as appropriate to limit the Company’s exposure to certain risks. Management maintains close relationships with the Company’s lenders and agents to monitor credit market developments. These actions and plans aim to increase the likelihood of maintaining the Company’s financial flexibility and capital program, supporting the Company’s ability to capture opportunities in the market and execute longer-term business strategies.

The Company has a number of covenants related to its senior notes and syndicated credit facility. On September 30, 2017, the Company was in compliance with all of these financial covenants which consisted of the following:

 

    

Limit

   September 30, 2017  

Senior debt to EBITDA (1)

   Less than 3:1      1.9  

Total debt to EBITDA (1)

   Less than 4:1      1.9  

Senior debt to capitalization

   Less than 50%      14

Total debt to capitalization

   Less than 55%      14

 

(1) EBITDA is calculated in accordance with Obsidian Energy’s lending agreements wherein unrealized risk management gains and losses and impairment provisions are excluded. Additionally, under the syndicated credit facility, realized foreign exchange gains or losses related to debt maturities are excluded from the calculation.

 

OBSIDIAN ENERGY THIRD QUARTER 2017    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS    13


Financial Instruments

Obsidian Energy had the following financial instruments outstanding as at September 30, 2017. Fair values are determined using external counterparty information, which is compared to observable market data. The Company limits its credit risk by executing counterparty risk procedures which include transacting only with institutions within its syndicated credit facility or companies with high credit ratings and by obtaining financial security in certain circumstances.

 

    

Notional
volume

  

Remaining

Term

  

Pricing

   Fair value
(millions)
 

Crude Oil

           

WTI Swaps

   7,900 bbl/d    Oct/17 – Dec/17    CAD$67.70/bbl    $ 4  

WTI Swaps

   6,000 bbl/d    Jan/18 – Mar/18    US$51.07/bbl      (1

WTI Swaps

   1,000 bbl/d    Jan/18 – Jun/18    CAD$71.00/bbl      1  

WTI Swaps

   1,000 bbl/d    Jan/18 – Dec/18    US$49.35/bbl      (1

WTI Swaps

   4,000 bbl/d    Apr/18 – Jun/18    US$50.95/bbl      (1

WTI Swaps

   2,000 bbl/d    Apr/18 – Dec/18    US$48.43/bbl      (2

WTI Swaps

   2,000 bbl/d    Jul/18 – Sep/18    US$51.90/bbl      —    

WTI Swaps

   2,000 bbl/d    Jul/18 – Dec/18    US$50.09/bbl      (1

WTI Swaps

   1,000 bbl/d    Jul/18 – Mar/19    US$50.20/bbl      —    

WTI Swaps

   2,000 bbl/d    Oct/18 – Dec/18    US$50.81/bbl      —    

WTI Swaps

   2,000 bbl/d    Jan/19 – Mar/19    US$49.93/bbl      —    

Natural gas

           

AECO Swaps

   15,200 mcf/d    Oct/17 – Dec/17    $3.03/mcf      2  

AECO Swaps

   3,800 mcf/d    Jan/18 – Mar/18    $3.33/mcf      —    

AECO Swaps

   3,800 mcf/d    Jan/18 – Jun/18    $2.84/mcf      —    

AECO Swaps

   15,200 mcf/d    Jan/18 – Dec/18    $2.67/mcf      2  

AECO Swaps

   1,900 mcf/d    Oct/17 – Mar/18    $3.19/mcf      —    

AECO Swaps

   1,900 mcf/d    Oct/17 – Jun/18    $2.91/mcf      —    

AECO Swaps

   1,900 mcf/d    Oct/17 – Sep/18    $2.69/mcf      —    

Foreign exchange collar

           

12-month term

   US$24    2018    1.210 to 1.272 USD/CAD      —    

Cross currency swaps

           

10-year initial term

   £57    2018    2.0075 CAD/GBP, 6.95%      (18

18-month offset

   (£43)    2018    1.7049 CAD/GBP, 6.95%      —    

10-year initial term

   £5    2019    1.8051 CAD/GBP, 9.15%      —    

10-year initial term

   €10    2019    1.5870 CAD/EUR, 9.22%      (1
           

 

 

 

Total

            $ (16
           

 

 

 

Subsequent to September 30, 2017, the Company entered into the following crude oil, natural gas and foreign exchange swaps:

 

Reference Price

  

Term

  

Price

  

Volume

WTI

   2018    CAD$71.04/bbl    4,000 bbls/d

WTI

   Jan/19 – Mar/19    CAD$66.50/bbl    2,000 bbls/d

WTI

   Jan/19 – Jun/19    CAD$67.30/bbl    2,000 bbls/d

Ventura (1)

   2018    US$2.79/mcf    7,500 mcf/d

 

(1) Until the third quarter of 2020, the Company has an agreement in place to sell 15 mmcf per day at the Ventura index price less the cost of transportation from AECO. Recent transportation deductions for the Company to bring product to the Ventura market have been approximately $0.55 per mcf.

 

OBSIDIAN ENERGY THIRD QUARTER 2017    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS    14


Instrument

   Term      Notional Value      Pricing  

FX Swap

     2018      US$ 24        1.250 USD/CAD  

FX Swap

     2018      US$ 24        1.257 USD/CAD  

FX Swap

     2018      US$ 24        1.277 USD/CAD  

The components of risk management gain (loss) are as follows:

 

     Three months ended
September 30
    Nine months ended
September 30
 

(millions)

   2017     2016     %
change
    2017     2016     %
change
 

Realized

            

Settlement of commodity contracts

and assignment

   $ 6     $ 21       (71   $ 23     $ 84       (73

Monetization of commodity contracts

     —         —         —         —         2       (100

Settlement of foreign exchange contracts

     —         9       (100     8       3       >100  

Monetization of foreign exchange contracts

     —         —         —         —         32       (100
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total realized risk management gain

   $ 6     $ 30       (80   $ 31     $ 121       (74

Unrealized

            

Commodity contracts

   $ (16   $ (5     >100     $ 30     $ (41     >(100

Electricity swaps

     —         —         —         —         2       (100

Crude oil assignment

     —         —         —         —         —         —    

Foreign exchange contracts

     —         4       (100     (8     (43     (81

Cross-currency swaps

     —         (1     (100     5       (29     >(100
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total unrealized risk management gain (loss)

     (16     (2     >100       27       (111     >(100
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Risk management gain (loss)

   $ (10   $ 28       >(100   $ 58     $ 10       >100  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

During the first nine months of 2017, the Company had a foreign exchange forward contract maturity with a notional value of US$25 million resulting in a gain on foreign exchange contracts. In 2016, the Company monetized a total of US$115 million of foreign exchange forward contracts and unwound AECO swap contracts totalling 14,100 mcf per day.

During the first nine months of 2017, the Company had no outstanding electricity contracts (2016 –$5 million realized loss).

Outlook

For 2017, Obsidian Energy’s capital program is expected to provide double-digit percentage production growth from the fourth quarter of 2016 to the fourth quarter of 2017 as well as average production near the high end of full year guidance. The Company expects to pay for its capital program using funds flow from operations. There have been no changes to the Company’s guidance ranges as previously disclosed in its August 9, 2017 second quarter results release.

 

Metric

       

2017 Guidance Range

Average Production

   boe per day    30,500 – 31,500

E&D Capital Expenditures

   $ millions    $145

Decommissioning Expenditures

   $ millions    $15

Operating costs (1)

   $/boe    $13.00 – $13.50

 

(1) Includes the benefit of carried operating costs from the Company’s partner under the Peace River Oil Partnership.

 

OBSIDIAN ENERGY THIRD QUARTER 2017    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS    15


This outlook section is included to provide shareholders with information about the Company’s expectations as at November 9, 2017 for production, exploration and development capital expenditures, decommissioning expenditures and operating costs for 2017 and readers are cautioned that the information may not be appropriate for any other purpose. This information constitutes forward-looking information. Readers should note the assumptions, risks and discussion under “Forward-Looking Statements” and are cautioned that numerous factors could potentially impact Obsidian Energy’s capital expenditure levels, production and operating costs, including fluctuations in commodity prices and the completion of any acquisitions or dispositions of oil and gas properties in the future.

All press releases are available on Obsidian Energy’s website at www.obsidianenergy.com, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

Sensitivity Analysis

Estimated sensitivities to selected key assumptions on funds flow from operations for the 12 months subsequent to the date of this MD&A, including risk management contracts entered to date, are based on forecasted results as discussed in the Outlook above.

 

      Impact on cash flow  

Change of:

   Change     $ millions      $/share  

Price per barrel of liquids

     $1.00       3        0.01  

Liquids production

     1,000 bbls/day       16        0.03  

Price per mcf of natural gas

     $0.10       1        —    

Natural gas production

     10 mmcf/day       3        0.01  

Effective interest rate

     1     3        0.01  

Exchange rate ($US per $CAD)

     $0.01       3        0.01  

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

Obsidian Energy is committed to certain payments over the next five calendar years and thereafter as follows:

 

     2017      2018      2019      2020      2021      Thereafter  

Long-term debt

   $ 7      $ 31      $ 267      $ 34      $ 15      $ 10  

Transportation

     3        12        9        9        7        21  

Power infrastructure

     2        8        —          —          —          —    

Drilling rigs

     1        —          —          —          —          —    

Interest obligations

     3        11        6        2        1        1  

Office lease (1)

     9        34        34        34        34        106  

Decommissioning liability (2)

   $ 6      $ 10      $ 9      $ 9      $ 8      $ 139  

 

(1) The future office lease commitments above are to be reduced by contracted sublease recoveries totalling $105 million.
(2) These amounts represent the inflated, discounted future reclamation and abandonment costs that are expected to be incurred over the life of the Company’s properties.

The initial revolving period of the syndicated credit facility ends on May 17, 2018, with an additional one-year term out period. In addition, the Company has an aggregate of US$90 million in senior notes maturing between 2017 and 2025. If the Company is unsuccessful in renewing or replacing the syndicated credit facility or obtaining alternate funding for some or all of the maturing amounts of the senior notes, it is possible that it could be required to obtain other facilities, including term bank loans.

The Company is involved in various litigation and claims in the normal course of business and records provisions for claims as required.

In June 2017, the Company was named in a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The lawsuit is based on certain historic Penn West Petroleum Ltd. (“Penn West”) accounting practices which the Company discovered and reported to the SEC in 2014. As a result of the Company’s discovery, investigation, and correction of those practices, Penn West restated its historic financial statements and results in 2014. The Company has concluded that any potential exposure to this claim is undeterminable at this time.

 

OBSIDIAN ENERGY THIRD QUARTER 2017    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS    16


Equity Instruments

 

Common shares issued:

  

As at September 30, 2017

     504,329,838  

Stock option plan

     5,225  
  

 

 

 

As at November 9, 2017

     504,335,063  
  

 

 

 

Options outstanding:

  

As at September 30, 2017

     3,783,600  

Exercised

     (5,225

Forfeited

     (42,300
  

 

 

 

As at November 9, 2017

     3,736,075  
  

 

 

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (“ICFR”)

Obsidian Energy’s senior management has evaluated whether there were any changes in the Company’s ICFR that occurred during the period beginning on July 1, 2017 and ending on September 30, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s ICFR. No changes to the Company’s ICFR were made during the quarter.

Obsidian Energy utilizes the original Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of the Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) to design and evaluate its internal control over financial reporting.

Future Accounting Pronouncements

The IASB issued IFRS 15 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” which replaces IAS 18 “Revenue”. IFRS 15 specifies revenue recognition criteria and expanded disclosures for revenue. The new standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. The Company has concluded that it will adopt the standard retrospectively on January 1, 2018. Additionally, through the Company’s analysis completed thus far it does not believe the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on its financial statements.

The IASB completed the final sections of IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments” which replaces IAS 39 “Financial Statement: Recognition and Measurement”. IFRS 9 provides guidance on the recognition and measurement, impairment and derecognition on financial instruments. The new standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the standard.

The IASB issued IFRS 16 “Leases” in January 2016 which replaces IAS 17 “Leases”. IFRS 16 outlines several new requirements in regard to the recognition, measurement and disclosure of leases. A key principle within the standard includes a single lessee accounting model which requires lessees to recognise assets and liabilities for all leases which have a term more than 12 months. The accounting for lessors, which classify leases as either operating or finance, remains substantially unchanged from the previous standard. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the standard.

Off-Balance-Sheet Financing

Obsidian Energy has off-balance-sheet financing arrangements consisting of operating leases. The operating lease payments are summarized in the Contractual Obligations and Commitments section.

 

OBSIDIAN ENERGY THIRD QUARTER 2017    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS    17


Non-GAAP Measures

Certain financial measures including funds flow from operations, funds flow from operations per share-basic, funds flow from operations per share-diluted, netback, EBITDA and gross revenues included in this MD&A do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore are considered non-GAAP measures; accordingly, they may not be comparable to similar measures provided by other issuers. Funds flow from operations is cash flow from operating activities before changes in non-cash working capital, decommissioning expenditures and office lease settlements which also excludes the effects of financing related transactions from foreign exchange contracts and debt repayments/pre-payments and is representative of cash related to continuing operations. Funds flow from operations is used to assess the Company’s ability to fund its planned capital programs. See “Calculation of Funds Flow from Operations” above for a reconciliation of funds flow from operations to its nearest measure prescribed by IFRS. Netback is the per unit of production amount of revenue less royalties, operating expenses, transportation and realized risk management gains and losses, and is used in capital allocation decisions and to economically rank projects. See “Results of Operations – Netbacks” above for a calculation of the Company’s netbacks. EBITDA is cash flow from operations excluding the impact of changes in non-cash working capital, decommissioning expenditures, financing expenses, realized gains and losses on foreign exchange hedges on prepayments, realized foreign exchange gains and losses on debt prepayments and restructuring expenses. Additionally, under the syndicated credit facility, realized foreign exchange gains or losses related to debt maturities are excluded from the calculation. EBITDA as defined by Obsidian Energy’s debt agreements excludes the EBITDA contribution from assets sold in the prior 12 months and is used within Obsidian Energy’s covenant calculations related to its syndicated credit facility and senior notes. Gross revenue is total revenues including realized risk management gains and losses on commodity contracts and is used to assess the cash realizations on commodity sales.

Oil and Gas Information

Barrels of oil equivalent (“boe”) may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of crude oil 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 that the value ratio based on the current price of crude oil as compared to natural gas is significantly different from the energy equivalency conversion ratio of 6:1, utilizing a conversion on a 6:1 basis is misleading as an indication of value.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this document constitute forward-looking statements or information (collectively “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of applicable securities legislation. In particular, this document contains forward-looking statements pertaining to, without limitation, the following: the Company’s intended approach to developing its asset portfolio; the intended development of the Company’s light-oil Cardium interests; the intended development of primary, “cold-flow” within the Peace River area; plans to leverage existing infrastructure within the Alberta Viking to profit from the shorter cycle time and quick payout of wells in the area; to pursue Deep Basin development on existing land positions, which includes development in the Mannville; that the Company plans to offer predictable growth profile focused on creating liquids weighting, sustained value for stakeholders; that the Company anticipates fully utilizing the carry position in the Peace River Oil Partnership by the end of 2017; to continue to have an active hedging program to mitigate volatility in the commodity price environment; that the Company is committed to minimizing the environmental impacts of its operations; our belief that compliance with environmental legislation could require additional expenditures and a failure to comply with such legislation may result in fines and penalties which could, in the aggregate and under certain assumptions, become material, our intent to reduce the environmental impact from our operations through environmental programs; the managing of our debt portfolio and considering opportunities to reduce or diversity the debt capital structure; how the Company manages both operational and financial risk and how these increase the likelihood of maintaining the Company’s financial flexibility and capital programs and that these support the Company’s ability to capture opportunities in the market and execute longer-term business strategies; that the capital program will provide double-digit percentage production growth in its key development areas from the fourth quarter of 2016 to the fourth quarter of 2017; the annual corporate production guidance range, the exploration and development capital expenditures, decommissioning expenditures and operating costs range for 2017; the estimated sensitivities to selected key assumptions on funds flow from operations for the 12 months

 

OBSIDIAN ENERGY THIRD QUARTER 2017    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS    18


subsequent to this MD&A; and the possibility that the Company could be required to obtain other facilities, including term bank loans, if it is unsuccessful in renewing or replacing the syndicated credit facility or obtaining alternate funding for some or all of the maturing amounts of the senior notes. In addition, statements relating to “reserves” or “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.

With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this document, the Company has made assumptions regarding, among other things: that the Company does not dispose of or acquire material producing properties or royalties or other interests therein; that the current commodity price and foreign exchange environment will continue or improve; future capital expenditure levels; future crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas prices and differentials between light, medium and heavy oil prices and Canadian, WTI and world oil and natural gas prices; future crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas production levels; future exchange rates and interest rates; future debt levels; and the continued suspension of our dividend.

Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this document, 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 document, 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 assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the forward-looking statements contained herein will not be correct, which may cause our 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, among other things: the possibility that the Company will not be able to continue to successfully execute our long-term plan in part or in full, and the possibility that some or all of the benefits that the Company anticipates will accrue to our Company and our security holders as a result of the successful execution of such plan do not materialize; general economic and political conditions in Canada, the U.S. and globally, and in particular, the effect that those conditions have on commodity prices and our access to capital; industry conditions, including fluctuations in the price of crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas, price differentials for crude oil and natural gas produced in Canada as compared to other markets, and transportation restrictions, including pipeline and railway capacity constraints; fluctuations in foreign exchange or interest rates; unanticipated operating events or environmental events that can reduce production or cause production to be shut-in or delayed (including extreme cold during winter months, wild fires and flooding); and the other factors described under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Information Form and described in our public filings, available in Canada at www.sedar.com and in the United States at www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive.

The forward-looking statements contained in this document speak only as of the date of this document. Except as expressly required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Additional Information

Additional information relating to Obsidian Energy, including Obsidian Energy’s Annual Information Form, is available on the Company’s website at www.obsidianenergy.com, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

 

OBSIDIAN ENERGY THIRD QUARTER 2017    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS    19