As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 19, 2014
Registration No. 333-193789
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO
FORM F-10
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
BAYTEX ENERGY CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Alberta, Canada
(Province or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
1381
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number, if applicable)
Not applicable
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No., if applicable)
2800, 520 3rd Avenue S.W.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 0R3
Tel: 587-952-3000
(Address and telephone number of Registrant's principal executive offices)
Baytex Energy USA Ltd.
600 17th St., Suite 1600 S.
Denver, CO 80202
Tel: 303-825-2777
(Name, address (including zip code) and telephone number (including area code) of agent for service in the United States)
Copies to:
Murray J. Desrosiers |
Shannon M. Gangl Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP 2400, 525 8th Avenue S.W. Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 1G1 Tel: 403-260-0100 Fax: 403-260-0332 |
Andrew J. Foley, Esq. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP 1285 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10019-6064 Tel: 212-373-3078 Fax: 212-492-0078 |
James M. Prince Vinson & Elkins LLP 1001 Fannin Street Suite 2500 Houston, TX 77002-6760 Tel: 713-758-3710 Fax: 713-615-5962 |
John S. Osler, QC McCarthy Tétrault Suite 3300 421 7th Avenue SW Calgary, AB T2P 4K9 Tel: 403-260-3554 Fax: 403-260-3501 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
Province of Alberta, Canada
(Principal jurisdiction regulating this offering)
It is proposed that this filing shall become effective (check appropriate box below):
A. |
ý | upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 467(a) (if in connection with an offering being made contemporaneously in the United States and Canada). | ||||
B. |
o | at some future date (check the appropriate box below): | ||||
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1. | o | pursuant to Rule 467(b) on ( ) at ( ) (designate a time not sooner than 7 calendar days after filing). | |||
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2. | o | pursuant to Rule 467(b) on ( ) at ( ) (designate a time 7 calendar days or sooner after filing) because the securities regulatory authority in the review jurisdiction has issued a receipt or notification of clearance on ( ). | |||
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3. | o | pursuant to Rule 467(b) as soon as practicable after notification of the Commission by the Registrant or the Canadian securities regulatory authority of the review jurisdiction that a receipt or notification of clearance has been issued with respect hereto. | |||
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4. | o | after the filing of the next amendment to this Form (if preliminary material is being filed). |
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to the home jurisdiction's shelf prospectus offering procedures, check the following box. o
No securities regulatory authority has expressed an opinion about these securities and it is an offence to claim otherwise. This short form prospectus constitutes a public offering of these securities only in those jurisdictions where they may be lawfully offered for sale and therein only by persons permitted to sell such securities.
Information has been incorporated by reference into this short form prospectus from documents filed with securities commissions or similar authorities in Canada. Copies of the documents incorporated herein by reference may be obtained on request without charge from the Corporate Secretary of Baytex Energy Corp. at Suite 2800, Centennial Place, East Tower, 520 3rd Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 0R3, Telephone (587) 952-3000 and are also available electronically at www.sedar.com.
SHORT FORM PROSPECTUS
New Issue |
February 18, 2014 |
$1,300,038,000
33,420,000 Subscription Receipts each
representing the right to receive one Common Share
$38.90 per Subscription Receipt
We are hereby qualifying for distribution 33,420,000 subscription receipts (the "Subscription Receipts") at a price of $38.90 per Subscription Receipt (the "Offering"). Each Subscription Receipt will entitle the holder thereof to receive, without payment of additional consideration or further action on the part of such holder, one common share ("Common Share") in our capital (an "Underlying Common Share") upon closing of the Acquisition (as defined herein).
The terms of the Offering, including the offering price for the Subscription Receipts, were determined by negotiation between us and Scotia Capital Inc. ("Scotia") and RBC Dominion Securities Inc. ("RBC") (collectively, the "Co-Lead Underwriters") and on behalf of CIBC World Markets Inc., TD Securities Inc., BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., National Bank Financial Inc., Barclays Capital Canada Inc., Desjardins Securities Inc., Merrill Lynch Canada Inc., AltaCorp Capital Inc., Canaccord Genuity Corp., Credit Suisse Securities (Canada) Inc., Macquarie Capital Markets Canada Ltd., Peters & Co. Limited, FirstEnergy Capital Corp., Cormark Securities Inc. and Raymond James Ltd. (collectively, the "Underwriters"). See "Plan of Distribution".
The gross proceeds from the sale of the Subscription Receipts (the "Escrowed Funds") will be held by Valiant Trust Company, as escrow agent (the "Escrow Agent"), and invested in short-term obligations of, or guaranteed by, the Government of Canada (or other approved investments). Upon satisfaction of the Escrow Condition (as defined herein) on or before 5:00 p.m. (Calgary time) on June 30, 2014, the Escrowed Funds and the interest earned thereon (less any amounts required to pay the Dividend Equivalent Amount (as defined herein) upon the issuance of the Underlying Common Shares, if applicable, the remaining portion of the Underwriters' Fee (as defined herein) and an amount equal to the accrued interest on such remaining Underwriters' Fee) will be released to us in accordance with the terms of the Subscription Receipt Agreement (as defined herein) to enable us to convert these funds to Australian dollars and complete the Acquisition. On the closing of the Acquisition, each holder of Subscription Receipts will receive one Underlying Common Share for each Subscription Receipt held, without payment of additional consideration or further action on the part of such holder, and such holder will also be entitled to receive the Dividend Equivalent Amount, being an amount per Subscription Receipt equal to the amount per Common Share of any cash dividends for which record date(s) have occurred during the period commencing on the closing of the Offering through the date immediately preceding the date the Underlying Common Shares are issued pursuant to the Subscription Receipts. See "Details of the Offering".
On February 6, 2014, we entered into an agreement to acquire, through a scheme of arrangement under Australian law, all of the shares of Aurora Oil & Gas Limited (TSX: AEF, ASX: AUT) ("Aurora") for total consideration of approximately $1.8 billion, plus assumed debt of approximately $744 million, for a total transaction value of approximately $2.6 billion (the "Acquisition"), as described in more detail under "Recent Developments The Acquisition" and "About Aurora".
We will utilize the Escrowed Funds to pay a portion of the purchase price for the Acquisition. If: (i) the Acquisition is not completed by June 30, 2014; (ii) the Implementation Agreement (as defined herein) is terminated in accordance with its terms at any earlier time; or (iii) we have advised the Underwriters or announced to the public that we do not intend to proceed with the Acquisition (the time of occurrence of any such event being the "Termination Time"), holders of Subscription Receipts shall receive an amount equal to the full subscription price attributable to the Subscription Receipts and their pro rata entitlement to interest accrued on such amount up to and including the date of the Termination Time. See "Details of the Offering".
Further particulars concerning the attributes of the Subscription Receipts are set out under "Details of the Offering" and further particulars concerning the attributes of the Common Shares are set out under "Description of Common Shares".
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Price to the Public(1) |
Underwriters' Fee(2) |
Net Proceeds to the Corporation(3) |
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Per Subscription Receipt |
$ | 38.90 | $ | 1.556 | $ | 37.344 | ||||
Total(4) |
$ | 1,300,038,000 | $ | 52,001,520 | $ | 1,248,036,480 |
Notes:
The following table sets forth the number of Subscription Receipts that may be offered by us pursuant to the Over-allotment Option.
Underwriters' Position | Maximum size or number of securities held |
Exercise period | Exercise price | |||
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Over-allotment Option |
5,013,000 Subscription Receipts | Commencing at closing of the Offering and ending on the earlier of: (i) 30 days following closing of the Offering; and (ii) the Termination Time |
$38.90 per Subscription Receipt |
NEITHER THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THE SUBSCRIPTION RECEIPTS NOR PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS SHORT FORM PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE.
Your ability to enforce civil liabilities under United States federal securities laws may be affected adversely by the fact that we are formed under the laws of the Province of Alberta, that some of our officers and directors are residents of Canada or otherwise reside outside of the United States, that some or all of the Underwriters and experts named in this short form prospectus may be residents of Canada or otherwise reside outside of the United States, and that a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of said persons may be located outside the United States.
Mary Ellen Peters, one of our directors, resides outside of Canada. In addition, all or some of the designated professionals of BDO Audit (WA) Pty Ltd., Aurora's external auditor, and Ryder Scott Company, L.P., Aurora's independent qualified reserves evaluator, are incorporated, continued or otherwise organized under the laws of a foreign jurisdiction or reside outside of Canada. Such persons have appointed the following agents for service of process:
Name of Person or Company | Name and Address of Agent | |
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Mary Ellen Peters |
Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP Suite 2400, 525 8th Avenue S.W. Calgary, Alberta T2P 1G1 |
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BDO Audit (WA) Pty Ltd. |
BDO Canada LLP Suite 600, 36 Toronto Street Toronto, Ontario M5C 2C5 |
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Ryder Scott Company, L.P. |
Ryder Scott Canada Suite 600, 1015 4th St. S.W. Calgary, Alberta T2R 1J4 |
It may not be possible for you to enforce judgments obtained in Canada against any person or company that is incorporated, continued or otherwise organized under the laws of a foreign jurisdiction or resides outside of Canada, even if the party has appointed an agent for service of process. See "Enforcement of Judgments Against Foreign Persons or Companies".
We are permitted, under the multi-jurisdictional disclosure system adopted by the United States and Canada, to prepare this short form prospectus in accordance with the disclosure requirements of Canada. Prospective investors should be aware that such requirements are different from those of the United States. Our financial statements included or incorporated by reference in this short form prospectus have been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles ("Canadian GAAP") (which, since January 1, 2011, have been consistent with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board) and are subject to Canadian auditing and auditor independence standards. Aurora's historical financial statements contained in this short form prospectus have been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards ("AAS"), which include Australian equivalents to IFRS. Compliance with AAS ensures compliance with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Canadian GAAP and AAS differs from generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("U.S. GAAP"). Thus, these financial statements may not be comparable to financial statements of United States companies.
Data on oil and gas reserves contained in or incorporated by reference into this short form prospectus has been prepared in accordance with Canadian disclosure standards, which are not comparable in all respects to United States disclosure standards. See "Presentation of Financial and Oil and Gas Information".
This short form prospectus contains estimates of Aurora's reserves as at December 31, 2013 from our internal non-independent qualified reserves evaluator in accordance with NI 51-101 (as defined herein) and the COGE Handbook (as defined herein) which were prepared for use by us in our evaluation of Aurora and for the purpose of making an offer to acquire Aurora. See "Recent Developments The Acquisition", "Recent Developments Strategic Benefits of the Acquisition" and "Recent Developments Pro Forma the Acquisition and the Offering".
Prospective investors should be aware that the acquisition of the Subscription Receipts described herein may have tax consequences both in the United States and Canada. Such consequences may not be fully described herein. See "Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations" and "Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations".
Our outstanding Common Shares are listed and posted for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") and the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the trading symbol "BTE". On February 5, 2014, the last trading day prior to the public announcement of the Offering, the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX was $41.16 per Common Share and the closing price of the Common Shares on the NYSE was U.S.$37.16 per Common Share.
The TSX has conditionally approved the listing of the Subscription Receipts and the Underlying Common Shares qualified by this short form prospectus (including the Subscription Receipts and the Underlying Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the Over-allotment Option). Listing is subject to our fulfilling all of the listing requirements of the TSX on or before May 13, 2014. In addition, application has been made to list the Underlying Common Shares (including the Underlying Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the Over-allotment Option) on the NYSE. The Subscription Receipts will not be listed on the NYSE.
The Underwriters, as principals, conditionally offer the Subscription Receipts, subject to prior sale, if, as and when issued by us and accepted by the Underwriters in accordance with the conditions contained in the Underwriting Agreement (as defined herein). The Offering is subject to the approval of certain legal matters relating to Canadian law on our behalf by Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP, Calgary, Alberta and on behalf of the Underwriters by McCarthy Tétrault LLP, Calgary, Alberta and to the approval of certain legal matters relating to United States law on our behalf by Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, New York, New York and on behalf of the Underwriters by Vinson & Elkins LLP, Houston, Texas.
Subscriptions for Subscription Receipts will be received subject to rejection or allotment in whole or in part and the right is reserved to close the subscription books at any time without notice. The closing of the Offering is anticipated to occur on or about February 24, 2014 or such other date as may be agreed upon by us and the Underwriters (the "Closing Date"), but in any event not later than 42 days after the date of the receipt for this short form prospectus. Except in certain limited circumstances: (i) Subscription Receipts and Underlying Common Shares will be registered and represented electronically through the non-certificated inventory of CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc. ("CDS"); (ii) no certificates evidencing the Subscription Receipts and Underlying Common Shares will be issued; and (iii) purchasers of Subscription Receipts will receive only a customer confirmation from the Underwriter or other registered dealer who is a CDS participant and from or through whom a beneficial interest in the Subscription Receipts is purchased. See "Plan of Distribution".
Subject to applicable laws, the Underwriters may, in connection with the Offering, effect transactions which stabilize or maintain the market price of the Common Shares at levels other than those that might otherwise prevail on the open market in accordance with applicable market stabilization rules. Such transactions, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. The Underwriters propose to offer the Subscription Receipts initially at the offering price specified above. After a reasonable effort has been made to sell all the Subscription Receipts at the price specified, the Underwriters may subsequently reduce the selling price to investors from time to time in order to sell any of the Subscription Receipts remaining unsold. Any such reduction will not affect the proceeds received by us. See "Plan of Distribution".
Scotia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a Canadian chartered bank which has agreed to fully underwrite and commit to provide us with new senior secured credit facilities which will replace the Credit Facilities (as defined under the heading "Consolidated
Capitalization") in connection with the Acquisition. This chartered bank has also agreed to establish replacement credit facilities through Aurora's United States subsidiary, for up to U.S.$300 million. Each of Scotia, RBC, CIBC World Markets Inc., TD Securities Inc., BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., National Bank Financial Inc., Barclays Capital Canada Inc., Desjardins Securities Inc., Merrill Lynch Canada Inc., AltaCorp Capital Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (Canada) Inc. and FirstEnergy Capital Corp. are subsidiaries or affiliates of lenders to our subsidiary, Baytex Energy Ltd. ("Baytex Energy") pursuant to the Credit Facilities. We have agreed to retain a Canadian chartered bank (or one or more of its affiliates as may be appropriate in the circumstances), of which Scotia is a wholly-owned subsidiary, to act as manager in connection with the Change of Control Offer (as defined herein) required to be made to the holders of the Aurora Notes (as defined herein) following completion of the Acquisition. Such Canadian chartered bank will be retained at prevailing market rates for a person acting in such a role. Scotia has also provided financial advice to us in connection with the Acquisition. Consequently, we may be considered to be a connected issuer to each of these Underwriters for the purposes of securities regulations in certain provinces. See "Relationship between Us and Certain Underwriters" and "Use of Proceeds".
Although the TSX has conditionally approved the listing of the Subscription Receipts and the Underlying Common Shares qualified by this short form prospectus (including the Subscription Receipts and the Underlying Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the Over-allotment Option) and application has been made to list the Underlying Common Shares (including the Underlying Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the Over-allotment Option) on the NYSE, there is currently no market through which the Subscription Receipts may be sold and there is no guarantee that an active trading market will develop. Accordingly, purchasers may not be able to resell the Subscription Receipts distributed under this short form prospectus. This may affect the pricing of the Subscription Receipts in the secondary market, the transparency and the availability of trading prices and the liquidity of the Subscription Receipts. See "Risk Factors".
An investment in the securities offered hereunder is speculative and involves a high degree of risk. The risk factors identified under the headings "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Statements" in this short form prospectus, the Annual Information Form (as defined herein) and the Annual MD&A (as defined herein) should be carefully reviewed and evaluated by prospective subscribers before purchasing the securities being offered hereunder.
Our head office is located at Suite 2800, Centennial Place, East Tower, 520 3rd Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 0R3 and our registered office is located at Suite 2400, 525 8th Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 1G1.
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Page | |
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IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT INFORMATION IN THIS SHORT FORM PROSPECTUS |
2 | |
PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL AND OIL AND GAS INFORMATION |
2 | |
SELECTED DEFINITIONS |
5 | |
CONVERSIONS |
11 | |
ABBREVIATIONS |
11 | |
CONVENTIONS |
12 | |
OIL AND GAS EQUIVALENCY |
12 | |
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES |
12 | |
ENFORCEMENT OF JUDGMENTS AGAINST FOREIGN PERSONS OR COMPANIES |
13 | |
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE |
14 | |
MARKETING MATERIALS |
15 | |
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS |
15 | |
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION |
17 | |
EXCHANGE RATES |
18 | |
RISK FACTORS |
19 | |
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF OUR BUSINESS |
27 | |
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS |
28 | |
ABOUT AURORA |
35 | |
USE OF PROCEEDS |
54 | |
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON SHARES |
55 | |
CONSOLIDATED CAPITALIZATION |
56 | |
DETAILS OF THE OFFERING |
57 | |
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION |
60 | |
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN US AND CERTAIN UNDERWRITERS |
62 | |
PRIOR SALES |
63 | |
MARKET FOR SECURITIES |
64 | |
DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS |
65 | |
CERTAIN CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS |
67 | |
CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS |
71 | |
LEGAL MATTERS |
75 | |
INTEREST OF EXPERTS |
75 | |
DOCUMENTS FILED AS PART OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT |
76 | |
SCHEDULE "A" FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AURORA |
A-1 | |
SCHEDULE "B" PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BAYTEX |
B-1 |
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IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT INFORMATION IN THIS SHORT FORM PROSPECTUS
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this short form prospectus, and, if you reside in the United States, on the other information included in the registration statement of which this short form prospectus forms a part. We have not, and the Underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. You should assume that only the information appearing in this short form prospectus, as well as information we previously filed with the securities regulatory authority in each of the provinces of Canada and with the SEC that is incorporated by reference into this short form prospectus, is accurate as of the respective dates of the applicable documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
We are not, and the Underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these Subscription Receipts in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL AND OIL AND GAS INFORMATION
Unless indicated otherwise, our financial information in this short form prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference herein, has been prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP (which, since January 1, 2011, have been consistent with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board). Aurora's historical financial statements contained in this short form prospectus have been prepared in accordance with AAS, which include Australian equivalents to IFRS. Compliance with AAS ensures compliance with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Canadian GAAP and AAS differ from U.S. GAAP and thus these financial statements may not be comparable to the financial statements of United States companies.
The securities regulatory authorities in Canada have adopted NI 51-101 (as defined herein), which imposes oil and gas disclosure standards for Canadian public issuers engaged in oil and gas activities. The recovery and resource estimates provided in this short form prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein are estimates only. Actual reserves and contingent resources (and any volumes that may be reclassified as reserves) and future production from such reserves or contingent resources may be greater than or less than the estimates provided herein.
The determination of oil and gas reserves involves the preparation of estimates that have an inherent degree of associated uncertainty. Categories of proved and probable reserves have been established to reflect the level of these uncertainties and to provide an indication of the probability of recovery. The estimation and classification of reserves requires the application of professional judgment combined with geological and engineering knowledge to assess whether or not specific reserves classification criteria have been satisfied. Knowledge of concepts including uncertainty and risk, probability and statistics, and deterministic and probabilistic estimation methods is required to properly use and apply reserves definitions.
All estimates of future revenue in this short form prospectus and in the documents incorporated herein by reference are, unless otherwise noted, after the deduction of royalties, development costs, production costs and well abandonment costs but before deduction of future income tax expenses and before consideration of indirect costs such as administrative, overhead and other miscellaneous expenses. The estimated future net revenues contained in this short form prospectus and in the documents incorporated herein by reference do not represent the fair market value of the applicable reserves.
There is no assurance that the forecast price and cost assumptions estimated will be attained and variances could be material. The recovery, reserves and resource estimates described herein and in the documents incorporated by reference herein are estimates only and there is no guarantee that the estimated reserves or resources will be recovered. Actual reserves or resources may be greater or less than the estimates provided herein and in the documents incorporated herein by reference. The estimates of reserves and future net revenue for individual properties may not reflect the same confidence level as estimates of reserves and future net revenue for all properties, due to the effects of aggregation.
Unless otherwise stated, all of the reserves and resources information contained herein and in the documents incorporated herein by reference, have been calculated and reported using assumptions and
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methodology guidelines outlined in accordance with the standards contained in the COGE Handbook (as defined herein), NI 51-101 and the definitions contained in the Canadian Securities Administrators Staff Notice 51-324. Numbers in the reserves tables and other oil and gas information contained in this short form prospectus and in the documents incorporated herein by reference may not add due to rounding.
Natural gas liquids referred to in this short form prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference are reported on a combined basis with any condensate as required under NI 51-101.
NI 51-101 permits oil and gas issuers, in their filings with Canadian securities regulatory authorities, to disclose not only proved, probable and possible reserves but also resources, and to disclose reserves and production on a gross basis before deducting royalties. Probable reserves, possible reserves and resources are of a higher risk and are less likely to be accurately estimated or recovered than proved reserves. We are permitted to disclose reserves in accordance with Canadian securities law requirements and the disclosure herein and in the documents incorporated by reference herein may include reserves designated as probable reserves, possible reserves and resources, as defined under Canadian standards.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") does not permit the inclusion of estimates of resources in reports filed with it by companies domiciled in the United States.
The SEC definitions of proved, probable and possible reserves are different than NI 51-101; therefore, proved, probable and possible reserves disclosed herein and in the documents incorporated by reference into this short form prospectus may not be comparable to United States standards. The SEC currently requires United States oil and gas companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only proved reserves after the deduction of royalties and interests of others but permits the optional disclosure of probable and possible reserves, as defined under SEC rules. The SEC does not allow proved and probable reserves to be aggregated except in the case of reserves determined using probabilistic methods, whereas NI 51-101 requires issuers to disclose aggregate proved and probable reserves.
Moreover, as permitted by NI 51-101, we have determined and disclosed herein, and in the documents incorporated by reference, the net present value of future net revenue from our reserves and the reserves associated with the Aurora Assets (as defined herein) using only forecast prices and costs. The SEC requires that reserves and related future net revenue be estimated based on historical 12-month average prices, but permits the optional disclosure of revenue estimates based on different price and cost criteria, including standardized future prices or management's own forecasts.
Additional information prepared in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 932 "Extractive Activities Oil & Gas" issued by the United States Financial Accounting Standards Board ("ASC 932") relating to our petroleum and natural gas reserves is set forth in the Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures (as defined herein), which is incorporated herein by reference.
ASC 932 disclosure relating to Aurora's petroleum and natural gas reserves is not, and is not required to be; included in this short form prospectus.
Certain documents incorporated by reference into this short form prospectus contain estimates of "contingent resources". The SEC prohibits United States oil and gas companies from including an estimate of "contingent resources" in filings with the SEC. "Contingent resources" are not, and should not be confused with, petroleum and natural gas reserves. "Contingent resources" are defined in the COGE Handbook as: "those quantities of petroleum estimated, as of a given date, to be potentially recoverable from known accumulations using established technology or technology under development, but which are not currently considered to be commercially recoverable due to one or more contingencies. Contingencies may include factors such as economic, legal, environmental, political and regulatory matters or a lack of markets. It is also appropriate to classify as contingent resources the estimated discovered recoverable quantities associated with a project in the early evaluation stage."
The outstanding contingencies applicable to our disclosed contingent resources do not include economic contingencies. Economic contingent resources are those resources that are currently economically recoverable based on specific forecasts of commodity prices and costs.
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A range of contingent resources estimates (low, best and high) were prepared by the independent qualified reserves evaluators. A low estimate (C1) is considered to be a conservative estimate of the quantity of the resource that will actually be recovered. It is likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the low estimate. Those resources in the low estimate have the highest degree of certainty (a 90% confidence level) that the actual quantities recovered will equal or exceed the estimate. A best estimate (C2) is considered to be the best estimate of the quantity of the resource that will actually be recovered. It is equally likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will be greater or less than the best estimate. Those resources in the best estimate have a 50% confidence level that the actual quantities recovered will equal or exceed the estimate. A high estimate (C3) is considered to be an optimistic estimate of the quantity of the resource that will actually be recovered. It is unlikely that the actual remaining quantities of resource recovered will equal or exceed the high estimate. Those resources in the high estimate have a lower degree of certainty (a 10% confidence level) that the actual quantities recovered will equal or exceed the estimate.
The primary contingencies which currently prevent the classification of our contingent resources as reserves consist of: preparation of firm development plans, including determination of the specific scope and timing of the project; project sanction; access to capital markets; stakeholder and regulatory approvals; access to required services and field development infrastructure; oil prices and price differentials between light, medium and heavy gravity crude oils; future drilling program and testing results; further reservoir delineation and studies; facility design work; limitations to development based on adverse topography or other surface restrictions; and the uncertainty regarding marketing and transportation of petroleum from development areas.
There is no certainty that it will be commercially viable to produce any portion of the contingent resources or that we will produce any portion of the volumes currently classified as contingent resources. The estimates of contingent resources involve implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, that the resource described exists in the quantities predicted or estimated and that the resource can be profitably produced in the future.
Other principal differences between SEC oil and gas disclosure requirements and NI 51-101 include the following, some of which may be material:
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Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this short form prospectus to "Baytex", the "Corporation", "we", "us" or "our" means Baytex Energy Corp. and its consolidated subsidiaries, any partnership of which Baytex Energy Corp. and its subsidiaries are the partners and our significant equity investments and joint ventures.
In this short form prospectus, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
"2013 Acquired Assets" means the 100% operated WI in approximately 2,700 net acres in the Heard Ranch and Axle Tree blocks in South Texas, together with interests in 11 net producing wells as well as associated interests in field infrastructure and related assets, acquired by Aurora on March 29, 2013 with an effective date of March 1, 2013.
"2017 Aurora Notes" means the U.S.$365 million aggregate principal amount of 9.875% senior unsecured notes issued by a subsidiary of Aurora which are due February 15, 2017 and will be assumed by us in connection with the Acquisition.
"2020 Aurora Notes" means the U.S.$300 million aggregate principal amount of 7.50% senior unsecured notes issued by a subsidiary of Aurora which are due April 1, 2020 and will be assumed by us in connection with the Acquisition.
"2021 Debentures" means our U.S.$150 million 6.75% series B senior unsecured debentures due February 17, 2021 and issued pursuant to the Canadian Indenture.
"2022 Debentures" means our $300 million 6.625% series C senior unsecured debentures due July 19, 2022 and issued pursuant to the Canadian Indenture.
"AAS" means Australian Accounting Standards.
"ABCA" means the Business Corporations Act (Alberta), R.S.A. 2000, c. B-9, including the regulations promulgated thereunder, as amended from time to time.
"Acquisition" means the proposed acquisition by us of all of the issued Aurora Shares pursuant to the Implementation Agreement.
"AMI" means area of mutual interest, a contractually defined area in which oil and gas companies hold oil and gas rights.
"Annual Information Form" has the meaning ascribed thereto under "Documents Incorporated by Reference".
"Annual Financial Statements" has the meaning ascribed thereto under "Documents Incorporated by Reference".
"Annual MD&A" has the meaning ascribed thereto under "Documents Incorporated by Reference".
"ASIC" means the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
"ASX" means ASX Limited (ABN 98 008 624 691) and, where the context permits, the Australian Securities Exchange operated by ASX Limited.
"Aurora" means Aurora Oil & Gas Limited, a publicly traded corporation organized under the Corporations Act.
"Aurora 2012 Reserves Report" means the independent engineering evaluation of Aurora's oil and natural gas reserves dated January 30, 2013 prepared by Ryder Scott effective December 31, 2012, which is entitled "Aurora Oil & Gas Limited Estimated Future Reserves and Income Attributable to Certain Leasehold Interests".
"Aurora 2013 Reserves Report" means the independent engineering evaluation of Aurora's oil and natural gas reserves dated January 31, 2014 prepared by Ryder Scott effective December 31, 2013, which is entitled "Aurora Oil & Gas Limited Estimated Future Reserves and Income Attributable to Certain Leasehold Interests".
"Aurora Assets" means those oil, petroleum and natural gas properties and related assets of Aurora described in more detail under "Recent Developments The Acquisition" and "About Aurora".
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"Aurora Board" means the board of directors of Aurora.
"Aurora Note Indentures" has the meaning ascribed thereto under "Recent Developments The Acquisition The Implementation Agreement Acquisition Consideration".
"Aurora Notes" means, collectively, the 2017 Aurora Notes and the 2020 Aurora Notes.
"Aurora USA" means Aurora USA Oil & Gas, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aurora.
"Aurora Options" means the outstanding options to acquire Aurora Shares.
"Aurora Performance Rights" means the outstanding performance rights of Aurora.
"Aurora Reserves Reports" means the Aurora 2012 Reserves Report and the Aurora 2013 Reserves Report.
"Aurora Shareholders" means the holders of all of the issued Aurora Shares.
"Aurora Shares" means the ordinary shares in the capital of Aurora, as presently constituted.
"Australian IFRS" or "AIFRS" means generally accepted accounting principles in Australia, which are in effect from time to time and which are consistent with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
"Australian Court" means the Federal Court of Australia (Western Australian Registry) or any other court of competent jurisdiction under the Corporations Act (as agreed by the parties to the Implementation Agreement in writing).
"Baytex Energy" means Baytex Energy Ltd., a corporation amalgamated under the ABCA and our wholly-owned subsidiary.
"Board of Directors" means our board of directors.
"Canadian GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in Canada, which are in effect from time to time and which since January 1, 2011 have been consistent with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
"Canadian Indenture" means the amended and restated trust indenture which provides for the issuance of Debt Securities in Canada among us, as issuer, Baytex Energy and certain of our other subsidiaries, as guarantors, and Valiant Trust Company, as trustee, dated January 1, 2011, as supplemented by a supplemental trust indentures dated February 17, 2011, February 18, 2011, July 19, 2012 and December 19, 2012. The 2021 Debentures and the 2022 Debentures were issued under the Canadian Indenture.
"CDS" means CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc.
"Closing Date" means the closing date of the Offering which is anticipated to occur on or about February 24, 2014 or such other date as may be agreed upon by us and the Underwriters, but in any event not later than 42 days after the date of the receipt for this short form prospectus.
"COGE Handbook" means the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook.
"Co-Lead Underwriters" means Scotia and RBC.
"Common Shares" means the common shares in our capital.
"Common Share Rights Incentive Plan" means our Common Share Rights Incentive Plan, as described in the Information Circular under "Executive Compensation Common Share Rights Incentive Plan".
"Competing Proposal" has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Implementation Agreement.
"Corporations Act" means the Australian Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
"Credit Facilities" has the meaning ascribed thereto under "Consolidated Capitalization".
"Debentures" means, collectively, the 2021 Debentures and the 2022 Debentures.
"Debt Securities" means our senior or subordinated debt securities.
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"Developed Non-Producing Reserves" are those reserves that either have not been on production, or have previously been on production, but are shut-in, and the date of resumption of production is unknown.
"Developed Producing Reserves" are those reserves that are expected to be recovered from completion in intervals open at the time of the estimate. These reserves may be currently producing or, if shut-in, they must have previously been on production, and the date of resumption of production must be known with reasonable certainty.
"Developed Reserves" are those reserves that are expected to be recovered from existing wells and installed facilities or, if facilities have not been installed, that would involve a low expenditure (for example, when compared to the cost of drilling a well) to put the reserves on production. The developed category may be subdivided into producing and non-producing.
"development costs" means costs incurred to obtain access to reserves and to provide facilities for extracting, treating, gathering and storing the oil and gas from reserves. More specifically, development costs, including applicable operating costs of support equipment and facilities and other costs of development activities, are costs incurred to: (a) gain access to and prepare well locations for drilling, including surveying well locations for the purpose of determining specific development drilling sites, clearing ground draining, road building, and relocating public roads, gas lines and power lines, pumping equipment and wellhead assembly; (b) drill and equip development wells, development type stratigraphic test wells and service wells, including the costs of platforms and of well equipment such as casing, tubing, pumping equipment and wellhead assembly; (c) acquire, construct and install production facilities such as flow lines, separators, treaters, heaters, manifolds, measuring devices and production storage tanks, natural gas cycling and processing plants, and central utility and waste disposal systems; and (d) provide improved recovery systems.
"development well" means a well drilled inside the established limits of an oil and gas reservoir, or in close proximity to the edge of the reservoir, to the depth of a stratigraphic horizon known to be productive.
"Dividend Equivalent Amount" means an amount per Subscription Receipt equal to the amount per Common Share of any cash dividends for which record date(s) have occurred during the period beginning on the Closing Date to the date immediately preceding the date the Underlying Common Shares are issued pursuant to the Subscription Receipts.
"Eagle Ford" means the Eagle Ford shale trend in South Texas, which produces oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids and condensate.
"EBITDA" has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Credit Facilities but generally it refers to our consolidated net income (loss) before income tax expense or benefit, gains and losses attributable to disposal of certain assets, finance costs, depletion, depreciation and amortization expense, other non-cash charges, expenses or income, and one-off or non-recurring fees, expenses and charges.
"EDGAR" means the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System established by the SEC.
"Effective Date" in relation to the Acquisition means the date on which the Acquisition becomes effective.
"Elixir" means Elixir Petroleum Limited.
"Equity Bridge" has the meaning ascribed thereto under "Recent Developments New Credit Facilities".
"Escrow Agent" means Valiant Trust Company, which is deemed an "Acceptable Institution" under the guidelines of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada and the Canadian Investor Protection Fund, in its capacity as escrow agent pursuant to the Subscription Receipt Agreement.
"Escrow Condition" has the meaning ascribed thereto under "Details of the Offering".
"Escrowed Funds" means the gross proceeds from the sale of the Subscription Receipts.
"Exchange Act" means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"Existing Target Facility" means the existing U.S.$300 million senior secured credit facility established under the credit agreement dated as of November 7, 2011 among Aurora USA, Aurora, UBS AG, Stamford Branch, as administrative agent and the financial institutions party thereto, as amended and supplemented.
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"exploration costs" means costs incurred in identifying areas that may warrant examination and in examining specific areas that are considered to have prospects that may contain oil and gas reserves, including costs of drilling exploratory wells and exploratory type stratigraphic test wells. Exploration costs may be incurred both before acquiring the related property and after acquiring the property. Exploration costs, which include applicable operating costs of support equipment and facilities and other costs of exploration activities, are: (a) costs of topographical, geochemical, geological and geophysical studies, rights of access to properties to conduct those studies, and salaries and other expenses of geologists, geophysical crews and others conducting those studies; (b) costs of carrying and retaining unproved properties, such as delay rentals, taxes (other than income and capital taxes) on properties, legal costs for title defence, and the maintenance of land and lease records; (c) dry hole contributions and bottom hole contributions; (d) costs of drilling and equipping exploratory wells; and (e) costs of drilling exploratory type stratigraphic test wells.
"exploratory well" means a well that is not a development well, a service well or a stratigraphic test well.
"Final Order" means the order issued by the Australian Court pursuant to section 411(4)(b) of the Corporations Act approving the Acquisition.
"Flour Bluff Field" means the Flour Bluff Gas Field located near Corpus Christi, Texas.
"forecast prices and costs" means in relation to an issuer, prices and costs that are: (a) generally acceptable as being a reasonable outlook of the future; and (b) if and only to the extent that, there are fixed or presently determinable future prices or costs to which an issuer is legally bound by a contractual or other obligation to supply a physical product, including those for an extension period of a contract that is likely to be extended, those prices or costs rather than the prices and costs referred to in paragraph (a).
"gross" means: (a) in relation to an issuer's interest in production or reserves, its "company gross reserves", which are its working interest (operating or non-operating) share before deduction of royalties and without including any royalty interests of the issuer; (b) in relation to wells, the total number of wells in which an issuer has an interest; and (c) in relation to properties, the total area of properties in which an issuer has an interest.
"HSR Act" means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
"Implementation Agreement" means the scheme implementation deed between us and Aurora dated February 6, 2014 pursuant to which we have agreed to acquire all of the issued Aurora Shares, as more particularly described under "Recent Developments The Acquisition".
"Incentive Plan" means our Common Share Rights Incentive Plan, as described in the Information Circular under "Executive Compensation Common Share Rights Incentive Plan".
"Information Circular" has the meaning ascribed thereto under "Documents Incorporated by Reference".
"Interim Financial Statements" has the meaning ascribed thereto under "Documents Incorporated by Reference".
"Interim MD&A" has the meaning ascribed thereto under "Documents Incorporated by Reference".
"Ipanema" means the Ipanema AMI in the Sugarkane Field.
"JOA" means joint operating agreement among co-owners of WIs in a designated field, AMI, unit or lease.
"Longhorn" means the Longhorn AMI in the Sugarkane Field.
"Marathon" means Marathon Oil EF LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marathon Oil Corporation.
"McDaniel" means McDaniel & Associates Consultants Ltd., independent petroleum consultants of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
"net" means: (a) in relation to an issuer's interest in production or reserves its working interest (operating or non-operating) share after deduction of royalty obligations, plus its royalty interests in production or reserves; (b) in relation to an issuer's interest in wells, the number of wells obtained by aggregating the issuer's working interest in each of its gross wells; and (c) in relation to an issuer's interest in a property, the total area in which the issuer has an interest multiplied by the working interest owned by the issuer.
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"New Credit Facilities" has the meaning ascribed thereto under See "Recent Developments New Credit Facilities".
"NI 51-101" means National Instrument 51-101 Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities.
"Non-Revolving Facilities" has the meaning ascribed thereto under "Recent Developments New Credit Facilities".
"Notes" means the unsecured subordinated promissory notes issued by Baytex Energy and certain other Operating Entities to us.
"NYSE" means the New York Stock Exchange.
"Operating Entities" means our direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries that are actively involved in the acquisition, production, processing, transportation and marketing of crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas, being Baytex Energy, Baytex Energy Partnership and Baytex Energy USA Ltd., and "Operating Entity" means any one of them, as applicable.
"Participant" means a participant in the depository service of CDS.
"Possible Reserves" are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than probable reserves. It is unlikely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the sum of the estimated proved plus probable plus possible reserves.
"Probable Reserves" are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than proved reserves. It is equally likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will be greater or less than the sum of the estimated proved plus probable reserves.
"Proved Reserves" are those reserves that can be estimated with a high degree of certainty to be recoverable. It is likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the estimated proved reserves.
"RBC" means RBC Dominion Securities Inc.
"Reserves" are estimated remaining quantities of oil and natural gas and related substances anticipated to be recoverable from known accumulations, from a given date forward, based on: (a) analysis of drilling, geological, geophysical, and engineering data; (b) the use of established technology; and (c) specified economic conditions, which are generally accepted as being reasonable and shall be disclosed. Reserves are classified according to the degree of certainty associated with the estimates.
"Revolving Facilities" has the meaning ascribed thereto under "Recent Developments New Credit Facilities".
"Ryder Scott" means Ryder Scott Company, L.P, independent petroleum consultants of Houston, Texas.
"Scotia" means Scotia Capital Inc.
"service well" means a well drilled or completed for the purpose of supporting production in an existing field. Wells in this class are drilled for the following specific purposes: gas injection (natural gas, propane, butane or flue gas), water injection, steam injection, air injection, salt water disposal, water supply for injection, observation or injection for combustion.
"SEC" means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
"SEDAR" means the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval established by the provincial securities regulatory authorities in Canada.
"Share Award Incentive Plan" means our Share Award Incentive Plan, as described in the Information Circular under "Executive Compensation Share Award Incentive Plan".
"Shareholders" mean the holders from time to time of Common Shares.
"Sproule" means Sproule Associates Limited, independent petroleum consultants of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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"Sproule Report" means the independent evaluation of our oil and natural gas reserves prepared by Sproule dated March 11, 2013 and effective December 31, 2012 entitled "Evaluation of the P&NG Reserves of Baytex Energy Corp. (As of December 31, 2012)".
"Subscription Receipt Agreement" means the agreement to be dated as of the Closing Date among us, the Co-Lead Underwriters and the Escrow Agent governing the terms of the Subscription Receipts.
"Subscription Receipt Beneficial Owner" means a purchaser acquiring a beneficial interest in the Subscription Receipts.
"Subscription Receipt Certificates" means the certificates representing the Subscription Receipts.
"Subscription Receipts" means the subscription receipts offered hereby.
"subsidiary" has the meaning ascribed thereto in the ABCA and, for greater certainty, includes all corporations, partnerships and trusts owned, controlled or directed, directly or indirectly, by us.
"Sugarkane Field" means the Sugarkane natural gas and condensate field within the Eagle Ford and includes the two contiguous fields designated by the Railroad Commission of Texas as the Sugarkane and Eagleville Fields.
"Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures" has the meaning ascribed thereto under "Documents Incorporated by Reference".
"Tax Act" means the Income Tax Act (Canada), as amended, including the regulations promulgated thereunder.
"Term Loan A Facility" has the meaning ascribed thereto under "Recent Developments New Credit Facilities".
"Termination Time" has the meaning ascribed thereto under "Details of the Offering".
"TSX" means the Toronto Stock Exchange.
"Underlying Common Shares" means the Common Shares issuable pursuant to the terms of the Subscription Receipts.
"Underwriters" means, collectively, Scotia, RBC, CIBC World Markets Inc., TD Securities Inc., BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., National Bank Financial Inc., Barclays Capital Canada Inc., Desjardins Securities Inc., Merrill Lynch Canada Inc., AltaCorp Capital Inc., Canaccord Genuity Corp., Credit Suisse Securities (Canada) Inc., Macquarie Capital Markets Canada Ltd., Peters & Co. Limited, FirstEnergy Capital Corp., Cormark Securities Inc. and Raymond James Ltd.
"Underwriting Agreement" means the agreement, dated as of February 7, 2014, among us and the Underwriters in respect of the Offering.
"Undeveloped Reserves" are those reserves expected to be recovered from known accumulations where a significant expenditure (e.g., when compared to the cost of drilling a well) is required to render them capable of production. They must fully meet the requirements of the reserves classification (proved, probable, possible) to which they are assigned. In multi-well pools, it may be appropriate to allocate total pool reserves between the developed and undeveloped categories or to sub-divide the developed reserves for the pool between developed producing and developed non-producing. This allocation should be based on the estimator's assessment as to the reserves that will be recovered from specific wells, facilities and completion intervals in the pool and their respective development and production status.
"United States" or "U.S." means the United States, as defined in Rule 902(l) under Regulation S under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"U.S. GAAP" means United States generally accepted accounting principles.
"WI" means working interest, an interest in an oil and gas lease that gives the owner the right to drill and produce oil and gas on the leased acreage.
Words importing the singular number only include the plural, and vice versa, and words importing any gender include all genders.
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The following table sets forth certain conversions between Standard Imperial Units and the International System of Units (or metric units).
To Convert From
|
To
|
Multiply By | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mcf |
cubic metres | 28.174 | ||||
cubic metres |
cubic feet | 35.494 | ||||
Bbls |
cubic metres | 0.159 | ||||
cubic metres |
Bbls | 6.289 | ||||
Feet |
Metres | 0.305 | ||||
Metres |
Feet | 3.281 | ||||
Miles |
kilometres | 1.609 | ||||
Kilometres |
Miles | 0.621 | ||||
Acres |
hectares | 0.405 | ||||
Hectares |
Acres | 2.471 | ||||
Gigajoules |
MMbtu | 0.950 | ||||
MMbtu |
gigajoules | 1.0526 |
Oil and Natural Gas Liquids
|
Natural Gas
|
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bbl |
barrel | Mcf | thousand cubic feet | |||
Bbls |
barrels | MMcf | million cubic feet | |||
Bbls/d |
barrels per day | Bcf | billion cubic feet | |||
Mbbls |
thousand barrels | Mcf/d | thousand cubic feet per day | |||
MMbbls |
million barrels | MMcf/d | million cubic feet per day | |||
Mstb |
thousand stock tank barrels of oil | MMbtu | million British Thermal Units | |||
NGLs |
natural gas liquids | GJ | Gigajoule |
Other
|
|
|
---|---|---|
AECO |
the natural gas storage facility located at Suffield, Alberta, connected to TransCanada's Alberta System | |
API |
American Petroleum Institute | |
°API |
an indication of the specific gravity of crude oil measured on the API gravity scale | |
BOE or Boe |
barrel or barrels of oil equivalent, using the conversion factor of six Mcf of natural gas being equivalent to one barrel of oil | |
Boe/d |
barrels of oil equivalent per day | |
m3 |
cubic metres | |
MBoe |
thousand barrels of oil equivalent | |
Mcfe |
thousand cubic feet of gas equivalent, using the conversion factor of 1 barrel of oil being equivalent to 6 Mcf of natural gas | |
MMBoe |
million barrels of oil equivalent | |
RLI |
reserve life index | |
WTI |
West Texas Intermediate, the reference price paid in U.S. dollars at Cushing, Oklahoma for the crude oil standard grade | |
WCS |
Western Canadian Select heavy oil reference price | |
000s |
thousands | |
$000s |
thousands of dollars | |
$MM |
millions of dollars |
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Certain terms used herein are defined in the "Selected Definitions". Certain other terms used herein but not defined herein are defined in NI 51-101 and, unless the context otherwise requires, shall have the same meanings herein as in NI 51-101. All financial information herein has been presented in Canadian dollars in accordance with Canadian GAAP, except where otherwise indicated. References to "$" or "CDN$" are to Canadian dollars, references to "U.S.$" are to United States dollars and references to "A$" are to Australian dollars.
The term "Boe" means a barrel of oil equivalent on the basis of 6 Mcf of natural gas to 1 Bbl of oil. The term "Mcfe" means a thousand cubic feet of gas equivalent on the basis of 1 Bbl of oil to 6 Mcf of natural gas. Boes and Mcfes may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A Boe conversion ratio of 6 Mcf: 1 Bbl or an Mcfe conversion ratio of 1 Bbl: 6 Mcf a 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 the value ratio based on the current price of crude oil as compared to natural gas is significantly different from the energy equivalency of 6 Mcf: 1Bbl, utilizing a conversion ratio at 6 Mcf: 1 Bbl may be misleading as an indication of value.
In this short form prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein, we refer to certain financial measures (such as funds from operations, payout ratio, total monetary debt and operating netback) which do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by Canadian GAAP and are considered non-GAAP measures. While funds from operations, payout ratio and operating netback are commonly used in the oil and gas industry, our determination of these measures may not be comparable with calculations of similar measures for other issuers.
Funds from Operations
We define funds from operations as cash flow from operating activities adjusted for financing costs, changes in non-cash operating working capital and other operating items. We believe that this measure assists in providing a more complete understanding of certain aspects of our results of operations and financial performance, including our ability to generate the cash flow necessary to fund future dividends to shareholders and capital investments.
Funds from operations as used herein, as it relates to Aurora, means funds provided by operating activities before changes in non-cash working capital. We consider it a key measure as it demonstrates the ability of the business to generate the cash flow necessary to fund future growth through capital investment.
However, funds from operations should not be construed as an alternative to traditional performance measures determined in accordance with Canadian GAAP or U.S. GAAP, such as cash flow from operating activities and net income. Please refer to our most recent management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, which is incorporated by reference herein, for a reconciliation of funds from operations to cash flow from operating activities.
Payout Ratio
We define payout ratio as cash dividends (net of participation in our dividend reinvestment plan) divided by funds from operations. We believe that this measure assists in providing a more complete understanding of certain aspects of our results of operations and financial performance, including our ability to generate the cash flow necessary to fund future dividends to Shareholders and capital investments.
Total Monetary Debt
We define total monetary debt as the sum of monetary working capital, being current assets less current liabilities (excluding non-cash items such as unrealized gains or losses on financial derivatives), the principal
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amount of long-term debt and long-term bank loan. We believe that this measure assists in providing a more complete understanding of our cash liabilities.
Operating Netback
We define operating netback as product revenue less royalties, production and operating expenses and transportation expenses divided by barrels of oil equivalent sales volume for the applicable period. We believe that this measure assists in characterizing our ability to generate cash margin on a unit of production basis. Aurora defines operating netback as revenue from production less royalties, production taxes, gathering and transportation costs, facility maintenance and operated costs calculated on a Boe basis.
ENFORCEMENT OF JUDGMENTS AGAINST FOREIGN PERSONS OR COMPANIES
Mary Ellen Peters, one of our directors, resides outside of Canada. Ms. Peters has appointed Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP, Suite 2400, 525 - 8th Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 1G1, as her agent for service of process. In addition, all or some of the designated professionals of BDO Audit (WA) Pty Ltd., Aurora's external auditor and Ryder Scott Company, L.P., Aurora's independent qualified reserves evaluator are incorporated, continued or otherwise organized under the laws of a foreign jurisdiction or reside outside of Canada. BDO Audit (WA) Pty Ltd. has appointed BDO Canada LLP, Suite 600, 36 Toronto Street, Toronto, Ontario M5C 2C5 as its agent for service of process. Ryder Scott Company, L.P has appointed Ryder Scott Canada at Suite 600, 1015 - 4th Street S.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2R 1J4 as its agent for service of process. It may not be possible for you to enforce judgments obtained in Canada against a person that resides outside of Canada, even if the party has appointed an agent for service of process.
Purchasers are advised that it may not be possible for investors to enforce judgments obtained in Canada against a person that resides outside of Canada, even if the party has appointed an agent for service of process.
We are a corporation formed under, and governed by, the laws of the Province of Alberta, Canada and our principal place of business is in Canada. Substantially all of our directors and officers and the experts named in this short form prospectus are residents of Canada or otherwise reside outside of the United States, and all or a substantial portion of their assets and our assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for investors in the United States to effect service of process within the United States upon those directors, officers and experts who are not residents of the United States or to enforce against them judgments of United States courts based upon civil liability under the United States federal securities laws or the securities laws of any state within the United States.
We have been advised by our Canadian counsel, Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP, that there is substantial doubt whether an action could be brought in Canada in the first instance on the basis of liability predicated solely upon United States federal securities laws. We have appointed Baytex Energy USA Ltd., 600 - 17th Street, Suite 1600 S, Denver, CO 80202, as our agent in the United States upon which service of process against us may be made in any action based on this short form prospectus.
We filed with the SEC, concurrently with the initial filing of this registration statement on Form F-10 of which this short form prospectus forms a part, an appointment of agent for service of process on Form F-X. Under the Form F-X, we appointed Baytex Energy USA Ltd. as our agent for service of process in the United States in connection with any investigation or administrative proceeding conducted by the SEC, and any civil suit or action brought against or involving us in a United States court arising out of or related to or concerning the offering of Subscription Receipts under this short form prospectus.
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DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Information has been incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated by reference, into this short form prospectus from documents filed with securities commissions or similar authorities in Canada and with the SEC in the United States. Copies of the documents incorporated herein by reference may be obtained on request without charge from our Corporate Secretary at Suite 2800, Centennial Place, East Tower, 520 - 3rd Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 0R3, Telephone: (587) 952-3000. In addition, copies of the documents incorporated herein by reference may be obtained from the securities commissions or similar authorities in Canada through the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com and in the United States through EDGAR at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
Under applicable securities laws in Canada and the United States, the Canadian securities commissions and the SEC allow us to incorporate by reference certain information that we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. Information that is incorporated by reference is an important part of this short form prospectus. The following documents filed with securities commissions or similar authorities in each of the provinces of Canada and with the SEC in the United States are incorporated by reference into this short form prospectus:
Any documents of the type described in Section 11.1 of Form 44-101F1 Short Form Prospectus promulgated under National Instrument 44-101 Short Form Prospectus Distributions (including, without limitation, any annual information form, audited consolidated financial statements, together with the auditor's report thereon, and related management's discussion and analysis, information circular, material change reports, marketing materials, business acquisition reports and condensed interim unaudited consolidated financial statements and related management's discussion and analysis) subsequently filed by us with the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in the relevant provinces of Canada after the date of this short form prospectus and prior to the termination of the Offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein in this short form prospectus. In addition, any similar documents filed by us with the SEC in our periodic
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reports on Form 6-K or annual reports on Form 40-F and any other documents filed with or furnished to the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, in each case after the date of this short form prospectus and prior to the termination of the Offering, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this short form prospectus and the registration statement of which this short form prospectus forms a part. To the extent that any document or information incorporated by reference into this short form prospectus is included in a report that is filed with or furnished to the SEC on Form 40-F, 20-F, 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K or 6-K (or any respective successor form), such document or information shall also be deemed to be incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this short form prospectus forms a part.
Any statement contained in this short form prospectus or in a document (or part of a document) incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained in this short form prospectus or in a document (or part of a document) incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein (or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference) modifies or supersedes that statement. The modifying or superseding statement need not state that it has modified or superseded a prior statement or include any other information set forth in the document that it modifies or supersedes. The making of a modifying or superseding statement is not to be deemed an admission for any purposes that the modified or superseded statement, when made, constituted a misrepresentation, an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact that is required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances in which it was made. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to be incorporated by reference into or to constitute a part of this short form prospectus.
Any "template version" of any "marketing materials" (as such terms are defined under applicable Canadian securities laws) that are utilized by the Underwriters in connection with the Offering are not part of this short form prospectus to the extent that the contents of the template version of the marketing materials have been modified or superseded by a statement contained in this short form prospectus. Any template version of any marketing material that has been, or will be, filed on SEDAR before the termination of the distribution under the Offering (including any amendments to, or an amended version of, any template version of any marketing materials) is deemed to be incorporated into this short form prospectus.
In the interest of providing shareholders and potential investors with information regarding Baytex and Aurora, including management's assessment of future plans and operations, certain statements made in this short form prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 2 of the Exchange Act and "forward looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "could", "estimate", "expect", "forecast", "intend", "may", "objective", "ongoing", "outlook", "potential", "project", "plan", "should", "target", "would", "will" or similar words suggesting future outcomes, events or performance. The forward-looking statements contained in this short form prospectus speak only as of the date thereof and are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
Specifically, this short form prospectus contains forward-looking statements relating to, but not limited to: our plans to increase our dividend upon completion of the Acquisition; the anticipated benefits from the Acquisition; our beliefs that the Aurora Assets will provide material production, long-term growth and high quality reserves with upside potential and a platform for future growth opportunities; our expectations and anticipated timing of receipt of positive cash flow from the Aurora Assets; our expectations regarding the effect of well downspacing, improving completion techniques and new development targets on the reserves potential of the Aurora Assets; forecasted production and production mix following completion of the Acquisition; the anticipated effect of the Acquisition on us, including in respect of reserves, production and funds from operations; Aurora's forecasted production and production growth for 2014; Aurora's average estimated reserves per well; accretive, operating and financial metrics and the strategic rationale for the Acquisition; drilling plans, including number of wells planned for 2014 on the Aurora Assets; expectations regarding the
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Acquisition and the Offering, including anticipated timing of mailing of the scheme booklet to the Aurora Shareholders, timing of completion of the Acquisition and the Offering, and approvals required for the Acquisition and the Offering; and the terms of the Subscription Receipts. In addition, information and statements relating to resources and reserves are deemed to be forward-looking statements, as they involve implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions that the resources or reserves, as applicable, described exist in quantities predicted or estimated, and that the reserves can be profitably produced in the future. Although we believe that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because we can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. See "Special Notes to Reader Forward-Looking Statements" in the Annual Information Form, which is incorporated by reference into this short form prospectus and which is available on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com and through EDGAR at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov for further information with respect to forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements contained in this short form prospectus are based on certain key assumptions regarding, among other things: the receipt of regulatory, shareholder and other approvals for the Acquisition; our ability to execute and realize the anticipated benefits of the Acquisition; timing of closing and regulatory approvals for the Offering; petroleum and natural gas prices and pricing differentials between light, medium and heavy gravity crude oil; well production rates and reserve volumes; our ability to add production and reserves through our exploration and development activities; capital expenditure levels; the availability and cost of labour and other industry services; the amount of future cash dividends that we intend to pay; interest and foreign exchange rates; the continuance of existing and, in certain circumstances, proposed tax and royalty regimes; our ability to develop our crude oil and natural gas properties and the acquired assets in the manner currently contemplated; current or, where applicable, proposed assumed industry conditions, laws and regulations will continue in effect or as anticipated; and the estimates of our production and reserves volumes and Aurora's production and reserve volumes and the assumptions related thereto (including commodity prices and development costs) are accurate in all material respects. You are cautioned that such assumptions, although considered reasonable by us at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect.
Actual results achieved during the forecast period will vary from the information provided in this short form prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein, respectively, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors which are discussed in this short form prospectus and in the documents incorporated herein by reference. Such factors include, but are not limited to: the Acquisition may not be completed on the terms contemplated or at all; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Acquisition; closing of the Offering and/or the Acquisition could be delayed or not completed if we are not able to obtain the necessary stock exchange, shareholder and regulatory approvals or any other approvals required for completion or, unless waived, some other condition to closing is not satisfied; declines in oil and natural gas prices; variations in interest rates and foreign exchange rates; uncertainties in the credit markets; the cost of borrowing; refinancing risk for existing debt and debt service costs; access to external sources of capital; risks associated with our hedging activities; third party credit risk; risks associated with the exploitation of our properties and our ability to acquire reserves; government regulation and changes in governmental legislation; changes in income tax or other laws or government incentive programs; uncertainties associated with estimating petroleum and natural gas reserves; risks associated with acquiring, developing and exploring for oil and natural gas and other aspects of our operations; risks associated with properties operated by third parties; risks associated with delays in business operations; risks associated with the marketing of our petroleum and natural gas production; risks associated with large projects or expansion of our activities; the failure to realize anticipated benefits of acquisitions and dispositions or to manage growth; changes in climate change laws and other environmental, health and safety regulations; competition in the oil and gas industry for, among other things, acquisitions of reserves, undeveloped lands, skilled personnel and drilling and related equipment; the application of accounting policies; the activities of our Operating Entities and their key personnel; depletion of our reserves; risks associated with securing and maintaining title to our properties; seasonality; our permitted investments; risks associated with the ownership of our securities, including the discretionary nature of dividend payments and changes in market-based factors; risks for United States and other non-resident shareholders; closing of the Offering and/or the Acquisition could be delayed or not completed if we are not able to obtain the necessary stock exchange approvals or any other approvals required for completion or, unless waived, some other condition to the closing is not satisfied; and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.
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Statements relating to "reserves" and "contingent resources" are deemed to be forward-looking statements, as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, that the reserves and contingent resources described exist in the quantities predicted or estimated, and can be profitably produced in the future.
Cash dividends on our Common Shares are paid at the discretion of our Board of Directors and can fluctuate. In establishing the level of cash dividends, our Board of Directors considers all factors that it deems relevant, including, without limitation, the outlook for commodity prices, our production levels, our operational execution, the amount of funds from operations and capital expenditures, our prevailing financial circumstances at the time, our debt service requirements, our operating costs, our royalty burdens, foreign exchange rates, and the satisfaction of the liquidity and solvency tests imposed by the ABCA for the declaration and payment of dividends. With respect to the forward-looking statements contained in this short form prospectus regarding our plans to increase our dividend upon completion of the Acquisition, we have assumed that such increase will be declared by our Board of Directors after considering all such relevant factors, however such increased dividend is not guaranteed. There is a risk that such dividend increase will not be declared by the Board of Directors. See "Risk Factors" and "Dividends to Shareholders".
Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of risk factors is not exhaustive. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all of such factors and to assess in advance the impact of each such factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these factors may be found under the heading "Risk Factors" in this short form prospectus and under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Annual Information Form.
We do not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities law. The forward-looking statements contained in this short form prospectus and in certain documents incorporated by reference into this short form prospectus are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Information on, or connected to our website, even if referred to in a document incorporated by reference, does not constitute part of this short form prospectus.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-10 relating to the Subscription Receipts, of which this short form prospectus forms a part. This short form prospectus does not contain all of the information contained in the registration statement, certain items of which are contained in the exhibits to the registration statement as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information about us and the Subscription Receipts, please refer to the registration statement.
We are subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act and applicable Canadian securities legislation, and in accordance with those requirements, we file and furnish reports and other information with the SEC and with the securities regulatory authorities of the provinces of Canada. Under the multi-jurisdictional disclosure system adopted by the United States and Canada, we generally may prepare these reports and other information in accordance with the disclosure requirements of Canada. These requirements are different from those of the United States. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements and our officers and directors and our Shareholders holding 10% or more of our Common Shares are exempt from the beneficial ownership reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
The reports and other information filed and furnished by us with the SEC may be read and copied at the SEC's public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of the same documents can also be obtained from the public reference room of the SEC in Washington by paying a fee. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. The SEC also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that makes available reports and other information that we file electronically with it, including the registration statement that we have filed with respect to this Offering.
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Copies of reports, statements and other information that we file with the Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities are electronically available through the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.
The financial statements incorporated by reference herein are in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated. The following tables set forth: (i) the rates of exchange for Canadian dollars, expressed in United States dollars in effect at the end of each of the periods indicated; and (ii) the average of exchange rates in effect on the last day of each month during such period, in each case based on the noon buying rate in the City of New York for cable transfers in Canadian dollars as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for United States Dollars.
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Nine Months Ended | |
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Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
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September 30, 2013 |
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2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
Average for the Period(1) |
$ | 0.9769 | $ | 0.9708 | $ | 1.0009 | $ | 1.0115 | |||||
End of Period |
$ | 0.9723 | $ | 0.9402 | $ | 1.0051 | $ | 0.9833 |
Note:
On February 18, 2014, the rate of exchange for the Canadian dollar, expressed in United States dollars, based on the Bank of Canada noon rate for United States dollars, was CDN$1.00=U.S.$0.9130.
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An investment in the Subscription Receipts, including the Underlying Common Shares, is subject to a number of risks. In addition to the risk factors set forth below, additional risk factors relating to our business are discussed in our Annual Information Form, our Annual MD&A and certain other documents incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, which risk factors are incorporated herein by reference. Prospective purchasers of the Subscription Receipts should consider carefully the risk factors set forth below, as well as the other information contained in and incorporated by reference in this short form prospectus before purchasing the Subscription Receipts. If any event arising from these risks occurs, our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, or your investment in the Subscription Receipts could be materially adversely affected.
Forward Looking Statements May Prove Inaccurate
Purchasers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements. By their nature, forward looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, of both a general and specific nature, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward looking statements or contribute to the possibility that predictions, forecasts or projections will prove to be materially inaccurate.
Dividends
Our Board of Directors has discretion in the payment of dividends and may choose not to maintain dividends incertain circumstances
The amount of future cash dividends, if any, will be subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors and may vary depending on a variety of factors and conditions existing from time to time, including fluctuations in commodity prices, production levels, capital expenditure requirements, debt service requirements, operating costs, royalty burdens, foreign exchange rates and the satisfaction of the liquidity and solvency tests imposed by the ABCA for the declaration and payment of dividends. Depending on these and various other factors, many of which will be beyond the control of our Board of Directors and management team, we will change our dividend policy from time to time and, as a result, future cash dividends could be reduced or suspended entirely. The market value of our Common Shares may deteriorate if we reduce or suspend the amount of the cash dividends that we pay in the future and such deterioration may be material. Furthermore, the future treatment of dividends for tax purposes will be subject to the nature and composition of our dividends and potential legislative and regulatory changes.
Dividends may be reduced during periods of lower funds from operations, which result from lower commodity prices and the decision by us to finance capital expenditures using funds from operations. A reduction in dividends could also negatively affect the market price of the Common Shares. Production and development costs incurred with respect to properties, including power costs and the costs of injection fluids associated with tertiary recovery operations, reduce the income that we receive and, consequently, the amounts we can distribute to our Shareholders.
The timing and amount of capital expenditures will directly affect the amount of income available to pay dividends to our Shareholders. Dividends may be reduced, or even eliminated, at times when significant capital or other expenditures are planned. To the extent that external sources of capital, including the issuance of additional Common Shares, become limited or unavailable, our ability to make the necessary capital investments to maintain or expand petroleum and natural gas reserves and to invest in assets, as the case may be, will be impaired. To the extent that we are required to use funds from operations to finance capital expenditures or property acquisitions, the cash we receive will be reduced, resulting in reductions to the amount of cash we are able to distribute to our Shareholders. A reduction in the amount of cash distributed to Shareholders may negatively affect the market price of the Common Shares.
In addition, our ability to pay dividends could be adversely affected if the free cash flow from the Acquisition does not materialize as expected when coupled with the potentially dilutive effect of the additional Common Shares issued for the Subscription Receipts issued in this Offering. The potential restrictions on dividends in the covenants under the Credit Facilities, the Debenture Indenture, the New Credit Facilities and the Aurora Note Indentures could also restrict our payment of dividends.
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Risks Relating to the Offering
There is currently no public market for the Subscription Receipts and there can be no assurance that an active trading market will develop.
Although the TSX has conditionally approved the listing of the Subscription Receipts and the Underlying Common Shares qualified by this short form prospectus (including the Subscription Receipts and the Underlying Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the Over-allotment Option) and application has been made to list the Underlying Common Shares (including the Underlying Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the Over-allotment Option) on the NYSE, there is currently no market through which the Subscription Receipts may be sold and there is no guarantee that an active trading market will develop. Accordingly, purchasers may not be able to resell the Subscription Receipts distributed under this short form prospectus. This may affect the pricing of the Subscription Receipts in the secondary market, the transparency and the availability of trading prices and the liquidity of the securities. There can be no assurance that an active trading market will develop for the Subscription Receipts after the Offering, or if developed, that such a market will be sustained at the price level of the Offering.
If the Escrow Condition is not satisfied on or prior to the Termination Time, the Subscription Receipts will not be exchanged into Common Shares.
The Subscription Receipts will be exchanged for Common Shares upon the satisfaction of the Escrow Condition. We may waive certain closing conditions in our favor in the Implementation Agreement or agree with Aurora to amend the Implementation Agreement and consummate the Acquisition on terms that may be substantially different from those contemplated in this short form prospectus. Other events, many of which are beyond our control including the acceptance of a Competing Proposal by Aurora, could result in termination of the Implementation Agreement prior to the Termination Time. If the Acquisition is not completed by the Termination Time, or if we advise the Underwriters or announce to the public that we do not intend to proceed with the Acquisition, or if the Implementation Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms, holders of Subscription Receipts shall receive an amount equal to the full subscription price attributable to the Subscription Receipts and their pro rata entitlement to interest accrued on such amount. As a result, the expected benefits of the Acquisition may not be fully realized. See "Recent Developments The Acquisition" and "About Aurora". There can be no assurance that the Escrow Condition will be satisfied on or prior to the Termination Time. Until the Escrow Condition is satisfied and the Common Shares are delivered pursuant to the Subscription Receipt Agreement, holders of Subscription Receipts have the rights described under "Details of the Offering".
There can be no assurance that the Acquisition will close after the conditions for the release of the Escrowed Funds have been satisfied.
The Escrowed Funds will be held by the Escrow Agent, and invested in short-term obligations of, or guaranteed by, the Government of Canada (or other approved investments) pending delivery by us to the Underwriters of a certificate on the third Business Day prior to the anticipated Effective Date to the effect that the Escrow Condition has been satisfied. Upon satisfaction of the Escrow Condition prior to the Termination Time, the Escrowed Funds will be released to us in accordance with the terms of the Subscription Receipt Agreement to enable us to convert these funds to Australian dollars and complete the Acquisition. Although we have been advised by our Australian counsel that the Acquisition is unconditional once the Final Order has been filed with the ASIC, there is a possibility that the Acquisition is not completed by the Termination Time. As a result, the expected benefits of the Acquisition may not be fully realized. See "Recent Developments The Acquisition" and "About Aurora".
Risks Relating to the Acquisition
We may not complete the Acquisition on the terms negotiated or at all.
The Acquisition is subject to satisfaction of the conditions described herein and normal commercial risk that the Acquisition may not be completed on the terms negotiated or at all. This could result from events which are beyond our control, including the acceptance of a Competing Proposal by Aurora. If closing of the Acquisition does not take place by the Termination Time, we will repay to holders of Subscription Receipts,
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commencing on or before the second Business Day following the Termination Time, an amount equal to the issue price of the Subscription Receipts plus a pro rata share of the interest earned on the Escrowed Funds. In that case, the total return that a purchaser of Subscription Receipts would be entitled to receive would be limited to the purchaser's pro rata share of interest earned on the subscription price for such purchaser's Subscription Receipts. The purchaser would not be entitled to participate in any growth in the trading price of our Common Shares. Further, the purchaser would be restricted from using the funds devoted to the acquisition of the Subscription Receipts for any other investment opportunities until the Escrowed Funds are returned to the purchaser. See "Recent Developments The Acquisition", "About Aurora" and "Risk Factors Use of Proceeds".
It is possible that we will fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the Acquisition.
We are proposing to complete the Acquisition to strengthen our position in the oil and natural gas industry and to create the opportunity to realize certain benefits. Achieving the benefits of the Acquisition depends in part on successfully consolidating functions and integrating operations, procedures and personnel in a timely and efficient manner, as well as our ability to realize the anticipated growth opportunities and synergies from integrating the Aurora Assets into our existing portfolio of properties. The integration of the Aurora Assets requires the dedication of substantial management effort, time and resources, which may divert management's focus and resources from other strategic opportunities and from operational matters during this process. The integration process may result in the loss of key employees and the disruption of ongoing business, customer and employee relationships that may adversely affect our ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of the Acquisition.
There may be potential undisclosed liabilities associated with the Acquisition.
In connection with the Acquisition, there may be liabilities that we failed to discover or were unable to quantify in our due diligence (which we conducted prior to the execution of the Implementation Agreement). The representations, warranties and indemnities contained in the Implementation Agreement are limited and our ability to seek remedies for breach of such provisions following completion of the Acquisition will be limited.
Acquisitions require engineering, title, environmental and economic assessments that may be materially incorrect.
Acquisitions of oil and gas properties or companies are based in large part on engineering, environmental and economic assessments made by the acquiror, independent engineers and consultants. These assessments include a series of assumptions regarding such factors as recoverability and marketability of oil and natural gas, environmental restrictions and prohibitions regarding releases and emissions of various substances, future prices of oil and gas and operating costs, future capital expenditures and royalties and other government levies which will be imposed over the producing life of the reserves. Many of these factors are subject to change and are beyond our control. All such assessments involve a measure of geologic, engineering, environmental and regulatory uncertainty that could result in lower production and reserves or higher operating or capital expenditures than anticipated or unanticipated difficulty in obtaining required permits.
Aurora typically has not incurred the expense of a title examination prior to ordinary course acquisitions by its operator of oil and natural gas leases or undivided interests in oil and natural gas leases or other developed rights. In addition, its practice has been to not to incur the expense of retaining lawyers to examine the title to the mineral interest to be acquired. Instead, it has relied upon the judgment of oil and natural gas lease brokers or landmen to perform the fieldwork in examining records in the appropriate governmental or county clerk's office before attempting to acquire a lease or other developed rights in a specific mineral interest.
Prior to drilling an oil or natural gas well, however, it is the normal practice in the oil and natural gas industry for the person or company acting as the operator of the well to obtain a preliminary title review of the spacing unit within which the proposed oil or natural gas well is to be drilled to ensure there are no obvious deficiencies in title to the well. Frequently, as a result of such examinations, certain curative work must be done to correct deficiencies in the marketability of the title, such as obtaining affidavits of heirship or causing an estate to be administered. Such curative work entails expense, and the operator may elect to proceed with a well despite defects to the title identified in the preliminary title opinion.
Aurora's failure to obtain perfect title to its leaseholds may adversely affect the production and reserves associated with the Aurora Assets and our ability in the future to increase production and reserves. Although
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select title and environmental reviews were conducted by us in connection with the Acquisition, this review cannot guarantee that any unforeseen defects in the chain of title will not arise to defeat our title to certain assets or that environmental defects, liabilities or deficiencies do not exist or are greater than anticipated.
We will not be the operator of a substantial majority of the drilling locations in Aurora's acreage following completion of the Acquisition, and, therefore, we will not be able to control the timing of development, associated costs, or the rate of production on that non-operated acreage.
All of Aurora's current AMIs in the Sugarkane Field are operated by Marathon and we will be reliant upon Marathon to successfully operate the Sugarkane Field AMIs. Marathon will make decisions based on its own best interests and the collective best interests of all of the owners of WIs in the Sugarkane Field in connection with their operation (subject to its contractual and legal obligations to other owners of WIs), which may not be in our best interests. If we are not willing or are unable to fund our capital expenditure requirements relating to our drilling locations when required by our single operator, our interests in our drilling locations may be diluted or forfeited.
As a substantial majority of Aurora's acreage is operated by Marathon, we expect that we will not be the operator of the identified gross and net drilling locations in the Aurora Reserves Reports. As we carry out our exploration and development programs with respect to the Aurora Assets, we may enter into additional arrangements with respect to existing or future drilling locations that result in additional locations being operated by others. As a result, we may have virtually no ability to exercise influence over the operational decisions of the operator, including the setting of capital expenditure budgets and drilling locations and schedules. Dependence on the operator could prevent us from realizing our target returns of those locations. The success and timing of development activities operated by our partners will depend on a number of factors that will largely be outside of our control, including:
Following completion of the Acquisition, we could experience periods of higher capital and operating costs as activity in the Eagle Ford accelerates or if commodity prices rise. These increases could reduce our profitability, cash flow and ability to complete development activities as scheduled and on budget.
Industry activity in the Eagle Ford has accelerated since late 2008 when only a few rigs were operating. As activity in the Eagle Ford increases, competition for equipment, labour and supplies is also expected to increase. In addition, capital and operating costs in the oil and gas industry have generally risen during periods of increasing commodity prices as producers seek to ramp-up production in order to capitalize on higher commodity prices. In situations where cost inflation exceeds price inflation, our profitability, cash flow and ability to complete development activities as scheduled and on budget may be negatively impacted.
In addition to rising costs, increasing activity in the Eagle Ford and the oil and gas industry in general may impact the availability of necessary equipment, including drilling equipment. As activity increases, so does demand for equipment, which may lengthen the lead time for obtaining the equipment or, in the most extreme cases, make obtaining the equipment unavailable at a cost we are able or willing to pay.
Availability of adequate transportation arrangements with third parties may increase operating costs.
For the transportation and relocation of Aurora's hydraulic fracturing equipment, sand and chemicals, it currently relies predominantly on truck transportation services operated by third parties. Truck carriers are subject to regulation as motor carriers by the U.S. Department of Transportation ("DOT") and by various state agencies, whose regulations include certain permit requirements of state highway and safety authorities. Increased costs of trucking services for the transport of hydraulic fracturing equipment, sand and chemicals would result in increased transportation expenses, which would negatively affect our results of operations.
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A large proportion of the total estimated proved and probable reserves attributable to the Aurora Assets at December 31, 2013 were undeveloped. These reserves may not ultimately be developed.
At December 31, 2013, approximately 79% of the total estimated proved reserves, and substantially all of the probable reserves, attributable to the Aurora Assets as set forth in the Aurora 2013 Reserves Report, were undeveloped. Recovery of undeveloped reserves requires successful drilling and incurrence of significant capital expenditures. The Aurora Reserve Reports assume that these expenditures can and will be made and that these operations will be conducted successfully. These assumptions, however, may not prove correct. If we choose not to spend the capital to develop these reserves, or if we are not otherwise able to successfully develop these reserves, we will be required to write them off. Any such write-offs of these reserves could reduce our ability to borrow and adversely affect our liquidity. In addition, to the extent we do not operate these undeveloped properties, we will be subject to operational decisions of the operator that we may have a limited ability to influence in respect of the development of these reserves on any particular schedule, or at all.
Expiration of licenses and leases will have a negative effect on our business operations.
The properties comprising the Aurora Assets are held in the form of licenses and leases and WIs in licenses and leases. If we or the holder of the license or lease fails to meet the specific requirement of a license or lease to bring the acreage into production or otherwise, the license or lease may terminate or expire. There can be no assurance that any of the obligations required to maintain each license or lease will be met. The termination or expiration of such licenses or leases or the WIs relating to a license or lease may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
A change in the jurisdictional characterization of some of the Aurora Assets by federal, state or local regulatory agencies or a change in policy by those agencies may result in increased regulation of the Aurora Assets, which may cause our revenues to decline and operating expenses to increase.
Section 1(b) of the Natural Gas Act of 1938 (the "Natural Gas Act") exempts natural gas gathering facilities from regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") under that statute. Aurora believes that the gathering systems it operates meet the traditional tests FERC has used to establish a pipeline's status as a gathering. However, the distinction between FERC-regulated transmission pipelines and unregulated gathering services is the subject of ongoing litigation and may be determined by FERC on a case-by-case basis. Consequently, the classification and regulation of Aurora's gathering facilities are subject to change based on future determinations by FERC, the courts or the U.S. Congress ("Congress").
While Aurora's natural gas gathering pipelines are currently exempt from FERC regulation under the Natural Gas Act, we may be subject to certain FERC reporting requirements. Other FERC regulations may indirectly affect our businesses and the markets for products derived from these businesses, including, for example, FERC's requirements as to access transportation, natural gas quality, ratemaking, capacity release and market center promotion. A change in these requirements may affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Regulation of sales and transportation may impact the marketing of production from the Aurora Assets.
The sales prices of oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas are presently not regulated, but rather are set by the market. We cannot predict, however, whether new legislation to regulate the price of energy commodities might be proposed, what proposals, if any, might actually be enacted by the U.S. Congress or the various state legislatures and what effect, if any, such proposals might have on the operations of the Aurora Assets.
The FERC regulates rates and service conditions for the transportation of natural gas in interstate commerce, which affects the marketing of natural gas Aurora produces, as well as the revenues it receives for sales of such production. The FERC exercises its ratemaking authority by applying cost-of-service principles, allowing for the negotiation of rates where there is a cost-based alternative rate or granting market-based rates in certain circumstances, typically with respect to storage services. The FERC has also undertaken various initiatives to increase competition in the natural gas industry, which may indirectly affect our businesses and the markets for products derived from these businesses. These policies include regulations on open access transportation, natural gas quality, capacity release and market center promotion. We may be also indirectly subject to certain reporting requirements of the FERC based on the sale of gas the Acquired Assets.
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The prices and terms of access to intrastate pipeline transportation are subject to state regulation. The FERC and, to a lesser extent, the Railroad Commission of Texas have proposed and implemented new rules and regulations affecting gas transportation in recent years. We do not believe that we will be affected by any such rules or changes to existing rules in a manner materially different than any other similarly situated natural gas producer.
Rates and service conditions for the interstate transportation of oil and natural gas liquids are regulated by the FERC. In general, these rates must be cost-based or based on rates in effect in 1992, although the FERC has established an indexing system for such transportation rates that allows pipelines to take an annual inflation-based rate increase. Shippers may, however, contest rates that do not reflect costs of service. The FERC has also established market-based rates and settlement rates as alternative forms of ratemaking in certain circumstances. We cannot predict with any certainty what effect, if any, these regulations will have, but other factors being equal, the regulations may, over time ten to increase transportation costs which may have the effect of reducing net prices for oil and natural gas liquids.
Sales of oil and natural gas, and any hedging activities related to such energy commodities, expose us to potential regulatory risks.
The FERC, the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") hold statutory authority to monitor certain segments of the physical and future energy commodities and derivatives markets relevant to the Aurora Assets. These agencies have issued broad regulations prohibiting fraud and manipulation in such markets. With regard to physical sales of oil and natural gas, any hedging activities related to these energy commodities and certain other activities, we will be required to observe the market-related regulations issued by these agencies, which hold substantial enforcement authority. Failure to comply with such regulations, as interpreted and enforced, could expose us to enforcement actions and penalties and thus materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Under the Natural Gas Act, as amended by the Domenici-Barton Energy Policy Act of 2005, the FERC is authorized to impose civil penalties of up to U.S.$1 million per day for each violation of the Natural Gas Act and the FERC's regulations thereunder, including market-related regulations. The FERC may also order disgorgement of profits associated with any violation. The FTC is authorized to seek the judicial imposition of penalties of up to U.S.$1 million per day for each violation of such law and its implementing regulations. The CFTC also has statutory authority to assess fines of up to U.S.$1 million for violations of the Commodity Exchange Act and its anti-market manipulation regulations.
We may be subject to new pipeline safety laws and regulations.
The Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2012, which President Obama signed into law on January 3, 2012, increases penalties for safety violations, establishes additional safety requirements for newly constructed pipelines, and requires studies of certain safety issues, such as the exemption of gathering systems from integrity management programs. These studies could result in the adoption of new regulatory requirements for existing pipelines, including gathering systems. DOT, through the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration ("PHMSA") has also published an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking to solicit comments on the need for changes to its safety regulations, including whether to revise the integrity management requirements and add new regulations governing the safety of gathering lines. We cannot predict the effect of new regulatory initiatives on us or the Aurora Assets. Penalties for safety violations and potential regulatory changes could have a material effect on our operations, operating expenses, and revenues.
Certain federal income tax deductions currently available with respect to oil and natural gas development and exploration may be eliminated as a result of future legislation.
President Obama's budget proposal for the fiscal year 2014 recommended the elimination of certain key U.S. federal income tax preferences currently available to oil and natural gas exploration and production companies. These changes include, but are not limited to: (i) the repeal of the percentage depletion allowance for oil and natural gas properties; (ii) the elimination of current deductions for intangible drilling and development costs; (iii) the elimination of the deduction for certain U.S. production activities for oil and gas production; and (iv) an extension of the amortization period for certain geological and geophysical expenditures.
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It is unclear whether any such changes will actually be enacted or, if enacted, how soon any such changes could become effective. The passage of any legislation as a result of the budget proposal or any other similar change in U.S. federal income tax law could materially affect certain tax deductions that are currently available with respect to oil and natural gas exploration and production and materially affect the economic return from the development of reserves attributed to the Aurora Assets.
The recent adoption of derivatives legislation by Congress could have an adverse effect on our ability to use derivative instruments to reduce the effect of commodity price, interest rate and other risks associated with the Aurora Assets.
Congress recently adopted comprehensive financial reform legislation that establishes federal oversight and regulation of the over-the-counter derivatives market and entities that participate in that market. This legislation, known as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "Dodd-Frank Act"), was signed into law by President Obama on July 21, 2010 and requires the CFTC and the SEC to promulgate rules and regulations implementing the new legislation. In its rulemaking under the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFTC has proposed regulations to set position limits for certain futures and option contracts in the major energy markets and for swaps that are their economic equivalents. Certain bona fide hedging transactions or positions would be exempt from these position limits. It is not possible at this time to predict when the CFTC will finalize these regulations. The financial reform legislation may also require us to comply with margin requirements and with certain clearing and trade execution requirements in connection with any future derivative activities, although the application of those provisions to us is uncertain at this time. The financial reform legislation may also require certain of our counterparties to any future derivative instruments to spin off some of their derivatives activities to a separate entity, which may not be as creditworthy as the current counterparty. The new legislation and any new regulations could significantly increase the cost of derivative contracts (including through requirements to post collateral which could adversely affect our available liquidity) and trigger changes in the terms and availability of derivatives to protect against risks we may encounter. If we reduce our use of derivatives with respect to the Aurora Assets as a result of the legislation and regulations, our results of operations may become more volatile and our cash flows may be less predictable, which could adversely affect our ability to plan for and fund capital expenditures on the Aurora Assets. Any of these consequences could have a material adverse effect on us, our financial condition and the results of our operations.
Federal and state legislation and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing could result in increased costs and additional operating restrictions or delays.
Hydraulic fracturing is an important and common practice that is used to stimulate production of hydrocarbons from tight geological formations. We routinely utilize hydraulic fracturing techniques in many of our drilling and completion programs. At present, the hydraulic fracturing process in the United States is typically regulated by state oil and gas commissions. However, the EPA has asserted federal regulatory authority over certain hydraulic fracturing activities involving diesel fuel under the Safe Drinking Water Act's (the "SDWA") Underground Injection Control Program and, in May 2012, issued a draft permitting guidance document addressing the performance of hydraulic fracturing activities using diesel fuel. The EPA has commenced a study of the potential environmental effects of hydraulic fracturing activities and issued a progress report in December 2012, with a draft final report expected to be available this year for public comment and peer review. In October 2011, the EPA announced its intention to propose federal Clean Water Act regulations by 2014 governing wastewater discharges from hydraulic fracturing and certain other natural gas operations. In addition, in November 2011, the EPA announced that it would require record-keeping and reporting of the chemicals used by oil and natural gas exploration and production companies in hydraulic fracturing, which is intended to provide transparency with regard to the use of chemicals in hydraulic fracturing. Moreover, in May 2013, the Bureau of Land Management issued a proposed rule that would require public disclosure of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing operations, and impose other operational requirements for all hydraulic fracturing operations on federal lands, including Native American trust lands.
Also, the White House Council on Environmental Quality is coordinating an administration-wide review of hydraulic fracturing practices and a committee of the U.S. House of Representatives has conducted an investigation of hydraulic fracturing practices. Public interest in hydraulic fracturing and initiatives by environmental groups may also increase regulatory scrutiny and regulation. The results of government studies or
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heightened public interest could spur additional initiatives to regulate hydraulic fracturing under the SDWA or otherwise.
Congress has from time to time considered legislation to provide for federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing and to require disclosure of the chemicals used in the fracturing process. In addition, some states in the U.S. have adopted, and other states are considering adopting, regulations that could impose more stringent permitting, disclosure and well construction, completion and operating requirements on hydraulic fracturing operations, including the states in which Aurora operates the Aurora Assets. For example, Texas requires the disclosure of information regarding the substances used in the hydraulic fracturing process to the Railroad Commission of Texas (the entity that regulates oil and natural gas production in Texas) and to the public. In addition, some local governments, including some found in Texas, have adopted ordinances within their jurisdictions regulating the time, place and manner of drilling activities in ground or hydraulic fracturing activities in general. The disclosure of information regarding the constituents of hydraulic fracturing fluids could make it easier for third parties opposing the hydraulic fracturing process to initiate legal proceedings based on allegations that specific chemicals used in the fracturing process could adversely affect the environment, including groundwater, soil or surface water. In addition, disclosure of our proprietary chemical formulas or disclosure of any chemicals used in such formulas to the public could diminish the value of those formulas to us and result in fewer innovations or reduced access to new technology. If new laws, regulations or ordinances that significantly restrict hydraulic fracturing are adopted, such laws could make it more difficult or costly for us to perform fracturing to stimulate production from tight formations on the Aurora Assets. In addition, if hydraulic fracturing becomes regulated at the federal level as a result of new federal legislation or regulatory initiatives by the EPA, our fracturing activities on the Aurora Assets could become subject to additional permitting requirements, and also to attendant permitting delays and cost increases. Restrictions on hydraulic fracturing could also reduce the amount of oil and natural gas that we are ultimately able to produce from reserves attributed to the Aurora Assets and have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Recently issued rules regulating air emissions from oil and natural gas operations could cause us to incur increased capital expenditures and operating costs.
In August 2012, the EPA published final rules that subject oil and natural gas production and natural gas processing operations to regulation under the New Source Performance Standards and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants programs. With regards to production activities, the final rules require, among other things, the reduction of volatile organic compound emission from three subcategories of fractured and re-fractured gas wells for which well completion operations are conducted: wildcat (exploratory) and delineation gas wells; low reservoir pressure non-wildcat and non-delineation gas wells; and all "other" fractured and re-fractured gas wells. All three subcategories of wells must route flow back emissions to a gathering line or be captured and combusted using a combustion device such as a flare. However, the "other" wells used must reduced emission completions, also known as "green completions," with or without combustion devices, after January 1, 2015. These regulations also establish specific new requirements regarding emissions from production-related wet seal and reciprocating compressors, pneumatic controllers, and storage vessels. Compliance with these requirements could increase our costs of development and production and our capital expenditures, which costs and expenditures could be significant and adversely impact our business.
Following the Acquisition, we will have a substantial amount of indebtedness, which may adversely affect our cash flows and ability to operate our business, remain in compliance with the agreements governing our indebtedness and service our debt obligations as they become due.
Our high level of indebtedness following the Acquisition could have important consequences to investors, including the following:
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Subject to the restrictions in the agreements governing our indebtedness, we may incur substantial additional indebtedness (including secured indebtedness) in the future, which may exacerbate the risks described above. In addition, financial covenants in the Aurora Notes may restrict us from freely distributing cash to us from Aurora's operating subsidiaries.
Many of the operational, environmental and reserves risks set forth in the "Risk Factors" section of the Annual Information Form apply to the Aurora Assets.
In addition to the risk factors set forth above, many of the risk factors set forth in the Annual Information Form and in this short form prospectus relating to the oil and natural gas business, environmental and our operations and reserves apply in respect of the Aurora Assets that we are acquiring pursuant to the Acquisition.
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF OUR BUSINESS
Through our subsidiaries, we are engaged in the business of acquiring, developing, exploiting and holding interests in petroleum and natural gas properties and related assets in Canada (primarily in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan) and in the United States (primarily in the states of North Dakota and Wyoming). We act as the primary financing vehicle for our subsidiaries by providing access to debt and equity capital markets. As at the date of this short form prospectus, our primary assets are the shares of Baytex Energy that we own and the Notes. Cash flow from the business carried on by our subsidiaries is flowed to us by way of dividends, interest and principal repayments on the Notes and intercompany loans.
We pay monthly cash dividends to holders of our Common Shares in accordance with our dividend policy. The agreements governing the Credit Facilities, the New Credit Facilities, the Debenture Indenture and the Aurora Note Indentures restrict or will restrict our and our subsidiaries (including Aurora and certain of its subsidiaries following completion of the Acquisition) ability to pay cash dividends in certain circumstances and contain certain limitations on maximum cumulative dividends. Pursuant to our Credit Facilities, we are restricted from paying dividends to Shareholders if a default or event of default has occurred and is continuing and, if no default or event of default has occurred which is continuing, where the dividend would or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on us or on our or our subsidiaries' ability to fulfill their obligations under the Credit Facilities or under any hedge agreements with lenders (or their affiliates) under the Credit Facilities. The Revolving Facilities and the Term Loan A Facility will contain restrictions on our and our subsidiaries' ability to make distributions when (i) a default or event of default under the Revolving Facilities or the Term Loan A Facility has occurred and is continuing, or (ii) distributions would be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on or impair our ability to fulfill our financial obligations under the New Credit Facilities. The Equity Bridge will prohibit us and our subsidiaries from making distributions, other than inter-company distributions or acquisitions, and will impose additional financial covenant restrictions under the New Credit Facilities if and for as long as there is any outstanding indebtedness under the Equity Bridge. See "Dividends to Shareholders", "Consolidated Capitalization" and "Recent Developments New Credit Facilities".
For a description of us and the general development of our business over the last three completed financial years, see "Baytex Energy Corp.", "General Development of Our Business" and "Description of Our Business and Operations" in the Annual Information Form, which is incorporated by reference herein.
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Operational Update
During the fourth quarter of 2013, our transportation operations were hampered by severe winter weather which impacted our ability to deliver crude oil from the field to sales delivery points. As inventory levels reached capacity, production was curtailed by up to 5,000 Bbls/d during the month of December. Based on field estimates, our average production during the fourth quarter of 2013 is estimated at 58,000 Boe/d, which brings full-year 2013 production to approximately 57,100 Boe/d. We drilled 24 gross (23.7 net) operated oil wells in the fourth quarter of 2013, including 11 cold multi-lateral wells at Peace River, the remaining five wells of our 15-well cyclic steam stimulation module at Cliffdale and seven horizontal wells at Lloydminster.
The Acquisition
The Implementation Agreement
On February 6, 2014, we entered into the Implementation Agreement whereby we will acquire, through a scheme of arrangement under Part 5.1 of the Corporations Act (the "Scheme of Arrangement"), all of the issued Aurora Shares for A$4.10 cash per share, subject to receipt of certain approvals. The total consideration to be paid by us is approximately CDN$1.8 billion, plus assumed debt of approximately CDN$744 million, for a total transaction value of approximately CDN$2.6 billion.
With the Acquisition, we will obtain a significant position in the core of the liquids-rich Eagle Ford resource play. The Aurora Assets will provide material production, long-term growth and high quality reserves with upside potential and will provide us with a platform for further potential growth opportunities.
The Acquisition is to be carried out by way of the Scheme of Arrangement, subject to receipt of certain approvals. The Scheme of Arrangement shall be substantially in the form attached to the Implementation Agreement as Attachment B, subject to any alterations or conditions required by the Australian Court or agreed between us and Aurora. The Acquisition must be approved by the Aurora Shareholders at a special meeting of Aurora Shareholders expected to be held in late April/early May 2014. The Acquisition must be approved by: (i) at least 75% of the votes cast by Aurora Shareholders; and (ii) a majority in number of the Aurora Shareholders who cast votes.
The Aurora Board recommends that the Aurora Shareholders vote in favour of the Scheme of Arrangement, in the absence of a Competing Proposal and subject to an independent expert's report concluding that the Scheme of Arrangement is in the best interests of Aurora Shareholders. Each of the directors on the Aurora Board intends to vote in favor of the Scheme of Arrangement the Aurora Shares he or she controls, being approximately 5.5% of the issued Aurora Shares.
Acquisition Consideration
Pursuant to the Scheme of Arrangement, each Aurora Shareholder will receive, for each Aurora Share held, A$4.10 in cash.
Pursuant to the Implementation Agreement, the parties have agreed to use reasonable endeavours (acting co-operatively and in good faith) to procure that, as soon as practicable, each holder of Aurora Options and Aurora Performance Rights (collectively, the "Unlisted Securities") will enter into an agreement with us and Aurora, in a form acceptable to both us and Aurora (each acting reasonably), under which each such holder agrees to the cancellation of all of his or her Unlisted Securities in exchange for an amount per Unlisted Security equal to: (i) for the Aurora Options, the amount equal to the assessed value of each Aurora Option using a standard methodology; and (ii) for the Aurora Performance Rights, A$4.10 in cash, with such transfer or cancellation to be subject to the Acquisition becoming effective and to take effect on the Implementation Date (as defined in the Implementation Agreement).
The Acquisition will constitute a "change of control" pursuant to the trust indenture dated February 8, 2012 governing the 2017 Aurora Notes between Aurora USA, each of the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association and the trust indenture dated March 31, 2013 governing the 2020 Aurora Notes between Aurora USA, each of the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association (collectively, the "Aurora Note Indentures"). Pursuant to the Aurora Note Indentures, upon completion of the Acquisition, each holder of Aurora Notes will have the right to require Aurora USA to repurchase all or any part of such holder's Aurora
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Notes pursuant to an offer (the "Change of Control Offer") on the terms set forth in the Aurora Note Indentures. Within 30 days following completion of the Acquisition, Aurora USA will be required to mail a notice to each holder of Aurora Notes describing the Acquisition and offering to repurchase Aurora Notes properly tendered prior to the expiration date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed, pursuant to the procedures required by the Aurora Note Indentures and described in such notice. In the Change of Control Offer, Aurora USA will offer a payment (the "Change of Control Payment") in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Aurora Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on Aurora Notes repurchased to the date of purchase (the "Change of Control Purchase Date"), subject to the rights of holders of Aurora Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date. Promptly following the expiration of the Change of Control Offer, Aurora USA will, to the extent lawful, accept for payment all Aurora Notes or portions of Aurora Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer.
In the event that holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of either series of the outstanding Aurora Notes accept a Change of Control Offer and Aurora USA purchases all of such series of Aurora Notes held by such holders, Aurora USA will have the right, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior notice, given not more than 30 days following the purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer described above, to redeem all of such series of the Aurora Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price equal to the Change of Control Payment plus, to the extent not included in the Change of Control Payment, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on such series of the Aurora Notes that remain outstanding, to the date of redemption (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date).
We have agreed to retain a Canadian chartered bank (or one or more of its affiliates as may be appropriate in the circumstances), of which Scotia is a wholly-owned subsidiary, to act as manager in connection with the Change of Control Offer required to be made to the holders of the Aurora Notes following completion of the Acquisition. Such Canadian chartered bank will be retained at prevailing market rates for a person acting in such a role. See "Relationship between Us and Certain Underwriters".
Aurora Non-Solicitation; Termination Fee
The Implementation Agreement provides, among other things, for a non-completion fee of A$18.8 million in the event the Acquisition is not completed in certain circumstances, including circumstances where Aurora may receive and accept a Competing Proposal. The Implementation Agreement also contains certain non-solicitation covenants of Aurora and a right to counter in favour of us. Aurora's non-solicitation covenants are subject to exceptions where the directors of Aurora determine such covenants may involve a breach of their fiduciary or statutory duties.
Covenants, Representations and Warranties
Aurora has agreed that prior to the Implementation Date (as defined in the Implementation Agreement), it shall, and shall cause each of its subsidiaries and affiliates to, conduct its business in the ordinary course and in substantially the same manner as previously conducted (subject to ongoing capital requirements being satisfied), and not to undertake certain types of restricted activities unless we otherwise agree or unless otherwise expressly contemplated or permitted by the Implementation Agreement.
We and Aurora have made certain representations and warranties in the Implementation Agreement relating to, among other things, corporate existence, corporate authorization, capitalization, no conflicts, shareholder and governmental approvals and absence of certain changes. Like many public company acquisition agreements, the representations, warranties and indemnities contained in the Implementation Agreement are limited and, other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not be able to seek remedies for breach of such provisions following completion of the Acquisition.
Conditions to Closing and Anticipated Timing
The Acquisition is subject to a number of customary closing conditions, including the receipt of required regulatory approvals and court approvals, as well as the approval of Aurora Shareholders as described above.
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Regulatory approvals include approval of the Australian Foreign Investment Review Board and the applicable approvals required under the HSR Act.
The first Australian Court hearing in connection with the Scheme of Arrangement is expected to occur by the end of March, 2014 and the disclosure booklet that will be prepared in connection with the meeting of Aurora Shareholders to be called to consider and approve the Scheme of Arrangement is expected to be mailed to Aurora Shareholders in April, 2014. All regulatory approvals and other conditions to closing of the Scheme of Arrangement, including Aurora Shareholder approval, are expected to be obtained in early May, 2014. The Final Order approving the Scheme of Arrangement is expected to be obtained in mid/late May, 2014 with closing to occur shortly thereafter and, in any case, on or prior to June 30, 2014.
Strategic Benefits of the Acquisition
The Acquisition enhances our growth-and-income business model, delivers production and reserves per share growth and provides attractive capital efficiencies for future investment. The Acquisition is accretive to us on all metrics while maintaining a strong balance sheet.
The following are the key benefits of the Acquisition:
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upside is available by exploiting additional horizons in the Upper Eagle Ford and Austin Chalk formations, downspacing and through improving completion techniques.
Pro Forma the Acquisition and the Offering
Selected Pro Forma Financial Information
The following tables set out certain pro forma financial information for: (i) us and Aurora as at December 31, 2012 before giving effect to the Acquisition; (ii) us as at and for the year ended December 31, 2012 after giving effect to the Acquisition; (iii) us and Aurora as at September 30, 2013 before giving effect to the Acquisition; and (iv) us as at and for the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 after giving effect to the Acquisition.
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As at and for the Year Ended December 31, 2012 |
As at and for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 |
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(expressed in $000s, except per share amounts) |
Baytex before giving effect to the Acquisition |
Aurora before giving effect to the Acquisition |
Baytex after giving effect to the Acquisition(1) |
Baytex before giving effect to the Acquisition |
Aurora before giving effect to the Acquisition |
Baytex after giving effect to the Acquisition(1) |
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Petroleum and natural gas sales, net of royalties |
1,024,949 | 207,174 | 1,232,123 | 846,063 | 289,983 | 1,136,046 | |||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses |
44,646 | 15,120 | 59,766 | 33,060 | 17,337 | 50,397 | |||||||||||||
Operating and transportation expenses |
439,615 | 24,486 | 464,101 | 327,534 | 30,022 | 357,556 | |||||||||||||
Net income |
258,631 | 58,792 | 254,559 | 133,672 | 81,867 | 144,509 | |||||||||||||
Per share (basic) |
2.16 | 0.14 | 1.66 | 1.08 | 0.18 | 0.92 | |||||||||||||
Per share (diluted) |
2.12 | 0.13 | 1.64 | 1.07 | 0.18 | 0.91 | |||||||||||||
Total assets |
2,741,169 | 1,561,721 | 6,032,186 | ||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities |
1,445,104 | 1,013,230 | 3,503,121 | ||||||||||||||||
Shareholders' equity |
1,296,065 | 548,491 | 2,529,065 |
Note:
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For additional pro forma financial information in respect of us, including our outstanding share capital, after giving effect to the Acquisition, see Schedule "B" "Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements of Baytex". Reference should also be made to the Annual Financial Statements, the Annual MD&A, the Interim Financial Statements and the Interim MD&A, which are incorporated by reference herein, and the audited financial statements of Aurora for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, together with the notes thereto and the report of the auditors thereon, and the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of Aurora as at September 30, 2013 and 2012 and for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, together with the notes thereto, which are attached hereto as Schedule "A".
The Acquisition is a significant acquisition for us for the purposes of Part 8 of National Instrument 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations.
Selected Combined Operational Information
The following table sets out certain combined operational information for the oil and natural gas assets which will be owned, directly or indirectly, on a consolidated basis by us following completion of the Acquisition, for the periods indicated. Important information concerning the oil and natural gas properties and operations of each of us and Aurora is contained elsewhere in, or incorporated by reference in, this short form prospectus. Readers are encouraged to carefully review such information and those documents as the information set forth in the table below is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by such detailed information.
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Twelve Months ended December 31, 2012 | Nine Months ended September 30, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||
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Baytex before giving effect to the Acquisition |
Aurora before giving effect to the Acquisition |
Baytex after giving effect to the Acquisition |
Baytex before giving effect to the Acquisition |
Aurora before giving effect to the Acquisition |
Baytex after giving effect to the Acquisition |
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Daily Natural Gas Production (Mcf/d) |
43,100 | 11,548 | 54,648 | 41,979 | 24,176 | 66,155 | |||||||||||||
Crude Oil and NGLs (Bbls/d) |
46,807 | 8,754 | 55,561 | 49,827 | 16,139 | 65,966 | |||||||||||||
Total (Boe/d) |
53,986 | 10,678 | 64,664 | 56,823 | 20,167 | 76,990 | |||||||||||||
Operating Netback ($/Boe)(1) |
31.10 | 46.76 | 33.69 | 33.41 | 47.21 | 37.02 |
Note:
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Baytex as at December 31, 2012 before giving effect to the Acquisition |
Aurora as at December 31, 2013 (Baytex Internal Estimate) |
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(Mboe) |
Gross | Net | Gross | Net | |||||||||
Proved Developed Producing |
61,903 | 50,663 | 30,000 | 22,200 | |||||||||
Proved Undeveloped |
69,946 | 58,590 | 76,694 | 56,754 | |||||||||
Total Proved |
143,444 | 118,814 | 106,694 | 78,954 | |||||||||
Total Probable |
148,152 | 118,379 | 59,876 | 44,308 | |||||||||
Total Proved plus Probable |
291,596 | 237,193 | 166,570 | 123,262 |
The reserve information in the foregoing table is derived (i) in respect of our reserves as at December 31, 2012, from the Sproule Report and (ii) in respect of Aurora's reserves as at December 31, 2013, from estimates of our internal non-independent qualified reserves evaluator as at December 31, 2013 made in connection with our evaluation of the Acquisition. Since the estimates of our reserves and our internal estimate of the reserves of Aurora reflected in the above table were estimated as at different dates, they have been generated based on different assumptions in respect of commodity pricing, development costs, development timing and the timing and amount of capital expenditures, among other metrics. In addition, our reserves as at December 31, 2012 have not been adjusted to account for exploration or development results, production, revisions, acquisitions, dispositions, pricing or any other changes after December 31, 2012. As a result, the presentation of our reserves on a consolidated pro forma basis for the Acquisition would not reflect the actual combined estimated of our reserves and those of Aurora at December 31, 2013 and should not necessarily be viewed as predictive of our reserves and future production once the Acquisition is completed.
Our internal estimates of Aurora's reserves as at December 31, 2013 were prepared for use by us in our evaluation of the Acquisition for the purpose of making an offer to acquire Aurora and, as a result, do not
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include much of the information included in Form 51-101F1 of NI 51-101. Our internal estimates differ from the estimates contained in the Aurora 2013 Reserves Report prepared by Ryder Scott and described elsewhere in this short form prospectus. See "About Aurora Aurora's Recent Developments 2013 Reserves Update". The differences are primarily due to different assumptions used by us and Ryder Scott in connection with the development of Aurora's Lower Eagle Ford and the Austin Chalk horizons. Ryder Scott assigned 856 proved undeveloped and 83 probable gross well locations on 40 acre spacing across the Lower Eagle Ford in the Aurora 2013 Reserves Report. Our internal estimate was based on 463 proved undeveloped and 383 probable gross well locations on both 40 acre and 60 acre spacing within this horizon. This increased well spacing resulted in us estimating less wells across the Lower Eagle Ford and is in line with the operator's current development plan of 40 acre spacing within the condensate window and 60 acre spacing across the volatile oil window.
In our analysis we used our own independently derived type curves, four across the volatile oil window and three across the condensate window, based on information supplied to our internal non-independent reserves evaluator by Aurora and other publicly available information. Variations in proved developed producing reserves estimates are also largely a function of the application of our own independently derived type curves on the current producing wells.
In the Austin Chalk horizon, Ryder Scott included 18 proved undeveloped and 162 probable gross well locations based on 60 acre spacing in the Aurora 2013 Reserves Report. Our estimate was based on eight proved undeveloped and eight probable gross well locations based on 160 acre spacing. In addition, wells were included in the Aurora 2013 Reserves Report across a larger area while we only included wells in and around the four gross Austin Chalk test wells (two well pairs) drilled in June/July 2013. Marathon, as operator, has plans to further test and delineate this interval during 2014, highlighting the uncertainty still remaining in the development of the Austin Chalk.
The effect of these different assumptions on gross and net reserves volumes is highlighted in the tables below:
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Gross Reserves (MMboe) | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Category of Reserves
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Baytex | Aurora | Difference | |||||||
Proved Developed Producing |
30.0 | 34.4 | 4.4 | |||||||
Proved Undeveloped |
76.7 | 130.5 | 53.8 | |||||||
Total Proved |
106.7 | 164.9 | 58.2 | |||||||
Probable |
59.9 | 58.9 | (1.0 | ) | ||||||
Total Proved plus Probable |
166.6 | 223.8 | 57.2 |
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Net Reserves (MMboe) | |||||||||
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Category of Reserves
|
Baytex | Aurora | Difference | |||||||
Proved Developed Producing |
22.2 | 25.5 | 3.3 | |||||||
Proved Undeveloped |
56.8 | 96.5 | 41.7 | |||||||
Total Proved |
79.0 | 122.0 | 43.0 | |||||||
Probable |
44.3 | 43.6 | (0.7 | ) | ||||||
Total Proved plus Probable |
123.3 | 165.6 | 42.3 |
New Credit Facilities
In connection with the Acquisition, on February 6, 2014 we entered into a commitment letter agreement with a Canadian chartered bank (the "Bank") pursuant to which the Bank has agreed to fully underwrite and commit to provide us with new senior secured credit facilities in the aggregate principal amount of $2.5 billion (the "New Credit Facilities") which will replace our Credit Facilities effective upon completion of the Acquisition. We will utilize the Escrowed Funds, together with funds available under the Term Loan A Facility and the Revolving Facilities (in each case, as defined below) under the New Credit Facilities, to pay for the Aurora Shares pursuant to the Acquisition.
The New Credit Facilities will be comprised of revolving facilities consisting of a $50 million revolving operating loan facility and a $950 million extendible syndicated loan facility with a syndicate of chartered banks (collectively the "Revolving Facilities") and non-revolving facilities consisting of a $200 million non-revolving
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syndicated term facility (the "Term Loan A Facility") and a $1.3 billion non-revolving syndicated equity bridge loan (the "Equity Bridge") (collectively, the "Non-Revolving Facilities"). The New Credit Facilities will be secured by a floating charge over all of our assets, excluding the Aurora Assets, and will be guaranteed by certain material restricted subsidiaries other than Aurora and its subsidiaries. Advances (including letters of credit in connection with the Revolving Facilities only) under the New Credit Facilities can be drawn in either Canadian or U.S. funds and bear interest at the agent bank's prime lending rate, bankers' acceptance discount rates or London Interbank Offered Rates, plus applicable margins.
The Revolving Facilities will be for a four year term extendible annually for a one, two, three or four year period (subject to a maximum four-year term at any time). The Revolving Facilities will not require any mandatory principal payments during the four-year term and will not include a term-out feature or a borrowing base restriction.
Each of the Term Loan A Facility and the Equity Bridge non-revolving facilities are single drawdown facilities and will be available solely to finance (directly or indirectly) the Acquisition together with reasonable transaction costs and expenses related thereto. The Term Loan A Facility will have a two year term and the Equity Bridge will have a one year term. Each of the Term Loan A Facility and the Equity Bridge provide for mandatory reductions and repayments for specified equity and debt issuances and dispositions. In addition, with respect to any proceeds arising in connection with the issuance of the Subscription Receipts, the Equity Bridge commitment will be permanently reduced by an amount equal to the gross proceeds received by us in connection with the Offering, once such proceeds are placed into escrow with the Escrow Agent.
We will be subject to certain covenants under the terms of the New Credit Facilities which include, but are not limited to, the maintenance of the following financial covenants: (i) total senior secured debt to total capitalization (shareholder equity plus all debt (including convertible debentures)) shall not exceed 0.55 to 1.00; (ii) total senior secured debt to EBITDA shall not exceed 3.0 to 1.0; and (iii) total debt (senior secured debt and Debentures (excluding convertible debentures)) to EBITDA shall not exceed 3.50 to 1.00. The New Credit Facilities will also include restrictions on how much Aurora EBITDA can be included in calculating our consolidated EBITDA which will remain in effect for so long as the Aurora Notes are outstanding. In addition, if and for as long as there is any outstanding amount under the Equity Bridge, the total secured debt to EBITDA ratio and the total debt to EBITDA ratio will be increased to 4.50:1.00 and 5.00:1.00, respectively, provided that the outstanding principal under the Equity Bridge was the sole cause of exceeding the original limits.
The Revolving Facilities and the Term Loan A Facility will also contain restrictions on our and our subsidiaries' ability to make distributions when (i) a default or event of default under the Revolving Facilities or the Term Loan A Facility has occurred and is continuing, or (ii) distributions would be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on or impair our ability to fulfill our financial obligations under the New Credit Facilities. The Equity Bridge will prohibit us and our subsidiaries from making distributions, other than inter-company distributions or acquisitions and will impose additional financial covenant restrictions under the New Credit Facilities if and for as long as there is any outstanding indebtedness under the Equity Bridge.
In connection with the Acquisition, a commitment letter has also been provided by a Canadian chartered bank to establish replacement credit facilities through Aurora's subsidiary, Aurora USA, for the Existing Target Facility of up to U.S.$300 million although a credit agreement has not yet been executed and such an agreement will be conditional upon closing of the Acquisition.
Dividend Increase
We are committed to a growth-and-income model and its three fundamental principles: delivering organic production growth, paying a meaningful dividend and maintaining capital discipline. Through the combination of an expanded inventory of high capital efficiency projects and an improved outlook for heavy oil differentials, we remain confident in our business plan going forward. Consequently, we intend to increase the monthly dividend on our Common Shares by 9% to $0.24 from $0.22 per Common Share, subject to the completion of the Acquisition.
34
Except as otherwise indicated all information regarding Aurora and the Aurora Assets contained in this short form prospectus, including all reserves and related information, financial information and all pro forma financial information reflecting the pro forma effects of the Acquisition, has been derived in part from information provided by Aurora and other third parties. The Aurora Reserves Reports were prepared by Aurora. We were not given the opportunity to participate in the preparation of the Aurora Reserves Reports or to review the reserves data with management of Aurora or Ryder Scott in conjunction with the preparation of the Aurora Reserves Reports. As a result, we are unable to assess Aurora's procedures for providing information to Ryder Scott or for assembling and reporting other information to Ryder Scott associated with Aurora's oil and gas activities. See "Risk Factors" in this short form prospectus.
General
Aurora is an ASX and TSX listed oil and natural gas company active exclusively in the United States. Its primary asset is 22,200 net (80,200 gross) acres in the Sugarkane Field located in South Texas in the core of the liquids-rich Eagle Ford. Aurora's 2013 fourth quarter gross production was 24,678 Boe/d (82% liquids) of predominantly light, high-quality crude oil. The Sugarkane Field has been largely delineated with infrastructure in place which will facilitate low-risk future annual production growth. In addition, these assets have significant future reserves upside potential from well downspacing, improving completion techniques and new development targets in additional zones. In addition, Aurora holds approximately 14,000 net acres in the Eaglebine play regionally on trend with the Eagle Ford.
Aurora is an Australian corporation with its head and registered office located at Level 1, 338 Barker Road, Subiaco, WA 6008, Australia. Aurora also has an operational office located in Houston, Texas at 1200 Smith Street, Suite 2300, Houston, TX 77002 USA. It has appointed Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP at 155 Wellington Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5Y 3J7, as its agent for service of process in Canada.
The following chart summarizes the material subsidiaries of Aurora.
Aurora's current principal focus of operation is on the development of its Sugarkane Field interests currently operated by Marathon. The Sugarkane Field covers an identified area exceeding 200,000 acres and is a reservoir that lies approximately 20 kilometers south of the main Texas Austin Chalk formation, located within South Texas.
Unconventional shale production is typically characterized by high initial production rates, followed by steep decline rates and prolonged "tail" production profiles. The majority of Aurora's acreage is located in the
35
central portion of the Eagle Ford trend, primarily within the condensate-rich window, extending into the volatile oil window to the northwest. The Sugarkane Field is over-pressured (generally having a pressure gradient of approximately 0.8 pounds per square inch per foot), enhancing both the initial production rates and estimated ultimate recovery per well. The combination of high liquids content and high production rate results in attractive economics for development wells.
We believe that this is one of the fastest developing unconventional shale developments in North America. There is limited and predictable variation in geological and reservoir properties across the region, with respect to thickness, depth and hydrocarbon composition of shale intersected. Unlike conventional oil and natural gas traps where the target reservoir may fail to contain hydrocarbons, all of the wells drilled on Aurora's properties are expected to intersect the Eagle Ford formation. Furthermore, a high proportion of the hydrocarbons produced by Aurora from the Eagle Ford are condensate or light/medium oil, which have historically resulted in a higher price realization per unit than dry natural gas.
The diagram below is an indicative pictorial representation of Aurora's Sugarkane Field AMIs. It is not intended to be schematically definitive, to scale or reference ownership of mineral rights.
36
Aurora's Recent Developments
2013 Operational and Financial Update
Aurora's principal assets and the approximate associated gross and net land positions as of December 31, 2013, are shown in the table below:
|
AVERAGE WORKING INTEREST |
GROSS ACREAGE | NET ACREAGE | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sugarloaf AMI |
28.1% | 24,000 | 6,750 | |||||||
Longhorn AMI |
31.9% | 28,500 | 9,100 | |||||||
Ipanema AMI |
36.4% | 4,800 | 1,750 | |||||||
Excelsior AMI |
9.1% | 20,100 | 1,800 | |||||||
Operated Sugarkane Acreage (2013 Acquired Assets) |
100.0% | 2,800 | 2,800 | |||||||
Total Sugarkane Field |
80,200 | 22,200 | ||||||||
Eaglebine Operated |
91.1% | 15,000 | 14,000 | |||||||
Total |
95,200 | 36,200 | ||||||||
Based on realized commodity pricing achieved by Aurora for the year ended December 31, 2013, approximately 94% of Aurora's production revenue related to oil, condensate and NGL sales, with the balance being natural gas production revenue.
During the last three years, substantial drilling activity was undertaken across Aurora's Sugarkane Field AMIs. As of December 31, 2013, the total number of gross producing wells in which Aurora has an interest was 387, as compared to 216 gross wells as of December 31, 2012 and 71 gross wells as of December 31, 2011.
The following table summarizes the status of wells in which Aurora has a WI, categorized by Sugarkane Field AMI, as of December 31, 2013.
|
Sugarloaf | Longhorn | Ipanema | Excelsior | Axle tree | Heard ranch |
Total | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Producing |
97 | 178 | 7 | 86 | 11 | 8 | 387 | |||||||||||||||
Workover |
| | | | | | | |||||||||||||||
Fracture Stimulation |
| | | | | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
Completions |
3 | 13 | | 10 | | 1 | 27 | |||||||||||||||
Drilling |
2 | 4 | | 2 | | 1 | 9 | |||||||||||||||
Total |
102 | 195 | 7 | 98 | 11 | 12 | 425 | |||||||||||||||
2013 Reserves Update
On February 3, 2014, Aurora publicly announced that Ryder Scott had provided the Aurora 2013 Reserves Report to Aurora. Set out below is a summary of reserves estimates and the value of future net revenue of Aurora associated with such reserves with an effective date as of December 31, 2013 based on the Aurora 2013 Reserves Report.
37
The following tables provides a summary of the reserve estimates as at December 31, 2013 evaluated by Ryder Scott using forecast prices and costs contained in the Aurora 2013 Reserves Report.
SUMMARY OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS RESERVES
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2013
FORECAST PRICES AND COSTS
|
RESERVES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
LIGHT AND MEDIUM OIL | NATURAL GAS LIQUIDS | NATURAL GAS | BOE | |||||||||||||||||||||
RESERVES CATEGORY
|
Gross (MMbbls) |
Net (MMbbls) |
Gross (MMbbls) |
Net (MMbbls) |
Gross (Bcf) |
Net (Bcf) |
Gross (MMBoe) |
Net (MMBoe) |
|||||||||||||||||
PROVED: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Developed Producing |
14.1 | 10.4 | 13.1 | 9.7 | 42.9 | 31.7 | 34.4 | 25.4 | |||||||||||||||||
Developed Non-Producing |
0.6 | 0.5 | | | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 0.5 | |||||||||||||||||
Undeveloped |
34.4 | 25.3 | 64.6 | 47.6 | 184.8 | 136.3 | 129.8 | 95.6 | |||||||||||||||||
TOTAL PROVED |
49.1 | 36.2 | 77.8 | 57.4 | 227.9 | 168.1 | 164.9 | 121.5 | |||||||||||||||||
PROBABLE |
11.6 | 8.6 | 31.0 | 23.0 | 98.3 | 73.0 | 58.9 | 43.8 | |||||||||||||||||
TOTAL PROVED PLUS PROBABLE |
60.7 | 44.8 | 108.8 | 80.3 | 326.2 | 241.0 | 223.8 | 165.3 | |||||||||||||||||
POSSIBLE |
1.4 | 1.0 | 32.3 | 23.8 | 87.8 | 64.4 | 48.4 | 35.5 | |||||||||||||||||
TOTAL PROVED PLUS PROBABLE PLUS POSSIBLE(1) |
62.1 | 45.8 | 141.1 | 104.1 | 414.0 | 305.4 | 272.2 | 200.8 | |||||||||||||||||
Note:
The table below shows the before tax net present value of future net revenue of Aurora's reserves on an undiscounted basis and with a 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% discount being applied:
SUMMARY OF NET PRESENT VALUES OF FUTURE NET REVENUE
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2013
FORECAST PRICES AND COSTS
|
NET PRESENT VALUES OF FUTURE NET REVENUE BEFORE INCOME TAXES DISCOUNTED AT (%/year) |
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RESERVES CATEGORY
|
0% | 5% | 10% | 15% | 20% | |||||||||||
|
(in U.S.$ million) |
|||||||||||||||
PROVED: |
||||||||||||||||
Developed Producing |
1,079 | 857 | 721 | 629 | 564 | |||||||||||
Developed Non-Producing |
28 | 25 | 23 | 21 | 20 | |||||||||||
Undeveloped |
2,610 | 1,645 | 1,101 | 766 | 546 | |||||||||||
TOTAL PROVED |
3,717 | 2,527 | 1,845 | 1,416 | 1,130 | |||||||||||
PROBABLE |
1,143 | 702 | 464 | 324 | 233 | |||||||||||
TOTAL PROVED PLUS PROBABLE |
4,860 | 3,229 | 2,309 | 1,740 | 1,363 | |||||||||||
POSSIBLE(1) |
701 | 371 | 205 | 111 | 55 | |||||||||||
TOTAL PROVED PLUS PROBABLE PLUS POSSIBLE(1) |
5,561 | 3,600 | 2,514 | 1,851 | 1,418 | |||||||||||
Note:
38
The forecast pricing parameters detailed in the table below were used in the Aurora 2013 Reserves Report by Ryder Scott. NGL pricing was estimated at 30% of the oil pricing. The figures were then adjusted for quality and regional price variations. Further adjustments were made for the calorific value of the gas.
SUMMARY OF PRICE ASSUMPTIONS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2013
FORECAST PRICES AND COSTS
Period ended
|
West Texas Intermediate Price (U.S.$/Bbl) |
Natural Gas Price (U.S.$/MMbtu) |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 |
94.49 | 4.23 | |||||
2015 |
87.98 | 4.17 | |||||
2016 |
83.74 | 4.13 | |||||
Thereafter |
83.74 | 4.13 |
Well costs are based on estimates provided by the operator of Aurora's non-operated acreage, together with internally generated estimates for its operated acreage. These estimates are then adjusted for horizontal well lengths accordingly. In general the well costs are based on a nominal 5,000 foot lateral design with a drill and complete cost of U.S.$7.5 million. This results in well costs ranging from U.S.$6.7 million to U.S.$10.5 million depending on location, depth, lateral length and artificial lift design.
Aurora's 2012 Oil and Gas Information and Reserves Data
The disclosure below and the Aurora 2012 Reserves Report are each based on Aurora's WIs in the Sugarkane Field as at December 31, 2012 and do not include any reserves, production or other oil and gas information since December 31, 2012. For more recent reserves and other information relating to Aurora, see "Aurora's Recent Developments" above.
Reserves and Future Net Revenue
The following table discloses, in aggregate, Aurora's gross and net reserves estimated using the Aurora 2012 Reserves Report forecast prices and costs, by product type.
SUMMARY OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS RESERVES
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2012
FORECAST PRICES AND COSTS
|
RESERVES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
LIGHT AND MEDIUM OIL | NATURAL GAS LIQUIDS | NATURAL GAS | BOE | |||||||||||||||||||||
RESERVES CATEGORY
|
Gross (Mbbls) |
Net (Mbbls) |
Gross (Mbbls) |
Net (Mbbls) |
Gross (MMcf) |
Net (MMcf) |
Gross (MBoe) |
Net (MBoe) |
|||||||||||||||||
PROVED: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Developed Producing |
7,752 | 5,710 | 8,778 | 6,490 | 30,133 | 22,258 | 21,552 | 15,909 | |||||||||||||||||
Developed Non-Producing |
| | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||
Undeveloped |
23,694 | 17,436 | 30,656 | 22,653 | 112,722 | 83,263 | 73,137 | 53,967 | |||||||||||||||||
TOTAL PROVED |
31,446 | 23,146 | 39,433 | 29,143 | 142,854 | 105,522 | 94,688 | 69,876 | |||||||||||||||||
PROBABLE |
1,433 | 1,069 | 3,595 | 2,677 | 18,915 | 14,091 | 8,181 | 6,094 | |||||||||||||||||
TOTAL PROVED PLUS PROBABLE |
32,879 | 24,215 | 43,028 | 31,820 | 161,769 | 119,612 | 102,869 | 75,970 | |||||||||||||||||
POSSIBLE |
2,436 | 1,793 | 36,702 | 27,166 | 154,182 | 114,285 | 64,835 | 48,006 | |||||||||||||||||
TOTAL PROVED PLUS PROBABLE PLUS POSSIBLE(1) |
35,315 | 26,008 | 79,731 | 58,986 | 315,952 | 233,897 | 167,705 | 123,976 | |||||||||||||||||
Note:
39
The following tables disclose, in the aggregate, the net present value of Aurora's net revenue attributable to the reserves categories in the previous table, estimated using the Aurora 2012 Reserves Report forecast prices and costs, before deducting future income tax expenses and after deducting future income tax expenses, on an undiscounted basis and with a 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% discount.
SUMMARY OF NET PRESENT VALUES OF FUTURE NET REVENUE
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2012
FORECAST PRICES AND COSTS
|
NET PRESENT VALUES OF FUTURE NET REVENUE BEFORE INCOME TAXES DISCOUNTED AT (%/year) |
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RESERVES CATEGORY
|
0% | 5% | 10% | 15% | 20% | |||||||||||
|
(in U.S.$ million) |
|||||||||||||||
PROVED: |
||||||||||||||||
Developed Producing |
801.5 | 606.7 | 500.7 | 434.1 | 388.0 | |||||||||||
Developed Non-Producing |
| | | | | |||||||||||
Undeveloped |
1,512.5 | 845.1 | 506.2 | 311.4 | 189.5 | |||||||||||
TOTAL PROVED |
2,314.0 | 1,451.8 | 1,006.9 | 745.5 | 577.5 | |||||||||||
PROBABLE |
141.3 | 75.3 | 44.0 | 26.9 | 16.5 | |||||||||||
TOTAL PROVED PLUS PROBABLE |
2,455.2 | 1,527.2 | 1,050.9 | 772.3 | 594.0 | |||||||||||
POSSIBLE(1) |
1,133.5 | 552.1 | 308.0 | 183.3 | 112.0 | |||||||||||
TOTAL PROVED PLUS PROBABLE PLUS POSSIBLE(1) |
3,588.8 | 2,079.3 | 1,358.9 | 955.6 | 706.0 | |||||||||||
Note:
|
NET PRESENT VALUES OF FUTURE NET REVENUE AFTER INCOME TAXES DISCOUNTED AT (%/year) |
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RESERVES CATEGORY
|
0% | 5% | 10% | 15% | 20% | |||||||||||
|
(in U.S.$ million) |
|||||||||||||||
PROVED: |
||||||||||||||||
Developed Producing |
658.2 | 520.1 | 445.8 | 397.8 | 363.2 | |||||||||||
Developed Non-Producing |
| | | | | |||||||||||
Undeveloped |
1,026.5 | 551.2 | 319.9 | 188.5 | 105.5 | |||||||||||
TOTAL PROVED |
1,684.7 | 1,071.3 | 765.7 | 586.3 | 468.7 | |||||||||||
PROBABLE |
86.4 | 42.1 | 23.0 | 13.0 | 7.0 | |||||||||||
TOTAL PROVED PLUS PROBABLE |
1,771.1 | 1,113.4 | 788.7 | 599.3 | 475.7 | |||||||||||
POSSIBLE(1) |
681.8 | 278.9 | 286.9 | 169.4 | 102.5 | |||||||||||
TOTAL PROVED PLUS PROBABLE PLUS POSSIBLE(1) |
2,452.9 | 1,392.3 | 1,075.6 | 768.7 | 578.2 | |||||||||||
Note:
40
The following table discloses, by production group, the net present value to Aurora of future net revenue attributable to its reserves, before deducting future income tax expenses, estimated using forecast prices and costs, and calculated using a 10% discount rate.
FUTURE NET REVENUE
BY PRODUCTION GROUP
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2012
FORECAST PRICES AND COSTS
RESERVES CATEGORY |
PRODUCTION GROUP | FUTURE NET REVENUE BEFORE INCOME TAXES (discounted at 10%/year) (U.S.$000s) |
UNIT VALUE(1) | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
(U.S.$/Boe) |
(U.S.$/Mcfe) |
||||||||
Proved |
Light and Medium Crude Oil (including solution gas and other by-products) | 495,077 | 21.39 | | ||||||||
|
Natural Gas Liquids | 407,134 | 13.97 | | ||||||||
|
Natural Gas (including by-products) | 104,655 | | 0.99 | ||||||||
|
Total | 1,006,866 | ||||||||||
Proved plus Probable |
Light and Medium Crude Oil (including solution gas and other by-products) | 507,254 | 20.95 | | ||||||||
|
Natural Gas Liquids | 427,241 | 13.43 | | ||||||||
|
Natural Gas (including by-products) | 116,396 | | 0.97 | ||||||||
|
Total | 1,050,891 | ||||||||||
Proved plus Probable plus Possible(2) |
Light and Medium Crude Oil (including solution gas and other by-products) | 482,192 | 18.54 | | ||||||||
|
Natural Gas Liquids | 672,657 | 11.40 | | ||||||||
|
Natural Gas (including by-products) | 203,992 | | 0.87 | ||||||||
|
Total | 1,358,841 | ||||||||||
Notes:
41
Pricing and Cost Assumptions
The forecast pricing parameters used in the Aurora 2012 Reserves Report were accepted by Ryder Scott and were based on the December 31, 2012 forward strip NYMEX West Texas Intermediate prices for oil and condensate sales and Henry Hub prices for natural gas sales, without adjustment for inflation. NGL sales are referenced to Mt. Belvieu Texas Propane but were estimated at 30% of the oil pricing. These prices are shown in the following table and are then further adjusted for gravity, quality, local conditions and/or distance from market to calculate reserves.
SUMMARY OF PRICE ASSUMPTIONS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2012
FORECAST PRICES AND COSTS
Period ended
|
NYMEX West Texas Intermediate Price (U.S.$/Bbl) |
Natural Gas Price (U.S.$/MMbtu) |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Historical prices |
|||||||
12-31-2012 |
94.10 | 2.71 | |||||
Forecast prices |
|||||||
12-31-2013 |
93.19 | 3.56 | |||||
12-31-2014 |
92.36 | 4.03 | |||||
12-31-2015 |
90.26 | 4.23 | |||||
12-31-2016 |
88.29 | 4.42 | |||||
12-31-2017 and thereafter |
86.88 | 4.63 |
For the proved reserves lease and well operating costs were estimated at U.S.$7,000 per well, per month for the fixed costs and U.S.$4.00/Boe for the variable component. For the probable and possible reserve cases these figures were decreased to U.S.$6,000 per well per month for the fixed costs and U.S.$3.00/Boe for the variable. Gross capital development costs for a 5,000 foot lateral were estimated at U.S.$8.9 million per well for 2012 with adjustment for variation in horizontal section length, then U.S.$7.8 million for 2013 and thereafter again adjusting for horizontal section length. These capital costs include the drilling, stimulation, completion, production line tie-in and associated field infrastructure.
Reconciliation of Changes in Reserves
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of Aurora's total gross (before royalty) proved, probable and proved plus probable reserves from the Sugarkane Field as at December 31, 2012 against such reserves as at December 31, 2011, based on forecast price and cost assumptions.
|
LIGHT AND MEDIUM OIL | NATURAL GAS LIQUIDS | NATURAL GAS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FACTOR
|
Gross Proved (Mbbls) |
Gross Probable (Mbbls) |
Gross Proved Plus Probable (Mbbls) |
Gross Proved (Mbbls) |
Gross Probable (Mbbls) |
Gross Proved Plus Probable (Mbbls) |
Gross Proved (MMcf) |
Gross Probable (MMcf) |
Gross Proved Plus Probable (MMcf) |
|||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2011 |
30,352 | 4,561 | 34,913 | 30,649 | 4,329 | 34,977 | 116,297 | 16,861 | 133,157 | |||||||||||||||||||
Extensions & Improved Recovery |
4,229 | 850 | 5,079 | 5,037 | 291 | 5,328 | 18,895 | 2,275 | 21,170 | |||||||||||||||||||
Technical Revisions |
(3,046 | ) | (3,985 | ) | (7,031 | ) | (4,332 | ) | (2,710 | ) | (7,042 | ) | (18,315 | ) | (8,581 | ) | (26,896 | ) | ||||||||||
Discoveries |
| | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||
Acquisitions |
1,806 | | 1,806 | 9,380 | 1,681 | 11,061 | 30,198 | 8,337 | 38,535 | |||||||||||||||||||
Dispositions |
| | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||
Economic Factors |
8 | 7 | 15 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 23 | 29 | |||||||||||||||||||
Production |
(1,902 | ) | | (1,902 | ) | (1,301 | ) | | (1,301 | ) | (4,226 | ) | | (4,226 | ) | |||||||||||||
December 31, 2012 |
31,446 | 1,433 | 32,879 | 39,433 | 3,595 | 43,028 | 142,854 | 18,915 | 161,769 |
42
Additional Information Relating to Reserves Data
Undeveloped Reserves Proved Undeveloped Reserves
The following table sets forth the volumes of net (after royalty interests) proved undeveloped reserves that were first attributed for the years ended December 31 2010, 2011 and 2012. These figures are net of royalties paid.
|
LIGHT AND MEDIUM OIL (Mbbls) |
NATURAL GAS LIQUIDS (Mbbls) |
NATURAL GAS (MMcf) |
||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
First Attributed(1) |
Cumulative at Year End |
First Attributed(1) |
Cumulative at Year End |
First Attributed(1) |
Cumulative at Year End |
|||||||||||||
Year |
|||||||||||||||||||
2010 |
271 | 271 | 5,381 | 5,381 | 24,101 | 24,101 | |||||||||||||
2011 |
21,985 | 20,209 | 16,426 | 21,261 | 58,713 | 79,982 | |||||||||||||
2012 |
890 | 17,436 | 6,702 | 22,653 | 20,284 | 83,263 |
Note:
Proved undeveloped reserves are generally those reserves related to wells that have been tested and not yet tied-in, wells drilled near the end of the fiscal year or wells further away from Aurora's gathering systems. In addition, such reserves may relate to planned infill drilling locations. The majority of these reserves are planned to be on stream within a five year timeframe.
Undeveloped Reserves Probable Undeveloped Reserves
The following table sets forth the volumes of probable undeveloped reserves that were first attributed for the years ended December 31 2010, 2011 and 2012.
|
LIGHT AND MEDIUM OIL (Mbbls) |
NATURAL GAS LIQUIDS (Mbbls) |
NATURAL GAS (MMcf) |
||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
First Attributed(1) |
Cumulative at Year End |
First Attributed(1) |
Cumulative at Year End |
First Attributed(1) |
Cumulative at Year End |
|||||||||||||
Year |
|||||||||||||||||||
2010 |
290 | 290 | 5,903 | 5,903 | 31,171 | 31,171 | |||||||||||||
2011 |
25,719 | 3,024 | 13,472 | 2,950 | 38,952 | 11,409 | |||||||||||||
2012 |
(1,065 | ) | 1,069 | 6,430 | 2,677 | 22,966 | 14,091 |
Note:
Probable undeveloped reserves are generally those reserves tested or indicated by analogy to be productive, infill drilling locations and lands contiguous to production. The majority of these reserves are planned to be on stream within a five year timeframe.
Under the terms of the mineral leases in which Aurora holds an interest, there are requirements to drill and produce a well to hold the acreage past its primary terms. The joint operating arrangements in which Aurora has participated therefore focused the early drilling program on ensuring that all acreage was held by production, before infill drilling occurs. Thereafter, the drilling has been carried out in order to maximize the efficiency and minimize costs, with wells being drilled in batches from common surface locations.
Significant Factors or Uncertainties
The process of evaluating reserves is inherently complex. It requires significant judgments and decisions based on available geological, engineering and economic data. These estimates may change substantially as additional data from ongoing development activities and production performance becomes available and as economic conditions impacting oil and gas prices and costs change. The reserve estimates contained herein are based on the then-current production forecasts, geological evaluation, engineering data, prices and economic
43
conditions. The reserves associated with the assets described in the Aurora 2012 Reserves Report have been evaluated by Ryder Scott and considering certain factors and assumptions. These factors and assumptions include among others: (i) historical production in the area compared with production rates from analogous producing areas; (ii) initial production rates; (iii) production decline rates; (iv) ultimate recovery of reserves; (v) success of future development activities; (vi) marketability of production; (vii) effects of government regulations; and (viii) other government levies imposed over the life of the reserves. See also, "Risk Factors".
As circumstances change and additional data becomes available, reserve estimates also change. Estimates are reviewed and revised, either upward or downward, as warranted by the new information. Revisions are often required due to changes in well performance, prices, economic conditions and governmental restrictions. Revisions to reserve estimates can arise from changes in year-end prices, reservoir performance and geologic conditions or production. These revisions can be either positive or negative.
Future Development Costs
The table below summarizes Aurora's share of the future development costs for the Sugarkane Field project based on the Ryder Scott development schedule used in the Aurora 2012 Reserves Report.
|
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT COSTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2012 UNDISCOUNTED FORECAST PRICES |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year
|
Proved Reserves | Proved Plus Probable Reserves | |||||
|
(U.S.$000s) |
(U.S.$000s) |
|||||
2013 |
255,740.1 | 263,683.4 | |||||
2014 |
252,159.5 | 255,731.5 | |||||
2015 |
271,278.3 | 280,252.0 | |||||
2016 |
239,310.8 | 300,199.3 | |||||
2017 |
200,183.0 | 210,829.5 | |||||
2018+ |
28,304.6 | 28,304.6 | |||||
Total (Undiscounted)(1) |
1,258,254.8 | 1,350,857.1 | |||||
Note:
Other Oil and Gas Information
Oil and Natural Gas Properties
All principal properties of Aurora are located in the Sugarkane Field in Texas, United States. There are no properties in which Aurora has an interest to which reserves have been attributed which are not planned to be developed.
Aurora's principal assets and the approximate associated gross and net land positions as of December 31, 2012, excluding the 2013 Acquired Assets, are shown in the table below:
|
AVERAGE WORKING INTEREST |
GROSS ACREAGE | NET ACREAGE | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sugarloaf AMI |
28.1% | 24,300 | 6,700 | |||||||
Longhorn AMI |
31.9% | 28,100 | 8,900 | |||||||
Ipanema AMI |
36.4% | 4,500 | 1,600 | |||||||
Excelsior AMI |
9.1% | 20,200 | 1,800 | |||||||
Total |
77,000 | 19,100 | ||||||||
44
Operating Arrangements for Aurora's Principal Properties
The operations within each of the four Sugarkane Field AMIs are governed by a JOA, under which Marathon is the designated operator. Aurora's interests within each of the Sugarloaf, Longhorn, and Ipanema AMIs are also subject to farmout arrangements. Aurora's interests and operations related within the acreage associated with the 2013 Acquired Assets are not subject to any JOA or farmout agreements.
Farmout arrangements provide an incentive to operators to drill a producing well in exchange for a WI in those wells and generally in the related AMI. Under Aurora's farmout arrangements, it has no WIs in the farmout wells until payout on each separate farmout program is achieved, but this does not impact Aurora's post-farmout WIs on any other wells in the same contract area. Payout occurs when the farminor receives from WI revenues, net of operating costs, an amount equal to the costs incurred by the farminor within each separate farmout program. The farminor is entitled to receive a 100% priority return from each farmout program until repayment of all costs plus an amount equal to a 12% internal rate of return on such costs. Aurora's WIs are presented above on the basis of interests in the contract area (on a post-farmout basis) and not on a per-well basis. Once each farmout program reaches payout, Aurora starts to receive an interest of production from the wells within that farmout program as per the farmout agreements.
The following two farmout programs had not reached payout as of December 31, 2013: three wells in Longhorn and one well in Ipanema. Payout has been achieved on all wells in Sugarloaf and Aurora is receiving revenue based on its WIs in each of these three wells.
A JOA grants authority to, and delineates the responsibilities of, the party acting as the operator in the AMI. A JOA also outlines the rights that WI holders are entitled to, including participation in wells, access to newly acquired leases within a specified area, revenue distributions and access to information. The terms of the JOA for each of Aurora's AMIs are substantially similar and are described in more detail below.
Under each JOA, Marathon, as the operator, generally incurs the initial costs for drilling operations and related costs, including equipment expenses, labour expenses, royalties, expenses for title examinations, legal expenses, taxes and insurance expenses. The operator has the right to be reimbursed from the other parties to the relevant JOA who have elected to participate in proportion to their respective WIs and may request payment of certain expenses and estimated capital costs in advance. Similarly, production of oil and natural gas from the relevant AMI is shared among the participants in the AMI in proportion to each participant's WI in that AMI, subject to any farmout, royalty agreements or other agreements impacting a party's WI. The operator has no obligation under the JOA to provide a schedule of long-term future operations or expenses.
The operator generally establishes the drilling program; however, each party to a JOA has the right at any time to propose the drilling of a new well or reworking of existing wells in the relevant AMI. The proposing party must consult with the other parties to the JOA at least 30 days prior to providing notice of such proposal to the other parties, which notice must include or be accompanied by an itemized report detailing, among other things, the estimated cost of the proposed operations. After notice of such a proposal, the other parties to the JOA have 30 days (or 24 hours, if a rig is on location) to consent to participating in the cost of the proposed operations. If a party does not consent or reply within the required time period, such party will not have to pay any costs associated with the proposed operations. However, such non-consenting party will relinquish its rights to the production of oil and gas from the proposed operations. Under the terms of the JOA, and subject to the following paragraph, such non-consenting party will relinquish its interest in the production until the consenting parties are reimbursed for their costs and expenses in the proposed operations, including costs for equipment, and for an additional amount, which generally ranges from one and one half times to four times the costs and expenses for the operations. Once these reimbursement amounts are paid, the WI of the non-consenting party is restored.
45
However, notwithstanding the previous paragraph, in the circumstances described below, any non-consenting party relinquishes all rights to the production of oil and gas from the proposed operations:
The operator will perform all of the proposed work for the consenting parties where less than all parties participate in operations; provided, however, that if the operator is a non-consenting party and there is no drilling rig already present at the proposed location of the operations, the consenting parties must either formally request that the operator commence operations or designate one of the consenting parties as operator for such proposed work.
Under each of the JOAs, any and all losses incurred through title failures are shared jointly between all parties to the JOA in proportion to their WIs. In effect, these provisions provide that even though Aurora was not a party to the original leases underlying a particular AMI, it will share in any loss of those leases that may occur as a result of title problems.
If a party to a JOA acquires or obtains the right to acquire from anyone not a party to the JOA any additional leasehold or other oil and gas interest within the AMI, that party must notify the other parties of the acquisition of such interests or a right to acquire such interests and the other parties may mutually agree to acquire such interests in proportion to their WIs. If all parties to the JOA agree to participate in such acquisition, in proportion to their WIs in the AMIs, such interests will become subject to the terms of the JOA. Further, if all parties to the JOA acquire additional interests that become subject to the JOA, the parties have agreed to assign or reserve for the party to the JOAs who was the original operator an overriding royalty with respect to the acquired interest (subject to a cap that ranges from 4% to 6% of the interest acquired).
Aurora is generally able to divest its WIs in the JOAs; however, under the Sugarloaf, Ipanema and Longhorn JOAs, any assignment is subject to the written consent of the party to the JOA who was the original operator, which must not be unreasonably withheld upon receipt of proof that the proposed assignee is financially capable of fulfilling its obligations in respect of the WI. Additionally, under each of the Longhorn and Ipanema JOAs, Aurora must provide notice to the operator of any proposed divestment of WIs and the operator will have a pre-emptive right to acquire any such interests on the same terms as proposed, except in the case of assignments by way of mortgage or disposal of WIs by way of merger, reorganization, consolidation or sale of all
46
or substantially all of Aurora's assets to a subsidiary or parent company or to a subsidiary of a parent company or to a third party in which any one party owns a majority of the stock.
Under the JOAs, the operator and other parties in each JOA have a first priority lien in Aurora's oil and gas rights in the relevant AMI and a security interest in its share of oil and/or gas when extracted and in all equipment purchased under the relevant JOA. If Aurora fails to fully discharge its financial obligations, including making payments in advance to the operator as described above, it will be in default under the JOAs. Subject to certain cure periods, upon default, Aurora may be sued for damages, its production revenues may be directed to the operator and it may be deemed to be a non-consenting party with respect to certain wells. The operator grants a like lien and security interest to the non-operators to secure payment of operator's proportionate share of expense.
Under each of the JOAs, the operator may resign at any time on written notice and will be deemed to resign if it terminates its legal existence, is no longer capable of serving as operator or it no longer owns an interest in the area subject to the JOA. The operator can be removed if it fails or refuses to carry out its duties under the JOA or becomes insolvent, bankrupt or is placed in receivership, by the affirmative vote of two or more of the non-operating parties owning a majority of the WIs in the relevant contract area. Such resignation or removal is effective on the first day of the calendar month following a 90-day period from the date of written notice or action by the non-operators, as applicable, unless a successor operator is selected prior to that date.
Where an operator has resigned or has been removed under the foregoing circumstances, the successor operator shall be selected from the parties holding WIs in the relevant contract area, by an affirmative vote of two or more parties owning a majority of the WIs. An operator that has been removed must participate in voting for a successor operator, but may be excluded from the vote if it fails to vote or votes only to succeed itself, at which point the successor operator shall be selected by the affirmative vote of two or more parties owning a majority interest based on ownership remaining after excluding the voting interest of the operator that was removed.
Wells
Aurora's wells produce light and medium oil, NGLs (including condensate) and natural gas, with the ratio of gas to liquids production varying by well. The gas to liquids ratio observed across the gas condensate wells varies between 60 and 400 Bbls per MMcf. The volatile oil wells produce at approximately 1,000 Mcf/Bbl. The following table sets out the number of producing and non-producing wells net to Aurora's WI, both before royalties and after royalties, in the Sugarkane Field as at December 31, 2012.
Net Wells as at December 31, 2012
|
Before Royalties | After Royalties | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Producing |
50.5 | 37.3 | |||||
Drilled, not producing |
4.4 | 3.2 | |||||
Total Net Wells |
54.9 | 40.5 | |||||
47
The following table summarizes the status of wells in which Aurora had a gross WI, categorized by Sugarkane Field AMI, as of December 31, 2012.
|
SUGARLOAF | LONGHORN | IPANEMA | EXCELSIOR | TOTAL | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Farmout Wells(1) |
||||||||||||||||
Producing subject to payout |
| 3.0 | 1.0 | | 4.0 | |||||||||||
Post-Farmout Wells |
||||||||||||||||
Producing |
57.5 | 92.5 | 6.0 | 60.0 | 216.0 | |||||||||||
On test |
| | | | | |||||||||||
Fracking |
| 4.0 | | 4.0 | 8.0 | |||||||||||
Drilled and Cased |
3.5 | 5.5 | | 3.0 | 12.0 | |||||||||||
Drilling |
4.0 | 3.0 | | | 7.0 | |||||||||||
Total Gross Wells |
65.0 | 108.0 | 7.0 | 67.0 | 247.0 | |||||||||||
Note:
Leasehold Interests and Royalties
In Texas, mineral rights may be held privately or by the government. In the Eagle Ford, substantially all of the mineral interests are owned and leased by private owners. To drill wells or produce oil and gas, a company must either own the mineral rights or lease them from the mineral rights holder. Generally, Aurora's leases are for a primary term of five years. Marathon, as operator, has responsibility of managing the lease administration for Aurora's Sugarkane AMIs.
Aurora has an interest in numerous individual leases from private lessors across its four AMIs and in the 2013 Acquired Assets within the Sugarkane Field, each of which is current (typically a cash bonus and delay rental was paid upon execution of the lease with no such additional payments being required within the primary term of the lease). The undeveloped portion of the leaseholds under these leases generally expire between 2014 and 2015. The leases contain provisions requiring that the acreage be developed within a specified lease period or else it must be re-leased. The development provisions of these leases generally require the drilling of one or more wells that produce hydrocarbons from which the mineral owners derive royalties. Each producing well will hold a certain amount of land while it is still producing, hence the reference to "land held by production". The specific details of each lease and royalty rate are different as they are individually negotiated but, in general, the net revenue interests for the WI participants, including Aurora, ranges from 70 to 75% with an average across Aurora's current acreage of approximately 74%.
Over time, each field designated by the Railroad Commission of Texas will have its own rules depending on the individual characteristics of the field. Approximately half of the Sugarkane Field has been designated as a natural gas field and the remainder as an oil field. Under these designations, operators are able to hold a certain number of acres around every producing well drilled (depending on the well length) per the specific field rules. The rules currently in effect for natural gas wells within the Sugarkane Field allow each well to hold up to 320 acres plus an additional 200 acres for each 1,000 feet of horizontal well. A typical 5,000 foot horizontal well is therefore able to hold up to 1,320 acres, although units are generally 600 to 900 acres. The northern half of the Sugarkane Field falls within two Railroad Commission designated fields: the Eagleville I Field and the Eagleville II Field. These fields have been designated as oil fields. Under the relevant field rules, operators are able to hold on average 320 acres for wells with lateral lengths of 5,000 feet plus additional acreage for longer laterals.
48
Properties With No Attributed Reserves
The following table sets forth the gross and net acres of unproved properties held by Aurora, as of December 31, 2012, and the net area of unproved property for which Aurora expected its rights to expire during 2013.
|
UNDEVELOPED LAND (ACRES) | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Gross | Net | Net Area to Expire in 2013 |
|||||||
South Texas, Flour Bluff Field |
1,400 | 280 | | |||||||
California, North Belridge |
125 | 40 | | |||||||
South Texas, Pan de Azucar and Brioche |
5,260 | 5,260 | 5,160 | |||||||
Total |
6,785 | 5,580 | 5,160 | |||||||
Other than immaterial abandonment costs liability for two wells at North Belridge, Aurora did not have work commitments on the above lands.
Additional Information Concerning Abandonment and Reclamation Costs
Aurora estimates the costs associated with well abandonment and reclamation based on its previous experience, current regulations, costs, technology and industry standards area by area. Abandonment and reclamation costs are expected to be incurred on 785 gross (182 net) well locations for the proved full field development. These wells are comprised of currently producing, non-producing, planned production and service wells.
Aurora's share of the expected total abandonment and reclamation costs for wells with assigned reserves, non-producing and service wells and facilities, net of salvage value are summarized, without discount and using a discount rate of 10%, in the following table.
NET PRESENT VALUES OF FUTURE NET REVENUE
BEFORE INCOME TAXES DISCOUNTED AT (%/year)
USING FORECAST PRICING AND COSTS
|
PROVED NET PRESENT VALUE (U.S.$000s) |
PROVED PLUS PROBABLE NET PRESENT VALUE (U.S.$000s) |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CATEGORY
|
0% | 10% | 0% | 10% | |||||||||
Abandonment and disconnect costs for wells with reserves assigned |
9,023 | 382.5 | 9,486 | 402.1 | |||||||||
Reclamation costs for wells with reserves assigned |
2,256 | 95.6 | 2,371 | 100.5 | |||||||||
Abandonment and reclamation costs for wells with no reserves assigned and facilities |
| | | | |||||||||
Total abandonment and reclamation cost provision |
11,279 | 478.1 | 11,857 | 502.6 | |||||||||
Portion of the above total: |
|||||||||||||
forecast to be paid during the next three years; and |
| | | | |||||||||
not included in the Aurora 2012 Reserves Report |
| | | |
Notes:
49
Costs Incurred
The following table summarizes Aurora's property acquisition costs, exploration costs and development costs (before property dispositions) incurred during the year ended December 31, 2012.
EXPENDITURE
|
AMOUNT (U.S.$000s) |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Property acquisition costs: |
||||
Proved properties |
13,900 | |||
Unproved properties |
4,606 | |||
Drilling and completion: |
||||
Proved properties |
575,933 | |||
Unproved properties |
1,473 | |||
Facilities and equipment: |
||||
Proved properties |
104,215 | |||
Unproved properties |
| |||
Exploration costs |
| |||
Development costs |
| |||
Total |
700,127 | |||
Exploration and Development Activities
The following table sets forth the number and status of wells in which Aurora had a working interest as at December 31, 2012.
|
DEVELOPMENT(1) | EXPLORATORY | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Gross | Net | Gross | Net | |||||||||
Light and Medium Oil |
100 | 23.64 | | | |||||||||
Natural Gas |
56 | 15.16 | | | |||||||||
Service |
| | | | |||||||||
Stratigraphic Test |
| | | | |||||||||
Dry |
| | | | |||||||||
Total |
156 | 38.80 | | | |||||||||
Note:
Infrastructure
There has been considerable focus on the installation of the required infrastructure to allow for full field development in the Sugarkane Field. In the first quarter of 2011, Aurora agreed to the participation and installation of centralized processing facilities across the Sugarkane Field. In total, nine central processing facilities were installed and gathering system improvements made, which provide the following capability:
50
During 2012, the final three central processing facilities were installed and commissioned, the initial six central processing facilities were upgraded for increased capacity and operational efficiency, and the vast majority of the field gathering system was installed (over 300 miles of pipework), including the commissioning of the Three Rivers oil pipeline which crosses the Excelsior and Longhorn AMIs. We expect future production to be accommodated within the existing infrastructure and planned capacity upgrades as necessary.
It is anticipated that the efficiencies of these central processing facilities will lead to material savings on capital well costs as well as subsequent operating costs. The same central facilities have deep saline water wells and holding pits to allow water storage and real time distribution to fracture stimulation operations. Produced water is separated at the central processing facilities and then recycled back to the pits or disposed of via dedicated disposal wells.
The gas export system downstream of the central facilities was predominantly built in 2011, with the most recent central facilities having now been tied in. At the end of 2012, an additional interconnect allowed gas exports to a third processing facility and increased the field take away capacity to over 100 MMbtu/day.
In 2013 Aurora acquired assets in the Sugarkane Field complex known as Heard Ranch and Axle Tree ranch. During 2013/2014, these assets had central facilities and gathering systems installed to manage production expected from the development plans of these assets. In particular the Axle Tree development includes two amine treatment plants to process H2S (up to 6,000 parts per million from some wells) out of the gas for sale or field use.
Marketing and Sales of Production
Production from Aurora's leases is moved from individual well test facilities via inter-field transfer lines to central processing facilities where oil, condensate, natural gas liquids and natural gas are treated to sales quality, products are metered and gas compressed up to pipeline inlet pressure specification. Afterwards, treated production is sold either at the lease or moved via truck or pipeline to the particular market for sale.
Currently, Aurora's share of production from the Sugarkane Field AMIs is marketed and sold on its behalf by Marathon, as operator. Under the terms of its JOAs, Aurora has the right to separately dispose of its share of hydrocarbon production from its AMIs under different arrangements, including, without limitation, through different agents. Aurora is responsible for marketing and sales of hydrocarbon production from its operated acreage.
Marathon sells oil, condensate, NGLs and natural gas under a variety of arrangements with the realised price in reference to a range of local prevailing spot markers adjusted for gravity, quality, local conditions and any relevant costs incurred.
Future production associated with Aurora's assets will require transportation, storage and processing capacity to be either constructed or contracted, as well as additional marketing efforts to commit products to sale. Significant regional processing and transportation infrastructure has been constructed or is under construction, with significant additional capacity expected in the area and prospective markets being examined and discussed.
Aurora's properties are accessible year round. Facilities through which its production is processed and/or delivered may be temporarily shut down for a short period of time during the year to conduct repair and maintenance operations.
Production Estimates
The following tables summarize Aurora's estimated future annual production volumes for the assets evaluated in the Aurora 2012 Reserves Report for the 12 months beginning January 1, 2013 and ending December 31, 2013 for each product type, which is reflected in the estimate of future net revenues disclosed
51
earlier in this section using the forecast prices contained in the table entitled "Summary of Price Assumptions as of December 31, 2012 (Forecast Prices and Costs)".
RESERVE CATEGORY
|
LIGHT AND MEDIUM OIL |
NATURAL GAS LIQUIDS |
NATURAL GAS | COMBINED | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(Bbls/d) |
(Bbls/d) |
(Mcf/d) |
(Boe/d) |
|||||||||
Proved |
|||||||||||||
Developed producing |
3,964 | 4,896 | 15,844 | 11,501 | |||||||||
Developed Non-Producing |
| | | | |||||||||
Undeveloped |
3,140 | 1,907 | 6,370 | 6,109 | |||||||||
Total Proved |
7,104 | 6,803 | 22,215 | 17,610 | |||||||||
Probable |
| 122 | 609 | 224 | |||||||||
Total Proved plus Probable |
7,104 | 6,926 | 22,824 | 17,834 | |||||||||
Possible(1) |
| | | | |||||||||
Total Proved plus Probable plus Possible |
7,104 | 6,926 | 22,824 | 17,834 | |||||||||
Note:
Production Volume
The following table discloses Aurora's net production volumes for the year ended December 31, 2012 based on 365 days for each product type from the Sugarkane Field.
Net production volume for the year ended December 31, 2012
|
Light and medium oil |
Natural gas liquids |
Natural gas | Combined | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(Bbls) |
(Bbls) |
(Mcf) |
(Boe) |
|||||||||
|
1,395,904 | 963,415 | 3,115.8 | 2,878,612 |
52
Production History
The following table summarizes Aurora's share of average daily gross production for each of the periods indicated.
|
Financial Year Ended December 31, 2012 | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 |
Three Months Ended June 30, 2012 |
Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 |
Three Months Ended December 31, 2012 |
|||||||||
Light and Medium Oil |
|||||||||||||
Average daily production (Bbls/d) |
3,052 | 5,792 | 5,885 | 6,046 | |||||||||
Prices received (U.S.$/Bbl) |
112.46 | 94.70 | 101.29 | 95.46 | |||||||||
Royalties paid (U.S.$/Bbl) |
29.68 | 25.60 | 26.90 | 24.87 | |||||||||
Production costs (U.S.$/Bbl)(1) |
13.80 | 11.50 | 12.40 | 10.44 | |||||||||
Resulting netback (U.S.$Bbl)(2) |
66.93 | 57.60 | 61.98 | 60.15 | |||||||||
Natural Gas Liquids |
|||||||||||||
Average daily production (Bbls/d) |
541 | 939 | 1,934 | 2,656 | |||||||||
Prices received (U.S.$/Bbl) |
55.13 | 22.93 | 30.16 | 34.58 | |||||||||
Royalties paid (U.S.$/Bbl) |
13.53 | 6.33 | 7.95 | 9.03 | |||||||||
Production costs (U.S.$/Bbl) |
7.83 | 2.69 | 3.87 | 4.16 | |||||||||
Resulting netback (U.S.$Bbl)(2) |
33.77 | 13.91 | 18.33 | 21.39 | |||||||||
Condensate Gas Liquids |
|||||||||||||
Average daily production (Bbls/d) |
409 | 466 | 2,354 | 4,872 | |||||||||
Prices received (U.S.$/Bbl) |
124.22 | 101.72 | 101.32 | 98.35 | |||||||||
Royalties paid (U.S.$/Bbl) |
32.74 | 24.86 | 26.21 | 25.59 | |||||||||
Production costs (U.S.$/Bbl)(1) |
15.41 | 12.40 | 11.58 | 10.77 | |||||||||
Resulting netback (U.S.$Bbl)(2) |
76.07 | 64.46 | 63.53 | 61.99 | |||||||||
Natural Gas |
|||||||||||||
Average daily production (MMcf/d) |
4.91 | 7.00 | 14.15 | 20.00 | |||||||||
Prices received (U.S.$/Mcf) |
2.54 | 1.81 | 2.53 | 3.73 | |||||||||
Royalties paid (U.S.$/Mcf) |
0.58 | 0.50 | 0.67 | 0.98 | |||||||||
Production costs (U.S.$/Mcf)(1) |
0.35 | 0.17 | 0.33 | 0.39 | |||||||||
Resulting netback (U.S.$/Mcf)(2) |
1.61 | 1.16 | 1.54 | 2.36 |
Notes:
Although there were 220 producing wells on the Sugarloaf, Ipanema, Excelsior and Longhorn AMIs during the year ended December 31, 2012, due to its farm-out arrangements, Aurora did not have an interest in production in four of these wells during this entire period and did not have an interest in production of two other wells to the period ended March 31, 2012.
Other Interests and Investments
Aurora has a minor interest in undeveloped acreage in the Eagle Ford in two separate development areas in Fayette County, Washington and Burleson Counties, located in Southeast Texas and a small WI in producing acreage in Fayette County and in the associated producing Black Jack Springs Unit #1 well.
Aurora also has an immaterial interest in non-U.S. and offshore activities through its equity investment in Elixir. Elixir holds a diversified portfolio of oil and natural gas interests across the exploration, appraisal, development and production spectrum, including: oil and natural gas development and production from the shallow shelf in the Gulf of Mexico, United States; exploration and appraisal activities in the northern North
53
Sea, United Kingdom; and a very large acreage position of approximately 1.3 million acres onshore France in the East Paris Basin prospective for both conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon bearing formations.
The gross proceeds from the Offering will be held by the Escrow Agent, and invested in short-term obligations of, or guaranteed by, the Government of Canada (or other approved investments) pending the satisfaction of the Escrow Condition. Upon satisfaction of the Escrow Condition on or before the Termination Time, the Escrowed Funds and the interest earned thereon (less any amounts required to pay the Dividend Equivalent Amount upon the issuance of the Underlying Common Shares, if applicable, the remaining portion of the Underwriters' Fee and an amount equal to the accrued interest on such remaining Underwriters' Fee) will be released to us in accordance with the terms of the Subscription Receipt Agreement to enable us to convert these funds to Australian dollars and complete the Acquisition. We will utilize the Escrowed Funds, together with funds available under the Term Loan A Facility and the Revolving Facilities, to pay for the Aurora Shares pursuant to the Acquisition. See "Recent Developments New Credit Facilities".
On the closing of the Acquisition, each holder of Subscription Receipts will receive one Underlying Common Share for each Subscription Receipt held, without payment of additional consideration or further action on the part of such holder, and such holder will also be entitled to receive an amount per Subscription Receipt equal to the Dividend Equivalent Amount. If the Acquisition is not completed by the Termination Time, or if we advise the Underwriters or announce to the public that we do not intend to proceed with the Acquisition, or if the Implementation Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms, holders of Subscription Receipts shall receive an amount equal to the full subscription price attributable to the Subscription Receipts and their pro rata entitlement to interest accrued on such amount up to and including the date of the Termination Time. See "Details of the Offering".
The following table sets forth the principal purposes to which we propose to use the net proceeds of the Offering:
Proceeds to Us
|
Offering not including Over-allotment Option |
Offering including full exercise of Over-allotment Option |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
($000s) |
($000s) |
|||||
Gross proceeds raised pursuant to this Offering(1) |
1,300,038 | 1,495,044 | |||||
Underwriters' Fee(2) |
(52,002 | ) | (59,802 | ) | |||
Expenses and costs relating to the Offering(3) |
(3,000 | ) | (3,000 | ) | |||
Total estimated net proceeds to the Corporation |
1,245,036 | 1,432,242 | |||||
Funds from the Offering used to fund the purchase price for Aurora Shares |
1,245,036 | 1,432,242 | |||||
Remaining portion of purchase price for Aurora Shares to be funded by the New Credit Facilities(4) |
558,735 | 371,529 |
Notes:
The use of the net proceeds of the Offering is consistent with our stated business objective of acquiring, developing, exploiting and holding interests in petroleum and natural gas properties and related assets in Canada and the United States. Other than the successful completion of the Offering, there is no particular significant event or milestone that must occur for this objective to be accomplished.
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Our authorized capital consists of an unlimited number of Common Shares without nominal or par value and 10,000,000 preferred shares, without nominal or par value, issuable in series.
Holders of Common Shares are entitled to notice of, to attend and to one vote per share held at any meeting of our Shareholders (other than meetings of a class or series of our shares other than the Common Shares as such).
Holders of Common Shares will be entitled to receive dividends as and when declared by the Board of Directors on the Common Shares as a class, subject to prior satisfaction of all preferential rights to dividends attached to shares of other classes of our shares ranking in priority to the Common Shares in respect of dividends.
Holders of Common Shares will be entitled in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of us, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of our assets among our shareholders for the purpose of winding-up our affairs, and subject to prior satisfaction of all preferential rights to return of capital on dissolution attached to all shares of other classes of our shares ranking in priority to the Common Shares in respect of return of capital on dissolution, to share ratably, together with the holders of shares of any other class of our shares ranking equally with the Common Shares in respect of return of capital on dissolution, in such of our assets as are available for distribution.
Dividend Policy
Our dividend policy is to pay a monthly dividend on our Common Shares on or about the 15th day following the end of each calendar month to Shareholders of record on or about the last business day of each such calendar month. Our dividend policy follows the general corporate philosophy of financial self sufficiency whereby, over the long term, development capital expenditures and dividend payments are planned to be financed from internally generated funds from operations. Unless otherwise indicated, all dividends paid or to be paid on our Common Shares are designated as "eligible dividends" for Canadian income tax purposes.
The amount of future cash dividends, if any, will be subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors and may vary depending on a variety of factors and conditions existing from time to time, including fluctuations in commodity prices, production levels, capital expenditure requirements, debt service requirements, operating costs, royalty burdens, foreign exchange rates, the satisfaction of the liquidity and solvency tests imposed by the ABCA for the declaration and payment of dividends and other factors beyond our control. Pursuant to the ABCA, after the payment of a dividend, we must be able to pay our liabilities as they become due and the realizable value of our assets must be greater than our liabilities and the legal stated capital of our outstanding securities. As at September 30, 2013, our stated capital was approximately $2 billion. Cash dividends to Shareholders are not assured or guaranteed and there can be no guarantee that we will maintain our dividend policy. See "Dividends to Shareholders" and "Risk Factors".
The agreements governing the Credit Facilities, the New Credit Facilities, the Debenture Indenture and the Aurora Note Indentures restrict or will restrict our ability to pay cash dividends in certain circumstances and contain certain limitations on maximum cumulative dividends. See "Dividends to Shareholders", "Consolidated Capitalization" and "Recent Developments New Credit Facilities".
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The following table sets forth, as at September 30, 2013, our pro forma consolidated capitalization: (i) before giving effect to the Offering and Acquisition; (ii) after giving effect to the Offering and Acquisition (assuming the Over-allotment Option is not exercised); and (iii) after giving effect to the Offering and Acquisition (assuming the Over-allotment Option is exercised in full). There have been no material changes in our share and loan capital, on a consolidated basis, since September 30, 2013.
|
As at September 30, 2013 before giving effect to the Offering and the Acquisition |
As at September 30, 2013 after giving effect to the Offering and the Acquisition(1) |
As at September 30, 2013 after giving effect to the Offering, the Acquisition and the Over-allotment Option(1) |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(amounts in 000s, except share amounts) |
|
|
|
|||||||
Debt: |
||||||||||
Credit Facilities(2)(3) |
$244,651 | | | |||||||
New Credit Facilities(1)(4)(5) |
| $803,386 | $616,180 | |||||||
2021 Debentures(6) |
U.S.$150,000 | U.S.$150,000 | U.S.$150,000 | |||||||
2022 Debentures(6) |
$300,000 | $300,000 | $300,000 | |||||||
2017 Aurora Notes(7) |
| U.S.$365,000 | U.S.$365,000 | |||||||
2020 Aurora Notes(7) |
| U.S.$300,000 | U.S.$300,000 | |||||||
Shareholders' Capital: |
||||||||||
Common Shares (unlimited)(8) |
$1,969,018 (124,497,000 Common Shares |
) |
$3,230,000 (157,917,000 Common Shares |
) |
$3,419,200 (162,930,000 Common Shares |
) |
||||
Preferred Shares (10,000,000) |
| | |
Notes:
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Subscription Receipts
The Offering consists of 33,420,000 Subscription Receipts at a price of $38.90 per Subscription Receipt. Each Subscription Receipt will entitle the holder thereof to receive without payment of additional consideration or further action on the part of such holder, one Common Share.
The following is a summary of the material attributes and characteristics of the Subscription Receipts. This summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, reference to the terms of the Subscription Receipt Agreement, which, following the Closing Date, will be available for inspection at our offices and will be filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov.
The Escrowed Funds will be held by the Escrow Agent, and invested in short-term obligations of, or guaranteed by, the Government of Canada (or other approved investments) pending delivery by us to the Underwriters of a certificate on the third Business Day prior to the anticipated Effective Date to the effect that the Final Order has been filed with the ASIC and all other material conditions (other than payment of the purchase price) necessary to complete the Acquisition have been satisfied (the "Escrow Condition"). Upon satisfaction of the Escrow Condition on or before 5:00 p.m. (Calgary time) on June 30, 2014 (the "Termination Time"), the Escrowed Funds and the interest earned thereon (less any amounts required to pay the Dividend Equivalent Amount upon the issuance of the Underlying Common Shares, if applicable, the remaining portion of the Underwriters' Fee and an amount equal to the accrued interest on such remaining Underwriters' Fee) will be released to us in accordance with the terms of the Subscription Receipt Agreement to enable us to convert these funds to Australian dollars and complete the Acquisition. Upon the closing of the Acquisition, each holder of Subscription Receipts will receive one Underlying Common Share for each Subscription Receipt held, without payment of additional consideration or further action on the part of such holder, and such holder will also be entitled to receive an amount per Subscription Receipt equal to the Dividend Equivalent Amount, being an amount per Subscription Receipt equal to the amount per Common Share of any cash dividends for which record date(s) have occurred during the period commencing on the Closing Date to the date immediately preceding the date the Underlying Common Shares are issued pursuant to the Subscription Receipts. All or a portion of the Dividend Equivalent Amount will be satisfied by the payment by the Escrow Agent to holders of Subscription Receipts of interest earned on the Escrowed Funds. The difference, if any, between the amount of interest earned on the Escrowed Funds and the Dividend Equivalent Amount will be paid by us as a partial refund of the subscription price of the Subscription Receipts. If holders of Subscription Receipts become entitled to receive Underlying Common Shares, we and the Escrow Agent will pay such amounts to holders on the later of the date the Underlying Common Shares are issued and the date such dividend(s) is paid to holders of Common Shares. See "Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations" and "Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations".
We will utilize the Escrowed Funds, together with funds available under the Term Loan A Facility and the Revolving Facilities, to pay for the Aurora Shares pursuant to the Acquisition. See "Recent Developments The Acquisition", "About Aurora" and "Use of Proceeds".
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If the Acquisition is not completed by the Termination Time, or if we advise the Underwriters or announce to the public that we do not intend to proceed with the Acquisition, or if the Implementation Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms, holders of Subscription Receipts shall receive an amount equal to the full subscription price attributable to the Subscription Receipts and their pro rata entitlement to interest accrued on such amount up to and including the date of the Termination Time. In such event, the issuance of a cheque in payment of the subscription price for the Subscription Receipts and pro rata interest, if any, will require the surrender of the certificate(s), by the holder thereof, presenting the same at the principal office of the Escrow Agent in Calgary, Alberta. If any certificates representing Subscription Receipts have not been surrendered one year after the Termination Time, the Escrow Agent will mail the cheques that the holders thereof are entitled to receive to their last addresses of record.
Upon satisfaction of the Escrow Condition and the issuance of the Underlying Common Shares, we will issue a press release specifying that the Underlying Common Shares have been issued.
We have granted to the Underwriters the Over-allotment Option to purchase up to an additional 5,013,000 Subscription Receipts at a price of $38.90 per Subscription Receipt on the same terms and conditions as the Offering, exercisable from time to time, in whole or in part, for a period commencing at closing of the Offering and ending on the earlier of: (i) 30 days following closing of the Offering; and (ii) the Termination Time, to cover over-allotments, if any, and for market stabilization purposes.
Under the Subscription Receipt Agreement, original purchasers of Subscription Receipts under the Offering will have a contractual right of rescission against us both prior to and following the issuance of Underlying Common Shares to such purchaser upon the exchange of the Subscription Receipts to receive the amount paid for the Subscription Receipts if this short form prospectus (including the documents incorporated by reference herein) and any amendment contains a misrepresentation or is not delivered to such purchaser, provided such remedy for rescission is exercised within 180 days of closing of the Offering.
Holders of Subscription Receipts are not Shareholders. Holders of Subscription Receipts are entitled only to receive Underlying Common Shares on surrender of their Subscription Receipts to the Escrow Agent or to a return of the subscription price for the Subscription Receipts together with any payments of interest as described above.
The Subscription Receipts will be issued in "book-entry only" form and must be purchased or transferred through a Participant. See "Details of the Offering Book-Entry Only System".
In the event that, prior to the date the Underlying Common Shares become issuable pursuant to the Subscription Receipts, there is a subdivision, consolidation, reclassification or other change of the Common Shares or any reorganization, amalgamation, merger or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, the Subscription Receipts will thereafter evidence the right of the holder to receive the securities, property or cash deliverable in exchange for or on conversion of or in respect of the Underlying Common Shares to which the holder of a Subscription Receipt would have been entitled immediately after such event if it had been a holder of such Underlying Common Shares prior to such event. Similarly, any distribution to all or substantially all of the holders of Common Shares of rights, options, warrants, evidences of indebtedness or assets will result in an adjustment in the number of Underlying Common Shares to be issued to holders of Subscription Receipts. Alternatively, such securities, evidences of indebtedness or assets may, at our option, be issued to the Escrow Agent and delivered to holders of Subscription Receipts following the closing of the Acquisition.
The Subscription Receipt Agreement will provide for modifications and alterations thereto and to the Subscription Receipts issued thereunder by way of an extraordinary resolution. The term "extraordinary resolution" will be defined in the Subscription Receipt Agreement to mean, in effect, a resolution passed by the affirmative votes of the holders of not less than 662/3% of the number of outstanding Subscription Receipts represented and voted at a meeting of holders or an instrument or instruments in writing signed by the holders of not less than 662/3% of the number of outstanding Subscription Receipts.
Book-Entry Only System
The Subscription Receipts will be issued in "book-entry only" form and must be purchased or transferred through a Participant.
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Except as otherwise provided herein, on the Closing Date, the Subscription Receipts will be registered and represented electronically through CDS, and will be deposited with CDS pursuant to the book-entry only system. Unless the book-entry only system is terminated as described below, a Subscription Receipt Beneficial Owner will not be entitled to receive a certificate for Subscription Receipts, or, unless requested, for the Underlying Common Shares. Purchasers of Subscription Receipts will not be shown on the records maintained by CDS, except through a Participant.
Beneficial interests in Subscription Receipts will be represented solely through the book-entry only system and such interests will be evidenced by customer confirmations of purchase from the registered dealer from which the Subscription Receipts are purchased in accordance with the practices and procedures of that registered dealer. In addition, registration of interests in and transfers of the Subscription Receipts will be made only through the depository service of CDS.
As indirect holders of Subscription Receipts, investors should be aware that they (subject to the situations described below): (a) may not have Subscription Receipts registered in their name; (b) may not have physical certificates representing their interest in the Subscription Receipts; (c) may not be able to sell the Subscription Receipts to institutions required by law to hold physical certificates for securities they own; and (d) may be unable to pledge Subscription Receipts as security.
The Subscription Receipts will be issued to beneficial owners thereof in fully registered and certificate form (the "Subscription Receipt Certificates") only if: (a) required to do so by applicable law; (b) the book-entry only system ceases to exist; (c) we or CDS advises the Escrow Agent that CDS is no longer willing or able to properly discharge its responsibilities as depository with respect to the Subscription Receipts and we are unable to locate a qualified successor; or (d) we, at our option, decide to terminate the book-entry only system through CDS.
Upon the occurrence of any of the events described in the immediately preceding paragraph, the Escrow Agent must notify CDS, for and on behalf of Participants and Subscription Receipt Beneficial Owners of the availability through CDS of Subscription Receipt Certificates. Upon surrender by CDS of the global certificates representing the Subscription Receipts and receipt of instructions from CDS for the new registrations, the Escrow Agent will deliver the Subscription Receipts in the form of Subscription Receipt Certificates and thereafter we will recognize the holders of such Subscription Receipt Certificates as Subscription Receipt holders under the Subscription Receipt Agreement.
Neither we nor the Underwriters will assume any liability for: (a) any aspect of the records relating to the beneficial ownership of the Subscription Receipts held by CDS or any payments relating thereto; (b) maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to the Subscription Receipts; or (c) any advice or representation made by or with respect to CDS and contained in this short form prospectus and relating to the rules governing CDS or any action to be taken by CDS or at the direction of a Participant. The rules governing CDS provide that it acts as the agent and depository for the Participants. As a result, Participants must look solely to CDS and Subscription Receipt Beneficial Owners must look solely to Participants for any payments relating to the Subscription Receipts paid by or on behalf of us to CDS.
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Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement among us and each of the Underwriters, we have agreed to sell and the Underwriters have severally agreed to purchase on the Closing Date, an aggregate of 33,420,000 Subscription Receipts at a price of $38.90 per Subscription Receipt payable in cash to us against delivery of such Subscription Receipts, subject to compliance with all necessary legal requirements and terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement. The Underwriting Agreement provides that we will pay the Underwriters' Fee of 4.0% of the gross proceeds of the Offering, or $1.556 per Subscription Receipt. The Underwriters' Fee in respect of the Subscription Receipts is payable as to 50% upon the closing of the Offering and 50% on the closing of the Acquisition. If the Acquisition is not completed by the Termination Time, the Underwriters' Fee will be reduced to the amount payable upon closing of the Offering. The offering price of the Subscription Receipts was determined by negotiation between us and Scotia on behalf of itself and on behalf of the other Underwriters.
We have granted to the Underwriters the Over-allotment Option to purchase up to an additional 5,013,000 Subscription Receipts at a price of $38.90 per Subscription Receipt on the same terms and conditions as the Offering, exercisable from time to time, in whole or in part, for a period commencing at closing of the Offering and ending at 5:00 p.m. (Calgary time) on the earlier of: (i) 30 days following closing of the Offering; and (ii) the Termination Time, to cover over-allotments, if any, and for market stabilization purposes. A purchaser who acquires Subscription Receipts forming part of the Underwriters' over-allocation position acquires those Subscription Receipts under this short form prospectus, regardless of whether the over-allocation position is ultimately filled through the exercise of the Over-allotment Option or secondary market purchases. If the Over-allotment Option is exercised in full, the total Offering, the Underwriters' Fee and the net proceeds to us (before deducting expenses of the Offering) of the Offering will be, $1,495,043,700, $59,801,748 and $1,435,241,952, respectively. This short form prospectus also qualifies the distribution of the Subscription Receipts issuable upon exercise of the Over-allotment Option.
The obligations of the Underwriters, under the Underwriting Agreement, are several, and not joint and several, and may be terminated on the occurrence of certain stated events, including, in the event that at or prior to closing of the Offering: (i) any order to cease or suspend trading in any of our securities, prohibiting or restricting the distribution of any of the Subscription Receipts or Underlying Common Shares, suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement filed by us with the SEC or preventing or suspending the use of any prospectus relating to the Subscription Receipts or Underlying Common Shares has been issued or made, or proceedings are announced, commenced or threatened for the making of any such order, by any Canadian securities regulator, the SEC, any securities commission or similar regulatory authority, the TSX, the NYSE or any other competent authority, and such order or proceeding has not been rescinded, revoked or withdrawn or such announced, commenced or threatened proceeding has not been terminated or withdrawn; (ii) any inquiry, action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (whether formal or informal) in relation to us or any of our directors or senior officers is announced, commenced or threatened by any federal, provincial, state, municipal, other governmental agency or by any Canadian securities regulator, the SEC, any securities commission or similar regulatory authority, the TSX, the NYSE or any other competent authority, or there is a change in law, regulation or policy or the interpretation or administration thereof, if, in the sole opinion of the Underwriters, or any one of them, acting reasonably, the change, announcement, commencement or threatening thereof, as the case may be adversely effects the distribution or trading of the Subscription Receipts or Underlying Common Shares; (iii) there should develop, occur or come into effect or existence any event, action, state, condition or major financial occurrence of national or international consequence, including, without limitation, any military conflict, civil insurrection, act of terrorism, war or like event, or a governmental action, law, regulation, inquiry or any occurrence of any nature whatsoever, which, in the sole opinion of the Underwriters, or any one of them, acting reasonably, seriously adversely affects or involves, or will seriously adversely affect or involve, the financial markets generally or our business, operations or affairs or us on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the Acquisition; (iv) there should occur or be discovered any material adverse change or development in our operations, capital or condition (financial or otherwise), business or business prospects or of us on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the Acquisition or our properties, assets, prospects, liabilities or obligations (absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) or of us on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the Acquisition which, in the sole opinion of the Underwriters, or any one of them, acting reasonably, has or could
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reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the market price, value or marketability of the Subscription Receipts or Underlying Common Shares; (v) we are in breach of, default under or non-compliance with any covenant, term or condition of the Underwriting Agreement in any material respect, or any representation or warranty given by us in the Underwriting Agreement becomes or is false in any material respect; (vi) the Underwriters shall become aware of any material information with respect to us or the Acquisition which had not been publicly disclosed or disclosed in writing to the Underwriters prior to the date of the Underwriting Agreement which, in the sole opinion of the Underwriters, or any one of them, acting reasonably, could be expected to have a material adverse effect on the market price or value of the Subscription Receipts or Underlying Common Shares, or any other of our securities; (vii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities is declared by either United States federal, New York or state authorities or a material disruption in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in Canada or in the United States occurs; (viii) the Implementation Agreement is terminated and not replaced by an amendment or restatement of such on substantially the same terms and satisfactory in form and containing terms and conditions acceptable to the Underwriters, acting reasonably, or we otherwise notify the Underwriters that the Acquisition will not occur; or (ix) the Termination Time has occurred.
In addition, the obligations of us and the Underwriters under the Underwriting Agreement to complete the purchase and sale of the Subscription Receipts will terminate automatically if the Acquisition is not completed by June 30, 2014, or if we advise the Underwriters or announce to the public that we do not intend to proceed with the Acquisition, or if the Implementation Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms. See "Details of the Offering". The closing of the Offering is conditional upon the Underwriters being advised by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority that it has no objection to the proposed underwriting terms and arrangements among us and the Underwriters, as set forth in the Underwriting Agreement.
Under the Underwriting Agreement, we shall not be obliged to sell to the Underwriters, nor shall the Underwriters be obliged to purchase, less than all of the Subscription Receipts that the Underwriters have agreed to purchase. In certain circumstances, if an Underwriter fails to purchase the Subscription Receipts which it has agreed to purchase, the other Underwriters may, but are not obligated to, purchase such Subscription Receipts unless the number of Subscription Receipts which one or more of the Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase is more than 9% of the total number of Subscription Receipts being offered, in which case the remaining Underwriters are obligated to purchase such Subscription Receipts on a pro-rata basis. The Underwriters are, however, obligated to take up and pay for all Subscription Receipts if any Subscription Receipts are purchased under the Underwriting Agreement.
We have agreed to indemnify each of the Underwriters and their respective affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees, shareholders, agents and each person who controls the Underwriters within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the U.S. securities laws and Canadian securities laws or to contribute to payments the Underwriters may be required to make because of any of these liabilities.
Subject to applicable laws, the Underwriters may, in connection with the Offering, effect transactions which stabilize or maintain the market price of the Common Shares at levels other than those that might otherwise prevail on the open market in accordance with applicable market stabilization rules. Such transactions, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
The public offering price for the Subscription Receipts offered in Canada and in the United States is payable in Canadian dollars only. The Underwriters propose to offer the Subscription Receipts initially at the offering price specified herein. After a reasonable effort has been made to sell all of the Subscription Receipts at the price specified, the Underwriters may subsequently reduce the selling price to investors from time to time in order to sell any of the Subscription Receipts remaining unsold. In the event the offering price of the Subscription Receipts is reduced, the compensation received by the Underwriters will be decreased by the amount the aggregate price paid by the purchasers for the Subscription Receipts is less than the gross proceeds paid by the Underwriters to us for the Subscription Receipts. Any such reduction will not affect the proceeds received by us.
Other than the Underlying Common Shares and in connection with the Acquisition, we have agreed not to directly or indirectly issue any Common Shares or securities or other financial instruments convertible into or
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having the right to acquire Common Shares (other than for purposes of issuing Common Shares pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan, Share Award Incentive Plan and Common Share Rights Incentive Plan) or enter into any agreement or arrangement under which we acquire or transfer to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of Common Shares, whether that agreement or arrangement may be settled by the delivery of Common Shares or other securities or cash, or agree to become bound to do so, or disclose to the public any intention to do so, prior to 90 days after the Closing Date without the prior written consent of Scotia and RBC, on behalf of the Underwriters, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
There is currently no market through which the Subscription Receipts may be sold and purchasers may not be able to resell the Subscription Receipts purchased under this short form prospectus. The TSX has conditionally approved the listing of the Subscription Receipts and the Underlying Common Shares qualified by this short form prospectus (including the Subscription Receipts and the Underlying Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the Over-allotment Option). Listing is subject to our fulfilling all of the listing requirements of the TSX on or before May 13, 2014. In addition, application has been made to list the Underlying Common Shares (including the Underlying Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the Over-allotment Option) on the NYSE. The Subscription Receipts will not be listed on the NYSE.
Subscriptions for Subscription Receipts will be received subject to rejection or allotment in whole or in part and the right is reserved to close the subscription books at any time without notice. The Closing Date is anticipated to occur on or about February 24, 2014 or such other date as may be agreed upon by us and the Underwriters, but in any event not later than 42 days after the date of the receipt for this short form prospectus.
This Offering is being made concurrently in all of the provinces of Canada and in the United States pursuant to the multi-jurisdictional disclosure system implemented by the securities regulatory authorities in Canada and the United States. The Subscription Receipts will be offered in the United States and/or Canada through the Underwriters either directly or, if applicable, through their respective U.S. or Canadian registered broker-dealer affiliates.
Certain Underwriters and their affiliates have performed, and may in the future perform, various underwriting, financial advisory, investment banking, commercial lending and other services in the ordinary course of business with us and our affiliates, for which they receive or will receive customary compensation. See "Relationship between Us and Certain Underwriters".
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN US AND CERTAIN UNDERWRITERS
Each of Scotia, RBC, CIBC World Markets Inc., TD Securities Inc., BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., National Bank Financial Inc., Barclays Capital Canada Inc., Desjardins Securities Inc., Merrill Lynch Canada Inc., AltaCorp Capital Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (Canada) Inc. and FirstEnergy Capital Corp. are subsidiaries or affiliates of lenders (the "Lenders") to our subsidiary, Baytex Energy pursuant to the Credit Facilities, and to which Baytex Energy is indebted pursuant to the Credit Facilities. See Note 2 under the heading "Consolidated Capitalization" for a description of the Credit Facilities.
As of February 13, 2014, approximately $266,000,000 was drawn on the Credit Facilities. We are in compliance with all material terms of the agreement governing the Credit Facilities and the Lenders have not waived a breach of the agreement governing the Credit Facilities since its execution. See Note 2 under the heading "Consolidated Capitalization" for a description of the Credit Facilities, including the nature of the security for our indebtedness incurred under the Credit Facilities. Neither our financial position nor the value of the security under the Credit Facilities has changed materially during the period in which the current indebtedness under the Credit Facilities was drawn.
Scotia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a Canadian chartered bank which has agreed to fully underwrite and commit to provide us with the New Credit Facilities which will replace the Credit Facilities in connection with the Acquisition. See "Recent Developments New Credit Facilities" for a description of the New Credit Facilities. In connection with the Acquisition, Scotia has also provided us with a commitment letter to establish replacement credit facilities through Aurora's subsidiary, Aurora USA, for the Existing Target Facility of up to U.S.$300 million. In addition, Scotia acted as our financial advisor in connection with the Acquisition.
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We may be considered to be a "connected issuer" of each of these Underwriters for the purposes of securities regulations in certain provinces. The net proceeds received pursuant to this Offering will not be used to reduce our indebtedness.
The decision to offer the Subscription Receipts and the determination of the terms of the Offering were made through negotiations between us and Scotia, on behalf of the Underwriters. The Lenders did not have any involvement in such decision or determination; however, the Lenders have been advised of the Offering and the terms thereof. As a consequence of the Offering, each of the Underwriters will receive its share of the Underwriters' Fee payable by us to the Underwriters. See "Use of Proceeds".
We have agreed to retain a Canadian chartered bank (or one or more of its affiliates as may be appropriate in the circumstances), of which Scotia is a wholly-owned subsidiary, to act as manager in connection with the Change of Control Offer required to be made to the holders of the Aurora Notes following completion of the Acquisition as described under "Recent Developments The Acquisition Acquisition Consideration" at prevailing market rates for a person acting in such a role.
The following is a description of prior sales of Common Shares and securities convertible into Common Shares during the twelve-month period ended January 31, 2014:
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The Common Shares are listed and posted for trading on the TSX and the NYSE under the trading symbol "BTE". The Common Shares commenced trading on the TSX on January 6, 2011 and on the NYSE on January 3, 2011. The following table sets forth certain trading information for the Common Shares in Canada and the United States for the periods indicated.
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Canada Composite Trading | United States Composite Trading | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Price Range | |
Price Range | |
|||||||||||||||
|
High ($) |
Low ($) |
Volume Traded |
High ($US) |
Low ($US) |
Volume Traded |
|||||||||||||
2013 |
|||||||||||||||||||
January |
47.04 | 43.17 | 11,685,057 | 47.09 | 43.79 | 2,949,901 | |||||||||||||
February |
47.61 | 42.22 | 13,235,046 | 47.47 | 41.04 | 3,233,303 | |||||||||||||
March |
45.38 | 42.00 | 14,229,551 | 44.21 | 41.10 | 3,474,977 | |||||||||||||
April |
43.05 | 36.37 | 17,625,019 | 42.50 | 35.42 | 4,994,797 | |||||||||||||
May |
41.60 | 37.75 | 16,525,672 | 41.47 | 37.04 | 5,052,109 | |||||||||||||
June |
39.51 | 36.56 | 10,374,749 | 38.22 | 34.71 | 3,190,546 | |||||||||||||
July |
44.44 | 37.65 | 16,395,772 | 43.08 | 35.70 | 3,634,313 | |||||||||||||
August |
43.72 | 40.51 | 9,083,228 | 42.34 | 38.76 | 3,530,714 | |||||||||||||
September |
43.44 | 40.76 | 9,125,099 | 42.20 | 39.18 | 3,169,676 | |||||||||||||
October |
44.74 | 40.82 | 13,112,997 | 42.84 | 39.26 | 2,807,133 | |||||||||||||
November |
43.75 | 41.19 | 11,651,629 | 41.84 | 39.25 | 4,840,744 | |||||||||||||
December |
42.73 | 40.21 | 11,807,054 | 40.16 | 37.76 | 3,056,178 | |||||||||||||
2014 |
|||||||||||||||||||
January |
42.50 | 39.18 | 13,653,728 | 39.42 | 35.51 | 4,269,728 | |||||||||||||
February (to 14) |
41.77 | 38.80 | 19,783,738 | 37.69 | 35.30 | 3,562,021 |
On February 14, 2014, the last trading day prior to the date of this short form prospectus, the closing price of the Common Shares was $40.90 on the TSX and U.S.$37.23 on the NYSE (as reported by such stock exchanges).
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Our dividend policy is to pay a monthly dividend on our Common Shares on or about the 15th day following the end of each calendar month to Shareholders of record on or about the last business day of each such calendar month. See "Description of Common Shares Dividend Policy".
Since we commenced operations on January 1, 2011, the following per Common Share dividends have been paid by us for the months indicated.
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Dividends per Common Share ($) |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month
|
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||
January |
0.22 | 0.22 | 0.22 | 0.20 | |||||||||
February |
| 0.22 | 0.22 | 0.20 | |||||||||
March |
| 0.22 | 0.22 | 0.20 | |||||||||
April |
| 0.22 | 0.22 | 0.20 | |||||||||
May |
| 0.22 | 0.22 | 0.20 | |||||||||
June |
| 0.22 | 0.22 | 0.20 | |||||||||
July |
| 0.22 | 0.22 | 0.20 | |||||||||
August |
| 0.22 | 0.22 | 0.20 | |||||||||
September |
| 0.22 | 0.22 | 0.20 | |||||||||
October |
| 0.22 | 0.22 | 0.20 | |||||||||
November |
| 0.22 | 0.22 | 0.20 | |||||||||
December |
| 0.22 | 0.22 | 0.20 | |||||||||
Total |
$ | 0.22 | $ | 2.64 | $ | 2.64 | $ | 2.40 | |||||
In connection with the Acquisition, we intend to increase the monthly dividend on our Common Shares by 9% to $0.24 from $0.22 per Common Share, subject to the completion of the Acquisition. See "Recent Developments Dividend Increase".
Pursuant to the Credit Facilities, we are restricted from paying dividends to Shareholders if a default or event of default has occurred and is continuing and, if no default or event of default has occurred which is continuing, where the dividend would or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on us or on our or our subsidiaries' ability to fulfill their obligations under the Credit Facilities or under any hedge agreements with lenders (or their affiliates) under the Credit Facilities.
The Revolving Facilities and the Term Loan A Facility will contain restrictions on our and our subsidiaries' ability to make distributions when (i) a default or event of default under the Revolving Facilities or the Term Loan A Facility has occurred and is continuing, or (ii) distributions would be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on or impair our ability to fulfill our financial obligations under the New Credit Facilities. The Equity Bridge will prohibit us and our subsidiaries from making distributions, other than inter-company distributions or acquisitions, and will impose additional financial covenant restrictions under the New Credit Facilities if and for as long as there is any outstanding indebtedness under the Equity Bridge. See "Recent Developments New Credit Facilities".
The Debenture Indenture also contains certain limitations on maximum cumulative dividends. Restricted payments include the declaration or payment of any dividend or distribution by us and the payment of interest or principal on subordinated debt owed by us. We and certain of our subsidiaries are restricted from making any restricted payments unless at the time of, and immediately after giving effect to, the proposed restricted payment, no default or event of default under the Debenture Indenture has occurred and is continuing, and either: (i) (a) we could incur at least $1.00 of additional indebtedness (other than certain permitted debt) in accordance with the "Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock" covenant in the Debenture Indenture; (b) the ratio of consolidated debt to consolidated cash flow from operations does not exceed 3.0 to 1.0; and (c) the aggregate amount of all restricted payments declared or made after August 26, 2009 (other than certain permitted restricted payments) does not exceed the sum of: (A) 80% of consolidated
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cash flow from operations accrued on a cumulative basis since August 26, 2009, plus (B) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds received by us after August 26, 2009 from (x) the issuance by us of convertible debentures, or (y) capital contributions in respect of certain permitted equity that we receive from any person; plus (C) the aggregate net proceeds, including the fair market value of property received after August 26, 2009 other than cash (as determined by the Board of Directors), received by us from any person, other than a subsidiary, from the issuance or sale of debt securities (including convertible debentures) or disqualified stock that have been converted into or exchanged for certain permitted equity of us, plus the aggregate net cash proceeds received by us at the time of such conversion or exchange; or (ii) the aggregate amount of all restricted payments declared or made pursuant to paragraph (i) does not exceed the sum of certain unpaid funds from restricted payments not previously expended under paragraph (i), plus $50,000,000. As at the date of this short form prospectus, we are in compliance with these covenants.
The Aurora Note Indentures also contain certain limitations on Restricted Payments (as defined in the Aurora Note Indentures) which can be made, directly or indirectly, by Aurora, Aurora USA and certain of its subsidiaries. Restricted Payments include the declaration or payment of any dividend or other payment or distribution on account of Equity Interests (as defined in the Aurora Note Indentures), the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition for value of Equity Interests, the payment of interest or principal on subordinated debt, and certain other Restricted Investments (as defined in the Aurora Note Indentures). Aurora, Aurora USA and its restricted subsidiaries are restricted from making any restricted payments unless at the time of, and immediately after giving effect to, the proposed restricted payment: (a) no default or event of default under the Aurora Note Indentures has occurred and is continuing; (b) Aurora, Aurora USA or such restricted subsidiary, as applicable, would, at the time of such restricted payment have been permitted to incur at least U.S.$1.00 of additional indebtedness pursuant to the fixed charge coverage ratio of 2.00:1.00 as set forth in the Aurora Note Indentures; and (c) the aggregate amount of all restricted payments declared or made after February 8, 2012 (other than certain permitted restricted payments) does not exceed the sum of: (x) 50% of Aurora's consolidated net income accrued on a cumulative basis since February 8, 2012, plus (y) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds and the fair market value of property or securities other than cash (including certain capital stock) in each case received by Aurora, Aurora USA or any restricted subsidiary (other than from any of Aurora, Aurora USA or any restricted subsidiary) since February 8, 2012 as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of certain equity interests of Aurora, plus (z) certain other amounts as described in the Aurora Note Indentures.
Cash dividends are not guaranteed. Our historical cash dividends may not be reflective of future cash dividends, which will be subject to review by the Board of Directors taking into account our prevailing financial circumstances at the relevant time. Although we intend to pay dividends to Shareholders, these cash dividends may be reduced or suspended. The actual amount distributed will depend on numerous factors, including fluctuations in commodity prices, production levels, capital expenditure requirements, debt service requirements, operating costs, royalty burdens, foreign exchange rates, the satisfaction of the liquidity and solvency tests imposed by the ABCA for the declaration and payment of dividends and other factors beyond our control. See "Risk Factors".
As described above under "Details of the Offering Subscription Receipts", if the Acquisition is completed prior to the Termination Time, the holder of a Subscription Receipt, in addition to receiving a Common Share in exchange therefore, will be entitled to receive the Dividend Equivalent Amount which will be paid by way of a pro rata share of accrued interest on the Escrowed Funds. The difference, if any, between the amount of interest earned on the Escrowed Funds and the Dividend Equivalent Amount will be paid by us as a partial refund of the subscription price of the Subscription Receipts.
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CERTAIN CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
Prospective investors should be aware that the purchase of Subscription Receipts has tax consequences, which are not described in this short form prospectus. Accordingly, prospective investors are advised to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax aspects of investing in, holding and disposing of the Subscription Receipts and the Underlying Common Shares.
In the opinion of Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP, counsel to the Corporation, and McCarthy Tétrault LLP, counsel to the Underwriters (collectively, "Counsel"), the following is a fair and adequate summary of the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations pursuant to the Tax Act generally applicable to a subscriber who acquires the Subscription Receipts pursuant to the Offering and who, for purposes of the Tax Act, holds the Subscription Receipts and will hold the Underlying Common Shares (collectively, the "Securities") as capital property and deals at arm's length with, and is not affiliated with us and the Underwriters. Generally, the Securities will be considered to be capital property to a holder provided the holder does not hold the Securities in the course of carrying on a business of trading or dealing in securities and has not acquired them in one or more transactions considered to be an adventure in the nature of trade. Certain holders resident in Canada who might not otherwise be considered to hold their Underlying Common Shares as capital property may, in certain circumstances, be entitled to have their Underlying Common Shares and every other "Canadian security" as defined in the Tax Act treated as capital property by making the irrevocable election permitted by subsection 39(4) of the Tax Act. This election is not available in respect of the Subscription Receipts.
This summary is not applicable to: (i) a holder that is a "financial institution", as defined in the Tax Act for purposes of the mark-to-market rules; (ii) a holder an interest in which would be a "tax shelter investment" as defined in the Tax Act; (iii) a holder that is a "specified financial institution" as defined in the Tax Act; (iv) a holder whose functional currency for the purposes of the Tax Act is the currency of a country other than Canada; or (v) that has or will enter into a "derivative forward agreement" as defined in the Tax Act, in respect of the Subscription Receipts or Underlying Common Shares. Any such holder should consult its own tax advisor with respect to an investment in the Securities.
This summary is based upon the provisions of the Tax Act in force as of the date hereof and Counsel's understanding of the current published administrative and assessing practices of the Canada Revenue Agency ("CRA"). Except for specifically proposed amendments (the "Proposed Amendments") to the Tax Act that have been publicly announced by the federal Minister of Finance prior to the date hereof, this summary does not take into account or anticipate changes in the income tax law, whether by legislative, governmental or judicial action, nor any changes in the administrative or assessing practices of the CRA. This summary does not take into account or anticipate provincial, territorial or foreign tax considerations, which may differ significantly from those discussed herein.
This summary is of a general nature only and is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any prospective purchaser or holder of Securities, and no representations with respect to the income tax consequences to any prospective purchaser or holder are made. Consequently, prospective holders of Securities should consult their own tax advisors with respect to their particular circumstances.
Holders Resident in Canada
The following portion of the summary is applicable to a holder of Subscription Receipts who, for purposes of the Tax Act, is resident in Canada (a "Resident Holder").
Acquisition of Common Shares Pursuant to Terms of the Subscription Receipts
A Resident Holder will not realize a capital gain or loss on the issuance of an Underlying Common Share pursuant to a Subscription Receipt.
The cost of any such Underlying Common Shares will generally be equal to the amount paid by such Resident Holder to acquire the Subscription Receipt. However, such cost may be reduced by a portion of the Dividend Equivalent Amount, if any is received. See "Holders Resident in Canada Dividend Equivalent Amount". The cost of Underlying Common Shares received will generally be averaged with the cost of all other
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Common Shares held by the Resident Holder as capital property to determine the adjusted cost base of each Common Share held by the Resident Holder.
Other Dispositions of Subscription Receipts
A disposition or deemed disposition by a Resident Holder of Subscription Receipts, other than on the exchange thereof for an Underlying Common Share, but including on the repayment of the issue price thereof by us in the event the Acquisition is not completed before the Termination Time, will generally result in the Resident Holder realizing a capital gain (or capital loss) equal to the amount, if any, by which the proceeds of disposition are greater (or less) than the aggregate of the Resident Holder's adjusted cost base thereof and any reasonable costs of disposition. The cost to a Resident Holder of a Subscription Receipt will generally be the amount paid to acquire the Subscription Receipt. Such capital gain (or capital loss) will be subject to the tax treatment described below under "Holders Resident in Canada Taxation of Capital Gains and Capital Losses".
In the event that a Resident Holder becomes entitled to the repayment of the issue price of a Subscription Receipt, any amount that is paid to the holder as, or on account of, interest and that is included in the Resident Holder's income, will be excluded from the holder's proceeds of disposition.
Pro Rata Share of Interest
If the Acquisition is not completed by the Termination Time or if we advise the Underwriters or announce to the public that we do not intend to proceed with the Acquisition, or if the Implementation Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms, holders of Subscription Receipts shall be entitled to receive from the Escrow Agent an amount equal to the full subscription price thereof plus their pro rata share of interest accrued on the Escrowed Funds.
A Resident Holder that is a corporation, partnership, unit trust or any trust of which a corporation or a partnership is a beneficiary will be required to include in computing its income for a taxation year the amount of any such interest accrued to the Resident Holder on the Escrowed Funds to the end of the Resident Holder's taxation year, or that is receivable or received by the Resident Holder before the end of that taxation year, except to the extent that such interest was included in computing the Resident Holder's income for a preceding taxation year.
Any other Resident Holder that is entitled to receive its share of accrued interest will be required to include in computing income for a taxation year such interest that is receivable or received by the Resident Holder in that taxation year, depending upon the method regularly followed by the Resident Holder in computing income.
A Resident Holder that is, throughout the relevant taxation year, a "Canadian-controlled private corporation" (as defined in the Tax Act) may be liable to pay a refundable tax of 62/3% on its certain investment income, including interest income.
Dividend Equivalent Amount
As described above under "Details of the Offering Subscription Receipts", if the Acquisition is completed prior to the Termination Time, the holder of a Subscription Receipt, in addition to receiving a Common Share, will be entitled to receive the Dividend Equivalent Amount, if any, which will be first paid by way of a pro rata share of accrued interest on the Escrowed Funds. The amount of such interest will generally be included in computing the Resident Holder's income as described above under "Holders Resident in Canada Pro Rata Share of Interest".
If the amount of accrued interest that is paid to the Resident Holder is less than the Dividend Equivalent Amount, we will pay to the Resident Holder the amount of any shortfall as a partial refund of the subscription price of the Subscription Receipts. Such shortfall amount generally will reduce the cost to the Resident Holder of the Common Shares acquired on the exchange of the Subscription Receipts.
For greater certainty, no part of the Dividend Equivalent Amount will benefit from the gross-up and dividend tax credit rules normally applicable in respect of taxable dividends received by individuals from "taxable Canadian corporations" (as defined in the Tax Act); and, where this amount is received by a
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corporation, the amount will not be deductible in computing the corporation's taxable income and will not result in the requirement to pay the refundable Part IV tax.
Disposition of Common Shares
A disposition or a deemed disposition of a Common Share by a Resident Holder (except to us) will generally result in the Resident Holder realizing a capital gain (or a capital loss) equal to the amount by which the proceeds of disposition of the Common Share exceeds (or are less than) the aggregate of the adjusted cost base to the Resident Holder thereof and any reasonable costs of disposition. Such capital gain (or capital loss) will be subject to the tax treatment described below under "Holders Resident in Canada Taxation of Capital Gains and Capital Losses".
Taxation of Capital Gains and Capital Losses
Generally, one-half of any capital gain (a "taxable capital gain") realized by a Resident Holder in a taxation year must be included in the Resident Holder's income for the year, and one-half of any capital loss (an "allowable capital loss") realized by a Resident Holder in a taxation year must be deducted from taxable capital gains realized by the Resident Holder in that year. Allowable capital losses in excess of taxable capital gains realized in a taxation year generally may be carried back and deducted in any of the three preceding taxation years or carried forward and deducted in any subsequent taxation year against net taxable capital gains realized in such years, to the extent and under the circumstances described in the Tax Act.
The amount of any capital loss realized by a Resident Holder that is a corporation on the disposition of a Common Share may be reduced by the amount of dividends received or deemed to be received by it on such Common Share (or on a share for which the Common Share has been substituted) to the extent and under the circumstances described by the Tax Act. Similar rules may apply where a corporation is a member of a partnership or a beneficiary of a trust that owns Common Shares, directly or indirectly, through a partnership or a trust.
A Resident Holder that is, throughout the relevant taxation year, a "Canadian-controlled private corporation", as defined in the Tax Act, may be liable to pay a refundable tax of 62/3% on certain investment income, including taxable capital gains.
Capital gains realized by an individual (including certain trusts) may give rise to liability for alternative minimum tax as calculated under the detailed rules set out in the Tax Act. Resident Holders who are individuals should consult their own tax advisors in this regard.
Receipt of Dividends on Common Shares
Dividends received or deemed to be received on Common Shares held by a Resident Holder will be included in the Resident Holder's income for the purposes of the Tax Act.
Such dividends received by a Resident Holder that is an individual (other than certain trusts) will be subject to the gross-up and dividend tax credit rules in the Tax Act normally applicable to dividends received from taxable Canadian corporations, including the enhanced gross-up and dividend tax credit in respect of dividends designated by us as "eligible dividends". There may be limitations on our ability to designate dividends as "eligible dividends".
Taxable dividends received by a Resident Holder who is an individual (other than certain trusts) may result in such Resident Holder being liable for alternative minimum tax under the Tax Act. Resident Holders who are individuals should consult their own tax advisors in this regard.
A Resident Holder that is a corporation will include such dividends in computing its income and generally will be entitled to deduct the amount of such dividends in computing its taxable income. A Resident Holder that is a "private corporation" or "subject corporation" (as such terms are defined in the Tax Act) may be liable under Part IV of the Tax Act to pay a refundable tax of 331/3% of dividends received or deemed to be received on the Common Shares to the extent such dividends are deductible in computing the Resident Holder's taxable income.
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Holders Not Resident in Canada
This portion of the summary applies to a holder of Subscription Receipts who, for purposes of the Tax Act, is not, and is not deemed to be, resident in Canada and is not an insurer who carries on an insurance business in Canada and elsewhere (a "Non-Resident Holder"). Prospective holders of Subscription Receipts who are not resident in Canada should consult their own tax advisors with respect to their particular circumstances in their country of residence.
Acquisition of Common Shares pursuant to terms of the Subscription Receipts
A Non-Resident Holder will not realize a capital gain or loss on the issuance of an Underlying Common Share pursuant to a Subscription Receipt.
Other Dispositions of Subscription Receipts
On a disposition of a Subscription Receipt (other than on the acquisition of a Common Share pursuant to the terms of Subscription Receipts as discussed above), a Non-Resident Holder will not be subject to tax under the Tax Act in respect of any capital gain realized by such Non-Resident Holder, unless the Subscription Receipt constitutes "taxable Canadian property" (as defined in the Tax Act) of the Non-Resident Holder at the time of disposition and the holder is not entitled to relief under an applicable income tax convention.
As long as the Common Shares are then listed on a designated stock exchange (which currently includes the TSX), Subscription Receipts will not constitute "taxable Canadian property" to a Non-Resident Holder at the time of the disposition or deemed disposition thereof unless at any particular time during the 60-month period immediately preceding the disposition the following two conditions have been met concurrently: (a) the Non-Resident Holder, persons with whom the Non-Resident Holder does not deal at arm's length (within the meaning of the Tax Act), partnerships in which the Non-Resident Holder or a person with whom the Non-Resident Holder does not deal at arm's length (within the meaning of the Tax Act) holds a membership interest directly or indirectly through one or more partnerships, or any combination thereof owned 25% or more of the issued Common Shares, and (b) more than 50% of the fair market value of the Common Shares was derived directly or indirectly from one or any combination of (i) real or immovable property situated in Canada, (ii) "Canadian resource properties" (as defined in the Tax Act), (iii) "timber resource properties" (as defined in the Tax Act) or (iv) an option, an interest or right in such property, whether or not such property exists (the conditions described in (a) and (b) are the "TCP Conditions"). A Non-Resident Holder contemplating a disposition of Subscription Receipts that may constitute taxable Canadian property should consult a tax advisor prior to such disposition.
Pro Rata Share of Interest
If the Acquisition is not completed by the Termination Time or if we advise the Underwriters or announce to the public that we do not intend to proceed with the Acquisition, or if the Implementation Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms, holders of Subscription Receipts shall be entitled to receive from the Escrow Agent an amount equal to the full subscription price thereof plus their pro rata share of accrued interest on the Escrowed Funds. A Non-Resident Holder will generally not be subject to Canadian withholding tax in respect of amounts paid or credited or deemed to have been paid or credited by us as, on account or in lieu of payment of, or in satisfaction of, any such interest.
Dividend Equivalent Amount
As described above under "Details of the Offering Subscription Receipts", if the Acquisition is completed prior to the Termination Time, the holder of a Subscription Receipt, in addition to receiving a Common Share, will be entitled to receive the Dividend Equivalent Amount, if any, which will be first paid by way of a pro rata share of accrued interest on the Escrowed Funds. The amount of such interest payable to a Non-Resident Holder will be subject to the Canadian federal tax considerations described above under "Holders Not Resident in Canada Pro Rata Share of Interest", unless such interest constitutes "participating debt interest" (within the meaning of the Tax Act). If such interest is considered to be participating debt interest, the amount paid to a Non-Resident Holder would be subject to Canadian withholding tax at the statutory rate of 25% (subject to
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reduction under an applicable income tax convention between Canada and the Non-Resident Holder's country of residence). In this respect, it is uncertain whether or not such interest would constitute "participating debt interest" for purposes of the Tax Act. We have advised Counsel that we intend to withhold at the statutory rate of 25% (subject to reduction under an applicable income tax convention between Canada and the Non-Resident Holder's country of residence) on the portion of any Dividend Equivalent Amount which is paid by way of a pro rata share of accrued interest on the Escrowed Funds that is paid to a Non-Resident Holder.
If the amount of accrued interest that is paid to the Non-Resident Holder is less than the Dividend Equivalent Amount, we will pay to the Non-Resident Holder the amount of any shortfall as a partial refund of the subscription price of the Subscription Receipts. Such shortfall amount generally will reduce the cost to the Non-Resident Holder of the Common Shares acquired on the exchange of the Subscription Receipts.
Disposition of Common Shares
A Non-Resident Holder will not be subject to tax under the Tax Act in respect of any capital gain realized by such Non-Resident Holder on a disposition of a Common Share issuable pursuant to the terms of the Subscription Receipts, unless the Common Shares constitute "taxable Canadian property" (as defined in the Tax Act) of the Non-Resident Holder at the time of disposition and the Non-Resident Holder is not entitled to relief under an applicable income tax convention.
As long as the Common Shares are then listed on a designated stock exchange (which currently includes the TSX), Common Shares will not constitute "taxable Canadian property" to a Non-Resident Holder at the time of the disposition or deemed disposition thereof unless at any particular time during the 60 month period immediately preceding the disposition, the TCP Conditions are met. A Non-Resident Holder contemplating a disposition of Subscription Receipts that may constitute taxable Canadian property should consult a tax advisor prior to such disposition.
Receipt of Dividends on Common Shares
Any dividends paid or credited, or deemed to be paid or credited, on the Common Shares to a Non-Resident Holder will be subject to Canadian withholding tax at the rate of 25% of the gross amount of the dividend unless the rate is reduced under the provisions of an applicable income tax convention between Canada and the Non-Resident Holder's country of residence. For instance, where the Non-Resident Holder is a resident of the United States that is entitled to full benefits under the Canada United States Income Tax Convention (1980) as amended and is the beneficial owner of the dividends, the rate of Canadian withholding tax applicable to dividends is generally reduced to 15%.
CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
General
The following is a discussion of certain United States federal income tax consequences to United States Holders (as defined below) relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Subscription Receipts and Common Shares. This discussion is based on existing provisions of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), its legislative history, existing final, temporary and proposed Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, administrative pronouncements or practice, judicial decisions, and interpretations of the foregoing, all as of the date hereof. Future legislative, judicial or administrative modifications, revocations or interpretations, which may or may not be retroactive, may result in United States federal income tax consequences significantly different from those discussed herein. This discussion is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS"). No ruling has been or will be sought or obtained from the IRS with respect to any of the United States federal income tax consequences discussed herein. There can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge any of the conclusions described herein or that a United States court will not sustain such challenge.
For purposes of this discussion, a "United States Holder" is a beneficial owner of Subscription Receipts or Common Shares that is (i) an individual who is a citizen or a resident alien of the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (ii) a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income
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tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia, (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source, or (iv) a trust (A) if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more United States persons have authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (B) that has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person.
If a partnership or other pass-through entity holds Subscription Receipts or Common Shares, the tax treatment of a partner in or owner of the partnership or pass-through entity will generally depend upon the status of the partner or owner and the activities of the entity. Partners, partnerships or other pass-through entities considering holding Subscription Receipts or Common Shares should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Subscription Receipts and Common Shares.
This discussion does not address any United States federal alternative minimum tax, United States federal estate, gift, or other non-income tax; or state, local or non-United States tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Subscription Receipts and Common Shares. In addition, this discussion does not address the United States federal income tax consequences to certain categories of United States Holders subject to special rules, including United States Holders that are (i) banks, financial institutions or insurance companies; (ii) regulated investment companies or real estate investment trusts; (iii) brokers or dealers in securities or currencies or traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting; (iv) tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts or other tax-deferred accounts; (v) holders that hold the Subscription Receipts or Common Shares as part of a hedge, straddle, conversion transaction or a synthetic security or other integrated transaction; (vi) holders that have a "functional currency" other than the U.S. dollar; (vii) holders that own directly, indirectly or constructively 10% or more of the voting power of our stock; (viii) United States expatriates; and (ix) holders that purchase or otherwise acquire Subscription Receipts or Common Shares other than through this Offering. Further, this discussion does not address the indirect consequences to holders of equity interests in entities that own the Subscription Receipts or Common Shares or to holders of the Subscription Receipts or Common Shares that are not United States Holders.
This discussion assumes that Subscription Receipts and Common Shares are held as "capital assets" (generally, property held for investment), within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code, in the hands of a United States Holder at all relevant times and that we are not and will not become, a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, as discussed under "Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations."
The following discussion is for general information only and is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any holder or prospective holder of Subscription Receipts or Common Shares and no opinion or representation with respect to the United States federal income tax consequences to any such holder or prospective holder is made. Prospective purchasers are urged to consult their tax advisors as to the particular consequences to them under Unites States federal, state and local, and applicable foreign, tax laws of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Subscription Receipts and Common Shares.
Taxation of Subscription Receipts
Consequences if the Acquisition is Not Completed
If the Acquisition is not completed (see "Details of the Offering"), holders of Subscription Receipts shall receive an amount equal to the full subscription price attributable to the Subscription Receipts and their pro rata entitlement to interest accrued on such amount up to and including the date of the Termination Time. We intend to treat United States Holders of Subscription Receipts as subject to tax for United States federal income tax purposes in respect of amounts earned on the Escrowed Funds at the time, depending upon the holder's method of accounting, such holders are entitled to such amounts or such amounts are distributed to such holders (which income would include amounts withheld in respect of any Canadian withholding tax).
72
Consequences if the Acquisition is Completed
We do not intend to treat United States Holders of Subscription Receipts as subject to tax for United States federal income tax purposes in respect of amounts earned on the Escrowed Funds in the event that the Acquisition is completed. If the Acquisition is completed, the Escrowed Funds and the interest earned thereon (less any amounts required to pay the Dividend Equivalent Amount, if applicable) will be released to us. See "Details of the Offering". However, it is possible that the IRS could successfully assert that a United States Holder of Subscription Receipts is subject to tax with respect to the holder's share of the income earned on Escrowed Funds at or before relinquishment of such Subscription Receipts even if Common Shares rather than the holder's share of the Escrowed Funds are received. In all likelihood, the amount of any Dividend Equivalent Amount to which the United States holder is entitled (including amounts withheld in respect of any Canadian withholding tax) would be subject to tax for United States federal income tax purposes. It is unclear in such an event how and to what extent the overall taxable amount would be adjusted if the United States Holder were also taxable with respect to its share of the Escrowed Funds.
Notwithstanding any change in value of the Common Shares after the Closing Date, no gain or loss will be recognized upon any receipt of the Common Shares. In addition, a United States Holder's disposition of Subscription Receipts prior to relinquishment either for Common Shares or for the holder's share of Escrowed Funds will generally result in such holder realizing a capital gain (or capital loss) equal to the amount by which the proceeds of the disposition are greater (or less) then the aggregate of the adjusted cost basis in the Subscription Receipts (except that, possibly, ordinary income could arise with respect to entitlement to a Dividend Equivalent Amount).
Prospective purchasers of Subscription Receipts are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the United States federal income tax consequences of the Subscription Receipts.
Distributions on Common Shares
The gross amount of any distribution we pay will generally be subject to United States federal income tax as dividend income to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax principles. Such amount will be includable in gross income by a United States Holder as ordinary income on the date such United States Holder actually or constructively receives the distribution.
Certain dividends received by non-corporate United States Holders from a qualified foreign corporation ("QFC") may be eligible for reduced rates of taxation ("qualified dividends"). A QFC includes a foreign corporation that is eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States that the United States Treasury Department determines to be satisfactory for these purposes and that includes an exchange of information provision. The United States Treasury has determined that the United States Canada Income Tax Convention meets these requirements, and we believe we are eligible for the benefits of the Tax Convention. A foreign corporation is also treated as a QFC with respect to dividends paid by that corporation on ordinary shares that are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. U.S. Treasury guidance indicates that our Common Shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States; however, there can be no assurance that the Common Shares will be considered readily tradable on an established securities market in future years.
We believe that we are currently, and will continue to be, a QFC so as to allow all dividends we pay to be qualified dividends for United States federal income tax purposes. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated first as a non-taxable return of capital reducing a United States Holder's tax basis in Common Shares. Any distribution in excess of such tax basis will be treated as capital gain and will be either long-term or short-term capital gain depending upon whether the United States Holder held the Common Shares for more than one year. See "Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations Sale, Exchange, or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares". Dividends we pay generally will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction available to certain United States corporate shareholders.
The limitations on foreign taxes eligible for credit are calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income. For foreign tax credit purposes, dividends received by a United States Holder with respect to shares
73
of a foreign corporation generally constitute foreign-source income and are treated as "passive category" or "general category" income. Subject to certain limitations, any Canadian tax withheld with respect to distributions made on the Common Shares may be treated as foreign taxes eligible for credit against a United States Holder's United States federal income tax liability. Alternatively, a United States Holder may, subject to applicable limitations, elect to deduct the otherwise creditable Canadian withholding taxes for United States federal income tax purposes. The rules governing the foreign tax credit are complex and their application depends on each taxpayer's particular circumstances. Accordingly, United States Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under their particular circumstances.
The gross amount of distributions paid in any foreign currency will be included by each United States Holder in gross income in a U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the day the distributions are paid, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. If the foreign currency is converted into U.S. dollars on the date of the payment, the United States Holder should not be required to recognize any foreign currency gain or loss with respect to the receipt of the foreign currency distributions. If instead the foreign currency is converted at a later date, any currency gains or losses resulting from the conversion of the foreign currency will be treated as United States source ordinary income or loss.
Sale, Exchange, or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares
A United States Holder will generally recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of the Common Shares measured by the difference between the amount received and the United States Holder's adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares which should generally equal the United States Holder's adjusted tax basis in the Subscription Receipts. Any gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the Common Shares have been held for more than one year and will generally be United States source gain or loss. For this purpose, the holding period in the Common Shares received upon relinquishment of the Subscription Receipts generally will begin on the day following such relinquishment. Long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate United States Holders are generally subject to United States federal income tax at preferred rates. A holder's ability to deduct capital losses is subject to limitations.
For cash-basis United States Holders that receive foreign currency in connection with a sale or other taxable disposition of Common Shares, the amount realized will be based upon the U.S. dollar value of the foreign currency received with respect to such Common Shares as determined on the settlement date of such sale or other taxable disposition. Accrual-basis United States Holders may elect the same treatment required of cash-basis taxpayers with respect to a sale or other taxable disposition of Common Shares, provided that the election is applied consistently from year to year. Such election cannot be changed without the consent of the IRS. Accrual-basis United States Holders that do not elect to be treated as cash-basis taxpayers (pursuant to the Treasury Regulations applicable to foreign currency transactions) for this purpose may have a foreign currency gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes because of differences between the U.S. dollar value of the foreign currency received prevailing on the date of such sale or other taxable disposition and the value prevailing on the date of payment. Any such currency gain or loss will generally be treated as ordinary income or loss that is United States source, in addition to the gain or loss, if any, recognized on the sale or other taxable disposition of Common Shares.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations
Special, adverse, United States federal income tax rules apply to United States persons owning stock of a PFIC. A foreign corporation will be considered a PFIC for any taxable year in which (i) 75% or more of its gross income is passive income, or (ii) 50% or more of the average value (or, if elected, the adjusted tax basis) of its assets are considered "passive assets" (generally, assets that generate passive income). We believe we are not currently a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes, and we do not expect to become a PFIC in the future. However, the determination of PFIC status for any year is very fact specific, and there can be no assurance in this regard. Accordingly, it is possible that we may become a PFIC in the current taxable year or in future years. If we are classified as a PFIC in any year during which a holder holds Common Shares, we generally will continue to be treated as a PFIC to such a holder in all succeeding years, regardless of whether we continue to meet the income or asset test discussed above. United States Holders are urged to consult their own
74
tax advisors regarding the adverse tax consequences of owning the Common Shares were we to be a PFIC and certain elections that may be made that are designed to lessen those adverse consequences.
Additional Tax on Passive Income
An additional 3.8% tax will generally be imposed on the "net investment income" of individuals, estates and trusts whose income exceeds certain thresholds. "Net investment income" generally includes the following: (1) gross income from interest and dividends other than from the conduct of a non-passive trade or business; (2) other gross income from a passive trade or business; and (3) net gain attributable to the disposition of property other than property held in a non-passive trade or business. Therefore, dividends on, and capital gains from the sale or other taxable disposition of, the Common Shares and Subscription Receipts may be subject to this additional tax.
United States Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Under United States federal income tax law and regulations, certain categories of United States Holders must file information returns with respect to their investment in, or involvement in, a foreign corporation. Penalties for failure to file certain of these information returns are substantial. In addition, new United States return disclosure obligations (and related penalties for failure to disclose) have also been imposed on United States individuals who hold certain specified foreign financial assets in excess of U.S.$50,000. The definition of specified foreign financial assets includes not only financial accounts maintained in foreign financial institutions, but also may include the Common Shares and Subscription Receipts. United States Holders of Common Shares and/or Subscription Receipts should consult with their own tax advisors regarding the requirements of filing any information returns.
Dividends on Common Shares, amounts earned on Escrowed Funds and/or the Dividend Equivalent Amount relating to Subscription Receipts and proceeds from the sale or other disposition of Common Shares and/or Subscription Receipts that are paid in the United States or by a United States-related financial intermediary will be subject to United States information reporting rules, unless a United States Holder is a corporation or other exempt recipient. In addition, payments that are subject to information reporting may be subject to backup withholding (currently at a 28% rate) if a United States Holder does not provide its taxpayer identification number and otherwise comply with the backup withholding rules. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules are available to be credited against a United States Holder's United States federal income tax liability and may be refunded to the extent they exceed such liability, provided the required information is provided to the IRS in a timely manner.
Certain legal matters relating to Canadian law in connection with the Subscription Receipts offered hereby will be passed upon on our behalf by Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP, Calgary, Alberta and on behalf of the Underwriters by McCarthy Tétrault LLP, Calgary, Alberta. Certain legal matters relating to United States law in connection with the Subscription Receipts offered hereby will be passed upon on our behalf by Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, New York, New York and on behalf of the Underwriters by Vinson & Elkins LLP, Houston, Texas.
As of the date hereof, the partners and associates of each of Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP and McCarthy Tétrault LLP each beneficially own, directly or indirectly, less than 1% of our outstanding Common Shares.
Deloitte LLP, our independent registered chartered accountants, are independent of us within the meaning of the Rules of Professional Conduct of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta.
BDO Audit (WA) Pty Ltd., Aurora's external auditor, has confirmed that they are independent of Aurora in accordance with Canadian Auditing Standards as adopted by the Canadian Auditing and Assurance Standards Board.
75
Information relating to our reserves and resources included in this short form prospectus and in the Annual Information Form was calculated based on an evaluation of, and reports on, our crude oil and natural gas reserves and resources conducted and prepared by Sproule, our independent qualified reserves evaluators. As of the date hereof, Sproule does not have any registered or beneficial interest, direct or indirect, in any of our securities or other property or any of our associates or affiliates. For the purposes of this paragraph, Sproule shall be interpreted to include its designated professionals.
Information relating to our resources included in the Annual Information Form was calculated based on an evaluation of, and a report on, our crude oil and natural gas resources conducted and prepared by McDaniel, an independent qualified reserves evaluator. As of the date hereof McDaniel, does not have any registered or beneficial interest, direct or indirect, in any of our securities or other property or any of our associates or affiliates. For the purposes of this paragraph, McDaniel shall be interpreted to include its designated professionals.
Information relating to Aurora's reserves included in this short form prospectus was calculated based on an evaluation of, and reports on, Aurora's crude oil and natural gas reserves conducted and prepared by Ryder Scott, Aurora's independent qualified reserves evaluators. As of the date hereof Ryder Scott does not have any registered or beneficial interest, direct or indirect, in any securities or other property of Aurora or any of Aurora's associates or affiliates. For the purposes of this paragraph, Ryder Scott shall be interpreted to include its designated professionals.
In addition, none of the aforementioned persons or companies, nor any director, officer or employee of any of the aforementioned persons or companies, is or is expected to be elected, appointed or employed as a director, officer or employee of us or of any of our associate or affiliate entities, except for John A. Brussa, one of our directors, who is a partner of Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP.
DOCUMENTS FILED AS PART OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
The following documents have been or will be filed with the SEC as part of the registration statement of which this short form prospectus forms a part: (i) the documents listed under the heading "Documents Incorporated by Reference"; (ii) consents of independent auditors and engineers and legal counsel; and (iii) powers of attorney pursuant to which amendments to the registration statement may be signed.
76
SCHEDULE "A"
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AURORA
A-1
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT
For the year ended December 31, 2012
A-2
MANAGEMENT REPORT
For the year ended December 31, 2012
Management, in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards including Australian equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards (AIFRS), has prepared the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Aurora Oil and Gas Limited (Aurora). Financial and operating information presented throughout this report is consistent with that shown in the consolidated financial statements.
Management is responsible for the integrity of the financial information. Internal control systems are designed and maintained to provide reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded from loss or unauthorized use and to produce reliable accounting records for financial reporting purposes.
BDO Audit (WA) Pty Ltd were appointed by the Company's Board of Directors to conduct an audit of the consolidated financial statements. Their examination included a review and evaluation of Aurora's internal control systems and included such tests and procedures, as they considered necessary, to provide a reasonable assurance that the consolidated financial statements are presented fairly in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards including Australian equivalents to compliance with AIFRS ensures that the financial statements of Aurora comply with International Financial Reporting Standards.
The Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring that management fulfils its responsibilities for financial reporting and internal control. The Board exercises this responsibility through the Audit and Risk Management Committee, with assistance from the Reserves Committee regarding the annual evaluation of our petroleum and natural gas reserve. The Audit and Risk Management Committee meets regularly with management and the independent auditors to ensure that management's responsibilities are properly discharged, to review the consolidated financial statements and recommend that the consolidated financial statements be presented to the Board of Directors for approval. The Audit and Risk Management Committee also considers the independence of the external auditors and reviews their fees. The external auditors have access to the Audit and Risk Management Committee without the presence of management.
Signed Jonathan Stewart | Signed Graham Dowland | |||
Jonathan Stewart |
Graham Dowland |
|||
Executive Chairman | Finance Director | |||
February 27, 2013 |
A-3
INDEPENDENT AUDIT REPORT
For the year ended December 31, 2012
Tel: +61 8 6382 4600 Fax: +61 8 6382 4601 www.bdo.com.au |
38 Station Street Subiaco, WA 6008 PO Box 700 West Perth WA 6872 Australia |
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE MEMBERS OF AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
Report on the Financial Report
We have audited the accompanying financial report of Aurora Oil & Gas Limited, which comprises the consolidated statement of financial position as at 31 December 2012 and 31 December 2011, the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of changes in equity and the consolidated statement of cash flows for the years then ended, notes comprising a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.
Management's Responsibility for the Financial Report
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial report in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of the financial report that is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Auditor's Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial report based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with international generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we comply with relevant ethical requirements relating to audit engagements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial report is free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial report. The procedures selected depend on the auditor's judgement, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial report, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the company's preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the company's internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial report.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
BDO Audit (WA) Pty Ltd ABN 79 112 284 787 is a member of a national association of independent entities which are all members of BDO Australia Ltd ABN 77 050 110 275, an Australian company limited by guarantee. BDO Audit (WA) Pty Ltd and BDO Australia Ltd are members of BDO International Ltd, a UK company limited by guarantee, and form part of the international BDO network of independent member firms. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation (other than for the acts or omissions of financial services licensees) in each State or Territory other than Tasmania.
A-4
Opinion
In our opinion, the financial report presents fairly, in all material respects the consolidated financial position of Aurora Oil & Gas Limited as at 31 December 2012 and 31 December 2011 and its performance for the years then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as disclosed in Note 1.
/s/ BDO Audit (WA) Pty Ltd
Glyn O'Brien
Director
Perth,
Western Australia
Dated this 27th day of February 2013
A-5
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the year ended December 31, 2012
|
|
Consolidated | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Note | December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
|||||||
|
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
|||||||
Revenue from continuing operations |
(5 | ) | 295,059 | 75,969 | ||||||
Other income |
(6 | ) | 5,008 | 1,052 | ||||||
Total income |
300,067 | 77,021 | ||||||||
Expenses |
||||||||||
Royalties |
(7 | ) | (77,625 | ) | (20,067 | ) | ||||
Production and operating expenses |
(7 | ) | (34,581 | ) | (6,737 | ) | ||||
Depletion, depreciation and amortisation expense |
(7 | ) | (39,161 | ) | (4,367 | ) | ||||
Exploration and evaluation costs |
(7 | ) | (4,939 | ) | (652 | ) | ||||
Finance Costs |
(7 | ) | (28,027 | ) | (136 | ) | ||||
Administrative expenses |
(15,134 | ) | (8,783 | ) | ||||||
Share-based payment expenses |
(7 | ) | (4,398 | ) | (4,052 | ) | ||||
Profit from continuing operations before income tax expense |
96,202 | 32,227 | ||||||||
Income tax expense |
(8 | ) | (37,356 | ) | (1,643 | ) | ||||
Net profit attributable to owners of the Company |
58,846 | 30,584 | ||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
||||||||||
Changes in fair value on equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income |
(11 | ) | 957 | (1,302 | ) | |||||
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges |
(19 | ) | (1,154 | ) | | |||||
Other comprehensive (expenses) for the year net of tax |
(197 | ) | (1,302 | ) | ||||||
Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to owners of the Company |
58,649 |
29,282 |
||||||||
Earnings / (loss) per share attributable to owners of the Company |
||||||||||
Basic earnings per share (US cents per share) |
(25 | ) | 13.60 | 7.49 | ||||||
Diluted earnings per share (US cents per share) |
(25 | ) | 13.35 | 7.37 |
The above consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
A-6
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
As at December 31, 2012
|
|
Consolidated | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Note | December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
|||||||
|
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
|||||||
Current assets |
||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
(9 | ) | 67,584 | 70,246 | ||||||
Trade and other receivables |
(10 | ) | 89,535 | 14,626 | ||||||
Total current assets |
157,119 | 84,872 | ||||||||
Non-current assets |
||||||||||
Other financial assets |
(11 | ) | 842 | 2,507 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment |
(12 | ) | 71,063 | 21,319 | ||||||
Exploration and evaluation expenditure |
(13 | ) | | | ||||||
Oil and gas properties |
(14 | ) | 882,373 | 272,128 | ||||||
Total non-current assets |
954,278 | 295,954 | ||||||||
Total assets |
1,111,397 | 380,826 | ||||||||
Current liabilities |
||||||||||
Trade and other payables |
(15 | ) | 180,619 | 73,434 | ||||||
Derivative financial instruments |
(19 | ) | 1,535 | | ||||||
Provisions |
(16 | ) | 334 | 92 | ||||||
Total current liabilities |
182,488 | 73,526 | ||||||||
Non-current liabilities |
||||||||||
Borrowings |
(17 | ) | 390,453 | 30,000 | ||||||
Deferred tax liabilities |
(18 | ) | 83,523 | 1,643 | ||||||
Derivative financial instrument |
(19 | ) | 114 | | ||||||
Provisions |
(20 | ) | 1,705 | 565 | ||||||
Total non-current liabilities |
475,795 | 32,208 | ||||||||
Total liabilities |
658,283 | 105,734 | ||||||||
Net assets |
453,114 | 275,092 | ||||||||
Equity |
||||||||||
Contributed equity |
(21 | ) | 405,169 | 290,194 | ||||||
Share-based payment reserve |
(24 | ) | 12,165 | 7,767 | ||||||
Fair value reserve |
(24 | ) | (7,054 | ) | (8,011 | ) | ||||
Foreign exchange reserve |
(24 | ) | (7,505 | ) | (7,505 | ) | ||||
Cash flow hedge reserve |
(24 | ) | (1,154 | ) | | |||||
Retained earnings / (accumulated losses) |
(24 | ) | 51,493 | (7,353 | ) | |||||
Total equity |
453,114 | 275,092 | ||||||||
The above consolidated statement of financial position should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
On behalf of the Board of Directors:
Signed Jonathan Stewart |
Signed Graham Dowland
|
|||
Jonathan Stewart Executive Chairman |
Graham Dowland Finance Director |
A-7
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
For the year ended December 31, 2012
|
Contributed Equity |
Other Reserve |
Accumulated Profits / (Losses) |
Total | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
|||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2011 |
222,730 | 10,738 | (30,609 | ) | 202,859 | ||||||||
Adjustment arising from change in functional currency on January 1, 2011 |
28,565 | (21,237 | ) | (7,328 | ) | | |||||||
Balance as at January 1, 2011 restated |
251,295 | (10,499 | ) | (37,937 | ) | 202,859 | |||||||
Profit for the year |
| | 30,584 | 30,584 | |||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
|||||||||||||
Change in fair value of equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income |
| (1,302 | ) | | (1,302 | ) | |||||||
Total comprehensive income for the year |
| (1,302 | ) | 30,584 | 29,282 | ||||||||
Transactions with owners, in their capacity as owners |
|||||||||||||
Contributed equity net of transaction costs |
38,899 | | | | |||||||||
Options and performance rights expense recognised during the year |
| 4,052 | | | |||||||||
Balance as at December 31, 2011 |
290,194 | (7,749 | ) | (7,353 | ) | 275,092 | |||||||
Profit for the year |
| | 58,846 | 58,846 | |||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
|||||||||||||
Change in fair value of equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income |
| 916 | | 916 | |||||||||
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges net of tax |
| (1,154 | ) | | (1,154 | ) | |||||||
Recognition of fair value of equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income on disposal |
| 41 | | 41 | |||||||||
Total comprehensive income for the year |
| (197 | ) | 58,846 | 58,649 | ||||||||
Transactions with owners, in their capacity as owners |
|||||||||||||
Contributed equity net of transaction costs |
114,975 | | | 114,975 | |||||||||
Options and performance rights expense recognised during the year |
| 4,398 | | 4,398 | |||||||||
Balance as at December 31, 2012 |
405,169 | (3,548 | ) | 51,493 | 453,114 | ||||||||
The above consolidated statement of changes in equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
A-8
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the year ended December 31, 2012
|
|
Consolidated | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
|||||||
|
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
|||||||
Cash flows from operating activities |
||||||||||
Receipts from oil and gas sales |
221,539 | 62,315 | ||||||||
Payments to suppliers and employees |
(67,433 | ) | (27,368 | ) | ||||||
Other revenue |
1,167 | | ||||||||
Interest paid |
(11,151 | ) | | |||||||
Net cash inflow from operating activities |
(32 | ) | 144,122 | 34,947 | ||||||
Cash flows from investing activities |
||||||||||
Payments for capitalised oil and gas assets |
(452,635 | ) | (64,514 | ) | ||||||
Payment for property, plant and equipment |
(51,352 | ) | (12,226 | ) | ||||||
Transaction costs |
(4,939 | ) | | |||||||
Payment for other financial assets |
(252 | ) | (1,614 | ) | ||||||
Payment for acquisition of subsidiary, net of cash acquired |
(22 | ) | (98,765 | ) | | |||||
Interest received |
247 | 711 | ||||||||
Net cash (outflow) from investing activities |
(607,696 | ) | (77,643 | ) | ||||||
Cash flows from financing activities |
||||||||||
Proceeds from issues of shares |
120,138 | 42,130 | ||||||||
Share issue costs |
(5,163 | ) | (3,231 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from borrowings |
394,579 | 30,000 | ||||||||
Repayment of borrowings |
(39,000 | ) | | |||||||
Borrowing costs |
(11,558 | ) | (2,328 | ) | ||||||
Net cash inflow from financing activities |
458,996 | 66,571 | ||||||||
Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
(4,578 | ) | 23,875 | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the financial year |
70,246 | 45,997 | ||||||||
Effect of exchange rates on cash holdings in foreign currencies |
1,916 | 374 | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial year |
(9 | ) | 67,584 | 70,246 | ||||||
The above consolidated statement of cash flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
A-9
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended December 31, 2012
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Aurora Oil and Gas Limited ("Company" or "Aurora") is a company incorporated in Australia whose shares are publically listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). Aurora is the ultimate parent entity in the group.
The consolidated financial report of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2012 comprises the financial statements for Aurora Oil and Gas Limited and its controlled entities ("Group" or "Consolidated Entity").
Statement of Compliance
This general purpose financial report has been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards, Accounting Interpretations and other authoritative pronouncements of the Australian Accounting Standards Board, Urgent Issues Group Interpretations and the Corporations Act 2001.
The financial statements of Aurora Oil and Gas Limited also comply with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).
Basis of Preparation
The financial report of the Consolidated Entity is presented in US dollars.
The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial report are set out below. These policies have been applied consistently to all the periods presented, unless otherwise stated.
Historical cost convention
These financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income.
Changes in accounting policy and disclosures
Subsequent to the change in functional currency of the US subsidiaries from Australian dollars to US dollars, which occurred for the year ended June 30, 2010, the Company announced on December 24, 2010 that it had elected to change its presentational currency from Australian dollars to US dollars effective July 1, 2010. The operational activities of the Group are conducted through US subsidiaries and these activities contribute to all of the Company's revenue (other than interest) and the majority of the groups' expenditure is denominated in US dollars. As a result, the Board considered that the change in presentational currency provided shareholders with a more consistent and meaningful reflection of the Group's underlying performance.
Effective January 1, 2011 the functional currency of Aurora, the parent entity, has changed from Australian dollars to US dollars as the trend in the source currency of the majority of the revenue and costs of the parent entity from Australian dollars to US dollars was not considered temporary. The effects of the change have been disclosed in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity.
Critical accounting estimates and significant judgements
The preparation of financial statements requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgment in the process of applying the Group's accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgment or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the financial statements are disclosed in note 2.
Adoption of new and revised accounting standards
In the current year, the Group has adopted all of the new and revised Standards and Interpretations issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board that are relevant to its operations and effective for the current reporting period. There is no impact on any amounts recognised in the current periods or any prior periods.
Accounting Policies
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets and liabilities of Aurora Oil and Gas Limited and its controlled entities as at December 31, 2012 and the financial performance of the Company and its controlled entities for the period then ended.
A-10
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Controlled entities are all those entities (including special purpose entities) over which the group has the power to govern the financial and operating policies, generally accompanying a shareholding of more than one-half of the voting rights. The existence and effect of potential voting rights that are currently exercisable or convertible are considered when assessing whether the Company controls another entity.
Controlled entities are consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Company. They are de-consolidated from the date that control ceases.
The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries by the Group.
Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealised gains or losses on transactions between Group entities are eliminated. Unrealised losses are eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of the impairment of the assets transferred. Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Consolidated Entity.
Non-controlling interests in the results and equity of subsidiaries are shown separately in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, consolidated statement of changes in equity and consolidated statement of financial position.
The Group's share of the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of joint venture operations have been incorporated into the financial statements in the appropriate items of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income and consolidated statement of financial position. Details of joint ventures are set out in note 29.
Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision maker. The chief operating decision maker, who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments, has been identified as the CEO.
The CEO reviews the information within the internal management reports on a monthly basis which is consistent with the information provided in the consolidated financial statements. As a result no reconciliation is required, because the information as presented is used by the CEO to make strategic decisions.
Management has determined, based on the reports reviewed by the CEO and used to make strategic decisions, that the Group has one reportable segment being oil and gas exploration and production in the United States of America. The Group's management and administration office is located in Australia. There has been no other impact on the measurement of the company's assets and liabilities.
Items included in the financial statements of the Group companies are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which each company operates ('the functional currency'). Effective January 1, 2011 the functional currency of the parent entity changed from Australian dollars to US dollars as the trend in the source currency of the majority of the revenue and costs of the parent entity from Australian dollars to US dollars was not considered temporary. The functional currency of the US subsidiaries is US dollars.
The consolidated financial statements are presented in US dollars, which is the Group's presentation currency.
The change in functional currency of the parent entity was implemented by translating the assets and liabilities of the parent entity at the spot rate at the date of the change.
Foreign currency transactions are translated into functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions.
Foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities at the reporting date are translated into USD at the exchange rate existing at reporting date.
Exchange differences are recognised in profit or loss in the period in which they arise.
A-11
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
The results and financial position of all the Group companies that have a functional currency different from the presentation currency are translated into the presentation currency as follows:
Revenue is recognised at the fair value of consideration received or receivable to the extent that it is probable that economic benefits will flow to the Group and the revenue can be reliably measured.
Revenue from the sale of oil / condensate, gas and natural gas liquids produced is recognised when the Consolidated Entity has transferred to the buyer the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the products from the following product streams:
Dividend revenue is recognised on a receivable basis. Interest revenue is recognised on a time proportionate basis that takes into account the effective yield on the financial asset.
Revenue from the provision of services is recognised when an entity has a legally enforceable right to receive payment for services rendered.
The income tax benefit/(expense) for the period is the tax payable on the current period's taxable income/(loss) based on the applicable income tax rate for each jurisdiction adjusted by changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to temporary differences and for unused tax losses.
Deferred income tax is provided in full, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. However, the deferred income tax is not accounted for if it arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss. Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantially enacted at the reporting date and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax assets is realised or the deferred income tax liability is settled.
Deferred tax assets are recognised for deductible temporary differences and unused tax losses only if it is probable that future taxable amounts will be available to utilise those temporary differences and losses.
Deferred tax liabilities and assets are not recognised for temporary differences between the carrying amount and tax bases of investments in controlled entities where the Company is able to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences and it is probable that the differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.
A-12
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and when the deferred tax balances relate to the same taxation authority. Current tax assets and tax liabilities are offset where the entity has a legally enforceable right to offset and intends either to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Current and deferred tax balances attributable to amounts recognised directly in other comprehensive income / equity are also recognised directly in other comprehensive income / equity.
Assets are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be fully recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset's carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset's fair value less costs to sell and value in use. For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash inflows which are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets (cash-generating units). Non-financial assets, other than goodwill, which have been previously impaired, are reviewed for possible reversal of the impairment at each reporting date.
The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for all business combinations, regardless of whether equity instruments or other assets are acquired. The consideration transferred for the acquisition of a subsidiary comprises the fair values of the assets transferred, the liabilities incurred and the equity interests issued by the group. The consideration transferred also includes the fair value of any pre-existing equity interest in the subsidiary. Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are, with limited exceptions, measured initially at their face value at the acquisition date. On an acquisition-by-acquisition basis, the group recognises any non-controlling interest in the acquiree's net identifiable assets.
The excess of the consideration transferred and the amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. If those amounts are less than the fair value of net identifiable assets of the subsidiary acquired and the measurement of all amounts has been reviewed, the difference is recognised directly in profit or loss as a bargain purchase.
Where settlement of any part of cash consideration is deferred, the amounts payable in the future are discounted to their present value as at the date of exchange. The discount rate used is the entity's incremental borrowing rate, being the rate at which a similar borrowing could be obtained from an independent financier under comparable terms and conditions.
Contingent consideration is classified either as equity or a financial liability. Amounts classified as a financial liability are subsequently remeasured to fair value with changes in fair value recognised in profit or loss.
For cash flow statement presentation purposes, cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand, deposits held at call with financial institutions and other short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.
Trade receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. An allowance for trade receivables is established where there is objective evidence that the Group will not be able to collect all amounts.
Collectability of trade receivables is reviewed on a monthly basis. Where there is objective evidence that the Group will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables, an allowance for impairment of trade receivables is raised. Debts which are known to be uncollectable are written off by reducing the carrying amount directly. Significant financial difficulties of the debtor, probability that the debtor will enter bankruptcy or financial reorganisation, and default or delinquency in payment are considered indicators that the trade receivable is impaired. The amount of the impairment allowance is the difference between the asset's carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the original effective interest rate. Cash flows relating to short-term receivables are not discounted if the effect of discounting is immaterial.
The amount of the impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss within other expenses. When a trade receivable for which an impairment allowance had been recognised becomes uncollectible in a subsequent period, it is written off against the allowance account. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited against other expenses in profit or loss.
A-13
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
The Group classifies its financial assets in the following categories: 'financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income', and 'loans and receivables'. The classification depends on the purpose for which the financial assets were acquired. Management determines the classification of its financial assets at initial recognition.
Trade and other receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method, less provision for impairment. Trade receivables are generally due for settlement within 30 days.
At initial recognition the Group may make an irrevocable election (on an instrument-by-instrument basis) to recognise the change in fair value of investments in equity instruments in other comprehensive income. This election is permitted for equity instruments that are not held for trading purposes.
These instruments are initially recognised at fair value plus transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, they are measured at fair value and changes therein are recognised in other comprehensive income and presented within equity in the fair value reserve. When an instrument is derecognised, the cumulative gain or loss is transferred directly to retained earnings and is not recognised in profit or loss.
Dividends or other distributions received from these investments are still recognised in profit or loss as part of finance income.
Regular purchases and sales of financial assets are recognised on trade date being the date on which the Group commits to purchase or sell the asset. Investments are initially recognised at fair value plus transaction costs for all financial assets not carried at fair value through profit or loss. Financial assets are derecognised when the rights to receive cash flows from the financial assets have expired or have been transferred and the Group has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership.
Loans and receivables are carried at amortised cost less impairment using the effective interest method.
Details on how the fair value of financial instruments is determined are disclosed in note 2(a)(ii).
The Group assesses at each reporting date whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset or group of financial assets is impaired.
If there is evidence of impairment for any of the Group's financial assets carried at amortised cost, the loss is measured as the difference between the assets carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, excluding future credit losses that have not been incurred. The cash flows are discounted at the financial asset's original effective interest rate. The loss is recognised in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income.
Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently measured to their fair value at the end of each reporting period. The accounting for subsequent changes in fair value depends on whether the derivative is designated as a hedging instrument, and if so, the nature of the item being hedged. The group designates certain derivatives as hedges of a particular risk associated with the cash flow of recognised assets and liabilities and highly probable forecast transactions (cash flow hedges).
The group documents at the inception of the hedging transaction the relationship between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. The group also documents its assessment, both at hedge inception and on an ongoing basis, of whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions have been and will continue to be highly effective in offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows of hedged items.
A-14
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
The full fair value of a hedging derivative is classified as a non-current asset or liability when the remaining maturity of the hedged item is more than 12 months; it is classified as a current asset or liability when the remaining maturity of the hedged item is less than 12 months.
The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges is recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in reserves in equity. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognised immediately in profit or loss within other income or other expense.
Amounts accumulated in equity are reclassified to profit or loss in the periods when the hedged item affects profit or loss (for instance when the forecast sale that is hedged takes place). When the forecast transaction that is hedged results in the recognition of a non-financial asset (for example, inventory or fixed assets) the gains and losses previously deferred in equity are reclassified from equity and included in the initial measurement of the cost of the asset. The deferred amounts are ultimately recognised in profit or loss as cost of goods sold in the case of inventory, or as depreciation or impairment in the case of fixed assets.
When a hedging instrument expires or is sold or terminated, or when a hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, any cumulative gain or loss existing in equity at that time remains in equity and is recognised when the forecast transaction is ultimately recognised in profit or loss. When a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss that was reported in equity is immediately reclassified to profit or loss.
Certain derivative instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting. Changes in the fair value of any derivative instrument that does not qualify for hedge accounting are recognised immediately in profit or loss and are included in other income or other expenses.
Inventories consist of hydrocarbon stocks. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is determined on a weighted average basis and includes direct costs and an appropriate portion of fixed and variable production overheads where applicable.
Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. Cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the item. In the event that settlement of all or part of the purchase consideration is deferred, cost is determined by discounting the amounts payable in the future to their present value as at the date of acquisition.
Depreciation is provided on property, plant and equipment. Depreciation is calculated on a reducing balance basis so as to write down the net cost or fair value of each asset over its expected useful life to its estimated residual value.
The estimated useful lives, residual values and depreciation method are reviewed at the end of each annual reporting period.
The following estimated useful lives are used in the calculation of depreciation:
Fixtures and fittings |
5 years | |
Plant and equipment |
5 15 years |
Expenditure on exploration and evaluation is accounted for in accordance with the area of interest method which is closely aligned to the US GAAP based successful efforts method of accounting for oil and gas exploration and evaluation expenditure.
This approach is strongly linked to the Company's oil and gas reserves determination and reporting process and is considered to most fairly reflect the results of the Company's exploration and evaluation activity because only assets with demonstrable value are carried on the statement of financial position.
A-15
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Once a well commences producing commercial quantities of oil and gas, capitalised exploration and evaluation costs are transferred to Oil and Gas Properties Producing Projects and amortisation commences.
This method allows the costs associated with the acquisition, exploration and evaluation of a prospect to be aggregated on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position and matched against the benefits derived from commercial production once this commences.
Exploration lease acquisition costs relating to greenfield oil and gas exploration provinces are expensed as incurred while the costs incurred in relation to established or recognised oil and gas provinces are initially capitalised and then amortised over the shorter term of the lease or the expected life of the project.
All other exploration and evaluation costs, including general permit activity, geological and geophysical costs and new venture activity costs are charged as expenses as incurred except where:
Areas of Interest are recognised at field level. Subsequent to the recognition of an Area of Interest, all further costs relating to the Area of Interest are initially capitalised. Each Area of Interest is reviewed at least bi-annually to determine whether economic quantities of reserves exist or whether further exploration and evaluation work is required to support the continued carry forward of capitalised costs. To the extent it is considered that the relevant expenditure will not be recovered, it is written off.
The costs of drilling exploration and evaluation wells are initially capitalised pending the results of the well. Costs are expensed where the well does not result in the discovery of economically recoverable hydrocarbons. To the extent that it is considered that the relevant expenditure will not be recovered, it is immediately expensed.
In the statement of cash flows, those cash flows associated with the capitalised exploration and evaluation expenditure are classified as cash flows used in investing activities. Exploration and evaluation expenditure expensed is classified as cash flows used in operating activities.
Where the Company has a non-operator interest in an oil or gas property, it may periodically be required to make a cash contribution for its share of the operator's estimated drilling and / or completion costs, in advance of these operations taking place.
Where these contributions relate to a prepayment for exploratory or early stage drilling activity, prior to a decision on the commerciality of a well having been made, the costs are capitalised as prepaid drilling costs within Exploration and Evaluation and / or Development Projects.
Where these contributions relate to a prepayment for well completion, these costs are capitalised as prepaid completion costs within Exploration and Evaluation.
As the operator notifies the Company as to how funds have been expended, the costs are reclassified from prepaid costs to the appropriate expenditure category.
When a well comes into commercial production, accumulated exploration and evaluation expenditure for the relevant Area of Interest is transferred to producing projects and amortised on a units of production basis.
Producing projects are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment charges. Producing projects include construction, installation or completion of production and infrastructure facilities such as pipelines, transferred exploration and evaluation assets, development wells and the provision for restoration.
A-16
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
The Consolidated Entity uses the "units of production" ("UOP") approach when amortising and depreciating field-specific assets. Using this method of amortisation and depreciation requires the Consolidated Entity to compare the actual volume of production to the reserves and then to apply this determined rate of depletion to the carrying value of depreciable asset.
Capitalised producing projects costs relating to commercially producing wells are depreciated/amortised using the UOP basis once commercial quantities are being produced within an area of interest. The reserves used in these calculations are the Proved plus Probable reserves and are reviewed at least annually.
The Consolidated Entity's aim is to avoid or minimise environmental impact resulting from its operations.
Provision is made in the statement of financial position for the estimated cost of legal and constructive obligations to restore operating locations in the period in which the obligation arises. The estimated costs are capitalised as part of the cost of the related project where recognition occurs upon acquisition of an interest in the operating locations. The carrying amount capitalised is amortised on a unit of production basis during the production phase of the project.
Work scope and cost estimates for restoration are reviewed annually and adjusted to reflect the expected cost of restoration.
Restoration costs are based on the latest estimated future costs, determined on a discounted basis, which are re-assessed regularly and exclude any allowance for potential changes in technology or material changes in legislative requirements.
The Group accounts for changes in cost estimates on a prospective basis.
Trade payables and other accounts payable are recognised when the Consolidated Entity becomes obliged to make future payments resulting from the purchase of goods and services. They are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method.
Provision is made for benefits accruing to employees in respect of employee entitlements when it is probable that settlement will be required and these benefits can be measured reliably. These benefits include wages, salaries, annual leave and long service leave.
Provisions made in respect of employee benefits expected to be settled within 12 months are measured at their nominal values using the remuneration rate expected to apply at the time of settlement.
Provisions made in respect of employee entitlements which are not expected to be settled within 12 months are measured as the present value of the estimated future cash outflows to be made by the consolidated entity in respect of services provided by employees up to reporting date.
Provisions are recognised when the Consolidated Entity has a present obligation as a result of a past event, the future sacrifice of economic benefits is probable, and the amount of the provision can be reliably estimated.
The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at reporting date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. Where a provision is measured using the cash flows estimated to settle the present obligation, its carrying amount is the present value of those cash flows.
When some or all of the economic benefits required to settle a provision are expected to be recovered from a third party, the receivable is recognised as an asset if it is virtually certain that recovery will be received and the amount of the receivable can be measured reliably.
An onerous contract is considered to exist where the Consolidated Entity has a contract under which the unavoidable cost of meeting the contractual obligations exceeds the economic benefits estimated to be received. Present obligations arising under onerous contracts are recognised as a provision to the extent that the present obligation exceeds the economic benefits estimated to be received.
A-17
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Borrowings are initially recognised at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently measured at amortised cost. Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the Consolidated Entity has an unconditional right to deferred settlement for at least 12 months after the reporting date.
Ordinary shares are classified as equity.
Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options for the acquisition of a business are not included in the cost of the acquisition as part of the purchase consideration.
If the Company reacquires its own equity instruments, e.g. as the result of a share buy-back, those instruments are deducted from equity and the associated shares are cancelled. No gain or loss is recognised in the profit or loss and the consideration paid, including any directly attributable incremental costs (net of income taxes), is recognised directly in equity.
Borrowing costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred, except to the extent to which they are directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset and it is probable that they will result in future economic benefits to the entity and the costs can be measured reliably.
Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of goods and services tax (GST), except:
The net amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authority is included as part of receivables or payables. Cash flows are included in the cash flow statement on a gross basis. The GST component of cash flows arising from investing and financing activities which is recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authority is classified as operating cash flows.
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit (or loss) attributable to equity holders of the company, excluding any costs of servicing equity other than ordinary shares, by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the financial year, adjusted for bonus elements in ordinary shares issued during the year.
Diluted earnings per share adjusts the figures used in the determination of basic earnings per share to take into account the after income tax effect of interest and other financing costs associated with dilutive potential ordinary shares and the weighted average number of shares assumed to have been issued for no consideration in relation to dilutive potential ordinary shares.
The Group has provided benefits to its employees (including key management personnel) in the form of share-based payments, whereby services were rendered partly or wholly in exchange for shares or rights over shares. The Remuneration Committee has also approved the grant of options or performance rights as incentives to attract executives and to maintain their long term commitment to the Company. These benefits were awarded at the discretion of the board, or following approval by shareholders.
The costs of these equity-settled transactions are measured by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments at the date on which they are granted. The fair value of performance rights granted under the Aurora Oil & Gas Limited performance rights plan is determined using a risked statistical analysis. The fair value of performance rights granted under the Aurora Oil & Gas Limited long
A-18
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
term incentive plan is determined using binomial tree and Monte-Carlo simulation valuation models. Further details of performance rights granted under each plan are disclosed in note 27. The fair value of options granted is determined by using a Black-Scholes option pricing technique.
The costs of these equity-settled transactions is recognised, together with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period in which the performance and / or service conditions are fulfilled (the vesting period).
At each subsequent reporting date until vesting, the cumulative charge to the income statement is the product of (i) the fair value at grant date of the award; (ii) the current best estimate of the number of equity instruments that will vest, taking into account such factors as the likelihood of employee turnover during the vesting period and the likelihood of non-market performance conditions being met and (iii) the expired portion of the vesting period.
The charge to the income statement for the period is the cumulative amount as calculated above less the amounts already charged in previous periods. There is a corresponding credit to equity.
Until an equity instrument has vested, any amounts recorded are contingent and will be adjusted if more or fewer equity instruments vest than were originally anticipated to do so. Any equity instrument subject to a market condition is considered to vest irrespective of whether or not that market condition is fulfilled, provided that all other conditions are satisfied.
If the terms of an equity-settled award are modified, as a minimum, an expense is recognised as if the terms had not been modified. An additional expense is recognised for any modification that increases the total fair value of the share based payment arrangement, or is otherwise beneficial to the recipient of the award, as measured at the date of modification.
If an equity-settled transaction is cancelled (other than a grant cancelled by forfeiture when the vesting conditions are not satisfied), it is treated as if it had vested on the date of cancellation, and any expense not yet recognised for the award is recognised immediately. However, if a new equity instrument is substituted for the cancelled award and designated as a replacement award on the date that it is granted, the cancelled and new equity instrument are treated as if they were a modification of the original award, as described in the preceding paragraph.
The dilutive effect, if any, of outstanding options is reflected as additional share dilution in the computation of diluted earnings per share (see note 25).
The Company is of a kind referred to in Class order 98/100, issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, relating to the "rounding off" of amounts in the financial statements. Amounts in the financial statements have been rounded off in accordance with the Class Order to the nearest thousand dollars, or in certain cases, the nearest dollar.
The Group has chosen not to early-adopt any accounting standards that have been issued, but are not yet effective. Set out below is a summary of issued accounting standards, relevant to the Group, which are not yet effective and a description of their expected effect on the Group's financial statements (if any).
Entities classified as Tier 2 entities in AASB 1053 Application of Tiers of Australian Accounting Standards that currently apply full IFRSs as adopted in Australia are able to adopt the Reduced Disclosure Requirements.
The entity is a Tier 1 entity and therefore is not eligible to apply the Reduced Disclosure Requirements of AASB 2010-2.
In July 2011, the AASB extended relief from preparing consolidated financial statements to entities applying the Reduced Disclosure Requirements wanting to apply the consolidation exemption in paragraph 10 of AASB 127 (or exemption from equity accounting or proportionate consolidation under equivalent paragraphs in AASB 128 and AASB 131) where the ultimate parent entity prepares consolidated financial statements using the Reduced Disclosure requirements, rather than using full IFRS.
A-19
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
When this standard is first adopted, there will be no impact on presentation because the group has always qualified for relief from preparing consolidated financial statements because its parent entity produces consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS.
AASB 9 addresses the classification, measurement and derecognition of financial assets and financial liabilities. The standard is not applicable until January 1, 2015 but is available for early adoption. The Group is continuing to assess its full impact.
Issued May 2011, AASB 10 introduces a single 'control model' for all entities, including special purpose entities (SPEs), whereby all of the following conditions must be present:
When this standard is first adopted for the year ended December 31, 2013, there will be no impact on transactions and balances recognised in the financial statements because the entity does not have any special purpose entities.
AASB 11 introduces certain changes to the accounting for joint arrangements. Joint arrangements will be classified as either joint operations (where parties with joint control have rights to assets and obligations for liabilities) or joint ventures (where parties with joint control have rights to the net assets of the arrangement).
Joint arrangements structured as a separate vehicle will generally be treated as joint ventures and accounted for using the equity method. The Group is continuing to assess the impact of the standard.
Issued August 2011, AASB 12 combines existing disclosures from AASB 127 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements, AASB 128 Investments in Associates and AASB 131 Interests in Joint Ventures and introduces new disclosure requirements for interests in associates and joint arrangements, as well as new requirements for unconsolidated structured entities.
As this is a disclosure standard only, there will be no impact on amounts recognised in the financial statements. However, additional disclosures will be required for interests in joint arrangements, as well as for unconsolidated structured entities.
Issued May 2011 requires additional disclosures for items measured at fair value in the statement of financial position, as well as items merely disclosed at fair value in the notes to the financial statements. Extensive additional disclosure requirements for items measured at fair value that are 'level 3' valuations in the fair value hierarchy that are not financial instruments, for example land and buildings and investment properties.
On June 30, 2010 the AASB officially introduced a revised differential reporting framework in Australia. Under this framework, a two-tier differential reporting regime applies to all entities that prepare general purpose financial statements.
Aurora is listed on the ASX and TSX and is not eligible to adopt the new Australian Accounting Standards Reduced Disclosure Requirements. The two standards will therefore have no impact on the financial statements of the entity.
A-20
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Employee benefits expected to be settled (as opposed to due to settle under contract) wholly within 12 months after the end of the reporting period are short-term benefits, and therefore not discounted when calculating leave liabilities. Annual leave not expected to be used wholly within 12 months of end of reporting period will in future be discounted when calculating leave liability.
When this standard is first adopted for December 31, 2013 year end, a portion of annual leave liabilities will be recalculated on January 1, 2012 as long term benefits because they are not expected to be settled wholly within 12 months after the end of the reporting period. This will result in a reduction of the annual leave liabilities recognised on January 1, 2012, and a corresponding increase in retained earnings at that date.
2. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS
In preparing these financial statements the Group has been required to make certain estimates and assumptions concerning future occurrences. There is an inherent risk that the resulting accounting estimates will not equate exactly with actual events and results.
The carrying amounts of certain assets and liabilities are often determined based on estimates and assumptions of future events. The key estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below.
The Group measures the cost of equity-settled transactions with employees by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments at the date at which they are granted. The fair value is determined using a risked statistical analysis, or binomial tree and Monte-Carlo simulation valuation techniques or a Black Scholes Option Pricing Model, using the assumptions detailed in note 27.
The Group estimates the future rehabilitation costs of production facilities, wells and pipelines at different stages of the development and construction of assets or facilities. In most instances, removal of assets occurs many years into the future. This requires judgemental assumptions regarding removal date, future environmental legislation, the extent of restoration activities and the future removal technology available and liability specific discount rates to determine the present value of these cash flows. As at December 31, 2012 rehabilitation obligations have a carrying value of US$1,705,000 (December 31, 2011: US$565,000).
Estimation of reported recoverable quantities of Proven and Probable reserves include judgemental assumptions regarding commodity prices, exchange rates, discount rates and production and transportation costs for future cash flows. It also requires interpretation of complex geological and geophysical models in order to make an assessment of the size, shape, depth and quality of reservoirs and their anticipated recoveries. These factors used to estimate reserves may change from period to period.
Reserve estimates are prepared in accordance with assumption and methodology guidelines outlined in the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook and in accordance with National Instrument 51-101 Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities.
Reserve estimates are used to calculate amortisation of producing assets and therefore a change in reserve estimates impacts the carrying value of assets and the recognition of deferred tax assets due to the changes in expected future cash flows (see below).
In relation to the depletion of capitalised exploration and evaluation expenditure and the depreciation of property plant and equipment related to producing oil and gas properties, the Consolidated Entity uses a unit of production reserve depletion model to calculate amortisation and depreciation. This method of amortisation and depreciation necessitates the estimation of the oil and gas reserves over which the carrying value of the relevant assets will be expensed to the profit or loss. The calculation of oil and gas reserves is extremely complex and requires management to make judgements about commodity prices, future production costs and geological structures. The nature of reserve estimation is such that reserves are not intended to be 100% accurate but rather provide a statistically probable outcome in relation to the economically recoverable reserve. As the actual reserve can only be accurately determined once production has ceased, amortisation and depreciation expensed during the production may not on a year to year basis accurately reflect the actual
A-21
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
2. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS (Continued)
percentage of reserve depleted. However, over the entire life of the producing assets all capitalised costs will be expensed to the profit or loss.
In the absence of readily available market prices, the recoverable amounts of assets are determined by discounting the expected future net cash flows from production and comparing these to the carrying value of the relevant asset or group of assets to determine the asset's net present value. The calculation of net present value is based on assumptions concerning discount rates, reserves, future production profiles, commodity prices and costs.
3. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT
The financial risks that arise during the normal course of Aurora's operations comprise market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. In managing financial risk, it is Aurora's policy to seek a balance between the potential adverse effects of financial risks on Aurora's financial performance and position, and the "upside" potential made possible by exposure to these risks and by taking into account the costs and expected benefits of the various risk management methods available to manage them.
General objectives, policies and processes
Aurora's board of directors (Board) is responsible for approving Aurora's policies on risk oversight and management and ensuring management has developed and implemented effective risk management and internal control. Whilst maintaining ultimate responsibility for financial risk management, the Board has delegated the responsibility for ensuring that management has designed processes that ensure the effective implementation of the objectives and policies to the Audit and Risk Management Committee. The Audit and Risk Management Committee receives reports as required from the Chief Financial Officer and other relevant Executives in which they review the effectiveness of the processes implemented and the appropriateness of the objectives and policies it sets.
Aurora's Audit and Risk Management Committee oversees how management monitors compliance with the Group's risk management policies and procedures and reviews the adequacy of the risk management framework in relation to the risks faced by Aurora.
These disclosures are not, nor are they intended to be an exhaustive list of risks to which Aurora is exposed.
Financial instruments
The group holds the following financial instruments:
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Financial assets |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
67,584 | 70,246 | ||||||
Trade receivables |
89,535 | 14,626 | ||||||
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income |
842 | 2,507 | ||||||
|
157,961 | 87,379 | ||||||
Financial liabilities |
||||||||
Trade and other payables |
180,619 | 73,434 | ||||||
Borrowings |
390,453 | 30,000 | ||||||
Derivative financial instruments |
1,649 | | ||||||
|
572,721 | 103,434 | ||||||
Market risk arises from Aurora's exposure to commodity price risk and the use of interest bearing and foreign currency financial instruments. It is a risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in interest rates (interest rate risk), foreign exchange rates (currency risk) or natural gas, condensate and oil prices (commodity price risk).
A-22
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
3. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (Continued)
The Group is exposed to commodity price risk arising from fluctuations in the prices of natural gas, condensate and oil. The demand for, and prices of, natural gas, condensate and oil are dependent on a variety of factors, including:
The Board recognises that through the normal course of its business activities, the Company is exposed to various market risks, including commodity risk. To manage commodity price risk the Board established a hedging committee during the year ended December 31, 2012 to implement and manage effective hedges of commodity price pursuant to Board approved levels. To manage the Group's commodity price risk exposure during the year ended December 31, 2012, the Group entered into cash settled commodity swap and zero cost collar hedging arrangements with financial institutions, as disclosed at note 19 Derivative financial instruments.
Sensitivity analysis change in US$ oil price
The following table demonstrates the estimated sensitivity to a US$10 increase / decrease in the oil price, with all variables held constant, on post tax profit and equity. These sensitivities should not be used to forecast the future effect of movement in the oil price on future cash flows.
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Impact on post-tax profits |
||||||||
US$ oil / condensate price + $10 |
26,470 | 10,431 | ||||||
US$ oil / condensate price - $10 |
(26,470 | ) | (10,431 | ) | ||||
Impact on equity |
||||||||
US$ oil / condensate price + $10 |
26,470 | 10,431 | ||||||
US$ oil / condensate price - $10 |
(26,470 | ) | (10,431 | ) | ||||
The impact on post-tax profits and equity resulting from a $10 movement in Gas or NGL prices is not considered material.
The functional currency of the Group is US dollars and the Group operates in the US, however maintains corporate listings in Australia and in Canada. The Group is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from fluctuations in the US dollar and Australian dollar, and US dollar and Canadian dollar at parent entity level on cash balances.
Foreign exchange risk arises from future commercial transactions and recognised assets and liabilities denominated in a currency that is not the entity's functional currency. The exposure to risks is measured using sensitivity analysis and cash flow forecasting.
The Board has formed the view that it would not be beneficial for the Group to purchase forward contracts or other derivative financial instruments to hedge this foreign exchange risk, other than on an ad hoc basis for significant foreign currency transactions. Factors which the Board considered in arriving at this position included, the expense of purchasing such instruments and the inherent difficulties associated with forecasting the timing and quantum of Australian and Canadian dollar cash inflows and outflows, compared to the relatively low volume and value of commercial transactions and recognised assets and liabilities denominated in a currency which is not US dollars.
A-23
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
3. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (Continued)
The Group's exposure to foreign currency risk at the end of the reporting period, expressed in US dollars, was as follows:
|
December 31, 2012 | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AUD | CAD | Total | ||||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||||
Financial assets |
|||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
924 | 1,111 | 2,035 | ||||||||
Trade and other receivables |
320 | 4 | 324 | ||||||||
Other financial assets |
842 | | 842 | ||||||||
Total financial assets |
2,086 | 1,115 | 3,201 | ||||||||
Financial liabilities |
|||||||||||
Trade and other payables |
2,359 | 48 | 2,407 | ||||||||
Total financial liabilities |
2,359 | 48 | 2,407 | ||||||||
|
December 31, 2011 | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AUD | CAD | Total | ||||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||||
Financial assets |
|||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
1,134 | 465 | 1,599 | ||||||||
Trade and other receivables |
93 | | 93 | ||||||||
Other financial assets |
2,507 | | 2,507 | ||||||||
Total financial assets |
3,734 | 465 | 4,199 | ||||||||
Financial liabilities |
|||||||||||
Trade and other payables |
403 | 590 | 933 | ||||||||
Total financial liabilities |
403 | 590 | 933 | ||||||||
Sensitivity analysis change in Australian / US dollar exchange rate and Canadian / US dollar exchange rate
The following table demonstrates the estimated sensitivity to a 10% increase / decrease in the Australian / US dollar exchange rate and a 10% increase / decrease in the Canadian / US dollar exchange rate, with all variables held consistent, on post tax profit and equity. These sensitivities should not be used to forecast the future effect of movement in the US dollar exchange rate on future cash flows.
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Impact on post-tax profits |
||||||||
AUD / US$ + 10% |
(39 | ) | 397 | |||||
AUD / US$ - 10% |
18 | (281 | ) | |||||
CAD / US$ + 10% |
110 | 83 | ||||||
CAD / US$ - 10% |
(104 | ) | (124 | ) | ||||
Impact on equity |
||||||||
AUD / US$ + 10% |
(39 | ) | 397 | |||||
AUD / US$ - 10% |
18 | (281 | ) | |||||
CAD / US$ + 10% |
110 | 83 | ||||||
CAD / US$ - 10% |
(104 | ) | (124 | ) | ||||
A-24
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
3. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (Continued)
A hypothetical change of 10% in the Australian dollar and Canadian dollar exchange rates was used to calculate the Group's sensitivity to foreign exchange rate movements as this is management's estimate of possible rate movements over the coming year taking into account current market conditions and past volatility (December 31, 2011: 10%).
As at and during the year ended December 31, 2012 the Group had interest-bearing assets and liabilities, being liquid funds on deposit, a drawn down balance from the senior secured revolving credit facility and senior unsecured notes. As such, the Group's income and operating cash flows (other than interest income from funds on deposit and interest expense from the senior secured revolving credit facility) are somewhat dependent on changes in market interest rates. The Board manages the Group's exposure to interest rate risk by regularly assessing the company's exposure, taking into account funding requirements and selecting appropriate investments to manage its exposure.
Sensitivity analysis change in interest rates
Based on the financial instruments held at reporting date, with all other variables assumed to be held constant, the table below sets out the notional effect on consolidated profit after tax for the year and on equity at reporting date under varying hypothetical changes in prevailing interest rates:
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Impact on post-tax profit |
||||||||
Hypothetical 90 basis points(1) increase in interest |
2,677 | (362 | ) | |||||
Hypothetical 90 basis points(1) decrease in interest |
(2,677 | ) | 362 | |||||
Impact on equity |
||||||||
Hypothetical 90 basis points(1) increase in interest |
2,677 | 362 | ||||||
Hypothetical 90 basis points(1) decrease in interest |
(2,677 | ) | (362 | ) | ||||
The weighted average effective interest rate of funds on deposit is 0.08% (December 31, 2011: 0.32%).
The Group is exposed to equity securities price risk in relation to its financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income. The carrying value of investments at December 31, 2012 is US$842,000 (December 31, 2011: US$2,507,000). The impact of fluctuations in the fair value of these investments on post-tax profit for the year would depend on whether such fluctuations were as a result of impairment or of short-term market movements.
A-25
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
3. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (Continued)
Sensitivity analysis change in share price
In the table below movements in share price are assumed to be short-term market movement related and the movement in the fair value would be recognised in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income.
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Impact on post-tax profit |
||||||||
Hypothetical 50%(1) increase in price |
| | ||||||
Hypothetical 20%(1) decrease in price |
| | ||||||
Impact on equity |
||||||||
Hypothetical 50%(1) increase in price |
421 | 1,254 | ||||||
Hypothetical 20%(1) decrease in price |
(168 | ) | (501 | ) | ||||
Credit risk arises from cash and cash equivalents and deposits with financial institutions, as well as trade receivables and non-current oil and gas assets as these assets consist of interests in projects operated by a single US public company.
The Board are of the opinion that the credit risk arising as a result of this concentration of the Group's assets is more than offset by the potential benefits to be gained through continuing to build on the Group's relationship with the operator of its existing projects.
The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying amount of the assets as summarised below, none of which are impaired or past due. The Group has a number of recourse options available in the event of counterparty default, including but not limited to de facto security over jointly held assets.
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
67,584 | 70,246 | ||||||
Trade receivables |
89,535 | 14,045 | ||||||
Prepaid exploration, development and lease acquisition expenses |
| 12,560 | ||||||
Total |
157,119 | 96,851 | ||||||
To manage exposure to credit risk from cash and cash equivalent financial assets, it was the Group's policy during 2012 to deposit only with banks and financial institutions with a minimum independent rating of 'AA'. Due to the current prevailing market conditions in the US, depositing of cash and cash equivalents for US domicile subsidiaries with banks or financial institutions with a minimum 'AA' rating
A-26
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
3. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (Continued)
was not achievable. To mitigate this risk, cash and cash equivalents have been deposited in the US with products carrying the 100% Government guarantee.
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Cash at bank and short-term bank deposits |
||||||||
Held with Australian banks and financial institutions |
||||||||
AA Rated |
2,080 | 7,774 | ||||||
Held with US banks and financial institutions |
||||||||
AA Rated |
| | ||||||
A- Rated |
65,278 | 62,472 | ||||||
BBB Rated |
226 | | ||||||
Total |
67,584 | 70,246 | ||||||
Prudent liquidity management involves the maintenance of sufficient cash, marketable securities, committed credit facilities and access to capital markets. It is the policy of the Board to ensure that the Group is able to meet its financial obligations and maintain the flexibility to pursue attractive investment opportunities through ensuring the Group has sufficient working capital, available credit lines and preserving the 15% share issue limit available to the Company under the ASX Listing Rules.
On November 8, 2011, Aurora USA Oil and Gas Inc. ("Aurora USA"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, signed a credit agreement with a syndicate of banks, pursuant to which up to US$300 million may be available on a revolving basis (refer to note 17 Borrowings).
As at December 31, 2012 the Group had total financial liabilities of US$572,721,000 (December 31, 2011: US$103,433,480). This comprised non interest bearing trade creditors and accruals with a maturity of less than 6 months, interest bearing borrowings with maturities between 1 and 5 years and derivative financial instruments with maturities between 1 and 2 year.
A-27
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
3. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (Continued)
The table below analyses the Group's financial liabilities into relevant maturity groupings. The amounts disclosed in the table are the contractual undiscounted cash flows. Balance due within 12 months equal the carrying amount as the impact of discounting is not significant.
|
Consolidated | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Contractual maturities of financial liabilities
|
Less than 12 months |
Between 1 and 5 years |
Total contractual cash flows |
Carrying Amount |
||||||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||||||
At December 31, 2012 |
||||||||||||||
Non derivative |
||||||||||||||
Non-interest bearing |
180,619 | | 180,620 | 180,619 | ||||||||||
Borrowings fixed rate |
| 365,000 | 513,125 | 360,453 | ||||||||||
Borrowings variable rate |
| 30,000 | 33,071 | 30,000 | ||||||||||
Total non derivative |
180,619 | 395,000 | 726,816 | 571,072 | ||||||||||
Derivatives |
||||||||||||||
Gross settled forward commodity price contracts |
||||||||||||||
cash flow hedges: |
||||||||||||||
(inflow) |
(534 | ) | | (534 | ) | (534 | ) | |||||||
outflow |
2,069 | 114 | 2,183 | 2,183 | ||||||||||
Total derivative |
1,535 | 114 | 1,649 | 1,649 | ||||||||||
At December 31, 2011 |
||||||||||||||
Non derivative |
||||||||||||||
Non-interest bearing |
73,433 | | 73,433 | 73,433 | ||||||||||
Variable rate(1) |
| 30,000 | 30,121 | 30,000 | ||||||||||
Total non derivative |
73,433 | 30,000 | 103,554 | 103,433 | ||||||||||
The fair value of financial assets and liabilities held by the Group must be estimated for recognition, measurement and / or disclosure purposes. The Group measures fair values by level, per the following fair value measurement hierarchy:
The Group's investment in equity securities is measured under level 1 disclosure requirements. The fair value of US$842,000 (December 31, 2011: US$2,507,000) was determined based on the securities quoted market closing bid price.
The fair value of financial instruments traded in active markets (such as financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income) is based on quoted market prices at the reporting date. The quoted market price used for financial assets held by the Group is the current bid price.
A-28
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
3. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (Continued)
The carrying values (net of any applicable impairment provision) of trade receivables and payables are assumed to approximate their fair values due to their short-term nature. The Group has considered the fair value of borrowings and have determined that carrying amount is a reasonable approximation of fair value.
The Group manages its capital to ensure entities in the Group will be able to continue as a going concern while maximising the potential return to shareholders.
The capital structure of the Group is considered to include the total equity plus borrowings, which at December 31, 2012 was US$844 million (December 31, 2011: US$575 million). In determining the funding mix of debt and equity (total borrowings / total equity), consideration is given to the relative impact of the gearing ratio on the ability of the Group to service loan interest and repayment schedules, credit facility covenants and also to generate adequate free cash available for corporate and oil and gas production and development activities. The debt to equity ratio was 46% as at December 31, 2012 (December 31, 2011: 5%).
The capital of Group subsidiary entities is subject to externally imposed guarantees for the senior secured revolving credit facility (refer to note 17 Borrowings).
4. SEGMENT INFORMATION
Management has determined, based on the reports reviewed by the CEO and Executive Chairman and used to make strategic decisions, that the Group has one reportable segment being oil and gas exploration and production in the United States of America. The Group's management and administration office is located in Australia.
The CEO and Executive Chairman reviews internal management reports on a monthly basis that are consistent with the information provided in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, statement of financial position and statement of cash flows. As a result no reconciliation is required, because the information as presented is used by the CEO and Executive Chairman to make strategic decisions.
Reportable segment revenue
Revenue, including interest income, is disclosed below based on the reportable segment:
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Revenue from oil and gas exploration and production |
294,812 | 75,079 | ||||||
Revenue from other corporate activities |
5,255 | 1,942 | ||||||
|
300,067 | 77,021 | ||||||
Reportable segment assets
Assets are disclosed below based on the reportable segment:
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Assets from oil and gas exploration and production |
1,041,143 | 306,173 | ||||||
Assets from corporate activities: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
67,584 | 70,246 | ||||||
Other corporate assets |
2,670 | 4,407 | ||||||
|
1,111,397 | 380,826 | ||||||
A-29
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
4. SEGMENT INFORMATION (Continued)
Reportable segment liabilities
Liabilities are disclosed below based on the reportable segment:
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Liabilities from oil and gas exploration and production |
655,090 | 102,100 | ||||||
Liabilities from corporate activities |
3,193 | 3,634 | ||||||
|
658,283 | 105,734 | ||||||
Reportable segment profit
Profit / (loss) is disclosed below based on the reportable segment:
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Profit from oil and gas exploration and production |
74,016 | 40,980 | ||||||
(Loss) from other corporate activities |
(15,170 | ) | (10,396 | ) | ||||
|
58,846 | 30,584 | ||||||
5. REVENUE
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
From continuing operations |
||||||||
Sales revenue |
||||||||
Oil and gas sales |
294,936 | 75,079 | ||||||
Realised profit / (loss) on forward commodity price contracts |
(124 | ) | | |||||
|
294,812 | 75,079 | ||||||
Other revenue |
||||||||
Interest |
247 | 649 | ||||||
Other |
| 241 | ||||||
|
247 | 890 | ||||||
Total revenue from continuing operations |
295,059 | 75,969 | ||||||
6. OTHER INCOME
|
|
Consolidated | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Notes | December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||||
|
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||||
Foreign exchange gain |
(i | ) | 3,042 | 989 | |||||||
Net gain on financial assets |
770 | | |||||||||
Net gain on foreign currency derivatives not qualifying as hedges |
1,167 | | |||||||||
Other |
29 | 63 | |||||||||
Total other income |
5,008 | 1,052 | |||||||||
A-30
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
7. EXPENSES
Profit before income tax includes the following specific expenses:
|
|
Consolidated | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Notes | December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||||
|
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||||
Royalties expense |
(i | ) | 77,625 | 20,067 | |||||||
Production and operating expense |
|||||||||||
Sales taxes |
(ii | ) | 10,073 | 2,822 | |||||||
Operating expenses |
(iii | ) | 24,508 | 3,915 | |||||||
Total production and operating expenses |
34,581 | 6,737 | |||||||||
Deprecation and depletion expense |
|||||||||||
Depreciation |
(iv | ) | 3,202 | 929 | |||||||
Depletion |
(v | ) | 35,959 | 3,438 | |||||||
Total depletion and depreciation expense |
39,161 | 4,367 | |||||||||
Share-based payment expenses |
|||||||||||
Options |
3,857 | 3,969 | |||||||||
Performance rights |
541 | 83 | |||||||||
Total share-based payment expense |
(vi | ) | 4,398 | 4,052 | |||||||
Finance costs |
|||||||||||
Interest expense |
24,539 | 70 | |||||||||
Amortisation of borrowing costs |
2,638 | 66 | |||||||||
Amortisation of debt premium and debt discount |
289 | | |||||||||
Other financing fees |
561 | | |||||||||
Total finance costs |
(vii | ) | 28,027 | 136 | |||||||
Exploration and evaluation costs written off |
(viii | ) | 4,939 | 652 | |||||||
A-31
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
8. INCOME TAX EXPENSE
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
(a) Income tax expense |
||||||||
Current tax |
| | ||||||
Deferred tax |
37,356 | 1,643 | ||||||
Income tax expense |
37,356 | 1,643 | ||||||
(b) Reconciliation of income tax expense to prima facie tax payable |
||||||||
Profit from continuing operations before income tax expense |
96,202 | 32,227 | ||||||
Tax at the Australian statutory tax rate of 30% (December 31, 2011: 30%) |
28,861 | 9,668 | ||||||
Tax effect of amounts that are not deductible (taxable) in calculating taxable income |
||||||||
Share-based payment expense |
1,157 | 1,041 | ||||||
Foreign exchange gains not assessable |
(1,026 | ) | (321 | ) | ||||
Revenue losses not previously recognised now brought to account |
(357 | ) | (426 | ) | ||||
(Expense) / benefit from a previously unrecognised temporary difference now recognised |
3,205 | (8,833 | ) | |||||
Income tax rate differences |
5,359 | 456 | ||||||
Other non-allowable deductions |
157 | 58 | ||||||
Income tax expense |
37,356 | 1,643 | ||||||
(c) Tax expense (income) relating to items of other comprehensive income |
||||||||
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income |
1,509 | | ||||||
Cash flow hedges |
495 | | ||||||
|
2,004 | | ||||||
9. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Held with Australian banks and financial institutions |
||||||||
Cash at bank and in hand |
1,976 | 7,137 | ||||||
Deposits at call |
104 | 637 | ||||||
Held with US banks and financial institutions |
||||||||
Cash at bank and in hand |
65,504 | 62,472 | ||||||
|
67,584 | 70,246 | ||||||
The Group's exposure to interest rate risk is discussed at Note 3 Financial Risk Management. The maximum exposure to credit risk at the end of the reporting period is the carrying amount of each class of cash and cash equivalents mentioned above.
Deposits at call held with Australian banks and financial institutions earn interest at 4.40% floating rate (December 31, 2011: 4.50%).
Cash held with US banks earn interest at rates between 0% and 0.50%.
A-32
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
10. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Trade receivables |
89,535 | 14,626 | ||||||
Trade receivables represents revenue earned but not yet received from the production and sale of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids.
No Group trade receivables were past due or impaired as at December 31, 2012 (December 31, 2011: Nil) and there is no indication that amounts recognised as trade and other receivables will not be recovered in the normal course of business.
11. OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income |
842 | 2,507 | ||||||
An interest in a financial asset is considered 'significant' when Aurora holds 5% or more of issued share capital.
Aurora holds a significant interest in Elixir Petroleum Ltd. As at December 31, 2012, Aurora held 33,833,334 fully paid ordinary shares in Elixir Petroleum Ltd (December 31, 2011: 29,000,000), representing approximately 12.20% of its total issued capital. The market value of these securities at December 31, 2012 was US$842,000 (December 31, 2011: US$2,507,000).
Included in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income is US$957,000 (December 31, 2011: US$(1,302,000)) which represents the movement in the financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income.
A-33
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
12. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Production facilities and field equipment |
||||||||
Production facilities and field equipment at cost |
73,685 | 21,468 | ||||||
Production facilities and field equipment accumulated depreciation |
(3,876 | ) | (880 | ) | ||||
Total production facilities and field equipment |
69,809 | 20,588 | ||||||
Reconciliation of movement in production facilities and field equipment |
||||||||
Balance at the beginning of the financial period |
20,588 | | ||||||
Additions |
52,217 | 21,297 | ||||||
Transfer from oil and gas properties |
| 171 | ||||||
Depreciation expense |
(2,996 | ) | (880 | ) | ||||
Total production facilities and field equipment |
69,809 | 20,588 | ||||||
Office equipment |
||||||||
Office equipment at cost |
1,509 | 780 | ||||||
Office equipment accumulated depreciation |
(256 | ) | (49 | ) | ||||
Total office equipment |
1,253 | 731 | ||||||
Reconciliation of movement in office equipment |
||||||||
Balance at the beginning of the financial period |
731 | | ||||||
Additions |
729 | 780 | ||||||
Depreciation expense |
(206 | ) | (49 | ) | ||||
Total office equipment |
1,254 | 731 | ||||||
Total property, plant and equipment |
71,063 | 21,319 | ||||||
A-34
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
13. EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION EXPENDITURE
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Balance at the beginning of the financial period |
| 71 | ||||||
Transfer to Producing Projects |
| | ||||||
Capitalised expenditure |
| | ||||||
Exploration and evaluation expenditure written off |
| (71 | ) | |||||
Total exploration and evaluation expenditure |
| | ||||||
No exploration and evaluation expenditure was capitalised during the year ended December 31, 2012. During the year ended December 31, 2011 management conducted a review of exploration and evaluation projects for indicators of impairment, and expensed an amount of US$71,000.
14. OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Producing projects |
||||||||
At cost |
917,501 | 275,671 | ||||||
Accumulated depletion |
(41,207 | ) | (3,543 | ) | ||||
Net carrying value |
876,294 | 272,128 | ||||||
Development projects |
||||||||
At cost |
6,079 | | ||||||
Net carrying value |
6,079 | | ||||||
Total |
882,373 | 272,128 | ||||||
A-35
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
14. OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES (Continued)
A reconciliation of movements in oil and gas properties during the year ended December 31, 2012 is as follows:
|
Tangible Costs | Intangible Costs | Prepaid Drilling, Completion and Lease Acquisition Costs |
Total | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||||||
PRODUCING PROJECTS |
||||||||||||||
Cost |
||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2011 |
2,174 | 109,121 | 5,866 | 117,161 | ||||||||||
Transfer from development projects |
| 38,508 | | 38,508 | ||||||||||
Additions |
10,422 | 98,718 | | 109,140 | ||||||||||
Increase in restoration provision |
| 565 | | 565 | ||||||||||
Transfer to property, plant and equipment |
(171 | ) | | | (171 | ) | ||||||||
Capitalised borrowing costs(1) |
| 3,774 | | 3,774 | ||||||||||
Net movement in prepaid costs |
| | 6,694 | 6,694 | ||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2011 |
12,425 | 250,686 | 12,560 | 275,671 | ||||||||||
Additions |
51,998 | 595,602 | | 647,600 | ||||||||||
Increase in restoration provision |
| 1,140 | | 1,140 | ||||||||||
Capitalised borrowing costs(1) |
| 5,650 | | 5,650 | ||||||||||
Net movement in prepaid costs |
| | (12,560 | ) | (12,560 | ) | ||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2012 |
64,423 | 853,078 | | 917,501 | ||||||||||
Accumulated depletion |
||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2011 |
(1 | ) | (38 | ) | | (39 | ) | |||||||
Depletion charge |
(161 | ) | (3,277 | ) | | (3,438 | ) | |||||||
Amortisation(2) |
| (66 | ) | | (66 | ) | ||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2011 |
(162 | ) | (3,381 | ) | | (3,543 | ) | |||||||
Depletion charge |
(2,525 | ) | (33,434 | ) | | (35,959 | ) | |||||||
Amortisation(2) |
| (1,705 | ) | | (1,705 | ) | ||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2012 |
(2,687 | ) | (38,520 | ) | | (41,207 | ) | |||||||
Net carrying value |
||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2011 |
12,263 | 247,305 | | 272,128 | ||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2012 |
61,736 | 814,558 | | 876,294 | ||||||||||
A-36
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
14. OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES (Continued)
|
Tangible Costs | Intangible Costs | Prepaid Drilling, Completion and Lease Acquisition Costs |
Total | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||||||
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS |
||||||||||||||
Cost |
||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2011 |
| 38,508 | | 38,508 | ||||||||||
Transfer to producing projects |
| (38,508 | ) | | (38,508 | ) | ||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2011 |
| | | | ||||||||||
Additions |
| 6,079 | | 6,079 | ||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2012 |
| 6,079 | | 6,079 | ||||||||||
Net carrying value |
||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2011 |
| | | | ||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2012 |
| 6,079 | | 6,079 | ||||||||||
15. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Trade payable and accruals |
180,619 | 73,434 | ||||||
Trade and other payables are normally settled within 30 days from receipt of invoice. Information about the Group's exposure to foreign exchange risk on financial instruments is provided in Note 3. All amounts recognised as trade and other payables are expected to be settled within the next 12 months.
16. PROVISIONS CURRENT
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Employee Benefits |
334 | 92 | ||||||
A-37
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
17. BORROWINGS NON CURRENT
|
|
Consolidated | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||||
|
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||||
Secured |
|||||||||||
Senior secured syndicated facility |
(a | ) | 30,000 | 30,000 | |||||||
Unsecured |
|||||||||||
Senior unsecured notes |
(b | ) | 360,453 | | |||||||
|
390,453 | 30,000 | |||||||||
On November 8, 2011, Aurora USA Oil and Gas Inc. ("Aurora USA"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, signed a credit agreement with a syndicate of banks, pursuant to which up to US$300 million may be available on a revolving basis at a margin of between 2 and 4 per cent over the floating LIBOR rate. The Facility ("Facility") contains negative and affirmative covenants and matures on November 7, 2016.
The funding under the Facility will be provided with availability determined, at a minimum on a semi-annual basis, relative to a borrowing base calculated by reference to proved reserves. The Facility is designed for the borrowing base to increase with Aurora's increased proved reserves, subject to and in accordance with the terms of the credit agreement. At December 31, 2012 the borrowing base is US$150 million (December 31, 2011: US$85 million) and $30 million has been drawn (December 31, 2011: US$30 million).
Aurora USA's obligations under the Facility are guaranteed by pledged security from the parent entity, Aurora, and the subsidiaries of Aurora USA. At December 31, 2012, the following investment property was pledged as security:
Owner / Grantor
|
Issuer | Percentage Owned |
Percentage Pledged |
Class of stock | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aurora Oil and Gas Limited |
Aurora USA Oil and Gas Inc. | 100% | 100% | Common Stock | |||||||
Aurora USA Oil and Gas Inc. |
Wardanup Oil and Gas Inc. | 100% | 100% | Common Stock | |||||||
Aurora USA Oil and Gas Inc. |
Sugarloaf Oil and Gas Inc. | 100% | 100% | Common Stock | |||||||
Aurora USA Oil and Gas Inc. |
Yallingup Oil and Gas Inc. | 100% | 100% | Common Stock | |||||||
Aurora USA Oil and Gas Inc. |
Trigg Oil and Gas Inc. | 100% | 100% | Common Stock |
The carrying value of assets pledged as securities for non-current borrowings is US$307,910,000 (December 31, 2011: US$268,619,000).
In addition to investment property pledged, a negative pledge imposes that certain financial covenants be maintained by Aurora, Aurora USA and its subsidiaries.
On November 17, 2011, US$30 million was drawn down under the Facility. During the quarter ended March 31, 2012, the Group repaid 100% of the Facility outstanding balance upon closing of the senior unsecured note offering described in (c) below. On November 28, 2012, US$30 million was drawn down under the Facility.
On February 8, 2012 Aurora USA, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, completed a private offering of unsecured notes ("Senior Note Offering"). Under the Senior Note Offering, Aurora USA issued an aggregate principal amount of $200 million 9.875% senior unsecured notes due February 2017 at an issue price of 98.552% of their face value, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $192 million after deduction of the original discount and commissions. The senior notes were issued pursuant to an indenture dated February 8, 2012 by and amongst Aurora USA, the guarantor parties thereto and US Bank National Association, as trustee.
On July 31, 2012 Aurora USA completed a follow on offering of the senior unsecured notes, issuing an aggregate principal amount of US$165 million 9.875% senior unsecured notes due in February 2017 at a premium of 101.5% of their face value, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $164 million after addition of premium and deduction of commissions.
A-38
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
17. BORROWINGS NON CURRENT (Continued)
On May 18, 2012 Eureka Energy Limited ("Eureka"), prior to becoming a subsidiary of the Company, signed a Term Debt Facility agreement with Macquarie Bank Limited, pursuant to which US$15 million was available at a margin of 7 per cent over the floating LIBOR rate. The Term Debt Facility contained negative and affirmative covenants and was to mature on May 18, 2015. On May 23, 2012, US$9 million was drawn down under the Term Debt Facility. Subsequent to June 30, 2012, Eureka became a wholly owned subsidiary and the Term Debt Facility was repaid and terminated.
18. DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
(a) Deferred tax asset |
||||||||
Arising from temporary differences attributable to: |
||||||||
Tax losses(1) |
||||||||
Australia |
216 | 284 | ||||||
United States |
142,967 | 42,623 | ||||||
Share issue expense |
464 | 239 | ||||||
Other |
8,492 | 7,406 | ||||||
Total deferred tax asset |
152,139 | 50,552 | ||||||
Less set off of deferred tax liabilities under set-off provisions (b) |
(152,139 | ) | (50,552 | ) | ||||
(b) Deferred tax liability |
||||||||
Arising from temporary differences attributable to: |
||||||||
Financial assets through other comprehensive income |
1,509 | | ||||||
Cash flow hedge |
495 | | ||||||
Oil and gas properties |
(232,547 | ) | (52,189 | ) | ||||
Management fees and borrowing costs |
(5,119 | ) | (7 | ) | ||||
Total deferred tax liabilities |
(235,662 | ) | (52,195 | ) | ||||
Less set off of deferred tax asset under set-off provisions (a) |
152,139 | 50,552 | ||||||
Net deferred tax liabilities |
(83,523 | ) | (1,643 | ) | ||||
Deferred tax liabilities expected to be settled within 12 months |
| | ||||||
Deferred tax liabilities expected to be settled after more than 12 months |
(83,523 | ) | (1,643 | ) | ||||
19. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Forward commodity contracts cash flow hedges |
||||||||
Current |
1,535 | | ||||||
Non-current |
114 | | ||||||
Total derivative financial instrument liabilities |
1,649 | | ||||||
A-39
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
19. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Continued)
Instruments used by the group
The Group is a party to derivative financial instruments entered into in the normal course of business in order to hedge exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices in accordance with the Group's financial risk management policies.
Forward commodity price contracts cash flow hedges
At December 31, 2012, the Group has various oil commodity contacts designated as hedges of expected future oil sales. These contracts are all designated as cash flow hedges and are used to reduce the exposure to a future decrease in the value of oil sales. The outstanding contracts held by the Group at December 31, 2012 are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average US$ / barrel | |
|||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year of delivery |
Subject of contract |
Reference | Option traded |
Barrels | Strike price | Floor price | Ceiling price |
Fair value | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
US$'000 |
|||||||||||||||
2013 |
Oil | Nymex WTI | Swap | 102,000 | 92.15 | | | (111 | ) | ||||||||||||||
2013 |
Oil | LLS | Swap | 108,000 | 95.40 | | | (1,144 | ) | ||||||||||||||
2013 |
Oil | Nymex WTI | Zero Cost Collar | 210,000 | | 77.86 | 102.89 | (280 | ) | ||||||||||||||
2014 |
Oil | Nymex WTI | Swap | 78,000 | 90.66 | | | (114 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Total |
498,000 | (1,649 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The hedge contracts are to be settled at a rate of between 6,000 to 10,000 barrels per month in 2013 and 2014.
The portion of the gain or loss on the hedging instrument that is determined to be an effective hedge is recognised in other comprehensive income. When the cash flows occur, the Group adjusts the initial measurement of the component recognised in the statement of financial position by removing the related amount from other comprehensive income.
20. PROVISIONS NON-CURRENT
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Restoration provision |
1,705 | 565 | ||||||
Reconciliation of movement in restoration provision |
||||||||
Balance at the beginning of the financial period |
565 | | ||||||
Provision made during the year |
1,140 | 565 | ||||||
Balance at the end of the financial year |
1,705 | 565 | ||||||
Provisions for future removal and restoration costs are recognised where there is a present obligation as a result of exploration, development, production, transportation or storage activities having been undertaken, and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation. The estimated future obligations include the costs of removing facilities, abandoning wells and restoring the affected areas.
21. CONTRIBUTED EQUITY
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Securities |
Securities |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||||||
Share capital |
||||||||||||||
Ordinary shares |
447,885,778 | 411,655,353 | 405,169 | 290,194 | ||||||||||
Total contributed equity |
447,885,778 | 411,655,353 | 405,169 | 290,194 | ||||||||||
A-40
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
21. CONTRIBUTED EQUITY (Continued)
Ordinary shares entitle the holder to participate in dividends and the proceeds on winding up of the Company in proportion to the number of shares held. On a show of hands every holder of ordinary shares present at a meeting or by proxy, is entitled to one vote. Upon poll every holder is entitled to one vote per share held.
|
Date | Number of Securities |
Issue Price | US$'000 | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Balance at December 31, 2010 |
383,455,342 | 222,730 | ||||||||||||
Adjustment to reflect change in functional currency on January 1, 2011 |
| 28,565 | ||||||||||||
Balance January 1, 2011 restated |
383,455,342 | 251,295 | ||||||||||||
Placement |
25-Jan-11 |
23,399,480 |
A$ |
1.60 |
37,212 |
|||||||||
Placement |
25-Jan-11 | 2,760,520 | C$ | 1.60 | 4,433 | |||||||||
Options exercised |
01-Apr-11 | 250,000 | A$ | 0.50 | 129 | |||||||||
Prospectus share issue |
09-Jun-11 | 1 | A$ | 3.00 | | |||||||||
Performance rights exercised |
26-Aug-11 | 1,290,000 | | | ||||||||||
Options exercised |
17-Nov-11 | 500,000 | A$ | 0.70 | 356 | |||||||||
Share issue costs |
(3,231 | ) | ||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2011 |
411,655,343 | 290,194 | ||||||||||||
Placement |
16-May-12 | 15,802,816 | A$ | 3.55 | 54,721 | |||||||||
Placement |
16-May-12 | 18,000,000 | C$ | 3.55 | 61,359 | |||||||||
Placement |
28-Jun-12 | 1,137,619 | A$ | 3.55 | 4,058 | |||||||||
Performance rights exercised |
15-Aug-12 | 390,000 | | | ||||||||||
Performance rights exercised |
20-Aug-12 | 900,000 | | | ||||||||||
Share issue costs |
(5,163 | ) | ||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2012 |
447,885,778 | 405,169 | ||||||||||||
22. BUSINESS COMBINATION
On April 30, 2012 Aurora Oil and Gas Limited ("Aurora") announced an unconditional on-market cash offer of A$0.45 per share for all issued ordinary shares of ASX listed Eureka Energy Limited ("Eureka"). On June 30, 2012 Aurora had acquired 75.03% of the issued share capital of Eureka, and it was determined that control existed on this date. On August 13, 2012 Aurora completed the compulsory acquisition of Eureka on the same terms as the on market offer dated April 30, 2012, and is now the registered holder of 100% of Eureka's issued share capital. On August 23, 2012 Eureka was removed from the official list of ASX Limited.
Details of the purchase consideration, the net assets acquired and the fair value of net assets acquired are as follows:
|
US$'000 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Purchase consideration (refer to (b) below): |
|||||
Cash paid |
106,136 | ||||
Fair value of shares owned prior to the on-market cash offer |
3,405 | ||||
Total purchase consideration |
109,541 | ||||
A-41
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
22. BUSINESS COMBINATION (Continued)
The assets and liabilities provisionally recognised from the unaudited financial statements of the acquiree as a result of the acquisition are as follows:
|
Fair value | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
US$'000 |
||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
7,371 | ||||
Trade and other receivables |
1,636 | ||||
Property, plant and equipment |
360 | ||||
Oil and gas properties |
164,664 | ||||
Trade and other payables |
(8,830 | ) | |||
Borrowings |
(9,000 | ) | |||
Deferred tax liability |
(46,526 | ) | |||
Provisions |
(134 | ) | |||
Net identifiable assets acquired |
109,541 | ||||
Revenue and profit contribution
If the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2012, consolidated revenue and profit for the year ended December 31, 2012 would have been US$299,805,000 and US$61,055,000 respectively. These amounts have been calculated using the group's accounting policies and by adjusting the results of the subsidiary to reflect the additional depletion that would have been charged assuming the fair value adjustments to oil and gas properties had been applied from January 1, 2012, together with the consequential tax effects.
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Outflow of cash to acquire subsidiary, net of cash acquired |
||||||||
Cash consideration |
106,136 | | ||||||
Less: Balances acquired |
||||||||
Cash |
7,371 | | ||||||
Outflow of cash investing activity |
98,765 | | ||||||
Acquisition related costs
Acquisition related costs $1,892,000 are included in evaluation expenses in the Statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive Income and in operating cash flows in the Statement of Cash Flows.
A-42
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
23. OPTIONS AND PERFORMANCE RIGHTS
As at reporting date the Group has the following classes of options and performance rights on issue:
|
|
December 31, 2012 | December 31, 2011 | Exercise Price | Expiry | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Number |
Number |
|
|
|||||||||||
Type 18 |
AUTAZ | 900,000 | 2,190,000 | n/a | 19-Feb-15 | |||||||||||
Type 19 |
AUTAI | 150,000 | 150,000 | A$ | 1.60 | 9-Nov-15 | ||||||||||
Type 20 |
AUTAI | 150,000 | 150,000 | A$ | 1.85 | 9-Nov-15 | ||||||||||
Type 21 |
AUTAI | 150,000 | 150,000 | A$ | 2.10 | 9-Nov-15 | ||||||||||
Type 22 |
AUTAZ | 600,000 | 600,000 | A$ | 1.60 | 24-Jan-16 | ||||||||||
Type 23 |
AUTAZ | 600,000 | 600,000 | A$ | 1.85 | 24-Jan-16 | ||||||||||
Type 24 |
AUTAZ | 600,000 | 600,000 | A$ | 2.10 | 24-Jan-16 | ||||||||||
Type 25 |
AUTAK | 250,000 | 250,000 | A$ | 3.00 | 30-Apr-15 | ||||||||||
Type 26 |
AUTAK | 250,000 | 250,000 | A$ | 3.50 | 30-Apr-16 | ||||||||||
Type 27 |
AUTAK | 250,000 | 250,000 | A$ | 4.00 | 30-Apr-17 | ||||||||||
Type 28 |
AUTAK | 500,000 | 500,000 | A$ | 3.28 | 30-May-16 | ||||||||||
Type 29 |
AUTAK | 250,000 | 250,000 | A$ | 3.28 | 30-May-16 | ||||||||||
Type 30 |
AUTAK | 500,000 | 500,000 | A$ | 3.58 | 30-May-16 | ||||||||||
Type 31 |
AUTAK | 250,000 | 250,000 | A$ | 3.58 | 30-May-16 | ||||||||||
Type 32 |
AUTAK | 300,000 | 300,000 | A$ | 3.76 | 30-Sep-15 | ||||||||||
Type 33 |
AUTAK | 350,000 | 350,000 | A$ | 4.10 | 30-Sep-16 | ||||||||||
Type 34 |
AUTAK | 350,000 | 350,000 | A$ | 4.45 | 30-Sep-17 | ||||||||||
Type 35 |
AUTAM | 49,396 | | n/a | 01-Jan-15 | |||||||||||
Type 36 |
AUTAM | 98,795 | | n/a | 01-Jan-15 | |||||||||||
Type 37 |
AUTAM | 197,586 | | n/a | 01-Jan-15 | |||||||||||
Type 38 |
AUTAO | 100,000 | | n/a | 19-Oct-15 | |||||||||||
Type 39 |
AUTAO | 100,000 | | n/a | 19-Oct-15 | |||||||||||
Type 40 |
AUTAO | 100,000 | | n/a | 19-Oct-15 | |||||||||||
Type 41 |
AUTAK | 250,000 | | A$ | 4.00 | 19-Oct-17 | ||||||||||
Type 42 |
AUTAK | 250,000 | | A$ | 4.50 | 19-Oct-18 | ||||||||||
Type 43 |
AUTAK | 250,000 | | A$ | 5.00 | 19-Oct-19 | ||||||||||
Type 44 |
AUTAO | 5,962 | | n/a | 01-Jan-15 | |||||||||||
Type 45 |
AUTAO | 11,923 | | n/a | 01-Jan-15 | |||||||||||
Type 46 |
AUTAO | 23,847 | | n/a | 01-Jan-15 | |||||||||||
Total |
7,837,509 | 7,690,000 | ||||||||||||||
The options and performance rights are not listed and carry no dividend or voting rights. Upon exercise, each option or performance right is convertible into one ordinary share to rank pari passu in all respects with the Company's existing fully paid ordinary shares.
A-43
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
23. OPTIONS AND PERFORMANCE RIGHTS (Continued)
Movements in the number of options and performance rights on issue during the year:
|
Date | |
|
Number | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Balance at December 31, 2010 |
4,890,000 | |||||||||||
Granted during the year: |
24-Jan-11 | Type 22 | AUTAZ | 600,000 | ||||||||
|
24-Jan-11 | Type 23 | AUTAZ | 600,000 | ||||||||
|
24-Jan-11 | Type 24 | AUTAZ | 600,000 | ||||||||
|
29-Apr-11 | Type 25 | AUTAK | 250,000 | ||||||||
|
29-Apr-11 | Type 26 | AUTAK | 250,000 | ||||||||
|
29-Apr-11 | Type 27 | AUTAK | 250,000 | ||||||||
|
30-May-11 | Type 28 | AUTAK | 500,000 | ||||||||
|
30-May-11 | Type 29 | AUTAK | 250,000 | ||||||||
|
30-May-11 | Type 30 | AUTAK | 500,000 | ||||||||
|
30-May-11 | Type 31 | AUTAK | 250,000 | ||||||||
|
3-Jun-11 | Type 32 | AUTAK | 300,000 | ||||||||
|
3-Jun-11 | Type 33 | AUTAK | 350,000 | ||||||||
|
3-Jun-11 | Type 34 | AUTAK | 350,000 | ||||||||
Exercised during the year: |
31-Mar-11 | Type 8 | AUTAQ | (250,000 | ) | |||||||
|
26-Aug-11 | Type 18 | AUTAZ | (1,290,000 | ) | |||||||
|
18-Nov-11 | Type 16 | AUTAM | (500,000 | ) | |||||||
Lapsed during the year: |
7-Oct-11 | Type 18 | AUTAZ | (210,000 | ) | |||||||
Balance at December 31, 2011 |
7,690,000 | |||||||||||
Granted during the year: |
1-Feb-12 | Type 35 | AUTAM | 49,796 | ||||||||
|
1-Feb-12 | Type 36 | AUTAM | 99,593 | ||||||||
|
1-Feb-12 | Type 37 | AUTAM | 199,185 | ||||||||
|
18-Oct-12 | Type 38 | AUTAO | 100,000 | ||||||||
|
18-Oct-12 | Type 39 | AUTAO | 100,000 | ||||||||
|
18-Oct-12 | Type 40 | AUTAO | 100,000 | ||||||||
|
18-Oct-12 | Type 41 | AUTAK | 250,000 | ||||||||
|
18-Oct-12 | Type 42 | AUTAK | 250,000 | ||||||||
|
18-Oct-12 | Type 43 | AUTAK | 250,000 | ||||||||
|
31-Dec-12 | Type 44 | AUTAO | 5,962 | ||||||||
|
31-Dec-12 | Type 45 | AUTAO | 11,923 | ||||||||
|
31-Dec-12 | Type 46 | AUTAO | 23,847 | ||||||||
Exercised during the year: |
15-Aug-12 | Type 18 | AUTAZ | (390,000 | ) | |||||||
|
20-Aug 12 | Type 18 | AUTAZ | (900,000 | ) | |||||||
Lapsed during the year: |
20-Apr-12 | Type 35, 36, 37 | AUTAM | (1,987 | ) | |||||||
|
17-May-12 | Type 35, 36, 37 | AUTAM | (810 | ) | |||||||
Balance at December 31, 2012 |
7,837,509 | |||||||||||
A-44
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
24. RESERVES AND RETAINED EARNINGS
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
(a) Share based payment reserve |
||||||||
Balance at the beginning of the financial period |
7,767 | 2,969 | ||||||
Adjustment arising from change in functional currency on January 1, 2011 |
| 746 | ||||||
Restated opening balance |
7,767 | 3,715 | ||||||
Share-based payment expense |
4,398 | 4,052 | ||||||
Closing balance |
12,165 | 7,767 | ||||||
(b) Fair value reserve |
||||||||
Balance at the beginning of the financial period |
(8,011 | ) | (5,196 | ) | ||||
Adjustment arising from change in functional currency on January 1, 2011 |
| (1,513 | ) | |||||
Restated opening balance |
(8,011 | ) | (6,709 | ) | ||||
Change in financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income |
(593 | ) | (1,302 | ) | ||||
Recognition of fair value of equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income on disposal |
41 | | ||||||
Deferred tax |
1,509 | | ||||||
Closing balance |
(7,054 | ) | (8,011 | ) | ||||
(c) Foreign exchange reserve |
||||||||
Balance at the beginning of the financial period |
(7,505 | ) | 12,965 | |||||
Adjustment arising from change in functional currency on January 1, 2011 |
| (20,470 | ) | |||||
Restated opening balance |
(7,505 | ) | (7,505 | ) | ||||
Currency translation differences arising during the period / year |
| | ||||||
Closing balance |
(7,505 | ) | (7,505 | ) | ||||
(d) Cash flow hedge reserve |
||||||||
Balance at the beginning of the financial period |
| | ||||||
Change in derivative financial instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income |
(1,649 | ) | | |||||
Deferred tax |
495 | | ||||||
Closing balance |
(1,154 | ) | | |||||
(e) Retained earnings / (accumulated losses) |
||||||||
Balance at the beginning of the financial period |
(7,353 | ) | (30,609 | ) | ||||
Adjustment arising from change in functional currency on January 1, 2011 |
| (7,328 | ) | |||||
Restated opening balance |
(7,353 | ) | (37,937 | ) | ||||
Net profit for the year |
58,846 | 30,584 | ||||||
Closing balance |
51,493 | (7,353 | ) | |||||
25. EARNINGS PER SHARE
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
|
US Cents |
US Cents |
||||||
(a) Earnings per share attributable to members of the Company |
||||||||
Basic earnings per share |
13.60 | 7.49 | ||||||
Diluted earnings per share |
13.35 | 7.37 | ||||||
A-45
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
25. EARNINGS PER SHARE (Continued)
|
US$'000 | US$'000 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(b) Earnings used in calculation of basic / diluted earnings per share |
||||||||
Net Profit after tax |
58,846 | 30,584 |
|
Shares | Shares | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(c) Weighted average number of ordinary shares used as the denominator in calculating: |
||||||||
Basic earnings per share |
432,588,491 | 408,518,986 | ||||||
Diluted earnings per share |
439,407,647 | 415,017,754 | ||||||
26. DIVIDENDS
No dividend has been paid or is proposed in respect of the year ended December 31, 2012 (2011: None).
27. SHARE BASED PAYMENTS
The Company currently has in existence two long term incentive plans, the Aurora Oil and Gas Limited Performance Rights Plan (PRP) which was approved by shareholders at the general meeting held on February 19, 2010, and the Aurora Oil & Gas Limited Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) which was established in 2011 and approved by the shareholders at the annual general meeting on May 29, 2012.
Awards of performance rights are no longer made under the PRP and the Company intends to terminate the PRP once all awards granted there under have otherwise terminated.
The PRP was designed to align the interests of executives with shareholders by providing direct participation in the benefits of future Company performance over the medium to long term.
The participants of the plan during 2012 were:
Under the PRP, participants were granted performance rights which only vest if certain performance standards (as disclosed in the Remuneration Report) are met and the executive remains employed by the Company to the end of the vesting period. The selection of suitable performance benchmarks was considered critical to securing the objective of the PRP, and hurdles were set at significantly higher levels than those prevailing at the time of structuring the PRP.
The fair value of performance rights granted was calculated using a risked statistical analysis. This expense has been apportioned pro-rata to reporting periods where vesting periods apply.
Key inputs to the model used in the calculation were as follows:
Grant date:
|
Type 18 AUTAZ 19-Feb-10 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Expected price volatility(1) |
85% | ||||
Exercise price |
Nil | ||||
Expiry date |
19-Feb-2015 | ||||
Share price at grant date |
A$0.29 | ||||
Risk free interest rate(2) |
4.8% |
A-46
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
27. SHARE BASED PAYMENTS (Continued)
Performance rights can only be exercised if they have vested and can be exercised at any time until their expiry. The exercise of any vested performance right may only be effected in such form and manner as the Board prescribed.
Participants will not be required to make any payment for the grant of the performance rights or on the exercise of a vested performance right. The maximum number of performance rights that could vest in future periods and hence be exercised by the Participants are as follows:
Earliest exercise date:
|
July 31, 2013 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jonathan Stewart |
900,000 |
For the full entitlement of these performance rights to vest, the top range of the Performance Hurdle would need to be met in the last 15 trading days in July 2013. On this basis the weighted average fair value of each of the performance rights at the date of grant (February 19, 2010) is as follows:
Vesting date:
|
July 31, 2013 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weighted average fair value |
A$ | 0.03 |
Movement in the number of performance rights granted under the PRP:
Grant Date
|
Expiry Date | Balance at start of the year |
Granted during the year |
Exercised during the year |
Net other changes(1) |
Balance at end of the year |
Vested and exercisable at end of the year |
||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Number |
Number |
Number |
Number |
Number |
Number |
||||||||||||||||
At December 31, 2012 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
19-Feb-2010 |
19-Feb-2015 | 2,190,000 | | (1,290,000 | ) | | 900,000 | | |||||||||||||||
At December 31, 2011 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
19-Feb-2010 |
19-Feb-2015 | 3,690,000 | | (1,290,000 | ) | (210,000 | ) | 2,190,000 | |
The weighted average share price at the date of exercise during the year ended December 31, 2012 was A$3.48 (December 31, 2011: A$3.25).
The weighted average remaining contractual life of performance rights outstanding at the end of the year was 2.14 years (December 31, 2011: 3.14 years).
The objectives of the LTIP are to align the interest of shareholders and employees, and as an incentive to attract and retain key management, including Executive KMP's. Participants' invitation to participate in the LTIP, the awards granted, and their terms and conditions, are determined by the Board on the recommendation of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee (RNC). The terms of LTI's awarded to executive management include specific performance hurdles in order to match such awards with the actual circumstances of the Company at a given point in time.
Vesting of performance rights is dependent upon the participant remaining in employment until the vesting date. The number of performance rights that will vest to executive management level participants is also dependent upon Aurora Oil & Gas Limited's total return to shareholders (TSR) ranking within a peer group determined on an annual basis by the RNC, over the test period. The peer group for 2012 represented 11 Australian energy companies (ASX listed) and 4 Canadian oil and gas companies (TSX listed). Performance rights are granted under the plan for no consideration.
Upon vesting it is at the Board's discretion on the recommendation of the RNC as to whether each performance right is converted into one ordinary share or settled in cash. The cash settled value of each performance right is determined as the volume weighted average trading price of Shares sold on the ASX over the last 5 trading days immediately before the relevant settlement date. The settlement date is determined by the Board, and must be within 30 days of vesting date.
A-47
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
27. SHARE BASED PAYMENTS (Continued)
Fair value of LTIP performance rights was calculated using binomial tree and Monte-Carlo simulation valuation models. This expense has been apportioned pro-rata to reporting periods where vesting periods apply.
Key inputs to the binomial tree and Monte-Carlo simulation valuation models used in the calculation of each grant of long term incentive performance rights during the year ended December 31, 2012 were as follows:
|
Expected price volatility(1) |
Exercise price |
Vest date |
Expiry date |
Share price at grant date |
Risk free interest rate(2) |
Fair value per performance right |
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grant date: February 1, 2012 valuation grant date: May 29, 2012(3) |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Type 35A: AUTAM |
55% | N/a | 15-Feb-12 | 1-Jan-15 | A$ | 3.42 | 2.74% | US$ | 3.47 | |||||||||||||
Type 35B: AUTAM |
N/a | N/a | 15-Feb-12 | 1-Jan-15 | A$ | 3.42 | N/a | US$ | 2.46 | |||||||||||||
Type 36A: AUTAM(4) |
45% | N/a | 1-Jan-14 | 1-Jan-15 | A$ | 3.89 | 2.79% | US$ | 2.84 | |||||||||||||
Type 36B: AUTAM(4) |
N/a | N/a | 1-Jan-14 | 1-Jan-15 | A$ | 3.89 | N/a | US$ | 4.05 | |||||||||||||
Type 37A: AUTAM(4) |
45% | N/a | 1-Jan-15 | 1-Jan-15 | A$ | 3.89 | 2.65% | US$ | 2.83 | |||||||||||||
Type 37B: AUTAM(4) |
N/a | N/a | 1-Jan-15 | 1-Jan-15 | A$ | 3.89 | N/a | US$ | 4.05 | |||||||||||||
Grant date: May 29, 2012(5) |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Type 35A: AUTAM |
55% | N/a | 15-Feb-12 | 1-Jan-15 | A$ | 3.42 | 2.74% | US$ | 3.47 | |||||||||||||
Type 35B: AUTAM |
N/a | N/a | 15-Feb-12 | 1-Jan-15 | A$ | 3.42 | N/a | US$ | 2.46 | |||||||||||||
Type 36A: AUTAM(4) |
45% | N/a | 1-Jan-14 | 1-Jan-15 | A$ | 3.89 | 2.79% | US$ | 2.84 | |||||||||||||
Type 36B: AUTAM(4) |
N/a | N/a | 1-Jan-14 | 1-Jan-15 | A$ | 3.89 | N/a | US$ | 4.05 | |||||||||||||
Type 37A: AUTAM(4) |
45% | N/a | 1-Jan-15 | 1-Jan-15 | A$ | 3.89 | 2.65% | US$ | 2.83 | |||||||||||||
Type 37B: AUTAM(4) |
N/a | N/a | 1-Jan-15 | 1-Jan-15 | A$ | 3.89 | N/a | US$ | 4.05 | |||||||||||||
Grant date: October 18, 2012 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Type 38: AUTAO |
N/a | N/a | 18-Oct-13 | 19-Oct-15 | A$ | 3.94 | N/a | US$ | 4.09 | |||||||||||||
Type 39: AUTAO |
N/a | N/a | 18-Oct-14 | 19-Oct-15 | A$ | 3.94 | N/a | US$ | 4.09 | |||||||||||||
Type 40: AUTAO |
N/a | N/a | 18-Oct-15 | 19-Oct-15 | A$ | 3.94 | N/a | US$ | 4.09 | |||||||||||||
Grant date: December 31, 2012 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Type 44A: AUTAO |
45% | N/a | 1-Jan-13 | 1-Jan-16 | A$ | 3.63 | 2.63% | US$ | 1.89 | |||||||||||||
Type 45A: AUTAO |
45% | N/a | 1-Jan-14 | 1-Jan-16 | A$ | 3.63 | 2.62% | US$ | 2.07 | |||||||||||||
Type 46A: AUTAO |
45% | N/a | 1-Jan-15 | 1-Jan-16 | A$ | 3.63 | 2.66% | US$ | 2.27 |
A-48
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
27. SHARE BASED PAYMENTS (Continued)
Movement in the number of performance rights granted under LTIP:
Grant Date
|
Expiry Date | Exercise Price |
Balance at start of the year |
Granted during the year |
Exercised during the year |
Forfeited during the year |
Balance at end of the year |
Vested and exercisable at end of the year |
|||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
A$ |
Number |
Number |
Number |
Number |
Number |
Number |
|||||||||||||||||
At December 31, 2012 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
1-Feb-2012 |
1-Jan-2015 | N/a | | 99,674 | | (2,797 | ) | 96,877 | | ||||||||||||||||
29-May-2012 |
1-Jan-2015 | N/a | | 248,900 | | | 248,900 | | |||||||||||||||||
18-Oct-2012 |
18-Oct-2015 | N/a | | 300,000 | | | 300,000 | | |||||||||||||||||
31-Dec-2012 |
1-Jan-2015 | N/a | | 41,732 | | | 41,732 | | |||||||||||||||||
Total |
| 690,306 | | (2,797 | ) | 687,509 | | ||||||||||||||||||
The weighted average remaining contractual life of performance rights outstanding at December 31, 2012 was 2.27 years.
Options over ordinary shares in Aurora Oil and Gas Limited were granted as remuneration, with shareholder approval where required, to the following non-executive directors, executive directors and other executives as follows:
|
December 31, 2012 | December 31, 2011 | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Recipient
|
Grant date | Number of options granted |
Grant date | Number of options granted |
||||||||||
Gren Schoch |
| | 24-Jan-2011 | 750,000 | ||||||||||
Graham Dowland |
| | 24-Jan-2011 | 1,050,000 | ||||||||||
Darren Wasylucha |
| | 29-Apr-2011 | 750,000 | ||||||||||
Fiona Harris |
| | 30-May-2011 | 500,000 | ||||||||||
Alan Watson |
| | 30-May-2011 | 500,000 | ||||||||||
William Molson |
| | 30-May-2011 | 500,000 | ||||||||||
Michael Verm |
| | 3-Jun-2011 | 1,000,000 | ||||||||||
Douglas Brooks(1) |
18-Oct-12 | 750,000 | | |
The fair value of options granted during the year was calculated using the Black Scholes options pricing model. The expense is apportioned pro-rata to reporting periods where vesting periods apply. Key inputs to the Black Scholes options pricing model used in the calculation of each grant of options during the year ended December 31, 2012 were as follows:
|
Expected price volatility(i) |
Exercise price |
Vest date |
Expiry date | Share price at grant date |
Risk free interest rate(ii) |
Fair value per option |
||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grant date: October 18, 2012 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Type 41: AUTAK |
50% | A$4.00 | 19-Oct-13 | 19-Oct-17 | A$3.94 | 2.50% | US$ | 1.60 | |||||||||||||||
Type 42: AUTAK |
50% | A$4.50 | 19-Oct-14 | 19-Oct-18 | A$3.94 | 2.50% | US$ | 1.67 | |||||||||||||||
Type 43: AUTAK |
50% | A$5.00 | 19-Oct-15 | 19-Oct-19 | A$3.94 | 2.50% | US$ | 1.74 |
A-49
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
27. SHARE BASED PAYMENTS (Continued)
Key inputs to the Black Scholes options pricing model used in the calculation of each grant of options during the year ended December 31, 2011 were as follows:
|
Expected price volatility(1) |
Exercise price |
Vest date |
Expiry date | Share price at grant date |
Risk free interest rate(2) |
Fair value per option |
||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grant date: January 24, 2011 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Type 22: AUTAZ |
85% | A$1.60 | 24-Jan-12 | 24-Jan-16 | A$2.70 | 5.29% | US$ | 1.41 | |||||||||||||||
Type 23: AUTAZ |
85% | A$1.85 | 24-Jan-13 | 24-Jan-16 | A$2.70 | 5.29% | US$ | 1.56 | |||||||||||||||
Type 24: AUTAZ |
85% | A$2.10 | 24-Jan-14 | 24-Jan-16 | A$2.70 | 5.29% | US$ | 1.68 | |||||||||||||||
Grant date: April 29, 2011 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Type 25: AUTAK |
85% | A$3.00 | 30-Apr-12 | 30-Apr-15 | A$2.65 | 5.24% | US$ | 1.45 | |||||||||||||||
Type 26: AUTAK |
85% | A$3.50 | 30-Apr-13 | 30-Apr-16 | A$2.65 | 5.24% | US$ | 1.60 | |||||||||||||||
Type 27: AUTAK |
85% | A$4.00 | 30-Apr-14 | 30-Apr-17 | A$2.65 | 5.24% | US$ | 1.73 | |||||||||||||||
Grant date: May 30, 2011 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Type 28: AUTAK |
85% | A$3.28 | 30-May-12 | 30-May-16 | A$3.19 | 5.00% | US$ | 1.93 | |||||||||||||||
Type 29: AUTAK |
85% | A$3.28 | 30-Sep-12 | 30-May-16 | A$3.19 | 5.00% | US$ | 1.98 | |||||||||||||||
Type 30: AUTAK |
85% | A$3.58 | 30-May-13 | 30-May-16 | A$3.19 | 5.00% | US$ | 2.00 | |||||||||||||||
Type 31: AUTAK |
85% | A$3.58 | 30-Sep-13 | 30-May-16 | A$3.19 | 5.00% | US$ | 2.04 | |||||||||||||||
Grant date: June 3, 2011 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Type 32: AUTAK |
85% | A$3.76 | 30-Sep-12 | 30-Sep-15 | A$3.40 | 5.09% | US$ | 1.94 | |||||||||||||||
Type 33: AUTAK |
85% | A$4.10 | 30-Sep-13 | 30-Sep-16 | A$3.40 | 5.09% | US$ | 2.16 | |||||||||||||||
Type 34: AUTAK |
85% | A$4.45 | 30-Sep-14 | 30-Sep-17 | A$3.40 | 5.09% | US$ | 2.34 |
A-50
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
27. SHARE BASED PAYMENTS (Continued)
Movement in the number of options on issue:
Grant Date
|
Expiry Date | Exercise Price |
Balance at start of the year |
Granted during the year |
Exercised during the year |
Forfeited during the year |
Balance at end of the year |
Vested and exercisable at end of the year |
||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
A$ |
Number |
Number |
Number |
Number |
Number |
Number |
||||||||||||||||||
At December 31, 2012 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
18-Oct-12 |
19-Oct-17 to 19-Oct-19 | 4.00 - 5.00 | | 750,000 | | | 750,000 | | ||||||||||||||||||
3-Jun-11 |
30-Sept-15 to 30-Sept-17 | 3.76 - 4.45 | 1,000,000 | | | | 1,000,000 | 300,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
30-May-11 |
30-May-16 | 3.28 - 3.58 | 1,500,000 | | | | 1,500,000 | 750,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
29-Apr-11 |
30-April-15 to 30-Apr-17 | 3.00 - 4.00 | 750,000 | | | | 750,000 | 250,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
24-Jan-11 |
24-Jan-16 | 1.60 - 2.10 | 1,800,000 | | | | 1,800,000 | 600,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
9-Nov-10 |
9-Nov-15 | 1.60 - 2.10 | 450,000 | | | | 450,000 | 300,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total |
5,500,000 | 750,000 | | | 6,250,000 | 2,200,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average exercise price |
A$2.92 |
A$4.50 |
N/a |
N/a |
A$3.11 |
A$2.64 |
||||||||||||||||||||
At December 31, 2011 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3-Jun-11 |
30-Sept-15 to 30-Sept-17 | 3.76 - 4.45 | | 1,000,000 | | | 1,000,000 | | ||||||||||||||||||
30-May-11 |
30-May-16 | 3.28 - 3.58 | | 1,500,000 | | | 1,500,000 | | ||||||||||||||||||
29-Apr-11 |
30-April-15 to 30-Apr-17 | 3.00 - 4.00 | | 750,000 | | | 750,000 | | ||||||||||||||||||
24-Jan-11 |
24-Jan-16 | 1.60 - 2.10 | | 1,800,000 | | | 1,800,000 | | ||||||||||||||||||
9-Nov-10 |
9-Nov-15 | 1.60 - 2.10 | 450,000 | | | | 450,000 | 150,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total |
450,000 | 5,050,000 | | | 5,500,000 | 150,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average exercise price |
A$1.85 | A$3.01 | N/a | N/a | A$2.92 | A$1.60 | ||||||||||||||||||||
No options were exercised or expired during the year ended December 31, 2012 (December 31, 2011: nil).
The weighted average remaining contractual life of share options outstanding at the end of the year was 3.49 years.
The total expense arising from share-based payment transactions recognised during the reporting period as part of employee benefit expense were as follows:
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Options issued |
3,857 | 3,969 | ||||||
Performance rights issued under PRP |
32 | 83 | ||||||
Performance rights issued under LTIP |
509 | | ||||||
|
4,398 | 4,052 | ||||||
A-51
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
28. KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL DISCLOSURE
Name and positions held of key management personnel at any time during the financial year are as follows:
Aurora Oil and Gas Limited
Name
|
Position | ||
---|---|---|---|
Mr. Jonathan Stewart(1) |
Executive Chairman | ||
Mr. Graham Dowland |
Finance Director | ||
Mr. Ian Lusted |
Technical Director | ||
Mr. Gren Schoch |
Non-Executive Director | ||
Ms. Fiona Harris |
Non-Executive Director | ||
Mr. Alan Watson |
Non-Executive Director | ||
Mr. William Molson |
Non-Executive Director |
Aurora USA Oil and Gas Inc
Name
|
Position | ||
---|---|---|---|
Mr. Douglas E Brooks(2) |
Chief Executive Officer | ||
Mr. Michael Verm |
Chief Operating Officer |
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Short-term employee benefits |
4,023 | 2,385 | ||||||
Post-employment benefits |
222 | 107 | ||||||
Share-based payments |
3,735 | 3,412 | ||||||
|
7,980 | 5,904 | ||||||
Information regarding individual directors and executives' compensation and some equity instruments disclosures as permitted by Corporations Regulation 2M.3.03 is provided in the remuneration report section of the directors' report.
Apart from the details disclosed in this note, no director has entered into a material contract with Aurora or the consolidated entity since the end of the previous financial year and there were no material contracts involving directors' interests existing at year end. For details of other transactions with key management personnel, refer to note 33 Related Party transactions.
Details of options and performance rights provided as remuneration and shares issued on the exercise of such options, together with terms and conditions of the options and performance rights, can be found at note 27.
A-52
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
28. KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL DISCLOSURE (Continued)
The number of options and performance rights over ordinary shares in the company held during the financial year by each director of Aurora Oil and Gas Limited and other key management personnel of the group, including their personally related parties, are set out below:
December 31, 2012
|
Balance at start of the year | Granted as compensation | Exercised | Net other changes | Balance at the end of year | Vested and exercisable | Unvested | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Directors of Aurora Oil and Gas Limited |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Jonathan Stewart |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Performance rights PRP |
1,800,000 | | (900,000 | ) | | 900,000 | | 900,000 | |||||||||||||||
Performance rights LTIP |
| 152,279 | | | 152,279 | | 152,279 | ||||||||||||||||
Balance at |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2012 |
1,800,000 | 152,279 | (900,000 | ) | | 1,052,279 | | 1,052,279 | |||||||||||||||
Graham Dowland |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Options |
1,050,000 | | | | 1,050,000 | 350,000 | 700,000 | ||||||||||||||||
Performance rights LTIP |
| 48,088 | | | 48,088 | | 48,088 | ||||||||||||||||
Balance at |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2012 |
1,050,000 | 48,088 | | | 1,098,088 | 350,000 | 748,088 | ||||||||||||||||
Ian Lusted |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Performance rights PRP |
390,000 | | (390,000 | ) | | | | | |||||||||||||||
Performance rights LTIP |
| 48,533 | | | 48,533 | | 48,533 | ||||||||||||||||
Balance at |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2012 |
390,000 | 48,533 | (390,000 | ) | | 48,533 | | 48,533 | |||||||||||||||
Gren Schoch |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Options |
750,000 | | | | 750,000 | 250,000 | 500,000 | ||||||||||||||||
Balance at |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2012 |
750,000 | | | | 750,000 | 250,000 | 500,000 | ||||||||||||||||
Fiona Harris |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Options |
500,000 | | | | 500,000 | 250,000 | 250,000 | ||||||||||||||||
Balance at |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2012 |
500,000 | | | | 500,000 | 250,000 | 250,000 | ||||||||||||||||
Alan Watson |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Options |
500,000 | | | | 500,000 | 250,000 | 250,000 | ||||||||||||||||
Balance at |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2012 |
500,000 | | | | 500,000 | 250,000 | 250,000 | ||||||||||||||||
William Molson |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Options |
500,000 | | | | 500,000 | 250,000 | 250,000 | ||||||||||||||||
Balance at |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2012 |
500,000 | | | | 500,000 | 250,000 | 250,000 | ||||||||||||||||
A-53
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
28. KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL DISCLOSURE (Continued)
December 31, 2012
|
Balance at start of the year | Granted as compensation | Exercised | Net other changes | Balance at the end of year | Vested and exercisable | Unvested | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Other key management personnel of the Group |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Michael Verm |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Performance rights LTIP |
| 22,103 | | | 22,103 | | 22,103 | ||||||||||||||||
Options |
1,000,000 | | | | 1,000,000 | 300,000 | 700,000 | ||||||||||||||||
Balance at |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2012 |
1,000,000 | 22,103 | | | 1,022,103 | 300,000 | 722,103 | ||||||||||||||||
Douglas E Brooks(1) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Performance rights LTIP |
| 300,000 | | | 300,000 | | 300,000 | ||||||||||||||||
Options |
| 750,000 | | | 750,000 | | 750,000 | ||||||||||||||||
Balance at |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2012 |
| 1,050,000 | | | 1,050,000 | | 1,050,000 | ||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2011
|
Balance at start of the year | Granted as compensation | Exercised | Net other changes | Balance at the end of year | Vested and exercisable | Unvested | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Directors of Aurora Oil and Gas Limited |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Jonathan Stewart |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Performance rights PRP |
2,550,000 | | (750,000 | ) | | 1,800,000 | | 1,800,000 | |||||||||||||||
Balance at |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2011 |
2,550,000 | | (750,000 | ) | | 1,800,000 | | 1,800,000 | |||||||||||||||
Graham Dowland |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Options |
| 1,050,000 | | | 1,050,000 | | 1,050,000 | ||||||||||||||||
Balance at |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2011 |
| 1,050,000 | | | 1,050,000 | | 1,050,000 | ||||||||||||||||
Ian Lusted |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Performance rights PRP |
750,000 | | (360,000 | ) | | 390,000 | | 390,000 | |||||||||||||||
Balance at |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2011 |
750,000 | | (360,000 | ) | | 390,000 | | 390,000 | |||||||||||||||
Gren Schoch |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Options |
| 750,000 | | | 750,000 | | 750,000 | ||||||||||||||||
Balance at |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2011 |
| 750,000 | | | 750,000 | | 750,000 | ||||||||||||||||
Fiona Harris |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Options |
| 500,000 | | | 500,000 | | 500,000 | ||||||||||||||||
Balance at |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2011 |
| 500,000 | | | 500,000 | | 500,000 | ||||||||||||||||
A-54
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
28. KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL DISCLOSURE (Continued)
December 31, 2011
|
Balance at start of the year | Granted as compensation | Exercised | Net other changes | Balance at the end of year | Vested and exercisable | Unvested | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alan Watson |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Options |
| 500,000 | | | 500,000 | | 500,000 | ||||||||||||||||
Balance at |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2011 |
| 500,000 | | | 500,000 | | 500,000 | ||||||||||||||||
William Molson(1) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Options |
| 500,000 | | | 500,000 | | 500,000 | ||||||||||||||||
Balance at |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2011 |
| 500,000 | | | 500,000 | | 500,000 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Michael Verm(2) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Options |
| 1,000,000 | | | 1,000,000 | | 1,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 |
| 1,000,000 | | | 1,000,000 | | 1,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||
The numbers of shares in the Company held during the financial year by each director of Aurora Oil and Gas Limited and other key management personnel of the Group, including their personally related parties, are set out below. No shares were granted during the year ended December 31, 2012 as compensation (December 31, 2011: nil).
Year ended December 31, 2012 |
Balance at start of the year | Exercise of options / performance rights | On-market trade | Net other changes | Balance at the end of year | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Directors of Aurora Oil and Gas Limited |
|||||||||||||||||
Jonathan Stewart(1) |
18,446,321 | 900,000 | | 400,000 | 19,746,321 | ||||||||||||
Graham Dowland |
2,203,828 | | | | 2,203,828 | ||||||||||||
Ian Lusted |
1,031,950 | 390,000 | | | 1,421,950 | ||||||||||||
Gren Schoch(1) |
5,396,554 | | 100,000 | 500,000 | 5,996,554 | ||||||||||||
Fiona Harris(1) |
100,000 | | 10,000 | 40,000 | 150,000 | ||||||||||||
Alan Watson(1) |
952,381 | | | 97,619 | 1,050,000 | ||||||||||||
William Molson(1) |
1,412,390 | | | 100,000 | 1,512,390 | ||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
Michael Verm |
14,700 | | | | 14,700 | ||||||||||||
Douglas E Brooks(2) |
| | 14,000 | | 14,000 |
A-55
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
28. KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL DISCLOSURE (Continued)
Year ended December 31, 2011 |
Balance at start of the year | Exercise of options / performance rights | On-market trade | Net other changes | Balance at the end of year | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Directors of Aurora Oil and Gas Limited |
|||||||||||||||||
Jonathan Stewart |
17,696,321 | 750,000 | | | 18,446,321 | ||||||||||||
Graham Dowland |
2,203,828 | | | | 2,203,828 | ||||||||||||
Ian Lusted |
971,950 | 360,000 | (300,000 | ) | | 1,031,950 | |||||||||||
Gren Schoch(1) |
4,196,554 | | 200,000 | 1,000,000 | 5,396,554 | ||||||||||||
Fiona Harris(2) |
| | | 100,000 | 100,000 | ||||||||||||
Alan Watson |
952,381 | | | | 952,381 | ||||||||||||
William Molson(3) |
| | 100,000 | 1,312,390 | 1,412,390 | ||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
Michael Verm(4) |
| | 14,700 | | 14,700 |
The following are the five highest paid executives of the consolidated company, excluding executive directors:
Name
|
Position | ||
---|---|---|---|
Mr. Douglas Brooks |
Chief Executive Officer (appointed October 18, 2012) | ||
Mr. Michael Verm |
Chief Operating Officer | ||
Mr. Darren Wasylucha |
Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs | ||
Ms. Julie Foster |
Company Secretary and Financial Controller | ||
Mr. Barclay Ridge |
Vice President, Land |
There were no options granted to the highest paid executives during or subsequent to the year ended December 31, 2012, other than 750,000 options granted to Mr. Douglas E Brooks on commencement of employment. Refer to note 27 for share based payment terms and conditions.
A-56
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
29. CONSOLIDATED ENTITIES
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets, liabilities and results of the following subsidiaries in accordance with the accounting policy described in note 1(a).
|
|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jurisdiction of Incorporation / Formation |
Class of Equity Interest |
||||||||||
|
Equity Holding | |||||||||||
Name of Entity
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
% |
||||||||
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||||
Aurora USA Oil and Gas, Inc. |
Delaware | Common | 100 | 100 | ||||||||
Wardanup Oil and Gas, Inc. |
Delaware | Common | 100 | 100 | ||||||||
Sugarloaf Oil and Gas, Inc. |
Delaware | Common | 100 | 100 | ||||||||
West Black Lake Oil and Gas, Inc.(1) |
Delaware | Common | | 100 | ||||||||
Aurora West Coast Oil and Gas, Inc.(1) |
California | Common | | 100 | ||||||||
Meelup Oil and Gas, Inc.(2) |
Delaware | Common | | 100 | ||||||||
Mullaloo Oil and Gas, Inc.(3) |
Delaware | Common | | 100 | ||||||||
Yallingup Oil and Gas, Inc. |
Delaware | Common | 100 | 100 | ||||||||
Trigg Oil and Gas, Inc. |
Delaware | Common | 100 | 100 | ||||||||
Aurora USA Development, LLC. |
Texas | Membership interest | 100 | | ||||||||
AWT Exploration Oil and Gas, Inc. |
Delaware | Common | 100 | | ||||||||
Eureka Energy Limited |
Australia | Ordinary | 100 | | ||||||||
Kiana Projects Pty Ltd |
Australia | Ordinary | 100 | | ||||||||
Hosston Holdings Pty Ltd |
Australia | Ordinary | 100 | | ||||||||
Hosston Oil and Gas, Inc. |
Delaware | Common | 100 | | ||||||||
EKA 002, Inc. |
Delaware | Common | 100 | | ||||||||
EKA 003, Inc. |
Delaware | Common | 100 | | ||||||||
EKA 003, LLC. |
Delaware | Membership interest | 100 | |
During the year ended December 31, 2012 Aurora Oil and Gas Limited (Aurora) commenced a multi-step restructure of certain indirect US subsidiaries with the ultimate aim to continue to streamline the administration of the Aurora Group structure, by reducing the number of Aurora entities based in the US that hold interests in identical wells and other assets. On December 31, 2012 West Black Lake Oil and Gas, Inc. and Aurora West Coast Oil and Gas, Inc., merged with and into Sugarloaf Oil and Gas, Inc., Meelup Oil and Gas, Inc. merged with and into Yallingup Oil and Gas, Inc. and Mullaloo Oil and Gas, Inc. merged with and into Trigg Oil and Gas, Inc.
During the year ended December 31, 2011, Aurora Oil and Gas Limited undertook a restructuring of its wholly owned subsidiaries. The initial phase of the restructure was the change of name of Corpus Christi Gas, Inc. to Aurora USA Oil and Gas, Inc. ("Aurora USA") and the incorporation by Aurora USA of Wardanup Oil and Gas, Inc. as a wholly owned subsidiary, followed by the transfer of all membership interests in Corpus Christi Gas General LLC and Corpus Christi Gas Limited LLC to Wardanup Oil and Gas, Inc.
Under the second phase of the restructure each limited partnership and each limited liability company was merged with its parent corporation, with the resulting surviving entity being the parent corporations.
Delaware legislation provides that when a partnership or limited liability company is merged into another entity, the real, personal and mixed property of the partnership or limited liability company becomes vested in the surviving entity.
The third phase of the restructure involved the transfer by the Company to Aurora USA of all common shares it held in all US corporations in exchange for additional common shares of Aurora USA.
A-57
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
29. CONSOLIDATED ENTITIES (Continued)
The rationale for the restructure was to simplify the corporate structure to reflect the fact that changes in tax legislation over time meant that there was no longer any economic rationale for the existence of the limited liability companies and the limited partnerships.
Aurora Oil and Gas Limited provides working capital to its controlled entities. Transactions between Aurora and other controlled entities in the wholly owned Group during the year ended December 31, 2012 consisted of:
The above transactions were made interest free with no fixed terms for the repayment of principal on amounts advanced by Aurora Oil and Gas Limited.
Details of transactions with controlled entities during the year are as follows:
|
Company | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Sale of goods and services |
||||||||
Management fees and expense recharges to subsidiaries |
6,811 | 2,034 | ||||||
Loans to subsidiaries |
||||||||
Balance at beginning of the year |
1,688 | 193,850 | ||||||
Loans advanced |
26,828 | 69,540 | ||||||
Loans repaid |
(2,600 | ) | (261,702 | ) | ||||
Balance at end of year |
25,916 | 1,688 | ||||||
During the year ended December 31, 2011, Aurora Oil and Gas Limited resolved to convert the total indebtedness of wholly owned subsidiary, Aurora USA Oil and Gas Inc, of US$261,701,921 into common shares in the capital of Aurora USA Oil and Gas Inc, having a fair market value equal to the face value of the total indebtedness, and Aurora USA Oil and Gas Inc agreed to issue such common shares to Aurora Oil and Gas Limited in exchange for the extinguishment of all liability relating to the total indebtedness.
30. JOINTLY CONTROLLED ASSETS
At reporting date, the Group has non-operating working interests in joint operating agreements for the following projects:
|
|
Working Interest* | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Project
|
Activity | December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
|||||||
Sugarloaf |
Sugarkane field development (USA) | 28.1% | 15.7% | |||||||
Ipanema |
Sugarkane field development (USA) | 36.4% | 36.4% | |||||||
Longhorn |
Sugarkane field development (USA) | 31.9% | 31.9% | |||||||
Excelsior |
Sugarkane field development (USA) | 9.14% | 9.14% |
A-58
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
30. JOINTLY CONTROLLED ASSETS (Continued)
During the year ended December 31, 2012 Aurora acquired additional working interests in the Sugarloaf project through a corporate transaction and a separate asset transaction.
|
|
Working Interest* | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Project
|
Activity | December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
|||||||
Flour Bluff |
Gas field development and production project (USA) | 20% | 20% | |||||||
North Belridge |
Oil wells (USA) | 32.5% | 32.5% | |||||||
Pan De Azucar |
Oil exploration and development (USA) | 100% | | |||||||
Black Jack Springs |
Oil exploration and development (USA) | 9.4% | | |||||||
Brioche |
Oil exploration and development (USA) | 100% | |
Interests in the Pan De Azcar, Black Jack Springs and Brioche projects were acquired as part of the corporate transaction completed during the year ended December 31, 2012.
The total carrying value of Aurora's interest in assets held by jointly controlled projects at reporting date is US$952,182,000 (December 31, 2011: US$264,228,000).
31. PARENT ENTITY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Select financial information of the parent entity, Aurora Oil and Gas Limited, is set out below:
The individual financial statements for the parent entity show the following aggregate amounts:
|
Company | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Current assets |
3,018 | 7,874 | ||||||
Total assets |
353,981 | 236,499 | ||||||
Current liabilities |
2,877 |
1,981 |
||||||
Total liabilities |
2,877 | 1,981 | ||||||
Contributed equity |
405,169 |
290,195 |
||||||
Share-based payment reserve |
13,004 | 7,767 | ||||||
Fair value reserve |
(7,054 | ) | (8,011 | ) | ||||
Accumulated losses |
(60,015 | ) | (55,433 | ) | ||||
Total equity |
351,104 | 234,518 | ||||||
(Loss) for the year |
(4,583 | ) | (9,991 | ) | ||||
Total comprehensive (loss) for the year |
(3,626 | ) | (11,293 | ) | ||||
The parent entity has provided a guarantee by way of pledged security, in respect of a senior secured revolving credit facility entered into by Aurora USA Oil and Gas Inc. with a syndicate of banks on November 8, 2011. The parent entity has pledged its 100 per cent ownership interest in Aurora USA Oil and Gas Inc. (refer to note 17 Borrowings).
The parent entity did not have any contingent liabilities as at December 31, 2012 (December 31, 2011: nil).
A-59
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
31. PARENT ENTITY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
The parent entity has contracted the following amounts for expenditure at December 31, 2012, for which no amounts have been provided for in the financial statements:
|
Company | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Rent |
||||||||
Payable: |
||||||||
Within one year |
615 | 178 | ||||||
Later than one year but not later than five years |
1,890 | 185 | ||||||
Later than five years |
| | ||||||
|
2,505 | 363 | ||||||
32. RECONCILIATION OF PROFIT AFTER INCOME TAX TO NET CASH INFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Net Profit for the year |
58,846 | 30,584 | ||||||
(i) Add / (less) non-cash items |
||||||||
Depreciation, depletion and amortisation |
39,161 | 4,367 | ||||||
Amortisation of borrowing costs |
2,927 | 66 | ||||||
Transaction costs expensed |
4,939 | 652 | ||||||
Share based payment expense |
4,398 | 4,052 | ||||||
Net gain on sale of available for sale assets |
(770 | ) | | |||||
Net foreign exchange (gains) |
(3,146 | ) | (989 | ) | ||||
(ii) Add / (less) items classified as investment / financing activities: |
||||||||
Net interest |
(247 | ) | (641 | ) | ||||
Borrowing costs |
563 | |||||||
(iii) Change in assets and liabilities during the financial year |
||||||||
Increase in receivables |
(73,273 | ) | (12,912 | ) | ||||
Increase in payables |
73,126 | 8,217 | ||||||
Increase in deferred tax liability |
37,356 | 1,643 | ||||||
Increase in employee provisions |
242 | (92 | ) | |||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
144,122 | 34,947 | ||||||
As at December 31, 2012, the undrawn balance available to the Group under the senior secured revolving credit facility current borrowing base was US$120,000,000 (December 31, 2011: US$55,000,000) (refer to note 17).
33. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Transactions with related parties are on normal commercial terms and conditions no more favourable than those available to other parties unless otherwise stated.
Disclosures relating to key management personnel are set out in Note 28.
Interests in subsidiaries are set out in Note 29.
A-60
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
33. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Continued)
Aurora advanced interest free loans to wholly-owned controlled entities. In addition to these loans, Aurora paid expenses on behalf of its controlled entities and provided support services to Aurora USA Oil and Gas Limited and Eureka Energy Limited on commercial terms. These additional advances were made interest free with no fixed terms for repayment.
Details of other transactions with related parties during the financial year ended December 31, 2012 are set out below:
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Payment for services |
| 125 | ||||||
During the year ended December 31, 2011, an amount of US$125,297 was paid on commercial terms for office accommodation (rental and outgoings), car parking and office equipment to Epicure Administration Pty Ltd, a company of which Mr Stewart, Executive Chairman, is also a director and beneficial shareholder. The outstanding balance payable at year end was nil (December 31, 2011: nil).
34. REMUNERATION OF AUDITORS
During the year the following fees were paid or payable for services provided by the auditor of the Consolidated Entity, its related practices and non-related audit firms:
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
(a) BDO Audit (WA) Pty Ltd for: |
||||||||
(i) Audit and assurance services |
||||||||
Audit and review of financial statements |
345 | 101 | ||||||
Due diligence services |
87 | 75 | ||||||
Total remuneration of BDO Audit (WA) Pty Ltd |
432 | 176 | ||||||
(b) BDO Corporate Finance (WA) Pty Ltd for: |
||||||||
(i) Tax services |
||||||||
Notice of meeting disclosure consulting |
2 | | ||||||
Total remuneration of BDO Corporate Finance (WA) Pty Ltd |
2 | | ||||||
(c) BDO Canada LLP for: |
||||||||
(i) Other services |
||||||||
Financial Statement language translation services |
58 | 31 | ||||||
Total remuneration of BDO Canada LLP |
58 | 31 | ||||||
Total auditors' remuneration |
492 | 207 | ||||||
It is the Group's policy to engage BDO on assignments additional to their statutory audit duties where BDO's expertise and experience with the Group are important. These assignments are principally due diligence reporting on acquisitions, language translation services, notice of meeting disclosure services or where BDO is awarded assignments on a competitive basis. It is the Group's policy to seek competitive tenders for all major consulting projects.
35. CONTINGENCIES
The Consolidated Entity has no material contingent assets or liabilities as at reporting date.
A-61
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
36. COMMITMENTS
Capital expenditure contracted for at the reporting date but not recognised as a liability is as follows:
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Oil and gas properties |
||||||||
Payable: |
||||||||
Within one year |
38,912 | 15,007 | ||||||
Later than one year but not later than five years |
| | ||||||
Later than five years |
| | ||||||
|
38,912 | 15,007 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment |
||||||||
Payable: |
||||||||
Within one year |
2,484 | 205 | ||||||
Later than one year but not later than five years |
| | ||||||
Later than five years |
| | ||||||
|
2,484 | 205 | ||||||
Rent |
||||||||
Payable: |
||||||||
Within one year |
845 | 316 | ||||||
Later than one year but not later than five years |
2,077 | 358 | ||||||
Later than five years |
| | ||||||
|
2,922 | 674 | ||||||
Total commitments |
44,318 | 15,886 | ||||||
37. EVENTS OCCURRING AFTER BALANCE SHEET DATE
The following events occurred subsequent to the end of the year:
Other than as disclosed above, no event has occurred since reporting date that would materially affect the operations of the Consolidated Entity, the results of the Consolidated Entity or the state of affairs of the Consolidated Entity not otherwise disclosed in the Consolidated Entity's financial statements.
A-62
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
ABN 90 008 787 988
UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL REPORT
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013
A-63
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
ABN 90 008 787 988
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012
|
|
Consolidated | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Three months ended | Nine months ended | ||||||||||||
|
Note | September 30, 2013 |
September 30, 2012 |
September 30, 2013 |
September 30, 2012 |
||||||||||
|
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||||||
Revenue from continuing operations |
4 | 143,626 | 85,483 | 405,388 | 182,540 | ||||||||||
Other income |
4 | 146 | 27 | 99 | 4,994 | ||||||||||
Total income |
143,772 | 85,510 | 405,487 | 187,534 | |||||||||||
Expenses |
|||||||||||||||
Royalties |
4 | (38,717 | ) | (22,528 | ) | (108,575 | ) | (48,323 | ) | ||||||
Production and operating expenses |
4 | (15,970 | ) | (10,342 | ) | (42,846 | ) | (22,199 | ) | ||||||
Administrative expenses |
(8,041 | ) | (2,666 | ) | (17,036 | ) | (8,862 | ) | |||||||
Depletion, depreciation and amortisation expense |
4 | (24,978 | ) | (14,117 | ) | (65,344 | ) | (24,125 | ) | ||||||
Share-based payment expense |
4 | (1,462 | ) | (991 | ) | (4,325 | ) | (3,296 | ) | ||||||
Finance costs |
4 | (16,269 | ) | (9,056 | ) | (43,115 | ) | (17,811 | ) | ||||||
Exploration and evaluation costs |
4 | | (887 | ) | (282 | ) | (3,930 | ) | |||||||
Foreign exchange loss |
4 | | | (282 | ) | | |||||||||
Profit from continuing operations before income tax expense |
38,335 | 24,923 | 123,682 | 58,988 | |||||||||||
Income tax (expense) |
5 | (13,661 | ) | (8,910 | ) | (43,703 | ) | (23,940 | ) | ||||||
Net profit attributable to owners of the Company |
24,674 | 16,013 | 79,979 | 35,048 | |||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
|||||||||||||||
Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss: |
|||||||||||||||
Changes in fair value on equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income |
(58 | ) | (1,601 | ) | (208 | ) | 957 | ||||||||
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges |
(4,249 | ) | (1,982 | ) | (3,510 | ) | (909 | ) | |||||||
Other comprehensive income for the period net of tax |
(4,307 | ) | (3,583 | ) | (3,718 | ) | 48 | ||||||||
Total comprehensive income for the period attributable to owners of the Company |
20,367 | 12,430 | 76,261 | 35,096 | |||||||||||
Earnings per share attributable to owners of the Company |
|||||||||||||||
Basic earnings per share (US cents per share) |
5.50 | 3.58 | 17.85 | 8.20 | |||||||||||
Diluted earnings per share (US cents per share) |
5.39 | 3.52 | 17.53 | 8.05 |
The above consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
A-64
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
ABN 90 008 787 988
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
As at September 30, 2013
|
|
Consolidated | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Note | September 30, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
|||||||
|
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
|||||||
Current assets |
||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
105,517 | 67,584 | ||||||||
Trade and other receivables |
6 | 58,375 | 89,535 | |||||||
Total current assets |
163,892 | 157,119 | ||||||||
Non-current assets |
||||||||||
Other financial assets |
7 | 504 | 842 | |||||||
Property, plant and equipment |
8 | 119,851 | 71,063 | |||||||
Oil and gas properties |
9 | 1,234,198 | 882,373 | |||||||
Total non-current assets |
1,354,553 | 954,278 | ||||||||
Total assets |
1,518,445 | 1,111,397 | ||||||||
Current liabilities |
||||||||||
Trade and other payables |
11 | 188,024 | 180,619 | |||||||
Derivative financial instruments |
10 | 6,235 | 1,535 | |||||||
Provisions |
12 | 542 | 334 | |||||||
Total current liabilities |
194,801 | 182,488 | ||||||||
Non-current liabilities |
||||||||||
Borrowings |
13 | 660,653 | 390,453 | |||||||
Deferred tax liabilities |
14 | 126,240 | 83,523 | |||||||
Derivative financial instruments |
10 | 428 | 114 | |||||||
Provisions |
15 | 3,031 | 1,705 | |||||||
Total non-current liabilities |
790,352 | 475,795 | ||||||||
Total liabilities |
985,153 | 658,283 | ||||||||
Net assets |
533,292 | 453,114 | ||||||||
Equity |
||||||||||
Contributed equity |
16 | 405,148 | 405,169 | |||||||
Share-based payment reserve |
16,103 | 12,165 | ||||||||
Fair value reserve |
(7,262 | ) | (7,054 | ) | ||||||
Foreign exchange reserve |
(7,505 | ) | (7,505 | ) | ||||||
Cash flow hedges reserve |
(4,664 | ) | (1,154 | ) | ||||||
Retained earnings |
131,472 | 51,493 | ||||||||
Total equity |
533,292 | 453,114 | ||||||||
The above consolidated statement of financial position should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
A-65
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
ABN 90 008 787 988
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012
|
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Contributed Equity |
Other Reserve |
Accumulated Profits / (Losses) |
Total | |||||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
|||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2012 |
290,194 | (7,749 | ) | (7,353 | ) | 275,092 | |||||||
Profit for the period |
| | 35,048 | 35,048 | |||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
|||||||||||||
Change in fair value of equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income |
| 916 | | 916 | |||||||||
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges |
| (909 | ) | | (909 | ) | |||||||
Recognition of fair value of equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income on disposal |
| 41 | | 41 | |||||||||
Total comprehensive income for the period |
| 48 | 35,048 | 35,096 | |||||||||
Transactions with owners, in their capacity as owners |
|||||||||||||
Contributed equity net of transaction costs |
115,116 | | | 115,116 | |||||||||
Options and performance rights expense recognised during the period |
| 3,297 | | 3,297 | |||||||||
Balance as at September 30, 2012 |
405,310 | (4,404 | ) | 27,695 | 428,601 | ||||||||
Balance as at January 1, 2013 |
405,169 | (3,548 | ) | 51,493 | 453,114 | ||||||||
Profit for the period |
| | 79,979 | 79,979 | |||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
|||||||||||||
Change in fair value of equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income |
| (208 | ) | | (208 | ) | |||||||
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges |
| (3,510 | ) | | (3,510 | ) | |||||||
Total comprehensive income for the period |
| (3,718 | ) | 79,979 | 76,261 | ||||||||
Transactions with owners, in their capacity as owners |
|||||||||||||
Contributed equity net of transaction costs |
(21 | ) | | | (21 | ) | |||||||
Options and performance rights expense recognised during the period |
| 3,938 | | 3,938 | |||||||||
Balance as at September 30, 2013 |
405,148 | (3,328 | ) | 131,472 | 533,292 | ||||||||
The above consolidated statement of changes in equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
A-66
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
ABN 90 008 787 988
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012
|
For the three months ended September 30, 2013 | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Contributed Equity |
Other Reserve |
Accumulated Profits / (Losses) |
Non- Controlling Interests |
Total | |||||||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
|||||||||||
Balance at July 1, 2012 |
405,325 | (1,812 | ) | 11,682 | 27,349 | 442,544 | ||||||||||
Profit for the period |
| | 16,013 | | 16,013 | |||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
||||||||||||||||
Change in fair value of equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income |
| (1,642 | ) | | | (1,642 | ) | |||||||||
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges |
| (1,982 | ) | | | (1,982 | ) | |||||||||
Recognition of fair value of equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income on disposal |
| 41 | | | 41 | |||||||||||
Total comprehensive income for the period |
| (3,583 | ) | 16,013 | | 12,430 | ||||||||||
Transactions with owners, in their capacity as owners |
||||||||||||||||
Contributed equity net of transaction costs |
(15 | ) | | | | (15 | ) | |||||||||
Options and performance rights expense recognised during the period |
| 991 | | | 991 | |||||||||||
Non-controlling interest on acquisition of subsidiary |
| | | (27,349 | ) | (27,349 | ) | |||||||||
Balance as at September 30, 2012 |
405,310 | (4,404 | ) | 27,695 | | 428,601 | ||||||||||
Balance as at July 1, 2013 |
405,156 | (482 | ) | 106,798 | | 511,472 | ||||||||||
Profit for the period |
| | 24,674 | | 24,674 | |||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
||||||||||||||||
Change in fair value of equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income |
| (58 | ) | | | (58 | ) | |||||||||
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges |
| (4,249 | ) | | | (4,249 | ) | |||||||||
Total comprehensive income for the period |
| (4,307 | ) | 24,674 | | 20,367 | ||||||||||
Transactions with owners, in their capacity as owners |
||||||||||||||||
Contributed equity net of transaction costs |
(8 | ) | | | | (8 | ) | |||||||||
Options and performance rights expense recognised during the period |
| 1,461 | | | 1,461 | |||||||||||
Balance as at September 30, 2013 |
405,148 | (3,328 | ) | 131,472 | | 533,292 | ||||||||||
The above consolidated statement of changes in equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
A-67
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
ABN 90 008 787 988
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012
|
Consolidated | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||||
|
September 30, 2013 |
September 30, 2012 |
September 30, 2013 |
September 30, 2012 |
|||||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
|||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities |
|||||||||||||
Receipts from oil and gas sales |
152,718 | 45,786 | 436,504 | 95,878 | |||||||||
Payments to suppliers and employees |
(64,254 | ) | (14,558 | ) | (173,180 | ) | (36,657 | ) | |||||
Other revenue |
22 | | 99 | 1,167 | |||||||||
Interest paid |
(29,641 | ) | (10,978 | ) | (48,148 | ) | (11,098 | ) | |||||
Net cash inflow from operating activities |
58,845 | 20,250 | 215,275 | 49,290 | |||||||||
Cash flows from investing activities |
|||||||||||||
Payments for capitalised oil and gas assets |
(107,097 | ) | (117,539 | ) | (395,208 | ) | (286,758 | ) | |||||
Payment for property, plant and equipment |
(10,860 | ) | (4,263 | ) | (41,468 | ) | (22,282 | ) | |||||
Payment for other financial assets |
| | | (252 | ) | ||||||||
Payment for acquisition of subsidiary, net of cash acquired |
| (27,349 | ) | | (98,765 | ) | |||||||
Interest received |
11 | 31 | 44 | 224 | |||||||||
Net cash (outflow) from investing activities |
(117,946 | ) | (149,120 | ) | (436,632 | ) | (407,833 | ) | |||||
Cash flows from financing activities |
|||||||||||||
Proceeds from issues of shares |
| | | 120,138 | |||||||||
Share issue costs |
(8 | ) | (15 | ) | (21 | ) | (5,022 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from borrowings |
| 167,475 | 330,000 | 364,579 | |||||||||
Repayment of borrowings |
| (9,000 | ) | (60,000 | ) | (39,000 | ) | ||||||
Borrowing costs |
(737 | ) | (5,453 | ) | (10,632 | ) | (11,102 | ) | |||||
Net cash inflow / (outflow) from financing activities |
(745 | ) | 153,007 | 259,347 | 429,593 | ||||||||
Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
(59,846 | ) | 24,137 | 37,990 | 71,050 | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the financial period |
165,222 | 118,930 | 67,584 | 70,246 | |||||||||
Effect of exchange rates on cash holdings in foreign currencies |
141 | 152 | (57 | ) | 1,923 | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial period |
105,517 | 143,219 | 105,517 | 143,219 | |||||||||
The above consolidated statement of cash flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
A-68
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
ABN 90 008 787 988
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013
1. BASIS OF PREPARATION
The financial report consists of consolidated financial statements for Aurora Oil & Gas Limited and its subsidiaries ("Group" or "Consolidated Entity").
These general purpose financial statements for the period ended September 30, 2013 have been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standard 134 Interim Financial Reporting and the Corporations Act 2001.
The interim financial report does not include all the notes of the type normally included in annual financial statements. Accordingly, this financial report should be read in conjunction with the most recent annual financial report for the year ended December 31, 2012 and any public announcements made by the Company during the interim period in accordance with the disclosure requirements of the Corporations Act 2001.
The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those of the previous financial period. All references in this report are to US dollars unless otherwise stated.
The Company has considered the impact of new standards not yet effective and does not consider that they would have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.
2. SEGMENT INFORMATION
Management has determined, based on the reports reviewed by the CEO and Executive Chairman and used to make strategic decisions, that the Group has one reportable segment being oil and gas exploration and production in the United States of America. The Group's management and administration office is located in Australia.
The CEO and Executive Chairman review internal management reports on a monthly basis that are consistent with the information provided in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, statement of financial position and statement of cash flows. As a result no reconciliation is required, because the information as presented is used by the CEO and Executive Chairman to make strategic decisions.
Reportable segment revenue
Revenue, including interest income, is disclosed below based on the reportable segment:
|
Three months ended | Nine months ended | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
September 30, 2013 |
September 30, 2012 |
September 30, 2013 |
September 30, 2012 |
||||||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||||||
Revenue from oil and gas exploration and production |
143,615 | 85,452 | 405,344 | 182,316 | ||||||||||
Revenue from other corporate activities |
157 | 58 | 143 | 5,218 | ||||||||||
|
143,772 | 85,510 | 405,487 | 187,534 | ||||||||||
Reportable segment assets
Assets are disclosed below based on the reportable segment:
|
September 30, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Assets from oil and gas exploration and production |
1,409,962 | 1,041,143 | ||||||
Assets from corporate activities: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
105,517 | 67,584 | ||||||
Other corporate assets |
2,966 | 2,670 | ||||||
|
1,518,445 | 1,111,397 | ||||||
A-69
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
ABN 90 008 787 988
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013
2. SEGMENT INFORMATION (Continued)
Reportable segment liabilities
Liabilities are disclosed below based on the reportable segment:
|
September 30, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Liabilities from oil and gas exploration and production |
982,829 | 655,090 | ||||||
Liabilities from other corporate activities |
2,324 | 3,193 | ||||||
|
985,153 | 658,283 | ||||||
Reportable segment profit
Profit / (loss) is disclosed below based on the reportable segment:
|
Three months ended | Nine months ended | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
September 30, 2013 |
September 30, 2012 |
September 30, 2013 |
September 30, 2012 |
||||||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||||||
Profit from oil and gas exploration and production |
32,781 | 19,674 | 99,822 | 41,840 | ||||||||||
Profit/(Loss) from other corporate activities |
(8,107 | ) | (3,661 | ) | (19,843 | ) | (6,792 | ) | ||||||
|
24,674 | 16,013 | 79,979 | 35,048 | ||||||||||
3. DIVIDENDS
No dividend has been paid or is proposed in respect of the period ended September 30, 2013 (September 30, 2012: None).
4. PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD
Profit for the period ended September 30, 2013 includes the following items which are significant because of their nature, size or incidence:
|
|
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Note | September 30, 2013 |
September 30, 2012 |
September 30, 2013 |
September 30, 2012 |
|||||||||||
|
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
|||||||||||
Income |
||||||||||||||||
Revenue from continuing operations |
||||||||||||||||
Oil and gas sales |
145,481 | 85,550 | 408,381 | 182,581 | ||||||||||||
Realised (loss) on forward commodity price contract |
(1,866 | ) | (98 | ) | (3,037 | ) | (265 | ) | ||||||||
Interest |
11 | 31 | 44 | 224 | ||||||||||||
|
143,626 | 85,483 | 405,388 | 182,540 | ||||||||||||
Other income |
||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange gain |
(i) | 124 | 27 | | 3,056 | |||||||||||
Net gain on sale of available-for-sale financial assets |
| | | 770 | ||||||||||||
Net gain on foreign currency derivatives not qualifying as hedges |
| | | 1,167 | ||||||||||||
Other |
22 | | 99 | 1 | ||||||||||||
|
146 | 27 | 99 | 4,994 | ||||||||||||
A-70
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
ABN 90 008 787 988
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013
4. PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD (Continued)
|
|
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Note | September 30, 2013 |
September 30, 2012 |
September 30, 2013 |
September 30, 2012 |
|||||||||||
|
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
|||||||||||
Expenses |
||||||||||||||||
Royalties expense |
(ii) | (38,717 | ) | (22,528 | ) | (108,575 | ) | (48,323 | ) | |||||||
Production and operating expenses |
||||||||||||||||
Production taxes |
(iii) | (4,773 | ) | (2,925 | ) | (13,516 | ) | (6,214 | ) | |||||||
Operating expenses |
(iv) | (11,197 | ) | (7,417 | ) | (29,330 | ) | (15,985 | ) | |||||||
Total production and operating expenses |
(15,970 | ) | (10,342 | ) | (42,846 | ) | (22,199 | ) | ||||||||
Depletion and depreciation |
||||||||||||||||
Depletion |
(v) | (22,758 | ) | (13,558 | ) | (59,446 | ) | (22,871 | ) | |||||||
Depreciation |
(vi) | (2,220 | ) | (559 | ) | (5,898 | ) | (1,254 | ) | |||||||
Total depletion and depreciation expense |
(24,978 | ) | (14,117 | ) | (65,344 | ) | (24,125 | ) | ||||||||
Share-based payment expense |
||||||||||||||||
Options |
(567 | ) | (841 | ) | (1,909 | ) | (3,077 | ) | ||||||||
Performance Rights |
(895 | ) | (150 | ) | (2,416 | ) | (219 | ) | ||||||||
Total share-based payment expense |
(vii) | (1,462 | ) | (991 | ) | (4,325 | ) | (3,296 | ) | |||||||
Finance costs |
||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(14,804 | ) | (7,637 | ) | (39,092 | ) | (15,420 | ) | ||||||||
Amortisation of borrowing costs |
(1,159 | ) | (1,085 | ) | (3,253 | ) | (1,831 | ) | ||||||||
Amortisation of debt premium / discount |
(8 | ) | (55 | ) | (24 | ) | (281 | ) | ||||||||
Other financing fees |
(298 | ) | (279 | ) | (746 | ) | (279 | ) | ||||||||
Total finance costs |
(viii) | (16,269 | ) | (9,056 | ) | (43,115 | ) | (17,811 | ) | |||||||
Exploration and evaluation costs written off |
(ix) | | (887 | ) | (282 | ) | (3,930 | ) | ||||||||
Foreign exchange loss |
(i) | | | (282 | ) | | ||||||||||
A-71
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
ABN 90 008 787 988
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013
4. PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD (Continued)
5. INCOME TAX
|
Three months ended | Nine months ended | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
September 30, 2013 |
September 30, 2012 |
September 30, 2013 |
September 30, 2012 |
||||||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||||||
(a) Income tax expense |
||||||||||||||
Current tax |
| | | | ||||||||||
Deferred tax |
13,661 | 8,910 | 43,703 | 23,940 | ||||||||||
Income tax expense |
13,661 | 8,910 | 43,703 | 23,940 | ||||||||||
(b) Reconciliation of income tax expense to prima facie tax payable |
||||||||||||||
Profit from continuing operations before income tax expense |
38,335 | 24,923 | 123,682 | 58,988 | ||||||||||
Tax at the Australian statutory tax rate of 30% (September 30, 2012: 30%) |
11,501 | 7,476 | 37,105 | 17,696 | ||||||||||
Tax effect of amounts that are not deductible (taxable) in calculating taxable income |
||||||||||||||
Share-based payment expense |
194 | 217 | 603 | 757 | ||||||||||
Foreign exchange gains/(losses) not assessable |
16 | (6 | ) | 75 | (913 | ) | ||||||||
Revenue losses not previously recognised now brought to account |
(330 | ) | (4 | ) | (157 | ) | (294 | ) | ||||||
(Expense)/benefit from a previously unrecognised temporary difference now recognised |
(248 | ) | 484 | (611 | ) | 1,150 | ||||||||
Income tax rate differences |
2,043 | 286 | 6,337 | 3,502 | ||||||||||
Other non-allowable deductions |
485 | 457 | 351 | 2,042 | ||||||||||
Income tax expense |
13,661 | 8,910 | 43,703 | 23,940 | ||||||||||
(c) Tax expense (income) relating to items of other comprehensive income |
||||||||||||||
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income |
(681 | ) | (829 | ) | (519 | ) | 1,509 | |||||||
Cash flow hedges |
1,814 | 849 | 1,504 | 389 | ||||||||||
|
1,133 | 20 | 985 | 1,898 | ||||||||||
6. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES
|
|
Consolidated | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
September 30, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
|||||||
|
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
|||||||
Trade receivables |
(i) | 58,375 | 89,535 | |||||||
A-72
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
ABN 90 008 787 988
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013
6. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES (Continued)
Trade receivables represent revenue earned but not yet received from the production and sale of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids.
No Group trade receivables were past due or impaired as at September 30, 2013 (December 31, 2012: Nil) and there is no indication that amounts recognised as trade and other receivables will not be recovered in the normal course of business.
7. OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
September 30, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Non-current |
||||||||
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income |
504 | 842 | ||||||
Significant interest in other financial assets
An interest in a financial asset is considered 'significant' when Aurora holds 5% or more of issued share capital.
Aurora holds a significant interest in Elixir Petroleum Ltd. As at September 30, 2013, Aurora held 33,833,334 fully paid ordinary shares in Elixir Petroleum Ltd (December 31, 2012: 33,833,334), representing approximately 7.84% of its total issued capital. The market value of these securities at September 30, 2013 was US$504,000 (December 31, 2012: US$842,000).
Included in the statement of comprehensive income is (US$208,000) (December 31, 2012: US$957,000) which represents the movement in the financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income.
8. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
September 30, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Production facilities and field equipment |
||||||||
Production facilities and field equipment at cost |
126,944 | 73,685 | ||||||
Production facilities and field equipment accumulated depreciation |
(9,472 | ) | (3,876 | ) | ||||
Net production facilities and field equipment |
117,472 | 69,809 | ||||||
Office equipment |
||||||||
At cost |
2,926 | 1,510 | ||||||
Accumulated depreciation |
(547 | ) | (256 | ) | ||||
Net office equipment |
2,379 | 1,254 | ||||||
Total property, plant and equipment |
119,851 | 71,063 | ||||||
A-73
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
ABN 90 008 787 988
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013
9. OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
September 30, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Producing projects |
||||||||
At cost |
1,258,801 | 917,501 | ||||||
Accumulated depletion |
(102,728 | ) | (41,207 | ) | ||||
Net carrying value |
1,156,073 | 876,294 | ||||||
Development projects |
||||||||
At cost |
78,125 | 6,079 | ||||||
Net carrying value |
78,125 | 6,079 | ||||||
Total |
1,234,198 | 882,373 | ||||||
A reconciliation of movements in oil and gas properties during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is as follows:
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
September 30, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Producing projects |
||||||||
Cost |
||||||||
Opening balance |
917,501 | 275,671 | ||||||
Additions |
331,903 | 653,250 | ||||||
Increase in restoration provision |
1,326 | 1,140 | ||||||
Net movement in prepaid costs |
8,071 | (12,560 | ) | |||||
Closing balance |
1,258,801 | 917,501 | ||||||
Accumulated depletion and amortisation |
||||||||
Opening balance |
(41,207 | ) | (3,543 | ) | ||||
Depletion charge |
(61,521 | ) | (37,664 | ) | ||||
Closing balance |
(102,728 | ) | (41,207 | ) | ||||
Net carrying value |
||||||||
Opening carrying value |
876,294 | 272,128 | ||||||
Closing carrying value |
1,156,073 | 876,294 | ||||||
Development projects |
||||||||
Cost |
||||||||
Opening balance |
6,079 | | ||||||
Additions |
72,046 | 6,079 | ||||||
Closing balance |
78,125 | 6,079 | ||||||
Net carrying value |
||||||||
Opening carrying value |
6,079 | | ||||||
Closing carrying value |
78,125 | 6,079 | ||||||
A-74
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
ABN 90 008 787 988
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013
10. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
September 30, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Forward commodity contracts cash flow hedges |
||||||||
Current |
6,235 | 1,535 | ||||||
Non current |
428 | 114 | ||||||
Total derivative financial instrument liabilities |
6,663 | 1,649 | ||||||
Instruments used by the group
The Group is a party to derivative financial instruments entered into in the normal course of business in order to hedge exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices in accordance with the group's financial risk management policies.
Forward commodity price contracts cash flow hedges
At September 30, 2013, the Group has various oil commodity contacts designated as hedges of expected future oil sales. These contracts are all designated as cash flow hedges and are used to reduce the exposure to a future decrease in the value of oil sales. The outstanding contracts held by the Group at September 30, 2013 are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average US$ / barrel | |
|||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year of delivery |
Subject of contract |
Reference | Option traded |
Barrels | Strike price | Floor price | Ceiling price | Fair value US$'000 |
|||||||||||||||
2013 |
Oil | Nymex WTI | Swap | 363,100 | 98.69 | | | 1,045 | |||||||||||||||
2013 |
Oil | LLS | Swap | 27,000 | 95.40 | | | 255 | |||||||||||||||
2013 |
Oil | Nymex WTI | Zero Cost Collar | 112,500 | | 79.00 | 103.35 | 236 | |||||||||||||||
2014 |
Oil | Nymex WTI | Swap | 1,158,300 | 91.81 | | | 4,348 | |||||||||||||||
2014 |
Oil | Nymex WTI | Zero Cost Collar | 270,000 | | 80.00 | 98.67 | 892 | |||||||||||||||
2015 |
Oil | Nymex WTI | Swap | 186,000 | 91.40 | | | (113 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Total |
2,116,900 | 6,663 | |||||||||||||||||||||
The hedge contracts are to be settled at a rate of between 97,100 to 178,400 barrels per month in 2013 and 2014 and between 16,000 to 115,000 barrels per month in 2015.
The portion of the gain or loss on the hedging instrument that is determined to be an effective hedge is recognised in other comprehensive income. When the cash flows occur, the Group adjusts the initial measurement of the component recognised in the statement of financial position by removing the related amount from other comprehensive income.
11. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
September 30, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Trade payables and accruals |
188,024 | 180,619 | ||||||
Trade and other payables are normally settled within 30 days from receipt of invoice. All amounts recognised as trade and other payables, but not yet invoiced, are expected to be settled within the next 12 months.
A-75
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
ABN 90 008 787 988
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013
12. PROVISIONS CURRENT
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
September 30, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Employee benefits |
542 | 334 | ||||||
13. BORROWINGS
|
|
Consolidated | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
September 30, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
|||||||
|
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
|||||||
Secured |
||||||||||
Senior secured syndicated facility |
(a) | | 30,000 | |||||||
Unsecured |
||||||||||
Senior unsecured notes |
(b) | 660,653 | 360,453 | |||||||
|
660,653 | 390,453 | ||||||||
On November 8, 2011, Aurora USA Oil and Gas Inc. ("Aurora USA"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, signed a US$300 million credit agreement with a syndicate of banks, pursuant to which funds are available on a revolving basis up to an established amount at a margin of between 2 and 3 per cent over the floating LIBOR rate. The Facility ("Facility") contains negative and affirmative covenants and matures on November 7, 2016.
The funding under the Facility will be provided with availability determined, at a minimum on a semi-annual basis, relative to a borrowing base calculated by reference to proved reserves. The Facility is designed for the borrowing base to increase with Aurora's increased proved reserves, subject to and in accordance with the terms of the credit agreement. During September 2013 the borrowing base was re-determined following the 2013 mid-year reserves update from US$200 million to US$300 million (September 30, 2012: US$150 million).
On November 28, 2012, US$30 million was drawn down under the Facility and a further US$30 million was drawn down on February 21, 2013. On March 25, 2013 a total of US$60 million was re-paid, leaving the full borrowing base of US$300 million undrawn as at September 30, 2013.
Aurora USA's obligations under the Facility are guaranteed by pledged security from the parent entity, Aurora, and the subsidiaries of Aurora USA. At September 30, 2013, the following investment property remained pledged as security:
Owner / Grantor
|
Issuer | Percentage Owned |
Percentage Pledged |
Class of stock | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aurora Oil and Gas Limited |
Aurora USA Oil and Gas, Inc. | 100% | 100% | Common Stock | |||||||
Aurora USA Oil and Gas, Inc. |
Wardanup Oil and Gas, Inc. | 100% | 100% | Common Stock | |||||||
Aurora USA Oil and Gas, Inc. |
Sugarloaf Oil and Gas, Inc. | 100% | 100% | Common Stock | |||||||
Aurora USA Oil and Gas, Inc. |
Yallingup Oil and Gas, Inc. | 100% | 100% | Common Stock | |||||||
Aurora USA Oil and Gas, Inc. |
Trigg Oil and Gas, Inc. | 100% | 100% | Common Stock | |||||||
Aurora USA Oil and Gas, Inc. |
Aurora USA Development, LLC. | 100% | 100% | Membership Interest | |||||||
Aurora USA Oil and Gas, Inc. |
ATW Exploration Oil and Gas, Inc. | 100% | 100% | Common Stock | |||||||
Aurora USA Oil and Gas, Inc. |
Aurora EF Production Company | 100% | 100% | Common Stock | |||||||
Aurora USA Oil and Gas, Inc. |
EKA 002, Inc. | 100% | 100% | Common Stock | |||||||
Aurora USA Oil and Gas, Inc. |
EKA 003, Inc. | 100% | 100% | Common Stock | |||||||
EKA 003, Inc. |
EKA 003, LLC. | 100% | 100% | Membership Interest |
A-76
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
ABN 90 008 787 988
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013
13. BORROWINGS (Continued)
The carrying value of assets pledged as securities for non-current borrowings is US$527,694,000 (December 31, 2012: US$307,910,000).
In addition to investment property pledged, a negative pledge imposes that certain financial covenants be maintained by Aurora, Aurora USA and its subsidiaries.
On February 8, 2012 Aurora USA, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, completed a private offering of unsecured notes ("2017 Senior Note Offering"). Under the 2017 Senior Note Offering, Aurora USA issued an aggregate principal amount of US$200 million 9.875% senior unsecured notes ("2017 Senior Notes") due February 2017 at an issue price of 98.552% of their face value, resulting in net proceeds of approximately US$192 million after deduction of the original discount and commissions. The 2017 Senior Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture dated February 8, 2012 by and amongst Aurora USA, the guarantor parties thereto and US Bank National Association, as trustee.
On July 31, 2012 Aurora USA completed a follow on offering of the 2017 Senior Notes, issuing an aggregate principal amount of US$165 million 9.875% senior unsecured notes due in February 2017 at a premium of 101.5% of their face value, resulting in net proceeds of approximately US$164 million after addition of premium and deduction of commissions.
On March 21, 2013 Aurora USA completed a new offering of senior unsecured notes ("2020 Senior Note Offering"), issuing an aggregate principal amount of US$300 million 7.50% senior unsecured notes ("2020 Senior Notes"), due in April 2020 at par, resulting in net proceeds of approximately US$293 million after deductions of commissions. The 2020 Senior Notes will bear interest at 7.50% per annum and will be payable semi-annually in arrears, beginning October 1, 2013.
14. DEFERRED TAX
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
September 30, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
(a) Deferred tax asset |
||||||||
Arising from temporary differences attributable to: |
||||||||
Tax losses(1) |
||||||||
Australia |
902 | 216 | ||||||
United States |
177,355 | 142,967 | ||||||
Share issue expense |
620 | 464 | ||||||
Other |
9,344 | 8,492 | ||||||
Financial assets through other comprehensive income |
990 | 1,509 | ||||||
Cash flow hedge |
1,999 | 495 | ||||||
Total deferred tax asset |
191,210 | 154,143 | ||||||
Less set off against deferred tax liabilities under set-off provisions (b) |
(191,210 | ) | (154,143 | ) | ||||
(b) Deferred tax liability |
||||||||
Arising from temporary differences attributable to: |
||||||||
Oil and gas properties |
(312,411 | ) | (232,547 | ) | ||||
Management fees and borrowing costs |
(5,039 | ) | (5,119 | ) | ||||
Total deferred tax liabilities |
(317,450 | (237,666 | ) | |||||
Less set off of deferred tax asset under set-off provisions (a) |
191,210 | 154,143 | ||||||
Net deferred tax liabilities |
(126,240 | ) | (83,523 | ) | ||||
Deferred tax liabilities expected to be settled within 12 months |
| | ||||||
Deferred tax liabilities expected to be settled after more than 12 months |
(126,240 | ) | (83,523 | ) | ||||
A-77
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
ABN 90 008 787 988
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013
15. PROVISIONS NON-CURRENT
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
September 30, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Restoration provision |
3,031 | 1,705 | ||||||
Provisions for future removal and restoration costs are recognised where there is a present obligation as a result of exploration, development, production, transportation or storage activities having been undertaken, and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation. The estimated future obligations include the costs of removing facilities, abandoning wells and restoring the affected areas.
16. CONTRIBUTED CAPITAL
Movements in contributed equity during the current and prior financial period are as follows:
|
Date | Number of Securities | Issue Price | US$'000 | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Balance January 1, 2012 |
411,655,343 | 290,194 | ||||||||||||
Placement |
16-May-12 | 15,802,816 | A$3.55 | 54,721 | ||||||||||
Placement |
16-May-12 | 18,000,000 | C$3.55 | 61,359 | ||||||||||
Placement |
28-Jun-12 | 1,137,619 | A$3.55 | 4,058 | ||||||||||
Performance rights exercise |
15-Aug-12 | 390,000 | | | ||||||||||
Performance rights exercise |
20-Aug-12 | 900,000 | | | ||||||||||
Share issue costs |
(5,163 | ) | ||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2012 |
447,885,778 | 405,169 | ||||||||||||
Performance rights exercised |
08-Aug-13 | 900,000 | | | ||||||||||
Share issue costs |
(21 | ) | ||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2013 |
448,785,778 | 405,148 | ||||||||||||
17. BUSINESS COMBINATION
On April 30, 2012 Aurora Oil and Gas Limited ("Aurora") announced an unconditional on-market cash offer of A$0.45 per share for all issued ordinary shares of ASX listed Eureka Energy Limited ("Eureka"). On June 30, 2012 Aurora had acquired 75.03% of the issued share capital of Eureka, and it was determined that control existed on this date. On August 13, 2012 Aurora completed the compulsory acquisition of Eureka on the same terms as the on market offer dated April 30, 2012, and is now the registered holder of 100% of Eureka's issued share capital. On August 23, 2012 Eureka was removed from the official list of ASX Limited.
Details of the purchase consideration, the net assets acquired and the fair value of net assets acquired are as follows:
|
US$'000 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Purchase consideration (refer to (b) below): |
|||||
Cash paid |
106,136 | ||||
Fair value of shares owned prior to the on-market cash offer |
3,405 | ||||
Total purchase consideration |
109,541 | ||||
A-78
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
ABN 90 008 787 988
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013
17. BUSINESS COMBINATION (Continued)
The assets and liabilities provisionally recognised from the unaudited financial statements of the acquiree as a result of the acquisition are as follows:
|
Fair value | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
US$'000 |
||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
7,371 | ||||
Trade and other receivables |
1,636 | ||||
Property, plant and equipment |
360 | ||||
Oil and gas properties |
164,664 | ||||
Trade and other payables |
(8,830 | ) | |||
Borrowings |
(9,000 | ) | |||
Deferred tax liability |
(46,526 | ) | |||
Provisions |
(134 | ) | |||
Net identifiable assets acquired |
109,541 | ||||
Revenue and profit contribution
If the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2012, consolidated revenue and profit for the half-year ended June 30, 2012 would have been US$101,803,000 and US$21,244,000 respectively. These amounts have been calculated using the group's accounting policies and by adjusting the results of the subsidiary to reflect the additional depletion that would have been charged assuming the fair value adjustments to oil and gas properties had been applied from January 1, 2012, together with the consequential tax effects.
|
September 30, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Outflow of cash to acquire subsidiary, net of cash acquired |
||||||||
Cash consideration |
| 106,136 | ||||||
Less: Balances acquired |
||||||||
Cash |
| 7,371 | ||||||
Outflow of cash investing activity |
| 98,765 | ||||||
Acquisition related costs
Acquisition related costs of $1,892,000 are included in evaluation expenses in the Statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income and in operating cash flows in the Statement of Cash Flows.
A-79
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
ABN 90 008 787 988
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013
18. COMMITMENTS
Capital expenditure contracted for at the reporting date but not recognised as a liability is as follows:
|
Consolidated | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
September 30, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
||||||
|
US$'000 |
US$'000 |
||||||
Oil and gas properties |
||||||||
Payable: |
||||||||
Within one year |
64,322 | 38,912 | ||||||
Later than one year but not later than five years |
| | ||||||
Later than five years |
| | ||||||
|
64,322 | 38,912 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment |
||||||||
Payable: |
||||||||
Within one year |
16,429 | 2,484 | ||||||
Later than one year but not later than five years |
| | ||||||
Later than five years |
| | ||||||
|
16,429 | 2,484 | ||||||
Rent |
||||||||
Payable: |
||||||||
Within one year |
1,559 | 845 | ||||||
Later than one year but not later than five years |
5,292 | 2,077 | ||||||
Later than five years |
1,513 | | ||||||
|
8,364 | 2,922 | ||||||
Total Commitments |
89,115 | 44,318 | ||||||
19. CONTINGENCIES
The Consolidated Entity has no material contingent assets or liabilities as at reporting date.
A-80
AURORA OIL & GAS LIMITED
ABN 90 008 787 988
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013
20. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Details of other transactions with related parties during the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 are set out below:
The following Performance Rights and Options have been granted to executive directors during the nine month period ended September 30, 2013. The performance rights have been issued under the Company's long term incentive plan. The terms and conditions associated with the plan are detailed in the December 31, 2012 annual report.
Recipient
|
Grant date | Vesting date |
Number | Exercise price |
Total fair value US$'000 |
Expense recognised at Sept 30, 2013 US$'000 |
Expiry | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jonathan Stewart |
29-May-13 | 01-Jan-13 | 43,508 | Nil | 95 | 95 | 01-Jan-13 | |||||||||||||||
|
29-May-13 | 01-Jan-14 | 127,769 | Nil | 233 | 117 | 01-Jan-14 | |||||||||||||||
|
29-May-13 | 01-Jan-15 | 255,537 | Nil | 541 | 97 | 01-Jan-15 | |||||||||||||||
|
29-May-13 | 01-Jan-16 | 163,007 | Nil | 363 | 39 | 01-Jan-16 | |||||||||||||||
Graham Dowland |
29-May-13 | 01-Jan-13 | 10,733 | Nil | 23 | 23 | 01-Jan-13 | |||||||||||||||
|
29-May-13 | 01-Jan-14 | 33,528 | Nil | 60 | 31 | 01-Jan-14 | |||||||||||||||
|
29-May-13 | 01-Jan-15 | 67,057 | Nil | 142 | 25 | 01-Jan-15 | |||||||||||||||
|
29-May-13 | 01-Jan-16 | 48,253 | Nil | 107 | 12 | 01-Jan-16 | |||||||||||||||
Ian Lusted(1) |
29-May-13 | 01-Jan-13 | 9,785 | Nil | 21 | 21 | 01-Jan-13 | |||||||||||||||
Douglas Brooks(2) |
01-Jan-13 | 01-Jan-14 | 17,090 | Nil | 49 | 36 | 01-Jan-14 | |||||||||||||||
|
01-Jan-13 | 01-Jan-15 | 34,179 | Nil | 102 | 37 | 01-Jan-15 | |||||||||||||||
|
01-Jan-13 | 01-Jan-16 | 68,359 | Nil | 211 | 51 | 01-Jan-16 | |||||||||||||||
Total related party transactions |
878,805 | 1,947 | 584 | |||||||||||||||||||
21. EVENTS OCCURRING AFTER BALANCE DATE
The following events occurred subsequent to the end of the period:
No event has occurred since September 30, 2013 that would materially affect the operations of the Consolidated Entity, the results of the Consolidated Entity or the state of affairs of the Consolidated Entity not otherwise disclosed in the Consolidated Entity's financial statements.
22. ROUNDING OF AMOUNTS
The company satisfies the requirements of Class Order 98/0100 issued by the Australian Investments and Securities Commission relating to "rounding off" of amounts in the directors' report and the financial report to the nearest thousand dollars. Amounts have been rounded off in the directors' report and financial report in accordance with that Class Order.
A-81
SCHEDULE "B"
PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BAYTEX
B-1
BAYTEX ENERGY CORP.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
As at and for the nine months ended September 30, 2013
and for the year ended December 31, 2012
B-2
FOREWORD
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements give effect to the proposed acquisition (the "Proposed Acquisition") by Baytex Energy Corp. of Aurora Oil & Gas Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively, "Aurora") under the acquisition method of accounting. The unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of financial position gives effect to the Proposed Acquisition as if it had closed on September 30, 2013. The unaudited pro forma consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the nine-months ended September 30, 2013 and for the year ended December 31, 2012 give effect to the Proposed Acquisition as if it had closed on January 1, 2012.
The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements are presented for illustrative purposes only. The pro forma adjustments are based upon available information and certain assumptions that we believe are reasonable in the circumstances, as described in the notes to the unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements.
The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements are based on Baytex's and Aurora's consolidated financial statements as at and for the nine-months ended September 30, 2013 and for the year ended December 31, 2012. Aurora's consolidated financial statements have been translated from United States dollars to Canadian dollars. The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, are qualified in their entirety by reference to, and should be read in conjunction with, Baytex's historical consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the historical consolidated financial statements of Aurora, including the notes thereto, which are included elsewhere in this prospectus.
The pro forma information presented, including allocation of purchase price, is based on preliminary estimates of fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, available information and assumptions and may be revised as additional information becomes available. The actual adjustments to the consolidated financial statements upon the closing of the Proposed Acquisition will depend on a number of factors, including additional information available and the net assets of Aurora on the closing date of the Proposed Acquisition. Therefore, the actual adjustments will differ from the pro forma adjustments, and the differences may be material. For example, the final purchase price allocation is dependent on, among other things, the finalization of asset and liability valuations as well as reserve evaluations. A final determination of these fair values will reflect an independent third-party valuation. This final valuation will be based on the actual net tangible and intangible assets and liabilities of Aurora that exist as of the closing date of the Proposed Acquisition. Any final adjustment may change the allocation of purchase price, which could affect the fair value assigned to the assets and liabilities and could result in a change to the unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements.
Pro forma adjustments are necessary to reflect the purchase price and purchase accounting adjustments based on preliminary estimates of the fair values of the Aurora net assets acquired. The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements do not reflect any operating efficiencies and cost savings that may be realized with respect to the combined companies.
B-3
BAYTEX ENERGY CORP.
PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
As at September
30, 2013
(Unaudited)
(In thousands of Canadian dollars)
|
Baytex Energy Corp. |
Aurora Oil & Gas Limited |
Note | Pro Forma adjustments |
Pro Forma consolidated |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
(3b) |
|
|
|
||||||||||
ASSETS |
|||||||||||||||
Current assets |
|||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 315 | $ | 108,524 | | $ | 108,839 | ||||||||
Trade and other receivables |
194,195 | 60,557 | | 254,752 | |||||||||||
Crude Oil inventory |
406 | | | 406 | |||||||||||
Financial derivatives |
10,577 | | | 10,577 | |||||||||||
|
205,493 | 169,081 | | 374,574 | |||||||||||
Non-current assets |
|||||||||||||||
Financial Derivatives |
1,270 | | | 1,270 | |||||||||||
Exploration and evaluation assets |
177,395 | | (3c) | 1,282,016 | 1,462,411 | ||||||||||
Oil and gas properties |
2,288,408 | 1,269,373 | (3c) | | 3,557,781 | ||||||||||
Other plant and equipment |
30,848 | 123,267 | | 154,115 | |||||||||||
Goodwill |
37,755 | | (3c) | 444,280 | 482,035 | ||||||||||
|
$ | 2,741,169 | $ | 1,561,721 | $ | 1,729,296 | $ | 6,032,186 | |||||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY |
|||||||||||||||
Current liabilities |
|||||||||||||||
Trade and other payables |
$ | 225,230 | $ | 193,940 | | $ | 419,170 | ||||||||
Dividends payable to shareholders |
27,389 | | | 27,389 | |||||||||||
Financial derivatives |
20,021 | 6,413 | | 26,434 | |||||||||||
|
272,640 | 200,353 | | 472,993 | |||||||||||
Non-current liabilities |
|||||||||||||||
Bank Loan |
244,651 | | | 244,651 | |||||||||||
Long-term debt |
446,659 | 679,482 | (3c), (3e) | 619,506 | 1,745,647 | ||||||||||
Asset retirement obligations |
245,489 | 3,117 | | 248,606 | |||||||||||
Deferred income tax liability |
234,557 | 129,838 | (3g) | 425,280 | 789,675 | ||||||||||
Financial derivatives |
1,108 | 440 | | 1,548 | |||||||||||
|
1,445,104 | 1,013,230 | 1,044,787 | 3,503,121 | |||||||||||
Shareholders' equity |
|||||||||||||||
Shareholders' capital |
1,969,018 | 416,695 | (3h) | (416,695 | ) | 3,230,018 | |||||||||
|
(3a) | 1,261,000 | |||||||||||||
Contributed Surplus |
58,616 | | | 58,616 | |||||||||||
Reserves |
| (3,423 | ) | (3h) | 3,423 | | |||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(6,722 | ) | | | (6,722 | ) | |||||||||
Deficit |
(724,847 | ) | 135,219 | (3f), (3h) | (163,219 | ) | (752,847 | ) | |||||||
|
1,296,065 | 548,491 | 684,509 | 2,529,065 | |||||||||||
|
$ | 2,741,169 | $ | 1,561,721 | $ | 1,729,296 | 6,032,186 | ||||||||
See the accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements, which are an integral part of these statements.
B-4
BAYTEX ENERGY CORP.
PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For
the nine months ended September 30, 2013
(Unaudited)
(In thousands of Canadian dollars, except for per share amounts)
|
Baytex Energy Corp. |
Aurora Oil & Gas Limited |
Note | Pro forma adjustments |
Pro forma consolidated |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
(3b) |
|
|
|
||||||||||
Revenues, net of royalties |
$ | 846,063 | $ | 289,983 | $ | | $ | 1,136,046 | |||||||
Expenses |
|||||||||||||||
Production and operating |
206,780 | 18,768 | | 225,548 | |||||||||||
Transportation and blending |
120,754 | 11,254 | | 132,008 | |||||||||||
Exploration and evaluation |
7,737 | 289 | | 8,026 | |||||||||||
Depletion and depreciation |
239,507 | 66,886 | (3l) | 88,861 | 395,254 | ||||||||||
General and administrative |
33,060 | 17,337 | | 50,397 | |||||||||||
Share-based compensation |
27,524 | 4,427 | | 31,951 | |||||||||||
Financing costs |
37,858 | 44,133 | (3e) | 17,693 | 99,684 | ||||||||||
Loss on financial derivatives |
18,515 | | | 18,515 | |||||||||||
Foreign exchange loss |
1,077 | 289 | | 1,366 | |||||||||||
Gain on divestiture of oil and gas properties |
(20,989 | ) | | | (20,989 | ) | |||||||||
|
671,823 | 163,382 | 106,554 | 941,759 | |||||||||||
Net income before income taxes |
174,240 | 126,601 | (106,554 | ) | 194,287 | ||||||||||
Income tax expense |
|||||||||||||||
Current income tax recovery |
(6,821 | ) | | | (6,821 | ) | |||||||||
Deferred income tax expense |
47,389 | 44,734 | (3g) | (35,525 | ) | 56,599 | |||||||||
|
40,568 | 44,734 | (35,525 | ) | 49,778 | ||||||||||
Net income attributable to shareholders |
133,672 | 81,867 | (71,029 | ) | 144,509 | ||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
|||||||||||||||
Changes in fair value of equity instruments and cash flow hedges |
| 3,806 | | 3,806 | |||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
(5,740 | ) | | | (5,740 | ) | |||||||||
Comprehensive Income |
$ | 139,412 | $ | 78,061 | (71,029 | ) | 146,443 | ||||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding |
|||||||||||||||
Basic |
123,318 | (3i) | 33,420 | 156,738 | |||||||||||
Diluted |
124,860 | (3i) | 33,420 | 158,280 | |||||||||||
Earnings per common share |
|||||||||||||||
Basic |
$ | 1.08 | (3i) | 0.92 | |||||||||||
Diluted |
$ | 1.07 | (3i) | 0.91 |
See the accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements, which are an integral part of these statements.
B-5
BAYTEX ENERGY CORP.
PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For
the year ended December 31, 2012
(Unaudited)
(In thousands of Canadian dollars, except for per share amounts)
|
Baytex Energy Corp. |
Aurora Oil & Gas Limited |
Note | Pro forma adjustments |
Pro forma consolidated |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
(3b) |
|
|
|
||||||||||
Revenues, net of royalties |
$ | 1,024,949 | $ | 207,548 | $ | | $ | 1,232,497 | |||||||
Expenses |
|||||||||||||||
Production and operating |
232,375 | 20,237 | | 252,612 | |||||||||||
Transportation and blending |
207,240 | 4,293 | | 211,533 | |||||||||||
Exploration and evaluation |
12,202 | 4,943 | | 17,145 | |||||||||||
Depletion and depreciation |
297,797 | 39,196 | (31) | 69,493 | 406,486 | ||||||||||
General and administrative |
44,646 | 15,148 | | 59,794 | |||||||||||
Share-based compensation |
36,684 | 4,402 | | 41,086 | |||||||||||
Financing costs |
47,191 | 28,052 | (3e) | 23,591 | 98,834 | ||||||||||
Gain on financial derivatives |
(61,554 | ) | | | (61,554 | ) | |||||||||
Foreign exchange gain |
(4,739 | ) | | | (4,739 | ) | |||||||||
Gain on divestiture of oil and gas properties |
(172,545 | ) | | | (172,545 | ) | |||||||||
Other income |
| (5,013 | ) | | (5,013 | ) | |||||||||
Charge on redemption of long-term debt note |
9,261 | | | 9,261 | |||||||||||
|
648,558 | 111,259 | 93,083 | 852,900 | |||||||||||
Net income before income taxes |
376,391 | 96,289 | (93,083 | ) | 379,596 | ||||||||||
Income tax expense |
|||||||||||||||
Current income tax (recovery) expense |
10,162 | | | 10,162 | |||||||||||
Deferred income tax expense |
107,598 | 37,390 | (3g) | (30,220 | ) | 114,768 | |||||||||
|
117,760 | 37,390 | (30,220 | ) | 124,930 | ||||||||||
Net income attributable to shareholders |
258,631 | 58,899 | (62,863 | ) | 254,667 | ||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
|||||||||||||||
Changes in fair value of equity instruments and cash flow hedges |
| 197 | | 197 | |||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
8,916 | | | 8,916 | |||||||||||
Comprehensive Income |
$ | 249,715 | $ | 58,702 | (62,863 | ) | 245,554 | ||||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding (#, thousands) |
|||||||||||||||
Basic |
119,959 | (3i) | 33,420 | 153,379 | |||||||||||
Diluted |
121,823 | (3i) | 33,420 | 155,243 | |||||||||||
Earnings per common share |
|||||||||||||||
Basic |
$ | 2.16 | (3i) | 1.66 | |||||||||||
Diluted |
$ | 2.12 | (3i) | 1.64 |
See the accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements, which are an integral part of these statements.
B-6
BAYTEX ENERGY CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
As at and
for the nine-months ended September 30, 2013 and for the year ended December 31, 2012
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise stated)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements give effect to the proposed acquisition ("Proposed Acquisition") by Baytex Energy Corp. ("Baytex" or the "Corporation") of Aurora Oil & Gas Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively, "Aurora") as described in the short form prospectus dated February 18, 2014 (the "Prospectus"). The accompanying unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management of Baytex and are derived from the unaudited and audited consolidated financial statements of Baytex as at and for the nine-months ended September 30, 2013 and for the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively, and the unaudited and audited consolidated financial statements of Aurora as at and for the nine-months ended September 30, 2013 and for the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively.
The accompanying unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements utilize accounting policies that are consistent with those disclosed in the unaudited consolidated financial statements of Baytex as at and for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 and are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Canada which are consistent with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
The accompanying unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of financial position and unaudited pro forma consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income reflect the Proposed Acquisition as if it were effected on September 30, 2013 and January 1, 2012, respectively. The accompanying unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that would have been achieved if the transactions reflected therein had been completed on the dates indicated or the results which may be obtained in the future. For instance, the actual purchase price allocation will reflect the fair value, at the purchase date, of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon the Corporation's evaluation of such assets and liabilities following the closing of the Proposed Acquisition and, accordingly, the final purchase price allocation, may differ materially from the preliminary allocation reflected herein. Specifically, the unaudited pro forma consolidated statements, the purchase price and the purchase price allocation do not reflect changes in Aurora's working capital or borrowings subsequent to September 30, 2013 and therefore do not correspond to certain disclosures elsewhere in the Prospectus.
The accompanying unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the description of the Proposed Acquisition and the financing thereof provided in the Prospectus; the audited and unaudited consolidated financial statements of Aurora, including the notes thereto, included in the Prospectus; and the audited and unaudited consolidated financial statements of Baytex, including the notes thereto, included in the Prospectus.
The underlying assumptions for the pro forma adjustments provide a reasonable basis for presenting the significant financial effect directly attributable to the Proposed Acquisition. These pro forma adjustments are tentative and are based on currently available financial information and certain estimates and assumptions. The actual adjustments to the consolidated financial statements will depend on a number of factors. Therefore, it is expected that the actual adjustments will differ from the pro forma adjustments, and the differences may be material.
2. DESCRIPTION OF TRANSACTION
Pursuant to an agreement and plan of a merger between Baytex Energy Corp., certain Baytex subsidiaries and Aurora, Baytex will indirectly purchase all of the outstanding common shares of Aurora for Australian $4.10 per share. The estimated acquisition cost includes the purchase of all outstanding shares, including shares issued for stock options and performance shares which vest upon the acquisition; assumption of Aurora's existing debt, which was approximately $679 million at September 30, 2013; and costs directly associated with the transaction estimated at $34.0 million.
The accompanying unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements assume that the Proposed Acquisition will be financed through the proceeds from a $1.3 billion common share issuance with the balance initially funded through debt (as further described below).
B-7
BAYTEX ENERGY CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
As at and for the nine-months ended September 30, 2013 and for the year ended December 31, 2012
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise stated)
3. PRO FORMA ASSUMPTIONS AND ADJUSTMENTS
The following is the estimated purchase price and assumed financing structure for the Proposed Acquisition. These estimates have been reflected in the accompanying unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements.
Estimated Cost of Acquisition |
|||||
Unadjusted purchase price |
$ | 1,803,771 | |||
Assumed long-term debt of Aurora (Note 2) |
679,482 | ||||
Estimated purchase price |
$ | 2,483,252 | |||
Cash realized on exercise of Aurora options (Note 3(j)) |
16,338 | ||||
Acquisition costs, before tax (Note 3(f)) |
34,000 | ||||
Estimated cost of acquisition |
$ | 2,533,590 | |||
Estimated Funding Requirements |
|||||
Estimated purchase price |
$ | 2,483,252 | |||
Assumed long-term debt of Aurora (Note 2) |
(679,482 | ) | |||
Common share issuance costs, before tax (Note 3(d)) |
52,000 | ||||
Acquisition costs, before tax (Note 3(f)) |
34,000 | ||||
Cash acquired |
(108,524 | ) | |||
Cash realized on exercise of Aurora options (Note 3(j)) |
(16,338 | ) | |||
Estimated net funding requirements |
1,764,908 | ||||
Assumed Financing Structure |
|||||
Assumed long-term debt of Aurora (Note 2) |
$ | 679,482 | |||
Common share issuance, net of issuance costs, before tax (Note 3(d)) |
1,248,000 | ||||
Cash realized on exercise of Aurora options (Note 3(j)) |
16,338 | ||||
Incremental long-term debt (Note 3(e)) |
589,771 | ||||
|
2,533,590 | ||||
The figures presented on the consolidated statement of financial position and the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for Aurora have been adjusted from those reported by Aurora to reflect the translation from United States dollars to Canadian dollars and certain presentation reclassifications. The adjustments are more fully described below.
The assets and liabilities of Aurora, which has a US dollar functional and presentation currency, were converted to Canadian dollars for pro forma reporting purposes at the exchange rate in effect as at the date of the unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of financial position. Revenue and expenses of Aurora's operations are translated at the average exchange rate in effect during the reporting period. The following exchange rates were utilized for the unaudited pro-forma consolidated financial statements:
Balance Sheet (US$ to C$) |
|||||
Spot rate September 30, 2013 |
1.0285 | ||||
Income Statement (US$ to C$) |
|||||
Average rate January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012 |
0.9991 | ||||
Average rate January 1, 2013 to September 30, 2013 |
1.0236 |
The estimated purchase price has been converted from Australian dollars to Canadian dollars at 1AUD = $1.0417 Canadian which was the exchange rate on September 30, 2013.
B-8
BAYTEX ENERGY CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
As at and for the nine-months ended September 30, 2013 and for the year ended December 31, 2012
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise stated)
3. PRO FORMA ASSUMPTIONS AND ADJUSTMENTS (Continued)
Pro forma Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
As at September 30, 2013
(Unaudited)
|
As published Aurora Oil & Gas Limited |
Note | Classification adjustments |
Currency Translation adjustments |
Pro forma Aurora Oil & Gas Limited |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
USD |
|
|
|
CAD |
|||||||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||||||||||
Current assets |
||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 105,517 | $ | | $ | 3,007 | $ | 108,524 | ||||||||
Trade and other receivables |
58,375 | (3k) | 504 | 1,678 | 60,557 | |||||||||||
|
163,892 | 504 | 4,685 | 169,081 | ||||||||||||
Non-current assets |
||||||||||||||||
Other financial assets |
504 | (3k) | (504 | ) | | | ||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment |
119,851 | | 3,416 | 123,267 | ||||||||||||
Oil and gas properties |
1,234,198 | | 35,175 | 1,269,373 | ||||||||||||
|
$ | 1,518,445 | $ | | $ | 43,275 | $ | 1,561,721 | ||||||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY |
||||||||||||||||
Current liabilities |
||||||||||||||||
Trade and other payables |
$ | 188,024 | (3k) | $ | 542 | $ | 5,374 | $ | 193,940 | |||||||
Derivative financial instruments |
6,235 | | 178 | 6,413 | ||||||||||||
Provisions |
542 | (3k) | (542 | ) | | | ||||||||||
|
194,801 | | 5,552 | 200,353 | ||||||||||||
Non-current liabilities |
||||||||||||||||
Borrowings |
660,653 | | 18,829 | 679,482 | ||||||||||||
Deferred tax liabilities |
126,240 | | 3,598 | 129,838 | ||||||||||||
Derivative financial instruments |
428 | | 12 | 440 | ||||||||||||
Provisions |
3,031 | | 86 | 3,117 | ||||||||||||
|
985,153 | | 28,077 | 1,013,230 | ||||||||||||
Shareholders' equity |
||||||||||||||||
Contributed equity |
405,148 | | 11,547 | 416,695 | ||||||||||||
Share-based payment reserves |
16,103 | | 459 | 16,562 | ||||||||||||
Fair value reserve |
(7,262 | ) | | (207 | ) | (7,469 | ) | |||||||||
Foreign exchange reserve |
(7,505 | ) | | (214 | ) | (7,719 | ) | |||||||||
Cash flow hedges reserve |
(4,664 | ) | | (133 | ) | (4,797 | ) | |||||||||
Retained Earnings |
131,472 | | 3,747 | 135,219 | ||||||||||||
|
533,292 | | 15,199 | 548,491 | ||||||||||||
|
$ | 1,518,445 | $ | | $ | 43,276 | $ | 1,561,721 | ||||||||
B-9
BAYTEX ENERGY CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
As at and for the nine-months ended September 30, 2013 and for the year ended December 31, 2012
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise stated)
3. PRO FORMA ASSUMPTIONS AND ADJUSTMENTS (Continued)
Pro forma Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
(Unaudited)
|
As published Aurora Oil & Gas Limited |
Note | Classification adjustments |
Currency Translation adjustments |
Pro forma consolidated Aurora Oil & Gas Limited |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
USD |
|
|
|
CAD |
|||||||||||
Revenue from continuing operations |
$ | 405,388 | (3k) | $ | (122,091 | ) | $ | 6,686 | $ | 289,983 | ||||||
Other income |
99 | 2 | 101 | |||||||||||||
Expenses |
||||||||||||||||
Royalties |
108,575 | (3k) | (108,575 | ) | | | ||||||||||
Production and operating expenses |
42,846 | (3k) | (24,511 | ) | 433 | 18,768 | ||||||||||
Transportation expenses |
| (3k) | 10,995 | 259 | 11,254 | |||||||||||
Administrative expenses |
17,036 | | 402 | 17,438 | ||||||||||||
Depletion, depreciation and amortization |
65,344 | | 1,542 | 66,886 | ||||||||||||
Share-based payment expense |
4,325 | | 102 | 4,427 | ||||||||||||
Finance costs |
43,115 | | 1,018 | 44,133 | ||||||||||||
Exploration and evaluation costs |
282 | | 7 | 289 | ||||||||||||
Foreign exchange loss |
282 | | 7 | 289 | ||||||||||||
|
281,805 | (122,091 | ) | 3,769 | 163,483 | |||||||||||
Net income before income taxes |
123,682 | | 2,919 | 126,601 | ||||||||||||
Income tax expense |
43,703 | | 1,031 | 44,734 | ||||||||||||
Net income attributable to owners of the Company |
79,979 | | 1,887 | 81,866 | ||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
||||||||||||||||
Changes in fair value of equity instruments |
208 | | 5 | 213 | ||||||||||||
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges |
3,510 | | 83 | 3,593 | ||||||||||||
Comprehensive Income |
$ | 76,261 | $ | | $ | 1,800 | $ | 78,061 | ||||||||
B-10
BAYTEX ENERGY CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
As at and for the nine-months ended September 30, 2013 and for the year ended December 31, 2012
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise stated)
3. PRO FORMA ASSUMPTIONS AND ADJUSTMENTS (Continued)
Pro forma Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income
For the year ended December 31, 2012
(Unaudited)
|
As published Aurora Oil & Gas Limited |
Note | Classification adjustments |
Currency Translation adjustments |
Pro forma consolidated Aurora Oil & Gas Limited |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
USD |
|
|
|
CAD |
|||||||||||
Revenues, net of royalties |
$ | 295,059 | (3k) | $ | (87,698 | ) | $ | 187 | $ | 207,548 | ||||||
Other income |
5,008 | | 5 | 5,013 | ||||||||||||
Expenses |
||||||||||||||||
Royalties |
77,625 | (3k) | (77,625 | ) | | | ||||||||||
Production and operating expenses |
34,581 | (3k) | (14,362 | ) | 18 | 20,237 | ||||||||||
Transportation expenses |
| (3k) | 4,289 | 4 | 4,293 | |||||||||||
Administrative expenses |
15,134 | | 14 | 15,148 | ||||||||||||
Depletion, depreciation and amortization |
39,161 | | 35 | 39,196 | ||||||||||||
Share-based payment expense |
4,398 | | 4 | 4,402 | ||||||||||||
Finance costs |
28,027 | | 25 | 28,052 | ||||||||||||
Exploration and evaluation costs |
4,939 | | 4 | 4,943 | ||||||||||||
|
203,865 | (87,698 | ) | 105 | 116,272 | |||||||||||
Net income before income taxes |
96,202 | | 87 | 96,289 | ||||||||||||
Income tax expense |
37,356 | | 34 | 37,390 | ||||||||||||
Net income attributable to shareholders |
58,846 | | 53 | 58,899 | ||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
||||||||||||||||
Changes in fair value of equity instruments |
(957 | ) | | (1 | ) | (958 | ) | |||||||||
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges |
1,154 | | 1 | 1,155 | ||||||||||||
Comprehensive Income |
$ | 58,649 | $ | | $ | 53 | $ | 58,702 | ||||||||
B-11
BAYTEX ENERGY CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
As at and for the nine-months ended September 30, 2013 and for the year ended December 31, 2012
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise stated)
3. PRO FORMA ASSUMPTIONS AND ADJUSTMENTS (Continued)
The estimated net purchase price has been allocated to the estimated fair values of Aurora's net assets and liabilities as at September 30, 2013 in accordance with the acquisition method, as follows:
(in millions)
|
Aurora | Fair Value and Other Adjustments |
Net Total | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assets acquired: |
|||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 108,524 | | $ | 108,524 | ||||||
Accounts receivable |
60,557 | | 60,557 | ||||||||
Total current assets |
169,081 | | 169,081 | ||||||||
Exploration and evaluation assets |
| 1,285,016 | 1,285,016 | ||||||||
Other plant and equipment |
123,267 | | 123,267 | ||||||||
Oil and gas assets and other assets |
1,269,373 | | 1,269,373 | ||||||||
|
$ | 1,561,721 | 1,285,016 | $ | 2,846,736 | ||||||
Liabilities assumed: |
|||||||||||
Accounts payable and other current liabilities |
$ | 193,940 | | $ | 193,940 | ||||||
Financial derivatives |
6,413 | | 6,413 | ||||||||
Total current liabilities |
200,353 | 200,353 | |||||||||
Long-term debt |
679,482 | 29,736 | 709,217 | ||||||||
Asset retirement obligation |
3,117 | | 3,117 | ||||||||
Deferred income tax liability |
129,838 | 444,280 | 574,118 | ||||||||
Financial Derivatives |
440 | | 440 | ||||||||
|
$ | 1,013,230 | 474,016 | $ | 1,487,246 | ||||||
Net assets at fair value, as at September 30, 2013 |
1,359,490 | ||||||||||
Estimated purchase price, before assumed debt |
1,803,771 | ||||||||||
Goodwill |
$ | 444,280 | |||||||||
The fair value adjustment of the Exploration and evaluation assets reflects the value of the resources acquired based on management's assessment of future prices, development timing, production profiles and risk. The fair value of the long-term debt reflects trading values of the two tranches of Aurora notes and the receipt of cash on the exercise of Aurora's options upon change of control. The Goodwill and the Deferred income tax liability result from the difference between the accounting basis and the tax basis of the assets acquired. The Goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes.
Assumed financing for the Proposed Acquisition contemplates the issuance, of approximately 33 million Baytex common shares at $38.90 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $1.3 billion. Underwriting and agency costs as well as commitment fees are estimated at 4% of gross proceeds in the aggregate or approximately $52 million and will result in a corresponding deferred income tax asset of approximately $13 million based on the Corporation's statutory income tax rate of 25%.
Assumed financing for the Proposed Acquisition contemplates the issuance of approximately 589.8 million of debt, primarily drawn on the existing extendible syndicated loan facility which will be increased to $1.0 billion from $850 million. Estimated debt issuance costs of approximately $11.0 million have been included with Acquisition costs (note 3f). The interest rate is estimated at 4%, which would result in incremental interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2012 and for the nine-months ended September 30, 2013 of $23.6 million and $17.7 million, respectively. Incremental interest expense would result in corresponding deferred income tax benefits of $5.9 million and $4.4 million, respectively, based on the Corporation's statutory income tax rate of 25%.
B-12
BAYTEX ENERGY CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
As at and for the nine-months ended September 30, 2013 and for the year ended December 31, 2012
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise stated)
3. PRO FORMA ASSUMPTIONS AND ADJUSTMENTS (Continued)
Acquisition costs are estimated at approximately $34 million (including debt issuance costs (note 3e)), or approximately $28 million, net of deferred income tax. Acquisition costs are composed of estimated cost of short-term financing, cost to acquire foreign currency, accounting, tax, legal and other costs associated with the completion of the Proposed Acquisition.
Income taxes applicable to the pro forma adjustments are calculated at Baytex's average tax rates of 25% (Canadian rate) and 35% (US rate) for the year ended December 31, 2012 and for the nine-months ended September 30, 2013. The deferred income tax asset and liability is the cumulative amount of tax applicable to temporary differences between the accounting and tax values of assets and liabilities. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates expected to apply when these differences reverse. For the purpose of the accompanying unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements, deferred income tax rates of 25% (Canadian rate) and 35% (US rate) have been used.
The historical shareholders' equity of Aurora, which includes retained earnings, share-based payment reserves, certain other reserves and contributed equity has been eliminated.
The calculation of the pro forma earnings per common share for the year ended December 31, 2012, and for the nine-months ended September 30, 2013 reflects the assumed issuance of approximately 33 million Baytex common shares as if the issuance had taken place as at January 1, 2012.
The purchase price of Aurora reflects the assumed exercise of stock options granted to certain employees for estimated cash proceeds of approximately $16.3 million. The cash proceeds have been applied against incremental long-term debt on these pro forma consolidated financial statements.
Certain amounts on the income statement of Aurora were reclassified to conform with the presentation of Baytex. Royalties of $77.6 million and $108.6 million were reclassified from Royalties to Revenue, net of royalties for the periods ended December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013 respectively. Royalties of $10.1 million and $13.5 million were reclassified from Production and operating expenses to Revenue, net of royalties for the periods ended December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013 respectively. Transportation expenses of $4.3 million and $11.0 million were reclassified from Production and operating expenses to Transportation and blending for the periods ended December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013 respectively. The statement of financial position of Aurora has been adjusted to reclassify Other financial assets, comprised of an equity investment in a public company, to Trade and other receivables and to reclassify Provisions Current liabilities to Trade and other payables.
Baytex includes future development costs in the estimate of depletion expense, but Aurora does not. As both practices are acceptable under IFRS, the adjustment was made to promote consistency and comparability.
Aurora's accounting policy on depreciation of producing assets states: "[Aurora] uses the "units of production" approach when amortising and depreciating field-specific assets. Using this method of amortisation and depreciation requires [Aurora] to compare the actual volume of production to the reserves and then to apply this determined rate of depletion to the carrying value of depreciable asset." "The reserves used in these calculations are the Proved plus Probable reserves and are reviewed at least annually."
Baytex's accounting policy on depreciation of producing assets states: "The net carrying value of oil and gas properties is depleted using the unit of production method using estimated proved and probable petroleum and natural gas reserves, by reference to the
B-13
BAYTEX ENERGY CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
As at and for the nine-months ended September 30, 2013 and for the year ended December 31, 2012
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise stated)
3. PRO FORMA ASSUMPTIONS AND ADJUSTMENTS (Continued)
ratio of production in the year to the related proved and probable reserves at forecast prices, taking into account estimated future development costs necessary to bring those reserves into production."
Aurora estimated future development costs to be approximately $1,350 million and $1,626 million at December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013, respectively. Additional depletion expense of $69.5 million and $88.9 million for the periods ended December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013 respectively.
There is a corresponding adjustment to deferred tax expense of $24.3 million and $31.1 million for the periods ended December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013 respectively.
B-14
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED TO BE DELIVERED
TO OFFEREES OR PURCHASERS
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
The constituting documents of Baytex Energy Corp. ("Baytex" or the "Registrant") contain the following provisions with respect to the protection and indemnification of our directors and officers:
Limitation of Liability
No director or officer for the time being of Baytex shall be liable for the acts, receipts, neglects or defaults of any other director, officer or employee, or for joining in any receipt or act for conformity, or for any loss, damage or expense happening to Baytex through the insufficiency or deficiency of title to any property acquired by Baytex or for or on behalf of Baytex or for the insufficiency or deficiency of any security in or upon which any of the moneys of or belonging to Baytex shall be placed or invested, or for any loss or damage arising from the bankruptcy, insolvency or tortious act of any person, firm or corporation, including any person, firm or corporation with whom or with which any moneys, securities or effects shall be lodged or deposited, or for any loss, conversion, misapplication or misappropriation of or any damage resulting from any dealings with any moneys, securities or other assets of or belonging to Baytex or for any other loss, damage or misfortune whatsoever which may happen in the execution of the duties of his or her respective office or trust or in relation thereto unless the same shall happen by or through his or her failure to exercise the powers and to discharge the duties of his or her office honestly, in good faith and with a view to the best interests of Baytex and to exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances.
Indemnity
Baytex hereby indemnifies, to the maximum extent permitted under the Alberta Business Corporations Act ("ABCA"), each director and officer and each former director and officer, and may indemnify a person who acts or acted at Baytex's request as a director or officer of a body corporate of which Baytex is or was a shareholder or creditor, and their heirs and legal representatives, against all costs, charges and expenses, including any amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by him or her in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which he or she is made a party by reason of being or having been a director or officer of Baytex or such body corporate.
Insurance
Baytex may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any person against any liability incurred by him or her:
We have entered into agreements, if applicable, with each of our directors and officers to evidence our obligations to indemnify such directors and officers as described above.
Section 124 of the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) provides as follows:
124 (1) Except in respect of an action by or on behalf of the corporation or body corporate to procure a judgment in its favour, a corporation may indemnify a director or officer of the corporation, a former director or officer of the corporation or a person who acts or acted at the corporation's request as a director or officer of a body corporate of which the corporation is or was a shareholder or creditor, and the director's
II-1
or officer's heirs and legal representatives, against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the director or officer in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which the director or officer is made a party by reason of being or having been a director or officer of that corporation or body corporate, if
(2) A corporation may, with the approval of the Court, indemnify a person referred to in subsection (1) in respect of an action by or on behalf of the corporation or body corporate to procure a judgment in its favour, to which the person is made a party by reason of being or having been a director or an officer of the corporation or body corporate, against all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the action if the person fulfils the conditions set out in subsection (1)(a) and (b).
(3) Notwithstanding anything in this section, a person referred to in subsection (1) is entitled to indemnity from the corporation in respect of all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defence of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which the person is made a party by reason of being or having been a director or officer of the corporation or body corporate, if the person seeking indemnity
(3.1) A corporation may advance funds to a person in order to defray the costs, charges and expenses of a proceeding referred to in subsection (1) or (2), but if the person does not meet the conditions of subsection (3) he or she shall repay the funds advanced.
(4) A corporation may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any person referred to in subsection (1) against any liability incurred by the person
(5) A corporation or a person referred to in subsection (1) may apply to the Court for an order approving an indemnity under this section and the Court may so order and make any further order it thinks fit.
(6) On an application under subsection (5), the Court may order notice to be given to any interested person and that person is entitled to appear and be heard in person or by counsel.
As contemplated by Section 124(4) of the Business Corporations Act (Alberta), the Registrant has purchased insurance against potential claims against its directors and officers and against loss for which the Registrant may be required or permitted by law to indemnify such directors and officers.
* * *
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is therefore unenforceable.
II-2
FORM F-10
EXHIBITS OF BAYTEX ENERGY CORP.
EXHIBIT NUMBER |
|
DESCRIPTION | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
3.1 |
Underwriting Agreement, dated February 7, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on February 10, 2014 (File No. 001-32754)). | |||
4.1 |
Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2012, dated March 25, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to our Annual Report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 filed with the SEC on March 26, 2013 (File No. 001-32754)). | |||
4.2 |
Audited consolidated financial statements as at December 31, 2012 and 2011 and for the years then ended, together with the notes thereto and the auditor's report thereon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to our Annual Report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 filed with the SEC on March 26, 2013 (File No. 001-32754)). | |||
4.3 |
Management's discussion and analysis of operating and financial results for the year ended December 31, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to our Annual Report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 filed with the SEC on March 26, 2013 (File No. 001-32754)). | |||
4.4 |
Condensed interim unaudited consolidated financial statements as at September 30, 2013 and 2012 and for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, together with the notes thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on October 30, 2013 (File No. 001-32754)). | |||
4.5 |
Management's discussion and analysis of operating and financial results for the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on October 30, 2013 (File No. 001-32754)). | |||
4.6 |
Information Circular Proxy Statement dated April 1, 2013 relating to the annual and special meeting of shareholders held on May 14, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on April 10, 2013 (File No. 001-32754)). | |||
4.7 |
Supplemental Disclosures about Extraction Activities Oil and Gas prepared in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 932 "Extractive Activities Oil & Gas" (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on March 26, 2013 (File No. 001-32754)). | |||
4.8 |
The "template version" (as such term is defined in National Instrument 41-101 General Prospectus Requirements) of the term sheet for the Offering dated and filed February 6, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on February 6, 2014) (File No. 001-32754). | |||
4.9 |
Investor Presentation, dated February 2014, and filed February 6, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on February 6, 2014) (File No. 001-32754). | |||
4.10 |
Material Change Report, dated February 14, 2014 and filed February 18, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on February 18, 2014) (file No. 001-32754). | |||
5.1 |
Consent of Deloitte LLP, independent registered chartered accountants. | |||
5.2 |
Consent of BDO Audit (WA) Pty Ltd., independent registered chartered accountants for Aurora Oil & Gas Limited. | |||
5.3 |
Consent of Sproule Associates Limited, independent engineers. | |||
5.4 |
* | Consent of Ryder Scott Company L.P., independent reserves evaluator for Aurora Oil & Gas Limited. | ||
5.5 |
* | Consent of Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP, legal counsel. | ||
5.6 |
Consent of McDaniel & Associates Consultants Ltd., Independent Oil and Gas Reservoir Engineers. | |||
6.1 |
* | Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page of the initial filing of this Registration Statement). |
II-3
PART III
UNDERTAKING AND CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS
The Registrant undertakes to make available, in person or by telephone, representatives to respond to inquiries made by the Commission staff, and to furnish promptly, when requested to do so by the Commission staff, information relating to the securities registered pursuant to Form F-10 or to transactions in said securities.
Item 2. Consent to Service of Process
A written Appointment of Agent for Service of Process and Undertaking on Form F-X for the Registrant and its agent for service of process was filed with the SEC concurrently with the initial filing of this Registration Statement on Form F-10.
Any change to the name or address of the agent for service of process of the Registrant shall be communicated promptly to the Commission by amendment to Form F-X referencing the file number of this Registration Statement on Form F-10.
II-4
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-10 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Alberta, Canada, on February 18, 2014.
BAYTEX ENERGY CORP. | ||||
By: |
/s/ JAMES L. BOWZER Name: James L. Bowzer Title: President and Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated and on the dates indicated.
Signature
|
Capacity | Date | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
/s/ JAMES L. BOWZER James L. Bowzer |
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) |
February 18, 2014 | ||
/s/ W. DEREK AYLESWORTH W. Derek Aylesworth |
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial & Accounting Officer) |
February 18, 2014 |
||
* Raymond T. Chan |
Director and Executive Chairman |
February 18, 2014 |
||
* John A. Brussa |
Director |
February 18, 2014 |
||
* Edward Chwyl |
Director |
February 18, 2014 |
||
* Naveen Dargan |
Director |
February 18, 2014 |
||
* R.E.T. Goepel |
Director |
February 18, 2014 |
||
Gregory K. Melchin |
Director |
February 18, 2014 |
||
* Mary Ellen Peters |
Director |
February 18, 2014 |
Signature
|
Capacity | Date | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
* Dale O. Shwed |
Director |
February 18, 2014 | ||
*/s/ JAMES L. BOWZER Attorney-in-fact |
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 6(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned has signed this Registration Statement, in the capacity of the duly authorized representative of the Registrant in the United States, on February 18, 2014.
BAYTEX ENERGY USA LTD. | ||||
By: |
/s/ JAMES L. BOWZER Name: James L. Bowzer Title: Chief Executive Officer |
INDEX OF EXHIBITS OF BAYTEX ENERGY CORP.
to
FORM F-10
EXHIBIT NUMBER |
|
DESCRIPTION | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
3.1 |
Underwriting Agreement, dated February 7, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on February 10, 2014 (File No. 001-32754)). | |||
4.1 |
Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2012, dated March 25, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to our Annual Report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 filed with the SEC on March 26, 2013 (File No. 001-32754)). | |||
4.2 |
Audited consolidated financial statements as at December 31, 2012 and 2011 and for the years then ended, together with the notes thereto and the auditor's report thereon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to our Annual Report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 filed with the SEC on March 26, 2013 (File No. 001-32754)). | |||
4.3 |
Management's discussion and analysis of operating and financial results for the year ended December 31, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to our Annual Report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 filed with the SEC on March 26, 2013 (File No. 001-32754)). | |||
4.4 |
Condensed interim unaudited consolidated financial statements as at September 30, 2013 and 2012 and for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, together with the notes thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on October 30, 2013 (File No. 001-32754)). | |||
4.5 |
Management's discussion and analysis of operating and financial results for the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on October 30, 2013 (File No. 001-32754)). | |||
4.6 |
Information Circular Proxy Statement dated April 1, 2013 relating to the annual and special meeting of shareholders held on May 14, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on April 10, 2013 (File No. 001-32754)). | |||
4.7 |
Supplemental Disclosures about Extraction Activities Oil and Gas prepared in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 932 "Extractive Activities Oil & Gas" (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on March 26, 2013 (File No. 001-32754)). | |||
4.8 |
The "template version" (as such term is defined in National Instrument 41-101 General Prospectus Requirements) of the term sheet for the Offering dated and filed February 6, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on February 6, 2014) (File No. 001-32754). | |||
4.9 |
Investor Presentation, dated February 2014, and filed on February 6, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on February 6, 2014) (File No. 001-32754). | |||
4.10 |
Material Change Report, dated February 14, 2014 and filed February 18, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on February 18, 2014) (file No. 001-32754). | |||
5.1 |
Consent of Deloitte LLP, independent registered chartered accountants. | |||
5.2 |
Consent of BDO Audit (WA) Pty Ltd., independent registered chartered accountants for Aurora Oil & Gas Limited. | |||
5.3 |
Consent of Sproule Associates Limited, independent engineers. | |||
5.4 |
* | Consent of Ryder Scott Company L.P., independent reserves evaluator for Aurora Oil & Gas Limited. | ||
5.5 |
* | Consent of Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP, legal counsel. | ||
5.6 |
Consent of McDaniel & Associates Consultants Ltd., Independent Oil and Gas Reservoir Engineers. | |||
6.1 |
* | Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page of the initial filing of this Registration Statement). |