SYMBOL: PEY.UN - TSX
CALGARY, March 4 /CNW/ - Peyto Energy Trust ("Peyto" or the "Trust") is pleased to present the operating and financial results for the fourth quarter and 2008 fiscal year which culminate ten successful years of operation in Western Canada. Peyto has been a leader in the exploration and development of natural gas in Alberta's premier gas exploration area, the Deep Basin.
The following summarizes Peyto's accomplishments over the last ten years:
- Developed 150 net sections of an accumulated land base of 324 net
sections (9 townships)
- Internally generated and executed on over 650 gas drilling locations
- Designed and constructed 195 mmcf/d of processing capacity in five
100% owned gas plants
- Installed over 700 wellsites and 750 km of gas gathering system
- Invested over $1.5 billion in capital projects
- Developed over 900 BCFe of proved natural gas reserves, with over
290 BCFe recovered to date
- Generated over $1.45 billion in funds from operations
- Produced over $475 million in crown royalties for Albertans
- Paid out over $800 million in distributions to unitholders
($7.96/unit)
- Accumulated over $900 million in earnings
- Averaged 22% Return on Capital Employed and 44% Return on Equity
- Delivered a ten year compound annual total return of 65%
The Trust's assets exhibited the following attributes for 2008:
- Long reserve life - Proved Producing 14 yrs, Total Proved 17 yrs,
Proved plus Probable 23 yrs
- High revenue natural gas - $9.75/mcfe ($58.49/boe) before hedging,
$9.54/mcfe ($57.24/boe) after hedging
- Low operating costs (including transportation) - $0.54/mcfe
($3.23/boe)
- Low base general and administrative costs - $0.15/mcfe ($0.91/boe)
- High operating netback - $7.18/mcfe ($43.10/boe), or 74% operating
margin before hedging
- High operatorship - over 95% of production
- Debt to funds from operations ratio - 1.8 times (net debt, before
provision for future performance based compensation, divided by
annualized fourth quarter 2008 funds from operations)
The following summarizes certain performance highlights for the 2008 year:
- Annual Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) was 19%, Return on Equity
(ROE) was 33%
- Value creation - invested $139 million in capital and created
$299 million of Proved Producing and $300 million of Proved plus
Probable undiscounted reserve value, translating into Net Present
Value ("NPV") recycle ratios (as defined herein) of 2.1 times
- Net Asset value - the debt adjusted, NPV per unit of the Trust's
Total Proved and Proved plus Probable oil and gas assets, discounted
at 5%, was $26.19/unit and $33.84/unit, respectively
- Distributions per unit - increased by 5% from $1.68 in 2007 to $1.76
in 2008. Subsequent to year end, distributions were reduced by 20% to
an annualized rate of $1.44
- Annual production - decreased 3% from 20,669 boe/d in 2007 to
19,996 boe/d in 2008
- Cost of new reserves (Finding, Development and Acquisition costs
"FD&A" inclusive of changes in Future Development Capital "FDC") -
increased 36% to $2.88/mcfe ($17.30/boe) for Proved Producing
reserves, which when divided into a cash netback of $6.53/mcfe
($39.20/boe) yields a 2.3 times Recycle Ratio
- FD&A cost for Total Proved and Proved plus Probable reserves were
$3.17/mcfe and $3.88/mcfe yielding Recycle Ratios of 2.1 and 1.7
times respectively
- Reserve Replacement - Proved Producing 110%, Total Proved 138%,
Proved plus Probable 122%
Natural gas volumes are recorded in thousands of cubic feet (mcf),
millions of cubic feet (mmcf) and billions of cubic feet (bcf). Natural
gas volumes are converted to barrels of oil equivalent (boe) using the
ratio of six (6) thousand cubic feet to one (1) barrel of oil (bbl).
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3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31 % Dec. 31 %
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
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Operations
Production
Natural gas
(mcf/d) 101,907 104,749 (3)% 100,384 102,418 (2)%
Oil & NGLs
(bbl/d) 3,207 3,675 (13)% 3,265 3,599 (9)%
Barrels
of oil
equivalent
(boe/d
at 6:1) 20,191 21,134 (4)% 19,996 20,669 (3)%
Thousand
cubic feet
equivalent
(mcfe/d
at 6:1) 121,146 126,801 (4)% 119,975 124,011 (3)%
Product prices
(Inclusive
of hedging)
Natural gas
($/mcf) 7.99 7.67 4% 8.64 8.42 3%
Oil & NGLs
($/bbl) 46.16 75.23 (39)% 84.78 67.88 25%
Operating
expenses
($/mcfe) 0.43 0.38 13% 0.44 0.43 2%
Transportation
($/mcfe) 0.10 0.09 11% 0.10 0.09 11%
Field netback
($/mcfe) 6.61 6.59 - 7.18 6.84 5%
General &
administrative
expenses
($/mcfe) 0.11 0.15 (27)% 0.15 0.16 (6)%
Interest expense
($/mcfe) 0.45 0.53 (15)% 0.50 0.51 (2)%
Financial
($000, except
per unit)
Revenue 89,377 99,387 (10)% 418,885 404,033 4%
Royalties 9,765 17,080 (43)% 79,821 70,621 13%
Funds from
operations 67,354 68,976 (2)% 286,907 279,624 3%
Funds from
operations
per unit 0.64 0.65 (2)% 2.71 2.65 2%
Total
distributions 47,664 44,399 7% 186,731 177,548 5%
Total
distributions
per unit 0.45 0.42 7% 1.76 1.68 5%
Payout
ratio (%) 71 64 11% 65 63 3%
Earnings 50,711 73,289 (31)% 179,397 208,884 (14)%
Earnings per
diluted unit 0.48 0.69 (30)% 1.69 1.98 (15)%
Capital
expenditures 22,467 35,546 (37)% 139,324 121,571 15%
Weighted
average
trust units
outstan-
ding 105,920,194 105,712,364 - 105,876,470 105,670,476 -
As at
December 31
Net debt
(before
future
compensation
expense) 492,644 457,427 8%
Unitholders'
equity 550,717 528,992 4%
Total assets 1,280,246 1,192,232 7%
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Net Earnings 50,711 73,289 179,397 208,884
Items not
requiring cash:
Provision
for
(recovery
of) perfor-
mance based
compensation (5,036) (371) (269) 269
Future income
tax expense 1,778 (30,226) 32,111 (12,453)
Depletion,
depreciation
and
accretion 19,901 19,151 75,668 75,791
Non-recurring
items:
Performance
based
compensation - 7,133 - 7,133
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Funds from
operations(1) 67,354 68,976 286,907 279,624
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(1) Funds from operations - Management uses funds from operations to
analyze the operating performance of its energy assets. In order to
facilitate comparative analysis, funds from operations is defined
throughout this report as earnings before performance based
compensation, non-cash and non-recurring expenses. Peyto believes
that funds from operations is an important parameter to measure the
value of an asset when combined with reserve life. Funds from
operations is not a measure recognized by Canadian generally accepted
accounting principles ("GAAP") and does not have a standardized
meaning prescribed by GAAP. Therefore, funds from operations, as
defined by Peyto, may not be comparable to similar measures presented
by other issuers, and investors are cautioned that funds from
operations should not be construed as an alternative to net earnings,
cash flow from operating activities or other measures of financial
performance calculated in accordance with GAAP. Funds from operations
cannot be assured and future distributions may vary.
Historical Perspectives
Peyto Exploration and Development Corporation was founded in 1998 by Don Gray and Rick "Buck" Braund as a junior Exploration and Production (E&P) company. The strategic intent of the company was to focus on low risk, high return, internally generated drilling projects that created long term value by targeting areas with multiple productive horizons that had predictable reserve recoveries. What ensued was a concentrated effort over the next ten years to build high quality, long reserve life natural gas assets in Alberta's Central Deep Basin. In total, $1.54 billion was invested, drilling over 650 gas wells and installing the necessary infrastructure for their production. That capital investment was funded by a combination of funds from operations ($640 million), debt ($493 million), and equity ($410 million). From that investment, a remarkable asset has been built that has delivered over $1.45 billion in funds from operations and is forecast to deliver an additional $2.86 billion (BT NPV5, debt adjusted of the developed reserves).
In 2003, Peyto Exploration and Development Corp. became Peyto Energy Trust. This structural change was primarily driven by the desire to efficiently share the profits of the business with unitholders. Over the past five years Peyto has been able to return $809 million of accumulated earnings to unitholders in the form of distributions. This level of profitability confirms that the Peyto strategy works. Over the last ten years, Peyto has delivered an average Return on Capital Employed of 22%, Return on Equity of 44% and a compound annual total return of 65%.
2008 in Review
The year 2008 can be best described as a year of volatility. Both sides of Peyto's profitability equation were affected, from commodity prices to service costs. Alberta (AECO) monthly natural gas prices started the year at $6.10/GJ, rose to $10.80/GJ by July, fell to $5.91/GJ by October and ended the year at $6.83/GJ.
Service costs were no different, with input cost of steel and diesel driving the price of tubular goods and certain oilfield services to new highs. Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) began the year at C$1,420/ton, rose to C$3,870/ton in October and softened to C$3,575/ton by year end. This drove the cost of production tubing, for example, from $15/m at the start of the year to $32/m by the end of the third quarter. Unsurprisingly then, Peyto's cost for a typical Deep Basin Cardium gas well rose from $1.8 million to $2.1 million over the year while a Cadomin well cost rose from $3.0 million to $3.5 million.
The profitability of Peyto's capital program in 2008 fell short of the high standard set in previous years. By industry standards, the profitability was very good; however, at Peyto, more is expected. Unitholders should know that the Peyto team is not satisfied with these results and will endeavor to regain the profitability levels that made Peyto one of the most successful North American energy companies of the past ten years.
Capital Expenditures
Net capital expenditures for 2008 totaled $139 million, an increase of 15% from 2007. Capital reinvested was 49% of cash flow, as Peyto continued to balance available funds from operations and bank lines, with distributions and capital investment. The majority of capital was spent on well-related activity with $69.4 million on drilling, $44.9 million on completions, and $18.6 million on wellsite equipment and pipelines. The remaining $6.4 million was invested into new land, seismic and facilities. Drilling activity was concentrated in the Chime area and expanding the boundaries of the Greater Sundance area in both Nosehill and Obed. The following table summarizes capital expenditures for the year.
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Three Months ended Twelve Months ended
Dec. 31 Dec. 31
($000) 2008 2007 2008 2007
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Land 730 - 2,106 984
Seismic 1,036 464 3,300 1,799
Drilling - Exploratory &
Development 15,786 29,734 114,302 96,908
Production Equipment,
Facilities & Pipelines 4,915 5,326 19,583 21,834
Office Equipment - 22 33 46
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Total Capital Expenditures 22,467 35,546 139,324 121,571
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During the year, 53 gross (41 net) gas wells were drilled, 105 gross (81 net) zones were completed and 101 gross (76 net) zones were brought on production. The total capital per net well of $3.4 million in 2008 represents a 10% increase from $3.1 million per net well in 2007, primarily due to an increase in the average number of completed zones per well from 1.6 to 2.0. The average depth of Peyto's new wells increased another 172m to 2,813m, as drilling prospects continued to evolve to include deeper Cretaceous zones.
Reserves
During 2008, the Trust was again successful in developing high quality, long life reserves "with the drill bit." The following table illustrates the change in reserve volumes and net present value of future cash flow, discounted at 5%, before income tax using forecast pricing.
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% Change
Per Unit
As at December 31 (NPV5 debt
2008 2007 % Change adjusted)
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Reserves
BCFe
Proved Producing 599.8 595.4 1% 1%
Total Proved 762.9 746.0 2% 2%
Proved + Probable Additional 998.3 988.6 1% 1%
Net Present Value ($million)
Discounted at 5%
Proved Producing $2,736 $2,515 9% 9%
Total Proved $3,267 $2,966 10% 10%
Proved + Probable Additional $4,077 $3,703 10% 10%
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Note: Based on the Paddock Lindstrom & Associates report effective
December 31, 2008. The Paddock Lindstrom and Associates Ltd. price
forecast is available at www.padlin.com. For more information on Peyto's
reserves, refer to the Press Release dated February 13, 2009 announcing
the 2008 Year End Reserve Report which is available on the website at
www.peyto.com. The complete statement of reserves data and required
reporting in compliance with NI 51-101 will be included in Peyto's Annual
Information Form to be released in March 2009.
Value Creation
In order to measure investment success, it is necessary to quantify the amount of value created during the year and compare that to the amount of capital invested. This exercise is undertaken to ensure the best use of the unitholders' capital on an ongoing basis. At Peyto's request, and for the benefit of unitholders, the independent engineers have run last year's evaluation with this year's price forecast and New Royalty Framework to eliminate the change in value attributable to both commodity prices and changing royalties. This approach isolates the value created by the Peyto team from the value created (or lost) by those changes outside of their control. Since the capital investments in 2008 were funded from a combination of cash flow, debt and equity, it is necessary to know the change in debt and the change in units outstanding to see if the change in value is truly accretive.
At year end 2008, the net debt had increased by $35 million over the preceding year while the number of units outstanding had remained essentially the same at approximately 106 million. The change in debt includes all of the capital expenditures and the total fixed and performance based compensation paid out during the year.
Based on this reconciliation of changes in BT NPV, the Peyto team was able to create $299 million of Proved Producing, $355 million of Total Proven, and $300 million of Proved plus Probable Additional undiscounted reserve value, with $139 million of capital investment. The ratio of capital expenditures to value creation is what Peyto refers to as the NPV recycle ratio, which is simply the undiscounted value addition, resulting from the capital program, divided by the capital investment. For 2008, the Proved Producing NPV recycle ratio is 2.1, compared with 4.7 for 2007 and 2.9 for 2006.
The following table breaks out the value created by Peyto's capital investments and reconciles the changes in debt adjusted NPV of future net revenues using forecast prices and costs as at December 31, 2008.
Value Reconciliation
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Proved Producing Total Proved
($millions)
Discounted at 0% 5% 10% 0% 5% 10%
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Before Tax Net Present
Value at Beginning of
Year ($millions)
Dec. 31, 2007
Evaluation using PLA
Jan. 1, 2008 price
forecast, less debt $4,236 $2,057 $1,261 $5,224 $2,508 $1,514
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Per Unit Outstanding at
Dec. 31, 2007 ($/unit) $40.07 $19.46 $11.93 $49.42 $23.73 $14.32
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Net Change due to
AB NRF ($174) ($63) ($37) ($199) ($69) ($40)
2008 sales (revenue
less royalties and
operating costs) ($315) ($315) ($315) ($315) ($315) ($315)
Net Change due to
price forecasts
(using PLA Jan 1,
2009 price forecast) $735 $316 $182 $930 $402 $230
Value Change due to
discoveries (additions,
extensions, transfers,
revisions) $299 $249 $241 $355 $249 $223
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Before Tax Net Present
Value at End of Year
($millions)
Dec. 31, 2008
Evaluation using PLA
Jan. 1, 2009 price
forecast, less debt $4,781 $2,244 $1,332 $5,995 $2,775 $1,612
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Per Unit Outstanding at
Dec. 31, 2008 ($/unit) $45.13 $21.18 $12.58 $56.60 $26.19 $15.22
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Year over Year Change in
Before Tax NPV/unit 13% 9% 5% 15% 10% 6%
Year over Year Change in
Before Tax NPV/unit
including Distribution
($1.76/unit) 17% 18% 20% 18% 18% 19%
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Proved + Probable
Additional
($millions)
Discounted at 0% 5% 10%
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Before Tax Net Present
Value at Beginning of
Year ($millions)
Dec. 31, 2007
Evaluation using PLA
Jan. 1, 2008 price
forecast, less debt $7,114 $3,245 $1,904
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Per Unit Outstanding at
Dec. 31, 2007 ($/unit) $67.30 $30.70 $18.01
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Net Change due to
AB NRF ($300) ($96) ($50)
2008 sales (revenue
less royalties and
operating costs) ($315) ($315) ($315)
Net Change due to
price forecasts
(using PLA Jan 1,
2009 price forecast) $1,270 $523 $291
Value Change due to
discoveries (additions,
extensions, transfers,
revisions) $300 $227 $207
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-----------------------
Before Tax Net Present
Value at End of Year
($millions)
Dec. 31, 2008
Evaluation using PLA
Jan. 1, 2009 price
forecast, less debt $8,069 $3,584 $2,037
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Per Unit Outstanding at
Dec. 31, 2008 ($/unit) $76.18 $33.84 $19.23
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Year over Year Change in
Before Tax NPV/unit 13% 10% 7%
Year over Year Change in
Before Tax NPV/unit
including Distribution
($1.76/unit) 16% 16% 17%
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Performance Measures
There are a number of performance measures that are used in the oil and gas industry in an attempt to evaluate how profitably capital has been invested. Peyto believes that the value analysis presented above is the best determination of profitability as it compares the value of what was created relative to what was invested, or what is termed, the NPV recycle ratio. This is because the NPV of an oil and gas asset takes into consideration the reserves, the production forecast, the future royalties and operating costs, future capital and the current commodity price outlook. In 2008, the Proved plus Probable NPV recycle ratio was 2.2 times. This means for each dollar invested, the Peyto team was able to create 2.2 new dollars of Proved plus Probable reserve value.
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Dec 31, Dec 31, Dec 31, Dec 31,
2008 Value Creation 2008 2007 2006 2005
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NPV Recycle Ratio
Proved Producing 2.1 4.7 2.9 2.5
Total Proved 2.5 5.5 2.9 2.8
Proved + Probable 2.2 3.8 3.8 3.2
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- NPV (net present value) recycle ratio is calculated by dividing the
undiscounted NPV of reserves added in the year by the total capital
cost for the period (eg. Proved Producing ($299.3/$139.4)(equal sign)
2.1).
The following table highlights some additional annual performance ratios,
to be used for comparative purposes, but it is cautioned that they are
incomplete and on their own do not measure investment success.
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Proved Total Proved +
Performance Ratios Producing Proved Probable
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Reserve life index (years)
Q4 2008 average production -
121.1 mmcfe/d 14 17 23
Finding, development and
acquisition costs ($/mcfe)
2008 (Incl. change in future
development capital, "FDC") $2.88 $3.17 $3.88
2007 (Incl. change in FDC) $2.11 $1.57 $1.56
3 year average (2006-2008 incl.
change in FDC) $2.65 $2.67 $2.78
2008 change in future development
capital ($ millions) $53.7 $68.8
Reserve replacement ratio 1.1 1.4 1.2
Recycle ratio (Incl. change in FDC) 2.3 2.1 1.7
Distribution life (years) 25 31 42
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- FD&A (finding, development and acquisition) costs are used as a
measure of capital efficiency and are calculated by dividing the
capital costs for the period, including the change in undiscounted
future development capital ("FDC"), by the change in the reserves,
incorporating revisions and production, for the same period (eg.
Total Proved ($139.3+$53.7)/(762.9-746.0+43.9)(equal sign)
$3.17/mcfe).
- The reserve life index is calculated by dividing the reserves (in
mmcfe) in each category by the annualized average production rate in
mmcfe/year (eg. Proved Producing 599,760/(121.1x365)(equal sign)
13.6). Peyto believes that the most accurate way to evaluate the
current reserve life is by dividing the proved developed producing
reserves by the actual fourth quarter average production. For
comparative purposes, Peyto believes the proved developed producing
reserve life provides the best measure of sustainability.
- The distribution life index is calculated by dividing the debt
adjusted undiscounted NPV (in millions$) by the Q4 annualized
distribution (in million$/year) (eg. Proved Producing
($5,273-$492.6)/($47.7x4)(equal sign)25 years).
- Recycle ratio is calculated by dividing the field net back per mcfe,
before hedging, by the FD&A costs for the period (eg. Proved
Producing ($6.53/mcfe+$0.21/mcfe)/$2.88/mcfe(equal sign)2.3). In
Peyto's opinion, it can be a very good measure of investment
performance as long as the replacement reserves are of equivalent
quality as the produced reserves. Because the recycle ratio is
comparing the netback from existing reserves to the cost of finding
new reserves it may not accurately indicate investment success.
- The reserve replacement ratio is determined by dividing the yearly
change in reserves before production by the actual annual production
for the year (eg. Total Proved ((762.9-746.0+44.3)/44.3)(equal sign)
1.4).
The natural maturation and resulting production rate decline of Peyto's tight gas wells caused the reserve life to increase year over year in all of the reserve categories. The Proved plus Probable reserve life grew from 21 years at the end of 2007 to 23 years at the end of 2008.
Proved Producing Finding, Development and Acquisition ("FD&A") costs increased by 36% in 2008 to $2.88/mcfe ($17.30/boe) due to a 10% increase in the cost per new well combined with a 12% drop in the reserves per new well. In an effort to collect more accurate production data from many of Peyto's lower productivity wells, electronic flow measurement was installed. This resulted in a 3% technical revision to the Proved Producing reserves. This technical revision will not be a recurring item in the future. Future Development Capital ("FDC") for the Total Proved and Probable Additional categories increased by $53.7 million and $68.8 million respectively as a reflection of actual costs incurred in 2008. Peyto believes that the activity slowdown resulting from lower commodity prices will ultimately drive lower service costs which will result in the actual capital costs being less than what is forecast.
Working with less than half of the funds from operations, Peyto replaced 110%, 138% and 122% of production with Proved Producing, Total Proved and Proved plus Probable reserves respectively.
The cost to replace the Proved Producing reserves of $2.88/mcfe was 43% of the achieved 2008 cash netback before hedging effects of $6.74/mcfe. This results in a recycle ratio of 2.3 times. The recycle ratio for Total Proved and Proved plus Probable categories was 2.1 and 1.7 times respectively.
The Distribution Life for Proved Producing, Total Proved and Proved plus Probable reserves increased to 25 years, 31 years and 42 years respectively, primarily due to an increase in the commodity price forecast driven by currency exchange rates.
Quarterly Review
Production for the fourth quarter of 2008 averaged 121.1 mmcfe/d, comprised of 101.9 mmcf/d of natural gas and 3,207 bbl/d of oil and natural gas liquids. A natural gas price of $7.99/mcf was realized in the quarter, after a hedging gain of $0.69/mcf, while an oil and natural gas liquids price of $49.16/bbl was also realized. The 4% reduction in average production rate, combined with a 6% decrease in realized commodity prices, contributed to the 2% overall reduction in funds from operations from $69.0 million in Q4 2007 to $67.4 million in Q4 2008. Fourth quarter 2008 royalties were reduced by the recovery of Deep Gas Royalty Holiday claims.
Operating costs averaged $0.43/mcfe or $2.60/boe in the fourth quarter of 2008 compared to $0.38/mcfe in the fourth quarter of 2007. Increases in fuel, lubricants and power costs resulting from higher oil and electricity prices contributed to this increase. Crown royalties represented $0.88/mcfe, while G&A and interest expenses were $0.11/mcfe and $0.45/mcfe respectively. An increase in pipeline tariffs translated into a $0.01/mcfe increase in transportation expenses. Despite these cost pressures, Peyto's industry leading operating efficiencies combined to yield a quarterly cash netback of $5.47/mcfe before hedging ($6.05/mcfe after hedging) which resulted in a 74% cash flow margin.
Capital expenditures for Q4 2008 totaled $22.5 million, down from $62.3 million in the previous quarter and $35.5 million the year before. For the quarter, drilling and completions accounted for $15.8 million while wellsite equipment, tie-ins and facilities accounted for $4.9 million. Land and seismic purchases adding to new expansion areas accounted for $1.8 million.
Activity Update
To date in 2009, Peyto has drilled 6 gross gas wells (5.5 net) and completed 6 gross zones (5.5 net). Drilling activity has been concentrated in the Sundance and Ansell areas with the only exception being an exploratory test well in a new expansion area. All of the Sundance/Ansell wells will be onstream by the end of April 2009.
Commodity prices, and in particular, AECO monthly natural gas prices have continued their decline from the fourth quarter 2008, falling to their lowest level since October 2006. Peyto has taken the opportunity, during this period of low natural gas prices, to curtail production and conduct necessary compressor maintenance. This has resulted in a reduction of 1,400 mcfe/d or 230 boe/d for the month of February, 2009. To date this year, production has averaged 115 mmcfe/d or 19,200 boe/d.
Marketing
By design, Peyto's marketing strategy smoothes out short term fluctuations in the price of natural gas through future sales. This is done by selling approximately 50% of the total natural gas production (inclusive of Crown Royalty volumes) on the daily and monthly spot markets while the other 50% is hedged. These hedges, or future sales, are meant to be methodical and consistent and to avoid speculation. In general, this approach will show hedging losses when short term prices climb and hedging gains when short term prices fall. Over the long run Peyto expects to break even on forward sales. Cumulative gains since the inception of this hedging strategy in 2003 are $54.3 million to the end of 2008. This hedging approach creates a forward average price typically made up of fifteen to twenty transactions placed over a 12 month period. Peyto generally sells its contracts in either the 7 month summer or the 5 month winter season. In order to minimize counterparty risk, these marketing contracts are with financial institutions that are members of Peyto's loan syndicate.
As at December 31, 2008, the Trust had committed to the future sale of 16,215,000 gigajoules (GJ) of natural gas at an average price of $8.36 per GJ or $9.78 per mcf based on the historical heating value of Peyto's natural gas. Had these contracts been closed on December 31, 2008, the Trust would have realized a gain in the amount of $30.2 million. Had these same contracts been closed on February 27, 2009, the Trust would have realized a gain in the amount of $50.5 million.
Natural gas prices have been as volatile as ever in 2008 and there is currently much speculation on future prices. This short term volatility does not distract Peyto from its long term focus. Over the last six years, the monthly AECO price has averaged $6.90/GJ. At times, the price has been as high as $12/GJ while at other time it has been as low as $4/GJ. Prices have shown similar volatility over this longer period as they did in 2008 and will likely continue to be volatile in the future. In Peyto's opinion, the price is currently in a low price cycle. It is reasonable to expect that supply and demand will reach equilibrium once again, moving prices back towards historical averages. During this low price cycle, Peyto is in a strong position with its low operating costs, long reserve life and forward sales.
Alberta Royalty Announcement
The Alberta government announced yesterday a "Three Point Incentive Program" to "stimulate new and continued economic activity." The key aspects of the program are a drilling depth-based credit earned for wells drilled in the next year and applicable against existing corporate royalties, as well as a flat 5% royalty rate for a one year period for each new well drilled. Peyto will evaluate the impact of this program but, at first glance, anticipates these combined credits will effectively reduce well costs for the next year by 20%.
2009 Outlook
The importance of having low operating costs, high quality production and long life reserves becomes very apparent in these uncertain times. Unitholders should take comfort knowing that Peyto leads the industry in all of these metrics. On top of the strength of its assets, Peyto also has a ten year track record as a disciplined, profitable energy company. With a staff of only 30 full time employees, Peyto is already lean by any standard. Peyto's debt relative to the value of its assets continues to be on the low end of the industry spectrum. Finally, Peyto's profitability combined with a conservative ratio of developed to undeveloped reserves leaves Peyto far less susceptible to write-downs next year should these current low commodity prices remain.
The challenges facing Peyto this year are no different than those of the first year of operation. Tougher economic times allow Peyto to rise to the top of the industry. At this time, Peyto expects the 2009 capital program to be between $50 and $90 million. This relatively modest capital program will be funded with a combination of funds from operations, working capital and available bank lines which will ensure that financial flexibility is protected.
Conference Call and Webcast
A conference call will be held with the senior management of Peyto to answer questions with respect to the 2008 fourth quarter and full year financial results on Thursday, March 5th, 2009, at 9:00 a.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST), or 11:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). To participate, please call 1-416-644-3416 (Toronto area) or 1-800-732-9307 for all other participants. The conference call will also be available on replay by calling 1-416-640-1917 (Toronto area) or 1-877-289-8525 for all other parties, using passcode 21293253 followed by the pound key. The replay will be available at 11:00 a.m. MST, 1:00 p.m. EST Thursday, March 5th, 2009 until midnight EST on Thursday, March 12th, 2009. The conference call can also be accessed through the internet at http://www.newswire.ca/en/webcast/viewEvent.cgi?eventID(equal sign)2511740. After this time the conference call will be archived on the Peyto Energy Trust website at www.peyto.com.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
A copy of the fourth quarter report to Unitholders, including the Management's Discussion and Analysis, and audited financial statements and related notes is available at http://www.peyto.com/news/Q42008MDandA.pdf and will be filed at SEDAR, www.sedar.com, at a later date.
Annual General Meeting
The Trust's Annual General Meeting of Unitholders is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at the Telus Convention Centre, Mcleod Hall B/C, 120 - 9th Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta.
Darren Gee
President and Chief Executive Officer
March 4, 2009
Certain information set forth in this document and Management's Discussion and Analysis, including management's assessment of Peyto's future plans and operations, contains forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond these parties' control, including the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, volatility of commodity prices, currency fluctuations, imprecision of reserve estimates, environmental risks, competition from other industry participants, the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management, stock market volatility and ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Peyto's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits Peyto will derive therefrom. Peyto disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
National Instrument 51-101 Cautionary Statements
The Canadian Securities Administrators have implemented standards of disclosure for reporting issuers engaged in upstream oil and gas activities effective December 31, 2003. The disclosure standards referred to as National Instrument ("NI") 51-101 establish a regime of continuous disclosure for oil and gas companies and include specific reporting requirements.
- Peyto's year-end reserve report summarized herein is compliant with
NI 51-101. Under NI 51-101's revised reserve definitions and
evaluation standards, proved plus probable reserves represent a "best
estimate" and hence for years prior to 2003, are compared to
"established" reserves which were comprised of proved plus 50 percent
of probable reserves.
- The term "boes" may be misleading particularly if used in isolation,
a boe conversion ratio of 6 mcf : 1 barrel is based on an energy
equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip
and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.
- It should not be assumed that the discounted net present values
represent the fair market value of the reserves.
- Due to the effects of aggregation, the estimate 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.
- The aggregate of the exploration and development costs incurred in
the most recent financial year, and the change during that year in
estimated future development costs, generally will not reflect total
finding and development costs related to reserve additions for that
year.
The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the
information contained herein.
Peyto Energy Trust
Consolidated Balance Sheets
($000)
December 31, December 31,
2008 2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets
Current
Cash - 20,547
Accounts receivable (Note 5) 65,662 47,728
Financial derivative instruments (Note 15) 27,788 7,405
Prepaid expenses and deposits 3,367 5,020
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
96,817 80,700
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial derivative instruments (Note 15) 2,458 -
Prepaid capital 3,069 -
Property, plant and equipment (Note 6) 1,177,902 1,111,532
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,183,429 1,111,532
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,280,246 1,192,232
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities and Unitholders' Equity
Current
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 48,854 85,923
Cash distributions payable (Note 10) 15,888 14,800
Provision for future performance based
compensation (Note 13) - 16
Future income taxes (Note 14) - 2,285
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
64,742 103,024
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt (Note 7) 500,000 430,000
Provision for future performance based
compensation (Note 13) - 253
Asset retirement obligations (Note 8) 9,479 6,766
Future income taxes (Note 14) 155,308 123,197
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
664,787 560,216
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unitholders' equity
Unitholders' capital (Note 9) 410,233 406,301
Accumulated earnings (Note 10) 110,238 117,572
Accumulated other comprehensive income 30,246 5,119
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
550,717 528,992
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,280,246 1,192,232
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes
On behalf of the Board:
(signed) "Michael MacBean" (signed) "Darren Gee"
Director Director
Peyto Energy Trust
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
($000 except per unit amounts)
For the years ended December 31,
2008 2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue
Oil and gas sales 428,047 358,196
Realized gain (loss) on hedges (Note 15) (9,161) 45,837
Royalties (79,821) (70,621)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Petroleum and natural gas sales, net 339,065 333,411
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses
Operating (Note 11) 19,042 19,359
Transportation 4,604 4,296
General and administrative (Note 12) 6,655 7,125
Performance based compensation (Note 13) - 7,133
Future performance based compensation (Note 13) (269) 269
Interest on long term debt 21,857 23,007
Depletion, depreciation and accretion
(Notes 6 and 8) 75,668 75,791
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
127,557 136,980
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before taxes 211,508 196,431
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taxes
Future income tax expense (Note 14) 32,111 (12,453)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings for the year 179,397 208,884
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per unit (Note 9)
Basic and diluted 1.69 1.98
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes
Peyto Energy Trust
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
($000)
For the years ended December 31,
2008 2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings for the year 179,397 208,884
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Change in unrealized gain on hedges
(2007 - net of tax of $2,178) 15,966 4,880
Realized (gain) loss on hedges (2007 -
net of tax $10,356) 9,161 (23,202)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive Income 204,524 190,562
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes
Peyto Energy Trust
Consolidated Statements of Accumulated Earnings and Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
($000)
For the years ended December 31,
2008 2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated earnings, beginning of year 117,572 86,236
Net earnings for the year 179,397 208,884
Distributions (Note 10) (186,731) (177,548)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated earnings, end of year 110,238 117,572
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated other comprehensive income,
beginning of year 5,119 -
Adoption of financial instruments, net of
tax of $10,463 (Note 2 and 15) - 23,441
Other comprehensive income (loss) 25,127 (18,322)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated other comprehensive income,
end of year 30,246 5,119
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes
Peyto Energy Trust
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
($000)
For the years ended December 31,
2008 2007
$ $
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by (used in)
Operating Activities
Net earnings for the year 179,397 208,884
Items not requiring cash:
Future performance based compensation (269) 269
Future income tax expense 32,111 (12,453)
Depletion, depreciation and accretion 75,668 75,791
Change in non-cash working capital related
to operating activities (Note 17) (38,786) 16,215
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
248,121 288,706
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financing Activities
Issue of trust units, net of costs 3,932 2,825
Cash distributions paid (186,731) (177,548)
Increase in bank debt 70,000 10,000
Change in non-cash working capital related
to financing activities (Note 17) 1,088 5,107
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(111,711) (159,616)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investing Activities
Additions to property, plant and equipment (139,324) (121,571)
Change in non-cash working capital related
to investing activities (Note 17) (17,633) 2,222
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(156,957) (119,349)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash (20,547) 9,741
Cash, beginning of year 20,547 10,806
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash, end of year - 20,547
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes
Peyto Energy Trust
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2008 and 2007
1. Nature of Operations
Peyto Energy Trust (the "Trust" or "Peyto") is an unincorporated
open-ended limited purpose trust established under the laws of the
Province of Alberta. The beneficiaries of the Trust are the holders
of the Trust units. The unitholders of the Trust are entitled to
receive cash distributions paid by the Trust and are entitled to one
vote for each Trust unit held at unitholder meetings.
On January 1, 2008, Peyto completed an internal reorganization. As a
result of this reorganization, all of the oil and gas assets of Peyto
are now held in Peyto Energy Limited Partnership (the "Partnership").
Peyto Energy Administration Corp. is the administrator of Peyto and
Peyto Operating Trust, and Peyto Exploration and Development Corp. is
the general partner of the Partnership. Certain subsidiaries of Peyto
were amalgamated pursuant to the internal reorganization.
The Trust units trade on the TSX under the symbol "PEY.UN". The
Trust's principal business activity is the exploration for,
development and production of petroleum and natural gas in western
Canada.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared by
management in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting
principles. Because a precise determination of many assets and
liabilities is dependent upon future events, the preparation of
periodic financial statements necessarily involves the use of
estimates and approximations. Accordingly, actual results could
differ from those estimates. The consolidated financial statements
have, in management's opinion, been properly prepared within
reasonable limits of materiality and within the framework of the
Trust's accounting policies summarized below.
These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Peyto
Energy Trust and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Peyto Exploration &
Development Corp., Peyto Operating Trust, Peyto Energy Limited
Partnership and Peyto Energy Administration Corp.
Joint operations
The Trust conducts a portion of its petroleum and natural gas
exploration, development and production activities jointly with
others and, accordingly, these consolidated financial statements
reflect only the Trust's proportionate interest in such activities.
Property, plant and equipment
The Trust follows the full cost method of accounting for its
petroleum and natural gas properties. All costs related to the
acquisition, exploration and development of petroleum and natural gas
reserves are capitalized. Such costs include lease acquisition costs,
geological and geophysical costs, carrying charges of non-producing
properties, costs of drilling both productive and non-productive
wells, the cost of petroleum and natural gas production equipment and
overhead charges related to exploration and development activities.
All other general and administrative costs are expensed as incurred.
The Trust evaluates its petroleum and natural gas assets to determine
that the costs are recoverable and do not exceed the fair value of
the properties ("ceiling test"). The costs are assessed to be
recoverable if the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected from
the production of proved reserves plus the cost of unproved
properties, less impairment, exceed the carrying value of the oil and
gas assets. If the carrying value of the petroleum and natural gas
properties is not determined to be recoverable, an impairment loss is
recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds the sum of
the discounted cash flows expected from the production of proved and
probable reserves plus the cost of unproved properties. The
discounted cash flows are estimated using the future product prices
and costs and are discounted using a risk-free rate.
Proceeds from the disposition of petroleum and natural gas properties
are applied against capitalized costs except for dispositions that
would change the rate of depletion and depreciation by 20% or more,
in which case a gain or loss would be recorded.
All costs of acquisition, exploration and development of petroleum
and natural gas reserves (net of salvage value) and estimated costs
of future development of proved undeveloped reserves are depleted and
depreciated using the unit of production method based on estimated
gross proved reserves as determined by independent engineers. For
purposes of the depletion and depreciation calculation, relative
volumes of petroleum and natural gas production and reserves are
converted at the energy equivalent conversion rate of six thousand
cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of crude oil.
Costs of unproved properties are initially excluded from petroleum
and natural gas properties for the purpose of calculating depletion.
When proved reserves are assigned to the property or it is considered
to be impaired, the cost of the property or the amount of the
impairment is added to costs subject to depletion. Depreciation of
gas plants and related facilities is calculated on a straight-line
basis over a 20-year term. Office furniture and equipment are
depreciated over their estimated useful lives at declining balance
rates between 20% and 30%.
Asset retirement obligations
The Trust records a liability for the fair value of legal obligations
associated with the retirement of long-lived tangible assets in the
period in which they are incurred, normally when the asset is
purchased or developed. On recognition of the liability there is a
corresponding increase in the carrying amount of the related asset
known as the asset retirement cost, which is depleted on a
unit-of-production basis over the life of the reserves. The liability
is adjusted each reporting period to reflect the passage of time,
with the accretion charged to earnings, and for revisions to the
estimated future cash flows. Actual costs incurred upon settlement of
the obligations are charged against the liability.
Hedging
The Trust uses derivative financial instruments from time to time to
hedge its exposure to commodity price fluctuations. The Trust does
not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading or
speculative purposes. All derivative financial instruments are
initiated within the guidelines of the Trust's risk management
policy. This includes linking all derivatives to specific assets and
liabilities on the balance sheet or to specific firm commitments or
forecasted transactions. The Trust enters into hedges of its exposure
to petroleum and natural gas commodity prices by entering into
natural gas fixed price contracts, when it is deemed appropriate.
These derivative contracts, accounted for as hedges, are recognized
on the balance sheet. Realized gains and losses on these contracts
are recognized in petroleum and natural gas revenue and cash flows in
the same period in which the revenues associated with the hedged
transaction are recognized. Premiums paid or received are deferred
and amortized to earnings over the term of the contract. For
financial derivative contracts settling in future periods, a
financial asset or liability is recognized in the balance sheet and
measured at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in
other comprehensive income.
Revenue recognition
Petroleum and natural gas sales are recognized as revenue when title
passes to purchasers, normally at pipeline delivery point for natural
gas and at the wellhead for crude oil.
Measurement uncertainty
The timely preparation of the consolidated financial statements in
conformity with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles
requires that Management make estimates and assumptions and use
judgment regarding the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the
consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of
revenues and expenses during the period. Such estimates primarily
relate to unsettled transactions and events as of the date of the
consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, actual results may
differ from estimated amounts as future confirming events occur.
Amounts recorded for depreciation, depletion and amortization, asset
retirement costs and obligations and amounts used for ceiling test
and impairment calculations are based on estimates of gross proved
reserves and future costs required to develop those reserves. By
their nature, these estimates of reserves, including the estimates of
future prices and costs, and the related future cash flows are
subject to measurement uncertainty, and the impact in the
consolidated financial statements of future periods could be
material.
The amount of compensation expense accrued for future
performance-based compensation arrangements are subject to
management's best estimate of whether or not the performance criteria
will be met and what the ultimate payout will be.
Tax interpretations, regulations and legislation in the various
jurisdictions in which the Trust and its subsidiaries operate are
subject to change. As such, income taxes are subject to measurement
uncertainty.
Future income taxes
The Trust follows the liability method of accounting for income
taxes. Under this method, future income taxes are recorded for the
effect of any difference between the accounting and income tax basis
of an asset or liability, using the substantively enacted income tax
rates. Accumulated future income tax balances are adjusted to reflect
changes in income tax rates that are substantively enacted with the
adjustment being recognized in net earnings in the period that the
change occurs.
Financial Instruments
All financial instruments must initially be recognized at fair value
on the balance sheet. The Trust has classified each financial
instrument into the following categories: "held for trading"
financial assets and financial liabilities; "loans or receivables";
and "other financial liabilities". Subsequent measurement of the
financial instruments is based on their classification. Unrealized
gains and losses on held for trading financial instruments are
recognized in earnings. The other categories of financial instruments
are recognized at amortized cost using the effective interest rate
method. The Trust has made the following classifications:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Assets & Liabilities Category
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash Held for trading
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Accounts Receivable Loans & receivables
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Due from Private Placement Loans & receivables
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Other Liabilities
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Provision for Future Performance Based
Compensation Other Liabilities
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions Payable Other Liabilities
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Long Term Debt Other Liabilities
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Derivative Instruments Held for trading
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Derivative Instruments and Risk Management
Derivative instruments are utilized by the Trust to manage market
risk against volatility in commodity prices. The Trust's policy is
not to utilize derivative instruments for speculative purposes. The
Trust has chosen to designate its existing derivative instruments as
cash flow hedges. The Trust assesses, on an ongoing basis, whether
the derivatives that are used as cash flow hedges are highly
effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of hedged items. All
derivative instruments are recorded on the balance sheet at fair
value in either accounts receivable or accrued liabilities. The
effective portion of the gains and losses is recorded in other
comprehensive income until the hedged transaction is recognized in
earnings. When the earnings impact of the underlying hedged
transaction is recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings,
the fair value of the associated cash flow hedge is reclassified from
other comprehensive income into earnings. Any hedge ineffectiveness
is immediately recognized in earnings. The fair values of forward
contracts are based on forward market prices.
Embedded Derivatives
An embedded derivative is a component of a contract that causes some
of the cash flows of the combined instrument to vary in a way similar
to a stand-alone derivative. This causes some or all of the cash
flows that otherwise would be required by the contract to be modified
according to a specified variable, such as interest rate, financial
instrument price, commodity price, foreign exchange rate, a credit
rating or credit index, or other variables to be treated as a
financial derivative. The Trust has no contracts containing embedded
derivatives.
3. Changes in Accounting Policies
Financial Instruments - Disclosure and Presentation
As of January 1, 2008, the Trust adopted Canadian Institute of
Chartered Accountants ("CICA") Handbook Sections, Section 3862
"Financial Instruments - Disclosures" and Section 3863 "Financial
Instruments - Presentation" which replaced Section 3861 "Financial
Instruments - Disclosure and Presentation". The standards require
disclosure on the significance of financial instruments to an
entity's financial statements, the risks associated with the
financial instruments, and how those risks are managed. Specifically,
Section 3862 requires disclosure on the significance of financial
instruments to the Trust's financial position. In addition, the
guidance outlines revised requirements for the disclosure of
qualitative and quantitative information regarding exposure to risks
arising from financial instruments. The presentation requirements
under Section 3863 are relatively unchanged from Section 3861. Refer
to Note 15, "Financial Instruments and Risk Management" for the
additional disclosures under Section 3862.
Capital Disclosures
As of January 1, 2008, the Trust adopted CICA Handbook Section 1535
"Capital Disclosures", which requires entities to disclose their
objectives, policies and processes for management of capital and, in
addition, whether the entity has complied with any externally imposed
capital requirements. These disclosures include a description of the
Trust's objectives, policies and processes for managing capital, the
quantitative data relating to what the entity regards as capital,
whether the entity has complied with capital requirements, and, if it
has not complied, the consequences of such non-compliance. Refer to
Note 16, "Capital Disclosures".
Inventories
As of January 1, 2008, the Trust adopted the CICA section 3031,
"Inventories," which replaced CICA section 3030 of the same name. The
new guidance provides additional measurement and disclosure
requirements and requires the Trust to reverse previous impairment
write-downs when there is a change in the situation that caused the
impairment. The transitional provisions of section 3031 provided
entities with the option of applying this guidance retrospectively
and restating prior periods in accordance with section 1506,
"Accounting Changes" or adjusting opening retained earnings and not
restating prior periods. The adoption of this standard did not have
an impact on the Trust's consolidated financial statements.
4. Pending Accounting Pronouncements
International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS")
In January 2006, the CICA Accounting Standards Board ("ASCB") adopted
a strategic plan for the direction of accounting standards in Canada.
As part of that plan, accounting standards in Canada for public
companies are expected to converge with International Financial
Reporting Standards ("IFRS") by 2011.
On February 13, 2008, The ASCB confirmed that the use of IFRS will be
required in 2011 for publicly accountable profit-orientated
enterprises.
In April 2008, the CICA published the exposure draft "Adopting IFRSs
in Canada". The exposure draft proposes to incorporate IFRSs into the
CICA Accounting Handbook effective for interim and annual financial
statements relating to fiscal years beginning on or after January 1,
2011. At this date, publicly accountable enterprises will be required
to prepare financial statements in accordance with IFRSs. The Trust
is currently reviewing the standards to determine the potential
impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
As of January 1, 2009, the Trust will be required to adopt CICA
Handbook Section 3064 "Goodwill and Intangible Assets" which replaces
Section 3062 "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" and Section 3450
"Research and Development Costs." Various changes have been made to
other standards to be consistent with Section 3064, which establishes
standards for the recognition, measurement, presentation and
disclosure of goodwill and intangible assets. Standards concerning
goodwill are unchanged from the standards in Section 3062. The Trust
is assessing the impact of this standard on its consolidated
financial statements, however, the adoption is not expected to have a
material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
5. Accounts Receivable
($000) 2008 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Accounts receivable - general 58,394 47,728
Accounts receivable - income taxes 7,268 -
---------------------------------------------------------------------
65,662 47,728
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Canada Revenue Agency ("CRA") has conducted an audit of restructuring
costs claimed as a result of the Trust conversion in 2003 that has
resulted in the reclassification of $41.0 million dollars in
employment related costs as eligible capital. In October, 2008, the
Trust received a notice of reassessment from the CRA and paid an
amount of $7.3 million related to this audit. Based upon consultation
with legal counsel, Management's view is that CRA's position has no
merit. A notice of objection has been filed and a notice of appeal
will be filed shortly.
6. Property, Plant and Equipment
($000) 2008 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Property, plant and equipment 1,551,789 1,410,767
Accumulated depletion and depreciation (373,887) (299,235)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1,177,902 1,111,532
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
At December 31, 2008 costs of $36.8 (December 31, 2007 - $37.8)
related to undeveloped land have been excluded from the depletion and
depreciation calculation.
The Trust performed a ceiling test calculation at December 31, 2008
resulting in the undiscounted cash flows from proved reserves plus
the cost of unproved properties, less impairment, exceeding the
carrying value of petroleum and natural gas assets. The impairment
test was calculated at December 31, 2008 using the following
independent engineering consultant's forecasted prices:
There-
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 after(1)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Edmonton Ref Price
($CDN/bbl) 70.18 77.21 83.93 90.34 98.65 +2%
CDN/US Exchange rate 0.84 0.86 0.88 0.90 0.90 0.90
---------------------------------------------------------------------
AECO ($CDN/mmbtu) 7.24 7.90 8.26 8.60 9.13 +2%
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Percentage change of 2.0% represents the change in future prices
each year after 2013 to the end of the reserve life.
7. Long-Term Debt
The Trust has a syndicated $550 million extendible revolving credit
facility with a stated term date of April 30, 2009. The facility is
made up of a $20 million working capital sub-tranche and a
$530 million production line. The facilities are available on a
revolving basis for a period of at least 364 days and upon the term
out date may be extended for a further 364 day period at the request
of the Trust, subject to approval by the lenders. In the event that
the revolving period is not extended, the facility is available on a
non-revolving basis for a one year term, at the end of which time the
facility would be due and payable. Outstanding amounts on this
facility bear interest at rates determined by the Trust's debt to
cash flow ratio that range from prime to prime plus 0.75% for debt to
earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion and
amortization (EBITDA) ratios ranging from less than 1:1 to greater
than 2.5:1. A General Security Agreement with a floating charge on
land registered in Alberta is held as collateral by the bank. The
Trust is in compliance with all debt covenants. The average borrowing
rate for 2008 was 4.8% (2007 - 5.7%).
8. Asset Retirement Obligations
The total future asset retirement obligations are estimated by
Management based on the Trust's net ownership interest in all wells
and facilities, estimated costs to reclaim and abandon the wells and
facilities and the estimated timing of the costs to be incurred in
future periods. The Trust has estimated the net present value of its
total asset retirement obligations to be $9.5 million as at
December 31, 2008 (2007 - $6.8 million) based on a total future
liability of $34.2 million (2007 - $25.9 million). These payments are
expected to be made over the next 50 years. The Trust's credit
adjusted risk free rate of 7% and an inflation rate of 2% were used
to calculate the present value of the asset retirement obligations.
The following table reconciles the change in asset retirement
obligations:
($000) 2008 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 2007 6,766 5,767
Increase in liabilities relating to
investing activities 1,697 581
Accretion expense 1,016 418
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 2008 9,479 6,766
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
9. Unitholders' Capital
Authorized: Unlimited number of voting trust units
Issued and Outstanding
Trust Units (no par value) ($000) Number of Units Amount
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 2006 105,251,394 398,434
Trust units issued by private placement 460,970 7,867
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 2007 105,712,364 406,301
Trust units issued by private placement 207,830 3,932
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, end of year 105,920,194 410,233
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Unit Amounts
Earnings per unit have been calculated based upon the weighted
average number of units outstanding during the year of 105,876,470
(2007 - 105,670,476). There are no dilutive instruments outstanding.
Redemption of Units
The Trust Units are redeemable at any time on demand by the holders
thereof. Upon receipt of proper notice to redeem Trust Units by the
Trust, the holder thereof shall only be entitled to receive a price
per Trust Unit equal to the lesser of:
(a) 90% of the market price of the Trust Units on the principal
market on which the Trust Units are quoted for trading during the
10 trading day period commencing immediately after the date on which
the Trust Units are tendered to the Trust for redemption; and
(b) the closing market price on the principal market on which the
Trust Units are quoted for trading on the date that the Trust Units
are so tendered for redemption.
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income consists of net earnings and other comprehensive
income ("OCI"). OCI comprises the change in the fair value of the
effective portion of the derivatives used as hedging items in a cash
flow hedge. "Accumulated other comprehensive income" is a new equity
category comprised of the cumulative amounts of OCI.
10. Accumulated Cash Distributions
During the year, the Trust paid distributions to the unitholders in
the aggregate amount of $186.7 million (2007 - $177.5 million total)
in accordance with the following schedule:
Production Period Record Date Distribution Date Per Unit
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Special
Distribution January 1, 2008 January 15, 2008 $0.0035
January 2008 January 31, 2008 February 15, 2008 $0.14
February 2008 February 29, 2008 March 14, 2008 $0.14
March 2008 March 31, 2008 April 15, 2008 $0.14
April 2008 April 30, 2008 May 15, 2008 $0.14
May 2008 May 31, 2008 June 13, 2008 $0.15
June 2008 June 30, 2008 July 15, 2008 $0.15
July 2008 July 31, 2008 August 15, 2008 $0.15
August 2008 August 31, 2008 September 15, 2008 $0.15
September 2008 September 30, 2008 October 15, 2007 $0.15
October 2008 October 31, 2008 November 14, 2008 $0.15
November 2008 November 30, 2008 December 15, 2008 $0.15
December 2008 December 31, 2008 January 15, 2008 $0.15
Accumulated Earnings and Distributions
($000) 2008 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated earnings, beginning of year 740,038 531,154
Net earnings for the year 179,397 208,884
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total accumulated earnings 919,435 740,038
Total accumulated distributions (809,197) (622,466)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated earnings, end of year 110,238 117,572
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
11. Operating Expenses
The Trust's operating expenses include all costs with respect to
day-to-day well and facility operations. Processing and gathering
income related to joint venture and third party natural gas reduces
operating expenses.
($000) 2008 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Field expenses 30,391 28,433
Processing and gathering income (11,349) (9,074)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Operating expenses 19,042 19,359
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
12. General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses are reduced by operating and
capital overhead recoveries from operated properties.
($000) 2008 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------
General and Administrative expenses 10,227 10,242
Overhead recoveries (3,572) (3,117)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Net General and administrative expenses 6,655 7,125
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
13. Performance Based Compensation
The Trust awards performance based compensation to employees and key
consultants annually. The performance based compensation is comprised
of market and reserve value based components.
The reserves value based component is 4% of the incremental increase
in value, if any, as adjusted to reflect changes in debt, equity and
distributions, of proved producing reserves calculated using a
constant price at December 31 of the current year and a discount rate
of 8%.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
($millions except unit values) 2008 2007 Change
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Net present value of proved
producing reserves at 8% based
on constant Paddock Lindstrom
2009 price forecast 1,648.0 1,858.8
Net debt before performance
based compensation (492.6) (457.4)
2008 distributions - (186.7)
--------------------------------------
Net value 1,155.4 1,214.7 (59.3)
Equity adjustment factor(x) 100%
----------
Equity adjusted increase in value (59.3)
----------
2008 reserve value based
compensation at 4% -
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(x) Equity adjustment factor is calculated as the percent increase in
value per unit divided by the total percent increase in value
Under the market based component, rights with a three year vesting
period are allocated to employees and key consultants. The number of
rights outstanding at any time is not to exceed 6% of the total
number of trust units outstanding. At December 31 of each year, all
vested rights are automatically cancelled and, if applicable, paid
out in cash. Compensation is calculated as the number of vested
rights multiplied by the total of the market appreciation (over the
price at the date of grant) and associated distributions of a trust
unit for that period. For rights vesting in 2008, a tax factor of
1.333 will then be applied to determine the amount to be paid.
Commencing for rights vesting in 2009, no tax factor will be applied
to determine the amount paid. The 2008 market based component was
based on 1.2 million vested rights at an average grant price of
$24.94, average cumulative distributions of $5.10 and the five day
weighted average closing price of $9.53 (2007 - 1.2 million rights,
average grant price of $24.16, average cumulative distributions of
$4.73 per unit and five day weighted average closing price of
$16.48).
The total amount expensed under these plans was as follows:
($000) 2008 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Market based compensation - 13
Reserve value based compensation - 7,120
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total - 7,133
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
For the future market based component, compensation costs as at
December 31, 2008 related to 3.1 million non-vested rights with an
average grant price of $17.04 were $nil million (2007 - 3.0 million
non-vested rights with an average grant price of $21.04 were
$0.3 million).
14. Future Income Taxes
($000) 2008 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before income taxes 211,508 196,431
Statutory income tax rate 32.50% 32.12%
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Expected income taxes 68,740 63,094
Increase (decrease) in income taxes from:
Corporate income tax rate change 9,338 (21,357)
Income attributed to the trust (45,516) (51,933)
Change in valuation allowance for
share issue costs (480) (1,000)
Other 29 (1,257)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Future income tax expense 32,111 (12,453)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The net future income tax liability is comprised of:
($000) 2008 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial derivative instruments - 2,285
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Current future income taxes - 2,285
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Differences between tax base and reported
amounts for depreciable assets 157,962 124,973
Accrued expenditures - (85)
Provision for asset retirement obligation (2,654) (1,691)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Future income taxes 155,308 123,197
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
At December 31, 2008 the Trust has tax pools of approximately
$653.8 million (December 31, 2007 - $660.1 million) available for
deduction against future income. The Trust has approximately
$1.4 million (December 31, 2007 - $2.0 million) in unrecognized
future income tax assets and approximately $1.4 million in loss
carryforwards (December 31, 2007 - $nil) available to reduce future
taxable income.
In 2007, Income Trust tax legislation was passed resulting in a
two-tiered tax structure subjecting distributions to the federal
corporate income tax rate plus a deemed 13 per cent provincial income
tax at the Trust level commencing in 2011. On February 26, 2008 the
Federal Government announced as part of the Federal budget that the
provincial component of the tax on the Trust is to be calculated
based on the general provincial rate in each province in which the
Trust has a permanent establishment. This is the same way that a
corporation would calculate its provincial tax rate. On February 1,
2009 the Minister of Finance tabled a Notice of Ways and Means which
includes the proposed legislation for calculating the provincial tax
rate. As the proposed rules were not substantively enacted as of
December 31, 2008, the Trust has not reflected a reduced tax rate in
the calculation of future income taxes in 2008.
15. Financial Instruments and Risk Management
As described in Note 2, on January 1, 2007, the Trust adopted the new
CICA requirements relating to financial instruments. The following
summarizes the prospective adoption adjustments that were required as
at January 1, 2007.
December 31, January 1,
2006 Adoption 2007
($000) (As Reported) Adjustment (As Restated)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Assets
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial derivative asset - 33,904 33,904
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities and Unitholders'
Equity
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Future income taxes 135,650 10,463 146,113
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated other
comprehensive income - 23,441 23,441
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Market Risk
Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices will affect the
Trust's net earnings or the value of its financial instruments.
Market risk is comprised of commodity price risk and interest rate
risk. The objective of market risk management is to manage and
control its exposures within acceptable limits, while maximizing
returns. The Trust's objectives, processes and policies for managing
market risks have not changed from the previous year.
Commodity Price Risk Management
The Trust is a party to certain derivative financial instruments,
including fixed price contracts. The Trust enters into these
contracts with well established counterparties for the purpose of
protecting a portion of its future earnings and cash flows from
operations from the volatility of petroleum and natural gas prices.
The Trust believes the derivative financial instruments are effective
as hedges, both at inception and over the term of the instrument, as
the term and notional amount do not exceed the Trust's firm
commitment or forecasted transaction and the underlying basis of the
instrument correlates highly with the Trust's exposure. A summary of
contracts outstanding in respect of the hedging activities at
December 31, 2008 are as follows:
Natural Gas Daily Price
Period Hedged Type Volume (CAD)
April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009 Fixed price 5,000 GJ $7.05/GJ
April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009 Fixed price 5,000 GJ $6.82/GJ
Nov 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009 Fixed price 5,000 GJ $7.25/GJ
Nov 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009 Fixed price 5,000 GJ $7.50/GJ
Nov 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009 Fixed price 5,000 GJ $7.60/GJ
Nov 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009 Fixed price 5,000 GJ $8.00/GJ
Nov 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009 Fixed price 5,000 GJ $8.25/GJ
Nov 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009 Fixed price 5,000 GJ $8.40/GJ
Nov 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009 Fixed price 5,000 GJ $8.65/GJ
Nov 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009 Fixed price 5,000 GJ $9.00/GJ
Nov 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009 Fixed price 5,000 GJ $9.70/GJ
April 1, 2009 to October 31, 2009 Fixed price 5,000 GJ $7.85/GJ
April 1, 2009 to October 31, 2009 Fixed price 5,000 GJ $8.12/GJ
April 1, 2009 to October 31, 2009 Fixed price 5,000 GJ $8.95/GJ
April 1, 2009 to October 31, 2009 Fixed price 5,000 GJ $9.30/GJ
April 1, 2009 to October 31, 2009 Fixed price 5,000 GJ $10.20/GJ
April 1, 2009 to October 31, 2009 Fixed Price 5,000 GJ $7.50/GJ
April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010 Fixed Price 5,000 GJ $7.65/GJ
November 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010 Fixed Price 5,000 GJ $8.35/GJ
November 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010 Fixed Price 5,000 GJ $8.39/GJ
November 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011 Fixed Price 5,000 GJ $8.91/GJ
November 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011 Fixed Price 5,000 GJ $9.15/GJ
As at December 31, 2008, the Trust had committed to the future sale
of 16,215,000 gigajoules (GJ) of natural gas at an average price of
$8.36 per GJ or $9.78 per mcf based on the historical heating value
of Peyto's natural gas. Had these contracts been closed on December
31, 2008, the Trust would have realized a gain in the amount of
$30.2 million. If the AECO gas price on December 31, 2008 were to
increase by $1/GJ, the unrealized gain on these closed contracts
would change by approximately $16.2 million. An opposite change in
commodity prices rates will result in an opposite impact on net
income which would have been reflected in the other comprehensive
income of the Trust.
Subsequent to December 31, 2008 the Trust entered into the following
contracts:
Natural Gas Daily Price
Period Hedged Type Volume (CAD)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
April 1 , 2009 to March 31, 2010 Fixed price 5,000 GJ $6.90/GJ
Interest rate risk
The Trust is exposed to interest rate risk in relation to interest
expense on its revolving credit facility. Currently, the Trust has
not entered into any agreements to manage this risk. If interest
rates applicable to floating rate debt were to have increased by
100 bps (1%) it is estimated that the Trust's net income for the
year ended December 31, 2008 would decrease by $4.5 million. An
opposite change in interest rates will result in an opposite impact
on net income.
Fair Values of Financial Assets and Liabilities
The Trust's financial instruments include cash, accounts receivable,
financial derivative instruments, current liabilities (excluding
future income tax), provision for future performance based
compensation and long term debt. At December 31, 2008, the carrying
value of cash, accounts receivable, financial derivative instruments,
current liabilities (excluding future income tax) and provision for
future performance based compensation approximate their fair value
due to their short term nature. The carrying value of the long term
debt approximates its fair value due to the floating rate of interest
charged under the credit facility.
Credit Risk
A substantial portion of the Trust's accounts receivable is with
petroleum and natural gas marketing entities.
Industry standard dictates that commodity sales are settled on the
25th day of the month following the month of production. The Trust
generally extends unsecured credit to these companies, and therefore,
the collection of accounts receivable may be affected by changes in
economic or other conditions and may accordingly impact the Trust's
overall credit risk. Management believes the risk is mitigated by the
size, reputation and diversified nature of the companies to which
they extend credit. The Trust has not previously experienced any
material credit losses on the collection of accounts receivable. Of
the Trust's significant individual accounts receivable at December
31, 2008, approximately 43% was due from three companies (December
31, 2007 - 31%, one company). Of the Trust's revenue for the year
ended December 31, 2008, approximately 90% was received from four
companies (December 31, 2007 - 57%, two companies). The maximum
exposure to credit risk is represented by the carrying amount on the
balance sheet. There are no material financial assets that the Trust
considers past due and no accounts have been written off.
The Trust may be exposed to certain losses in the event of
non-performance by counter-parties to commodity price contracts. The
Trust mitigates this risk by entering into transactions with
counter-parties that have investment grade credit ratings.
Counterparties to financial instruments expose the Trust to credit
losses in the event of non-performance. Counterparties for derivative
instrument transactions are limited to high credit quality financial
institutions, which are all members of our syndicated credit
facility.
The Trust assesses quarterly if there should be any impairment of
financial assets. At December 31, 2008, there was no impairment of
any of the financial assets of the Trust.
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk includes the risk that, as a result of operational
liquidity requirements:
- The Trust will not have sufficient funds to settle a transaction
on the due date;
- The Trust will be forced to sell financial assets at a value
which is less than what they are worth; or
- The Trust may be unable to settle or recover a financial asset at
all.
The Trust's operating cash requirements, including amounts projected
to complete our existing capital expenditure program, are
continuously monitored and adjusted as input variables change. These
variables include, but are not limited to, available bank lines, oil
and natural gas production from existing wells, results from new
wells drilled, commodity prices, cost overruns on capital projects
and changes to government regulations relating to prices, taxes,
royalties, land tenure, allowable production and availability of
markets. As these variables change, liquidity risks may necessitate
the need for the Trust to conduct equity issues or obtain project
debt financing. The Trust also mitigates liquidity risk by
maintaining an insurance program to minimize exposure to some losses.
The following are the contractual maturities of financial liabilities
as at December 31, 2008:
less than
($000s) 1 Year 1-2 Years 2-5 Years Thereafter
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Accounts payable and
accrued liabilities 48,854
Distributions payable 15,888
Long-term debt(1) 500,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Revolving credit facility renewed annually (see Note 7)
16. Capital Disclosures
The Trust's objectives when managing capital are: (i) to maintain a
flexible capital structure, which optimizes the cost of capital at
acceptable risk; and (ii) to maintain investor, creditor and market
confidence to sustain the future development of the business.
The Trust manages its capital structure and makes adjustments to it
in light of changes in economic conditions and the risk
characteristics of our underlying assets. The Trust considers its
capital structure to include unitholders' equity, debt and working
capital. To maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Trust may
from time to time, issue trust units, raise debt and/or adjust its
capital spending to manage its current and projected debt levels. The
Trust monitors capital based on the following non-GAAP measures:
current and projected debt to earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation, depletion and amortization ("EBITDA") ratios, payout
ratios and net debt levels. To facilitate the management of these
ratios, the Trust prepares annual budgets, which are updated
depending on varying factors such as general market conditions and
successful capital deployment. Currently, all ratios are within
acceptable parameters. The annual budget is approved by the Board of
Directors. The Trust's unitholders' capital is not subject to any
external financial covenants.
There were no changes in the Trust's approach to capital management
from the previous year.
December 31, December 31,
($000s) 2008 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Unitholders' equity 550,717 528,992
Long-term debt 500,000 430,000
Working capital (surplus) deficit(1) (32,075) 22,324
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1,018,642 981,316
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Current liabilities less current assets (includes unrealized
hedging asset of $27.8 million)
17. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Changes in non-cash working capital balances
($000) 2008 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Accounts receivable (17,934) 5,690
Due from private placement - 5,042
Prepaid expenses and deposits 1,653 (2,339)
Prepaid capital (3,069) -
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (37,069) 15,087
Cash distributions payable 1,088 64
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(55,331) 23,544
Attributable to financing activities 1,088 5,107
Attributable to investing activities (17,633) 2,222
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Attributable to operating activities (38,786) 16,215
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
2008 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash interest paid during the year 21,857 23,007
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
18. Contingencies and Commitments
Following is a summary of the Trust's commitments related to
operating leases as at December 31, 2008. The trust has no other
contractual obligations or commitments as at December 31, 2008.
($000) $
---------------------------------------------------------------------
2009 1,097
2010 1,097
2011 822
---------------------------------------------------------------------
3,016
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Contingent Liability
From time to time, Peyto is the subject of litigation arising out of
its day-to-day operations. Damages claimed pursuant to such
litigation, including the litigation discussed below, may be material
or may be indeterminate and the outcome of such litigation may
materially impact Peyto's financial position or results of operations
in the period of settlement. While Peyto assesses the merits of each
lawsuit and defends itself accordingly, Peyto may be required to
incur significant expenses or devote significant resources to
defending itself against such litigation. These claims are not
currently expected to have a material impact on Peyto's financial
position or results of operations.
Peyto has been named in a Statement of Claim issued by Canadian
Natural Resources Limited and affiliates ("CNRL"), claiming $13
million in damages for alleged breaches of duty as operator of
jointly owned properties, and an interim and permanent injunction to
prevent Peyto from proceeding with the completion of a well on those
properties. CNRL alleges that Peyto failed to take proper steps as
operator of a joint well (the "Well") on lands that offset 100% Peyto
owned lands. Peyto has filed a Statement of Defense defending the
allegations set forth in the Statement of Claim. The injunction
claimed by CNRL was to prevent Peyto from completing the Well at a
target location which had been agreed upon by both parties. Although
claimed in the Statement of Claim, CNRL did not apply for an interim
injunction, and Peyto completed the Well as planned, but no
commercial production was obtained. Affidavits of Records were filed
in July, 2006 but CNRL had taken no steps to move the matter forward
until February 14, 2007 when it proposed to amend its Statement of
Claim to add a subsidiary as an additional Plaintiff and to
particularize further its allegations. Accordingly, it remains to be
seen whether CNRL will proceed with the action. If the action goes
ahead, Peyto intends to defend itself vigorously. Although the
outcome of this matter is not determinable at this time, Peyto
believes that this claim will not have a material adverse effect on
the Trust's financial position or results of operations.
19. Related Party Transactions
An officer of the Trust is a partner of a law firm that provides
legal services to the Trust. The fees charged are based on standard
rates and time spent on matters pertaining to the Trust and its
subsidiaries. For the year ended December 31, 2008, legal fees
totaled $0.4 million (2007 - $1.1 million). As at December 31, 2007,
an amount due to this firm of $0.1 million was included in accounts
payables (2007 - $0.8 million)
Peyto Exploration & Development Corp. Information
Officers
Darren Gee Glenn Booth
President and Chief Executive Officer Vice President, Land
Scott Robinson Stephen Chetner
Executive Vice-President and Corporate Secretary
Chief Operating Officer
Kathy Turgeon
Vice President, Finance and
Chief Financial Officer
Directors
Ian Mottershead, Chairman
Rick Braund
Don Gray
Brian Davis
Michael MacBean
Darren Gee
Gregory Fletcher
Auditors
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Solicitors
Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP
Bankers
Bank of Montreal
Union Bank of California
Royal Bank of Canada
BNP Paribas
Societe Generale
ATB Financial
Fortis Capital (Canada) Ltd.
Transfer Agent
Valiant Trust Company
Head Office
2900, 450 - 1st Street SW
Calgary, AB
T2P 5H1
Phone: 403.261.6081
Fax: 403.451.4100
Web: www.peyto.com
Stock Listing Symbol: PEY.un
Toronto Stock Exchange
%SEDAR: 00019597E