REG - PetroTal Corp. - Q4 2024 Operations and Financial Updates

PetrotalAnnouncement

09/01/2025 07:00

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RNS Number : 7281S  PetroTal Corp.  09 January 2025

PetroTal Announces Q4 2024 Operations and Financial Updates

 

 

Calgary, AB and Houston, TX - January 9, 2025-PetroTal Corp. ("PetroTal" or
the "Company") (TSX: TAL, AIM: PTAL and OTCQX: PTALF) is pleased to provide
the following operational and financial updates. All amounts are in US dollars
unless stated otherwise.

Key Highlights

·    PetroTal corporate production averaged approximately 19,150 bopd in
Q4 2024, including volumes from the recently acquired Block 131

·    Bretana Q4 2024 production averaged 18,938 barrels of oil per day
(bopd), a 27% increase on Q4 2023

·    Bretana 2024 annual production averaged 17,733 bopd, a 24% increase
on 2023, and above guidance of 16,500 - 17,500 bopd

·    Total cash of $115 million as of December 31, 2024, a 3% increase on
Q4 2023

·    PetroTal secures two Technical Evaluation Agreements (TEA's)
surrounding Block 131 in Peru

·    PeruPetro extends current exploration period for Block 107 to
February 2027

 

Manuel Pablo Zuniga-Pflucker, President and Chief Executive Officer,
commented:

"PetroTal finished 2024 on a strong note, with production from our Bretana
field hitting new highs in Q4. We ended the year with a cash balance of $115
million, which puts the Company in a good position to support its ongoing
dividend and capital programs in 2025.

I am pleased to announce that PetroTal has been granted two new Technical
Evaluation Agreements in Peru's Ucayali Basin, immediately surrounding and on
trend with our recently acquired Block 131. Several exploration prospects have
already been identified on existing seismic coverage, setting up a new
high-potential core area for the Company in central Peru.

PeruPetro has updated the current exploration period for Block 107 to February
2027, after reviewing the force majeure periods, which will give us ample time
to undertake an exploration program at the high-impact Osheki-Kametza
prospect. Peru's oil industry is open for business, and we continue to see
plenty of interesting business development opportunities in the country.

We are in the final stages of approving our 2025 budget and guidance update
and look forward to providing more details on January 16. PetroTal delivered
on its growth and return of capital objectives in 2024, and we will continue
to deliver for investors in 2025."

Q4 2024 Production Update

PetroTal's production averaged approximately 19,150 bopd in Q4 2024, a new
record for the Company. This total includes 18,938 bopd from the Bretana field
at Block 95, and a quarterly average contribution of 212 bopd from the Los
Angeles field at Block 131, where PetroTal holds a 100% WI in production from
the closing date of its acquisition on November 29, 2024.

Following the conclusion of the annual dry season in early October, PetroTal's
operations team responded quickly to rising river levels, restoring Bretana
field production to capacity by October 15. As a result, Bretana's Q4 2024
quarterly average production increased 25% compared to the prior quarter, and
28% compared to Q4 2023.

2024 annual average production from the Bretana field was 17,733 bopd,
slightly above the high end of PetroTal's guidance range of 16,500 to 17,500
bopd, and an increase of 24% compared to the 2023 annual average of 14,248
bopd. According to public production data from PeruPetro, fiscalized Los
Angeles field production averaged 784 bopd in 2024, and 624 bopd in Q4 2024.

Since the closing of the acquisition of Block 131 on November 29, 2024,
PetroTal has been operating the asset under the name "Ucawa Energy". As a
result, public disclosure from Peruvian regulators relating to Block 131 may
include this corporate name, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of PetroTal
Corp.

Drilling & Completion Update

As previously announced with Q3 2024 results, PetroTal completed well 21H at
Bretana on November 9. This well was brought onstream on November 17 at a
flush production rate of 7,144 bopd, before producing at an average rate of
2,522 bopd over the next 30 days. PetroTal spudded well 22H at Bretana on
November 12; this well was completed ahead of schedule on December 19, in-line
with budget expectations at $12.0 million. The Company will provide an update
on initial flow rates once the well has been onstream for at least 30 days.

PetroTal spudded well 23H at Bretana on December 23. This well is expected to
be completed by the end of January 2025, at which point the Company plans to
release its current drilling rig and pause the Bretana development drilling
program. As previously contemplated when PetroTal announced an acceleration of
its capital program with Q2 2024 results in August 2024, flush production from
wells 22H and 23H will be used to manage field output in-line with installed
fluid handling capacity throughout H1 2025.

Cash & Liquidity Update

PetroTal ended 2024 in a healthy liquidity position, exiting the year with
total cash of approximately $115 million, of which $103 million was
unrestricted. This compares to total cash of $133 million at the end of Q3
2024, and $111 million at the end of 2023. PetroTal ended the year with
accounts payable and receivable of $88 million and $85 million, respectively.

During Q4 2024, PetroTal continued preparatory work for its erosion control
project. Recall that PetroTal's Q3 2024 financial results included a $7.3
million inventory provision for the purchase of steel components related to
this project. These components will be recorded as an operating expense in Q4
2024. Q4 2024 also included the previously announced acquisition of Block 131,
which closed on December 1. Cash consideration of $6.1 million for this asset
was essentially offset by the assumption of a cash balance of $5.9 million on
closing. This cash balance reflects the cumulative cash flow from this asset
between the effective date of the acquisition on January 1, 2024, to its
closing date on November 29, 2024.

Pursuant to its ongoing share buyback program, PetroTal repurchased 1.5
million shares in Q4 2024, at an average price of US$0.46/share. The Company
also paid a dividend of $13.7 million (US$0.015/share) on December 13, 2024,
related to Q3 2024 operations.

Exploration Update

PetroTal signed a contract extension with PeruPetro for the exploration Block
107, in Peru's Ucayali Basin, in December 2024. This extension of the Fifth
Exploration Period, which was granted to account for force majeure periods in
the interim, will now last until February 2027, providing ample time to
undertake an exploration program at the Osheki-Kametza prospect.

PetroTal also signed two Technical Evaluation Agreements (TEA's) with
PeruPetro in December 2024. The TEA's for Blocks XCVII and XCVIII are located
in the vicinity and on trend with PetroTal's Block 131, as well as the
Aguaytia and Agua Caliente fields in Peru's Ucayali Basin. These new
evaluation contracts offer growth potential in proven exploration acreage near
our existing operations in the Ucayali Basin. Blocks XCVII and XCVIII include
acreage that was previously relinquished from the present-day Block 131 and
contain several drillable prospects and leads identified with existing 2D
seismic coverage in the producing Cushabatay light oil play. Contractual
commitments will be executed in two 12-month phases, and mainly include
geological and geophysical studies such as seismic imaging, geochemical
modelling and hydrocarbon potential evaluation reports. The TEA's also grant
PetroTal the option to convert the blocks to exploration licenses within the
next 24 months.

2025 budget guidance webcast link for January 16, 2025

PetroTal will host a webcast following its 2025 budget and guidance release on
Thursday January 16, 2025 at 9am CT (Houston), 3pm GMT (London). Please see
the link below to register.

https://brrmedia.news/PTAL_CB25 (https://brrmedia.news/PTAL_CB25)

 

ABOUT PETROTAL

 

PetroTal is a publicly traded, tri‐quoted (TSX: TAL, AIM: PTAL and OTCQX:
PTALF) oil and gas development and production Company domiciled in Calgary,
Alberta, focused on the development of oil assets in Peru.  PetroTal's
flagship asset is its 100% working interest in the Bretana oil field in Peru's
Block 95, where oil production was initiated in June 2018.  In early 2022,
PetroTal became the largest crude oil producer in Peru.  The Company's
management team has significant experience in developing and exploring for oil
in Peru and is led by a Board of Directors that is focused on safely and cost
effectively developing the Bretana oil field. It is actively building new
initiatives to champion community sensitive energy production, benefiting all
stakeholders.

 

For further information, please see the Company's website at
www.petrotal-corp.com (http://www.petrotal-corp.com) , the Company's filed
documents at www.sedarplus.ca (https://www.sedarplus.ca/landingpage/) , or
below:

 

Camilo McAllister

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Cmcallister@PetroTal-Corp.com

T: (713) 253-4997

 

Manolo Zuniga

President and Chief Executive Officer

Mzuniga@PetroTal-Corp.com

T: (713) 609-9101

 

PetroTal Investor Relations

InvestorRelations@PetroTal-Corp.com

 

Celicourt Communications

Mark Antelme / Jimmy Lea

petrotal@celicourt.uk

T : +44 (0) 20 7770 6424

 

Strand Hanson Limited (Nominated & Financial Adviser)

Ritchie Balmer / James Spinney / Robert Collins

T: +44 (0) 207 409 3494

 

Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited (Joint Broker)

Callum Stewart / Simon Mensley / Ashton Clanfield

T: +44 (0) 20 7710 7600

 

Peel Hunt LLP (Joint Broker)
Richard Crichton / David McKeown / Georgia Langoulant
T: +44 (0) 20 7418 8900

 

READER ADVISORIES

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL INFORMATION: Certain financial and operating results
included in this press release, including production information, total cash,
accounts payable and accounts receivable, are based on unaudited estimated
results. These estimated results are subject to change upon completion of the
Company's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024,
and changes could be material.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release contains certain statements
that may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Such statements relate to
possible future events, including, but not limited to: oil production levels
and production capacity; PetroTal's drilling, completions and other
activities; exploration activities at Block 107. All statements other than
statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of
words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", "estimate",
"potential", "will", "should", "continue", "may", "objective", "intend" and
similar expressions. The forward-looking statements provided in this press
release are based on management's current belief, based on currently available
information, as to the outcome and timing of future events. The
forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and
assumptions made by the Company, including, but not limited to, expectations
and assumptions concerning the ability of existing infrastructure to deliver
production and the anticipated capital expenditures associated therewith, the
ability to obtain and maintain necessary permits and licenses, the ability of
government groups to effectively achieve objectives in respect of reducing
social conflict and collaborating towards continued investment in the energy
sector, reservoir characteristics, recovery factor, exploration upside,
prevailing commodity prices and the actual prices received for PetroTal's
products, including pursuant to hedging arrangements, the availability and
performance of drilling rigs, facilities, pipelines, other oilfield services
and skilled labour, royalty regimes and exchange rates, the impact of
inflation on costs, the application of regulatory and licensing requirements,
the accuracy of PetroTal's geological interpretation of its drilling and land
opportunities, current legislation, receipt of required regulatory approval,
the success of future drilling and development activities, the performance of
new wells, future river water levels, the Company's growth strategy, general
economic conditions and availability of required equipment and services.
PetroTal cautions that forward-looking statements relating to PetroTal are
subject to all of the risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause
the actual results, performance, capital expenditures or achievements of the
Company to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance,
capital expenditures or achievement expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements include, but
are not limited to, risks associated with the oil and gas industry in general
(e.g., operational risks in development, exploration and production; delays or
changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or
capital expenditures; the uncertainty of reserve estimates; the uncertainty of
estimates and projections relating to production, costs and expenses; and
health, safety and environmental risks), business performance, legal and
legislative developments including changes in tax laws and legislation
affecting the oil and gas industry and uncertainties resulting from potential
delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects
or capital expenditures, credit ratings and risks,  fluctuations in interest
rates and currency values, changes in the financial landscape both
domestically and abroad, including volatility in the stock market and
financial system, wars (including Russia's war in Ukraine and the
Israeli-Hamas conflict), regulatory developments, commodity price volatility,
price differentials and the actual prices received for products, exchange rate
fluctuations, legal, political and economic instability in Peru, access to
transportation routes and markets for the Company's production, changes in
legislation affecting the oil and gas industry, changes in the financial
landscape both domestically and abroad (including volatility in the stock
market and financial system) and the occurrence of weather-related and other
natural catastrophes. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors
is not exhaustive. Please refer to the annual information form for the year
ended December 31, 2023 and the management's discussion and analysis for the
three months ended September 30, 2024 for additional risk factors relating to
PetroTal, which can be accessed either on PetroTal's website at
www.petrotal-corp.com (http://www.petrotal-corp.com/) or under the Company's
profile on www.sedarplus.ca (https://www.sedarplus.ca/landingpage/) . The
forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the
date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or
revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable
securities laws.

 

OIL REFERENCES: All references to "oil" or "crude oil" production, revenue or
sales in this press release mean "heavy crude oil" as defined in National
Instrument 51-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities ("NI
51-101").

 

SHORT TERM RESULTS: References in this press release to peak rates, initial
production rates, current production rates, 30-day production rates and other
short-term production rates are useful in confirming the presence of
hydrocarbons, however such rates are not determinative of the rates at which
such wells will commence production and decline thereafter and are not
indicative of long-term performance or of ultimate recovery. While
encouraging, readers are cautioned not to place reliance on such rates in
calculating the aggregate production of PetroTal. The Company cautions that
such results should be considered to be preliminary.

 

FOFI DISCLOSURE: This press release contains future-oriented financial
information and financial outlook information (collectively, "FOFI") about
PetroTal's prospective results of operations and production results, cash
position, liquidity and components thereof, all of which are subject to the
same assumptions, risk factors, limitations and qualifications as set forth in
the above paragraphs. FOFI contained in this press release was approved by
management as of the date of this press release and was included for the
purpose of providing further information about PetroTal's anticipated future
business operations. PetroTal and its management believe that FOFI has been
prepared on a reasonable basis, reflecting management's best estimates and
judgments, and represent, to the best of management's knowledge and opinion,
the Company's expected course of action. However, because this information is
highly subjective, it should not be relied on as necessarily indicative of
future results. PetroTal disclaims any intention or obligation to update or
revise any FOFI contained in this press release, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, unless required pursuant to
applicable law. Readers are cautioned that the FOFI contained in this press
release should not be used for purposes other than for which it is disclosed
herein. All FOFI contained in this press release complies with the
requirements of Canadian securities legislation, including NI 51-101. Changes
in forecast commodity prices, differences in the timing of capital
expenditures, and variances in average production estimates can have a
significant impact on the key performance measures included in PetroTal's
guidance. The Company's actual results may differ materially from these
estimates.

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