BOGOTA, Colombia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GeoPark Limited (“GeoPark” or the “Company”) (NYSE: GPRK), a leading independent Latin American oil and gas explorer, operator and consolidator today announced its operational update for the three-month period ended December 31, 2021 (“4Q2021”).
All figures are expressed in US Dollars. Growth comparisons refer to the same period of the prior year, except when otherwise specified.
Highlights
Oil and Gas Production
- Annual average oil and gas production of 37,602 boepd, within 37,000-38,000 boepd guidance and with an exit production of 39,300 boepd (exit production includes approximately 1,800 boepd in Argentina blocks that are being divested with closing expected in late January 2022)
- Quarterly average oil and gas production of 37,928 boepd, down 4% due to lower gas production
- Llanos 34 block (GeoPark operated, 45% WI) production increased by 2% to 58,270 bopd gross
- CPO-5 block (GeoPark non-operated, 30% WI) production increased by 19% to 12,310 bopd gross
Colombia Operations
In the Llanos 34 block - Llanos basin:
- Three drilling and three workover rigs in operation
- 2021 exit production above 60,000 bopd gross
- Recent successful results in Tigui and Jacana, opening new drilling opportunities to be tested in 2022
In the CPO-5 block - Llanos basin:
- Two drilling rigs contracted for two years targeting development, appraisal and high potential near-field exploration projects adjacent to and on trend with core Llanos 34 block
- Currently drilling the Indico 4 development well, with testing expected to start in late January 2022
- Second rig contracted and expected to spud within 1H2022
In the Platanillo block (GeoPark operated, 100% WI) - Putumayo basin:
- Currently drilling the Platanillo Central 1 development well
Ecuador Operations
In the Perico block (GeoPark non-operated, 50% WI) - Oriente basin:
- Jandaya 1 exploration well drilled to total depth with testing activities currently underway
- Tui 1 exploration well, 6 km southwest of Jandaya 1 well to be spudded in February 2022
In the Espejo block (GeoPark operated, 50% WI) - Oriente basin:
- Ongoing 3D seismic acquisition, targeting to spud first exploration well in 2H2022
Chile Operations
In the Fell block (GeoPark operated, 100% WI) – Magallanes basin:
- One rig expected to spud two gas wells in the Jauke/Dicky geological structure, starting March 2022
Portfolio Management
- Divestment of non-core Aguada Baguales, El Porvenir and Puesto Touquet blocks (GeoPark operated, 100% WI) in Argentina for a total consideration of $16 million currently underway with closing expected in late January 20221
2022 Work Program: Multiple Catalysts with Superior Free Cash Flow Yields2
- Self-funded 2022 capital expenditures program of $160-180 million to drill 40-48 gross wells, including 15-20 gross exploration/appraisal wells
- At $65-70/bbl Brent the program would generate $90-140 million free cash flow, or 12-20% free cash flow yields
- At $75-80/bbl Brent the program would generate $170-210 million free cash flow, or 23-28% free cash flow yields
- At $80-85/bbl Brent the program would generate $210-250 million free cash flow, or 28-33% free cash flow yields
- GeoPark intends to use free cash flow for continued deleveraging, incremental shareholder returns through cash dividends and share buybacks, and other corporate purposes, subject to prevailing oil pricing conditions during 2022
Cash Generation Allows for Net Debt Reduction and Acceleration of Shareholder Returns
- Quarterly Dividend of $0.041 per share, or $2.5 million, paid on December 7, 2021
- Accelerating share buyback program. Acquired 0.6 million shares, or approximately 1% of total outstanding shares for $7.3 million from September 30, 2021 to date
- GeoPark acquired 1.0 million shares in aggregate under its share buyback program, or approximately 1.6% of total outstanding shares for $12.7 million from January 1, 2021 to date, while executing self-funded work programs, and paying down $105 million of debt
- Cash and cash equivalents of $100 million as of December 31, 20213 (compared to $76.8 million as of September 30, 2021)
Breakdown of Quarterly Production by Country
The following table shows production figures for 4Q2021, as compared to 4Q2020:
4Q2021 |
|
4Q2020 |
||||
Total (boepd) |
Oil (bopd)a |
Gas (mcfpd) |
|
Total (boepd) |
% Chg. |
|
Colombia |
32,002 |
31,780 |
1,332 |
|
31,858 |
0% |
Chile |
2,162 |
365 |
10,781 |
|
3,133 |
-31% |
Brazil |
1,822 |
25 |
10,783 |
|
2,167 |
-16% |
Argentina |
1,942 |
1,035 |
5,442 |
|
2,146 |
-10% |
Total |
37,928 |
33,205 |
28,338 |
|
39,304 |
-4% |
a) |
Includes royalties paid in kind in Colombia for approximately 1,119 bopd in 4Q2021. No royalties were paid in kind in Brazil, Chile, or Argentina. |
__________________________ | |
1 |
GeoPark will no longer report production from Argentina after closure of the divestment, expected in late January 2022. |
2 |
Free cash flow is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures, cash taxes and mandatory debt service payments, and does not include potential cash inflows from the 2022 exploration campaign. Free cash flow yields were calculated using GPRK’s market capitalization from January 3 to January 14, 2022. Please refer to the release published on November 10, 2021 for further details. |
3 |
Unaudited. |
Quarterly Production Evolution
(boepd) |
4Q2021 |
3Q2021 |
2Q2021 |
1Q2021 |
4Q2020 |
Colombia |
32,002 |
31,565 |
29,571 |
31,455 |
31,858 |
Chile |
2,162 |
2,354 |
2,584 |
2,491 |
3,133 |
Brazil |
1,822 |
1,791 |
2,080 |
1,984 |
2,167 |
Argentina |
1,942 |
2,149 |
2,254 |
2,201 |
2,146 |
Total |
37,928 |
37,859 |
36,489 |
38,131 |
39,304 |
Oil |
33,205 |
32,844 |
30,962 |
32,877 |
33,238 |
Gas |
4,723 |
5,015 |
5,527 |
5,254 |
6,066 |
Oil and Gas Production Update
Consolidated:
Oil and gas production in 4Q2021 was 37,928 boepd. Compared to 4Q2020, oil and gas production decreased by 4%, resulting from lower production in Chile, Brazil, and Argentina.
Oil represented 88% and 85% of total reported production in 4Q2021 and 4Q2020, respectively.
Colombia:
Average net oil and gas production in Colombia reached 32,002 boepd in 4Q2021 compared to 31,858 boepd in 4Q2020 resulting from increased production in the Llanos 34 and CPO-5 blocks, partially offset by lower production in the Platanillo block.
Production and operations in the Platanillo block were affected from mid-October to early November 2021 due to community protests against the Government in the Putumayo basin.
Oil and gas production in main blocks in Colombia:
- Llanos 34 block net average production in 4Q2021 increased by 2% to 26,221 bopd (or 58,270 bopd gross), compared to 25,759 bopd (or 57,242 bopd gross) in 4Q2020
- CPO-5 block net average production in 4Q2021 increased by 19% to 3,693 bopd (or 12,310 bopd gross), compared to 3,093 bopd (or 10,310 bopd gross) in 4Q2020
- Platanillo block average production in 4Q2021 decreased by 33% to 1,668 bopd, compared to 2,499 bopd in 4Q2020. The block is currently producing 2,000 bopd
Ecuador:
Perico block: In December 2021 the Jandaya 1 exploration well was spudded to test an exploration prospect in the northeastern part of the block.
The Jandaya 1 exploration well was drilled and completed to a total depth of 10,975 feet. Testing activities are currently underway.
Following testing activities in the Jandaya 1 well, the operator plans to drill the Tui 1 exploration well, targeting a spud date in February 2022. The Tui 1 exploration well is located in the southern part of the block, approximately 6 km from the Jandaya 1 well.
Espejo block: GeoPark is carrying out the acquisition of 60 sq km of 3D seismic, targeting to spud the first exploration well in 2H2022.
The Espejo and Perico blocks are attractive, low-risk exploration blocks located in Sucumbios Province in the Oriente basin in north-eastern Ecuador. The blocks are adjacent to multiple discoveries and producing fields and have access to existing infrastructure with spare capacity and a well-developed service industry.
Chile:
Average net production in Chile decreased by 31% to 2,162 boepd in 4Q2021 compared to 3,133 boepd in 4Q2020, resulting from lower gas production due to limited drilling and maintenance activities combined with the natural decline of the fields. The production mix during 4Q2021 was 83% natural gas and 17% light oil (compared to 89% natural gas and 11% light oil in 4Q2020).
Upcoming activities in Chile include the drilling of two gas wells in the Jauke/Dicky geological structure, targeting to spud the first well in March 2022.
Brazil:
Average net production in Brazil decreased by 16% to 1,822 boepd in 4Q2021 compared to 2,167 boepd in 4Q2020, mainly due to maintenance activities in the Manati gas field that affected production from December 10 to December 17, 2021. The production mix was 99% natural gas and 1% oil and condensate in both 4Q2021 and 4Q2020.
Manati Gas Field Divestment Process Update
In November 2020 GeoPark signed an agreement to sell its 10% non-operated WI in the Manati gas field to Gas Bridge S.A. for a total consideration of R$144.4 million (approximately $26 million at an exchange rate of R$5.5 per dollar), including a fixed payment of R$124.4 million plus an earn-out of R$20.0 million, subject to obtaining certain regulatory approvals.
The transaction is subject to several conditions that should be met before March 31, 2022 and that have not been met as of the date of this release.
Argentina:
Average net production in Argentina decreased by 10% to 1,942 boepd in 4Q2021 compared to 2,146 boepd in 4Q2020. The production mix during 4Q2021 was 53% light oil and 47% natural gas (compared to 57% light oil and 43% natural gas in 4Q2020).
GeoPark expects to complete the divestiture of the Aguada Baguales, El Porvenir and Puesto Touquet blocks in late January 2022. The blocks represent 100% of the Company’s production and reserves in Argentina.
The Company will no longer report production from these blocks after the closure of the transaction, expected in late January 2022.
OTHER NEWS
Reserves Release Date
GeoPark plans to release its 2021 year-end independent reserves certification before the end of January 2022.
GLOSSARY |
|
|
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ANP |
Brazil’s National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels |
|
|
Operating netback |
Revenue, less production, and operating costs (net of accrual of stock options and stock awards), selling expenses and realized portion of commodity risk management contracts. Operating netback is equivalent to Adjusted EBITDA net of cash expenses included in Administrative, Geological and Geophysical and Other operating costs |
Bbl |
Barrel |
Boe |
Barrels of oil equivalent |
Boepd |
Barrels of oil equivalent per day |
Bopd |
Barrels of oil per day |
D&M |
DeGolyer and MacNaughton |
F&D costs |
Finding and development costs, calculated as capital expenditures divided by the applicable net reserves additions before changes in Future Development Capital |
Km |
Kilometers |
Mboe |
Thousand barrels of oil equivalent |
Mmbo |
Million barrels of oil |
Mmboe |
Million barrels of oil equivalent |
Mcfpd |
Thousand cubic feet per day |
Mmcfpd |
Million cubic feet per day |
Mm3/day |
Thousand cubic meters per day |
NPV10 |
Present value of estimated future oil and gas revenues, net of estimated direct expenses, discounted at an annual rate of 10% |
PRMS |
Petroleum Resources Management System |
Sq km |
Square Kilometer |
WI |
Working Interest |
|
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NOTICE
Additional information about GeoPark can be found in the “Investor Support” section on the website at www.geo-park.com.
Rounding amounts and percentages: Certain amounts and percentages included in this press release have been rounded for ease of presentation. Percentage figures included in this press release have not in all cases been calculated based on such rounded figures but based on such amounts prior to rounding. For this reason, certain percentage amounts in this press release may vary from those obtained by performing the same calculations using the figures in the financial statements. In addition, certain other amounts that appear in this press release may not sum due to rounding.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS RELEVANT TO FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. Many of the forward- looking statements contained in this press release can be identified using forward-looking words such as ‘‘anticipate,’’ ‘‘believe,’’ ‘‘could,’’ ‘‘expect,’’ ‘‘should,’’ ‘‘plan,’’ ‘‘intend,’’ ‘‘will,’’ ‘‘estimate’’ and ‘‘potential,’’ among others.
Forward-looking statements that appear in a number of places in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations regarding various matters, including the expected production growth, expected schedule, economic recovery, payback timing, IRR, drilling activities, demand for oil and gas, oil and gas prices, capital expenditures plan, work program and investment guidelines, the divestiture of the Aguada Barrales, El Porvenir and Puesto Touquet blocks, the divestment of the Manati gas field, free cash flow yields, our dividend and share buyback programs, our deleveraging process, reserves and exploration resources. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions, and on information currently available to the management. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to various factors. Oil and gas production figures included in this release are stated before the effect of royalties paid in kind, consumption, and losses, except when specified.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update them considering new information or future developments or to release publicly any revisions to these statements to reflect later events or circumstances, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. For a discussion of the risks facing the Company which could affect whether these forward-looking statements are realized, see filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Readers are cautioned that the exploration resources disclosed in this press release are not necessarily indicative of long-term performance or of ultimate recovery. Unrisked prospective resources are not risked for change of development or chance of discovery. If a discovery is made, there is no certainty that it will be developed or, if it is developed, there is no certainty as to the timing of such development. There is no certainty that any portion of the prospective resources will be discovered. If discovered, there is no certainty that it will be commercially viable to produce any portion of the resources. Prospective resource volumes are presented as unrisked.