TriOil Announces Third Quarter Operational and Financial Results, Increased Bank Line and Reaffirms Exit Guidance

CALGARY, Nov. 22, 2012 /CNW/ - TriOil Resources Ltd. ("TriOil" or the "Company" -TSXV: TOL) is pleased to announce that it has filed its interim financial statements and related Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012. Selected financial and operational information is outlined below and should be read in conjunction with TriOil's unaudited interim financial statements and related MD&A which are available for review at www.trioilresources.com and www.sedar.com.

Current Highlights

• Current production is approximately 3,000 boe/d (75% oil) based on field estimates with a current estimated 400 boe/d of tested volumes expected to be on stream by year-end.
• To date in the fourth quarter, 3 (1.6 net) wells have been drilled, 4 (2.7 net) wells have been completed, 6 (3.8 net wells have been placed on production and 2 (1.6 net) wells are currently drilling. Prior to year-end, 6 (4.4 net) wells are expected to be brought on production.
• TriOil's credit facilities have been increased by 40% to $70 million from $50 million.

Financial and Operational Highlights

• Increased average production volumes by 60% to 1,992 boe/d from 1,242 boe/d in the third quarter of 2011. Third quarter production was impacted by non-core property dispositions of ~70 boe/d and a delay in new well tie-ins due to unseasonable, prolonged wet surface conditions at Kaybob.
• Funds from operations increased 102% to $5.2 million in the third quarter of 2012 compared to $2.6 million in the same period of 2011.  On a diluted per share basis, funds from operations increased 25% to $0.10 per share in the third quarter of 2012 from $0.08 per share in the same period of 2011.
• Increased oil and NGL weighting to 71% in the third quarter of 2012 from 48% in the same period of 2011, reflecting the Company's ongoing successful transition to a high netback, light oil producer.
• Field netback (before hedging) increased by 24% to $33.95 per boe in the third quarter of 2012 from $27.33 in the third quarter of 2011. Field netbacks (before hedging) averaged $41.08 per boe at Kaybob and $45.06 per boe at Lochend in the third quarter of 2012.
• Reduced operating costs by 16% to $13.37 per boe from $15.83 per boe in the third quarter of 2011.
• Continued to execute a very successful capital program, drilling 11 (7.9 net) horizontal light oil wells with a 100% success rate.

Balance Sheet Strength

TriOil continues to focus on balance sheet strength and flexibility. During the quarter we disposed of non-core producing assets for $4.3 million.

Subsequent to the end of the third quarter we completed a $28.8 million bought deal financing with a syndicate of underwriters and issued 7,845,000 Class A common shares at a price of $2.55 per share and 2,917,288 flow-through Class A common shares at a price of $3.00 per share.

We are also pleased to report that the Company's credit facilities have been expanded subsequent to the end of the quarter by 40% to $70 million comprised of a $55 million revolving credit facility and a $15 million development facility.

Drilling and Operations Update

The Company's third quarter drilling and new well tie-in operations were delayed by unseasonably wet weather, particularly in the Kaybob area of west central Alberta. We drilled 11 (7.9 net) horizontal light oil wells during the quarter with a 100% success rate. Activity levels have remained high since mid-summer and we will execute our full 2012 capital program in both of our key light oil projects at Lochend and Kaybob.

Our Lochend Cardium light oil resource play continued to provide solid production growth as well as strong netbacks of $45.06 per boe during the third quarter 2012. We drilled and completed 4 (2.3 net) horizontal Cardium wells and brought 3 (1.2 net) wells on production during the quarter. Two (0.9 net) of these wells have now been on production for over a month. We are pleased to report that one well was drilled and completed with a hybrid frac on the Eastern Lochend trend and achieved an IP30 rate of 230 boe/d (95% oil), representing our best result in Eastern Lochend to date. The second well was drilled at the north end of the Central/Western Lochend trend and, although restricted by facilities, achieved an IP30 rate of 200 boe/d (50% oil). Our first long reach horizontal well in the Central/Western Lochend area has been producing from approximately one-third of its completed length for approximately 3 weeks. The well continues to clean up and we look forward to providing an update on this well. TriOil is currently planning to drill 2 (0.9 net) more long reach horizontal Cardium wells at Lochend in the first half of 2013.

Subsequent to the end of the quarter TriOil completed the expansion of its operated Lochend gas facilities (TriOil 51%) to 20 mmcf/d, increased our land position to 96 (70 net) sections and expanded our Lochend Cardium horizontal  drilling inventory to 150 (97 net) locations. TriOil has built a significant operational position and multi-year growth platform in the Lochend Cardium light oil resource play. We continue to apply new technologies to enhance production and reserve capture, our capital efficiencies continue to improve and our expanded facilities will contribute to lower operating costs and improved netbacks on a go-forward basis.

At Kaybob we drilled 7 (5.6 net) wells, completed 5 (4.1 net) wells and brought 4 (2.1 net) wells on production.  Three (2.1 net) wells drilled and completed in the third quarter have been on production for at least 30 days with 1 (1.0 net) well achieving an IP30 of 629 boe/d (88% oil), 1 (0.6 net) well achieving an IP30 of 113 boe/d (89% oil) and 1 (0.5 net) well achieving an IP30 of 110 boe/d (76% oil). Two (1.7 net) additional wells are on production at strong rates and we look forward to reporting IP30 results on these wells.  Although results on the Dunvegan light oil play can be variable due to differences in reservoir quality and thickness across the Dunvegan delta sequence, the Company's first 13 wells on the play averaged IP30 rates of 310 boe/d (75% oil). TriOil has a strong operational position on this conventional light oil play with a current drilling inventory of approximately 30 net Dunvegan locations.

Outlook

We are very pleased with our recent results and progress in the field after a slow start to the third quarter due to wet field conditions. Our drilling, completion and tie-in operations are moving forward as planned and our production results to date are in line with expectations.

The Company's production for the month of October 2012 averaged approximately 2,625 boe/d, weighted 74% light oil and NGL's, based on field estimates. Current production is approximately 3,000 boe/d (75% oil) (based on field estimates) with a current estimated 400 boe/d of behind pipe volumes expected to be on production prior to year-end.

TriOil is on track to meet its forecast exit production of 3,400-3,600 boe/d. The Company has maintained a very strong balance sheet throughout the year and we are currently forecasting net debt of approximately $30 million at year end 2012 with significant un-utilized credit capacity of approximately $40 million as we move in to our 2013 capital program. The Company has hedged 900 bbls/d of crude oil with a fixed weighted average price of $97.94 Canadian per bbl for 2012, 800 bbls/d of crude oil with a fixed weighted average price of $101.93 Canadian per bbl for 2013 and 1,000 GJ/d at a fixed price of $3.41/gj for 2013. TriOil plans to release its 2012 Capital Budget in late January, 2013.

Financial and Operating Results
		Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
		2012	2011	% Change		2012	2011	% Change
(000s, except per share numbers)
Financial
Total petroleum and natural gas sales		11,089	5,880	89		32,971	18,246	81
Funds from operations ^(1)		5,221	2,579	102		16,099	6,306	155
	Per share - diluted	0.10	0.08	25		0.32	0.20	59
Net income (loss)		(881)	121	-		5,796	(2,210)	-
	Per share - basic and diluted	(0.02)	-	-		0.11	(0.07)	-
Net debt ^(2)		33,073	3,232	923		33,073	3,232	923
Total assets		236,254	142,406	66		236,254	142,406	66
Capital expenditures^(3)		44,791	7,972	462		92,721	16,572	460
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic		53,220	31,318	70		50,483	31,318	61
Diluted		53,220	31,318	70		50,565	31,318	61
Operating
Average daily production
	Crude oil and NGLs (bbls/d)	1,405	599	135		1,372	600	129
	Natural gas (mcf/d)	3,522	3,860	(9)		3,144	3,879	(19)
Total (boe/d)		1,992	1,242	60		1,896	1,247	52
Average sales prices
	Crude oil and NGLs ($/bbl)	79.62	81.38	(2)		82.53	85.00	(3)
	Natural gas ($/mcf)	2.45	3.94	(38)		2.27	4.08	(44)
Total ($/boe)		60.50	51.46	18		63.48	53.62	18
Wells drilled - gross (net)		11(7.9)	2(1.5)	-		27(17.3)	8(4.4)	-
Drilling success rate (%)		100	100	-		100	88	-
Operating netback ($/boe)
	Oil and natural gas sales	60.50	51.46	18		63.48	53.62	18
	Royalties	(11.99)	(6.72)	78		(11.05)	(8.29)	33
	Operating costs	(13.37)	(15.83)	(16)		(13.79)	(17.74)	(22)
	Transportation	(1.19)	(1.58)	(25)		(1.26)	(1.68)	(25)
Operating netback before hedging		33.95	27.33	24		37.38	25.91	44
	Realized gain (loss) on financial  derivative contracts	0.90	1.62	(44)		(0.84)	0.37	(327)
Operating netback		34.85	28.95	20		36.54	26.28	39

Notes:

(1)	Funds from (used in) operations is a non-GAAP measure and is calculated as cash flow from operating activities before the change in non-cash working capital, abandonment expenditures and transaction costs.
(2)	Net debt excludes financial derivative contracts and flow through share liability.
(3)	Capital expenditures include property acquisitions and are presented net of proceeds of disposals.

TriOil trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "TOL". As of November 22, 2012, there were approximately 64.0 million shares issued and outstanding (70.1 million diluted). TriOil executes a well-defined resource capture growth strategy focused on large light oil accumulations with high netback production, long-term growth potential and the ability to increase recoveries by utilizing horizontal drilling and multi-stage fracture stimulations.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "believe", "plans", "intends", "confident", "may", "objective", "ongoing", "will", "should", "project", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information. More particularly, this document contains forward looking statements which include, but are not limited to, expected future drilling and completion plans, expected economics of future projects, expected future operating costs, expected future commodity prices, expected production and reserves growth, expected year end debt/working capital levels and the future operations of TriOil.

The forward-looking statements contained in this document are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by TriOil, including with respect to the anticipated exploration and development opportunities and the outlook for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012, expectations and assumptions concerning the success of future exploration and development activities, production guidance, the performance of new wells, prevailing commodity prices and the availability of additional capital if and when required by the Corporation.

Any references in this news release to test rates, initial and/or final test or production rates and/or "flush" production rates or 30, 60 and 90 day initial production rates ("IP") are useful in confirming the presence of hydrocarbons, however, such rates are not determinative of the rates at which such wells will continue production and decline thereafter and such rates are not necessarily indicative of long-term performance or ultimate recovery. Additionally, such rates may also include recovered "load oil" fluids used in well completion stimulation. While encouraging, readers are cautioned not to place reliance on such rates in calculating the aggregate production for the Company.

Although TriOil believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because TriOil can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, the failure to satisfy the conditions to closing the transaction, 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), commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations and uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures. Certain of these risks are set out in more detail in TriOil's Annual Information Form which has been filed on SEDAR and can be accessed at www.sedar.com and TriOil's other public disclosure documents which have been filed on SEDAR and can be accessed at www.sedar.com.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and TriOil 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.

Meaning of BOE

The term "boe" may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion of 6 Mcf:1 bbl is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

 

SOURCE: TriOil Resources Ltd.

Russell J. Tripp, President & CEO, TriOil Resources Ltd.; Cheryne Lowe, VP Finance & CFO, TriOil Resources Ltd.; Andrew Wiacek, VP Exploration, TriOil Resources Ltd.; Corporate Phone: [phone].