This presentation contains certain forward-looking statements including, but not limited to: the anticipated tight gas development program in the Thrace Basin and the ability to finance development; anticipated work programs, budgets and operational plans in the Thrace and Anatolia basins, including targeted seismic, drilling, workovers, fracs and completions, the program to manage water production, and the timing and estimated costs associated with each of the foregoing; the prospectivity of the Banarli licence and other licences; and indicative well economics. Forward-looking information typically contains statements with words such as "anticipate", "estimate", "expect", "target", "potential", "could", "should", "would" or similar words suggesting future outcomes. The Corporation cautions readers and prospective investors in the Corporation’s securities to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information, as by its nature, it is based on current expectations regarding future events that involve a number of assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the Corporation. Statements related to "reserves" or "contingent resources" are deemed forward-looking statements as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, that the reserves and resources can be profitably produced in the future.
Forward looking information is based on management's current expectations and assumptions regarding, among other things: continued political stability of the areas in which the Corporation is operating and completing transactions; continued operations of and approvals forthcoming from the General Directorate of Petroleum Affairs of the Republic of Turkey ("GDPA") in a manner consistent with past conduct; results of future seismic programs; future drilling and fracing activity, including the extent and pace of tight gas development drilling in the Tekirdag area and the funding thereof; the ability to manage water production; future production rates and associated cash flow; future capital and other expenditures (including the amount and nature thereof); the ability to meet drilling deadlines and other requirements under licences and leases (including spudding deadlines under the Banarli Licence 5104, Bostanci Licence 4985, Karakilise Licence 5052); future sources of funding; future economic conditions; future currency and exchange rates; and the Corporation's continued ability to obtain and retain qualified staff and equipment in a timely and cost efficient manner. In addition, budgets are based upon the Corporation's current work programs proposed by partners and associated exploration plans and anticipated costs, which are subject to change based on, among other things, the actual results of drilling and related activity, availability of equipment and service providers, unexpected delays and changes in market conditions. Although the Corporation believes the expectations and assumptions reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect.
Forward-looking information involves significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Exploration, appraisal, and development of oil and natural gas reserves are speculative activities and involve a significant degree of risk. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the Corporation including, but not limited to: risks associated with the oil and gas industry (e.g. operational risks in exploration, inherent uncertainties in interpreting geological data, and changes in plans with respect to exploration or capital expenditures, the uncertainty of estimates and projections in relation to costs and expenses, and health, safety, and environmental risks); uncertainty regarding the sustainability of initial production rates and decline rates thereafter; uncertainty regarding the ability to address technical drilling challenges and manage water production; uncertainty regarding the state of capital markets and the availability of future financings; the risk of being unable to meet drilling deadlines and the requirements under licences and leases (including Licences 5104, 4985 and 5052); the risks of disruption to operations and access to worksites, threats to security and safety of personnel and potential property damage related to political issues, terrorist attacks, insurgencies or civil unrest (particularly in the southeastern part of Turkey); the risks of increased costs and delays in timing related to protecting the safety and security of Valeura's personnel and property; the risk of commodity and BOTAS pricing and foreign exchange rate fluctuations; the uncertainty associated with negotiating with third parties in countries other than Canada; the risk of partners having different views on work programs and potential disputes among partners; the uncertainty regarding government or other approvals; potential changes in laws and regulations; risks associated with weather delays and natural disasters; and, the risk associated with international activity. The forward-looking information included in this news release is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking information included herein is made as of the date hereof and Valeura assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.
See Valeura's 2012 Annual Information Form ("2012 AIF") for a detailed discussion of the risk factors.
Oil and Gas Terms and Advisories:
"reserves" are estimated remaining quantities of oil and natural gas and related substances anticipated to be recoverable from known accumulations, as of a given date, based on analysis of drilling, geological, geophysical and engineering data; the use of established technology; and specified economic conditions which are generally accepted as being reasonable.
"proved reserves" are those reserves that can be estimated with a high degree of certainty to be recoverable. It is likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the estimated proved reserves.
"probable reserves" are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than proved reserves. It is equally likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will be greater or less than the sum of the estimated proved + probable reserves.
"Possible reserves" are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than probable reserves. It is unlikely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the sum of the estimated proved plus probable plus possible reserves.
"contingent resources" are those quantities of petroleum estimated, as of a given date, to be potentially recoverable from known accumulations using established technology or technology under development, but which are not currently considered to be commercially recoverable due to one or more contingencies. Contingent resources have an associated chance of development (economic, regulatory, market and facility, corporate commitment or political risks). The estimates herein have not been risked for the chance of development. There is no certainty that the contingent resources will be developed and, if they are developed, there is no certainty as to the timing of such development or that it will be commercially viable to produce any portion of the contingent resources.
Estimates of reserves for individual properties in this presentation may not reflect the same confidence level as estimates of reserves and future net revenue for all properties, due to the effects of aggregation.
Additional reserves information as required under NI 51-101, together with additional disclosure on contingent resources and related contingencies, are included in the Corporation’s 2011 Annual Information Form filed on SEDAR.
Non-IFRS Measures
The financial information contained herein includes non-IFRS measures, which may not be comparable to other companies. Funds flow from operations is calculated as net loss for the period adjusted for non-cash items in the statement of cash flows. Operating netback is calculated as petroleum and natural gas sales less royalties, production expenses, and transportation costs. See MD&A for further discussion.