CALGARY, ALBERTA - Aug. 7, 2006 /CNW/ - Paramount Resources Ltd. (TSX:POU) ("Paramount" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its financial and operating results for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2006.
Financial and Operating Highlights
(thousands of dollars except per share amounts and where stated
otherwise)
Three Months Ended
June 30, March 31,
2006 2006 % Change
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL
Petroleum and natural gas sales 73,681 87,909 (16)
Funds flow from operations(1) 65,835 42,412 55
Per share - diluted 0.95 0.63 51
Net earnings(2) 111,874 7,764 1,341
Per share - diluted 1.61 0.12 1,242
Capital expenditures, excluding
acquisitions
Total 94,827 168,084 (44)
Oil Sands Properties (3) - 33,447 (100)
Excluding Oil Sands Properties 94,827 134,637 (30)
Petroleum and natural gas property
acquisitions
Total 10,535 24,523 (57)
Oil Sands Properties (3) - 23,900 (100)
Excluding Oil Sands Properties 10,535 623 1,591
Market value of long-term investments(4) 694,240 293,060 137
Total assets 1,380,756 1,272,677 8
Net debt (5) 499,640 486,289 3
Common shares outstanding (thousands) 68,005 67,934 -
Market capitalization (6) 2,448,165 2,829,463 (13)
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OPERATING
Natural gas sales volumes (MMcf/d) 83.2 82.9 -
Oil and natural gas liquid sales
volumes(BBl/d) 3,423 3,339 3
Total sales (Boe/d) 17,297 17,152 1
Gas weighting 80% 81% (1)
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Total wells drilled (gross) 41 213 (81)
Success rate (7) 100% 95% 5
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(1) Readers are referred to the advisories concerning forward-looking
statements, non-GAAP measures, and barrels of oil equivalent
conversions under the heading "Advisories".
(2) Net earnings for the three months ended June 30, 2006 includes a
dilution gain on our investment in North American Oil Sands
Corporation ("North American") of $84.6 million, net of tax, and
a tax recovery of $17.8 million. At June 30, 2006, Paramount's
investment in North American had a market value of approximately
$409 million, based on the latest private placement for North
American, and a carrying value of approximately $148 million on
Paramount's balance sheet.
(3) During the second quarter of 2006, Paramount vended its interest in
certain oil sands properties to North American (the "Oil Sands
Properties") in exchange for approximately 50 percent of the then
outstanding common shares of North American and cash consideration
of $17.5 million. First quarter 2006 capital expenditures,
including acquisitions, relating to the Oil Sands Properties
totaled $57.3 million (inception-to-date capital expenditures,
including acquisitions - $80.9 million).
(4) Based on the period-end closing prices of Trilogy Energy Trust on
the Toronto Stock Exchange, latest private placement pricing for
North American and book value of the remaining long-term
investments.
(5) Net debt is equal to the sum of long-term debt, working capital
deficit (surplus) and stock-based compensation liability, excluding
the stock-based compensation liability associated with Paramount
Options of $50.1 million at June 30, 2006 ($55.9 million at March
31, 2006). See Liquidity and Capital Resources section of
Paramount's MD&A.
(6) Based on the period-end closing prices of Paramount Resources Ltd.
on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
(7) Success rate excludes oil sands wells.
Significant Events - Q2 2006
- We achieved a key strategic milestone with the commencement of unlocking value from Paramount's oil sands assets by completing a transaction with North American Oil Sands Corporation ("North American"), exchanging Paramount's 50 percent interest in certain oil sands assets in the Leismer, Corner, Hangingstone and Thornbury areas in Northeast Alberta, for approximately 50 percent of the then outstanding shares of North American. As a result of the transaction with North American, Paramount posted record net earnings of approximately $111.9 million during the second quarter of 2006. Paramount retained the potential to participate in the future upside of the oil sands assets while eliminating the need to directly fund their development costs. Paramount continues to retain its 100 percent interest in oil sands assets in the Surmont area.
- Despite wet weather delays and additional third party processing constraints, we were able to bring on over 50 percent of production that was behind pipe at the end of the first quarter of 2006. Approximately 6,500 Boe/d of production remains behind pipe at June 30, 2006. We expect to bring these volumes on production during the third and fourth quarter of 2006, when natural gas prices are typically higher than the summer months.
- To date, we have identified over 80 locations to be drilled in North Dakota on predominantly 100 percent working interest lands. The limited supply of drilling rigs has delayed our ability to pursue these opportunities, including the twelve wells planned to be drilled in 2006. To mitigate this business risk and the risk of inflationary drilling costs, we became a 50 percent shareholder of a company in the United States ("Drillco") to supply drilling services to Paramount. Drillco has entered into contracts for the construction of two drilling rigs, with completion expected near the end of the fourth quarter of 2006. The drilling rigs are expected to be placed into service by the first quarter of 2007.
Review of Operations
The following table summarizes Paramount's average sales volumes by
corporate operating unit ("COU") for the three months ended June 30,
2006 and March 31, 2006:
Natural Gas Sales (MMcf/d) Q2 2006 Q1 2006 Change (%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kaybob 14.0 13.5 4
Grande Prairie 14.6 15.4 (5)
Northwest Alberta / Cameron Hills,
Northwest Territories 25.6 22.5 14
Northwest Territories / Northeast British
Columbia 11.6 12.1 (4)
Southern 15.1 16.5 (9)
Northeast Alberta 2.3 2.9 (21)
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Total 83.2 82.9 -
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Crude Oil and Natural Gas Liquids Sales (Bbl/d)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kaybob 511 333 54
Grande Prairie 532 398 34
Northwest Alberta / Cameron Hills,
Northwest Territories 979 1,038 (6)
Northwest Territories / Northeast British
Columbia 20 21 (5)
Southern 1,370 1,544 (11)
Northeast Alberta 11 5 120
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Total 3,423 3,339 3
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Total Sales (Boe/d)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kaybob 2,850 2,581 10
Grande Prairie 2,968 2,960 -
Northwest Alberta / Cameron Hills,
Northwest Territories 5,253 4,783 10
Northwest Territories / Northeast British
Columbia 1,954 2,034 (4)
Southern 3,885 4,296 (10)
Northeast Alberta 387 498 (22)
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Total 17,297 17,152 1
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Kaybob
Second quarter 2006 sales volumes for the Kaybob Operating Unit averaged 2,850 Boe/d; comprised of 14.0 MMcf/d of natural gas and 511 Bbl/d of oil and natural gas liquids ("NGLs"). Average sales volumes were up 10 percent from first quarter 2006 average sales volumes of 2,581 Boe/d.
Kaybob's second quarter capital spending of $32.8 million was focused primarily on drilling, completion and facility work, bringing capital expenditures for the Operating Unit to $91.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006. During the second quarter, Paramount participated in the drilling of 3 (0.8 net) wells, all of which were cased for potential gas production and are awaiting pipeline tie ins.
Expansions to the Smoky gas plant and the Musreau gas plant were completed during the second quarter, as planned, allowing additional gas to be brought on production during the quarter. The capacity of the Smoky gas plant was expanded to 100 MMcf/d (10 MMcf/d net). This expansion adds to our available processing capacity in the area which also includes the 25 MMcf/d (12.5 MMcf/d net) Resthaven plant. Paramount has also secured access for up to 25 MMcf/d of capacity at the expanded third party owned Musreau gas plant to process our production from surrounding areas. We expect further volumes will be brought onstream through these plants once gas gathering and lease facility work is completed, and when required regulatory approvals are received to allow for the commingling of natural gas from more than one producing formation.
The Kaybob Operating Unit expects a significant amount of drilling, completion and construction activity for the remainder of the year. We will continue to invest in the gathering systems and processing facilities to secure adequate capacity to process our gas.
Paramount's strategy for the Kaybob Operating Unit is to continue our focus in areas that offer multi-zone drilling potential and large resource development opportunities. We plan to maintain high working interests in large contiguous land blocks, gas gathering systems and processing plants where possible. We believe that once fully onstream, the production results from the last several months of drilling will show the benefits of exploring in the Deep Basin, where the drilling prospects target multi-zone, large reserve potential assets. With Crown land sale prices at near record levels, our land is a valuable asset. We are actively managing our activities to limit expiries, and developing some of the new pools that have been discovered. We will also continue to monitor the industry's success on the deeper, higher risk prospects.
Grande Prairie
Second quarter 2006 sales volumes for the Grande Prairie Operating Unit averaged 2,968 Boe/d; comprised of 14.6 MMcf/d of natural gas and 532 Bbl/d of oil and NGLs. Average sales volumes were close to first quarter 2006 average sales volumes of 2,960 Boe/d.
During the second quarter, Paramount drilled 8 (4.4 net) wells in the Grande Prairie area comprised of 5 (3.9 net) gas wells and 3 (0.5 net) oil wells. Gross test rates for new drills were as high as 6 MMcf/d and 3,600 Bbl/d. Other activity included the tie in of 7 (3 net) wells that were drilled from new field discoveries at Crooked Creek and Ante Creek during the latter part of the second quarter, at an aggregate rate of approximately 680 Boe/d (net), offsetting declines on existing properties. Production behind pipe caused by plant capacity restrictions, wet weather issues and regulatory approvals are expected to come on over the next three months. Additional production is anticipated to come on as a result of additional compression being installed.
Grande Prairie's second quarter 2006 capital spending of $18.9 million was primarily focused on drilling, completions and facilities work. Eleven wells are being completed and are expected to add production volumes in the latter part of the third quarter and during the fourth quarter of 2006.
Paramount plans to drill up to an additional 12 (7.6 net) wells before yearend to follow up on recent successes and pursue new opportunities.
Northwest Alberta / Cameron Hills, Northwest Territories
Second quarter 2006 sales volumes for the Northwest Alberta Operating Unit averaged 5,253 Boe/d; comprised of 25.6 MMcf/d of natural gas and 979 Bbl/d of oil and NGLs. Average sales volumes were up 10 percent from first quarter 2006 average sales volumes of 4,783 Boe/d. Increases in sales volumes during the second quarter were a result of our successful winter drilling and maintenance programs.
Capital expenditures for the second quarter of 2006 totaled $8.3 million and were predominately spent on drilling activities and facilities improvement. Capital expenditures for the remainder of the year will be focused on land and trade seismic purchases in order to finalize plans for our winter drilling program in the first quarter of 2007.
Northwest Territories / Northeast British Columbia
Second quarter 2006 sales volumes for the Northwest Territories / Northeast British Columbia Operating Unit averaged 1,954 Boe; comprised of 11.6 MMcf/d of natural gas and 20 Bbl/d of oil and NGLs. Average sales volumes were down four percent from first quarter 2006 average sales volumes of 2,034 Boe/d. Production gains achieved from the first quarter 2006 activities were more than offset by operational downtime at the Maxhamish facility and the temporary shut-in of the 2K-29 well at West Liard.
Capital expenditures for the second quarter of 2006 totaled $7.3 million. Compression facilities were installed at West Liard allowing the 2K-29 well to resume production in early June 2006. Gas production from this well has been steadily increasing while water production has been declining since the start-up of the compressor subsequent to the second quarter.
A planned 19-day shutdown/turnaround at a third-party operated gas plant in July 2006 was completed as scheduled allowing Paramount to complete well and plant maintenance at all four Paramount producing areas. During the shutdown, a new compressor was also installed at Maxhamish which we expect to optimize field production by lowering gathering system operating pressures. Depending on the results, up to four wells are expected to be drilled at Clarke Lake in the third quarter of 2006 with the potential for tie in before yearend.
Southern
Second quarter 2006 sales volumes for the Southern Operating Unit averaged 3,885 Boe/d; comprised of 15.1 MMcf/d of natural gas and 1,370 Bbl/d of oil and NGLs. Average sales volumes were down 10 percent from first quarter 2006 average sales volumes of 4,296 Boe/d primarily due to a pipeline curtailment at the beginning of the second quarter, casing problems incurred on two oil wells in North Dakota and natural declines.
Capital expenditures for the Southern Operating Unit totaled $15.2 million during the second quarter of 2006 and were focused on drilling both conventional and coal bed methane ("CBM") wells in the Chain area and re-entry drilling in North Dakota for oil.
In the Chain region, we continue our CBM program which started in 2004. This year we plan to drill 100 (83 net) CBM wells and in the first half of the year have drilled 37 (25 net) CBM wells; 82 (68 net) wells as of August 2, 2006. These wells will be tied into our extensive low pressure gathering system which we began constructing in 2005. This year, we have made some modifications to our plans based on past experience, primarily with all CBM wells being drilled to the base of the Belly River formation. With the new regulations allowing four shallow gas wells per section in southern Alberta, this gives us the flexibility to choose between completing Horseshoe Canyon coals and Belly River sands in each well bore and thus maximize the reserve and production gains. Since 2002, Paramount has increased both conventional and non-conventional production in the Chain region from 600 Boe/d to 1,700 Boe/d. As we proceed with our 2006 program we are enthused at the number of opportunities still to be realized in this region.
In North Dakota, we plan to participate in the drilling of 4 (1.5 net) wells targeting the Birdbear A dolomite in the Beaver Creek field this year. In the second quarter, we operated 1 (net 0.38) re-entry horizontal well targeting the Birdbear A. This well is anticipated to ultimately produce over 250,000 Bbl (gross) of 46 degree API (American Petroleum Institute) crude oil. Over the past year, we have been accumulating acreage on the Bakken and Birdbear trends, and to date have accumulated over 35,000 net acres.
To date, we have identified over 80 locations to be drilled in North Dakota on predominantly 100 percent working interest lands. The limited supply of drilling rigs has delayed our ability to pursue these opportunities, including the twelve wells planned to be drilled in 2006. To mitigate this business risk and the risk of inflationary drilling costs, we became a 50 percent shareholder of a company in the United States ("Drillco")to supply drilling services to Paramount. Drillco has entered into contracts for the construction of two drilling rigs, with completion expected near the end of the fourth quarter of 2006. The drilling rigs are expected to be placed into service by the first quarter of 2007.
Northeast Alberta / Sahtu / Oil Sands
Second quarter 2006 sales volumes for Northeast Alberta averaged 387 Boe/d, a 22 percent decrease from first quarter 2006 average sales volumes of 498 Boe/d. The decline in sales volume was due to unplanned pipeline downtime at Chandler, unscheduled downtime at the Gas Re-Injection & Production Experiment (GRIPE), and a plant turnaround at Kettle River, where GRIPE production is processed for sale.
GRIPE has now been in operation for six months with no sign of nitrogen breakthrough at the gas producing wells. The pilot has achieved 73 percent uptime. These two key indicators of commercial success, gas recovery and reliability, continue to show positive results. Paramount is now studying the next phases of the pilot expansion for implementation either in 2007 or 2008.
In Sahtu, Northwest Territories, Paramount acquired the Great Bear River exploration license (EL 440) with an area of approximately 87,872 hectares for a work commitment of $6.3 million. This land south of Norman Wells lies directly on the Norman Wells oil pipeline and the path of the proposed Mackenzie Valley Pipeline, which is anticipated to facilitate the marketing arrangements for any discoveries on the parcel. Paramount is currently reviewing options for a seismic program in Sahtu at Kelly Lake and Nogha/Colville Lake for the first quarter of 2007.
Paramount has initiated a Front End Engineering Design (FEED) of the Surmont Oil Sands Project. The central pilot plant, named Surmont Cottonwood, is expected to be able to generate steam and re-use water to produce up to 10,000 Bbl/d of bitumen. Paramount plans to complete an oil sands evaluation drilling and seismic program in early 2007 and submit an application for the project to the Alberta Energy Utilities Board in the second quarter of 2007.
Financial
For the second quarter of 2006, Paramount is reporting record net earnings of $111.9 million, $1.61 per share diluted; primarily a result of recognizing a dilution gain on our investment in North American of $84.6 million, net of tax and recognizing a future tax asset of $17.8 million.
Funds flow from operations for the second quarter of 2006 totaled $65.8 million, $0.95 per share diluted, $23.4 million higher than first quarter 2006; primarily a result of the termination of financial hedge contracts prior to their maturities during the quarter.
On August 4, 2006, the Company engaged an investment bank to arrange a Term Loan B facility (the "Facility") in the U.S. market for up to US$150 million to refinance existing indebtedness and for general corporate use. The Facility is expected to have a six year term and there is no scheduled amortization prior to maturity. The Facility will be secured by a pledge of the common shares of North American (the "NAOSC Shares") currently held by Paramount. It is expected that the Facility will have to be prepaid with 100 percent of the net proceeds received from any sale or other disposition of all or any part of the NAOSC Shares. The interest rate on the Facility will be set upon finalization of the ratings process and completion of the syndication process.
2006 Outlook
Paramount's exit production rate for the second quarter of 2006 was approximately 18,200 Boe/d, with approximately 6,500 Boe/d behind pipe. Despite our successful 2006 drilling program, delays in bringing planned production additions on-stream have resulted in us revising our 2006 outlook.
Paramount now estimates 2006 average annual production to be approximately 19,000 Boe/d and the 2006 exit rate to be approximately 23,000 Boe/d. We expect that our 2006 E&P capital expenditures will be about $370 million excluding land, capital expenditures on oil sands properties disposed to North American, acquisitions and dispositions.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
This Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") should be read in conjunction with Paramount's unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements as at and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 and Paramount's audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2005. The unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements and the audited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in Canadian dollars and in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP").
This MD&A contains forward-looking statements, non-GAAP measures, and disclosures of barrels of oil equivalent volumes. Readers are referred to the advisories concerning forward-looking statements, non-GAAP measures, and barrels of oil equivalent conversions contained under the heading "Advisories".
This MD&A is dated August 7, 2006. Additional information concerning Paramount, including its Annual Information Form, can be found on the SEDAR website atwww.sedar.com.
Paramount is an independent Canadian energy company involved in the exploration, development, production, processing, transportation and marketing of petroleum and natural gas. Paramount's principal properties are located in Alberta, the Northwest Territories and British Columbia in Canada. Paramount also has properties in Saskatchewan and offshore the East Coast in Canada, and in California, Montana and North Dakota in the United States. Management's strategy is to maintain a balanced portfolio of opportunities to grow reserves and production in Paramount's core areas while maintaining a large inventory of undeveloped acreage, to focus on natural gas as a commodity, and to selectively enter into joint venture agreements for high risk/high return prospects.
Business Environment
The table below shows key commodity price benchmarks for the three and
six months ended June 30, 2006 and June 30, 2005:
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30 June 30
2005 2006 2005 2006
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crude Oil
West Texas Intermediate monthly
average (US$/Bbl) 53.17 70.70 51.51 67.09
Natural Gas
NYMEX (Henry Hub Close) monthly
average (US$/MMbtu) 6.73 6.79 6.50 7.88
AECO monthly average (Cdn$/GJ) 6.99 5.95 6.67 7.37
Canadian Dollar - US Dollar Exchange Rate
Quarterly and six months average with
Company's banker (Cdn$/US$) 1.2439 1.1224 1.2355 1.1384
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Key Operating Results
SECOND QUARTER 2006 VS. FIRST QUARTER 2006
Q1 2006 Change Q2 2006
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales volumes
Natural gas (MMcf/d) 82.9 0.3 83.2
Oil and NGLs (Bbl/d) 3,339 84 3,423
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Combined (Boe/d) 17,152 145 17,297
Average prices(1)
Natural gas ($/Mcf) 9.39 (2.41) 6.98
Oil and NGLs ($/Bbl) 59.39 7.40 66.79
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------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in Change in
($ thousands) Q1 2006 Price/Cost Volume Q2 2006
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue(1)
Natural gas sales 70,063 (18,001) 816 52,878
Oil and NGLs sales 17,846 2,224 733 20,803
------------------------------------------------------------------------
87,909 (15,777) 1,549 73,681
Royalties 16,779 (7,195) 189 9,773
Operating costs 18,131 200 361 18,692
Transportation costs 3,652 (232) 67 3,487
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Netback 49,347 (8,550) 932 41,729
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(1) Before transportation and financial instruments.
Sales volumes - Natural gas sales volumes for the second quarter remained unchanged with first quarter of 2006 as production increases from Bistcho and Cameron Hills in the Northwest Alberta area offset declines in the Southern area. Paramount continued to experience operational constraints causing delays in bringing on production behind pipe. These constraints included wet weather delays in Southern Alberta and facility constraints in the Northwest Territories and Northeast British Columbia. Paramount was able to offset its natural decline by bringing on sufficient volumes to keep production consistent with the first quarter of 2006. Paramount's exit production rate at June 30, 2006 was approximately 18,200 Boe/day.
Average Prices - Average realized natural gas sales prices declined by 26 percent since the first quarter of 2006, a result of the cooler than anticipated temperatures during May and June causing reduced demand for natural gas. In addition, natural gas storage levels in North America have stayed above the 5 year average inventory level causing downward pressure on natural gas prices. A heat wave in North America experienced during the beginning of the third quarter of 2006 has caused increased demand for natural gas for power generation, and has resulted in recent increases in natural gas prices in July.
On average, oil and NGL prices increased by 12 percent in the second quarter of 2006, amid growing concerns on political instability in the Middle East, and continued strong demand for gasoline during the summer driving season beginning each May.
Royalties - Royalties expense of $9.8 million was $7.0 million lower in the second quarter as compared to the first quarter of 2006. The decrease is mainly the result of lower average natural gas prices during the second quarter, causing a drop in the Alberta gas reference price. The Alberta gas reference price is used to calculate royalties on Paramount's natural gas production in Alberta, which comprises approximately 80 percent of Paramount's total gas sales. Paramount's average royalty rate declined to 13 percent of sales revenue in the second quarter as opposed to 19 percent in the previous quarter.
Operating costs - Operating costs for the first and second quarters of 2006 remained relatively unchanged as total production for the two quarters did not change materially. New compressors were added during the second quarter in the Kaybob and Grande Prairie areas, partially offsetting a reduction in operating costs from the first quarter completion of winter maintenance projects.
Transportation Costs - Transportation costs for the second quarter of 2006 were relatively unchanged compared to the first quarter of 2006.
SECOND QUARTER 2005 VS. SECOND QUARTER 2006
Q2 2005 Change Q2 2006
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales volumes
Natural gas (MMcf/d) 97.7 (14.5) 83.2
Oil and NGLs (Bbl/d) 3,407 16 3,423
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Combined (Boe/d) 19,685 (2,388) 17,297
Average prices(1)
Natural gas ($/Mcf) 8.20 (1.22) 6.98
Oil and NGLs ($/Bbl) 61.16 5.63 66.79
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in Change in
($ thousands) Q2 2005 Price/Cost Volume Q2 2006
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue(1)
Natural gas sales 72,890 (10,851) (9,161) 52,878
Oil and NGLs sales 18,958 1,748 97 20,803
------------------------------------------------------------------------
91,848 (9,103) (9,064) 73,681
Royalties 9,340 1,782 (1,349) 9,773
Operating costs 13,700 7,572 (2,580) 18,692
Transportation costs 5,376 (1,408) (481) 3,487
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating netback 63,432 (17,049) (4,654) 41,729
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(1) Before transportation and financial instruments.
Sales volumes - Natural gas sales volumes for the second quarter declined by 15 percent compared to the second quarter of 2005. The decrease was primarily the result of natural declines at Liard and Liard West, partially offset by new production brought on as a result of Paramount's Northwest Alberta's winter drilling and maintenance programs.
Crude oil and natural gas liquids production remained consistent in the second quarter of 2006 as compared to the second quarter of 2005, as Paramount was able to offset its natural decline with new liquids production from Kaybob and Grand Prairie.
Average prices - Natural gas prices before financial instruments declined by 15 percent in the second quarter of 2006 as compared to 2005, consistent with the general decrease in AECO gas prices. On average, oil and natural gas liquids prices increased 9 percent when comparing the second quarter of 2006 to the same quarter in 2005. Strong demand for gasoline, and increasing concerns over political instability in the Middle East in 2006 contributed to the increase in oil prices.
Royalties - Royalties as a percentage of revenue were higher at 13 percent in the second quarter of 2006 as compared to 10 percent in the second quarter of 2005. Certain properties in the Northwest Territories had low royalty rates in 2005 as they were subject to a minimum royalty before payout.
Operating costs - Upward inflationary pressure continues to impact operating costs as evidenced by the increase in operating costs during the second quarter of 2006 in comparison to the second quarter of 2005. Higher water disposal costs were incurred in the Northwest Territories during 2006 as Paramount encountered greater than anticipated water production. New compressors put into production in the Kaybob and Grand Prairie areas also contributed to higher operating costs during the second quarter of 2006.
Transportation costs - Transportation costs were lower during the second quarter of 2006 following the termination of fixed price transportation contracts that were in place during the second quarter of 2005.
YEAR-TO-DATE JUNE 30, 2006 VS. YEAR-TO-DATE JUNE 30, 2005
Spinout Assets - On April 1, 2005, Paramount completed a reorganization pursuant to a plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta), resulting in the creation of Trilogy Energy Trust ("Trilogy") as a new publicly-traded energy trust (the "Spinout"). Through the Trilogy Spinout, certain properties owned by Paramount that were located in the Kaybob and Marten Creek areas of Alberta, and three natural gas plants operated by Paramount became the property of Trilogy (the "Spinout Assets"). The transfer of the Spinout Assets to Trilogy caused decreases in Paramount's production, revenue, royalties, operating costs and transportation costs.
Paramount's unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for the six months ended June 30, 2005 include the results of operations and cash flows of the Spinout Assets for the three months ended March 31, 2005. The following table shows Paramount's reported results for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and June 30, 2005, separating the results of the Spinout Assets from Paramount's other properties and assets ("PRL Properties") for the six months ended June 30, 2005:
Spinout
2005 Assets PRL 2006
Six Months Ended June 30 Reported (2) Properties Change Reported
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales volumes
Natural gas (MMcf/d) 150.0 (60.0) 90.0 (6.9) 83.1
Oil and NGLs (Bbl/d) 5,654 (2,461) 3,193 188 3,381
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Combined (Boe/d) 30,639 (12,526) 18,113 (888) 17,225
Average prices(1)
Natural gas ($/Mcf) 7.71 7.46 7.88 0.30 8.18
Oil and NGLs ($/Bbl) 57.79 54.77 60.12 3.03 63.15
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change
Six Months Spinout in Change
Ended June 30 2005 Assets PRL Price/ in 2006
($ thousands) Reported (2) Properties Cost Volume Reported
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue(1)
Natural gas
sales 209,223 (81,569) 127,654 4,860 (9,573) 122,941
Oil and NGLs
sales 59,133 (24,399) 34,734 1,751 2,164 38,649
------------------------------------------------------------------------
268,356 (105,968) 162,388 6,611 (7,409) 161,590
Royalties 44,544 (25,269) 19,275 8,645 (1,368) 26,552
Operating costs 41,685 (16,123) 25,562 13,160 (1,897) 36,825
Transportation
costs 14,541 (4,805) 9,736 (2,229) (368) 7,139
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating
netback 167,586 (59,771) 107,815 (12,965) (3,776) 91,074
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(1) Before transportation and financial instruments.
(2) These values are presented in order to isolate the variance in the
reported results relating to the Spinout Assets. The daily sales
volumes for the Spinout Assets were computed by dividing total sales
volumes from the Spinout Assets for the three months ended March 31,
2005 by 181 days.
Sales volumes - Excluding the impact of the Trilogy Spinout, natural gas sales volumes decreased for the six months ended June 30, 2006 as compared to the same period in 2005. Declines resulting from an increase in water production at properties in the Northwest Territories were partially offset by new natural gas production from the Southern area. Liquids sales volumes increased for the same comparative period from additions in the Kaybob and Grand Prairie areas.
Average prices - Average natural gas prices for the six months ended June 30, 2006 were higher than the average natural prices during the same period in 2005 consistent with changes in market prices for natural gas. Average oil and NGL prices were also higher, consistent with the change in world crude oil prices.
Royalties - After adjusting for the Spinout Assets, royalties as a percentage of petroleum and natural gas sales were higher at 16 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2006 as compared to 12 percent in 2005, mainly as a result of higher average commodity prices for the comparative period. Also, certain properties in the Northwest Territories had low royalty rates in 2005 as they were subject to a minimum royalty before payout.
Operating costs - After adjusting for the Spinout Assets, operating costs were higher in the first half of 2006 as compared to the same quarter of 2005 primarily as a result of industry-wide inflation, and additional operating costs incurred in an attempt to reduce the decline rate for certain properties in the Northwest Territories.
Transportation costs - Transportation costs were lower during the six months ended June 30, 2006 following the termination of fixed price transportation contracts that were in place during the comparable period in 2005.
NETBACKS
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30 June 30
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2005 2006 2005 2005 2006
------------------------------------------------------------------------
As PRL
Reported Properties
(2)
Produced gas ($/Mcf)
Revenue (1) 7.62 6.55 7.20 7.30 7.73
Royalties (0.45) (0.93) (1.23) (0.85) (1.46)
Operating costs (1.10) (2.01) (1.17) (1.25) (2.00)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating netback 6.07 3.61 4.80 5.20 4.27
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conventional oil ($/Bbl)
Revenue (1) 62.23 64.71 60.39 60.38 61.48
Royalties (6.82) (7.14) (9.00) (5.76) (6.20)
Operating costs (14.78) (11.19) (11.03) (11.76)(11.20)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating netback 40.63 46.38 40.36 42.86 44.08
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Natural gas liquids ($/Bbl)
Revenue (1) 55.44 70.96 51.43 58.03 66.23
Royalties (14.43) (14.24) (14.64) (23.14)(12.43)
Operating costs (5.89) (10.64) (7.00) (8.33)(10.54)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating netback 35.12 46.08 29.79 26.56 43.26
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All products ($/Boe)
Revenue (1) 48.27 44.59 45.77 46.61 49.54
Royalties (5.21) (6.21) (8.03) (5.88) (8.52)
Operating costs (7.65) (11.88) (7.52) (8.12)(11.81)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating netback 35.41 26.50 30.22 32.61 29.21
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Revenue is presented net of transportation costs and does not
include gain / loss on financial instruments.
(2) These values are presented in order to isolate the netbacks relating
to properties retained by Paramount, and exclude the results of the
Spinout Assets for the three months ended March 31, 2005.
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
Funds Flow Netback per Boe June 30 June 30
($/Boe) 2005 2006 2005 2006
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating netback 35.41 26.50 30.22 29.21
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized gain (loss) on financial
instruments (2.07) 19.26 1.26 9.42
Realized foreign exchange gain - 0.29 - 0.23
Gain on sale of investments 0.26 - 0.51 0.40
General and administrative (1) (3.05) (6.87) (2.45) (6.74)
Interest (2) (3.40) (4.45) (2.41) (4.33)
Lease rentals (0.35) (0.13) (0.29) (0.30)
Asset retirement obligation expenditures (0.03) (0.11) (0.04) (0.11)
Distributions from equity investments 4.03 6.21 1.30 6.75
Current and Large Corporations Tax (1.07) 1.08 (0.50) 0.19
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funds flow netback ($/Boe) (3) 29.73 41.78 27.60 34.72
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Excluding non-cash general and administrative expense.
(2) Excluding non-cash interest expense.
(3) Funds flow netback is equal to funds flow from operations divided by
Boe production for the relevant period.
Other Operating Items
DEPLETION AND DEPRECIATION EXPENSE
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30 June 30
2005 2006 2005 2006
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ thousands 34,718 31,587 98,075 64,641
$/Boe 19.38 20.06 17.68 20.75
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depletion and depreciation expense decreased by $33.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006 as compared to the same period in 2005 mainly as a result of the Trilogy Spinout. Excluding the impact of the Trilogy Spinout, depletion and depreciation expense for the first six months of 2006 decreased by $2.3 million in comparison to the first six months of 2005 due to lower gas production.
For the three months ended June 30, 2006 depletion decreased by $3.1 million in comparison to the same period of 2005. The decrease was due to lower sales volumes during the quarter ended June 30, 2006.
DRY HOLE COSTS
Under the successful efforts method of accounting for petroleum and natural gas properties, costs of drilling exploratory wells are initially capitalized and, if subsequently determined to be unsuccessful, are charged to dry hole expense. Other exploration costs, including geological and geophysical costs and annual lease rentals on non-producing properties, are charged to exploration expense as incurred. The dry hole costs for the second quarter of 2006 amounted to $12.2 million related mainly to the write off costs of two wells drilled in the Colville Lake area in the Northwest Territories.
GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL EXPENSE
Geological and geophysical expenses decreased during the quarter ended June 30, 2006 to $0.6 million from $1.6 million in the same period during 2005 as a result of reduced seismic activity.
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30 June 30
($ thousands) 2005 2006 2005 2006
------------------------------------------------------------------------
General and administrative expense
before stock-based compensation expense 5,250 7,131 11,372 14,284
Stock-based compensation expense
(recovery) 8,007 (2,789) 11,700 17,602
------------------------------------------------------------------------
General and administrative expense 13,257 4,342 23,072 31,886
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
General and administrative expense before stock-based compensation expense for the six months ended June 30 totaled $14.3 million in 2006 as compared to $11.4 million in 2005. The increase in general and administrative expense before stock-based compensation expense is primarily due to higher salary costs in 2006 from hiring additional employees. In comparison to the three months ended June 30, 2006 versus the same period in 2005 the $1.9 million increase in general and administrative expenses were similarly the result of higher salary costs.
Stock-based compensation during the second quarter of 2006 was a $2.8 million recovery as compared to a $8.0 million expense in the same period in 2005. The recovery reflects the decrease in Paramount's share price, and decrease in the unit price of Trilogy Energy Trust units during the second quarter of 2006.
INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2006 was $13.8 million, a three percent increase from $13.4 million in the same period of 2005. The increase is mainly attributable to higher average credit facility borrowing levels during the second quarter of 2006 as compared to the same period of 2005. For the three months ended June 30, 2006 the increase in interest expense was also the result of higher average borrowing levels as compared to the same period in 2005.
INCOME ON EQUITY INVESTMENTS
On April 11, 2006 Paramount closed a transaction whereby it vended its interest in certain oil sands properties and other assets to North American Oil Sands Corporation ("North American") for approximately 50 percent of the then outstanding common shares of North American and aggregate cash consideration of approximately $17.5 million. The transaction was measured at the historical cost of the properties transferred of $63.1 million, including a deferred credit of $6.5 million. A gain of approximately $1.2 million was recorded. The remainder of the cash consideration was recognized as a return of Paramount's investment in North American. Paramount's investment in North American is accounted for using the equity method.
Paramount records its share of North American's equity income (loss) net of tax because North American is a corporation and is liable for the tax on this income (loss). Paramount records its share of Trilogy's equity income (loss) on a before-tax basis and the tax expense (recovery) on that equity income (loss) is presented as a component of Paramount's tax expense (recovery) because Trilogy is a trust and Paramount's share of Trilogy's income (loss) is ultimately taxable to Paramount.
As a result of equity issuances completed by North American in the second quarter, Paramount's interest in North American was reduced from approximately 50 percent to approximately 36 percent, resulting in Paramount recording a dilution gain of approximately $101.0 million before tax.
As a result of equity issuances completed by Trilogy during the three-month period ended March 31, 2006, Paramount's equity interest in Trilogy was reduced from approximately 17.7 percent at the beginning of the year to approximately 16.4 percent, resulting in Paramount recording a dilution gain of $16.4 million before tax in the first quarter.
INCOME TAXES
For the six months ended June 30, 2006, Paramount's current and Large Corporation Tax recovery totaled $0.6 million as compared to an expense of $2.8 million in the same period of 2005. The future income tax recovery recorded in the second quarter of 2006 totaled $0.4 million (future income tax expense of $8.7 million for the six months ended 2006) as compared to an expense of $5.0 million during the same period of 2005 (future income tax recovery of $19.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005). The future income tax expense in 2006 was the result of non-deductible stock-based compensation expense incurred during the period. Also, during the second quarter of 2006, the Canadian federal government, and Alberta and Saskatchewan provincial governments enacted reductions in corporate tax rates. These changes to corporate tax rates resulted in an increase in Paramount's future income tax expense as the values of the company's future tax assets were reduced by $3.3 million.
Risk Management
Paramount's financial success is dependent upon the discovery, development and production of petroleum and natural gas reserves and the economic environment that creates a demand for petroleum and natural gas. Paramount's ability to execute its strategy is dependent on the amount of cash flow that can be generated and reinvested into its capital program. To protect cash flow against commodity price volatility, Paramount will, from time to time, enter into financial and/or physical commodity price hedges. Any such hedging transactions are restricted for periods of one year or less and the aggregate volumes under such hedging transactions are limited to a cumulative maximum of 50 percent of Paramount's forecast production for the duration of the relevant period, determined on a barrel of oil equivalent basis.
Paramount's outstanding forward financial contracts are set out in the unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements in Note 9 - Financial Instruments and Note 13 - Subsequent Events. Paramount has chosen not to designate any of the forward financial contacts as hedges. As a result, such instruments are recorded using the mark-to-market method of accounting whereby instruments are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as either an asset or liability with changes in the fair value recognized in net earnings. The impact of fixed price physical sales contracts are reflected in petroleum and natural gas sales.
Paramount recorded a gain on financial instruments during the second quarter of 2006 of $8.3 million, a decrease of $20.2 million from the total gain on financial instruments report during the first quarter of 2006 ($28.5 million). Certain financial instruments were terminated during the second quarter prior to their maturity resulting in an increase to cash flow from operations of $20.4 million during the quarter. See Note 9 - Financial Instruments in the notes to the unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
Capital Expenditures
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30 June 30
Non-Oil Oil
Sands Sands Total
($ thousands) 2005 2006 2005 2006 2006 2006
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Land 13,203 10,409 30,950 22,547 - 22,547
Geological and
geophysical 1,649 1,263 7,162 6,061 6,294 12,355
Drilling and
completions 26,428 41,195 146,383 128,435 24,489 152,924
Production
equipment and
facilities 18,622 30,229 61,784 60,550 2,664 63,214
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exploration and
development
expenditures 59,902 83,096 246,279 217,593 33,447 251,040
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property
acquisitions 1,166 10,535 11,087 11,158 23,900 35,058
Proceeds from
property
dispositions (712) (2,142) (723) (763) (1,750) (2,513)
Other 306 11,730 1,311 11,871 - 11,871
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net capital
expenditures 60,662 103,219 257,954 239,859 55,597 295,456
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the six months ended June 30, 2006, exploration and development expenditures totaled $251.0 million as compared to $246.3 million in the same period of 2005. A comparison of the number of wells drilled for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and June 30, 2005 is as follows:
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30 June 30
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(wells
drilled) 2005 2006 2005 2006
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross(1) Net(2) Gross(1) Net(2) Gross(1) Net(2) Gross(1) Net(2)
Natural
gas 56 33 37 26 148 92 121 70
Oil 2 1 3 1 11 6 6 3
Oil sands
evaluation 2 - 1 1 23 14 122 61
Dry holes - - - - 11 7 5 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 60 34 41 28 193 119 254 138
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) "Gross" wells means the number of wells in which Paramount has a
working interest or a royalty interest that may be converted to a
working interest.
(2) "Net" wells means the aggregate number of wells obtained by
multiplying each gross well by Paramount's percentage of working
interest therein.
Paramount's asset profile includes winter only access locations, where Paramount historically commits the majority of its first quarter capital budget towards drilling activities.
Relative to the second quarter of 2005, Paramount drilled 19 fewer gross wells (6 net) during the three months ended June 30, 2006. A shortened winter drilling season in 2006 from early spring break up reduced the number of wells drilled.
For the second half of 2006 Paramount will not incur additional capital expenditures related to the oil sands interests transferred to North American, as additional expenditures required to develop these oil sands assets will be borne solely by North American. Paramount's total expenditures on these oil sands assets in 2006 were approximately $33.4 million. Future capital expenditures towards development of oil sands will be focused on our 100 percent owned oil sands leases in the Surmont area of Northeast Alberta.
Quarterly Information
Three Months Ended
($ thousands, except Jun 30 Mar 31 Dec 31 Sep 30
per share amounts) 2006 2006 2005 2005
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Petroleum & natural gas sales 73,681 87,909 115,126 99,187
Revenue, net(1) 72,246 100,865 112,422 36,526
Net earnings (loss) 111,874 7,764 37,758 (69,066)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings (loss) per common
share
- basic 1.65 0.12 0.57 (1.05)
- diluted 1.61 0.12 0.56 (1.05)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended
($ thousands, except Jun 30 Mar 31 Dec 31 Sep 30
per share amounts) 2005 2005 2004 2004
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Petroleum & natural gas sales 91,848 176,508 115,127 164,903
Revenue, net(1) 96,581 115,741 174,067 138,443
Net earnings (loss) before
Discontinued operations 12,934 (45,558) (18,873) 40,599
Net earnings (loss) from
Discontinued operations - - 1,120 5,213
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings (loss) 12,934 (45,558) (17,753) 45,812
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings (loss) before
discontinued operations per
common share
- basic 0.20 (0.72) (0.30) 0.69
- diluted 0.20 (0.72) (0.30) 0.68
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings (loss) per common share
- basic 0.20 (0.72) (0.28) 0.78
- diluted 0.20 (0.72) (0.28) 0.76
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Represents revenue after gain/loss on financial instruments,
royalties and gain on sale of investments and other.
Lower realized natural gas prices were the primary factor causing the decline in net revenue between the second quarter and first quarter of 2006. The increase in net earnings between the second quarter and first quarter of 2006 was primarily the result of dilution gains recorded on our equity investment of North American. See Second Quarter 2006 vs. First Quarter 2006 comparison under "Key Operating Results".
Liquidity and Capital Resources
June 30 December 31
($ thousands) 2006 2005
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Working capital deficit (1) $ 112,056 $ 70,683
Credit facility 145,971 105,479
US notes 238,413 248,409
Stock-based compensation liability(2) 3,200 4,105
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net debt(3) 499,640 428,676
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Share capital 267,844 198,417
Retained earnings 358,452 238,404
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 1,125,936 $ 865,497
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Includes current portion of stock-based compensation liability of
$17.8 million at June 30, 2006 ($27.3 million at December 31, 2005).
(2) Since August 2005, Paramount has generally declined an
optionholder's request for a cash payment relating to vested
Paramount Options, thereby necessitating optionholders to exercise
their vested Paramount Options, and to pay the aggregate exercise
price of their stock options to Paramount as consideration for the
issuance by Paramount of Common Shares. Paramount expects that this
will continue. As a result, the stock-based compensation liability
associated with Paramount Options amounting to $50.1 million has
been excluded from the computation of Net Debt at June 30, 2006
($46.6 million at December 31, 2005).
(3) Net debt includes the stock-based compensation liability associated
with Holdco Options totaling $21.0 million at June 30, 2006 ($31.4
million at December 31, 2005) as Paramount has accepted
optionholders' requests for cash payments, and expects that this
will continue.
WORKING CAPITAL
Paramount's working capital position at June 30, 2006 was a $112.1 million deficit as compared to a $91.5 million deficit at March 31, 2006.
The impact of lower natural gas prices in 2006 and our growth oriented capital program resulted in an increase in Paramount's working capital deficit.
CREDIT FACILITY
Effective March 30, 2006, the revolving nature of Paramount's credit facility was extended for a further 364 days. The size of Paramount's credit facility is based on among other things, the value of Paramount's petroleum and natural gas assets reserves.
Bank debt outstanding as at June 30, 2006 was $146.0 million.
US SENIOR NOTES
At June 30, 2006 Paramount had $238.4 million (US $213.6 million) outstanding principal amount of 8 1/2 percent Senior Notes due 2013 (the "Senior Notes"). The Senior Notes are secured by 12,755,845 Trilogy trust units owned by Paramount, which had a market value of $241.1 million at June 30, 2006 (based on the closing price of Trilogy trust units on the Toronto Stock Exchange on June 30, 2006). These Trilogy trust units are reflected in Long-term investments and other assets in Paramount's Consolidated Balance Sheet. In addition, there are 2,279,500 Trilogy trust units held by Paramount relating to its obligations under Holdco Options, have a market value of $21.0 million at June 30, 2006 on Paramount's Consolidated Balance Sheet. Paramount's obligations respecting its previously existing 7 7/8 percent US Senior Notes due 2010 and 8 7/8 percent US Senior Notes due 2014 were extinguished during 2005 as a result of a notes exchange offer and open market re-purchases.
SHARE CAPITAL
On March 30, 2006, Paramount completed a private placement of 600,000 common shares issued on a flow through basis at $52.00 per share, and a private placement of 600,000 common shares at $41.72 per share for total gross proceeds of $56.2 million.
At August 4, 2006, Paramount had 68,024,575 Class A Common Shares outstanding. At August 4, 2006 there were 4,741,325 Paramount Options outstanding (363,650 exercisable) and 1,551,875 Holdco Options outstanding (586,250 exercisable).
FUNDING OF 2006 CAPITAL PROGRAM
Paramount anticipates that its planned 2006 capital program will be funded from cash flows from operations, borrowings under its credit facilities, the March 30, 2006 share issues, and through other sources of funds which may include incurring additional debt, issuing additional equity, or disposing of mature or non-core assets. Subsequent to June 30, 2006 Paramount commenced a transaction through which it expects to raise US$150 million in the US Term Loan B market. This transaction is expected to close on or about August 25, 2006.
In the event of significantly lower cash flow, Paramount would be able to defer certain of its projected capital expenditures without penalty. Also, following the transaction with North American, Paramount is no longer obligated to directly fund development of oil sands leases previously owned jointly with the company.
Related Party Transactions
TRILOGY ENERGY TRUST
At June 30, 2006, Paramount held approximately 15 million trust units of Trilogy representing 16.4 percent of the issued and outstanding trust units of Trilogy at such time. In addition to the Trilogy trust units held by Paramount, Trilogy and Paramount have certain common members of management and directors. The following transactions have been recorded at the exchange amounts:
- Paramount provided certain operational, administrative, and other services to Trilogy Energy Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Trilogy, pursuant to a services agreement dated April 1, 2005 (the "Services Agreement"). The Services Agreement had an initial term ending March 31, 2006. The Services Agreement was renewed on the same terms and conditions to March 31, 2007. Under the Services Agreement, Paramount is reimbursed for all reasonable costs (including expenses of a general and administrative nature) incurred by Paramount in providing the services. The reimbursement of expenses is not intended to provide Paramount with any financial gain or loss. For the six months ended June 30, 2006, the amount of costs subject to reimbursement under the Services Agreement was $1.2 million, which has been reflected as a reduction in Paramount's general and administrative expenses.
- At June 30, 2006 Paramount owed Trilogy $2.4 million, which balance includes a Crown royalty deposit claim of $5.5 million which, when refunded to Paramount, will be paid to Trilogy.
- As a result of the Trilogy Spinout, certain employees and officers of Trilogy hold Paramount Options and Holdco Options. The stock-based compensation expense relating to these options for the six months ended June 30, 2006 amounted to $1.1 million, of which $0.9 million was charged to general and administrative expense and $0.2 million was recognized in equity in net earnings of Trilogy.
- Paramount recorded distributions from Trilogy Energy Trust totaling $21.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006. Distributions receivable of $3.0 million relating to distributions declared by Trilogy in June 2006 were accrued at June 30, 2006 and received in July 2006.
- During the six months ended June 30, 2006, Paramount also had other transactions in the normal course of business with Trilogy.
DRILLING COMPANY
During the second quarter of 2006, Paramount and a private company controlled by a majority shareholder, director and officer of Paramount (the "Private Company") formed a company in the United States ("Drillco") to supply drilling services to a United States subsidiary of Paramount; Paramount owns 50 percent of Drillco, and the Private Company owns 50 percent of Drillco. Drillco has entered into a contract for the purchase of two drilling rigs, the first of which we anticipate to be available near the end of the fourth quarter of 2006. In connection with the purchase of the drilling rigs, the Private Company extended a demand loan totaling US$7.6 million to Drillco. The loan bears interest at a US bank's Prime interest rate plus 0.5 percent. The amount of the loan, plus accrued interest is included in the Due to Related Parties balance in the consolidated financial statements.
DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES
Drillco has entered into a contract for the construction of two drilling rigs under a cost-plus fee arrangement with a company whose part-owner is a director of a company affiliated with Paramount. Estimated costs to construct the two drilling rigs total US$18.0 million; including a US$2.0 million fee due and payable to the supplier upon delivery.
During the second quarter of 2006 two officers and a director of Paramount participated in private equity placements undertaken by North American Oil Sands Corporation; purchasing an aggregate 146,667 shares of North American for $1.8 million.
Companies controlled by a director and officer of Paramount purchased an aggregate 600,000 common shares for gross proceeds to Paramount of $25.0 million on March 30, 2006. Also, during the first quarter of 2006 certain employees, officers, and directors of Paramount purchased an aggregate 8,500 flow-through common shares issued by Paramount for gross proceeds to Paramount of $0.4 million.
Risks and Uncertainties
Companies involved in the exploration for and production of oil and natural gas face a number of risks and uncertainties inherent in the industry. Paramount's performance is influenced by commodity prices, transportation and marketing constraints and government regulation and taxation.
Natural gas prices are influenced by the North American supply and demand balance as well as transportation capacity constraints. Seasonal changes in demand, which are largely influenced by weather patterns, also affect the price of natural gas.
Stability in natural gas pricing is available through the use of short and long-term contract arrangements. Paramount utilizes a combination of these types of contracts, as well as spot markets, in its natural gas pricing strategy. As the majority of Paramount's natural gas sales are priced to US markets, the Canada/US exchange rate can strongly affect revenue.
Oil prices are influenced by global supply and demand conditions as well as by worldwide political events. As the price of oil in Canada is based on a US benchmark price, variations in the Canada/US exchange rate further affect the price received by Paramount for its oil.
Paramount's access to oil and natural gas sales markets is restricted, at times, by pipeline capacity. In addition, it is also affected by the proximity of pipelines and availability of processing equipment. Paramount attempts to control as much of its marketing and transportation activities as possible in order to minimize any negative impact from these external factors.
The oil and gas industry is subject to extensive controls, royalties, regulatory policies and income taxes imposed by the various levels of government. These controls and policies, as well as income tax laws and regulations, are amended from time to time. Paramount is unable to control government intervention or taxation levels in the oil and gas industry; however, it operates in a manner intended to ensure that it is in compliance with regulations and is able to respond to changes as they occur.
Paramount's operations are subject to the risks normally associated with the oil and gas industry including hazards such as unusual or unexpected geological formations, high reservoir pressures and other conditions involved in drilling and operating wells. Paramount attempts to minimize these risks using prudent safety programs and risk management, including insurance coverage against potential losses.
Paramount recognizes that the industry is faced with an increasing awareness with respect to the environmental impact of oil and gas operations. Paramount has reviewed the environmental risks to which it is exposed and has determined that there is no current material impact on Paramount's operations; however, the cost of complying with environmental regulations is increasing. Paramount intends to ensure continued compliance with all environmental legislation.
Financial Instruments
In May 2006, Paramount terminated the following forward financial
commodity contracts prior to their maturity and received an approximate
net settlement of $20.4 million:
Amount Price Original Term
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales Contracts
AECO Fixed Price 10,000 GJ/d $10.60 April 2006-October 2006
AECO Fixed Price 10,000 GJ/d $10.75 April 2006-October 2006
Purchase Contracts
AECO Fixed Price 10,000 GJ/d $6.01 June 2006-October 2006
AECO Fixed Price 10,000 GJ/d $5.98 June 2006-October 2006
Option Contract
AECO Put Option 10,000 GJ/d $9.00 April 2006-October 2006
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Refer to the unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements - Note
9 - Financial Instruments for a listing of all forward financial
instruments outstanding at June 30, 2006.
Subsequent Events
Subsequent to June 30, 2006, Paramount entered into the following
forward commodity contracts:
Amount Price Term
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Physical Sales
Contract
AECO Fixed Price 10,000 GJ/d $6.25 August 2006-October 2006
Physical Purchase
Contract
AECO Fixed Price 20,000 GJ/d $5.37 September 2006-October 2006
AECO Fixed Price 20,000 GJ/d $5.1725 July 2006-August 2006
Financial Sales
Contract
NYMEX Fixed Price 10,000 MMBtu/d US$10.00 November 2006-March 2007
NYMEX Fixed Price 10,000 MMBtu/d US$10.875 November 2006-March 2007
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition, Paramount entered into a financial contract to purchase 10,000 MMBtu/d from November 2006 to March 2007 for a NYMEX fixed price of US$9.41/MMBtu. This contract was entered into to settle a financial contract outstanding at June 30, 2006 to sell 10,000 MMBtu/d from November 2006 to March 2007 for a NYMEX fixed price of US$10.28/MMBtu which resulted in a net payment of US$1.3 million to Paramount in July.
On August 4, 2006, the Company engaged an investment bank to arrange a Term Loan B facility (the "Facility") in the U.S. market for up to US$150 million to refinance existing indebtedness and for general corporate use. The Facility is expected to have a six year term and there is no scheduled amortization prior to maturity. The Facility will be secured by a pledge of the common shares of North American (the "NAOSC Shares") currently held by Paramount. It is expected that the Facility will have to be prepaid with 100 percent of the net proceeds received from any sale or other disposition of all or any part of the NAOSC Shares. The interest rate on the Facility will be set upon finalization of the ratings process and completion of the syndication process.
2006 Outlook and Sensitivity Analysis The following table sets forth Paramount's current estimate of 2006 production and capital expenditures: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Production (Boe/d) 2006 Average 19,000 2006 Exit 23,000 E&P Capital Expenditures(1) ($ millions) 2006 Conventional and Coal Bed Methane 370 2006 Oil Sands 45 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1) Excludes expenditures on land and acquisitions
Paramount's results are affected by external market factors, such as fluctuations in the price of crude oil and natural gas, foreign exchange rates, and interest rates. The following table provides projected estimates of the sensitivity of Paramount's funds flow from operations for the remaining six months ending December 31, 2006 to changes in commodity prices, the Canadian/US dollar exchange rate and interest rates:
Funds Flow Effect
Sensitivity (1)(2) ($ millions)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$0.25/GJ change in AECO gas price 2.6
US$1.00 change in the WTI oil price 0.4
$0.01 change in the Canadian/US dollar exchange rate 1.3
1 percent change in prime rate of interest 0.7
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Includes the impact of financial and physical hedge contracts
existing at August 4, 2006, and includes the impact of the
settlement of certain forward commodity contracts - see Subsequent
Events.
(2) Based on forward curve commodity price and forward curve estimates
dated June 30, 2006.
The following assumptions were used in the sensitivity (above):
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2006 Annual Average Production
Natural gas 100 MMcf/d
Crude oil/liquids 4,100 Bbl/d
2006 Average Prices
Natural gas $6.96/Mcf
Crude oil (WTI) US$64.98/Bbl
2006 Exchange Rate (C$/US$) 1.14
Cash taxes Nil
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, if any, at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Paramount bases its estimates on historical experience and various other factors that are believed by management to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.
Readers are referred to Paramount's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2005 for a discussion of critical accounting estimates relating to (i) successful efforts accounting; (ii) reserves estimates; (iii) impairment of petroleum and natural gas properties; (iv) asset retirement obligations; (v) purchase price allocations; and (vi) income taxes and royalty matters.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
NON-MONETARY TRANSACTIONS
On January 1, 2006, Paramount prospectively adopted Section 3831 "Non-monetary Transactions" of the CICA Handbook issued by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants. Under this standard, a commercial substance test replaced the culmination of the earnings process test as the criteria for fair value measurement, and fair value measurement was clarified. Adoption of this new accounting standard did not have a material impact on the unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements as at and for the period ended June 30, 2006.
Paramount Resources Ltd.
Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
As at and for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2006
Paramount Resources Ltd.
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(thousands of dollars) As at As at
June 30 December 31
2006 2005
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Current Assets
Short-term investments (Market value: June 30,
2006 - $5,175; December 31, 2005 - $16,176) $ 4,014 $ 14,048
Accounts receivable 100,703 92,772
Distributions receivable from Trilogy Energy
Trust (Note 10) 3,007 12,028
Financial instruments (Note 9) 6,777 2,443
Prepaid expenses and other 6,613 3,869
------------------------------------------------------------------------
121,114 125,160
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property, Plant and Equipment (Note 3)
Property, plant and equipment, at cost 1,485,593 1,314,651
Accumulated depletion and depreciation (456,484) (400,072)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,029,109 914,579
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goodwill 12,221 12,221
Long-term investments and other assets (Note 4) 218,312 56,467
Future income taxes - 2,923
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 1,380,756 $ 1,111,350
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 200,376 $ 155,076
Due to related parties (Note 10) 11,048 6,439
Financial instruments (Note 9) 3,914 7,056
Current portion of stock-based compensation
liability (Note 8) 17,832 27,272
------------------------------------------------------------------------
233,170 195,843
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt (Note 5) 384,384 353,888
Asset retirement obligations (Note 6) 67,093 66,203
Deferred credit (Note 4) - 6,528
Stock-based compensation liability (Note 8) 53,336 50,729
Non-controlling interest 588 1,338
Future income taxes (Note 11) 15,889 -
------------------------------------------------------------------------
521,290 478,686
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commitments and Contingencies (Notes 5, 9, 12 and 13)
Shareholders' Equity
Share capital (Note 7)
Issued and outstanding: 68,004,575 common
shares
(December 31, 2005 - 66,221,675 common shares) 267,844 198,417
Retained earnings 358,452 238,404
------------------------------------------------------------------------
626,296 436,821
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 1,380,756 $ 1,111,350
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Paramount Resources Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Retained Earnings
(Unaudited)
(thousands of dollars except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30 June 30
2006 2005 2006 2005
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue
Petroleum and natural
gas sales $ 73,681 $ 91,848 $ 161,590 $ 268,356
Gain (loss) on
financial instruments
(Note 9) 8,338 13,610 36,835 (14,320)
Royalties (9,773) (9,340) (26,552) (44,544)
Gain on sale of
investments and other - 463 1,238 2,830
------------------------------------------------------------------------
72,246 96,581 173,111 212,322
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses
Operating 18,692 13,700 36,823 41,685
Transportation 3,487 5,376 7,139 14,541
Interest on long-term
debt 7,153 6,089 13,802 13,435
General and
administrative (Notes 8
and 10) 4,342 13,257 31,886 23,072
Lease rentals 198 632 947 1,591
Geological and
geophysical 579 1,649 11,671 7,162
Dry hole costs 12,189 520 18,943 5,503
Gain on sale of
property, plant and
equipment (Note 4) (1,765) (15) (1,973) (1,000)
Accretion of asset
retirement obligations 1,433 811 2,886 2,781
Depletion and
depreciation 31,587 34,718 64,641 98,075
Write-down of petroleum
and natural gas
properties 1,334 - 1,334 -
Unrealized foreign
exchange loss (gain) (11,212) 3,389 (9,966) 19,211
Realized foreign
exchange gain (450) - (721) (14,191)
Premium on redemption
of US Notes - - - 53,114
------------------------------------------------------------------------
67,567 80,126 177,412 264,979
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from
equity investments
Equity income (Note 4) 3,955 3,405 14,585 3,314
Dilution gain (Note 4) 101,036 - 117,419 -
Non-controlling
interest 10 (17) 17 (2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings (loss) before
income taxes 109,680 19,843 127,720 (49,345)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income and other taxes
(Note 11)
Current and large
corporations tax
expense (recovery) (1,750) 1,924 (626) 2,765
Future income tax
expense (recovery) (444) 4,985 8,708 (19,486)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2,194) 6,909 8,082 (16,721)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings (loss) 111,874 12,934 119,638 (32,624)
Retained earnings,
beginning of period 246,168 276,549 238,404 322,107
Adjustment due to Trilogy
Spinout - 54,488 - 54,488
Share in equity
investee capital
transactions 410 - 410 -
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings, end
of period $ 358,452 $ 343,971 $ 358,452 $ 343,971
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings (loss) per
common share
- basic $ 1.65 $ 0.20 $ 1.78 $ (0.51)
- diluted $ 1.61 $ 0.20 $ 1.74 $ (0.51)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average common
shares outstanding
(thousands)
- basic 67,981 64,103 67,243 63,835
- diluted 69,658 65,820 68,788 63,835
------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Paramount Resources Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(thousands of dollars)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30 June 30
2006 2005 2006 2005
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating activities
Net earnings (loss) $ 111,874 $ 12,934 $ 119,638 $ (32,624)
Add (deduct) non-cash
and other items:
Unrealized loss (gain)
on financial instruments 21,982 (17,313) (7,476) 21,326
Amortization of other
assets 148 - 295 96
Non-cash general and
administrative expense (6,462) 7,801 10,873 9,474
Geological and
geophysical 579 1,649 11,671 7,162
Dry hole costs 12,189 520 18,943 5,503
Gain on sale of
property, plant and
equipment (1,765) (15) (1,973) (1,000)
Accretion of asset
retirement obligations 1,433 811 2,886 2,781
Asset retirement
obligations paid (179) (62) (354) (214)
Depletion and
depreciation 31,587 34,718 64,641 98,075
Write-down of petroleum
and natural gas
properties 1,334 - 1,334 -
Unrealized foreign
exchange loss on US
Notes (11,212) 3,389 (9,966) 19,211
Realized foreign
exchange gain on US
Notes - - - (14,191)
Premium on redemption of
US Notes - - - 53,114
Equity income (Note 4) (3,955) (3,405) (14,585) (3,314)
Distributions from
equity investments 9,772 7,217 21,049 7,217
Dilution gain (Note 4) (101,036) - (117,419) -
Non-controlling interest (10) 17 (17) 2
Future income tax
expense (recovery) (444) 4,985 8,708 (19,486)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funds flow from
operations 65,835 53,246 108,248 153,132
Net change in operating
working capital 44,480 7,536 44,807 20,958
------------------------------------------------------------------------
110,315 60,782 153,055 174,090
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financing activities
Bank loans - draws 47,645 60,099 181,675 224,900
Bank loans - repayments (43,609) (228,471) (141,234) (323,428)
Debt exchange issuance
costs (recovery) - 285 - (4,782)
Premium on redemption of
US Notes - - - (45,077)
Cost of reorganization - - - (4,000)
Receipt of funds from
Trilogy Spinout - 220,000 - 220,000
Common shares issued,
net of issuance costs 463 85 58,028 9,580
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,499 51,998 98,469 77,193
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows provided by
operating and financing
activities 114,814 112,780 251,524 251,283
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investing activities
Property, plant and
equipment expenditures (94,827) (60,208) (262,911) (247,590)
Petroleum and natural
gas property
acquisitions (10,535) (1,166) (35,058) (11,087)
Proceeds on sale of
property, plant and
equipment 2,142 712 2,513 723
Cost of equity
investments (475) (1) (475) (6,215)
Return of capital
received, net of
non-controlling interest 16,104 - 19,761 -
Net change in investing
working capital (27,223) (52,117) 24,646 12,886
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows used in
investing activities (114,814) (112,780) (251,524) (251,283)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash, end of period $ - $ - $ - $ -
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest paid $ 2,480 $ 443 $ 14,938 $ 4,619
Current and large
corporation taxes paid $ 4,170 $ 2,246 $ 4,545 $ 2,911
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(all tabular amounts expressed in thousands of dollars except as
otherwise noted)
Paramount Resources Ltd. ("Paramount" or the "Company") is an independent Canadian energy company that explores for, develops, processes, transports and markets petroleum and natural gas. Paramount's principal properties are located in Alberta, the Northwest Territories and British Columbia.
On April 1, 2005, Paramount completed a reorganization pursuant to a plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta), resulting in the creation of Trilogy Energy Trust ("Trilogy") as a new publicly-traded energy trust (the "Trilogy Spinout"). Through the Trilogy Spinout, among other things:
- Certain properties owned by Paramount that were located in the Kaybob and Marten Creek areas of Alberta and three natural gas plants operated by Paramount became property of Trilogy ("Spinout Assets"); and
- Paramount received an aggregate $220 million in cash (including a $30 million settlement of working capital accounts) and 79.1 million units of Trilogy (64.1 million units being ultimately received by Paramount shareholders) as consideration for the Spinout Assets and related working capital adjustments.
Paramount's comparative unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for the six months ended June 30, 2005 include the results of operations and cash flows relating to the Spinout Assets for the period January 1, 2005 to March 31, 2005.
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements of Paramount are stated in Canadian dollars and have been prepared following the same accounting policies and methods of their application as Paramount's audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2005, except as disclosed in Note 2. The financial statements of a 50 percent-owned development stage company established during the three months ended June 30, 2006 to supply drilling services have been consolidated into Paramount's financial statements as a variable interest entity. Any expected accumulated losses of this entity cannot be determined at the present time.
Certain information and disclosures normally required to be included in notes to annual consolidated financial statements have been condensed or omitted. Accordingly, these unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with Paramount's audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2005.
The timely preparation of the unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles requires that management make estimates and assumptions and use judgment that affects the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Such estimates primarily relate to unsettled transactions and events as of the date of the unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements. Accordingly, actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
2. Change in Accounting Policy
On January 1, 2006, Paramount prospectively adopted Section 3831 "Non-monetary Transactions" of the CICA Handbook issued by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants. Under this standard, a commercial substance test replaced the culmination of the earnings process test as the criteria for fair value measurement, and fair value measurement was clarified. Adoption of this new accounting standard did not have a material impact on the unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements as at and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006.
3. Property, Plant and Equipment
June 30 December 31
2006 2005
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated
Depletion and Net Book Net Book
Cost Depreciation Value Value
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Petroleum and natural
gas properties $ 1,028,308 $ 353,282 $ 675,026 $ 606,185
Gas plants, gathering
systems and
production equipment 429,293 90,225 339,068 303,871
Other 27,992 12,977 15,015 4,523
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 1,485,593 $ 456,484 $ 1,029,109 $ 914,579
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital costs associated with non-producing petroleum and natural gas
properties and equipment under construction totaling approximately $310
million (December 31, 2005 - $320 million) are currently not subject to
depletion.
4. Long-term Investments and Other Assets
June 30 December 31
2006 2005
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity accounted investments:
Trilogy Energy Trust
(market value: June 30, 2006 - $284.2
million; December 31, 2005 - $357.8
million) $ 65,479 $ 51,665
North American Oil Sands Corporation
("North American") 148,324 -
Private oil and gas company 623 623
------------------------------------------------------------------------
214,426 52,288
Deferred financing costs, net of
amortization 3,886 4,179
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 218,312 $ 56,467
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following table provides a continuity of Paramount's equity
accounted investments:
Six Months Ended June 30, 2006
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trilogy Private Oil
Energy North & Gas
Trust American Company Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Opening balance $ 51,665 $ - $ 623 $ 52,288
Initial carrying value of
investment - 46,932 - 46,932
Share in investee's other
capital transactions - 410 - 410
Equity income (loss) for
the period 14,639 (54) - 14,585
Future income tax recovery
on equity income 3,641 - - 3,641
Distributions (21,049) - - (21,049)
Dilution gain (see below) 16,383 101,036 - 117,419
Stock-based compensation
expense - Trilogy
employees 200 - - 200
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closing balance $ 65,479 $ 148,324 $ 623 $ 214,426
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
On April 11, 2006 Paramount closed a transaction whereby it vended its interest in certain oil sands properties and other assets to North American for approximately 50 percent of the then outstanding common shares of North American and aggregate cash consideration of approximately $17.5 million. The transaction was measured at the historical cost of the properties transferred of $63.1 million, including a deferred credit of $6.5 million. A gain of approximately $1.2 million was recorded. The remainder of the cash consideration was recognized as a return of Paramount's investment in North American. Paramount's investment in North American is accounted for using the equity method.
Paramount records its share of North American's equity income (loss) net of tax, because North American is a corporation and is liable for the tax on this income (loss). Paramount records its share of Trilogy's equity income (loss) on a before-tax basis and the tax expense (recovery) on that equity income (loss) is presented as a component of Paramount's tax expense (recovery) because Trilogy is a trust and Paramount's share of Trilogy's income (loss) is ultimately taxable to Paramount.
As a result of equity issuances completed by North American in the second quarter, Paramount's equity interest in North American was reduced from approximately 50 percent to approximately 36 percent, resulting in Paramount recording a dilution gain of approximately $101.0 million before tax.
As a result of equity issuances completed by Trilogy during the three-month period ended March 31, 2006, Paramount's equity interest in Trilogy was reduced from approximately 17.7 percent at the beginning of the year to approximately 16.4 percent, resulting in Paramount recording a dilution gain of $16.4 million before tax in the first quarter.
5. Long-Term Debt
June 30, 2006 December 31, 2005
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Credit facility - interest rate of 5.5
percent as at June 30, 2006
(December 31, 2005 - 4.9 percent) $ 145,971 $ 105,479
8 1/2 percent US Senior Notes due 2013
(US $213.6 million) 238,413 248,409
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 384,384 $ 353,888
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CREDIT FACILITIES
At June 30, 2006 Paramount had a $200 million committed credit facility with a syndicate of Canadian banks, $183 million after adjustment for US Notes service costs. Borrowings under the facility bear interest at either the lenders' prime rate, bankers' acceptance rate or LIBOR, at the discretion of Paramount, plus an applicable margin depending on certain conditions. The facilities are available on a revolving basis for a period of 364 days from March 30, 2006 and can be extended a further 364 days upon request, subject to approval by the lenders. In the event the revolving period is not extended, the facility would be available on a non-revolving basis for a one year term, at the end of which time the facility would be due and payable. Advances drawn on Paramount's credit facility are secured by a fixed and floating charge over the assets of the Company, excluding 12,755,845 of the Trilogy units owned by Paramount.
Paramount had letters of credit outstanding totaling $26.0 million at June 30, 2006. These letters of credit have not been drawn; however they reduce the amount available to the Company under the credit facility.
6. Asset Retirement Obligations
The following table presents the reconciliation of the beginning and ending aggregate carrying amount of the obligation associated with the retirement of oil and gas properties:
Six Months Ended Year Ended
June 30, 2006 December 31, 2005
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asset retirement obligations,
beginning of period $ 66,203 $ 101,486
Adjustment resulting from the
Trilogy Spinout - (65,076)
Liabilities incurred 4,305 3,614
Reduction on disposal of properties (5,947) -
Revisions in estimated cost of
abandonment - 22,113
Liabilities settled (354) (990)
Accretion expense 2,886 5,056
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asset retirement obligations,
end of period $ 67,093 $ 66,203
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Share Capital
Class A Common Shares Shares Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2005 66,221,675 $ 198,417
Issued on exercise of stock options 582,900 21,027
Issued for cash 1,200,000 56,232
Share issuance costs, net of tax benefit - (938)
Tax adjustment on flow-through share
renunciations - (6,894)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at June 30, 2006 68,004,575 $ 267,844
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
On March 30, 2006, Paramount completed the private placement of 600,000 Common Shares issued on a flow-through basis at a price of $52.00 per share. The gross proceeds of this issue were $31.2 million. Paramount also completed the private placement of 600,000 Common Shares at a price of $41.72 per share on the same day to companies controlled by Paramount's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The gross proceeds of this issue were $25.0 million.
8. Stock-based Compensation
The following table provides a continuity of Paramount's stock options for the six months ended June 30, 2006:
Paramount Options Holdco Options
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted Weighted
Average Average
Exercise Exercise
Price Options Price Options
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, beginning
of period $ 10.22 3,910,175 $ 5.79 1,985,375
Granted 34.79 1,568,500 - -
Exercised 5.44 (583,150) 5.18 (383,000)
Cancelled 21.30 (126,200) 10.28 (19,500)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, end of
period $ 18.59 4,769,325 $ 5.89 1,582,875
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Options exercisable,
end of period $ 5.25 375,650 $ 5.24 581,250
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional information concerning Paramount's stock options outstanding
as at June 30, 2006 is as follows:
Outstanding Exercisable
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted
Average Weighted Weighted
Contractual Average Average
Life Exercise Exercise
Exercise Prices Number (In Years) Price Number Price
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paramount Options
$4.33-$10.00 1,231,725 1.7 $ 4.83 324,100 $ 4.91
$10.01-$30.00 1,935,100 3.4 14.00 27,500 13.76
$30.01-$43.25 1,602,500 4.1 34.71 24,050 -
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 4,769,325 3.2 $ 18.59 375,650 $ 5.25
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Holdco Options
$4.58-$6.00 1,279,875 1.6 $ 4.67 529,750 $ 4.65
$6.01-$10.00 106,500 2.4 7.17 18,500 6.84
$10.01-$16.37 196,500 3.0 13.15 33,000 13.79
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 1,582,875 1.8 $ 5.89 581,250 $ 5.24
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the six months ended June 30, 2006, 383,000 Holdco Options were surrendered in exchange for cash payments from Paramount of $6.8 million which reduced the related stock-based compensation liability.
The current portion of stock-based compensation liability of $17.8 million at June 30, 2006 (December 31, 2005 - $27.3 million) represents the value, using the intrinsic value method, of vested Holdco Options and Holdco Options vesting within the next twelve months.
For the six months ended June 30, 2006, Paramount recognized compensation costs of $21.1 million for the Paramount Options and a recovery of $3.5 million for the Holdco Options relating to the mark-to-market valuation and time-based vesting of the options. For the three months ended June 30, 2006, Paramount recorded a $3.3 million recovery of stock-based compensation expense related to the decrease in market value of Paramount stock. The recovery of compensation costs is presented as a reduction of general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Retained Earnings.
9. Financial Instruments
Paramount has elected not to designate any of its financial instruments as hedges under Accounting Guideline 13 Hedging Relationships ("AcG-13"), and therefore has recognized the fair value of its financial instruments in the unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
The changes in fair value associated with the financial instruments are recorded on the consolidated balance sheets with the associated unrealized gain or loss recorded in net earnings. The estimated fair value of all financial instruments is based on quoted prices or, in the absence of quoted prices, third party market indications and forecasts.
The following tables present a reconciliation of the change in the
unrealized and realized gains and losses on financial instruments:
June 30, June 30,
Three Months Ended 2006 2005
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Deferred Mark-to
Amounts on Market Gain
Total Transition (Loss) Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in fair value
of contracts
recorded on
transition $ - $ - $ (757) $ (757)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amortization of
deferred fair
value of contracts - 413 - 413
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net change in fair
value of contracts
entered into after
transition
(mark-to-market
gain (loss)) (21,983) - 17,657 17,657
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrealized gain (loss)
on financial
instruments (21,983) $ 413 $ 16,900 $ 17,313
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized gain (loss)
on financial
instruments 30,321 (3,703)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net gain on
financial
instruments $ 8,338 $ 13,610
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
June 30, June 30,
Six Months Ended 2006 2005
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Deferred
Amounts on Mark-to
Total Transition Market Loss Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in fair value
of contracts
recorded on
transition $ - $ - $ (2,033) $ (2,033)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amortization of
deferred fair
value of
contracts - 823 - 823
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net change in fair
value of contracts
entered into after
transition(mark-to-
market gain (loss)) 7,475 - (20,116) (20,116)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrealized gain
(loss) on financial
instruments 7,475 823 (22,149) (21,326)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized gain on
financial
instruments 29,360 7,006
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net gain (loss) on
financial
instruments $ 36,835 $(14,320)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
At June 30, 2006, Paramount was a party to the following forward
financial commodity contracts:
Amount Price Term
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales Contracts
November 2006 -
NYMEX Fixed Price 10,000 MMBtu US$10.14 March 2007
November 2006 -
NYMEX Fixed Price 10,000 MMBtu US$10.37 March 2007
November 2006 -
NYMEX Fixed Price 10,000 MMBtu US$11.15 March 2007
November 2006 -
NYMEX Fixed Price 10,000 MMBtu US$10.28 March 2007
February 2006 -
WTI Fixed Price 1,000 Bbl/d US$66.04 December 2006
February 2006 -
WTI Fixed Price 1,000 Bbl/d US$65.64 December 2006
AECO Costless 20,000 GJ/d $9.00 floor July 2006
Collar $12.50
ceiling
Option Contract
April 2006 -
AECO Call Option 20,000 GJ/d $ 12.50 October 2006
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paramount also entered into a currency forward contract to purchase US$3.5 million at the rate of CDN$1.1216/US$1 for settlement on July 28, 2006. The US$/CDN$ closing exchange rate was 1.1162 as at June 30, 2006.
The aggregate fair value of above contracts as at June 30, 2006 was a $2.9 million gain.
During the three months ended June 30, 2006 Paramount terminated the following forward financial commodity contracts prior to their maturity and received an approximate $20.4 million net settlement:
Amount Price Original Term
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales Contracts
April 2006 -
AECO Fixed Price 10,000 GJ/d $ 10.600 October 2006
April 2006 -
AECO Fixed Price 10,000 GJ/d $ 10.745 October 2006
Purchase Contracts
June 2006 -
AECO Fixed Price 10,000 GJ/d $ 6.010 October 2006
June 2006 -
AECO Fixed Price 10,000 GJ/d $ 5.975 October 2006
Option Contract
April 2006 -
AECO Put Option 10,000 GJ/d $ 9.000 October 2006
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. Related Party Transactions
TRILOGY ENERGY TRUST
At June 30, 2006, Paramount held approximately 15 million trust units of Trilogy representing 16.4 percent of the issued and outstanding trust units of Trilogy at such time. In addition to the Trilogy trust units held by Paramount, Trilogy and Paramount have certain common members of management and directors. The following transactions have been recorded at the exchange amounts:
- Paramount provided certain operational, administrative, and other services to Trilogy Energy Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Trilogy, pursuant to a services agreement dated April 1, 2005 (the "Services Agreement"). The Services Agreement had an initial term ending March 31, 2006. The Services Agreement was renewed on the same terms and conditions to March 31, 2007. Under the Services Agreement, Paramount is reimbursed for all reasonable costs (including expenses of a general and administrative nature) incurred by Paramount in providing the services. The reimbursement of expenses is not intended to provide Paramount with any financial gain or loss. For the six months ended June 30, 2006, the amount of costs subject to reimbursement under the Services Agreement was $1.2 million, which has been reflected as a reduction in Paramount's general and administrative expenses.
- At June 30, 2006 Paramount owed Trilogy $2.4 million, which balance includes a Crown royalty deposit claim of $5.5 million which, when refunded to Paramount, will be paid to Trilogy.
- As a result of the Trilogy Spinout, certain employees and officers of Trilogy hold Paramount Options and Holdco Options. The stock-based compensation expense relating to these options for the six months ended June 30, 2006 amounted to $1.1 million, of which $0.9 million was charged to general and administrative expense and $0.2 million was recognized in equity in net earnings of Trilogy.
- Paramount recorded distributions from Trilogy Energy Trust totaling $21.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006. Distributions receivable of $3.0 million relating to distributions declared by Trilogy in June 2006 were accrued at June 30, 2006 and received in July 2006.
- During the six months ended June 30, 2006, Paramount also had other transactions in the normal course of business with Trilogy.
DRILLING COMPANY
During the second quarter of 2006, Paramount and a private company controlled by a majority shareholder, director and officer of Paramount (the "Private Company") formed a company in the United States ("Drillco") to supply drilling services to a United States subsidiary of Paramount. Paramount owns 50 percent of Drillco, and the Private Company owns 50 percent of Drillco. Drillco has entered into a contract for the purchase of two drilling rigs. In connection with the purchase of the drilling rigs, the Private Company extended a demand loan totaling US$7.6 million to Drillco. The loan bears interest at a US bank's Prime interest rate plus 0.5 percent. The amount of the loan, plus accrued interest is included in the Due to Related Parties balance in the consolidated financial statements.
DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES
Drillco has entered into a contract for the construction of two drilling rigs under a cost-plus fee arrangement with a company whose part-owner is a director of a company affiliated with Paramount. Estimated costs to construct the two drilling rigs total US$18 million, including a US$2 million fee due and payable to the supplier upon delivery.
During the second quarter of 2006 two officers and a director of Paramount participated in private equity placements undertaken by North American; purchasing an aggregate 146,667 shares of North American for $1.8 million.
Companies controlled by a director and officer of Paramount purchased an aggregate 600,000 common shares for gross proceeds to Paramount of $25.0 million on March 30, 2006. Also, during the first quarter of 2006 certain employees, officers, and directors of Paramount purchased an aggregate 8,500 flow-through common shares issued by Paramount for gross proceeds to Paramount of $0.4 million.
DUE TO RELATED PARTIES
Due to related parties represent the amounts owing to the following
related parties:
June 30, 2006 December 31, 2005
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trilogy Energy Trust $ 2,406 $ 6,439
Private Company 8,642 -
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 11,048 $ 6,439
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. Income Taxes
The following table reconciles income taxes calculated at the Canadian
statutory rate with the actual income taxes:
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2006
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Earnings Before Income Tax $ 127,720
Canadian Statutory Rate 34.8%
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expected Income Tax 44,418
Effect on Taxes Resulting from:
Other current and large corporation tax (626)
Non-deductible Canadian crown payments 203
Canadian resource allowance (252)
Recognition of future tax asset (18,973)
Statutory and other rate differences (978)
Effect of tax rate changes (308)
Non-taxable capital gains (19,778)
Stock-based compensation 4,311
Other 65
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 8,082
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effective Tax Rate 6.3%
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
During the second quarter, the Canadian federal and Alberta governments
substantively enacted income tax rate reductions.
12. Commitments
At June 30, 2006, Paramount was a party to the following physical
commodity contracts:
Amount Price Term
------------------------------------------------------------------------
July 2006 -
AECO Fixed Price 10,000 GJ/d $ 6.40 October 2006
July 2006 -
AECO Fixed Price 10,000 GJ/d $ 6.58 October 2006
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
During the three months ended June 30, 2006, Paramount acquired an exploration license for a parcel of land in the Northwest Territories requiring a work commitment amounting to $6.3 million from Paramount.
As of July 1, 2006, Paramount acquired a right to use up to 25 MMcf/d capacity of a processing plant for a fee. Under the contract, Paramount has a use-or-pay obligation for 65 percent of the 25 MMcf/d capacity, or 16.25 MMcf/d net.
13. Subsequent Events
Subsequent to June 30, 2006, Paramount entered into the following
forward commodity contracts:
Amount Price Term
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Physical Sales
Contract
August 2006 -
AECO Fixed Price 10,000 GJ/d $ 6.25 October 2006
Physical Purchase
Contracts
September 2006 -
AECO Fixed Price 20,000 GJ/d $ 5.37 October 2006
July 2006 -
AECO Fixed Price 20,000 GJ/d $ 5.1725 August 2006
Financial Sales
Contract
10,000 November 2006 -
NYMEX Fixed Price MMBtu/d US$10.00 March 2007
10,000 November 2006 -
NYMEX Fixed Price MMBtu/d US$10.875 March 2007
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In addition, Paramount entered into a financial contract to purchase 10,000 MMBtu/d from November 2006 to March 2007 for a NYMEX fixed price of US$9.41/MMBtu. This contract was entered into to settle a financial contract outstanding at June 30, 2006 to sell 10,000 MMBtu/d from November 2006 to March 2007 for a NYMEX fixed price of US$10.28/MMBtu which resulted in a net payment of US$1.3 million to Paramount.
On August 4, 2006, the Company engaged an investment bank to arrange a Term Loan B facility (the "Facility") in the U.S. market for up to US$150 million to refinance existing indebtedness and for general corporate use.
Advisories
Information included or incorporated by reference in this Press Release is presented in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND ESTIMATES
Certain statements included in this Press Release constitute forward-looking statements under applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements or information typically contain statements with words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", "intend", "estimate", "propose", "forecast", "opportunities", "project" or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. Forward-looking statements or information in this Press Release include but are not limited to estimates of future capital expenditures, business strategy and objectives, reserve quantities, net revenue, estimated future production levels, exploration, development and production plans and the timing thereof, operating and other costs, royalty rates, expectations of the timing and quantum of future cash income taxes, expectations as to how Paramount's working capital deficit and planned 2006 capital program will be funded, expectations concerning the closing of the Facility and the expected timing thereof, the proceeds available under the Facility and use thereof and the terms of the Facility, sensitivities to Paramount's funds flow from changes in commodity prices, future exchange rates and rates of interest, estimated quantities and net present value of oil sands resources, the anticipated timing for seeking regulatory approvals, the anticipated time that construction of drilling rigs will be complete and placed into service and expectations of growth in production reserves, undeveloped land and timing thereof.
Such forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. In addition to other assumptions identified in this Press Release, assumptions have been made regarding, among other things:
- the ability of Paramount to obtain equipment, services and supplies in a timely manner to carry out its activities;
- the ability of Paramount to market oil and natural gas successfully to current and new customers;
- the timing and costs of pipeline and storage facility construction and expansion and the ability to secure adequate product transportation;
- the timely receipt of required regulatory approvals;
- the ability of Paramount to obtain financing on acceptable terms;
- currency, exchange and interest rates;
- future oil and gas prices; and
- that no significant cash taxes will be paid by Paramount in 2006.
Although Paramount believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because Paramount can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements or information are based on current expectations, estimates and projections that involve a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by Paramount and described in the forward-looking statements or information. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to:
- the ability of management to execute its business plan;
- the risks of the oil and gas industry, such as operational risks in exploring for, developing and producing crude oil and natural gas and market demand;
- risks and uncertainties involving geology of oil and gas deposits;
- risks inherent in Paramount's marketing operations, including credit risk;
- the uncertainty of reserves estimates and reserves life;
- the imprecision of resource estimates and life;
- the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to production, costs and expenses;
- potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures;
- Paramount's ability to enter into or renew leases;
- fluctuations in oil and gas prices, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates;
- health, safety and environmental risks;
- uncertainties as to the availability and cost of financing;
- the ability of Paramount to add production and reserves through development and exploration activities;
- weather;
- general economic and business conditions;
- the possibility that government policies or laws may change or governmental approvals may be delayed or withheld;
- uncertainty in amounts and timing of royalty payments;
- change in taxation laws and regulations and the interpretation thereof;
- risks associated with existing and potential future lawsuits and regulatory actions against Paramount; and
- other risks and uncertainties described elsewhere in this document or in Paramount's other filings with Canadian securities authorities.
The forward-looking statements or information contained in this Press Release are made as of the date hereof and Paramount 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.
NON-GAAP MEASURES
In this Press Release, Paramount uses the term "funds flow from operations", "funds flow from operations per share - basic", "funds flow from operations per share - diluted", "operating netback", "funds flow netback per Boe" and "net debt", collectively the "Non-GAAP measures", as indicators of Paramount's financial performance. The Non-GAAP measures do not have standardized meanings prescribed by GAAP and, therefore, are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.
"Funds flow from operations" is commonly used in the oil and gas industry to assist management and investors in measuring the Company's ability to finance capital programs and meet financial obligations, and refers to cash flows from operating activities before net changes in operating working capital. "Funds flow from operations" includes distributions and dividends received on securities held by Paramount. The most directly comparable measure to "funds flow from operations" calculated in accordance with GAAP is cash flows from operating activities. "Funds flow from operations" can be reconciled to cash flows from operating activities by adding (deducting) the net change in operating working capital as shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows. "Funds flow netback per Boe" is calculated by dividing "funds flow from operations" by the total sales volume in Boe. "Operating netback" equals petroleum and natural gas sales less royalties, operating costs and transportation. "Net debt" is calculated as current liabilities minus current assets plus long-term debt and stock-based compensation liability associated with Holdco Options. Management of Paramount believes that the Non-GAAP measures provide useful information to investors as indicative measures of performance.
Investors are cautioned that the Non-GAAP Measures should not be considered in isolation or construed as alternatives to their most directly comparable measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, as set forth above, or other measures of financial performance calculated in accordance with GAAP.
BARRELS OF OIL EQUIVALENT CONVERSIONS
This Press Release contains disclosure expressed as "Boe", "Boe/d", "Mcf", "MMcf/d", "Bbl", "Bbl/d", "Bbls/d" and "MMBbl". All oil and natural gas equivalency volumes have been derived using the ratio of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of oil. Equivalency measures may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A conversion ratio of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of oil is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the well head.
Paramount is a Canadian oil and natural gas exploration, development and production company with operations focused in Western Canada. Paramount's common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "POU".
