Traverse Energy Announces 2013 First Quarter Results

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - May 16, 2013) - Traverse Energy Ltd. ("Traverse" or "the Company") (TSX VENTURE:TVL) presents financial and operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2013.

		Three Months Ended
Highlights (unaudited)		March 31, 2013			December 31, 2012				March 31, 2012
Financial ($ thousands, except per share amounts)
Petroleum and natural gas revenue		$	1,464		$	1,588			$	979
Royalty income			1,297			964				849
Cash provided by operations			2,160			1,815				1,054
Funds from operations (1)			2,037			1,779				1,217
	Per share - basic and diluted		0.04			0.04				0.03
Net income (loss)			521			(3,255	)			357
	Per share - basic and diluted		0.01			(0.07	)			0.01
Capital expenditures, net of dispositions			2,761			2,158				2,483
Total assets			21,543			19,450				18,820
Working capital			2,359			3,083				1,266
Common shares
	Outstanding (millions)		47.1			47.1				42.2
	Weighted average (millions)		47.1			44.9				42.2
Operations (Units as noted)
Production (BOE/d)			566			545				329
	Natural gas (Mcf per day)		1,409			1,362				697
	Oil and NGL (bbls per day)		331			318				213
Average sales price
	Natural gas ($/Mcf)		3.48			2.91				2.33
	Oil and NGL ($/bbl)		77.72			72.90				86.88
Operating netback ($/BOE) (2)
Petroleum and natural gas revenue			44.99			45.95				52.10
Royalties			3.48			2.95				3.72
Operating costs			9.64			12.40				13.77
Transportation costs			1.71			1.40				1.26
Working interest netback			30.16			29.20				33.35
Royalty netback			70.29			61.94				76.33
Operating netback			44.69			39.36				49.34

⁽¹⁾ Funds from operations is calculated as cash provided by operating activities before changes in non-cash working capital. Funds from operations does not have a standardized measure prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable with the calculation of similar measures for other companies.

⁽²⁾ Operating netback equals petroleum and natural gas revenue and royalty income, less royalties, operating and transportation costs and is calculated on a per unit basis. Working interest netback is calculated as petroleum and natural gas revenue, less royalties, operating and transportation costs and is calculated on a per unit basis. Royalty netback is royalty income and is calculated on a per unit basis. Operating netback, working interest netback and royalty netback do not have a standardized measure prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable with the calculation of similar measures by other companies.

Operations Review

In the first quarter of 2013 Traverse drilled 3 exploratory wells (100% working interest). Two wells drilled in the Turin area resulted in 1 cased well awaiting completion and 1 dry hole. One well drilled in the Coyote area resulted in a potential oil well. Additional first quarter activities included a 2D seismic survey in the Coyote area and workovers of existing wells in both the Turin and Carbon areas.

In the Brazeau area of West Central Alberta, Traverse has a gross overriding royalty interest in 10 sections of land (6,400 acres). In the first quarter of 2013 a total of 17 horizontal Cardium wells were on production. Net production to the Company for the first quarter of 2013 averaged 184 BOE per day with an oil and NGL component of 88%. An additional 4 wells were drilled by the industry partner in the first quarter of 2013.

At March 31, 2013 undeveloped land holdings totalled 138,800 gross (135,800 net) acres. The Company plans an active drilling program for 2013 with a total of 10 wells planned on existing properties. The Board of Directors has approved a total exploration and development program of $12.6 million for 2013.

Non-IFRS measures

Funds from operations

Funds from operations is a measure not defined in IFRS that is commonly used in the oil and gas industry. Funds from operations is calculated as cash provided by operating activities before non-cash working capital as detailed under the heading "Cash and funds from operations and net income (loss)" within the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The Company believes that in addition to net income (loss), funds from operations is a useful supplemental measure as it provides an indication of Traverse's operating performance. Funds from operations should not be considered as an alternative to or more meaningful than cash provided by operating activities as determined in accordance with IFRS. Traverse's determination of funds from operations may not be comparable to that reported by other companies. Traverse also presents funds from operations per share whereby share amounts are calculated using weighted average shares outstanding consistent with the calculation of income per share.

Operating netback

Management uses certain industry benchmarks such as operating netback to analyze financial and operating performance. This benchmark as presented does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable with the calculation of similar measures for other entities. Operating netback reflects petroleum and natural gas revenue and royalty income, less royalties, operating and transportation costs and is calculated on a per unit basis. Working interest netback is calculated as petroleum and natural gas revenue, less royalties, operating and transportation costs and is calculated on a per unit basis. Royalty netback is royalty income and is calculated on a per unit basis. The calculation of Traverse's netbacks is detailed under the heading "Operating netback" within the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2013.

BOE equivalent

Unless otherwise stated, the volume conversion of natural gas to barrel of oil equivalent (BOE) is presented on the basis of 6 thousand cubic feet of natural gas being equal to 1 barrel of oil. This conversion ratio is based upon an energy equivalent conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent value equivalence at the wellhead. BOE figures may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation.

Forward-looking information

This news release contains forward-looking information which is not comprised of historical fact. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release includes the Company's statements with respect to the number of wells to be drilled in 2013. This forward looking information is subject to a variety of substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or outcomes to differ materially from those anticipated or implied by such forward looking information. The Company's Annual Information Form filed on April 17, 2013 with securities regulatory authorities (accessible through the SEDAR website www.sedar.com) describes the risks, material assumptions and other factors that could influence actual results and which are incorporated herein by reference.

Although the Company believes that the material assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or review any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

Further details on the Company including the 2012 year end audited financial statements, the related management's discussion and analysis and Annual Information Form are available on the Company's website (www.traverseenergy.com) and SEDAR.