Fast-growing Whitecap Resources Inc. says it has struck a $300-million cash-and-shares deal to buy private rival Kicking Horse Oil & Gas Ltd., an indirect subsidiary of Quantum Energy Partners.
The Calgary-based company says it will issue 34.5 million Whitecap common shares and pay $56 million in cash, while assuming net debt of about $54 million, in the deal expected to close at the end of May.
Kicking Horse currently produces about 8,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (32 per cent oil and liquids) but Whitecap says it expects to increase and maintain production at about 18,500 boe/d over the next 12 to 15 months by drilling eight to 10 wells per year on the acquired lands.
It says it plans to spend $75 million this year to complete four wells and drill six more on the Kicking Horse lands.
Whitecap recently raised its 2021 production guidance to about 102,500 boe/d on a capital budget of about $290 million. It says it now expects 2021 production to average about 108,000 boe/d (76 per cent liquids) with a capital budget of about $365 million.
READ MORE: Whitecap Resources raises 2021 production target as it completes 2 takeovers
Whitecap completed its acquisitions of producers NAL Resources Ltd. and TORC Oil & Gas Ltd. in return for shares in January and February.
“We are extremely excited to get our hands on this asset,” said Whitecap CEO Grant Fagerheim on a conference call on Monday.
“This allows us to continue to advance our footprint into the Montney play on a measured basis. Our asset aggregation strategy is intentionally focused on delivering long-term growth and free funds flow for our shareholders and this asset fits exceptionally well.”
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