Keyera Announces 2024 Third Quarter Results, Reaffirms 2024 Guidance
"Disciplined execution of our strategy continues to drive strong performance across all three of our business segments," said
Third Quarter Highlights
-
Financial Results – Net earnings were
$185 million (Q3 2023 –$78 million ), adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization1 ("adjusted EBITDA") were$322 million (Q3 2023 –$288 million ), and distributable cash flow1 ("DCF") was$195 million (Q3 2023 –$186 million ). These increases were mostly driven by higher year-over-year contributions from all three business segments. -
Continued Growth of High-Quality Cash Flow – The Gathering & Processing ("G&P") segment delivered realized margin1 of
$99 million (Q3 2023 –$94 million ). The year-over-year growth was supported by near-record quarterly volumes in the North region, even with a turnaround at the Wapiti gas plant. The Liquids Infrastructure segment delivered realized margin1 of$135 million (Q3 2023 –$128 million ). The year-over-year increase was mostly attributable to higher contributions from KAPS and an increase in contracted volumes at the Keyera Fort Saskatchewan ("KFS") complex for storage and condensate services. -
Marketing Segment Continues to Deliver – The Marketing Segment contributed a realized margin1 of
$135 million (Q3 2023 –$100 million ). The year-over-year increase was driven by higher propane, condensate and iso-octane sales volumes. - Strong Financial Position – The company ended the quarter with net debt to adjusted EBITDA2 at 1.9 times, below the targeted range of 2.5 to 3.0 times and the company remains well positioned to pursue and equity self-fund opportunities that will enhance shareholder value.
-
Adding Fractionation Capacity – Demand for fractionation in
Western Canada remains strong. At Keyera Fort Saskatchewan Fractionation Unit II ("KFS Frac II"), the company is ordering long lead items for a debottleneck project to add 8,000 barrels per day of capacity. In addition, the company continues to advance customer contracting and engineering on the new 47,000 barrel per day Keyera Fort Saskatchewan Fractionation Unit III ("KFS Frac III"). Together, these projects will increase Keyera's fractionation capacity by about 60%, from approximately 98,000 barrels per day (net) today, to approximately 155,000 barrels per day (net), further strengthening Keyera's integrated value chain. -
Normal Course Issuer Bid – Keyera plans to file a notice of intention to make a normal course issuer bid (the "NCIB") with the
Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX"). Keyera remains committed to allocating capital in a manner that will drive the highest value for shareholders. Decisions regarding the amount and timing of future purchases of common shares will be based on market conditions, share price and other factors. The NCIB is subject to the approval of the TSX.
Reaffirming 2024 Guidance
- Marketing segment realized margin1 for 2024 is expected to remain between
$450 million and$480 million . - Growth capital expenditures are expected to reach the upper end of the previously guided range of
$80 million to$100 million . This includes capital for advancing the KFS Frac II debottleneck project and optimization work at theBrazeau River gas plant. It also includes accelerated investments in new tie-in points at Wapiti to support new customer volumes which will also flow onto KAPS and the rest of Keyera's integrated system. - Maintenance capital expenditures are expected to remain within the range of
$120 million and$140 million . - Cash tax expense is expected to remain in the range of
$90 million to$100 million .
Upcoming 2025 Guidance Disclosures
- Keyera will be providing 2025 guidance on
December 10, 2024 .
Maintenance Schedule
2024 Planned Turnarounds and Outages |
||
|
6 weeks |
Q2 2024 |
Keyera Fort Saskatchewan Fractionation Unit 1 outage (Complete) |
5 days |
Q2 2024 |
Keyera Fort Saskatchewan Fractionation Unit 2 outage (Complete) |
5 days |
Q2 2024 |
Keyera Fort Saskatchewan Fractionation Unit 1 outage (Complete) |
5 days |
Q3 2024 |
|
3 weeks |
Q3 2024 |
Wapiti Gas Plant turnaround (Complete) |
4 weeks |
Q3/Q4 2024 |
Summary of |
Three months ended
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Nine months ended
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(Thousands of Canadian dollars, except where noted) |
2024 |
2023 |
2024 |
2023 |
Net earnings |
184,631 |
78,112 |
397,722 |
374,840 |
Per share ($/share) – basic |
0.81 |
0.34 |
1.74 |
1.64 |
Cash flow from operating activities |
278,461 |
197,422 |
949,357 |
744,747 |
Funds from operations1 |
260,238 |
237,704 |
735,164 |
736,850 |
Distributable cash flow1 |
195,109 |
186,335 |
602,613 |
621,059 |
Per share ($/share)1 |
0.85 |
0.81 |
2.63 |
2.71 |
Dividends declared |
119,160 |
114,577 |
348,313 |
334,564 |
Per share ($/share) |
0.52 |
0.50 |
1.52 |
1.46 |
Payout ratio %1 |
61 % |
61 % |
58 % |
54 % |
Adjusted EBITDA1 |
322,244 |
287,560 |
962,543 |
872,530 |
Operating margin |
425,526 |
283,903 |
1,078,306 |
987,152 |
Realized margin1 |
369,319 |
321,519 |
1,095,678 |
994,700 |
Gathering and Processing |
|
|
|
|
Operating margin |
99,114 |
90,950 |
304,766 |
277,579 |
Realized margin1 |
99,152 |
93,811 |
305,415 |
278,547 |
Gross processing throughput3 (MMcf/d) |
1,415 |
1,580 |
1,503 |
1,576 |
Net processing throughput3 (MMcf/d) |
1,259 |
1,349 |
1,305 |
1,346 |
Liquids Infrastructure |
|
|
|
|
Operating margin |
135,677 |
123,623 |
402,726 |
358,334 |
Realized margin1 |
135,374 |
128,051 |
405,014 |
365,944 |
Gross processing throughput4 (Mbbl/d) |
150 |
168 |
172 |
178 |
Net processing throughput4 (Mbbl/d) |
85 |
98 |
95 |
97 |
AEF iso-octane production volumes (Mbbl/d) |
14 |
14 |
12 |
14 |
Marketing |
|
|
|
|
Operating margin |
190,799 |
69,387 |
370,865 |
351,400 |
Realized margin1 |
134,857 |
99,714 |
385,300 |
350,370 |
Inventory value |
279,232 |
268,801 |
279,232 |
268,801 |
Sales volumes (Bbl/d) |
215,300 |
167,600 |
195,500 |
178,200 |
Acquisitions |
— |
— |
— |
366,537 |
Growth capital expenditures |
30,220 |
48,975 |
67,405 |
182,056 |
Maintenance capital expenditures |
51,667 |
38,717 |
91,905 |
79,752 |
Total capital expenditures |
81,887 |
87,692 |
159,310 |
628,345 |
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic and diluted |
229,153 |
229,153 |
229,153 |
229,153 |
As at |
|
|
2024 |
2023 |
Long-term debt5 |
|
|
3,682,870 |
3,434,190 |
Credit facility |
|
|
20,000 |
490,000 |
Working capital surplus (current assets less current liabilities) |
(236,283) |
(129,203) |
||
Net debt |
|
|
3,466,587 |
3,794,987 |
Common shares outstanding – end of period |
|
|
229,153 |
229,153 |
CEO's Message to Shareholders
Strategically positioned to benefit from basin growth. Over the past several years, we have invested significantly to build a fully integrated natural gas liquids value chain from the
Financial strength and flexibility. Keyera is in the enviable position of having the strongest balance sheet amongst our peers. This gives us tremendous flexibility to deploy capital in a manner that is the most value accretive for shareholders. We recently raised the dividend, and today, announced that we plan to file a notice of intention to make a normal course issuer bid. We will continue to balance additional cash returns to shareholders with capital efficient growth investments to further strengthen our value chain.
Capital-efficient margin growth. Given the projected volume growth in the basin, we expect to continue to fill available capacity across our integrated system including at our gas plants, KAPS, and our industry leading Fort Saskatchewan Condensate System. This will allow us to continue to grow margins with modest incremental capital. In addition, we continue to advance several capital efficient growth projects including
Marketing segment is a unique competitive advantage. Our Marketing business enables us to efficiently connect our customers to the highest-value markets, thereby enhancing their netbacks. This segment is a natural extension of our integrated platform, providing us the opportunity to consistently produce higher than average corporate returns on invested capital relative to our peers. The cash flow generated from this segment is reinvested in our fee-for-service business, accelerating growth in high-quality, long-term contracted cash flows.
Basin growth fundamentals remain strong.
On behalf of Keyera, I want to thank our employees, customers, shareholders, Indigenous rights holders, and other stakeholders for their continued support.
President and CEO
Notes: |
|
1 |
Keyera uses certain non-Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") and other financial measures such as EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, funds from operations, distributable cash flow, distributable cash flow per share, payout ratio, realized margin, return on invested capital ("ROIC") and compound annual growth rate ("CAGR") for adjusted EBITDA holding Marketing constant. Since these measures are not standard measures under GAAP, they may not be comparable to similar measures reported by other entities. For additional information, and where applicable, for a reconciliation of the historical non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, refer to the section of this news release titled "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures". For the assumptions associated with the 2024 realized margin guidance for the Marketing segment, refer to the section titled "Segmented Results of Operations: Marketing – Market Commentary" of Management's Discussion and Analysis for the period ended |
2 |
Ratio is calculated in accordance with the covenant test calculations related to the company's credit facility and senior note agreements and excludes hybrid notes. |
3 |
Includes gas volumes and the conversion of liquids volumes handled through the processing facilities to a gas volume equivalent. Net processing throughput refers to Keyera's share of raw gas processed at its processing facilities. |
4 |
Fractionation throughput in the Liquids Infrastructure segment is the aggregation of volumes processed through the fractionators and the de-ethanizers at the Keyera and Dow Fort Saskatchewan facilities. |
5 |
Long-term debt includes the total value of Keyera's hybrid notes which receive 50% equity treatment by Keyera's rating agencies. The hybrid notes are also excluded from Keyera's covenant test calculations related to the company's credit facility and senior note agreements. |
Third Quarter 2024 Results Conference Call and Webcast
Keyera will be conducting a conference call and webcast for investors, analysts, brokers and media representatives to discuss the financial results for the third quarter of 2024 at
To join the conference call without operator assistance, you may register and enter your phone number here to receive an instant automated call back. This link will be active on
A live webcast of the conference call can be accessed here or through Keyera's website at http://www.keyera.com/news/events. Shortly after the call, an audio archive will be posted on the website for 90 days.
Additional Information
For more information about
Email: ir@keyera.com
Telephone: 403.205.7670
Toll free: 1.888.699.4853
For media inquiries, please contact:
Email: media@keyera.com
Telephone: 1.855.797.0036
About
Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures
This news release refers to certain financial and other measures that are not determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"). Measures such as funds from operations, distributable cash flow, distributable cash flow per share, payout ratio, realized margin, EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are not standard measures under GAAP or are supplementary financial measures, and as a result, may not be comparable to similar measures reported by other entities. Management believes that these non-GAAP and other financial measures facilitate the understanding of Keyera's results of operations, leverage, liquidity and financial position. These measures do not have any standardized meaning under GAAP and therefore, should not be considered in isolation, or used in substitution for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. For additional information on these non-GAAP and other financial measures, including reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures for Keyera's historical non-GAAP financial measures, refer below and to Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the period ended
Funds from Operations and Distributable Cash Flow ("DCF")
Funds from operations is defined as cash flow from operating activities adjusted for changes in non-cash working capital. This measure is used to assess the level of cash flow generated from operating activities excluding the effect of changes in non-cash working capital, as they are primarily the result of seasonal fluctuations in product inventories or other temporary changes. Funds from operations is also a valuable measure that allows investors to compare Keyera with other infrastructure companies within the oil and gas industry.
Distributable cash flow is defined as cash flow from operating activities adjusted for changes in non-cash working capital, inventory write-downs, maintenance capital expenditures and lease payments, including the periodic costs related to prepaid leases. Distributable cash flow per share is defined as distributable cash flow divided by weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic. Distributable cash flow is used to assess the level of cash flow generated from ongoing operations and to evaluate the adequacy of internally generated cash flow to fund dividends.
The following is a reconciliation of funds from operations and distributable cash flow to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, cash flow from operating activities:
Funds from Operations and Distributable Cash Flow |
Three months ended
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Nine months ended
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(Thousands of Canadian dollars) |
2024 |
2023 |
2024 |
2023 |
Cash flow from operating activities |
278,461 |
197,422 |
949,357 |
744,747 |
Add (deduct): |
|
|
|
|
Changes in non-cash working capital |
(18,223) |
40,282 |
(214,193) |
(7,897) |
Funds from operations |
260,238 |
237,704 |
735,164 |
736,850 |
Maintenance capital |
(51,667) |
(38,717) |
(91,905) |
(79,752) |
Leases |
(12,867) |
(12,057) |
(38,861) |
(34,254) |
Prepaid lease asset |
(595) |
(595) |
(1,785) |
(1,785) |
Distributable cash flow |
195,109 |
186,335 |
602,613 |
621,059 |
Payout Ratio
Payout ratio is calculated as dividends declared to shareholders divided by distributable cash flow. This ratio is used to assess the sustainability of the company's dividend payment program.
Payout Ratio |
Three months ended
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Nine months ended
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(Thousands of Canadian dollars, except %) |
2024 |
2023 |
2024 |
2023 |
Distributable cash flow1 |
195,109 |
186,335 |
602,613 |
621,059 |
Dividends declared to shareholders |
119,160 |
114,577 |
348,313 |
334,564 |
Payout ratio |
61 % |
61 % |
58 % |
54 % |
1 |
Non-GAAP measure as defined above. |
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
EBITDA is a measure showing earnings before finance costs, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as EBITDA before costs associated with non-cash items, including unrealized gains and losses on commodity-related contracts, net foreign currency gains and losses on
The following is a reconciliation of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, net earnings:
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA |
Three months ended
|
Nine months ended
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(Thousands of Canadian dollars) |
2024 |
2023 |
2024 |
2023 |
Net earnings |
184,631 |
78,112 |
397,722 |
374,840 |
Add (deduct): |
|
|
|
|
Finance costs |
53,990 |
57,982 |
164,592 |
146,849 |
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses |
87,731 |
84,548 |
262,530 |
232,946 |
Income tax expense |
54,735 |
24,677 |
119,498 |
112,286 |
EBITDA |
381,087 |
245,319 |
944,342 |
866,921 |
Unrealized (gain) loss on commodity-related contracts |
(56,207) |
37,616 |
17,372 |
7,548 |
Net foreign currency (gain) loss on |
(5,327) |
1,284 |
(1,691) |
(5,280) |
Impairment expense |
2,691 |
3,341 |
2,691 |
3,341 |
Net gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment |
— |
— |
(171) |
— |
Adjusted EBITDA |
322,244 |
287,560 |
962,543 |
872,530 |
Realized Margin
Realized margin is defined as operating margin excluding unrealized gains and losses on commodity-related risk management contracts. Management believes that this supplemental measure facilitates the understanding of the financial results for the operating segments in the period without the effect of mark-to-market changes from risk management contracts related to future periods.
The following is a reconciliation of realized margin to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, operating margin:
Operating Margin and Realized Margin
Three months ended |
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(Thousands of Canadian dollars) |
Gathering & |
Liquids |
Marketing |
Corporate and Other |
|
Operating margin (loss) |
99,114 |
135,677 |
190,799 |
(64) |
425,526 |
Unrealized loss (gain) on risk management contracts |
38 |
(303) |
(55,942) |
— |
(56,207) |
Realized margin (loss) |
99,152 |
135,374 |
134,857 |
(64) |
369,319 |
Operating Margin and Realized Margin
Three months ended |
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(Thousands of Canadian dollars) |
Gathering & |
Liquids Infrastructure |
Marketing |
Corporate and Other |
|
Operating margin (loss) |
90,950 |
123,623 |
69,387 |
(57) |
283,903 |
Unrealized loss on risk management contracts |
2,861 |
4,428 |
30,327 |
— |
37,616 |
Realized margin (loss) |
93,811 |
128,051 |
99,714 |
(57) |
321,519 |
Operating Margin and Realized Margin
Nine months ended |
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(Thousands of Canadian dollars) |
Gathering & |
Liquids |
Marketing |
Corporate and Other |
Total |
Operating margin (loss) |
304,766 |
402,726 |
370,865 |
(51) |
1,078,306 |
Unrealized loss on risk management contracts |
649 |
2,288 |
14,435 |
— |
17,372 |
Realized margin (loss) |
305,415 |
405,014 |
385,300 |
(51) |
1,095,678 |
Operating Margin and Realized Margin
Nine months ended |
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(Thousands of Canadian dollars) |
Gathering & |
Liquids |
Marketing |
Corporate and Other |
Total |
Operating margin (loss) |
277,579 |
358,334 |
351,400 |
(161) |
987,152 |
Unrealized loss (gain) on risk management contracts |
968 |
7,610 |
(1,030) |
— |
7,548 |
Realized margin (loss) |
278,547 |
365,944 |
350,370 |
(161) |
994,700 |
Compound Annual Growth Rate ("CAGR") for Adjusted EBITDA holding Marketing constant
(previously CAGR for Adjusted EBITDA from the Fee-for-Service Business)
CAGR is calculated as follows:
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Number of Years |
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CAGR |
= |
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End of the period* |
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-1 |
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Beginning of the period* |
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* Utilizes beginning and end of period adjusted EBITDA as defined below. |
CAGR for adjusted EBITDA holding Marketing constant is intended to provide information on a forward-looking basis. This calculation utilizes beginning and end of period adjusted EBITDA, which includes the following components and assumptions: i) forecasted realized margin for the Gathering and Processing and Liquids Infrastructure segments, ii) realized margin for the Marketing segment, which is held at a value within the expected annual base realized margin (between
Forward-Looking Statements
In order to provide readers with information regarding Keyera, including its assessment of future plans and operations, its financial outlook and future prospects overall, this news release contains certain statements that constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking information"). Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "can", "project", "should", "would", "plan", "intend", "believe", "plan", "target", "outlook:, "scheduled", "positioned", and similar words or expressions, including the negatives or variations thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this document are forward-looking information, including, without limitation, statements regarding:
- industry, market and economic conditions and any anticipated effects on Keyera;
- Keyera's future financial position and operational performance and future financial contributions and margins from its business segments including, but not limited to, Keyera's expectation around meeting the upper end of our compound annual growth rate target, and Keyera's expectation that its Marketing business will contribute realized margin between
$450 million and$480 million in 2024 and an annual base realized margin of between$310 million and$350 after 2024; - estimates for 2024 regarding Keyera's growth capital expenditures, maintenance capital expenditures and cash tax expense;
- the expectation that demand for Keyera's liquid infrastructure service offerings, including fractionation capacity and storage capacity, will remain strong;
- projected volume growth in the basin and expectations around filling available capacity across Keyera's integrated system;
- plans around the expansion of Keyera's fractionation capacity, including the debottleneck project and third fractionation unit at the KFS complex;
- Keyera's plans around the proposed NCIB, including the timing thereof and approval of the NCIB by the TSX;
- Timing of 2025 guidance disclosure;
- plans around future dividends and capital efficient growth investments;
- business strategy, anticipated growth and plans of management;
- budgets, including future growth capital, operating and other expenditures and projected costs;
- anticipated timing for future revenue streams and optimization plans; and
- expectations regarding Keyera's ability to maintain its competitive position, raise capital and add to its assets through acquisitions or internal growth opportunities, and the ability to equity self-fund future growth opportunities when ready for sanction.
All forward-looking information reflects Keyera's beliefs and assumptions based on information available at the time the applicable forward-looking information is made and in light of Keyera's current expectations with respect to such things as the outlook for general economic trends, industry trends, commodity prices, oil and gas industry exploration and development activity levels and the geographic region of such activity, Keyera's access to the capital markets and the cost of raising capital, the integrity and reliability of Keyera's assets, the governmental, regulatory and legal environment, general compliance with Keyera's plans, strategies, programs, and goals across its reporting and monitoring systems among employees, stakeholders and service providers. Keyera's expectation as to the "base realized margin" to be contributed by its Marketing segment assumes: i) a crude oil price of between
All forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events, levels of activity and achievements to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, without limitation, the following:
- Keyera's ability to implement its strategic priorities and business plan and achieve the expected benefits;
- general industry, market and economic conditions;
- activities of customers, producers and other facility owners;
- operational hazards and performance;
- the effectiveness of Keyera's risk management programs;
- competition;
- changes in commodity composition and prices, inventory levels, supply/demand trends and other market conditions and factors;
- disruptions to global supply chains and labour shortages;
- processing and marketing margins;
- climate change risks, including the effects of unusual weather and natural catastrophes;
- climate change effects and regulatory and market compliance and other costs associated with climate change;
- variables associated with capital projects, including the potential for increased costs, including inflationary pressures, timing, delays, cooperation of partners, and access to capital on favourable terms;
- fluctuations in interest, tax and foreign currency exchange rates;
- hedging strategy risks;
- counterparty performance and credit risk;
- changes in operating and capital costs;
- cost and availability of financing;
- ability to expand, update and adapt infrastructure on a timely and effective basis;
- decommissioning, abandonment and reclamation costs;
- reliance on key personnel and third parties;
- actions by joint venture partners or other partners which hold interests in certain of Keyera's assets;
- relationships with external stakeholders, including Indigenous stakeholders;
- technology, security and cybersecurity risks;
- potential litigation and disputes;
- uninsured and underinsured losses;
- ability to service debt and pay dividends;
- changes in credit ratings;
- reputational risks;
- risks related to a breach of confidentiality;
- changes in environmental and other laws and regulations;
- the ability to obtain regulatory, stakeholder and third-party approvals;
- actions by governmental authorities;
- global health crisis, such as pandemics and epidemics and the unexpected impacts related thereto;
- the effectiveness of Keyera's existing and planned ESG and risk management programs; and
- the ability of Keyera to achieve specific targets that are part of its ESG initiatives, including those relating to emissions intensity reduction targets, as well as other climate-change related initiatives;
and other risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Keyera, and some of which are discussed under "Risk Factors" herein and in Keyera's Annual Information Form.
Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive and they should not unduly rely on the forward-looking information included in this press release. Further, readers are cautioned that the forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this press release. Unless required by law, Keyera does not intend and does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information. All forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Further information about the factors affecting forward-looking information and management's assumptions and analysis thereof, is available in filings made by Keyera with Canadian provincial securities commissions available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
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