WHITECAP REPORTS RECORD FIRST QUARTER 2026 PRODUCTION AND INCREASES 2026 PRODUCTION GUIDANCE
Selected financial and operating information is outlined below and should be read with Whitecap's unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and related management's discussion and analysis for the three months ended
|
Financial ($ millions except for share amounts) |
|
Three months ended |
||
|
|
|
2026 |
2025 |
|
|
Petroleum and natural gas revenues |
|
|
2,042.0 |
942.2 |
|
Net income |
|
|
22.3 |
162.6 |
|
Basic ($/share) |
|
|
0.02 |
0.28 |
|
Diluted ($/share) |
|
|
0.02 |
0.27 |
|
Funds flow 1 |
|
|
1,025.3 |
446.3 |
|
Basic ($/share) 1 |
|
|
0.84 |
0.76 |
|
Diluted ($/share) 1 |
|
|
0.84 |
0.75 |
|
Dividends declared |
|
|
221.3 |
107.2 |
|
Per share |
|
|
0.18 |
0.18 |
|
Expenditures on property, plant and equipment 2 |
|
|
676.3 |
398.1 |
|
Free funds flow 1 |
|
|
349.0 |
48.2 |
|
Net debt 1 |
|
|
3,249.4 |
986.9 |
|
Operating |
|
|
|
|
|
Average daily production |
|
|
|
|
|
Crude oil and condensate (bbls/d) |
|
|
201,187 |
96,637 |
|
NGLs (bbls/d) |
|
|
40,920 |
19,295 |
|
Natural gas (Mcf/d) |
|
|
895,854 |
378,715 |
|
Total (boe/d) 3 |
|
|
391,416 |
179,051 |
|
Average realized price 1,4 |
|
|
|
|
|
Crude oil and condensate ($/bbl) |
|
|
92.06 |
93.05 |
|
NGLs ($/bbl) |
|
|
32.34 |
29.66 |
|
Natural gas ($/Mcf) |
|
|
3.18 |
2.39 |
|
Petroleum and natural gas revenues ($/boe) 1 |
|
|
57.97 |
58.47 |
|
Operating netback ($/boe) 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Petroleum and natural gas revenues1 |
|
|
57.97 |
58.47 |
|
Tariffs 1 |
|
|
(0.20) |
(0.29) |
|
Processing & other income 1 |
|
|
0.49 |
0.81 |
|
Marketing revenues 1 |
|
|
0.83 |
3.88 |
|
Petroleum and natural gas sales 1 |
|
|
59.09 |
62.87 |
|
Realized gain (loss) on commodity contracts 1 |
|
|
(0.58) |
0.85 |
|
Royalties 1 |
|
|
(6.94) |
(9.80) |
|
Operating expenses 1 |
|
|
(12.02) |
(13.57) |
|
Transportation expenses 1 |
|
|
(3.50) |
(2.35) |
|
Marketing expenses 1 |
|
|
(0.82) |
(3.79) |
|
Operating netbacks |
|
|
35.23 |
34.21 |
|
Share information (millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
Common shares outstanding, end of period |
|
|
1,213.8 |
587.5 |
|
Weighted average basic shares outstanding |
|
|
1,213.9 |
587.5 |
|
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding |
|
|
1,220.2 |
592.4 |
MESSAGE TO SHAREHOLDERS
Whitecap continues to deliver exceptionally strong results as evidenced in the first quarter, with average production of 391,416 boe/d (62% liquids), exceeding our original budget expectations by approximately 19,000 boe/d, driven by robust new well productivity, strong base production performance and improved cycle times that brought wells onstream ahead of plan.
Since the first quarter of 2025, funds flow more than doubled to over
This performance was supported by continued cost discipline, with operating costs decreasing 11% to
Operational activity remained high, with peak utilization of 18 drilling rigs, resulting in the drilling of 31 (31.0 net) unconventional wells and 54 (47.3 net) conventional wells, while continuing to advance the construction of the Company's Lator phase 1 facility. These results reflect strong operational momentum carried forward from the fourth quarter of 2025 and consistent execution across the entire asset base.
As a result, the Company is increasing its full year production guidance by 7,500 boe/d to 378,000 – 382,000 (61% liquids) while maintaining its capital expenditure budget of
The Company's balance sheet remains in exceptional shape, with net debt to annualized funds flow ratio1 of 0.8 times and
First Quarter 2026 Highlights
-
Strong first quarter funds flow: Generated funds flow of
$1.0 billion ($0.84 per share), a 12% increase per share, driven by higher production, strong realized pricing and lower operating costs. -
Disciplined capital investment and free cash generation: Capital investments of
$676 million resulted in free funds flow of$349 million for the quarter. - Record production: Production averaged a record 391,416 boe/d, comprised of 242,107 bbls/d of liquids and 895,854 mcf/d of natural gas, an increase of 6% on a per share basis5 over the first quarter of 2025.
-
Shareholder returns and balance sheet improvement: Returned
$221 million in dividends during the quarter and reduced net debt to$3.2 billion , resulting in a net debt to annualized funds flow ratio of 0.8 times and$1.2 billion of undrawn credit capacity.
OPERATIONS REVIEW
Operational momentum carried over from 2025, with a continued focus on structural improvements being reflected in strong first quarter operating and production results. Continued well level outperformance is incorporated into our guidance increase, while ongoing cost discipline and solid execution are driving margin expansion and enhanced capital efficiency, all of which support increased profitability across the business.
Unconventional Highlights
Half of corporate outperformance in the quarter was driven by the Unconventional division, which was largely attributable to strong new well productivity. Initial production results across our
During the quarter, we completed two plug-and-perf ("P&P") pilot pads at Karr with strong execution across all seven (7.0 net) wells. The wells achieved greater than 95% stimulation effectiveness, and we estimate cost savings of approximately
Operational efficiency continues to improve across both drilling and completions key performance indicators. Ongoing well design enhancements and execution improvements, including the use of actively guided completions, have increased proppant pumped per day across our unconventional division by 12% relative to historical performance. In addition, drilling rates of penetration have improved by 27% on average across the division. These gains reflect continued focus on consistency, efficiency and the application of learnings across the portfolio.
Conventional Highlights
The Conventional division continued to generate outsized free funds flow, representing approximately 25% of total capital expenditures while contributing almost 60% of operating free funds flow in the first quarter. The
Our open hole multi-lateral ("OHML") Bakken development continues to push technical and operational boundaries, highlighted by the recent drilling of a 10-leg, 3-mile OHML well. With over 43,000 metres drilled, this represents the longest well in
Additional initiatives contributing to strong first quarter results include optimized development sequencing and lower drilling and completion costs, resulting in shorter cycle times and enhanced capital efficiency. Our
OUTLOOK
The ongoing conflict in the
We remain committed to a disciplined capital program and a counter-cyclical approach to free funds flow allocation. Based on current strip pricing6, we expect to reduce our year end 2026 net debt by more than
In natural gas markets, AECO pricing remains weak and is expected to average below
Given elevated oil prices, we have also prudently added to our hedge positions, with approximately 34% of 2026 crude oil production and 23% of 2027 production hedged. Despite the incremental uplift in funds flow, our strategy remains unchanged. We continue to target annual production growth of 3% to 5% while maintaining a counter-cyclical approach to capital allocation and prioritizing balance sheet strength.
On behalf of our employees, management team and Board of Directors, we thank our shareholders for their continued support and confidence.
NOTES
|
1 |
Funds flow, funds flow basic ($/share), funds flow diluted ($/share) and net debt are capital management measures. Average realized price, annualized funds flow, net debt to annualized funds flow ratio and per boe disclosure figures are supplementary financial measures. Operating netback and free funds flow are non-GAAP financial measures. Operating netbacks ($/boe) is a non-GAAP ratio. Refer to the Specified Financial Measures section in this press release for additional disclosure and assumptions. |
|
2 |
Also referred to herein as "capital expenditures" and "capital investment". |
|
3 |
Disclosure of production on a per boe basis in this press release consists of the constituent product types and their respective quantities disclosed herein. Refer to Barrel of Oil Equivalency and Production & Product Type Information in this press release for additional disclosure. |
|
4 |
Prior to the impact of risk management activities and tariffs. |
|
5 |
Production per share is the Company's total crude oil, NGL and natural gas production volumes for the applicable period divided by the weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding for the applicable period. Production per share growth is determined in comparison to the applicable comparative period. |
|
6 |
Strip pricing as of |
CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST
Whitecap has scheduled a conference call and webcast to begin promptly at
The conference call dial-in number is: 1-888-510-2154 or (403) 910-0389 or (437) 900-0527
A live webcast of the conference call will be accessible on Whitecap's website at wcap.ca by selecting "Investors", then "Presentations & Events". Shortly after the live webcast, an archived version will be available for approximately 14 days.
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the Company's plans and other aspects of our anticipated future operations, management focus, strategies, financial, operating and production results and business opportunities. Forward-looking information typically uses words such as "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "trend", "sustain", "project", "expect", "forecast", "budget", "goal", "guidance", "plan", "objective", "strategy", "target", "intend", "estimate", "potential", or similar words suggesting future outcomes, statements that actions, events or conditions "may", "would", "could" or "will" be taken or occur in the future, including statements about our strategy, plans, focus, objectives, priorities and position.
In particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this press release contains forward-looking information with respect to: that the Company's balance sheet remains in exceptional shape, with net debt to annualized funds flow ratio of 0.8 times and
The forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by our management, including: the duration and impact of tariffs that are currently in effect on goods exported from or imported into
Although we believe that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because Whitecap can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking information addresses future events and conditions, by its very nature it involves inherent risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to: the risk that the funds that we ultimately return to shareholders through dividends and/or share repurchases is less than currently anticipated and/or is delayed, whether due to the risks identified herein or otherwise; the risk that any of our material assumptions prove to be materially inaccurate, including our 2026 forecast (including for production levels, capital expenditure levels, commodity prices and exchange rates); the risk that (i) the tariffs that are currently in effect on goods exported from or imported into
Readers are cautioned that the foregoing lists of factors are not exhaustive. Additional information on these and other factors that could affect our operations or financial results are included in reports on file with applicable securities regulatory authorities and may be accessed through the SEDAR+ website (sedarplus.ca).
These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and we disclaim any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.
This press release contains future-oriented financial information and financial outlook information (collectively, "FOFI") about: our forecast 2026 capital expenditure budget; our forecast of average daily production for 2026; 2026 annualized funds flow; our forecast for annual reduction in net debt and resulting net debt to funds flow ratio; and our long-term target for net debt to funds flow ratio; all of which are subject to the same assumptions, risk factors, limitations, and qualifications as set forth in the above paragraphs. The actual results of operations of Whitecap and the resulting financial results will likely vary from the amounts set forth herein and such variation may be material. Whitecap and its management believe that the FOFI has been prepared on a reasonable basis, reflecting management's best estimates and judgments. However, because this information is subjective and subject to numerous risks, it should not be relied on as necessarily indicative of future results. Except as required by applicable securities laws, Whitecap undertakes no obligation to update such FOFI. FOFI contained in this press release was made as of the date of this press release and was provided for the purpose of providing further information about Whitecap's anticipated future business operations. Readers are cautioned that the FOFI contained in this press release should not be used for purposes other than for which it is disclosed herein.
OIL AND GAS ADVISORIES
Barrel of Oil Equivalency
"Boe" means barrel of oil equivalent. All boe conversions in this press release are derived by converting gas to oil at the ratio of six thousand cubic feet ("Mcf") of natural gas to one barrel ("Bbl") of oil. Boe may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A Boe conversion rate of 1 Bbl : 6 Mcf is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. Given that the value ratio of oil compared to natural gas based on currently prevailing prices is significantly different than the energy equivalency ratio of 1 Bbl : 6 Mcf, utilizing a conversion ratio of 1 Bbl : 6 Mcf may be misleading as an indication of value.
Production & Product Type Information
References to petroleum, crude oil and condensate, natural gas liquids ("NGLs"), natural gas and average daily production in this press release refer to the light and medium crude oil, tight crude oil, conventional natural gas, shale gas and NGLs product types, as applicable, as defined in National Instrument 51-101 ("NI 51-101"), except as noted below.
NI 51-101 includes condensate and pentane within the NGLs product type. The Company has disclosed condensate and pentane as combined with crude oil and separately from other NGLs since the price of condensate and pentane as compared to other NGLs is currently significantly higher and the Company believes that this crude oil, condensate and pentane presentation provides a more accurate description of its operations and results therefrom. Crude oil therefore refers to light oil, medium oil, tight oil, condensate and pentane. NGLs refers to ethane, propane and butane combined. Natural gas refers to conventional natural gas and shale gas combined. Liquids refer to crude oil and NGLs.
The Company's average daily production for the three months ended
|
Whitecap Corporate |
|
2026 Guidance (mid-point) |
Q1/2026 |
Q1/2025 |
|
Light and medium oil (bbls/d)1 |
|
96,000 |
101,941 |
74,814 |
|
Tight oil (bbls/d)1 |
|
97,000 |
99,246 |
21,823 |
|
Crude oil and condensate (bbls/d) |
|
193,000 |
201,187 |
96,637 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NGLs (bbls/d)2 |
|
39,000 |
40,920 |
19,295 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shale gas (Mcf/d) |
|
711,000 |
702,066 |
225,322 |
|
Conventional natural gas (Mcf/d) |
|
177,000 |
193,788 |
153,393 |
|
Natural gas (Mcf/d) |
|
888,000 |
895,854 |
378,715 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total (boe/d) |
|
380,000 |
391,416 |
179,051 |
|
(1) |
Includes condensate and pentane |
|
(2) |
Includes ethane, propane and butane combined |
SPECIFIED FINANCIAL MEASURES
This press release includes various specified financial measures, including non-GAAP financial measures, non-GAAP ratios, capital management measures and supplementary financial measures as further described herein. These financial measures are not standardized financial measures under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS Accounting Standards" or, alternatively, "GAAP") and, therefore, may not be comparable with the calculation of similar financial measures disclosed by other companies.
"Annualized funds flow" is a supplementary financial measure that is used by management as a substitute for annual funds flow when a material transaction (such as the strategic combination with
"Average realized prices" for crude oil, NGLs and natural gas are supplementary financial measures calculated by dividing each of these components of petroleum and natural gas revenues, disclosed in Note 14 "Revenue" to the Company's unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended
"Free funds flow" is a non-GAAP financial measure calculated as funds flow less expenditures on property, plant and equipment ("PP&E"). Management believes that free funds flow provides a useful measure of Whitecap's ability to increase returns to shareholders and to grow the Company's business. Free funds flow is not a standardized financial measure under IFRS Accounting Standards and, therefore, may not be comparable with the calculation of similar financial measures disclosed by other entities. The most directly comparable financial measure to free funds flow disclosed in the Company's primary financial statements is cash flow from operating activities. Refer to the "Cash Flow from Operating Activities, Funds Flow and Free Funds Flow" section of our management's discussion and analysis for the three months ended
|
|
|
Three months ended |
||
|
($ millions, except per share amounts) |
|
|
2026 |
2025 |
|
Cash flow from operating activities |
|
|
1,135.3 |
295.1 |
|
Net change in non-cash working capital items |
|
|
(110.0) |
151.2 |
|
Funds flow |
|
|
1,025.3 |
446.3 |
|
Expenditures on PP&E |
|
|
676.3 |
398.1 |
|
Free funds flow |
|
|
349.0 |
48.2 |
|
Funds flow per share, basic |
|
|
0.84 |
0.76 |
|
Funds flow per share, diluted |
|
|
0.84 |
0.75 |
"Funds flow", "funds flow basic ($/share)" and "funds flow diluted ($/share)" are capital management measures and are key measures of operating performance as they demonstrate Whitecap's ability to generate the cash necessary to pay dividends, repay debt, make capital investments, and/or to repurchase common shares under the Company's normal course issuer bid. Management believes that by excluding the temporary impact of changes in non-cash operating working capital, funds flow, funds flow basic ($/share) and funds flow diluted ($/share) provide useful measures of Whitecap's ability to generate cash that are not subject to short-term movements in non-cash operating working capital. Whitecap reports funds flow in total and on a per share basis (basic and diluted), which is calculated by dividing funds flow by the weighted average number of basic shares and weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding for the relevant period. See Note 5(f)(ii) "Capital Management – Funds Flow" in the Company's unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended
"Net Debt" is a capital management measure that management considers to be key to assessing the Company's liquidity. See Note 5(f)(i) "Capital Management – Net Debt and Total Capitalization" in the Company's unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended
|
Net Debt ($ millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt |
|
2,856.8 |
826.2 |
3,066.7 |
|
Cash |
|
(73.0) |
- |
(59.4) |
|
Accounts receivable |
|
(1,050.2) |
(442.3) |
(844.7) |
|
Deposits and prepaid expenses |
|
(65.4) |
(19.8) |
(86.5) |
|
Non-current deposits |
|
(86.6) |
(86.6) |
(86.6) |
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
|
1,594.0 |
673.7 |
1,330.7 |
|
Dividends payable |
|
73.8 |
35.7 |
73.8 |
|
Net Debt |
|
3,249.4 |
986.9 |
3,394.0 |
"Net debt to funds flow ratio" or "Net debt to annualized funds flow ratio" is a supplementary financial measure determined by dividing net debt at the end of the applicable period by funds flow or annualized funds flow for the applicable period, as the case may be. These measures are not standardized measures and therefore may not be comparable with the calculation of similar measures by other entities.
"Operating netback" is a non-GAAP financial measure determined by adding marketing revenues and processing & other income, deducting realized losses on commodity risk management contracts or adding realized gains on commodity risk management contracts and deducting tariffs, royalties, operating expenses, transportation expenses and marketing expenses from petroleum and natural gas revenues. The most directly comparable financial measure to operating netback disclosed in the Company's primary financial statements is petroleum and natural gas sales. Operating netback is a measure used in operational and capital allocation decisions. Operating netback is not a standardized financial measure under IFRS Accounting Standards and, therefore, may not be comparable with the calculation of similar financial measures disclosed by other entities. For further information, refer to the "Operating Netbacks" section of our management's discussion and analysis for the three months ended
|
|
|
Three months ended |
||
|
Operating Netbacks ($ millions) |
|
|
2026 |
2025 |
|
Petroleum and natural gas revenues |
|
|
2,042.0 |
942.2 |
|
Tariffs |
|
|
(7.0) |
(4.7) |
|
Processing & other income |
|
|
17.2 |
13.0 |
|
Marketing revenues |
|
|
29.3 |
62.6 |
|
Petroleum and natural gas sales |
|
|
2,081.5 |
1,013.1 |
|
Realized gain (loss) on commodity contracts |
|
|
(20.5) |
13.7 |
|
Royalties |
|
|
(244.5) |
(157.9) |
|
Operating expenses |
|
|
(423.6) |
(218.7) |
|
Transportation expenses |
|
|
(123.3) |
(37.8) |
|
Marketing expenses |
|
|
(28.8) |
(61.0) |
|
Operating netbacks |
|
|
1,240.8 |
551.4 |
"Operating netback ($/boe)" is a non-GAAP ratio calculated by dividing operating netbacks by the total production for the period. Operating netback is a non-GAAP financial measure component of operating netback per boe. Operating netback per boe is not a standardized financial measure under IFRS Accounting Standards and, therefore, may not be comparable with the calculation of similar financial measures disclosed by other entities. Presenting operating netback on a per boe basis allows management to better analyze performance against prior periods on a comparable basis.
"Per boe" or "($/boe)" disclosures for petroleum and natural gas sales, royalties, operating expenses, transportation expenses and marketing expenses are supplementary financial measures that are calculated by dividing each of these respective GAAP measures by the Company's total production volumes for the period.
"Petroleum and natural gas revenues ($/boe)", "Tariffs ($/boe)", "Processing and other income ($/boe)" and "Marketing revenues ($/boe)" are supplementary financial measures calculated by dividing each of these components of petroleum and natural gas sales, disclosed in Note 14 "Revenue" to the Company's unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended
"Realized gain (loss) on commodity contracts ($/boe)" is a supplementary financial measure calculated by dividing realized gain (loss) on commodity contracts, disclosed in Note 5(e) "Financial Instruments and Risk Management – Market Risk" to the Company's unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended
Per Share Amounts
Per share amounts noted in this press release are based on fully diluted shares outstanding unless noted otherwise.
SOURCE