High Arctic Provides Update on Papua New Guinea Activities
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” gradient_top_color=”” gradient_bottom_color=”” gradient_type=”vertical” gradient_direction=”0deg” gradient_force=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top=”0px” padding_right=”10%” padding_bottom=”0px” padding_left=”10%”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” center_content=”no” last=”no” min_height=”” hover_type=”none” link=””][fusion_text] Calgary, Canada – July 10, 2017 – High Arctic Energy Services Inc. (“High Arctic” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide an operational and financial update on its International Operations in Papua New Guinea (“PNG”). Following several contract extensions in relation to heli-portable rigs that are managed for a significant customer, High Arctic is now in a position to provide additional details on developments towards solidifying its position as the leading drilling services provider in PNG. High Arctic has been providing drilling services and related rentals to exploration and production companies in PNG for over ten years. PNG is one of the global low cost producers of liquid natural gas (“LNG”) and it continues to be one of the most competitive and geographically advantaged sources of LNG supply in a challenged hydrocarbon environment. High Arctic’s business in PNG is in a strong position, and the Company is committed to continuing to strengthen its position as a top service provider to its customers in this strategic market. The Company has been in productive discussions with key stakeholders about how to meet its client’s needs for effective rig management and availability between its owned and operated rigs and potential new rig and service requirements in the country. This discussion has been against a backdrop of strengthening High Arctic’s business in the PNG market. The global downturn in the energy economy has further impacted these discussions as High Arctic sought to simultaneously streamline its cost structure in order to deliver significant savings to its clients. New Joint Company and Contract Update High Arctic is pleased to announce that it has entered into formal and exclusive negotiations to exchange an equal share of its owned rigs (rigs 102, 115 and 116) for an equal share of the rigs that it has historically managed for its key customer under long term management agreements (rigs 103, and 104) in a company to be jointly owned by High Arctic and its customer. High Arctic will provide the management of this joint company. As part of the proposed arrangements, High Arctic will operate the rigs under a minimum three year exclusive call rig services agreement. As part of High Arctic’s continuing efforts to reduce costs and provide efficient operations to its customers to remain competitive in the current commodity environment, High Arctic has committed to reducing operating costs in the joint company. Correspondingly first year rates under the new rig services contract are likely to be approximately 20% to 23% less than under the previous contract. It is contemplated there will be scope within the agreement for rates to rebalance in the event that the commodity environment recovers. These rate reductions will not impact the Corporation’s existing contracts for rig 116 or High Arctic’s rental equipment in PNG. High Arctic also contemplates that the agreement will include two-way option clauses which would allow or require High Arctic to increase its interest in the proposed joint company over time. The proposed joint company will focus exclusively on rig ownership and High Arctic will focus on operational efficiencies and optimal rig performance. The Company’s significant business of providing rental equipment (e.g. rig mats, heavy and light equipment, etc.) to its customers in the oil and gas, mining and civil engineering sectors (including the proposed joint company) will continue to be wholly owned by High Arctic and will not be part of the proposed transaction. It is anticipated that the discussion on the joint company could be concluded as soon as year-end, and High Arctic will provide additional details as they become available. In the interim, the current contracts for the operation of rigs 103 and 104 are expected to be extended for one year at the new rates. Mike Maguire, President International commented “This joint company is an innovative solution to meeting our key customer’s chief driver of reducing well costs and providing cost efficient drilling solution in PNG. The PNG market is an extraordinary long-term energy sector opportunity. High Arctic has become the local domain expert delivering top tier drilling services in a challenging logistics region. We are excited to complete negotiations on this complex transaction, as early as year-end to cement our position as a long term player in this market.” The agreements required to effect the proposed transaction will be subject to approval by High Arctic’s and the customer’s respective Boards of Directors. Fast Moving Rig Contract The Company is pleased to announce that its major client accepted a proposal for a new highly mobile land rig, subject to finalization of lease and drilling services agreements. This rig is expected to start working this fall on an initial six month term. The project is to prove the efficacy of a small footprint rig for field optimization work in areas with or close to existing roads. With success, the contract proposal has terms for extension and would roll in to the joint company. Foreign Currency Controls As the Company has previous disclosed in its Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, High Arctic’s US dollar bank account has been re-approved under a Bank of Papua New Guinea review of its currency control regulations. This will allow High Arctic to continue to operate in PNG on a US dollar basis and in Kina, the local PNG currency as appropriate and outlined under the regulations, provided that High Arctic seeks approval from the Bank of PNG for future customer contracts to be settled in US dollars on a contract by contract basis. Michael Binnion, Chairman commented further “We have been working in … Read more