Sawn Lake (Operated by Andora Energy Corporation, in which Pan Orient has a 71.8% ownership)
In March 2022, Andora entered into an agreement with a joint venture partner at Sawn Lake whereby Andora acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities at Sawn Lake. Through the transaction, Andora increased its working interest in the Sawn Lake joint venture to 75%.
The March 31, 2022 Contingent Bitumen Resources Report ("Resources Report"), a National Instrument 51-101 compliant resources evaluation for Andora's oil sands interests at Sawn Lake Alberta based on exploitation using Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage ("SAGD") as evaluated by Sproule Associates Limited, assigned unrisked "Best Estimate" contingent resources for Andora of 292.0 million barrels of bitumen recoverable (209.6 million barrels net to Pan Orient's 71.8% interest in Andora) and unrisked "Best Estimate" net present value, discounted at 15%, for Andora's interests of $192 million on an after-tax basis ($138 million net to Pan Orient's 71.8% interest in Andora). The Sawn Lake operations are currently suspended and awaiting restart and commercial expansion. Contingent resources are those quantities of petroleum estimated, as of a given date, to be potentially recoverable from known accumulations by the application of development projects, but which are not currently considered to be commercially recoverable due to one or more contingencies. The contingent resources volumes estimated in the Resources Report are considered contingent until such time as there are additional delineation wells confirming reservoir quality and continuity, refinement of the commercial development plan, regulatory approval for full field development, corporate commitment to move forward and financing for commercial development. There is uncertainty that it will be commercially viable to produce any portion of the reported contingent resources volumes. Please refer to Pan Orient's press release of June 13, 2022 for additional information.
Western Canada Select reference prices for heavy oil remained strong in the second quarter of 2022. At August 8, 2022, the price for Western Canada Select was Cdn$91.34 per barrel and the forward market for Western Canada Select in 2024 was Cdn$79.13 per barrel. Andora is considering alternatives to restart the existing steam SAGD facility and wellpair at Sawn Lake and move the Sawn Lake project forward with minimum development costs to Andora, including partnership, farmout, sourcing additional funds, partial sale or outright sale, and achieve value for shareholders.
For the first half of 2022, Pan Orient reports total operating expenses of $171 thousand associated with the Sawn Lake suspended SAGD facility and wellpair.
