HAMILTON, Bermuda, March 21, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TransAtlantic Petroleum Ltd. (TSX:TNP) (NYSE American:TAT) (the “Company” or “TransAtlantic”) today announced financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2017 and provided an operations update. Additional information can be found on the Company’s website at www.TransAtlanticPetroleum.com.

Highlights

  • The Company has entered the presentation phase of the Company marketing process with Tudor Pickering Holt & Co.
  • Net loss from continuing operations in 2017 was $23.9 million, as compared to $22.4 million in 2016. Net loss from continuing operations for the three months ended December 31, 2017 was $4.0 million as compared to $4.4 million for the third quarter of 2017 and $5.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2016.
  • Adjusted EBITDAX from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $31.8 million, as compared to $40.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, which included cash settlements on commodity derivative contracts of $0.03 million and $4.2 million for 2017 and 2016, respectively. For the three months ended December 31, 2017, adjusted EBITDAX from continuing operations increased to $8.4 million, as compared to $7.3 million for the third quarter of 2017, and decreased from $9.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2016.1
  • Diluted net loss per common share from continuing operations improved to $0.50 in 2017 from $0.51 in 2016.
  • The Company’s 2017 general and administrative expenses and production expenses decreased 21% and 1%, respectively, from 2016.
  • The Company’s wellhead production from continuing operations was 1.2 million barrels of oil equivalent (“MMBOE”) in 2017, as compared to 1.8 million MMBOE in 2016.
  • The Company’s average net sales volumes from continuing operations were approximately 2,799 barrels of oil equivalent per day (“BOEPD”) in the fourth quarter of 2017, as compared to 2,862 BOEPD in the third quarter of 2017 and 4,335 BOEPD in the fourth quarter of 2016.
  • The Company’s 2017 net wellhead production was approximately 3,188 BOEPD, comprised of 3,025 barrels of oil per day (“BOPD”) and 1.03 million cubic feet of natural gas per day (“MMCFPD”).
  • The Company’s management will be presenting at the IPAA New York oil and gas conference on Monday, April 9, 2018 at 4:05 p.m. Eastern time.

1 Adjusted EBITDAX is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the reconciliation at the end of this press release.

Fourth Quarter 2017 Results from Continuing Operations

  For the Three Months Ended  
  December 31, 2017     September 30, 2017     December 31, 2016  
Net Sales:                      
Oil (MBbls)   246       254       352  
Natural gas (MMCF)   68       58       279  
Total net sales (MBOE)   258       263       399  
Average net sales (BOEPD)   2,799       2,862       4,335  
Realized Commodity Prices:                      
Oil ($/Bbl unhedged) $ 59.90     $ 47.88     $ 44.50  
Oil ($/Bbl hedged) $ 59.90     $ 47.88     $ 44.50  
Natural gas ($/MCF) $ 4.41     $ 4.82     $ 5.65  
                       

Total revenues were $15.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017, as compared to $12.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and $18.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016. For the three months ended December 31, 2017, the Company had a net loss from continuing operations of $4.0 million, or $0.09 per share (basic and diluted), as compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $4.4 million, or $0.09 per share (basic and diluted), for the three months ended September 30, 2017, and a net loss from continuing operations of $5.7 million, or $0.12 per share (basic and diluted), for the three months ended December 31, 2016. The net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2017, included $0.8 million of foreign exchange loss and $0.7 million of exploration, abandonment, and impairment charges, as compared to $.05 million of foreign exchange loss and $0.1 million of exploration, abandonment, and impairment charges for the three months ended September 30, 2017. Additionally, this compares to $3.3 million of foreign exchange loss and $3.0 million of exploration, abandonment, and impairment charges for the three months ended December 31, 2016. Capital expenditures (including seismic, license acquisition, and other fixed assets) totaled $3.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017, as compared to $6.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and $4.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016.

Adjusted EBITDAX from continuing operations for the three months ended December 31, 2017 was $8.4 million, as compared to $7.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and $9.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016. The increase in fourth quarter of 2017 Adjusted EBITDAX compared to the third quarter of 2017 was primarily due to an increase of $2.6 million in total revenues, which was partially offset by an increase in general and administration expense and production expense of $1.0 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

2017 Annual Results for Continuing Operations

Revenues for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 were $56.6 million, as compared to $68.6 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016. The decrease in annual revenues was primarily attributable to a decrease in sales volumes of 467 MBOE and the sale of Thrace Basin Natural Gas (Turkiye) Corporation (“TBNG”), which contributed 165 MBOE and $6.9 million in 2016 and resulted in a $4.4 million decrease in the sale of purchased natural gas. This was partially offset by an increase in the average price per barrels of oil equivalent (“BOE”) received for the Company’s sales volumes of $9.81 per BOE. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, the Company had a net loss from continuing operations of $23.9 million, or $0.50 per share (basic and diluted), as compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $22.4 million, or $0.51 per share (basic and diluted), for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016. The 2017 net loss from continuing operations included a $15.2 million loss on the sale of TBNG and $4.7 million of seismic and other exploration expense, as compared to $0.1 million of seismic and other exploration expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016. This was partially offset by a decrease in exploration, abandonment, and impairment expense of $5.0 million, general and administrative expense of $3.6 million, and cost of purchased gas of $3.9 million.

Adjusted EBITDAX from continuing operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 was $31.8 million, as compared to $40.9 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016. The difference was primarily a result of a decrease in revenues of $12.0 million and a decrease in the Company’s realized cash settlements on its commodity derivative contracts of $4.2 million. This was partially offset by a decrease in exploration, abandonment, and impairment expense of $5.0 million, general and administrative expense of $3.5 million, and cost of purchased gas of $3.9 million.

Impact of Foreign Currency Exchange

During the three months ended December 31, 2017, accumulated other comprehensive loss increased $6.3 million to a total of $124.8 million as of December 31, 2017, due primarily to foreign exchange rate changes in Turkey compared to the U.S. Dollar. The financial statement impact is 100% non-cash and is reflected in other comprehensive (loss) income on the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive (Loss) Income and in shareholder’s equity on the Summary Consolidated Balance Sheets. This adjustment impacts the value of comprehensive income and shareholders’ equity but does not impact net income or earnings per share.

The Company records its foreign operations’ assets, liabilities, and transactions in the functional currency, which for Turkey is the New Turkish Lira and for Bulgaria is the Bulgarian Lev. For more information regarding the effects of foreign currency exchange on Company operations and reported financial results, please refer to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 21, 2018.

Liquidity

During 2017, the Company paid off and retired its 13.0% Senior Convertible Notes due 2017 (the “2017 Notes”) that matured on July 1, 2017 and closed the sale of TBNG for gross proceeds of $20.7 million and net cash proceeds of $16.1 million. In addition, the Company entered into an additional $20.4 million term loan (the “2017 Term Loan”) with DenizBank, A.S (“DenizBank”) under the Company’s general credit agreement with DenizBank. The 2017 Term Loan is in addition to the Company’s term loan currently outstanding with Denizbank (the “2016 Term Loan”), as described in the Company’s previous periodic reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Company’s primary sources of liquidity for 2017 were its cash and cash equivalents, cash flow from operations, borrowings under the 2016 Term Loan and the 2017 Term Loan, and the net proceeds from the sale of TBNG. At December 31, 2017, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $18.9 million, $13.0 million in long-term debt, $15.6 million in short-term debt, and a working capital surplus of $12.8 million, as compared to cash and cash equivalents of $10.0 million, $3.8 million in long-term debt, $38.2 million in short-term debt, and a working capital deficit of $17.3 million (excluding assets and liabilities held for sale) at December 31, 2016.

As of December 31, 2017, the Company had $28.6 million of debt and $46.1 million of 12.0% Series A Convertible Redeemable Preferred Shares (the “Series A Preferred Shares”) outstanding.

Operational Update

Southeastern Turkey

Selmo

In January 2018, the Company spud the Selmo-81H2 well, which is the first of a six-well Selmo development program. Drilling is ongoing, and the Company expects to start completions operations in the first half of 2018.

Bahar

The Company expects to drill one development well in the Bahar field in 2018. The Company may drill an additional Bahar well, contingent on financing.

Molla

The Company is currently preparing the location for the Yeniev-1 exploration well, targeting the Bedinan, Hazro and Mardin formations. The Company expects to spud the Yeniev-1 in the second quarter of 2018.

Northwestern Turkey. The Company continues to evaluate its prospects in the Thrace Basin in light of the recent positive production test results at the Yamalik-1 exploration well operated by Valeura with their partner Statoil. The Yamalik-1 exploration well is directly adjacent to the Company’s 120,000 net acres in the Thrace Basin of which the Company believes approximately 50,000 net acres (100% WI, 87.5% NRI) is analogous to the Valeura and Statoil acreage. The Company expects to resume production operations on its Yildurm-1 well on the Temrez license in 2018. Contingent on financing, the Company may commence a drilling program on its Temrez license in 2018.

Bulgaria. The Company continues to evaluate its position in Bulgaria with updated geologic models. The Company has prepared plans to side track and re-drill the Devinci R-1 well, which the Company plans to commence in 2018, contingent on financing.

Presentation at IPAA New York

The Company’s management will be presenting at the IPAA New York oil and gas conference on Monday, April 9, 2018 at 4:05 p.m. Eastern time. A live webcast of the event and slide presentation will be available on the Company’s website at www.transatlanticpetroleum.com. To access the webcast, click on “Investors”, select “Events and Presentations”, and click on “Listen to webcast” under the event listing.

Conference Call and Webcast Details

Date and Time: 7:30 a.m. Central time on Thursday, March 22, 2018

Call-In Information: The Company will host a live webcast and conference call on Thursday, March 22, 2018 at 7:30 a.m. Central time to discuss fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 financial results and to provide an operational update.  Investors who would like to participate in the conference call should call (877) 878-2762 or (678) 809-1005 approximately ten minutes prior to the scheduled start time and ask for the TransAtlantic conference call. The conference ID is 3854639.

To Ask a Question: The conference call will be moderated by Lytham Partners, an investor relations firm. Investors interested in having a question asked of management may submit the question for review in advance to [email protected], who will submit appropriate questions to management for the call, or alternatively they can ask the questions live during the conference call.

Webcast and Presentation: A live webcast of the conference call and replay, as well as a presentation to accompany the call, will be available through the Company’s website at www.transatlanticpetroleum.com. To access the webcast and replay, click on “Investors,” select “Events and Presentations,” and click on “Listen to webcast” under the event listing. To access the presentation, please click on “View 2017 Earnings Call Presentation” under the event listing. The webcast will be available via replay as well.  The webcast requires IOS, Microsoft Windows Media Player, or RealOne Player.

Replay: A telephonic replay of the call will be available through March 23, 2018 and may be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406. The conference ID is 3854639.

Annual Report on Form 10-K

The Company filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 on March 21, 2018.

TransAtlantic Petroleum Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income
(U.S. Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)

  For the Three Months Ended     For the Twelve Months Ended Dec 31,  
  Dec 31, 2017     Sept 30, 2017     Dec 31, 2016     2017     2016  
Revenues:                                      
Total revenues $ 15,187     $ 12,675     $ 18,672     $ 56,639     $ 68,595  
Costs and expenses:                                      
Production   3,451       2,997       3,343       12,249       12,368  
Exploration, abandonment and impairment   685       141       2,999       934       5,963  
Cost of purchased natural gas               1,154       568       4,418  
Seismic and other exploration   1,677       2,966       20       4,723       104  
General and administrative   3,514       2,532       4,919       12,817       16,320  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   3,901       4,272       5,972       16,925       29,025  
Accretion of asset retirement obligations   46       49       88       190       373  
Total costs and expenses   13,274       12,957       18,495       48,406       68,571  
Operating (loss) income   1,913       (282 )     177       8,233       24  
Other (expense) income:                                      
Loss on sale of TBNG                     (15,226 )      
Interest and other expense   (1,857 )     (2,322 )     (2,735 )     (8,838 )     (11,841 )
Interest and other income   435       182       1,135       1,098       2,546  
(Loss) gain on commodity derivative contracts   (2,151 )     (1,365 )     (838 )     (1,852 )     (3,257 )
Foreign exchange (loss) gain   (806 )     (48 )     (3,212 )     (1,861 )     (3,871 )
Total other (expense) income   (4,379 )     (3,553 )     (5,650 )     (26,679 )     (16,423 )
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes   (2,466 )     (3,835 )     (5,473 )     (18,446 )     (16,399 )
Income tax expense   (1,573 )     (518 )     (226 )     (5,429 )     (6,046 )
Net loss from continuing operations   (4,039 )     (4,353 )     (5,699 )     (23,875 )     (22,445 )
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations                           16,202  
Net (loss) income   (4,039 )     (4,353 )     (5,699 )     (23,875 )     (6,243 )
Other comprehensive (loss) income:                                      
Foreign currency translation adjustment   (6,278 )     (1,223 )     (15,449 )     15,550       (18,726 )
Comprehensive (loss) income $ (10,317 )   $ (5,576 )   $ (21,148 )   $ (8,325 )   $ (24,969 )
                                       
Net (loss) income per common share                                      
Basic net (loss) income per common share                                      
Continuing operations $ (0.09 )   $ (0.09 )   $ (0.12 )   $ (0.50 )   $ (0.51 )
Discontinued operations $     $     $     $     $ 0.37  
Weighted average common shares outstanding   46,880       47,725       46,880       48,196       43,885  
Diluted net (loss) income per common share                                      
Continuing operations $ (0.09 )   $ (0.09 )   $ (0.12 )   $ (0.50 )   $ (0.51 )
Discontinued operations $     $     $     $     $ 0.37  
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding   46,880       47,725       46,880       48,196       43,885  
                                       

TransAtlantic Petroleum Ltd.
Summary Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands of U.S. Dollars)

  For the Year Ended December 31,  
U.S. Dollars in thousands 2017     2016  
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations $ 17,880     $ 21,353  
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations   3,660       (8,518 )
Net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations   (13,411 )     (7,351 )
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations         220  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash   (787 )     (1,599 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents $ 7,342     $ 4,105  
               

TransAtlantic Petroleum Ltd.
Summary Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands of U.S. Dollars)

  2017     2016  
ASSETS              
Current assets:              
Cash and cash equivalents $ 18,926     $ 10,034  
Restricted cash         2,555  
Accounts receivable, net              
Oil and natural gas sales   15,808       17,885  
Joint interest and other   1,576       3,230  
Related party   1,023       762  
Prepaid and other current assets   3,866       4,756  
Inventory   7,494       3,647  
Assets held for sale         25,217  
Total current assets   48,693       68,086  
Property and equipment:              
Oil and natural gas properties (successful efforts method)              
Proved   193,647       197,214  
Unproved   24,445       21,109  
Equipment and other property   14,075       20,273  
    232,167       238,596  
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization   (129,183 )     (120,638 )
Property and equipment, net   102,984       117,958  
Other long-term assets:              
Other assets   2,247       2,725  
Note receivable – related party   6,726       7,624  
Total other assets   8,973       10,349  
Total assets $ 160,650     $ 196,393  
               
LIABILITIES, SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY              
Current liabilities:              
Accounts payable $ 4,853     $ 7,036  
Accounts payable – related party   3,141       1,844  
Accrued liabilities (1)   10,014       12,492  
Derivative liability   2,215       596  
Loans payable   15,625       35,000  
Loan payable – related party         3,194  
Liabilities held for sale         15,938  
Total current liabilities   35,848       76,100  
Long-term liabilities:              
Asset retirement obligations   4,727       4,833  
Accrued liabilities   8,810       8,126  
Deferred income taxes   19,611       18,806  
Loans payable   13,000       3,750  
Derivative liability         242  
Total long-term liabilities   46,148       35,757  
Total liabilities   81,996       111,857  
Commitments and contingencies              
Series A preferred shares, $0.01 par value, 426,000 shares authorized; 426,000 shares issued and outstanding with a liquidation preference of $50 per share as of December 31, 2017   21,300       25,500  
Series A preferred shares-related party, $0.01 par value, 495,000 shares authorized; 495,000 shares issued and outstanding with a liquidation preference of $50 per share as of December 31, 2017   24,750       20,550  
Shareholders’ equity:              
Common shares, $0.10 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 50,319,156 shares and 47,220,525 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively   5,032       4,722  
Treasury stock   (970 )     (970 )
Additional paid-in-capital   575,411       573,278  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (124,766 )     (140,316 )
Accumulated deficit   (422,103 )     (398,228 )
Total shareholders’ equity   32,604       38,486  
Total liabilities, Series A preferred shares and shareholders’ equity $ 160,650     $ 196,393  
               

Reconciliation of Net Loss from Continuing Operations to Adjusted EBITDAX (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. Dollars)

  For the Three Months Ended     For the Twelve Months Ended  
U.S. Dollars in thousands Dec 31, 2017     Sept 30, 2017     Dec 31, 2016     2017     2016  
Net loss from continuing operations $ (4,039 )   $ (4,353 )   $ (5,699 )   $ (23,875 )   $ (22,445 )
Adjustments:                                      
Interest and other, net   1,422       2,140       1,600       7,740       9,295  
Current and deferred income tax expense   1,573       518       226       5,429       6,046  
Exploration, abandonment, and impairment   685       141       2,999       934       5,963  
Seismic expense   1,677       2,966       20       4,723       104  
Foreign exchange loss (gain)   806       48       3,212       1,861       3,871  
Share-based compensation   136       142       133       692       629  
Loss (gain) on commodity derivative contracts   2,151       1,365       838       1,852       3,257  
Cash settlements on commodity derivative contracts                     32       4,188  
Accretion of asset retirement obligation   46       49       88       190       373  
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization   3,901       4,272       5,972       16,925       29,025  
Net other items                     15,256       582  
Adjusted EBITDAX from continuing operations $ 8,358     $ 7,288     $ 9,389     $ 31,759     $ 40,888  
                                       

Adjusted EBITDAX from continuing operations (“Adjusted EBITDAX”) is a non-GAAP financial measure that represents net loss from continuing operations plus interest and other, net, current and deferred income tax expense, exploration, abandonment, and impairment, seismic and other exploration expense, foreign exchange loss (gain), share based compensation expense, loss (gain) on commodity derivative contracts, cash settlements on commodity derivative contracts, accretion of asset retirement obligation, depreciation, depletion, and amortization, and net other items.

The Company believes Adjusted EBITDAX assists management and investors in comparing the Company’s performance on a consistent basis without regard to depreciation, depletion, and amortization and impairment of oil and natural gas properties and exploration expenses, among other items, which can vary significantly from period to period. In addition, management uses Adjusted EBITDAX as a financial measure to evaluate the Company’s operating performance. 

Adjusted EBITDAX is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP. Accordingly, it should not be considered as a substitute for net income or income from continuing operations prepared in accordance with GAAP. Net income or income from continuing operations may vary materially from Adjusted EBITDAX. Investors should carefully consider the specific items included in the computation of Adjusted EBITDAX.

About TransAtlantic

The Company is an international oil and natural gas company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas. The Company holds interests in developed and undeveloped properties in Turkey and Bulgaria.

(NO STOCK EXCHANGE, SECURITIES COMMISSION, OR OTHER REGULATORY AUTHORITY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN.)

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements concerning the marketing of the Company, the Company’s drilling program, the evaluation of the Company’s prospects in the Thrace Basin in Turkey, the Molla Area of Southeast Turkey, and Bulgaria, the drilling, completion, and cost of wells, the production and sale of oil and natural gas, the holding of an earnings conference call, and the issuance of an operations update, as well as other expectations, plans, goals, objectives, assumptions, and information about future events, conditions, results of operations, and performance that may constitute forward-looking statements or information under applicable securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect.

Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements or information are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections that involve a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the Company and described in the forward-looking statements or information. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, access to sufficient capital; market prices for natural gas, natural gas liquids, and oil products; estimates of reserves and economic assumptions; the ability to produce and transport natural gas, natural gas liquids, and oil products; the results of exploration and development drilling and related activities; economic conditions in the countries and provinces in which the Company carries on business, especially economic slowdowns; actions by governmental authorities; receipt of required approvals; increases in taxes; legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to fracture stimulation activities; changes in environmental and other regulations; renegotiations of contracts; political uncertainty, including actions by insurgent groups or other conflict; outcomes of litigation; the negotiation and closing of material contracts; and other risks described in the Company’s filings with the SEC.

The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

Note on BOE

Barrels of oil equivalent, or BOE, are derived by the Company by converting natural gas to oil in the ratio of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas (“MCF”) to one stock tank barrel, or 42 U.S. gallons liquid volume (“BBL”), of oil. A BOE conversion ratio of six MCF to one BBL is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. BOE may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation.

Contacts:                                                

Chad D. Burkhardt
Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
(214) 265-4705

TransAtlantic Petroleum Ltd.
16803 Dallas Parkway
Addison, Texas 75001
http://www.transatlanticpetroleum.com