TOPAZ REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2025 FINANCIAL RESULTS INCLUDING RECORD ROYALTY PRODUCTION AND ANNOUNCES DIVIDEND INCREASE

TOPAZ REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2025 FINANCIAL RESULTS INCLUDING RECORD ROYALTY PRODUCTION AND ANNOUNCES DIVIDEND INCREASE

CALGARY, AB, May 5, 2025 /CNW/ - Topaz Energy Corp. (TSX: TPZ) ("Topaz" or the "Company") is pleased to provide first quarter 2025 financial results and reconfirm the Company's 2025 guidance estimates.  Select financial information is outlined below and should be read in conjunction with Topaz's interim condensed consolidated financial statements ("Financial Statements") and related management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") as at and for the three months ended March 31, 2025, which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on Topaz's website at www.topazenergy.ca.

First Quarter 2025 Highlights

• Cash flow of $81.7 million or $0.53 per share⁽²⁾ and free cash flow (FCF)⁽¹⁾ of $80.8 million or $0.52 per share⁽²⁾, both 13% higher (per share) from the prior year.
  
  
• Record royalty production of 22,380 boe/d⁽⁴⁾ (including 13% higher natural gas royalty production); quarterly drilling activity of 218 gross wells (7.3 net)⁽⁷⁾; and share of WCSB drilling activity (19%)⁽⁸⁾.
  
  
• Record processing revenue and other income of $23.5 million from Topaz's infrastructure assets.
  
  
• Second quarter dividend increase to $0.34 per share representing a 5.9% annualized yield to Topaz's current share price⁽¹⁰⁾.
  
  
• Invested $17.5 million in acquisitions during the first quarter and reduced net debt 2% since year end.

First Quarter 2025 Update

Financial Overview

• Topaz generated total revenue and other income of $92.2 million, 43% from crude and heavy oil royalties, 32% from natural gas and NGL royalties, and 25% from the infrastructure portfolio.
  
  
• Cash flow of $81.7 million was 20% higher than Q1 2024, attributed to 17% higher royalty production and 31% higher processing revenue and other income.
  
  
• Paid $50.7 million in dividends ($0.33 per share and 62% payout ratio⁽¹⁾) which represents a 5.2% trailing annualized yield to the Q1 2025 average share price⁽⁹⁾ and generated $30.1 million of Excess FCF⁽¹⁾, part of which was used to fund the previously announced royalty acquisition in the Alberta Montney.
  
  
• Topaz exited Q1 2025 with $480.7 million of net debt⁽¹⁾ (1.4x net debt to Q1 2025 annualized EBITDA⁽¹⁾).  Subsequent to Q1 2025, Topaz extended the maturity date (to April 30, 2029) of the Company's unsecured, covenant-based credit facility with the existing syndicate of Canadian banks.  No other significant amendments were made to the credit agreement, which maintains Topaz's total credit capacity up to $1.0 billion.  As at May 5, 2025, Topaz has approximately $0.5 billion of available capacity⁽⁶⁾ under the facility.

Royalty Activity

• First quarter average royalty production of 22,380 boe/d⁽⁴⁾, includes record natural gas of 95,195 Mcf/d and record total liquids of 6,513 bbl/d, 13% and 4%, respectively, higher than the prior quarter. 
  
  
• Topaz generated $68.7 million total royalty revenue (99% operating margin⁽¹⁾) and realized 46% higher natural gas and 6% higher total (per boe) royalty pricing relative to the prior quarter. 
  
  
• During the quarter, operators spud 218 gross wells (7.3 net)⁽⁷⁾ and reactivated 20 gross wells, representing record levels of both wells drilled and share (19%) of WCSB drilling activity⁽⁸⁾ across Topaz's royalty acreage.  During Q1 2025, 191 total gross wells were brought on production⁽⁷⁾ and at March 31, 2025, Topaz had 157 gross wells drilled but not yet completed, representing 72% of Q1 2025 new wells drilled. 
  
  
• Topaz estimates that operators invested $0.8 billion to $0.9 billion of development capital across the Company's royalty acreage in Q1 2025.  Drilling activity (218 gross wells spud⁽⁷⁾) was diversified across Topaz's portfolio as follows: 50 Deep Basin, 49 Montney, 46 Clearwater, 37 SE Saskatchewan/Manitoba, 27 Peace River and 9 Central Alberta. 

Infrastructure Activity

• Topaz generated $23.5 million in processing revenue and other income which was 7% higher than the prior quarter.  During Q1 2025, Topaz incurred $1.8 million in operating expenses, providing a 93% operating margin⁽¹⁾.  The infrastructure assets generated 98% utilization and Topaz incurred $0.1 million in maintenance-related capital expenditures (before capitalized G&A). 
  
  
• Construction of the previously announced Alberta Montney natural gas processing facility continues to advance and is expected to be commissioned and on-stream by the end of the second quarter of 2025 ("Facility Interest"). The purchase price for the Facility Interest will be funded by Topaz upon the final commissioning, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Dividend 

• Pursuant to Topaz's strategy to increase its dividend alongside sustainable revenue growth, Topaz's Board approved an increase to the Company's quarterly dividend and declared the second quarter 2025 dividend at $0.34 per share⁽¹¹⁾ which is expected to be paid on June 30, 2025, to shareholders of record on June 13, 2025.  The quarterly cash dividend is designated as an "eligible dividend" for Canadian income tax purposes. 
• Topaz's 2025e dividend is sustainable down to $0.01 per mcf natural gas and US$55.00 per bbl crude oil⁽³⁾ attributable to: (i) the Company's high-margin, stable infrastructure revenue which represents 43% of the 2025e dividend⁽³⁾; (ii) hedging strategy and financial derivative contracts in place⁽¹²⁾; (iii) the quality and financial strength of Topaz's asset portfolio and strategic partners which mitigates risk of reduced development activity; and (iv) the Company's diversified commodity mix (approximately 70% natural gas and 30% total liquids)⁽³⁾ and resulting royalty revenue composition (approximately 50% natural gas and NGL and 50% crude and heavy oil)⁽³⁾⁽⁵⁾.

Guidance Outlook

2025 Guidance Estimates Reconfirmed

• Topaz reconfirms the Company's 2025 guidance estimates^(3)(14), including average annual royalty production of 21,000 – 23,000 boe/d⁽³⁾⁽⁴⁾ and processing revenue and other income between $88.0 and $92.0 million⁽³⁾.  Based on estimated commodity pricing⁽⁵⁾, Topaz expects to exit 2025 with net debt between $430.0 and $435.0 million^(3)(13) (net debt to EBITDA⁽¹⁾ 1.2x⁽³⁾), before consideration of incremental acquisitions, and generate a modest payout ratio at the lower end of the 60% - 90% long-term targeted payout range. 
  
  
• Based on operator plans, a record 14 to 16 drilling rigs will remain active across Topaz's royalty acreage through spring break-up⁽³⁾, following which activity is expected to resume to 28 to 30 drilling rigs active through the second quarter⁽³⁾.

Q1 2025 CONFERENCE CALL

Topaz will host a conference call tomorrow, Tuesday, May 6, 2025 starting at 7:00 a.m. MST (9:00 a.m. EST). To join the conference call without operator assistance, participants can register and enter their phone number at  https://emportal.ink/4gPHBBR to receive an instant automated call back. Alternatively, participants can join by calling a live operator at 416-764-8659 or 1-888-510-2154 (North American toll free).  The conference call ID is 56884.

2025 ANNUAL MEETING

Topaz will also host its annual shareholder meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. MST (11:00 a.m. EST) at the Calgary Petroleum Club (McMurray Room) located at 310 5^th Avenue SW Calgary, Alberta.  If you were a shareholder of record of Topaz common shares at the close of business on March 24, 2025, you have received notice of, and are entitled to participate in, and vote at this meeting. We encourage you to vote your common shares and participate in the meeting.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Topaz is a unique royalty and infrastructure energy company focused on generating free cash flow growth and paying reliable and sustainable dividends to its shareholders, through its strategic relationship with Canada's largest and most active natural gas producer, Tourmaline Oil Corp. ("Tourmaline"), an investment-grade senior Canadian E&P company, and leveraging industry relationships to execute complementary acquisitions from other high-quality energy companies. Topaz focuses on top-quartile energy resources and assets best positioned to attract capital in order to generate sustainable long-term growth and profitability.

Topaz's common shares are listed and posted for trading on the TSX under the trading symbol "TPZ" and it is included in the S&P/TSX Composite Index. This is the headline index for Canada and is the principal benchmark measure for the Canadian equity markets, represented by the largest companies on the TSX.

Additional information

Additional information about Topaz, including the Financial Statements and MD&A as at and for the three months ended March 31, 2025 are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca under the Company's profile, and on Topaz's website at www.topazenergy.ca.

NOTE REFERENCES

This news release refers to financial reporting periods in abbreviated form as follows: "Q1 2025" refers to the three months ended March 31, 2025; "Q4 2024" refers to the three months ended December 31, 2024; and "Q1 2024" refers to the three months ended March 31, 2024.  In addition, "2025e" refers to estimated amounts or results for the year ending December 31, 2025.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") that relate to the Company's current expectations and views of future events. These forward-looking statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as "will likely result", "are expected to", "expects", "will continue", "is anticipated", "anticipates", "believes", "estimated", "intends", "plans", "forecast", "projection", "strategy", "objective" and "outlook") are not historical facts and may be forward-looking statements and may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. In particular and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements pertaining to the following: Topaz's future growth outlook, guidance and strategic plans; estimated annual average royalty production for 2025; estimated processing revenue and other income for 2025; anticipated exit 2025 net debt levels and 2025 net debt to EBITDA levels; dividend amounts, dividend increases (including the intention to increase dividends) and the estimated dividend payout ratio; the sustainability of the dividend and the rationale for such sustainability; the maintenance of financial flexibility for strategic growth opportunities; the anticipated capital expenditure and drilling plans; the number of drilling rigs to be active on Topaz's royalty acreage during the second quarter of 2025; the future declaration and payment of dividends and the timing and amount thereof; the timing for the completion of the acquisition of the Facility Interest including the commissioning of the Facility Interest; the forecasts described under the headings "First Quarter 2025 Update" and "Guidance Outlook" (including under the sub-heading "Dividend") and the assumptions and estimates described under the heading "Note References" above; expected benefits from acquisitions including enhancing Topaz's future growth outlook and the plans to maintain a low payout ratio in order to retain Excess FCF for acquisitions and further dividend increases; and the Company's business as described under the heading "About the Company" above.

Forward‐looking statements are based on a number of assumptions including those highlighted in this news release including future commodity prices, capital expenditures, infrastructure ownership capacity utilization and operator development plans, and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward‐looking statements.

Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, potential political, geopolitical and economic instability; trade policy, barriers, disputes or wars (including new tariffs or changes to existing international trade arrangements); the failure to complete acquisitions on the terms or on the timing announced or at all and the failure to realize some or all of the anticipated benefits of acquisitions including estimated royalty production, royalty production revenue and FCF per share growth, and the factors discussed in the Company's most recently filed Management's Discussion and Analysis (See "Forward-Looking Statements" therein), 2024 Annual Information Form (See "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Statements" therein) and other reports on file with applicable securities regulatory authorities and may be accessed through the SEDAR+ website (www.sedarplus.ca) or Topaz's website (www.topazenergy.ca).

Statements relating to "reserves" are also deemed to be forward looking statements, as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, that the reserves described exist in the quantities predicted or estimated and that the reserves can be profitably produced in the future.

Without limitation of the foregoing, future dividend payments, if any, and the level thereof is uncertain, as the Company's dividend policy and the funds available for the payment of dividends from time to time is dependent upon, among other things, FCF, financial requirements  for the Company's operations and the execution of its growth strategy, fluctuations in working capital and the timing and amount of capital expenditures, debt service requirements and other factors beyond the Company's control. Further, the ability of Topaz to pay dividends will be subject to applicable laws (including the satisfaction of the solvency test contained in applicable corporate legislation) and contractual restrictions contained in the instruments governing its indebtedness, including its credit facility.

Topaz does not undertake any obligation to update such forward‐looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.

FINANCIAL OUTLOOK

Also included in this news release are estimates of the average royalty production range and processing revenue and other income range for the year ending December 31, 2025 and estimated year-end exit net debt and net debt to EBITDA for 2025 based on the midpoint guidance range, which are based on, among other things, the various assumptions as to production levels and capital expenditures and other assumptions disclosed in this news release including under the heading "Guidance Outlook" and "Note References" above and are based on the following key assumptions: Topaz's estimated capital expenditures (excluding acquisitions) of $5.0 to $7.0 million in 2025; the Company's tax pool balances at year-end 2024 and the resulting future tax horizon; the working interest owners' anticipated 2025 capital plans attributable to Topaz's undeveloped royalty lands; estimated average annual royalty production range of 21,000 to 23,000 boe/d in 2025; 2025 average infrastructure ownership capacity utilization of 95%; estimated timing of completion and commissioning of the Alberta Montney infrastructure acquisition mid-2025; December 31, 2025 exit net debt (midpoint) range between $430.0 and $435.0 million, 2025 average commodity prices of: $2.55/mcf (AECO 5A), US$65.00/bbl (NYMEX WTI), US$12.00/bbl (WCS oil differential), US$3.30/bbl (MSW oil differential) and US$/CAD$ foreign exchange 0.70. 

To the extent such estimates constitute financial outlooks, they were approved by management and the board of directors of Topaz on May 5, 2025 and are included to provide readers with an understanding of the estimated revenue, net debt and the other metrics described above for the year ending December 31, 2025 based on the assumptions described herein and readers are cautioned that the information may not be appropriate for other purposes.

NON-GAAP AND OTHER FINANCIAL MEASURES

Certain financial terms and measures contained in this news release are "specified financial measures" (as such term is defined in National Instrument 52-112 - Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure ("NI 52-112")). The specified financial measures referred to in this news release are comprised of "non-GAAP financial measures", "capital management measures" and "supplementary financial measures" (as such terms are defined in NI 52-112). These measures are defined, qualified, and where required, reconciled with the nearest GAAP measure below.

Non-GAAP Measures and Ratios
The non-GAAP financial measure used herein does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP. Accordingly, the Company's use of this term may not be comparable to similarly defined measures presented by other companies. Investors are cautioned that the non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered in isolation nor as an alternative to net income (loss) or other financial information determined in accordance with GAAP, as an indication of the Company's performance.  

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This news release makes reference to the terms "adjusted net income", "acquisitions, excluding decommissioning obligations" and "operating margin", which are considered non-GAAP financial measures under NI 52-112; defined as a financial measure disclosed by an issuer that depicts the historical or expected future financial performance, financial position, or cash flow of an entity, and is not disclosed in the financial statements of the issuer.

Other Financial Measures
Capital management measures
Capital management measures are defined as financial measures disclosed by an issuer that are intended to enable an individual to evaluate the entity's objectives, policies and processes for managing the entity's capital, are not a component of a line item or a line item on the primary financial statements, and which are disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. The Company's capital management measures disclosed in the Company's interim condensed consolidated financial statements as at and for the three months ended March 31, 2025 include adjusted working capital, net debt (cash), free cash flow (FCF) and Excess FCF.

Supplementary financial measures
This news release makes reference to the terms "adjusted net income per basic or diluted share", "cash flow per basic or diluted share", "FCF per basic or diluted share", "EBITDA per basic or diluted share", "FCF margin", "operating margin percentage" and "payout ratio" which are all considered supplementary financial measures under NI 52-112; defined as a financial measure disclosed by an issuer that is, or is intended to be, disclosed on a periodic basis to depict the historical or expected future financial performance, financial position or cash flow of an entity, is not disclosed in the financial statements of the issuer, and is not a non-GAAP financial measure or non-GAAP financial ratio.

The following terms are financial measures as defined under the Company's Syndicated Credit Facility, presented in the Company's interim condensed consolidated financial statements as at and for the three months ended March 31, 2025: (i) consolidated senior debt, (ii) total debt, (iii) EBITDA and (iv) capitalization.

Cash flow, FCF, FCF margin, and Excess FCF
Management uses cash flow, FCF, FCF margin and Excess FCF for its own performance measures and to provide investors with a measurement of the Company's efficiency and its ability to generate the cash necessary to fund or increase dividends, fund future growth opportunities and/or to repay debt; and furthermore, uses per share metrics to provide investors with a measure of the proportion attributable to the basic or diluted weighted average common shares outstanding. 

Cash flow is a GAAP measure which is derived of cash from operating activities excluding the change in non-cash working capital and is presented in the consolidated statements of cash flows.  FCF is a capital management measure presented in the notes to the consolidated financial statements and is defined as cash flow, less capital expenditures.  The supplementary financial measure "FCF margin", is defined as FCF divided by total revenue and other income (expressed as a percentage of total revenue and other income).  The capital management measure "Excess FCF", is defined as FCF less dividends paid.  The supplementary financial measures "cash flow per basic or diluted share" and "FCF per basic or diluted share" are calculated by dividing cash flow and FCF, respectively, by the basic or diluted weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. 

A summary of the reconciliation from cash from operating activities (per the consolidated statements of cash flows) to cash flow (per the consolidated statements of cash flows), cash flow per basic or diluted share, FCF, Excess FCF, FCF per basic or diluted share and FCF margin is set forth below:

Adjusted net income
Management uses adjusted net income for its own performance measure and to provide investors with a measurement of the Company's net income prior to the non-cash effects of unrealized gains and losses on financial instruments. Adjusted net income is calculated as net income per the consolidated statement of net income and comprehensive income, less unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments. The supplementary financial measures "adjusted net income per basic or diluted share" is calculated by dividing adjusted net income by the basic or diluted weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. 

A summary of the reconciliation from net income to adjusted net income and adjusted net income per basic and diluted share is set forth below:

Operating margin and operating margin percentage
Operating margin (infrastructure assets) is a non-GAAP financial measure derived from processing revenue and other income, less operating expenses. Operating margin percentage (infrastructure assets) is a supplemental financial measure, calculated as operating margin (infrastructure assets), expressed as a percentage of total processing revenue and other income. Operating margin (royalty assets) is a non-GAAP financial measure derived from royalty production revenue, less marketing expenses. Operating margin percentage (royalty assets) is a supplemental financial measure, calculated as operating margin (royalty assets), expressed as a percentage of total royalty production revenue. Operating margin and operating margin percentage are used by management to analyze the profitability of its infrastructure assets and royalty assets.  A summary of the reconciliation of operating margin and operating margin percentage, for infrastructure and royalty assets, are set forth below:

Operating margin and operating margin percentage (infrastructure assets)

Operating margin and operating margin percentage (royalty assets)

Adjusted working capital and net debt
Management uses the terms "adjusted working capital" and "net debt" to measure the Company's liquidity position and capital flexibility, as such these terms are considered capital management measures. "Adjusted working capital" is calculated as current assets less current liabilities, adjusted for financial instruments and work in progress capital costs.  "Net debt" is calculated as total debt outstanding less adjusted working capital.

A summary of the reconciliation from working capital, to adjusted working capital and net debt is set forth below:

EBITDA and EBITDA per basic or diluted share
EBITDA, as defined under the Company's Syndicated Credit Facility and disclosed in note 8 of the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as at and for the three months ended March 31, 2025, is considered by the Company as a capital management measure which is used to evaluate the Company's operating performance, and provides investors with a measurement of the Company's cash generated from its operations, before consideration of interest income or expense.  "EBITDA" is calculated as consolidated net income or loss from continuing operations, excluding extraordinary items, plus interest expense, income taxes, and adjusted for non-cash items and gains or losses on dispositions. 

EBITDA per basic or diluted share is a supplementary financial measure that is calculated by dividing EBITDA by the basic or diluted weighted average common shares outstanding during the period and provides investors with a measure of the proportion of EBITDA attributed to the basic or diluted weighted average common shares outstanding.

A summary of the reconciliation of net income (per the Financial Statements), to EBITDA, is set forth below:

Payout ratio
"Payout ratio", a supplementary financial measure, represents dividends paid, expressed as a percentage of cash flow and provides investors with a measure of the percentage of cash flow that was used during the period to fund dividend payments. Payout ratio is calculated as cash flow divided by dividends paid.

A summary of the reconciliation from cash flow to payout ratio is set forth below:

 Acquisitions, excluding decommissioning obligations
"Acquisitions, excluding decommissioning obligations", is considered a non-GAAP financial measure, and is calculated as: acquisitions (per the consolidated statements of cash flows) plus non-cash acquisitions but excluding non-cash decommissioning obligations.

A summary of the reconciliation from acquisitions (per the consolidated statements of cash flow) to acquisitions, excluding decommissioning obligations is set forth below:

BOE EQUIVALENCY

Per barrel of oil equivalent amounts have been calculated using a conversion rate of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of oil equivalent (6:1).  Barrel of oil equivalents (boe) may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation.  A boe conversion ratio of 6 mcf:1 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.  In addition, as the value ratio between natural gas and crude oil based on the current prices of natural gas and crude oil is significantly different from the energy equivalency of 6:1, utilizing a conversion on a 6:1 basis may be misleading as an indication of value.

OIL AND GAS METRICS

This news release contains certain oil and gas metrics which do not have standardized meanings or standard methods of calculation and therefore such measures may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies and should not be used to make comparisons. Such metrics have been included in this news release to provide readers with additional measures to evaluate the Company's performance; however, such measures are not reliable indicators of the Company's future performance and future performance may not compare to the Company's performance in previous periods and therefore such metrics should not be unduly relied upon.

INFORMATION REGARDING PUBLIC ISSUER COUNTERPARTIES

Certain information contained in this news release relating to the Company's public issuer counterparties which include Tourmaline and others, and the nature of their respective businesses is taken from and based solely upon information published by such issuers. The Company has not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of any such information.

CREDIT RATINGS

This news release makes reference to Tourmaline's credit rating. Credit ratings are intended to provide investors with an independent measure of credit quality of an issue of securities. Credit ratings are not recommendations to purchase, hold or sell securities and do not address the market price or suitability of a specific security for a particular investor. There is no assurance that any rating will remain in effect for any given period of time or that any rating will not be revised or withdrawn entirely by a rating agency in the future if, in its judgment, circumstances so warrant.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION REGARDING PRODUCT TYPES

This news release includes references to actual and estimated average royalty production. The following table is intended to provide supplemental information about the product type composition for each of the production figures that are provided in this news release:

SOURCE Topaz Energy Corp