Quarterlytics / Energy / Oil & Gas Exploration & Production / Akita Drilling Ltd.

Akita Drilling Ltd.

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FY2022 Annual Report · Akita Drilling Ltd.
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2022

ANNUAL REPORT

HEAD OFFICE
AKITA Drilling Ltd., 1000, 333 - 7th Ave SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P 2Z1 Canada
www.akita-drilling.com

 
 
 
 
 
CORPORATE INFORMATION

Officers
Linda A. Southern-Heathcott
Executive Chair and Chief Executive Officer 

Banker

ATB Financial
Calgary, Alberta

Colin A. Dease
President and Chief Operating Officer

Darcy Reynolds
Vice President, Finance and 
Chief Financial Officer

Head Office
AKITA Drilling Ltd.,
1000, 333 - 7th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P 2Z1
403.292.7979

Counsel

Bennett Jones LLP
Calgary, Alberta

Auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Calgary, Alberta

Registrar and Transfer Agent
Odyssey Trust Company 
Calgary, Alberta 
1.888.290.1175

Share Symbol/TSX
Class A Non-Voting (AKT.A)

Class B Common (AKT.B)

Website
www.akita-drilling.com

Directors
Loraine M. Charlton
Corporate Director
Calgary, Alberta

Douglas A. Dafoe
President and CEO
Ember Resources Inc.
Calgary, Alberta

Harish K. Mohan
Corporate Director
Calgary, Alberta

Robert J. Peabody
Corporate Director
Calgary, Alberta

Nancy C. Southern
Chairman, President and  
Chief Executive Officer,  
ATCO Ltd., Canadian Utilities Limited, and 
CU Inc.  
Calgary, Alberta

Linda A. Southern-Heathcott
Executive Chair and Chief Executive Officer,  
AKITA Drilling Ltd. 
President and  
Chief Executive Officer,  
Spruce Meadows Ltd.,
President,  
Team Spruce Meadows Inc.,
Calgary, Alberta

Henry G. Wilmot
Corporate Director
Calgary, Alberta

Charles W. Wilson
Corporate Director
Boulder, Colorado

2

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual Report

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual Report 81

CORPORATE
PROFILE

AKITA Drilling Ltd. is a premier oil and gas drilling contractor with 

drilling  operations  throughout  North  America.    The  Company 

strives  to  be  the  industry  leader  in  customer  relations,  First 

Nations,  Métis  and  Inuit  partnerships,  employee  expertise, 

safety, equipment quality and drilling performance.  In addition to 

conventional drilling, the Company specializes in pad and other 

purpose-built drilling rigs and is active in directional, horizontal 

and  underbalanced  drilling  providing  specialized  drilling 

services to a broad range of independent and multinational oil 

and gas companies.  AKITA currently employs, at full operations, 

approximately 1,000 people.  The Company has ownership in 36 

drilling rigs in all depth ranges.

11

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportCONTENTS
CONTENTS

1

Corporate Profile

6

4

Letter to the 
Shareowners

8

Operational Performance 

Share Performance

10

36

Management's 
Discussion and Analysis

Management's 
Responsibility for 
Financial Reporting

38

44

Independent Auditor's 
Report

Consolidated Financial 
Statements

78

10 Year Financial Review

48

Notes to the 
Consolidated Financial 
Statements

81

Corporate Information

2
2

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual Report

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportFORWARD-LOOKING 
STATEMENTS

From time to time AKITA Drilling Ltd. (“AKITA” or the “Company”) makes written and verbal forward-
looking  statements.    These  forward-looking  statements  include  but  are  not  limited  to  comments 
with respect to our objectives and strategies, financial condition, the results of our operations and 
our  business,  our  outlook  for  our  industry  and  our  risk  management  discussion.    Forward  looking 
statements  are  typically  identified  with  words  such  as  “believe”,  “expect”,  “forecast”,  “anticipate”, 
“intend”, “estimate”, “plan” and “project” and similar expressions of future or conditional events such 
as “will”, “may”, “should”, “could” or “would".

By  their  nature  these  forward-looking  statements  involve  numerous  assumptions,  inherent  risks 
and uncertainties, both general and specific, and the risk that predictions and other forward-looking 
statements  will  not  be  achieved.    We  caution  readers  of  this  Annual  Report  not  to  place  undue 
reliance on these forward-looking statements as a number of important factors could cause actual 
future results to differ materially from the plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions 
expressed in such forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements may be influenced by factors such as prevailing economic conditions; the 
level of exploration and development activity carried on by AKITA’s customers, world crude oil prices 
and North American natural gas prices; global liquified natural gas (LNG) demand, weather, access to 
capital markets; and government policies.  We caution that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive 
and that while relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to AKITA, investors 
and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors, as well as other uncertainties and events, 
prior to making a decision to invest in AKITA.  Except where required by law, the Company does not 
undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from 
time to time by it or on its behalf.

Additional information about these and other factors can be found under the “Business Risks and Risk 
Management” section of the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of this 2022 Annual Report for 
AKITA.

Annual Meeting

The  annual  meeting  (the  “Meeting”)  of  the  shareholders  of  AKITA  DRILLING  LTD.  (the 

“Company”) will be held in a virtual only format via live webcast on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 

10:00 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time. Details on how to access the Meeting can be found in the 

Company’s Management Proxy Circular.

3

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportAKITA Drilling’s net income for the year ended December 31, 

2022 was $4,288,000 (net income of $0.11 per share (basic 

and  diluted))  on  revenue  of  $200,996,000,  compared  to  a 

net loss $20,990,000 (net loss of $0.53 per share (basic and 

diluted))  on  revenue  of  $110,088,000  in  2021.  This  marks 

the first year of positive earnings for the Company since 2016 

and  the  highest  revenue  earned  in  the  last  decade.  Funds 

flow  from  operations  for  2022  was  $34,813,000  compared 

to  $7,454,000  in  2021,  while  net  cash  from  operating 

activities  for  2022  was  $18,198,000  compared  to  net  cash 

used  in  operating  activities  of  $3,461,000  in  2021.  Both  of 

the  Company’s  operating  segments,  the  US  division  and  the 

Canadian  division,  had  improved  results  that  contributed  to 

the significant increase in the year-over-year profitability of the 

Company.

In Canada, 2022 was a much more active year for the industry 

and for AKITA. For the industry, total operating days increased 
to 58,833 in 2022 from 43,840 in 2021, a 34% improvement. 
This  compared  to  2,518  operating  days  in  2022  for  the 
Company  compared  to  1,594  in  2021,  a  58%  improvement 
for  AKITA.  The  increase  in  activity  for  AKITA  was  realized 
across  all  rig  categories  with  the  oilsands  rigs  increasing  in 
activity the most. In Canada the operating margin increased to 
$19,803,000 in 2022 from $9,068,000 in 2021. This 118% 
increase in operating margin was attributable to a combination 
of  the  overall  activity  increase  as  well  as  a  38%  increase  in 
operating margin per operating day, that was in turn driven by 
improved  day  rates.  One  of  the  most  significant  factors  that 

4

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportLETTER TO THE SHAREOWNERSLETTER TO THE
LETTER TO THE 
SHAREOWNERS
SHAREOWNERS

impacted  the  number  of  rigs  that  AKITA  was  able  to  put  to 

operating margin per operating day increased 86% to $8,716 

work in 2022 was crew availability. This limiting factor eased 

in 2022 from $4,677 in 2021.  The focus placed on increasing 

towards the end of 2022 as the Company implemented several 

day rates while keeping costs increases to a minimum, despite 

initiatives to mitigate this constraint. In Canada, the Company 

the inflationary environment, was successful in the US.  In the 

spent  $6,648,000  on  capital  in  2022,  largely  related  to  the 

US  $11,334,000  was  spent  on  capital  which  was  allocated 

recertification of equipment.  

among equipment recertifications, drill pipe and rig upgrades.

On November 23, 2022, the Canadian Association of Energy 

The  improvements  seen  in  2022  are  expected  to  continue 

Contractors  (“CAOEC”)  released  its  2023  industry  drilling 

in  2023  which  should  result  in  continued  improvement  in 

forecast, estimating 70,495 operating days for the Canadian 

profitability  for  the  Company.  The  focus  of  the  Company  in 

drilling industry in 2023, up from 58,833 actual operating days 

2023  is  on  meaningful  debt  repayment  and  improving  the 

in 2022. The 2023 forecast was based upon commodity price 

Company’s financial flexibility for the future. 

assumptions of USD $83.00 per barrel for crude oil and CAD 

$3.19/GJ for natural gas. Based on the CAOEC forecast, 2023 

We would like to express a special thanks to AKITA’s employees 

should see further improvements from what was achieved in 

for their hard work and sacrifices through the challenging last 

2022, which should result in corresponding increases for the 

few  years.  We  also  wish  to  acknowledge  the  contribution  of 

Company. 

Results  in  the  US  were  even  stronger  than  in  Canada  with 
the US operating margin increasing to $35,631,000 in 2022 
from  $13,427,000  in  2021.  The  active  rig  count  for  the  US 
increased from 586 active rigs at the end of 2021 to 779 at 
the  end  of  2022.  This  33%  increase  in  activity  significantly 
improved the pricing power for the drilling industry. Activity in 
the  US  for  AKITA  improved  year-over-year  to  4,088  operating 
days in 2022 from 2,871 in 2021, a 42% increase. While the 
increase in activity contributed to the improvement in operating 
margin,    it  was  day  rate  increases  in  the  US  that  made  the 
largest impact on the improvement to operating margin. The 

our  directors,  whose  thoughtful  counsel  and  guidance  have 

helped to create, maintain and grow a strong and successful 
Company. Finally, we acknowledge AKITA shareowners for their 
continued support and confidence in the Company.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Linda A. Southern-Heathcott
Executive Chair and Chief Executive Officer 

March 20, 2023

5

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportLETTER TO THE SHAREOWNERSOPERATIONAL 
PERFORMANCE

Revenue ($000's)

Net Earnings (Loss) ($000's)

250,000

200,000

150,000

100,000

50,000

0

20,000

0

(20,000)

(40,000)

(60,000)

(80,000)

(100,000)

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Funds Flow from Continuing Operations  ($000's)

Capital Expenditures ($000's)

20,000

18,000

16,000

14,000

12,000

10,000

8,000

6,000

4,000

2,000

0

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

40,000

35,000

30,000

25,000

20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000

0

6

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportOPERATIONAL PERFORMANCERESPECT

COMMITMENT

FOUNDATIONAL
VALUES

INTEGRITY

At AKITA - integrity, respect 
and commitment are 
the foundational values 
and guiding principles 
engrained into every aspect 
of our operations. 

7

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportSHARE
PERFORMANCE

The graph below compares the cumulative return over the last five years on the Class A Non-Voting shares and Class B 
Common shares of the Company from December 31, 2022 with the cumulative total return of the S&P/TSX Composite 
Stock Index and the TSX Energy Services Sub-Index over the same period, assuming reinvestment of dividends.

Five Year Total Return on $100 Investment

200

150

100

50

0

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Dec 31,
2017

Dec 31,
2018

Dec 31,
2019

Dec 31,
2020

Dec 31,
2021

Dec 31,
2022

AKITA Class A  
Non-Voting Shares

AKITA Class B 
Common Shares

S&P/TSX 
Composite Index

TSX Energy 
Services Sub-Index

100

100

100

100

51

60

91

71

16

21

112

50

6

27

118

16

12

34

148

10

23

36

139

13

8

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportSHARE PERFORMANCESHARE PERFORMANCE

Share Performance

Weighted average number of Class A and 
Class B shares

24,551,542

39,608,191

39,608,191

39,608,191

39,622,805

Total number of Class A and Class B shares

39,608,191

39,608,191

39,608,191

39,608,191

39,650,191

Market prices for Class A Non-Voting shares

High

$          8.38 

$          4.42 

$          1.22 

$          1.54 

$          2.96

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Low $          3.41 

$          0.75 

$          0.25 

$          0.50 

$          0.89 

Close

$          4.07 

$          1.19 

$          0.48 

$          0.94 

$          1.73 

Volume

2,192,522

8,875,748

21,339,080

7,239,647

20,529,992

Market prices for Class B Common shares

High

$          8.16 

$          4.48 

$          2.89 

$          3.00 

$          4.98 

Low $          3.77 

$          1.25

$          0.67 

$          0.98 

$          1.50 

Close

$          4.60 

$          1.57 

$          0.77 

$          2.46 

$          2.60 

Volume

19,313

53,746

45,986

14,172

19,530

Dividend History

AKITA began paying dividends to shareholders in 1996.  In July of 2019, AKITA suspended its dividend program in light of the current 
economic environment.

Dividends per share ($)

2018

0.34

2019

0.17

2020

0.00

2021

0.00

2022

0.00

9

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportMANAGEMENT’S
DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

The following management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) of the financial condition and results of operations is 

intended to help the reader understand the current and prospective financial position and operating results of AKITA 

Drilling Ltd. (“AKITA” or the “Company”). The MD&A discusses the operating and financial results for the year ended 

December 31, 2022, is dated March 20, 2023, and takes into consideration information available up to that date. The 

MD&A is based on the audited annual consolidated financial statements of AKITA for the year ended December 31, 

2022. The MD&A should be read in conjunction with the audited annual consolidated financial statements and related 

notes for the year ended December 31, 2022, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 

(IFRS).

Additional information is available on AKITA’s website (www.AKITA-Drilling.com) and all previous public filings, including 

the most recently filed Annual Report and Annual Information Form, are available through SEDAR (www.sedar.com). All 

amounts are denominated in Canadian dollars (CAD) and stated in thousands unless otherwise identified. 

Introduction

AKITA is a premier Canadian oil and gas drilling contractor with a fleet of 36 drilling rigs.  AKITA provides contract drilling services 
through two geographical segments: Canada and the United States (“US”). With a fleet of 20 rigs, AKITA’s Canadian division operates 
in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and from time to time, in the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. The Canadian division 
operates both wholly-owned rigs and rigs that are partially owned by AKITA and First Nations, Métis or Inuit joint venture partners 
including AKITA Mistiyapew Aski Drilling Ltd., a joint venture between AKITA and Saulteau First Nations, AKITA Equtak Drilling Ltd. a 
joint venture between AKITA and the Inuvialuit Development Corporation, and AKITA Wood Buffalo Drilling Ltd., a joint venture between 
AKITA and Chipewyan Prairie First Nation, Fort McMurray 468 First Nation, Fort McKay Métis Nation, Fort Chipewyan Métis Local 125, 
and  Conklin  Métis  Local  193.  Each  joint  venture  has  defined  geographical  boundaries  and  an  equity  interest  in  select  AKITA  rigs; 
together AKITA’s First Nation, Métis and Inuit joint venture partners hold equity interest in six of AKITA’s Canadian drilling rigs.  AKITA’s 
US division conducts operations with a fleet of 16 rigs, currently operating in Colorado, Texas and New Mexico.

With a focus on the efficient provision of drilling services, rigorous crew training, rig maintenance, safety processes and adherence to 
a leading quality assurance-quality control program, AKITA strives to ensure it is well positioned to meet the demanding requirements 
of global operators while remaining flexible enough to tailor its services to operator requests.

10

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSISFinancial Highlights

($Thousands except per share amounts)

2022

2021

Change % Change

2022

2021

Change % Change

  For the three months ended  
December 31

  For the year ended December 31

Revenue 

 59,525 

34,360

 25,165 

73%  200,996  110,088

90,908

Operating and maintenance expenses 

 40,666 

30,568

 10,098 

33%  151,884 

89,835

62,049

Operating margin

Margin %

 18,859 

3,792

15,067

32%

11%

21%

Net cash from (used in) operating activities

8,035

 (6,327)

 14,362 

397%

191%

227%

49,112

20,253

28,859

24%

18%

6%

18,198

(3,461)

21,659

626%

83%

69%

142%

33%

Adjusted funds flow from operations (1)

16,144

 2,427 

 13,717 

565%

34,813

7,454

27,359

  Per share

Net income (loss)

  Per share

Capital expenditures

 0.41 

 0.06 

 0.35 

8,813

 (4,798)

 13,611 

 0.22 

 (0.13)

 0.35 

583%

284%

269%

0.88

 0.19 

 0.69 

4,288  (20,990)

25,278

 0.11

 (0.53)

 0.64 

  4,917 

  7,544

 (2,627)

(35%)

17,982

16,416

1,566

Weighted average shares outstanding

 39,650 

 39,608 

 42 

0%  39,623 

 39,608 

 15 

Total assets

Total debt

 268,281 

 247,574 

20,707

 93,514 

 86,156 

7,358

367%

363%

120%

121%

10%

0%

8%

9%

(1) See “Non-GAAP and Supplementary Financial Measures" near the end of this MD&A for further detail.

General Overview

AKITA ended the year with net earnings of $4,288,000 in 2022 compared to a net loss in 2021 of $20,990,000, marking a significant 
turning point for the Company. This significant improvement in the Company’s results is primarily due to strong results in the Company’s 
US division. While the Company was more active in both Canada (2,518 operating days in 2022 compared to 1,594 operating days 
in 2021) and the US (4,088 operating days in 2022 compared to 2,871 operating days in 2021) the most substantial driver for the 
improved results was the 165% increase in the Company’s adjusted operating margin in the United States in 2022, most of which was 
generated in the second half of the year. Funds flow from operations increased to $34,813,000 in 2022, the highest annual funds 
flow from operations since 2015. The Company’s net earnings and funds flow from operations were both weighted heavily to the fourth 
quarter which generated 46% of the funds flow from operations for the entire year. Capital spending for the year was 10% higher in 
2022 than in 2021, with 36% of the 2022 capital being spent in the first quarter of the year. This weighting of capital spending early in 
the year when significantly improved results were not yet realized, increased the Company’s total debt to $95 million in the first quarter 
of 2022, with the balance of the Company’s capital program for the year funded through cash flow.

11

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS 
 
Industry Overview
WTI Prices ($USD/bbl) (1)

Alberta Natural Gas Price ($CAD/GJ) (2)

2022
2021
2020

130.00

110.00

90.00

70.00

50.00

30.00

10.00

JAN

FEB MAR

APR MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

8.0

7.0

6.0

5.0

4.0

3.0

2.0

1.0

0

JAN

FEB MAR

APR MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Industry Utilization Canada (3)

US Active Rig Count (4)

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

900

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

JAN

FEB MAR

APR MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

JAN

FEB MAR

APR MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

1) Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
2) Source: Natural Gas Exchange ("NGX")

3) Source: Canadian Association of Energy Contractors ("CAOEC")
4) Source: Baker Hughes North American Rotary Rig Count

Oil  and  gas  contract  drilling  activity  is  cyclical  and  is  affected  by  numerous  factors,  most  importantly  world  crude  oil  prices,  North 
American  natural  gas  prices,  and  international  LNG  (liquified  natural  gas)  pricing.  Crude  oil  prices  have  been  recovering  since  the 
lows in April of 2020, reaching levels by the end of 2021 not seen since 2014, and continuing higher amidst the current geopolitical 
situation which has disrupted the global oil market and pushed oil prices higher. Oil prices peaked in June 2022, before worldwide 
recessionary concerns led to decreased pricing through the second half of 2022 as global economies struggled with inflation and 
uncertainty. Natural gas prices, which were not impacted as heavily as crude oil prices by the global COVID-19 pandemic, also decreased 
significantly from June of 2022. 

In Canada, industry utilization has now recovered to pre-pandemic levels and continues to strengthen. Activity levels in the Canadian 
drilling industry have reached a point where drilling contractors are able to increase day rates for the first time in several years, a 
signal that a recovery is underway. This encouraging development is tempered by the fact that rates are increasing from extremely low 
unsustainable benchmark rates that were established in the downturn, and then further depressed during the height of the pandemic.  
Consequently, despite the recent day rate improvements, there remains a large delta between current rates and peak rates last seen in 
2014. In Canada, the speed of the recovery has three limiting factors: two affecting the demand for drilling rigs and one impacting the 
ability to supply rigs. The industry was challenged by well licensing issues in British Columbia which impacted opportunities for drilling 
(and therefore demand), resulting in the indefinite postponement of drilling programs that were scheduled to commence in 2022. 
There was partial resolution to this licensing issue in January of 2023 with delayed projects beginning work in the first half of 2023. 
Supply chain issues are the second factor weighing on demand for drilling in 2022 as the Company’s customers are having difficulty 
sourcing casing, a required component to complete a well. The short supply of casing means operators have to curtail some drilling 
programs as they prioritize work based on casing they already have. Labour shortages affect the supply of drilling rigs and are expected 
to remain a key third constraint to a rapid recovery in drilling activity in the Canadian industry.

12

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSISIn the US, industry activity has been slowly increasing since the lows seen in the third quarter of 2020, with industry activity still slightly 
below  the  pre-pandemic  levels  of  800  active  rigs.  When  the  US  active  rig  count  surpassed  750  active  rigs  however,  pricing  power 
returned to the drilling contractors. Day rates have improved significantly in 2022 and could continue to improve if activity continues 
to climb. The growth in the active rig count slowed in the second half of 2022 and there are concerns that ongoing uncertainty in the 
North American economy may reduce demand for oil in the near term, which in turn, would impact the demand for drilling rigs as some 
operators elect to preserve capital during uncertain times.

Results by Segment 

Canada

$Thousands except per day amounts

2022

2021

Change % Change

2022

2021

Change % Change

For the three months ended December 31

For the year ended December 31

Revenue Canada

 14,686 

10,127

4,559

Revenue from joint venture 
drilling rigs

6,546

4,431

2,115

Flow through charges (1)

      (712)

(1,465)

Adjusted revenue Canada (1)

20,520

13,093

753

7,427

10,806

9,134

1,672

45%

48%

 55,279 

28,290

26,989

25,958

15,893     10,065 

51%       (3,800)

(3,512)

(288)

57%

18%

77,437

40,671

36,766

41,799

21,489

20,310

95%

63%

(8%)

90%

95%

      4,470 

3,428

1,042

30%

19,635

13,626

6,009

44%

Flow through charges (1)

      (712)

(1,465)

753

51%       (3,800)

(3,512)

      (288) 

(8%)

14,564

11,097

3,467

31%

57,634

31,603

26,031

82%

5,956

29%

1,996

15%

583             498 

14%

85

35,197

26,291

8,906

3,960

198%

19,803

9,068

10,735

118%

93%

17%

34%

26%

2,518

22%

4%

1,594

         924 

30,753

25,515

5,238

18%

58%

21%

24,981

22,283          2,698 

12%

22,889        19,826 

3,063

15%

Operating and maintenance 
expenses Canada

Operating and maintenance 
expenses from joint venture 
drilling rigs

Adjusted operating and 
maintenance  
expenses Canada (1)

Adjusted operating margin(1)

Margin %(1)

Operating days

Adjusted revenue per operating 
day (1)

Adjusted operating and 
maintenance expenses per 
operating day (1)

Adjusted operating margin per 
operating day (1)

10,216

4,008

6,208

155%

7,864

5,689

2,175

Utilization (1)

Rig count

32%

27%

5%

19%

34%

22%

12%

            20                20 

           -   

0%             20                20 

           -   

(1)  See “Non-GAAP and Supplementary Financial Measures" near the end of this MD&A for further detail. 

38%

55%

0%

Results in Canada improved significantly in 2022 with adjusted operating margin increasing 118% to $19,803,000 in the year from 
$9,068,000 in 2021. This increase was driven by two factors, increased activity and improved day rates. During 2022, AKITA achieved 
2,518 operating days in Canada, which corresponds to an annual utilization rate of 34%, compared to a 2022 industry average of 35% 
and a 2021 utilization rate for the Company of 22% (1,594 days). The increase in AKITA’s operating days in 2022 compared to 2021 
was a general increase spread out amongst all classes of rigs in the Canadian fleet. In 2022, activity for the Company followed the 
typical seasonal trend with the first quarter being the most active. 

13

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSISDay rates were the other contributing factor to the increased operating margin in Canada. Adjusted revenue per operating day increased 
21%  to  $30,753  in  2022  from  $25,515  in  2021.  Rates  have  increased  not  only  year-over-year  but  also  quarter-over-quarter,  with 
average day rates ending the year at $35,197 for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to $29,173 in the first quarter of 2022. Included 
in the Canadian operating results is AKITA’s share of revenue and costs from its joint ventures, as AKITA provides the same drilling 
services through its joint venture drilling rigs as it does for its wholly-owned rigs. 

Adjusted operating and maintenance expenses are tied to activity levels and increased 82% to $57,634,000 in 2022 from $31,603,000 
in 2021, which is not in-line with the 58% increase in operating days as the per day cost also increased. On a per day basis, adjusted 
operating  and  maintenance  costs  increased  to  $22,889  in  2022  from  $19,826  in  2021.  The  2021  operating  and  maintenance 
expense was reduced by the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (“CEWS”) of $3,450,000 in 2021 or $2,164 per day (2022 – nil). 

AKITA’s Canadian segment provided drilling services to 27 different customers in 2022 (2021 - 15 different customers), including five 
customers that each provided more than 10% of AKITA’s Canadian revenue for the year (2021 – four customers).

United States

For the three months ended December 31

For the year ended December 31

$Thousands except per day amounts

2022

2021

Change % Change

2022

2021

Change % Change

Revenue US

Flow through charges (1)

Adjusted revenue US (1)

Operating and maintenance 
expenses US

44,839

24,233

20,606

85%

 145,717 

81,798

63,919

      (5,383)

(3,277)

(2,106)

(64%)

(14,919)

(10,374)

(4,545)

39,456

20,956

18,500

88%

130,798

71,424

 59,374 

78%

(44%)

83%

29,861

21,459          8,402 

39%

110,086

68,371

41,715

61%

Flow through charges (1)

      (5,383)

(3,277)

(2,106)

(64%)

(14,919)

(10,374)

(4,545)

(44%)

Adjusted operating and 
maintenance  
expenses US (1)

24,478

18,182

6,296

35%

95,167

57,997

37,170

64%

Adjusted operating margin US(1)

14,978

2,774     12,204 

35,631

13,427

22,204

165%

38%

13%

25%

1,046             829 

         217 

27%

4,088

19%

8%

2,871          1,217 

37,721

25,279

12,442

49%

31,996

24,878

7,118

440%

192%

26%

23,402

21,932          1,470 

7%

23,280

20,201          3,079 

15%

Margin %(1)

Operating days

Adjusted revenue per operating 
day (1)

Adjusted operating and 
maintenance expenses per 
operating day (1)

Adjusted operating margin per 
operating day (1)

14,319

3,347

10,972

328%

8,716

4,677

4,039

Utilization (1)

Rig count

71%

56%

15%

27%

70%

49%

21%

            16                16 

           -   

0%             16                16 

           -   

(1 ) See “Non-GAAP and Supplementary Financial Measures" near the end of this MD&A for further detail. 

42%

42%

29%

86%

43%

0%

The Company’s US operating segment had a strong year with meaningful day rate increases throughout the year and improved activity 
compared to the prior year. Adjusted operating margin increased 165% to $35,631,000 in 2022 from $13,427,000 in 2021. Of the 
total operating margin in the year, 70% was generated in the second half of the year as the day rate increases began to significantly 
improve  results.  Activity  increased  in  2021  in  the  US  operating  segment  and  remained  constant  through  2022  averaging  1,000 
operating days per quarter. The key driver for improved results was higher day rates. Revenue per day improved from $26,089 in the 
first quarter of 2022 to $37,721 in the fourth quarter as the Company was able to secure incremental day rate increases throughout 
the year. Revenue in the US accounted for 63% of the Company’s total 2022 adjusted revenue, consistent with 62% in 2021. Adjusted 
operating margin in the US was 64% of the total for the Company in 2022, up from 60% in 2021.

14

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSISAdjusted operating and maintenance costs increased to $95,167,000 in 2022 from $57,997,000 in 2021 due to increased activity 
as well as an increase in adjusted operating and maintenance expenses per day which increased 15% to $23,280 in 2022. Operating 
and maintenance expenses in the fourth quarter of 2022 were positively impacted by the receipt of a $2.0 million Employee Retention 
Credit (“ERC”) from the IRS. The ERC is a COVID-19 related credit, granted to employers that retained a certain number of employees 
while experiencing significant decreases in revenue during the pandemic. This amount reduced the total operating costs in the quarter. 

In the US, AKITA provided drilling services to 27 different customers in 2022 (2021 – 29 customers), including two customers that 
provided more than 10% of AKITA’s US revenue for the year (2021 – one customer).

Seasonality

The Canadian drilling industry is seasonal with activity typically building in the fall as the ground freezes and peaking during the winter 
months. Northern transportation routes become available once areas with muskeg conditions freeze to allow the movement of drilling 
rigs and other heavy equipment. The peak Canadian drilling season ends with "spring break-up" at which time drilling operations are 
curtailed due to seasonal road bans (temporary prohibitions on road use) and restricted access to agricultural land as frozen ground 
thaws. The summer drilling season begins when road bans are lifted. Some areas are subject to environmental orders for specific 
well leases which can prevent drilling activity during certain periods when authorities prioritize wildlife or habitat protections.  Such 
restrictions may affect activity levels and operating results.

While activity in the northern part of the US is subject to a degree of seasonality, it is less affected by spring break-up than AKITA’s 
operations in northern Canada.  Other areas in the US where AKITA conducts drilling operations are infrequently subject to weather 
constraints, especially in the southern states, but may experience operational restrictions for other reasons.  

While seasonality can affect all rig classes, pad drilling rigs are generally less susceptible to seasonality than conventional drilling rigs.

Depreciation and Amortization Expense

$Millions

Depreciation and amortization expense

2022

30.3

2021

28.8

Change

% Change

1.5

5%

The increase in depreciation and amortization expense to $30,263,000 in 2022 from $28,838,000 in 2021, is due to an increase in 
the Company’s depreciable assets ($607,185,000 at the end of 2022 compared to $589,382,000 at the end of 2021). 

AKITA  depreciates its  drilling  rig  assets  on  a  straight-line basis  where the estimated useful lives and residual values of various rig 
components have been chosen to match the expected life of that component. In 2022, drilling rig depreciation accounted for 97% of 
total depreciation expense, unchanged from 2021. 

While AKITA conducts some of its drilling operations via joint ventures, the drilling rigs used to conduct those activities are owned jointly 
by AKITA and its joint venture partners, and not by the joint ventures themselves.  As the joint ventures do not hold any property, plant, 
or equipment assets directly, the Company’s depreciation expense includes depreciation on assets involved in both wholly-owned and 
joint venture activities.

15

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSISSelling and Administrative Expenses 

$Millions

Selling and administrative expenses

2022

14.5

2021

 12.2

Change

% Change

2.3

19%

Selling and administrative expenses increased to $14,541,000 in 2022 from $12,213,000 in 2021 due to higher salary, stock based 
compensation and inflationary costs in the year as well as the receipt of COVID-19 related government grants totaling $552,000 in 
2021 that were not received in 2022. 

Selling and administrative expenses equated to 7% of revenue in 2022 and 11% in 2021. The single largest component of selling and 
administrative expenses is salaries and benefits which accounted for 42% of these expenses in 2022 (2021 – 44%).

Asset Impairment 

The Company did not identify any changes in the indicators of asset impairment or any new indicators of asset impairment during 
2022. Therefore, no further assessment on asset impairment was performed as there have been no changes in circumstances that 
indicate that the carrying amount of property plant and equipment does not exceed its recoverable amount as at December 31, 2022.

Equity Income from Joint Ventures

Equity income from joint ventures is comprised of the following: 

$Millions

Proportionate share of revenue from joint ventures 

Proportionate share of operating & maintenance 
expenses from joint ventures 

Proportionate share of selling and administrative 
expenses from joint ventures 

Equity income from joint ventures

2022

26.0

 19.6 

 0.4 

 6.0 

2021

15.9

13.6

 0.3 

2.0

Change

% Change

 10.1 

6.0

 0.1 

 4.0 

64%

44%

33%

200%

The  Company  provides  the  same  drilling  services  and  utilizes  the  same  management,  financial  and  reporting  controls  for  its  joint 
venture activities as it does for its wholly-owned operations.  The analyses of these activities are incorporated throughout the relevant 
sections of this MD&A relating to activity, revenue per day as well as operating expenses. The increase in revenue for the Company’s 
proportionate share of joint ventures year-over-year relates to the increased activity in SAGD drilling which is the key market for the 
Company’s joint venture rigs.

16

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS 
Other Income (Loss)    

$Millions

Interest income

Interest and financing expense

Gain on sale of assets

Unrealized loss on risk management contracts

Net other gains

Total other loss

2022

 -   

 (6.8)

0.1

 (0.3)

0.2

 (6.8)

2021

 -   

 (3.6)

 -  

 -   

0.6

 (3.0)

Change

% Change

 -   

(3.2)

0.1

 (0.3) 

 (0.4) 

 (3.8) 

         n/a

(89%)

         n/a

         n/a

(67%)

(127%)

The Company recorded interest and financing expense of $6,777,000 for 2022, up from $3,553,000 in 2021. This increase is due to 
a higher average debt balance in 2022 of $94,750,000 compared to $79,175,000 in 2021, as well as increased interest rates which 
averaged 7.06% in 2022, up from 4.64% for 2021.  

The Company is exposed to changes in interest rates on borrowings under its operating loan facility, which is subject to floating interest 
rates.  To mitigate this risk the Company entered into an interest rate swap with its principal banker as the agent in the syndication with 
two other Canadian banks in June of 2022.  The term of the interest rate swap is June 15, 2022 to June 15, 2026 and the notional 
amount of the swap is $50,000,000.  The fixed rate is 4.24% while the floating rate is indexed to the Canadian Dollar Offered Rate 
(“CDOR”).  At period end the interest rate swap is valued at fair value with any unrealized gain (loss) recorded as other income (loss) on 
the consolidated income statement.  For the year ended December 31, 2022 the Company recorded an unrealized loss of $290,000 
(2021 – nil).

During 2022, the Company realized a gain of $93,000 on the sale of spare equipment with proceeds of $133,000 (2021 - $26,000 on 
proceeds of $272,000). Net other gains in 2022 were primarily foreign exchange gains and in 2021 the sale of fully depreciated assets. 

Income Tax Recovery   

$Millions, except income tax rate (%)

Current tax recovery 

Deferred tax recovery

Total income tax recovery

Effective income tax rate

2022

 -   

 (0.7)

 (0.7)

23.5%

2021

-

 (0.8)

 (0.8)

24.5%

Change

% Change

-

0.1

0.1

n/a

13%

13%

AKITA had an income tax recovery of $749,000 in 2022 compared to an income tax recovery of $792,000 in 2021.  A net deferred 
tax asset has not been recognized for $76 million (2021 – $69 million).  This amount is primarily related to non-capital losses carried 
forward.

Total gross tax losses available to the Company are $434,694,000 with $398,191,000 in the US and $36,503,000 in Canada.  The 
first of these losses will begin to expire in 2031. 

17

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS 
 
Net Income (Loss), Net Cash and Adjusted Funds Flow

$Millions

Net income (loss)

Net cash from (used in) operating activities

Adjusted funds flow from operations (1)

2022

4.3

18.2

34.8

2021

(21.0)

(3.5)

7.5

Change

% Change

25.3

21.7

27.3

120%

620%

364%

(1)  See "Non-GAAP and Supplementary Financial Measures" near the end of this MD&A for further detail. 

During 2022, the Company recorded net income of $4,288,000 (net income of $0.11 per Class A Non-Voting and Class B Common 
share (basic and diluted)) compared to a net loss of $20,990,000 (net loss of $0.53 per Class A Non-Voting and Class B Common share 
(basic and diluted)) in 2021.  Increased activity and higher day rates were the cause of the significant improvement in net income. 

Net cash from (used in) operating activities increased to $18,198,000 in 2022 up from $3,461,000 used in 2021. Both years followed 
the same path, becoming more profitable and more active as the year progressed and therefore building non-cash working capital 
through the year, however, 2022’s net income compared to 2021’s net loss offset this non-cash working capital build. 

Adjusted funds flow from operations, which is not impacted by changes in non-cash working capital, increased in 2022 to $34,813,000 
from $7,454,000 in 2021 due to higher net income and the factors discussed above.

18

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSISMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

Summary of Quarterly Results

The following table shows key selected quarterly financial information for the Company:

$Thousands, except per share  (unaudited) 

Mar. 31

Jun. 30

Sep. 30

Dec. 31

Annual 
Totals

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

Three Months Ended

2022

Summary of Quarterly Results

Revenue 

44,986

42,960

53,526

59,524

200,996

(4,252)
Net income (loss)
The following table shows key selected quarterly financial information for the Company:

(2,933)

Income (loss) per share (basic and diluted) ($)

Adjusted funds flow from operations (1)

Cash flow from operations
$Thousands, except per share  (unaudited) 

(0.07)

4,996

247
Mar. 31

2,660

0.07

(0.11)

4,716

6,189
Jun. 30

Three Months Ended

8,957

3,727
Sep. 30

8,813

0.22

16,144

8,035
Dec. 31

4,288

0.11

34,813
Annual 
18,198
Totals

2022
2021

Revenue 
Revenue

Net income (loss)
Net loss

44,986
27,171

42,960
18,651

53,526
29,906

59,524
34,360

200,996
110,088

(2,933)
(3,651)

(4,252)
(6,108)

2,660
(6,433)

8,813
(4,798)

4,288
(20,990)

Income (loss) per share (basic and diluted) ($)
Loss per share (basic and diluted) ($)

Adjusted funds flow from operations (1)
Adjusted funds flow from operations (1)

(0.07)
(0.09)

4,996
3,719

(0.11)
(0.15)

4,716
1,056

0.07
(0.16)

8,957
252

0.22
(0.13)

0.11
(0.53)

16,144
2,427

34,813
7,454

Cash flow from operations
Cash flow from operations

247
(5,692)

6,189
10,118

3,727
(1,560)

8,035
(6,327)

18,198
(3,461)

2021
2020

Revenue
Revenue

Net loss
Net loss

27,171
53,572

18,651
26,359

29,906
18,849

34,360
20,884

110,088
119,664

(3,651)
(52,257)

(6,108)
(5,221)

(6,433)
(8,203)

(4,798)
(27,593)

(20,990)
(93,274)

Loss per share (basic and diluted) ($)
Loss per share (basic and diluted) ($)

Adjusted funds flow from operations (1)
Adjusted funds flow from (used in) operations (1)

(0.09)
(1.32)

3,719
10,154

(0.15)
(0.13)

1,056
2,099

(0.16)
(0.21)

252
(669)

(0.13)
(0.69)

(0.53)
(2.35)

2,427
(1,263)

7,454
10,321

Cash flow from operations
Cash flow from (used in) operations

(5,692)
4,583

10,118
13,621

(1,560)
3,374

(6,327)
1,282

(3,461)
22,860

2020
(1)  See "Non-GAAP and Supplementary Financial Measures" near the end of this MD&A for further detail. 
Revenue
Key trends over the past 12 quarters, after giving consideration to the seasonal nature of AKITA’s operations, are as follows:
Net loss

(52,257)

(27,593)

20,884

18,849

(8,203)

26,359

(5,221)

53,572

119,664

(93,274)

Loss per share (basic and diluted) ($)

•  The impact of COVID-19 on demand can be seen after the first quarter of 2020 when there was a significant decrease in activity 

(1.32)
and revenue which lasted until the third quarter of 2021, when the US and Canadian drilling markets began to recover; 
10,154

Adjusted funds flow from (used in) operations (1)

(1,263)

10,321

2,099

(0.69)

(2.35)

(0.21)

(0.13)

(669)

Cash flow from (used in) operations

•  Revenue in the first quarter of 2022 was split relatively equally between Canada and the United States in comparison to the first 
quarter of 2020 when US revenue comprised 68% of total revenue, highlighting the significantly improved Canadian results and the 
moderately improved US results at that time. The majority of revenue has shifted back to the US in the fourth quarter of 2022;

(1)  See "Non-GAAP and Supplementary Financial Measures" near the end of this MD&A for further detail. 

22,860

13,621

4,583

1,282

3,374

•  The impact of increased activity in Canada in 2022 can be seen when comparing the second quarter of each year; 
Key trends over the past 12 quarters, after giving consideration to the seasonal nature of AKITA’s operations, are as follows:

•  The impact of COVID-19 on demand can be seen after the first quarter of 2020 when there was a significant decrease in activity 

and revenue which lasted until the third quarter of 2021, when the US and Canadian drilling markets began to recover; 

•  Revenue in the first quarter of 2022 was split relatively equally between Canada and the United States in comparison to the first 
quarter of 2020 when US revenue comprised 68% of total revenue, highlighting the significantly improved Canadian results and the 
moderately improved US results at that time. The majority of revenue has shifted back to the US in the fourth quarter of 2022;

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual Report

19

•  The impact of increased activity in Canada in 2022 can be seen when comparing the second quarter of each year; 

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AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual Report

19

•  The impact of the significant improvement in the profitability of the US operating segment can be seen in the third and fourth 

quarters of 2022 comparing those quarters to any other; and

•  The seasonal nature of the Canadian operations can been seen in the cash from operations balances peaking in the second quarter 

of each year.

Three Year Annual Financial Summary

The following table highlights AKITA’s annual financial results for the last three years:

$Thousands, except per share 

Revenue

Net income (loss)

Income (loss) per share (basic and diluted)

Adjusted funds flow from operations (1)

Net cash from (used in) operating activities

Year-end working capital

Year-end shareholders' equity

Year-end total assets

2022

200,996

 4,288

0.11

34,813

18,198

31,121

137,851

268,281

2021

110,088

 (20,990)

 (0.53)

7,454

 (3,461)

6,502

131,485

247,574

2020

119,664

 (93,274)

 (2.35)

10,322

 22,860 

8,683

152,266

251,521

(1)  See "Non-GAAP and Supplementary Financial Measures" near the end of this MD&A for further detail. 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At  December  31,  2022,  AKITA  had  $31,121,000  in  working  capital  (working  capital  ratio  of  2.01:1)  with  $13,311,000  of  cash, 
compared to a working capital of $6,502,000 (working capital ratio of 1.27:1) and $1,773,000 cash for the previous year. In 2022, 
AKITA  generated  $18,198,000  in  cash  from  operating  activities.  Positive  cash  was  also  generated  from  joint  venture  distributions 
($5,443,000) and from proceeds on sales of assets ($133,000).  During the same period, cash was used for capital expenditures of 
$17,982,000 which was funded through cash from operations and debt. Total debt increased by $7,283,000 in the year. Accounts 
payable at year-end included $15,636,000 in accrued expenses, the majority of which relates to routine operations.

The Company has a syndicated credit agreement with the Company’s principal banker as the agent on the syndication along with three 
other Canadian banks.  The operating loan facility totals $110,000,000. On July 15, 2022 the credit facility was extended by one year to 
September 2024.  The credit agreement was amended on July 17, 2020, to include a covenant relief period that extended to June 30, 
2021.  The facility has been further amended to add additional quarters of covenant relief to June 30, 2023.  The interest rate during 
the covenant relief period ranges from 225 to 350 basis points over prime interest rates depending on the Funded Debt(1) to Tangible 
Net Worth(1) Ratio until July 2023 at which time it reverts to a Funded Debt(1) to EBITDA(1) Ratio.  Security for this facility includes all 
present and after-acquired personal property and a first floating charge over all other present and after-acquired property including 
real property.  The financial covenants are: 

1.   The Funded Debt(1) to EBITDA(1) Ratio: the Company shall ensure that the Funded Debt(1) to EBITDA(1) Ratio shall not be more than the 

following:

(i) 

4.50:1.00 as at the Fiscal Quarter ending December 31, 2022;

(ii) 

4.00:1.00 as at the Fiscal Quarter ending March 31, 2023;

(1)  See "Non-GAAP and Supplementary Financial Measures" near the end of the MD&A for further detail on terms defined in the Company's credit facility.

20

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS(iii)  3.50:1.00 as at the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2023; and

(iv)  3.00:1.00 as at the Fiscal Quarter ending September 30, 2023 and beyond.

The Funded Debt(1) to EBITDA(1) Ratio shall be calculated quarterly on the last day of each Fiscal Quarter on a rolling four quarter basis; 

2.   The EBITDA(1) to Interest Expense(1) Ratio: the Company shall ensure that:

For the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2022 and beyond, the EBITDA(1) to Interest Expense(1) Ratio shall not be less than 3.00:1.00.

The EBITDA(1) to Interest Expense(1) Ratio shall be calculated quarterly on the last day of each Fiscal Quarter on a rolling four quarter 

basis.

Upon the end of the Covenant Relief Period the Company’s covenants revert back to:

(i) 

(ii) 

Funded Debt(1) to EBITDA(1) Ratio of not more than 3.00:1.00, and  

EBITDA(1) to Interest Expense(1) Ratio of not less than 3.00:1.00.

At December 31, 2022, the Company was in compliance with its covenants with a Funded Debt(1) to EBITDA(1) Ratio of 2.05:1.00, and 
an EBITDA(1) to Interest Expense(1) Ratio of 6.16:1.00

The facility also includes a borrowing base calculation which is the sum of:

(i) 

(ii) 

75% of Eligible Accounts Receivable(1); plus 

50% of orderly liquidation value of all Eligible Rig Assets(1); less

(iii)  Priority Payables(1) of the Loan Parties.

At December 31, 2022, the Company’s borrowing base totaled $148,375,000.

The credit facility includes a $10,000,000 operating line of credit that is classified as current, given the Company expects to settle the 
balance within a normal operating cycle.  The maturity date aligns with the total credit facility.  At December 31, 2022, the current portion 
of debt was nil (December 31, 2021 – $ 1,717,000).  The balance outstanding under the credit loan facility, net of unamortized loan 
fees, is classified as long-term debt as the credit agreement has no required repayment obligations prior to the end of the loan facility 
term.  The Company borrowed $94,000,000 in total from this facility as at December 31, 2022 (December 31, 2021 - $86,700,000).

The Company's objectives when managing capital are:

•  to safeguard the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, so that it can continue to provide returns for shareholders and 

benefits for other stakeholders; and

•  to augment existing resources in order to meet further growth opportunities.

The  Company  manages  the  capital  structure  and  makes  adjustments  to  it  in  light  of  changes  in  economic  conditions  and  the  risk 
characteristics of the underlying assets.  In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Company may adjust the amount of 
dividends paid to shareholders, repurchase shares, issue new shares, sell assets or take on long-term debt.

(1)  See "Non-GAAP and Supplementary Financial Measures" near the end of the MD&A for further detail on terms defined in the Company's credit facility.

21

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS 
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment

Capital expenditures totaled $17,982,000 in 2022 ($16,416,000 in 2021). Capital spending in 2022 was as follows: $10,322,000 
(2021 - $9,750,000) for certifications and overhauls, $3,206,000 (2021 - $2,429,000) in drill pipe and drill collars and $4,393,000 
(2021 - $3,824,000) for drilling rig equipment and upgrades and $61,000 in other capital assets.

During 2022, the Company sold ancillary assets for $133,000 (2021 - $272,000) that resulted in a gain of $93,000 (2021 – gain of 
$26,000).

Future Outlooks and Strategy

The drilling industry is cyclical and certain key factors that impact AKITA’s results are beyond management’s control. Like other drilling 
contractors, AKITA is exposed to the effects of fluctuating oil and gas prices and changes in the exploration and development budgets 
of its customers. The outlook for the drilling industry has improved significantly over the past year, and with oil and gas operators 
continuing to generate strong profits, demand for drilling services is expected to continue to improve. 

Canadian  activity  levels  in  2022  significantly  improved  compared  to  the  last  two  years  as  crude  oil  and  natural  gas  prices  have 
strengthened significantly over that time. This growth trend in demand for drilling services is expected to continue into 2023 but is 
somewhat opaque as the Canadian oil and gas industry rebuilds after eight years of challenged profitability. Supply chain issues, labour 
shortages and some uncertainty about future investment are all having an impact on demand for drilling services. The Company is 
optimistic that its active rig count will continue to improve through 2023 with the second half of the year potentially stronger than the 
first half. It is expected that SAGD oil sands drilling, an area that the Company specializes in, will continue to generate the majority 
of  the  Canadian  operations  revenue.  The  capital  budget  planned  for  2023  is  in  line  with  the  2022  capital  budget  with  no  major 
expenditures planned at this time.

In the US, the active rig count improved from 600 active rigs at the start of 2022 and ended the year at 780 active rigs. This increase 
in activity brought a significant tightening in the supply of drilling rigs and therefore a level of pricing power that was not present during 
the pandemic, resulting in significant day rate increases for AKITA. Looking to 2023, activity seems to have leveled off and the potential 
for continued rate increases of the magnitude achieved over the second half of 2022 is unlikely. To maximize efficiency and activity, 
the Company is consolidating all of its US drilling rigs to the Permian Basin, in the first half of 2023, to facilitate steadier operations 
and improved efficiencies. The Company is anticipating that 2023 will remain steady from an activity perspective with potential rate 
increases on select rigs. Like Canada, the US capital budget in 2023 is similar to 2022 with no significant capital expenditures planned 
at this time. 

The  Company’s  focus  in  2023  will  be  on  managing  working  capital  and  increasing  free  cash  flow  to  enable  debt  repayment.  The 
Company is optimistic that profitability will continue to increase as demand in the industry strengthens.

Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial assets and liabilities include cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and financial 
instruments.  Fair values approximate carrying values unless otherwise stated.

The Company is exposed to risks caused by fluctuations in currency exchange rates. US contracts are denominated in US dollars and, 
accordingly, a material decrease in the value of the US dollar could negatively impact revenues. The Company does not currently use 
hedges to offset this risk.

22

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSISManagement continues to consider the credit risk associated with accounts receivable to be generally low.  AKITA has conservative 
credit-granting procedures and in certain situations requires customers to make advance payment prior to provision of services or 
takes other measures to mitigate credit risk.  Provisions have been estimated by management and are included in the accounts to 
recognize potential credit losses.

Off Balance Sheet Transactions

AKITA has not entered into any arrangements that involve off balance sheet transactions.

Related Party Transactions

AKITA is affiliated with the ATCO Group of companies and with Spruce Meadows, an equestrian show jumping facility, through its majority 
shareholder.  All related party transactions in 2022 and 2021 were made in the normal course of business with regular payment terms 
and  have  been  recorded  at  the  paid  amounts.    In  2022,  operating  purchases  totaled  $1,000,000,  and  included  sponsorship  and 
advertising  of  $175,000,  operational  costs  of  $744,000  and  other  miscellaneous  purchases  of  $81,000.  At  December  31,  2022, 
the  annual  outstanding  commitment  of  the  Company’s  multi-year  sponsorship  and  advertising  contract  with  Spruce  Meadows  is  
$350,000. Costs incurred related to this contract during 2022 were $175,000 (2021 - $175,000).  Costs and related services are 
consistent with parties dealing at arm’s length.

The Company is related to its joint ventures.  The following table summarizes transactions and annual balances with its joint ventures.  
These transactions were made in the normal course of business with regular payment terms and have been recorded at the paid 
amounts.

$Thousands

Operating and maintenance expenses

Selling and administrative expenses

Year-end due to AKITA from joint venture partners

Year-end due to AKITA from joint ventures

2022

 4,613 

 493 

 1,801 

858

2021

 2,880 

 350 

 1,709 

 1,564 

Commitments and Contingencies

From time to time, the Company enters into drilling contracts with its customers that are for extended periods.  At December 31, 2022, 
the Company had no drilling rigs with multi-year contracts. 

The Company has entered into a two year contract with a related party to provide sponsorship and advertising at an annual cost of 
$175,000.

At December 31, 2022, the Company had capital expenditure commitments of $740,000 (2021 – $1,743,000).

2323

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSISClass A Non-Voting and Class B Common Shares

Authorized
An unlimited number of Class A Non-Voting shares 
An unlimited number of Class B Common shares

Issued
$Thousands, except share  
amounts

Class A Non-Voting

Class B Common

Total

Number of 
Shares

Consideration

Number of 
Shares

Consideration

Number of 
Shares

Consideration

December 31, 2021

37,954,407

144,898

1,653,784

1,366

39,608,191

146,264

Stock options exercised

42,000

42

 -   

              -   

42,000

42

December 31, 2022

37,996,407

144,940

1,653,784

1,366

39,650,191

146,306

At March 20, 2023, the Company had 37,996,407 Class A Non-Voting shares and 1,653,784 Class B Common shares outstanding.  At 
that date, there were also 1,422,500 stock options outstanding, of which 652,000 were exercisable.

Accounting Estimates

The preparation of AKITA’s consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect 
the  reported  amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities  and  disclosure  of  contingent  liabilities  as  at  the  date  of  the  consolidated  financial 
statements as well as reported amounts for revenue and expenses for the year.  Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated 
and are based upon historical experience and other factors including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable 
in the circumstances.  Actual outcomes, however, can differ materially from such estimates.

The Company makes assumptions relating to transactions that were incomplete at the Statement of Financial Position date.  Depending 
on the actual transaction, total assets and liabilities of the Company as well as results of operations, including net income, could be 
either understated or overstated as a result of differences between amounts accrued for incomplete transactions and the subsequent 
actual balances.

The preparation of AKITA’s consolidated financial statements requires management to make significant estimates relating to the useful 
lives of drilling rigs. Depreciation methods and rates have been selected so as to amortize the net cost of each asset over its expected 
useful life to its estimated residual value.  The estimated useful lives, residual values and depreciation methods are reviewed at the 
end of each annual reporting period.

AKITA’s depreciation estimates do not have any effect on the changes to the financial condition for the Company, as depreciation is a 
non-cash item.  However, total assets and results of operations, including net income, could be either understated or overstated as a 
result of excessively high or low depreciation estimates.  

At each reporting date, the Company assesses whether there are indicators of asset impairment. If such indicators exist, the Company 
performs an asset impairment test and, if required, the Company recognizes an asset impairment loss calculated as the lesser of 
the difference between the amortized cost of the asset and the present value of the estimated future cash flows or the recoverable 
amount.  The carrying amount of the asset is reduced by the impairment loss.  Impairment losses recognized in prior periods are 
assessed at each reporting date for any indicators that the impairment losses may no longer exist or may have decreased.  In the event 
that an impairment loss reverses, the carrying amount of the asset is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but 
only to the extent that the carrying amount does not exceed the amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been 
recognized on the asset in prior periods.

24

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSISAKITA’s asset impairment estimates do not have any effect on the changes to financial condition for the Company, as any asset write 
down would be a non-cash item.  However, total assets and results of operations, including net income, could be overstated as a result 
of projections of discounted future cash flows that are too high.  

A significant estimate used in the preparation of AKITA’s consolidated financial statements relates to the long-term defined benefit 
pension liability for certain retired employees that was recorded as $3,964,000 at December 31, 2022 (2021 - $5,188,000).  Changes 
in  AKITA’s  pension  liability  estimates  do  not  have  any  effect  on  the  changes  to  the  financial  condition  of  the  Company,  since  the 
defined benefit pension is a non-cash item. However, total liabilities and results of operations, including net income, could be either 
understated or overstated as a result of pension estimates that are either too high or too low.  AKITA utilizes the services of a third party 
to assist in the actuarial estimate of the Company’s pension expense and liability.  For 2022, a key assumption is the 5.1% discount 
rate at year end (2021 – 2.9%). 

The Company makes assumptions relating to deferred income taxes, including future tax rates, timing of reversals of timing differences 
and the anticipated tax rules that will be in place when timing differences reverse.  Consequently, total liabilities of the Company as well 
as results of operations, including net income, could be either understated or overstated

Business Risks and Risk Management

The  following  information  is  a  summary  only  of  certain  risk 
factors  relating  to  the  business  of  AKITA  and  is  qualified  in 
its  entirety  by  reference  to  and  must  be  read  in  conjunction 
with,  the  detailed  information  appearing  elsewhere  in  this 
document.  Shareholders  and  potential  shareholders  should 
consider  carefully  the  information  contained  herein  and,  in 
particular, the following risk factors:

Crude Oil and Natural Gas Prices
Fluctuations  and  uncertainty  surrounding  the  future  price  of 
commodities  could  lead  to  changes  in  demand  for  oil  and 
natural gas, and may impact the economics of planned drilling 
projects  and  ongoing  production  projects,  resulting  in  the 
curtailment, reduction, delay or postponement of such projects 
for an indefinite period of time.  The price AKITA’s customers 
receive  for  their  production  has  a  direct  impact  on  the  cash 
flow available to them and the subsequent demand for drilling 
services  provided  by  AKITA.    An  extended  period  of  lower  oil 
and natural gas prices could result in a decline in demand and 
day  rates.    High  volatility  in  crude  oil  and  natural  gas  prices 
may also impact AKITA’s customers’ capital programs, causing 
delays  in  spending  and  lower  overall  demand  for  drilling 
services. 

Pandemic Risk 
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared a 
global pandemic in relation to the spread of COVID-19. As the 
virus  spread  across  the  world,  many  businesses  closed  and 
isolation  and  social  distancing  practices  were  implemented 
to reduce the spread. The virus and its impact on transacting 
business  resulted  in  a  decline  in  the  world  economy.  Among 
other  effects,  demand  for  oil  decreased  materially  over  the 

balance  of  2020,  which  resulted  in  a  significant  reduction 
in  demand  for  the  Company’s  drilling  services.  In  addition 
to  the  reduced  demand  for  drilling  services,  the  pandemic 
presented operational challenges for the Company’s staff and 
rig crews as an outbreak of COVID-19 at a rig site could lead to 
suspended or cancelled operations. 

The  COVID-19  pandemic  persisted  throughout  2021,  and 
by  the  fourth  quarter  caused  severe  disruptions  with  the 
emergence of the omicron variant.  While AKITA implemented 
a policy to mitigate the negative effects of the virus in 2020 
and  vaccination  programs  have  resulted  in  a  more  positive 
worldwide  outlook  with  respect  to  the  pandemic,  COVID-19 
related  risk  remains,  and  we  are  not  able  to  estimate  the 
ongoing  severity  or  duration  of  the  pandemic  impact  going 
forward.  

Debt Service 
AKITA  has  a  syndicated  credit  facility.    Variations  in  interest 
rates and principal repayments, under the terms of the facility, 
could result in significant changes in the amount required to 
be applied to debt service before payment of any amounts by 
AKITA.    Although  management’s  view  is  that  AKITA’s  current 
facility  is  sufficient,  there  is  no  assurance  that  it  will  be 
adequate for the future financial obligations of AKITA or that 
additional funds can be obtained if required.

AKITA’s  credit  facility  is  a  revolving  facility  which  matures  on 
September  11,  2024  and  is  subject  to  annual  extensions  of 
an  additional  year  on  each  anniversary  date  of  the  closing 
date, contingent upon the consent of the lenders holding two-
thirds of the aggregate commitments under the facility.  To the 
extent  the  facility  is  not  extended,  the  drawn  down  principal 

25

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSISwould  be  due  on  the  maturity  date.    Interest  payments  are 
required quarterly and are based on the Canadian prime rate 
for  Canadian  prime  rate  loans  and  the  US  prime  rate  for  US 
rate loans.  

Leverage and Restrictive Covenants 
AKITA has third party debt service obligations under its credit 
facility.  The  degree  to  which  AKITA  is  leveraged  could  have 
important consequences to shareholders, including:

1. 

a portion of the consolidated cash flow from operations 

could  be  dedicated  to  the  payment  of  the  principal 

and interest on indebtedness, thereby reducing cash 

available for other initiatives; and

2. 

certain  borrowings  are  at  variable  rates  of  interest, 

which exposes AKITA to the risk of increased interest 

rates.

AKITA's  ability  to  make  scheduled  payments  of  principal  and 
interest on, or to refinance, its indebtedness will depend on its 
future operating performance and cash flow, which are subject 
to  prevailing  economic  conditions,  prevailing  interest  rate 
levels and financial, competitive, business and other factors, 
many of which are beyond its control.

AKITA’s  credit  facilities  contain  certain  customary  operating 
covenants  that 
limit  the  discretion  of  management  to 
incur  additional  indebtedness,  to  create  liens  or  other 
encumbrances,  to  pay  dividends  or  make  certain  other 
payments,  investments,  loans  and  guarantees  and  to  sell  or 
otherwise  dispose  of  assets  and  merge  or  consolidate  with 
another  entity.  In  addition,  AKITA  is  required  to  satisfy  and 
maintain two financial ratio tests, Debt to EBITDA and EBITDA 
to Interest Expense. A failure to comply with the obligations in 
the agreements in respect of the credit facilities could result in 
an event of default which, if not cured or waived, could permit 
acceleration of the repayment of the relevant indebtedness. If 
the repayment of the indebtedness under the credit facilities 
were to be accelerated, there can be no assurance that AKITA's 
assets would be sufficient to repay the debt. Currently AKITA is 
in a covenant relief period whereby the financial covenants are 
relaxed or waived until June 30, 2023.  

Competition 
The contract drilling industry is highly competitive and includes 
a  large  number  of  drilling  contractors  with  varied  rig  fleets. 
Drilling  contracts  are  usually  awarded  through  a  competitive 
bid  process  with  pricing,  rig  suitability  and  availability  being 
primary drivers in the bid process. Other factors that influence 

26

the  bid  process  include:  mobility  and  efficiency  of  the  rig, 
experience and quality of service provided by rig crews, safety 
record of the rig as well as the contractor as a whole, and the 
adaptability  of  equipment  to  utilize  new  technologies.    Rigs 
can be moved from one region to another depending on the 
competitive  environment  within  that  region  and  therefore  a 
contractor’s competitive advantage in a region can be quickly 
eroded by other contractors moving in equipment from other 
regions. Reduced levels of activity in the oil and gas industry 
can also increase competition and therefore lower day rates.  

Advancements  in  technology  could  impact  AKITA’s  ability 
to  remain  competitive.  New  technology  is  required  to  meet 
demands for complex drilling programs and improve efficiency 
and  there  is  a  risk  that  competitors  may  have  access  to 
technologies  that  put  them  at  a  competitive  advantage  and 
render  some  of  AKITA’s  services  or  equipment  obsolete.  
Access to or development of new technology could be costly.

Operating Hazards 
AKITA’s operations are subject to numerous hazards inherent 
to  the  drilling  industry,  including  but  not  limited  to:    fires  or 
explosions,  hydrocarbon  influx  or  kicks,  loss  of  well  control, 
well  blow-outs,  cratering,  collapse  of  the  well,  damage  to, 
or  loss  of,  drilling  equipment  and  equipment  lost  down  the 
hole.    AKITA’s  insurance  policies  and  contractual  indemnity 
rights may not adequately cover all losses, and therefore, the 
Company may not have adequate insurance coverage or rights 
to  indemnity  for  all  risks.    Pollution  and  environmental  risks 
may not be fully insurable.  AKITA generally attempts to obtain 
contractual protection against uninsured operating risks from 
its  customers.    However,  customers  who  provide  contractual 
indemnification  protection  may  not  in  all  cases  maintain 
adequate insurance or otherwise have the financial resources 
necessary 
indemnification  obligations.  
AKITA’s 
indemnification  arrangements  may 
not  adequately  protect  it  against  liability  or  loss  from  all 
operating  hazards.    Further,  certain  states  in  the  US  where 
AKITA  operates  have  anti-indemnity  legislation  that  could 
preclude  operator  indemnification  in  certain  circumstances. 
The occurrence of a significant event that has not been fully 
insured  or  indemnified  against,  the  failure  of  a  customer  to 
meet  its  indemnification  obligations  to  the  Company,  or  the 
applicability of anti-indemnification legislation could materially 
and  adversely  affect  the  results  of  operations  and  financial 
condition of the Company.  

insurance  or 

to  support 

their 

Dependence on Major Customers 
AKITA  earned  25%  of  its  total  revenue  in  2022  from  one 
major customer. This was the only customer who individually 
provided over 10% of the Company’s revenue for the year. The 

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS 
loss of one or more major customers or a significant reduction 
in  the  business  done  with  any  customer  without  offsetting 
new revenue could have a material adverse effect on AKITA’s 
business, results of operations and prospects. 

Seasonal Nature of Industry 
In Canada, the level of activity in the contract drilling industry, 
particularly  for  conventional  rigs,  is  influenced  by  seasonal 
weather  patterns.  Spring  breakup,  which  typically  occurs 
between mid-March and mid-June, makes the ground unstable 
leaving  many  secondary  roads  temporarily  incapable  of 
supporting  the  weight  of  heavy  equipment,  thereby  reducing 
drilling  activity  levels.  In  addition,  during  excessively  rainy 
periods, equipment moves may be delayed, thereby adversely 
affecting revenue. 

Typically, there is greater demand for contract drilling services 
in the winter as freezing permits the movement and operation 
of heavy equipment. Drilling activities tend to increase in the 
fall  as  the  ground  begins  to  freeze  and  peak  in  the  winter 
months of November through February as areas having muskeg 
conditions  also  become  accessible  to  drilling  operations. 
Variability in the weather can therefore create unpredictability 
in activity and utilization rates. Unusually warm weather may 
limit access to drilling sites and could have a material adverse 
effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results 
of operations and cash flows. 

Generally  speaking,  AKITA’s  US  operations  are  less  affected 
by seasonality than AKITA’s Canadian operations.  Areas in the 
US where AKITA operates are infrequently subject to weather 
constraints  like  hurricanes  in  the  southern  states,  but  the 
Company  may  experience  operational  constraints  such  as 
floods,  blizzards  and  other  extreme  winter  conditions  in  the 
Rocky Mountain region in addition to operational restrictions 
for a variety of other reasons. These restrictions could have a 
material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial 
condition, results of operations and cash flows. 

Volatility of Industry Conditions 
The  demand,  pricing  and  terms  for  contract  drilling  services 
are dependent upon the level of industry activity for Canadian 
and US crude oil and natural gas exploration and development. 
Industry  conditions  are  influenced  by  numerous  factors 
which  AKITA  does  not  control  including  (without  limitation): 
current  crude  oil  and  natural  gas  prices,  expectations  about 
future crude oil and natural gas prices, the cost of exploring 
for,  producing  and  delivering  crude  oil  and  natural  gas,  the 
expected  rates  of  decline  in  current  production  for  AKITA’s 
customers,  discovery  rates  of  new  oil  and  gas  reserves  by 
AKITA’s  customers,  sufficient  crew  labour,  available  pipeline 

and  other  oil  and  gas  transportation  capacity,  weather 
conditions,  political,  regulatory  and  economic  conditions, 
influences  from  special  interest  groups,  the  use  of  energy 
generated from sources that are not crude oil or natural gas 
based,  the  ability  of  oil  and  gas  companies  to  raise  equity 
capital  or  debt  financing  and  technological  advances  in  the 
exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas.  

The level of activity in both the Canadian and US oil and gas 
exploration and production industry is volatile. No assurance 
can be given that the expected trends in oil and gas exploration 
and  production  activities  will  continue  or  that  demand  for 
contract drilling services will reflect the level of activity in the 
industry. Recent global economic events and uncertainty have 
significantly  affected  commodity  pricing.  While  commodity 
pricing  recovered  over  the  course  of  2022  to  pre-pandemic 
levels, a return to a prolonged substantial reduction in crude 
oil  and  natural gas  prices  would  likely  lead  to  a  reduction in 
oil  and  gas  production  levels  and  therefore  adversely  affect 
the  demand  for  drilling  services  to  oil  and  gas  customers. 
Any  elimination  or  curtailment  of  government  incentives  or 
adverse  changes  in  government  regulation  could  have  a 
significant impact on the contract drilling industry in Canada or 
in the US. These factors could lead to a decline in demand for 
AKITA’s services which could result in a material adverse effect 
on AKITA’s business, financial condition, results of operations 
and cash flows. 

AKITA’s  customers  rely  on  access  to  pipelines  and  liquified 
natural  gas  facilities  to  increase  transportation  and  refinery 
capacity.  There  has  been  downward  pressure  on  oil  and 
natural gas prices in Western Canada due to delays to critical 
infrastructure  construction  projects  as  a  result  of  political 
pressure,  both  within  Canada  and  the  US,  and  societal 
pressures leading to permit cancellations.  These delays may 
depress AKITA’s customers’ overall exploration and production 
activities which could impact the demand for drilling services. 

Labour 
The  contract  drilling  industry  is  dependent  upon  attracting, 
developing  and  maintaining  a  skilled  and  safe  workforce. 
During  periods  of  peak  activity  levels,  AKITA  is  susceptible 
to increased labour costs as a result of a competitive labour 
market or may be faced with a lack of experienced personnel 
to operate AKITA’s equipment. There is a risk of unionization 
efforts to parts of the Company’s workforce that could lead to 
increased costs due to strikes, work stoppages, other labour 
disruptions  and  collective  bargaining  agreements.  AKITA  is 
also  faced  with  the  challenge  of  retaining  employees  during 
periods  of  low  utilization.  The  Company’s  financial  results 
depend,  at  least  in  part,  upon  its  ability  to  attract,  develop 
and  maintain  a  skilled  work  force,  while  maintaining  a  cost 
structure that varies with activity levels.  

27

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSISOver  2022,  crew 
labour  shortages  remained  prevalent 
throughout  the  drilling  industry  and  continued  to  act  as, 
and  have  remained,  a  restraint  to  expanded  drilling  activity. 
Although  AKITA  has  implemented  measures  to  improve  its 
ability to attract and retain additional drilling hands, there is no 
certainty if or when the crew labour shortages will be entirely 
alleviated. 

A  number  of  AKITA’s  key  customers  evaluate  the  ability  of 
contract  drilling  companies  to  provide  and  maintain  a  high 
standard  of  safe  operations  prior  to  their  selecting  a  drilling 
contractor  for  the  provision  of  drilling  services.  AKITA’s 
financial  success  is  related  to  its  ability  to  continue  to  meet 
those expectations. 

Capital Overbuild in Contract Drilling Industry 
Drilling rigs have a long life span. Further, there is a significant 
lag between when the decision to build a rig is made and when 
the  construction  is  complete.  High  demand  typically  spurs 
greater  capital  expenditures  by  drilling  contractors  which 
may,  in  turn,  lead  to  excessive  supply  in  future  periods.  A 
potential capital overbuild could lead to a general reduction in 
rates in the industry as a whole, which could have a material 
adverse effect on AKITA’s business, financial condition, results 
of  operations  and  cash  flows.  The  cyclical  nature  of  AKITA’s 
business makes the impact of this risk significant  

Access to Additional Financing 
AKITA may find it necessary in the future to obtain additional 
debt  or  equity  financing  to  support  ongoing  operations, 
undertake  capital  expenditures  or  undertake  acquisitions 
or  other  business  combination  activities.  There  can  be  no 
guarantee that AKITA will have access to the required capital 
as its ability to do so is dependent on, among other factors, the 
overall state of capital markets, interest rates, the oil and gas 
industry as well as the appetite for investment in the oilfield 
drilling industry. As an oilfield service company, AKITA’s ability to 
obtain additional debt or equity financing could be constrained 
by pressure from investors and environmental groups to divest 
from  fossil  fuel  related  investments.  An  inability  to  obtain 
necessary  financing,  on  terms  that  are  acceptable  to  AKITA, 
could limit AKITA’s growth and could have a material adverse 
effect  on  AKITA’s  business,  financial  condition  and  cash 
flows in the future.  Access to financing also impacts AKITA’s 
customers,  potentially  limiting  capital  budgets  and  therefore 
the demand for AKITA’s services. 

AKITA’s customers also rely on favourable access to credit and 
debt capital markets to fund capital budgets.  They may face 

28

the same risks relating to the state of markets, interest rates 
and appetite for investment in hydrocarbons.  Customers may 
choose to reduce their capital budget if the cost of accessing 
additional  funding  is  unfavourable  which  would  lower  the 
demand for drilling services.  

in  the  United  States 

Foreign Exchange and Foreign Operations Risk
AKITA’s  operations 
increase  the 
Company’s  exposure  to  risks  inherent  in  foreign  operations.  
The  Company  is  exposed  to  risks  caused  by  fluctuations  in 
currency exchange rates.  US contracts are denominated in US 
dollars  and,  accordingly,  a  material  decrease  in  the  value  of 
the US dollar could negatively impact revenues.  

In  addition  to  foreign  exchange,  risks  include,  but  are  not 
limited  to:  different  taxation  regimes,  potential  litigation  and 
potential  political  protectionist  measures.    While  AKITA  has 
increased  its  insurance  coverage  to  offset  the  increased 
chance  of  litigation  and  has  engaged  third  party  experts  to 
assist in taxation matters, there can be no assurance that the 
Company will be fully effective in mitigating foreign operation 
risks.    Such  risks  could  have  material  adverse  effects  on 
AKITA’s business, financial condition, results of operations and 
cash flows.

Regulation of Industry 
AKITA’s operations are subject to a variety of federal, provincial, 
state  and  local  laws,  regulations  and  guidelines  relating  to 
health and safety, the conduct of operations, the operation of 
equipment used in drilling operations and the transportation of 
materials and equipment provided to customers.  Compliance 
with,  or  breaches  of,  such  laws,  or  costs  or  implications  of 
changes to such laws, regulations and guidelines could have a 
material effect on AKITA’s business, financial condition, results 
of operations and cash flows.

increasingly 

is  becoming 

Cybersecurity 
AKITA’s  business 
reliant  on 
information technology for delivery of  services to its customers 
both  in  the  field  and  in  the  office.  An  increasing  reliance  on 
information technology exposes the Company to cybersecurity 
issues through either malicious attacks, unauthorized access 
or  human  error.  These  issues  could  lead  to  disruption  of 
services,  potential  loss  of  information  or  improper  use  of 
assets,  any  of  which  could  have  a  material  effect  on  the 
Company’s reputation and financial position.

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSISSafety Issues 
The Company is governed by industry safety standards in both 
Canada  and  the  United  States.  These  regulatory  standards 
outline safety frameworks that serve as  the minimum baseline 
for  AKITA’s  safety  policies  and  procedures.  Failure  to  comply 
with these guidelines could result in a reduction in demand for 
the Company’s services as safety performance is an important 
criteria for contractor selection by AKITA’s customers and could 
have a material financial impact to the Company.

Litigation and Unknown Liabilities 
From time to time AKITA is subject to legal proceedings relating 
to  its  business.  Legal  actions  against  the  Company  may 
have  a  material  impact  on  the  Company’s  financial  position 
despite having insurance to cover such claims. The Company’s 
assessment of the financial impact of these matters is based 
on  historical  claims  and  management’s  assessment  of  the 
likelihood  of  such  a  claim  resulting  in  a  material  financial 
impact to the Company.

Carbon Emissions, Climate Change Activism and 
Environmental Regulations 
While  AKITA’s  operations,  and  those  of  its  customers,  are 
laws,  regulations  and  guidelines 
subject  to  numerous 
governing  the  management,  transportation  and  disposal 
of  hazardous  substances  and  other  waste  materials  and 
otherwise  relating  to  the  protection  of  the  environment,  the 
trend  in  environmental  regulation  has  been  to  impose  more 
restrictions  and  limitations  on  activities  that  may  impact  the 
environment,  particularly  regarding  the  generation  of  carbon 
emissions. AKITA operates in jurisdictions that have regulated, 
or  proposed  to  regulate,  industrial  carbon  emissions.    Laws 
and regulations implemented to reduce carbon emissions have 
potential to impose significant compliance costs on the oil and 
gas, potash and mining companies that the Company provides 
drilling services for. Consequently, future oil and gas, potash 
and mining development could face increased operating costs 
relating to increased carbon regulation which could result in a 
reduced demand for the drilling services that AKITA provides. 

In  recent  years,  public  support  for  climate  change  action 
and  pressure  by  climate  activists  to  shift  from  fossil  fuels 
to  alternative  and  renewable  energy  technology  has  grown.  
Climate  change  activism 
impact  could  reduce  demand 
for  hydrocarbons  in  favour  of  lower  carbon  intense  fuels.  
Further,  within  Canada,  increased  climate  change  activism 
has  translated  to  opposition  to  new  pipeline  approvals, 
to  ongoing  oil  sands  development  and  to  the  practice  of 
hydraulic fracturing.  In the US, the Biden administration has 

implemented  restrictions  of  drilling  permits  on  federal  lands 
and has stopped the construction of the Keystone pipeline. 

Laws, regulations and guidelines relating to carbon emissions, 
spills,  releases,  and  discharges  of  hazardous  substances  or 
other waste materials into the environment, requiring removal 
or remediation of pollutants or contaminants are increasingly 
becoming  more  stringent  and  can  impose  civil  and  criminal 
penalties  for  violations.    Some  of  the  laws,  regulations  and 
guidelines  that  apply  to  AKITA’s  operations  also  authorize 
the  recovery  of  natural  resource  damages  by  governmental 
authorities, injunctive relief and the imposition of stop, control, 
remediation and abandonment orders. The costs arising from 
compliance with such laws, regulations and guidelines may be 
material to AKITA. 

While AKITA maintains liability insurance, including insurance 
for  environmental  claims,  there  can  be  no  assurance  that 
insurance will continue to be available to AKITA on commercially 
reasonable terms, that the possible types of liabilities that may 
be incurred by AKITA will be covered by AKITA’s insurance, or 
that the dollar amount of such liabilities will not exceed AKITA’s 
policy limits.  Even a partially uninsured claim, if successful and 
of sufficient magnitude, could have a material adverse effect 
on AKITA’s business, results of operations and prospects. 

Key Management 
The success and growth of AKITA are dependent upon its key 
management  personnel.  The  loss  of  services  of  any  of  such 
persons without suitable replacements could have a material 
adverse effect on the business and operations of AKITA. While 
this  risk  is  mitigated  by  ongoing  succession  planning,  no 
assurance can be provided that AKITA will be able to retain key 
management members.   

Dilution
AKITA’s  articles  permit  the  issuance  of  an  unlimited  number 
of Class A Non-Voting and Class B Common shares, and the 
Company may make future acquisitions or enter into financings 
or  other  transactions  involving  the  issuance  of  securities  of 
AKITA which may be dilutive.

Supply Chain Risk 
AKITA purchases equipment, raw materials, components and 
parts from suppliers located in Canada and the US, and from 
time  to  time,  international  suppliers.    Global  supply  chain 
disruptions  began  in  March  of  2020  after  economic  activity 
was curtailed in order to contain the outbreak of COVID–19.  

29

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSISfuel 

Energy Alternatives
AKITA’s  management  cannot  predict  the  impact  of  changing 
demand  for  crude  oil  and  natural  gas  products.    Fuel 
conservation  measures,  alternative 
requirements, 
opposition to fossil fuel energy, increasing consumer demand 
for  alternatives  to  crude  oil  and  gas  and  technological 
advances  in  fuel  economy  and  energy  generation  devices 
could reduce the demand for crude oil, natural gas and other 
liquid hydrocarbons.  Any major change in demand for crude 
oil,  natural  gas  or  other  liquid  hydrocarbons  could  result 
in  a  reduction  in  the  demand  for  drilling  services  and  could 
have a material adverse effect on AKITA’s business, financial 
condition, results of operations and cash flow. 

The supply chain disruptions manifested in reduced inventory 
for  many  of  the  Company’s  suppliers.    Recognizing  the  risks 
presented  by  the  disruptions  to  the  supply  chain,  AKITA’s 
operations  team  aims  to  anticipate  the  equipment,  raw 
materials, components and parts it may need with  sufficient 
lead  time  to  procure  same.    Notwithstanding  this  effort, 
however,  the  ongoing  supply  chain  disruptions  may  result  in 
our  vendors  delaying  delivery  of,  or  being  unable  to  deliver, 
such  equipment,  raw  materials,  components  or  parts  when 
ordered.    As  drilling  activity  increases,  so  too  does  the  risk 
of  an  undersupplied  inventory  of  equipment,  raw  materials, 
components and parts.  In the event the Company is not able 
to secure equipment, raw materials, components or parts that 
are critical to AKITA’s operations, it could force the Company 
to suspend operations and have a material adverse effect on 
AKITA’s business and financial condition. 

  Risk Management  
   AKITA manages its risks by: 

•  maintaining a conservative balance sheet that includes a low cost structure for the Company;

•  having its risk management committee deliberate periodically to assess, evaluate and develop a plan to deal with the risk 

conditions for the Company;  

•  developing an annual strategic business plan and budget to help determine the levels of capital and operating expenditures; 

•  continuously developing long-term relationships with a core base of customers who maintain ongoing drilling programs during all 

phases of the economic cycle; 

•	 obtaining	multi-year	drilling	contracts	whenever	possible,	but	especially	when	tailoring	rig	construction	or	reconfiguration	to	

customer demand; 

•	 maintaining	an	efficient	fleet	of	drilling	rigs	through	a	rigorous	ongoing	maintenance	program;		

•	 continually	upgrading	its	rig	fleet;	

•  employing well-trained, experienced and responsible employees; 

•	 ensuring	that	all	employees	comply	with	clearly	defined	safety	standards;	

•  reducing health, safety and operational risk by maintaining its rigorous safety policies and procedures; 

• 

improving the skills of its employees through training programs; 

•	 maintaining	effective	systems	of	internal	control	to	safeguard	assets	and	ensure	timely	and	accurate	reporting	of	financial	

results; 

•  maintaining comprehensive insurance policies with respect to its operations; 

•  reducing environmental risk through the implementation of industry-leading standards, policies and procedures; 

•  exploring opportunities to decarbonize its operations;

•  developing and maintaining a succession plan to provide for a smooth transition in the event of key personnel turnover;

•  diversifying into the US market where demand for drilling services is correlated to West Texas Intermediate pricing rather than 
Western Canadian Select pricing as in Canada which allows AKITA to generate revenue denominated in US currency; and

•  expanding beyond oil and natural gas to drill geothermal wells, carbon capture wells and hydrogen storage wells in an aim to 

ensure it plays a meaningful role in energy transition.

30

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSISDisclosure Controls and Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting

As  of  December  31,  2022,  the  Company’s  management  evaluated  the  effectiveness  of  the  Company’s  disclosure  controls  and 
procedures as required by the Canadian Securities Administrators (“CSA”).  This evaluation was performed under the supervision of, 
and with the participation of the Executive Chair and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and the Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial 
Officer (“CFO”).

Disclosure  controls  and  procedures  are  designed  to  provide  reasonable  assurance  that  information  required  to  be  disclosed  in 
documents filed with the securities regulatory authorities is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis.  The 
controls also seek to assure that this information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the CEO and CFO, 
as appropriate, to allow timely decisions on required disclosure. Based on this evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that the 
Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at December 31, 2022.

As  of  December  31,  2022,  management  evaluated  the  effectiveness  of  the  Company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as 
required by the CSA.  This evaluation was performed utilizing the framework developed by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations 
of the Treadway Commission, as revised effective May 14, 2013 under the supervision of, and with the participation of the CEO and 
CFO.

The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial 
reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS.

Based on this evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective 
at December 31, 2022.

There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period that began on October 
1, 2022 and ended December 31, 2022 that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal 
control over financial reporting.  There was also no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has occurred 
since December 31, 2022.

Non-GAAP and Supplementary Financial Measures
Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted Revenue and Adjusted Operating and Maintenance Expenses 
Revenue and operating and maintenance expenses in AKITA’s Canadian operating segment include revenue and expenses from 
AKITA’s wholly-owned drilling rigs as well as its share of joint venture revenue and expenses. 

Excluded from the revenue and expenses in AKITA’s Canadian and US operating segment are flow through charges that are billed to 
operators and repaid to the Company. The volume and timing of the flow through charges can artificially impact the operational per day 
analysis and as a result management and certain investors may find the comparability between periods is improved when these flow 
through charges are excluded from revenue per day and operating and maintenance expense per day. The flow through charges do not 
have any impact on the Company’s net earnings as the amounts offset each other. 

Adjusted Funds Flow from Operations
Adjusted funds flow from operations is not a recognized GAAP measure under IFRS and users of this MD&A should note that AKITA’s 
method of determining adjusted funds flow from operations may differ from methods used by other companies, and includes cash flow 

31

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSISfrom operating activities before working capital changes, equity income from joint ventures, and income tax amounts paid or recovered 
during  the  period.    Nonetheless,  management  and  certain  investors  may  find  adjusted  funds  flow  from  operations  to  be  a  useful 
measurement to evaluate the Company’s operating results at year-end and within each year, since the seasonal nature of the business 
affects the comparability of non-cash working capital changes both between and within periods.

$Thousands

Net cash from (used in) operating activities

Interest paid

Interest expense

Post-employment benefits paid

Equity income from joint ventures

Change in non-cash working capital

Adjusted funds flow from operations

2022

18,198

6,622

 (6,777)

 584 

5,954

10,232

34,813

2021

(3,461)

3,422

(3,553)

 198 

 1,981 

8,867

7,454

Terms Defined in the Company’s Credit Facility
The following terms are defined in the Company's credit facility and are used in the calculation of the Company's financial covenants:

 “EBITDA" means, for any fiscal period, the Net Income of the Canadian Borrower on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP but 
without duplication, plus (in each case, for the Canadian Borrower on a consolidated basis but without duplication):

a) 

b) 

all amounts deducted in the calculation of Net Income in respect of Interest Expense;

all amounts deducted in the calculation of Net Income in respect of the provision for income taxes (in accordance with Generally 

Accepted Accounting Principles);

c) 

all amounts deducted in the calculation of Net Income in respect of non-cash items including, without limitation, depletion, 

accretion (to the extent not included in clause (a) above), depreciation, amortization and future income tax liabilities;

d) 

all amounts deducted in the calculation of Net Income in respect of equity loss, minority interests, extraordinary losses, non-

recurring losses (including losses on the sale of property, plant and equipment) and any non-cash impairment charges and any 

other non-cash charges;

 all cash distributions received in such period from persons which are not Guarantors;

  all  amounts  deducted  in  the  calculation  of  Net  Income  in  respect  of  discretionary  management  bonuses,  fees  and  other 

compensation declared and payable to the directors or shareholders of the Canadian Borrower on commercially reasonable 

terms. For the avoidance of doubt, bonuses, fees or other compensation that the Canadian Borrower, on a consolidated basis, 

is contractually required to pay may not be added back;

all amounts deducted in the calculation of Net Income in respect of share based compensation;

unrealized foreign exchange losses incurred in the ordinary course of business;

e) 

f) 

g) 

h) 

"Funded Debt" means, as of any date of determination, with respect to the Canadian Borrower on a consolidated basis, all Indebtedness, 
but excluding obligations owing between any Loan Parties and less all cash and Cash Equivalents denominated in Canadian Dollars 
and  U.S.  Dollars  held  by  the  Loan  Parties  up  to  a  maximum  of  $10,000,000  and  which  are:  (i)  in  accounts  with  the  Agent  which 
are subject to Perfected Security Interests and rights of set-off in favour of the Agent; or (ii) in accounts with a financial institution 
acceptable to the Agent (acting reasonably) which are subject to Perfected Security Interests and a blocked account control agreement 
in favour of and satisfactory to the Agent.

32

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS"Interest Expense" means for any fiscal period, in respect of the Canadian Borrower on a consolidated basis as determined in accordance 
with  GAAP,  the  aggregate  cost  of  credit  outstanding  during  that  period  including,  without  limitation,  interest  charges  (including  for 
postponed Indebtedness), capitalized interest, the interest component of Financial Leases, fees payable in respect of letters of credit 
and letters of guarantee, discounts incurred and fees payable in respect of bankers' acceptance advances.

"Eligible Accounts Receivable" means at any time, any Account Receivable of the Loan Parties (net of any credit balance, returns, trade 
discounts, or unbilled amounts or retention) that meets and at all times continues to meet all of the standards of eligibility (and the 
Canadian Borrower by including such account in any computation of the Borrowing Base shall be deemed to represent and warrant to 
the Agent and the Lenders that to the knowledge of the Canadian Borrower all of the following statements are accurate and complete 
with respect to such account):

a) 

b) 

c) 

d) 

e) 

f) 

it is a valid and legally enforceable obligation of the applicable Account Debtor;

such account is genuine as appearing on its face or as represented in the books and records of the Canadian Borrower on a 
consolidated basis;

such account is free from valid claims regarding rescission, cancellation or avoidance, whether by operation of Applicable Law or 
otherwise, and except to the extent of any reduction made pursuant to paragraph (e) of this definition is net of all then applicable 
holdbacks and prepayment credits;

such account does not relate to services not as of yet completed;

without limiting the generality of paragraph (c) of this definition, is not subject to any offset, counterclaim or other defence on the 
part of the Account Debtor or any claim by the Account Debtor that denies liability in whole or in part; and, if the Account Debtor 
denies liability only in part, the undisputed portion of the Account Receivable shall be allowed so long as the Account Debtor has 
agreed that it will pay such portion not in dispute in accordance with its terms;

such Account Receivable is not outstanding more than 90 days after billing date, provided that the under 90 day portion may be 
included; (i) where the over 90 day portion is less than 10% of all Accounts Receivable of such Account Debtor and its Related 
Parties; (ii) the Agent and the Lenders have nevertheless designated the Account Receivable as good; or (iii) where the Account 
Debtor has long term debt obligations rated no worse than BBB by S&P or DBRS Limited;

g) 

it is owed by an Account Debtor whose principal place of business is located in Canada or the United States, unless otherwise 
supported by a letter of credit acceptable to the Agent, in its discretion;

h) 

it is denominated in either Canadian Dollars or United States Dollars;

i) 

j) 

k) 

l) 

it is subject to a Perfected Security Interest in favour of the Agent;

such  account  is,  and  at  all  times  will  be,  free  and  clear  of  all  Security  Interests  other  than  Priority  Payables  (to  the  extent 
deducted in calculating the Borrowing Base) and any Permitted Encumbrances;

such account is not in respect of a builders lien or similar holdbacks;

the Account Receivable does not arise from a sale or lease to or rendering of services to a Related Party of any Loan Party, or, in 
each case, to their respective Affiliates;

Any Eligible Accounts Receivable which are at any time Eligible Accounts Receivable but which subsequently fail to meet any of the 
foregoing requirements shall immediately cease to be an Account Receivable.

"Tangible Net Worth" means, as of any date of determination, with respect to the Canadian Borrower on a consolidated basis, the sum 
of Shareholders' Equity and Subordinated Debt, less:

a) 

any amount that would be included on the consolidated balance sheet of the Canadian Borrower prepared in accordance with 
GAAP as an investment in or as amounts owed by any Related Party which does not constitute Subordinated Debt; and

b) 

any amount included in the assets column on the consolidated balance sheet of the Canadian Borrower in respect of Intangibles.

33

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSISNon-GAAP Ratios
“Adjusted funds flow from operations per share” is calculated on the same basis as net loss per class A and class B share basic 
and diluted, utilizing the basic and diluted weighted average number of class A and class B shares outstanding during the periods 
presented.

“Adjusted revenue per operating day” may be useful to analysts, investors, other interested parties and management as a measure of 
pricing strength and is calculated by dividing adjusted revenue by the number of operating days for the period.

“Adjusted operating and maintenance expenses per operating day” may be useful to analysts, investors, other interested parties and 
management as it demonstrates a degree of cost control and provides a proxy for specific inflation rates incurred by the Company.

Supplementary Financial Measures
A supplementary financial measure: 

a) 

b) 

c) 

d) 

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 the Company; 

is not presented in the financial statements of the Company; 

is not a non-GAAP financial measure; and 

is not a non-GAAP ratio. 

Supplementary financial measures presented and discussed in this MD&A are as follows: 

•  “Operating Margin %” – represents operating margin as a percentage of revenue.

•  “Adjusted Operating Margin %” – represents adjusted operating margin as a percentage of adjusted revenue.

•  “Utilization” – represents the operating days achieved divided by the maximum operating days based on the number of days in the 

year and the rigs available.

Forward-Looking Statements

From time to time AKITA makes forward-looking statements.  These statements include but are not limited to comments with respect to 
AKITA’s objectives and strategies, financial condition, results of operations, the outlook for industry and risk management discussions. 
In particular, forward-looking information in this MD&A includes, but is not limited to, references to the outlook for the North American 
economy  and  the  drilling  industry  (including  the  demand  for  drilling  services,  day  rates,  supply  issues  and  labour  shortages),  the 
demand for oil, future investment, the Company's SAGD drilling activity, the Company's existing credit facility, the Company's operating 
performance and cash flows, future investment, debt repayment, tax rates, and the Company's capital program.

Although  the  Company  believes  that  the  expectations  reflected  in  the  forward-looking  information  are  reasonable  based  on  the 
information available on the date such statements are made and processes used to prepare the information, such statements are 
not guarantees of future performance and no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. By their nature, 
these  forward-looking  statements  involve  numerous  assumptions,  inherent  risks  and  uncertainties,  both  general  and  specific,  and 
therefore  carry  the  risk  that  the  predictions  and  other  forward-looking  statements  will  not  be  realized.    Readers  of  this  MD&A  are 
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements as a number of important factors could cause actual future results to differ 
materially from the plans, objectives, estimates and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements.

The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of, among 
other things:

34

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS-  Prevailing  economic  conditions  (including  as  may  be 

-  The loss of one or more major customers;

affected by the COVID-19 pandemic); 

-  The level of exploration and development activity carried 

on by AKITA’s customers;

-  World  crude  oil  prices  and  North  American  natural  gas 

prices; 

-  Global liquefied natural gas (LNG) demand;

-  Access to capital markets; 

-  Government policies;

-  The impact of weather on operations and facilities;

-  The impact of the level of industry activity for Canadian 
and  US  crude  oil  and  natural  gas  exploration  and 
development  on  the  demand,  pricing  and  terms  for 
contract drilling services;

-  The Company's ability to attract, develop and maintain a 
skilled and safe workforce and maintain a cost structure 
that varies with activity levels;

-  A general reduction in rates in the drilling industry caused 

-  Fluctuations and uncertainty surrounding the future price 

by a capital overbuild;

of commodities;

-  Fluctuations in the cash flow available to customers and 
subsequent  demand  for  drilling  services  provided  by 
AKITA;

-  Continuing success of COVID-19 vaccinations;

-  Variations  in  interest  rates  and  principal  repayments 

under the terms of the Company's credit facility;

-  The  Company's  ability  to  make  scheduled  payments  of 
principal and interest on, or to refinance, its indebtedness;

-  The sufficiency of AKITA's assets to repay indebtedness 
under its credit facility in the event repayment were to be 
accelerated following an event of default;

-  AKITA’s ability to obtain additional debt or equity financing;

-  Fluctuations in foreign exchange, interest and tax rates;

-  Changes  to  existing  laws  and  regulations,  and  the 
introduction of new laws and regulations, including those 
governing the management, transportation and disposal 
of hazardous substances and other waste materials and 
otherwise relating to the protection of the environment;

-  The impact of climate change activism;

-  The availability of qualified management personnel;

-  The impact of dilutive financings or other transactions;

-  The impact of global supply chain disruptions;

- 

Increased  competition,  including  as  a  result  of  the 
movement  of  drilling  rigs  among  regions  or  reduced 
levels of activity in the oil and gas industry;

-  The impact of a change in demand for crude oil, natural 
gas  or  other  liquid  hydrocarbons  on  the  demand  for 
drilling services;

-  The  adequacy  of  AKITA's 

insurance  coverage  or 
contractual  indemnity  rights  to  cover  losses,  and  the 
applicability of anti-indemnification legislation;

-  The  impact  of  changes  in  our  relationships  with  First 

Nations, Metis and Inuit groups.  

We caution that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive and that while relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions 
with respect to AKITA, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors, as well as other uncertainties and events, 
prior to making a decision to invest in AKITA.  Except where required by law, the Company does not undertake to update any forward-
looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by it or on its behalf.

Upcoming Accounting Standard Changes 

Certain  new  or  amended  standards  or  interpretations  have  been  issued  by  the  International  Accounting  Standards  Board  or  the 
International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee that are not required to be adopted in the current period. There are no 
standards and interpretations that have been issued, but are not yet effective, that the Company anticipates will have a material effect 
on the financial statements once adopted.

Other Information 

Additional information is provided by the Company in its Annual Information Form, Notice of Annual Meeting and Information Circular all 
dated March 20, 2023.  Copies of these documents including additional copies of the Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 
2022 may be obtained upon request from the Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the Company at 1000, 333 – 7th 
Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2P 2Z1 or at www.sedar.com.

35

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSISMANAGEMENT’S RESPONSIBILIT Y FOR FINANCIAL REPORTING 

MANAGEMENT’S 
RESPONSIBILITY FOR 
FINANCIAL 
REPORTING 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of AKITA 
Drilling Ltd., Management's Discussion and Analysis and other 
information relating to AKITA contained in this Annual Report are 
the responsibility of management and have been approved by the 
Board of Directors.  The consolidated financial statements have 
been prepared in accordance with accounting policies detailed 
in  the  notes  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  and  are 
in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(also referred to as “IFRS”) using methods appropriate for the 
industry  in  which  the  Company  operates.    Where  necessary, 
management made estimates and assumptions that affect the 
reported  amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities  and  disclosure  of 
contingent assets and liabilities as at the date of the financial 
statements  including  estimates  related  to  transactions  and 
operations that were incomplete at year-end, the useful lives of 
drilling rigs and other assets, the measurement of the defined 
benefit  pension  liability,  assumptions  around  future  income 
tax  calculations  and  the  measurement  of  asset  impairments.  
is 
Financial 
consistent with the consolidated financial statements except as 
noted.

this  Annual  Report 

information 

throughout 

36
36 AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual Report

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportMANAGEMENT’S RESPONSIBILIT Y FOR FINANCIAL REPORTING 

Management ensures the integrity of the consolidated financial 
statements  by  maintaining  a  system  of  internal  control.    This 
system  of  internal  control  is  based  on  the  control  criteria 
framework of the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the 
Treadway Commission published in their report titled, Internal 
Control  –  Integrated  Framework,  as  revised  effective  May  14, 
2013.  The system is designed to provide reasonable assurance 
that  transactions  are  executed  as  authorized  and  accurately 
recorded;  that  assets  are  safeguarded;  and  that  accounting 
records  are  sufficiently  reliable  to  permit  the  preparation  of 
financial  statements  that  conform  in  all  material  respects 
with  accounting  principles  generally  accepted  in  Canada.  
The  Company  maintains  disclosure  controls  and  procedures 
designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in 
reports is disclosed, processed and summarized and reported 
within specified time periods.  Internal controls are monitored 
through self-assessments and are reinforced through a Code of 
Business Conduct, which sets forth the Company’s commitment 
to conduct business with integrity, and within both the letter and 
the spirit of the law.

PricewaterhouseCoopers  LLP,  the  Company's 
independent 
auditors,  have  conducted  an  examination  of  the  consolidated 
financial  statements  and  have  had  full  access  to  the  Audit 
Committee.  

The Board of Directors, through its Audit Committee comprised 
of four independent directors as defined in National Instrument 
52-110  –  Audit  Committees 
(“NI  52-110”),  oversees 
management's  responsibilities  for  financial  reporting.    The 
Audit  Committee  meets  regularly  with  management  and  the 
independent auditors to discuss auditing and financial matters 
and  to  gain  assurance  that  management  is  carrying  out  its 
responsibilities.

Linda A. Southern–Heathcott 
Executive Chair and  
Chief Executive Officer 

Darcy Reynolds
Vice President, Finance 
and Chief Financial Officer

March 20, 2023

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual Report 37
37

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual Report 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT

Independent auditor’s report 

To the Shareholders of AKITA Drilling Ltd. 

Our opinion 

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, 
the financial position of AKITA Drilling Ltd. and its subsidiaries (together, the Company) as at 
December 31, 2022 and 2021, and its financial performance and its cash flows for the years then ended in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting 
Standards Board (IFRS). 

What we have audited 
The Company’s consolidated financial statements comprise: 











the consolidated statements of financial position as at December 31, 2022 and 2021; 

the consolidated statements of net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) for the years then 
ended; 

the consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ equity for the years then ended; 

the consolidated statements of cash flow for the years then ended; and 

the notes to the consolidated financial statements, which include significant accounting policies and 
other explanatory information. 

Basis for opinion 

We conducted our audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Our 
responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of 
the consolidated financial statements section of our report. 

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for 
our opinion. 

Independence 
We are independent of the Company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our 
audit of the consolidated financial statements in Canada. We have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities 
in accordance with these requirements. 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
111-5th Avenue SW, Suite 3100, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 5L3 
T: +1 403 509 7500, F: +1 403 781 1825 

“PwC” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership. 

38

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual Report

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT

Key audit matters  

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our 
audit of the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022. These matters were 
addressed in the context of our audit of the consolidated financial statements as a whole, and in forming 
our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.  

Key audit matter 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

Our approach to addressing the matter included the 
following procedures, among others: 



Evaluated management’s assessment of 
indicators of impairment and impairment 
reversal, which included the following:  

 Assessed the completeness of external or 

internal factors that could be considered as 
indicators of impairment or impairment 
reversal of the Company’s PP&E. 

 Assessed significant changes in the market 
capitalization of the Company, which may 
indicate a change in value of the Company’s 
net assets. 

 Assessed significant changes in the 

condition of the drilling rig assets of the 
Company, which may indicate a change in 
value of the drilling rig assets. 

 Assessed changes in oil and gas prices, 

forecasted activity or earnings and changes 
in interest rates by considering the current 
and past performance of the CGUs, external 
market data and evidence obtained in other 
areas of the audit, as applicable. 

Assessment of indicators of impairment or 
impairment reversal for property, plant and 
equipment (PP&E) 

Refer to note 10 – Property, plant and equipment 
and note 8 – Segmented information to the 
consolidated financial statements. 

As at December 31, 2022, the total net book value 
of PP&E, which mainly consists of drilling rig 
assets, amounted to $201 million, of which 
$57 million and $144 million related to the 
Canadian and US Cash Generating Units (CGUs), 
respectively. At each reporting period, 
management considers both internal and external 
factors (indicators) when assessing whether there 
are indicators of impairment. When impairment 
indicators of PP&E exist, an impairment 
assessment is conducted at the level of the CGUs 
(a group of assets that generate independent cash 
inflows). An impairment loss is recognized when 
the carrying amount of a CGU exceeds its 
recoverable amount. Impairment losses 
recognized in prior periods are assessed at each 
reporting date by management for any indicators 
that the impairment losses may no longer exist or 
may have decreased. In the event that an 
impairment loss reverses, the carrying amount of 
the asset is increased to the revised estimate of its 
recoverable amount, but only to the extent that the 
carrying amount does not exceed the amount that 
would have been determined had no impairment 
loss been recognized on the asset in prior periods. 

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual Report 39

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT

Key audit matter 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

As at December 31, 2022, management 
concluded that no indicators of impairment or 
impairment reversal existed. 

Management applies significant judgment in 
assessing whether indicators of impairment or 
impairment reversal exist that would necessitate 
either impairment testing or impairment reversal 
calculations. Internal and external factors such as 
(i) a significant change in the market capitalization 
of the Company’s share price; (ii) changes in 
conditions of drilling rig assets; (iii) changes in oil 
and gas prices in the market; (iv) changes in 
forecasted activity or earnings; and (v) changes in 
interest rates, are evaluated by management in 
determining whether there are any indicators of 
impairment or impairment reversal. 

We determined that this is a key audit matter 
due to (i) the significance of the PP&E balance 
and (ii) the significant audit effort and 
subjectivity in applying audit procedures to 
assess the internal and external factors 
evaluated by management in its assessment of 
indicators of impairment or impairment 
reversal, which required significant 
management judgment. 

Other information 

Management is responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the Management’s 
Discussion and Analysis, which we obtained prior to the date of this auditor’s report and the information, 
other than the consolidated financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon, included in the annual 
report, which is expected to be made available to us after that date. 

Our opinion on the consolidated financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not 
and will not express an opinion or any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other 
information identified above and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially 
inconsistent with the consolidated financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or 
otherwise appears to be materially misstated. 

40

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual Report

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT

If, based on the work we have performed on the other information that we obtained prior to the date of this 
auditor’s report, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are 
required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. When we read the information, other 
than the consolidated financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon, included in the annual report, 
if we conclude that there is a material misstatement therein, we are required to communicate the matter to 
those charged with governance. 

Responsibilities of management and those charged with governance for the 
consolidated financial statements 

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial 
statements in accordance with IFRS, and for such internal control as management determines is 
necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. 

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is responsible for assessing the 
Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going 
concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless management either intends to liquidate 
the Company or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so. 

Those charged with governance are responsible for overseeing the Company’s financial reporting 
process.  

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the consolidated financial statements 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements as 
a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s 
report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a 
guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards 
will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and 
are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence 
the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these consolidated financial statements. 

As part of an audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards, we exercise 
professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also: 



Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, 
whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and 
obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of 
not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, 
as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of 
internal control. 

 Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures 

that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the 
effectiveness of the Company’s internal control. 

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual Report 41

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT



Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting 
estimates and related disclosures made by management. 

 Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, 
based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or 
conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. If 
we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report 
to the related disclosures in the consolidated financial statements or, if such disclosures are 
inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to 
the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Company to 
cease to continue as a going concern.  



Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the consolidated financial statements, 
including the disclosures, and whether the consolidated financial statements represent the underlying 
transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation. 

 Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or 
business activities within the Company to express an opinion on the consolidated financial 
statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the group audit. We 
remain solely responsible for our audit opinion. 

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope 
and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal 
control that we identify during our audit.  

We also provide those charged with governance with a statement that we have complied with relevant 
ethical requirements regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other 
matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, related 
safeguards. 

From the matters communicated with those charged with governance, we determine those matters that 
were of most significance in the audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current period and 
are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our auditor’s report unless law or 
regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, we 
determine that a matter should not be communicated in our report because the adverse consequences of 
doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest benefits of such communication. 

The engagement partner on the audit resulting in this independent auditor’s report is Reynold Tetzlaff. 

Chartered Professional Accountants 

Calgary, Alberta 
March 20, 2023 

42

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual Report

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

$Thousands

ASSETS

Current Assets

Cash

Accounts receivable

Prepaid expenses and other

Non-current Assets

Other long-term assets

Investments in joint ventures

Right-of-use assets

Property, plant and equipment

TOTAL ASSETS

LIABILITIES

Current Liabilities

December 31 
2022

December 31 
2021

 $             13,311 

 $                1,773 

 46,868 

 1,599 

 61,778 

 1,551 

 2,887 

 1,515 

 27,228 

 1,222 

 30,223 

 1,677 

 2,376 

 1,829 

 200,550 

 211,469 

 $           268,281 

 $            247,574 

Note 12

Note 11

Note 9

Note 10

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

Note 12

 $             29,461 

 $              20,748 

Deferred revenue

Current portion of lease obligations

Current portion of long-term debt

Non-current Liabilities

Risk management contracts

Deferred income taxes

Share-based compensation plans

Employee future benefits

Lease obligations

Long-term debt

Total Liabilities

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Class A and Class B shares

Contributed surplus

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

Deficit

Total Equity

Note 15

Note 14

Note 12

Note 7

Note 18

Note 19

Note 15

Note 14

Note 17

 206 

 990 

                 -   

 30,657 

 290 

 644 

 558 

 3,964 

 803 

 93,514 

 130,430 

 146,306 

 5,693 

 1,760 

 (15,908)

 137,851 

 282 

 974 

 1,717 

 23,721 

                 -   

 1,138 

 262 

 5,188 

 1,341 

 84,439 

 116,089 

 146,264 

 5,452 

 (35)

 (20,196)

 131,485 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 $           268,281 

 $            247,574 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 Approved by the Board,

Director   

Director

44

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportCONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Net Income (Loss) & 
Comprehensive Income (Loss)

$Thousands, except per share amounts

REVENUE

COSTS AND EXPENSES

Operating and maintenance

Depreciation and amortization

Selling and administrative

Total Costs and Expenses

For the Year Ended December 31

2022

2021

Note 4

 $    200,996 

 $     110,088 

Note 6

Note 10

Note 6

 151,884 

 30,263 

 14,541 

 196,688 

 89,835 

 28,838 

 12,213 

 130,886 

Revenue Less Costs and Expenses

 4,308 

 (20,798)

EQUITY INCOME FROM JOINT VENTURES

Note 11

 5,954 

 1,981 

OTHER INCOME (LOSS)

Interest income

Interest and financing expense

Unrealized loss on risk management contracts

Gain on sale of assets

Net other gains

Total Other Loss

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes

Note 5

Note 12

 41 

 (6,777)

 (290)

 93 

 210 

 5 

 (3,553)

           -   

 26 

 557 

 (6,723)

 (2,965)

 3,539 

 (21,782)

Income tax recovery

Note 7

 (749)

 (792)

NET INCOME (LOSS) FOR THE PERIOD ATTRIBUTABLE TO SHAREHOLDERS  

 4,288 

 (20,990)

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME INCOME (LOSS) 
Items that will not subsequently be reclassified to profit or loss:
    Remeasurement of pension liability and deferred tax

Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss:
    Foreign currency translation adjustment 

Total Other Comprehensive Income 

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) FOR THE PERIOD ATTRIBUTABLE TO 
SHAREHOLDERS

NET INCOME (LOSS) PER CLASS A AND CLASS B SHARE

Note 3

Basic

Diluted

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 827 

 (220)

 968 

 1,795 

 266 

 46 

 $         6,083 

 $      (20,944)

 $            0.11 

 $            (0.53)

 $            0.11 

 $            (0.53)

45

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportCONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

Attributable to the Shareholders of the Company

Class A
Non-Voting 
Shares

Class B
Common
Shares

Total 
Class A  
and
Class B
Shares

Contributed
Surplus

Accumulated
Other 
Comprehensive 
Income (Loss)

Retained
Earnings 
(Deficit)

Total
Equity

 $  144,898 

 $     1,366   $  146,264 

 $        5,197 

 $                 11  $          794  $  152,266

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

 255 

—

(20,990)

(20,990)

(266)

220

—

—

—

—

(266)

220

255

 $  144,898 

 $     1,366   $  146,264 

 $        5,452 

 $                  (35)  $    (20,196)  $   131,485 

—

—

—

42

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

42

—

—

—

—

(9)

250

—

4,288

4,288

968

827

—

—

—

—

—

—

968

827

33

250

 $  144,940   $      1,366   $  146,306 

 $        5,693 

 $            1,760  $    (15,908)  $  137,851 

$Thousands

BALANCE AT  
DECEMBER 31, 2020

Net loss for the year

Foreign currency translation 
adjustment

Remeasurement of pension 
liability

Stock options expense

BALANCE AT  
DECEMBER 31, 2021

Net income for the year

Foreign currency translation 
adjustment

Remeasurement of pension 
liability

Stock options exercised

Stock options expense

BALANCE AT  
DECEMBER 31, 2022

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

46

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportCONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 

$Thousands

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net income (loss)

Non-cash items included in net income (loss):

     Depreciation and amortization

     Deferred income tax recovery

     Defined benefit pension plan expense 

     Stock options expense

     Share-based compensation expense

     Gain on sale of assets

     Gain on windup of subsidiary

     Unrealized loss on risk management contracts

Change in non-cash working capital 

Equity income from joint ventures

Post-employment benefits paid

Interest expense

Interest paid
Net Cash From (Used In) Operating Activities

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Capital expenditures 

Change in non-cash working capital related to capital

Distributions from investments in joint ventures

Change in long-term assets

Proceeds from sale of assets
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Change in debt

Change in lease obligations

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

Loan commitment fee 
Net Cash From Financing Activities

Effect of Foreign Exchange on Cash

Increase (Decrease) In Cash

Cash, beginning of year

CASH, END OF YEAR

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

Note 10

Note 7

Note 19

Note 18

Note 18

Note 12

Note 13

Note 11

Note 10

Note 13

Note 11

Note 14

 For The Year Ended December 31

2022

2021

$         4,288 

 $      (20,990)

 30,263 

 28,838 

 (749)

 18 

 250 

 546 

 (93)

          -   

 290 

 (10,232)

 (5,954)

 (584)

 6,777 

 (6,622)

18,198

 (17,982)

 (1,130)

 5,443 

 (62)

 133 

 (792)

 20 

 255 

 252 

 (26)

 (103)

          -   

 (8,867)

 (1,981)

 (198)

 3,553 

 (3,422)

(3,461)

 (16,416)

 3,929 

 492 

 (82)

 272 

 (13,598)

 (11,805)

 7,283 

 (1,071)

 33 

 (275)

 5,970 

 968 

 11,538 

 1,773 

 11,717 

 (1,328)

          -   

 (192)

 10,197 

 (266)

 (5,335)

 7,108 

 $       13,311 

 $         1,773 

47

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportCONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES CONTENTS

49

51

55

BUSINESS AND ENVIRONMENT

RESULTS FOR THE YEAR

LONG-TERM ASSETS

1. General Information 

2. Basis of Preparation 

49

49

3. Net Income (Loss) per Share 

4. Revenue 

5. Interest and Financing Expense 

6. Expenses by Nature 

7. Income Taxes 

8. Segmented Information 

61

65

WORKING CAPITAL

DEBT AND EQUITY

12. Financial Instruments 

61

14. Debt 

13. Change in Non-Cash Working Capital  65

15. Lease Obligations 

16. Capital Management 

17. Share Capital 

9. Right-of-Use Assets 

10. Property, Plant and Equipment 

11. Investments in Joint Ventures 

55

57

60

70

PERSONNEL

18. Share-Based Compensation Plans 

19. Employee Future Benefits 

70

74

51

51

52

53

53

55

65

67

68

69

76

OTHER NOTES

20. Commitments and Contingencies  76

21. Related Party Transactions 

76

48
48

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual Report

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021

BUSINESS AND ENVIRONMENT
1. General Information

AKITA Drilling Ltd. and its subsidiaries (the “Company” or “AKITA”) provide contract drilling services, primarily to the oil and gas industry, 
in Canada and the United States (“US”).  The Company owns and operates 36 drilling rigs (34.65 net of joint venture ownership). 

The Company conducts certain rig operations via joint ventures with First Nations, Métis or Inuit partners whereby rig assets are jointly 
owned.  While joint venture interests are at least 50% owned by the Company, in each case the joint venture is governed on a joint 
basis. 

The Company is a limited liability company incorporated and domiciled in Alberta, Canada.  The address of its registered office is 1000, 
333 – 7th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta.  The Company is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.  The Company is controlled by Sentgraf 
Enterprises Ltd. and its controlling share owner, the Southern family.

2. Basis of Preparation

The consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022, have been prepared in accordance with International 
Financial  Reporting  Standards  (“IFRS”)  as  issued  by  the  International  Accounting  Standards  Board  (“IASB”).    These  consolidated 
financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except as specifically stated within these notes.

These consolidated financial statements were approved by the Company’s Board of Directors on March 20, 2023.  

Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements of the Company consolidate the accounts of AKITA and its subsidiaries which are entities over 
which the Company has control.  Control exists when the Company has the power, directly or indirectly, to direct the relevant activities 
of an entity so as to obtain benefit from its activities.  Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred 
to the Company and are deconsolidated from the date that control ceases.  Inter-company transactions, balances and unrealized gains 

and losses from inter-company transactions are eliminated on consolidation.  

49

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFunctional and Presentation Currency

Items included in the financial statements of each of the Company's entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic 
environment  in  which  the  entity  operates  ("the  functional  currency").    The  functional  currency  of  the  Company  and  its  Canadian 
subsidiaries is the Canadian dollar ("CAD") while the functional currency of its US subsidiaries is the US dollar ("USD"). 

The consolidated financial statements are presented in CAD, which is the Company's presentation currency.

Foreign Currency Translation

(i) 

 Transactions and balances

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the 
transactions.  Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation of 
monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at year-end exchange rates are recognized in the statement 
of net income and comprehensive income.

(ii) 

 Group companies

The results and financial position of foreign operations that have a functional currency different from the presentation currency 
are translated into the presentation currency as follows:

•  assets and liabilities for each statement of financial position presented are translated at the closing rate at the date of that 

balance sheet;

• 

income and expenses for each statement of net income and comprehensive income are translated at average exchange 
rates (unless this is not a reasonable approximation of the cumulative effect of the rates prevailing on the transaction dates, 
in which case income and expenses are translated at the dates of the transactions); and

•  all resulting exchange differences are recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”).

Estimates and Judgments

The preparation of these consolidated financial statements required management to make estimates and judgments.  Estimates and 
judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that 
are believed to be reasonable in the circumstances.  Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.  Estimates and judgments 
which are material to the consolidated financial statements are found in the following notes:

•  Note 4 - Revenue
•  Note 7 - Income Taxes
•  Note 9 - Right-of-Use Assets
•  Note 10 - Property, Plant and Equipment
•  Note 12 – Financial Instruments
•  Note 19 – Employee Future Benefits

50

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
RESULTS FOR THE YEAR

3. Net Income (Loss) per Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the net income (loss) for the period attributable to shareholders of the Company by 
the weighted average number of Class A Non-Voting and Class B Common shares outstanding during the period. 

Diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of Class A Non-Voting and Class B Common shares 
outstanding to assume conversion of all dilutive potential Class A Non-Voting shares, typically stock options granted to directors and 
employees.  The calculation is performed for the stock options to determine the number of shares that could have been acquired at fair 
value (determined as the average quarterly or annual, as appropriate, market share price of the Company’s outstanding Class A Non-
Voting shares) based on the monetary value of the subscription rights attached to outstanding stock options.  The number of shares 
calculated as above is compared with the number of shares that would have been issued assuming the exercise of stock options.

Net income (loss) ($Thousands)

Weighted average outstanding shares

Incremental shares for diluted income (loss) calculation (1)

Weighted average outstanding shares for income (loss) per share - diluted

Income (loss) per share - basic

Income (loss) per share - diluted

  For the Year Ended

December 31 
2022

December 31 
2021

 $           4,288

 $        (20,990)

39,622,805

39,608,191

467,647

            -   

40,090,452

39,608,191

$             0.11

$            (0.53)

$             0.11

$            (0.53)

(1) For the year ended December 31, 2021, the outstanding shares that would have been issued under the Stock Option Plan were excluded in calculating the weighted average 
number of diluted shares as the Company incurred a net loss during the year and therefore the shares were considered anti-dilutive. 

4. Revenue

IFRS 15, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" – Accounting Policies

Revenue is recognized when the Company satisfies a performance obligation by transferring promised goods or services to a customer 
and the amount recorded is measured at the fair value of the consideration received.  A typical contract with a customer includes 
performance obligations to provide drilling services and rig equipment, which are satisfied over time.  Once determined, the transaction 
price will be allocated to each performance obligation based on stand-alone selling prices.  Where stand-alone selling prices are not 
directly observable, the Company will make an estimate based on expected cost-plus margin. 

Where possible, the Company will apply the practical expedient not to disclose the transaction price for unsatisfied performance if the 
performance obligation is part of a contract that has an original expected duration of one year or less.  The Company does not expect 
to have any contracts where the period between the transfer of the promised goods or services to the customer and payment by the 
customer exceeds one year.  Consequently, the Company does not adjust any of the transaction prices for the time value of money.

The receipt of unearned contract revenue is recorded as deferred revenue until the contracted passage of time has occurred.  Contract 
cancellation revenue is recognized when both parties to the contract have agreed upon an amount, collection is probable, and the 

Company does not have any further services to render in order to earn the revenue.

51

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
 
Significant Estimates and Judgments – Relative Stand-Alone Selling Price 

The majority of the Company’s contracts contain both a lease and a service element.  IFRS 15, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” 
requires that contract revenue be presented separately from lease revenue.  In this case, the transaction price will be allocated to each 
of the lease and service elements based on the stand-alone selling prices.  Where these are not directly observable, they are estimated 
based on expected cost-plus margin. 

The Company’s revenue streams are comprised of the following: 

 $Thousands

Contract drilling services

Rig lease rental

Total revenue

Significant Customers 

  For the Year Ended

December 31 
2022

December 31 
2021

 $       110,436 

 $         59,082 

 90,560 

 51,006 

 $       200,996 

 $       110,088 

During 2022 one customer (2021 – one customer) provided more than 10% of the Company’s revenue.  While the loss of one or more 
of these customers may have a material adverse effect on the financial results of the Company, in management’s assessment, the 
future viability of the Company is not dependent upon these major customers.

5. Interest and Financing Expense

The following table summarizes the components of interest and financing expense:

 $Thousands

Interest expense

Interest expense, lease obligations

Interest expense, pension

Financing expense, risk management contracts

Total interest and financing expense

  For the Year Ended

December 31 
2022

December 31 
2021

 $           6,267 

 $           3,250 

118

155

237

171

 132 

           -

 $           6,777 

 $           3,553 

52

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS6. Expenses by Nature

The Company presents certain expenses in the consolidated Statements of Net Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) by 
function.  The following table presents those expenses by their nature:

 $Thousands

Expenses

Salaries, wages and benefits

Materials and supplies

Repairs and maintenance

External services and facilities

Total expenses

Allocated to:

Operating and maintenance

Selling and administrative

Total expenses

7. Income Taxes

  For the Year Ended

December 31 
2022

December 31 
2021

 $              96,329 

 $              57,202 

26,113

32,949

11,034

 16,294 

 19,674 

 8,878 

 $            166,425 

 $            102,048 

 $            151,884 

 $              89,835 

14,541

 12,213 

 $            166,425 

 $            102,048 

Income taxes are comprised of current and deferred income taxes.  

Current taxes are calculated using tax rates and tax laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting year.  

Deferred tax is recognized, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax basis of assets and liabilities 
and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements.  Deferred taxes are measured using tax rates that are enacted or 
substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period and are expected to apply when the deferred tax asset is realized or the liability is 
settled.  Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that the assets can be recovered.  

Income taxes are comprised of the following:

 $Thousands

Current tax recovery

Deferred tax recovery

Total income tax recovery

  For the Year Ended

December 31 
2022

December 31 
2021

   $                     -

     $                  -

 (749)

 (792) 

 $                 (749)

 $              (792) 

53

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSThe following table reconciles the income tax expense (recovery) using a weighted average Canadian federal and provincial rate of 
23.57% (2021 – 24.48%) to the reported tax recovery.  The rate decrease is due to changes in the jurisdictions the Company operates 
in.  The reconciling items represent, aside from the impact of tax rate differentials and changes, non-taxable benefits or non-deductible 
expenses arising from permanent differences between the local tax base and the financial statements.

$Thousands

Income (loss) before income taxes

Expected income tax at the statutory rate 

Add (deduct):

Change in income tax rates

Permanent differences

Jurisdictional rate difference

Change in unrecognized deferred tax asset 

Return to provision adjustment

Other

Total income tax recovery

The deferred tax balance consists of the following:

  For the Year Ended

December 31 
2022

December 31 
2021

 $              3,539

 $          (21,782)

834

 (5,328)

(8)

 102 

 (75) 

(1,571)

(48)

17

 2,331 

 44 

361

2,001

 (223)

 22

 $                  (749)

 $               (792)

$Thousands

Property, 
Plant and 
Equipment

Defined 
Benefit 
Pension Plan 
Benefits

Non-Capital 
Losses

Other

Total 

Balance as at December 31, 2020

 $     33,680 

 $      (1,425)

 $    (20,547)

 $      (9,849)

 $     1,859

Charged (credited) to net loss

Charged to OCI

 1,267

       -   

16

71

 (2,744) 

     -   

669

      -   

 (792)

71

Balance as at December 31, 2021

 34,947 

 (1,338)

 (23,291)

 (9,180)

 1,138 

Charged (credited) to net income 

Charged to OCI

3,588

       -   

 74 

 255 

 (4,093)

     -   

 (318) 

     -   

 (749)

 255 

Balance as at December 31, 2022

 $    38,535 

 $     (1,009)

 $   (27,384)

 $     (9,498)

 $       644 

A net deferred tax asset has not been recognized for $76 million (2021 – $69 million).  This amount is primarily related to non-capital 
losses carried forward.

Total gross tax losses available to the Company are $434,694,000 with $398,191,000 in the US and $36,503,000 in Canada.  The 
first of these losses will begin to expire in 2031.

Significant Estimates and Judgments - Deferred Income Taxes  

The Company makes estimates and judgments relating to the measurement of deferred income taxes, including future tax rates, timing of 
reversals of temporary timing differences and the anticipated tax rules that will be in place when timing differences reverse.

54

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
8. Segmented Information

The Company has one operating segment providing contract drilling services primarily to the oil and gas industry.  From time to time, the 
Company is involved in other forms of drilling related to potash mining and the development of storage caverns.  The Company determines 
its operating segments based on internal information, regularly reviewed by management, to allocate resources and assess performance.

Geographical information is presented in the following tables:

$Thousands

Revenue

Revenue less costs and 
expenses

For the Year Ended December 31, 2022

For the Year Ended December 31, 2021

Canada

US

Total

Canada

US

Total

 $      55,279

 $   145,717 

 $    200,996 

 $    28,290 

 $     81,798 

 $    110,088 

 $       (6,860)

 $     11,168

 $         4,308

 $     (9,965)

 $    (10,833)

 $     (20,798)

$Thousands

Canada

US

Total

Canada

US

Total

Property, plant and equipment

 $     56,920

 $    143,630 

 $   200,550 

 $    60,496 

 $    150,973 

 $    211,469 

As at December 31, 2022

As at December 31, 2021

LONG-TERM ASSETS
9. Right-of-Use Assets

IFRS 16 "Leases" - Accounting Policies  

The Company leases various offices, yards, rig equipment, vehicles and office equipment.  Lease contracts are typically made for fixed 
periods of two to five years, but may have extension or termination options.  Lease terms are negotiated on an individual basis and contain 
a wide range of different terms and conditions.  The lease agreements do not impose any covenants, but leased assets may not be used 
as security for borrowing purposes. 

Lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets arising from a lease are initially measured on a present value basis.  The initial measurement of the 
ROU assets is comprised of the following: 

•  the amount of the initial measurement of the lease liability;

•  any lease payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives received;

•  any initial direct costs; and 

•  restoration costs.

ROU assets are depreciated over the lease term on a straight-line basis.

55

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
Payments associated with short-term leases and leases of low-value assets are recognized as an expense in the statement of net income 
and comprehensive income.  Short-term leases are leases with a lease term of 12 months or less.  Low-value assets are comprised of 
office and IT software.  

ROU  assets  are  reviewed  for  internal  and  external  indicators  of  impairment  at  each  reporting  date  or  when  facts  and  circumstances 
suggest that the carrying amount may exceed its recoverable amount.  If indicators of impairment exist, the recoverable amount of the 
ROU asset is estimated as the greater of value-in-use (“VIU”) and fair value less costs of disposal (“FVLCOD”).  VIU is estimated as the 
present value of the future cash flows expected to arise from the continuing use of the ROU asset. FVLCOD is determined by estimating the 
discounted after-tax future net cash flows.  If the recoverable amount of the ROU asset is less than the carrying amount, an impairment 
loss is recognized.

Continuity of ROU Assets 

$Thousands

 Land and 
Property 

 Rig 
Equipment 

 Office 
Equipment 
and Software 

 Vehicles 

 Total 

Balance as at December 31, 2020

 $           1,456 

 $              276 

 $               435 

 $              32 

 $           2,199 

Additions

Disposals

Amortization expense

Balance as at December 31, 2021

Additions

Amortization expense

            - 

            -

(449)

1,007

           - 

 (448)

            - 

 763 

               - 

(114)

 (162)

            - 

           - 

           - 

            -

 (376)

 822 

 245 

 (394)

(4)

 (28)

            - 

 304 

 (21)

 763 

 (118)

 (1,015)

1,829

 549 

 (863)

Balance as at December 31, 2022

 $          559 

 $                - 

 $             673 

 $          283 

 $          1,515 

Significant Estimates and Judgments 

In determining the lease term, management considers all facts and circumstances that create an economic incentive to exercise an 
extension option, or not exercise a termination option.  Extension options (or periods after termination options) are only included in the 
lease term if the lease is reasonably certain to be extended (or not terminated).  

The assessment is reviewed if a significant event or a significant change in circumstances occurs which affects this assessment and 
that is within the control of the lessee.

56

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
10. Property, Plant and Equipment

IAS 16, “Property, Plant and Equipment” – Accounting Policies 

Property, plant and equipment (PP&E) is recognized at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. 

Cost includes expenditures directly attributable to the acquisition of the asset.  The cost of assets constructed by the Company includes 
the cost of all materials and services used in the construction and direct labour on the project.  Costs cease to be capitalized as soon 
as the asset is ready for productive use.  Subsequent costs associated with equipment upgrades that result in increased capabilities or 
performance enhancements of PP&E are capitalized.  Costs incurred to repair or maintain PP&E are charged to expense as incurred.  
The carrying amount of a replaced asset is derecognized when replaced.

The PP&E cash generating units (“CGUs”) are reviewed for internal and external indicators of impairment at each reporting date or 
when facts and circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may exceed its recoverable amount.  Internal and external factors 
such as (i) a significant change in the market capitalization of the Company’s share price; (ii) changes in conditions of drilling rig assets, 
(iii) changes in oil and gas prices in the market, (iv) changes in forecasted activity or earnings and (v) changes in interest rates or other 
market rates of return, are evaluated by management in determining whether there are any indicators of impairment or impairment 
reversal.

If indicators of impairment exist, the recoverable amount of the CGU is estimated as the greater of VIU and FVLCOD.  VIU is estimated as 
the present value of the future cash flows expected to arise from the continuing use of a CGU.  FVLCOD is determined by estimating the 
discounted after-tax future net cash flows or through the use of external equipment appraisals obtained from independent third party 
valuation experts, less an estimated cost to sell.  If the recoverable amount of the CGU is less than the carrying amount, an impairment 
loss is recognized.  An impairment loss is allocated to the CGU and then to reduce the carrying amounts of the assets in the CGU. 

Impairment losses recognized in prior periods are assessed at each reporting date for any indicators that the impairment losses may 
no longer exist or may have decreased.  In the event that an impairment loss reverses, the carrying amount of the asset is increased 
to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but only to the extent that the carrying amount does not exceed the amount that 
would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized on the asset in prior periods.  The amount of the reversal is 
recognized in net earnings.

Impairment of Assets 

The Company did not identify any changes in the indicators of asset impairment or impairment reversals or any new indicators of asset 
impairment as at December 31, 2022.  Therefore, no further assessment on asset impairment was performed as there have been no 
changes in circumstances that indicate that the carrying amount of PP&E does not exceed its recoverable amount as at December 31, 
2022.

57

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
Significant Estimates and Judgments  

Useful Lives of Drilling Rigs 

Depreciation is recognized on PP&E excluding land.  Depreciation methods and rates have been selected so as to amortize the net cost 
of each asset over its expected useful life to its estimated residual value.  The estimated useful lives, residual values and depreciation 
methods are reviewed at the end of each annual reporting period.

Major  renovations  are  depreciated  over  the  remaining  useful  life  of  the  related  asset  or  to  the  date  of  the  next  major  renovation, 
whichever is sooner.  

Asset Impairment 

The determination of indicators of asset impairment and impairment reversals involves the use of estimates and judgments including 
changes in the conditions of drilling rig assets, changes in forecasted activity or earnings and changes in interest rates or other market 
rates of return.

Asset impairment testing involves the use of estimates and judgments in the calculation of future cash flows which include future 
revenue projections, discount rates, probabilities of cash flow variability, future capital and operating costs, salvage values and income 
taxes and may consider the report of an external appraiser.

Depreciation Methods

The depreciation methodologies for the Company’s major PP&E classes are as follows:

Equipment Class

Drilling rigs

Major inspection and overhaul expenditures

Drill pipe and other ancillary drilling equipment

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

Buildings

Depreciation Method

Depreciation Rates

Straight-line

Straight-line

Straight-line

Straight-line

Straight-line

10 to 20 years

3 to 5 years

2 to 8 years

10 years

10 to 20 years

The salvage values for the drilling rig equipment ranges from zero to 10% depending on the specific rig component.  There are no 
salvage values for the remaining equipment classes.

58

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
Property, Plant and Equipment Continuity 

Cost 
$Thousands 

Land and 
Buildings

Drilling Rigs

Other

Total 

Balance as at December 31, 2020

 $          7,135 

 $      560,160 

 $          9,105 

 $      576,400 

Additions

Disposals

         - 

         - 

15,828

 (3,380)

 696 

 (162)

16,524

 (3,542)

Balance as at December 31, 2021

 7,135 

 572,608 

 9,639 

 589,382 

Additions

Disposals

         - 

         - 

 17,921 

 61 

 (179)

               - 

17,982

 (179)

Balance as at December 31, 2022

 $          7,135 

 $      590,350 

 $          9,700 

 $      607,185 

Accumulated Depreciation 
$Thousands 

Balance as at December 31, 2020

Disposals

Depreciation expense

Land and 
Buildings

Drilling Rigs

Other

Total 

 $          2,118 

 $      343,695 

 $         8,004 

 $      353,817 

         - 

290

 (3,137)

 26,441 

 (160)

 662 

 (3,297)

27,393

Balance as at December 31, 2021

 2,408 

 366,999 

 8,506 

 377,913 

Disposals 

Depreciation expense

            - 

 (139)

            - 

 (139)

 247 

 27,982 

 632 

 28,861

Balance as at December 31, 2022

 $         2,655 

 $      394,842 

 $         9,138 

 $      406,635 

Net Book Value 
$Thousands 

As at December 31, 2020

As at December 31, 2021

As at December 31, 2022

Land and 
Buildings

Drilling Rigs

Other

Total 

 $         5,017 

 $      216,465 

 $         1,101 

 $      222,583 

 $         4,727 

 $      205,609 

 $         1,133 

 $      211,469 

 $        4,480 

 $     195,508 

 $            562 

 $      200,550 

At December 31, 2022, the Company had $172,000 in PP&E that was not being depreciated, as these assets were under construction 
(December 31, 2021 – $2,039,000).

In addition to depreciation on its PP&E, the Company had amortization expense of $1,402,000 for the year ended December 31, 2022 
(2021 - $1,445,000).

59

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS11. Investments in Joint Ventures

The Company conducts certain rig operations via joint ventures with First Nations, Métis or Inuit partners whereby rig assets are jointly 
owned.  Currently, there are eight different First Nations, Métis or Inuit groups with equity investments in six of AKITA’s drilling rigs.  
These equity investments are facilitated through joint venture agreements.  Each joint venture operates the drilling rig with the joint 
venture partners’ owning a share of each drilling rig directly.  The equity ownership of the drilling rigs for each First Nations, Métis or 
Inuit partner varies between rigs and groups and ranges from 5% to 50% per group per rig.  All joint ventures operate in Canada.

While joint venture interests are at least 50% owned by the Company, in each case the joint venture is governed on a joint basis.  The 
accounting policies of the joint ventures are consistent with the policies described herein. 

The  Company  has  assessed  the  nature  of  its  joint  arrangements  and  determined  them  to  be  joint  ventures.    Joint  ventures  are 
accounted for using the equity method of accounting whereby the Company’s share of individual assets and liabilities are recognized 
as investments in joint ventures on the consolidated Statements of Financial Position, and revenues and expenses are recognized as 
equity income from joint ventures on the consolidated Statements of Net Income and Comprehensive Income.

AKITA  
Ownership Interest

85%

85%

85%

70%

90%

50%

The following table lists the Company’s active joint ventures.

Active Joint Ventures 

AKITA Wood Buffalo Joint Venture 25

AKITA Wood Buffalo Joint Venture 26

AKITA Wood Buffalo Joint Venture 27

AKITA Wood Buffalo Joint Venture 28

AKITA Mistiyapew Aski Joint Venture 56

AKITA Equtak Joint Venture 61

Continuity of Investments in Joint Ventures

$Thousands 

Balance as at December 31, 2020

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2021

Distributions for the year ended December 31, 2021

Balance as at December 31, 2021

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2022

Distributions for the year ended December 31, 2022

Balance as at December 31, 2022

Investments in  
Joint Ventures 

 $          887 

 1,981 

(492)

 2,376 

5,954

(5,443)

 $       2,887 

60

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSummarized Joint Venture Financial Information

The following summarized financial information is a reconciliation of the Company’s investments in joint ventures to the aggregate 
of the amounts included in the IFRS financial statements of the joint ventures which include both the Company’s and joint venture 
partners’ interests.

$Thousands

Cash

Other current assets

Non-current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities

Net assets

As at December 31, 2022

As at December 31, 2021

AKITA % JV  Partner  %

Total

AKITA %

JV Partner %

Total

 $           850 

 $           210 

 $        1,060 

 $           685 

 $           175 

 $           860 

 4,148 

 1,067 

 55 

        - 

5,053

 (2,166)

 1,277 

 (588)

5,215

55

6,330

(2,754)

 3,857 

 55 

4,597

 (2,221)

 790 

 - 

 965 

 (513)

4,647

55

5,562

(2,734)

 $        2,887 

 $           689 

 $        3,576 

 $        2,376 

 $           452 

 $       2,828 

$Thousands 

Revenue 

Operating and maintenance 
expenses

Selling and administrative 
expenses

Net income and  
comprehensive income

For the Year Ended December 31, 2022

For the Year Ended December 31, 2021

AKITA % JV  Partner  %

Total

AKITA %

JV Partner %

Total

 $      25,958 

 $        6,403 

 $      32,361 

 $      15,893 

 $        3,433 

 $      19,326 

19,635

             4,892 

      24,527 

13,626

           2,957 

16,583

             369 

                  87 

             456 

286

               60 

              346 

 $        5,954 

 $        1,424 

 $        7,378 

 $        1,981 

 $           416 

 $        2,397

WORKING CAPITAL

12. Financial Instruments

IFRS 9, “Financial Instruments” - Accounting Policies  

Due to the short-term nature of the Company’s financial instruments, fair values approximate carrying values unless otherwise stated.

The Company recognizes cash received or paid via electronic transfer as at the bank settlement date. 

The Company discloses its financial instruments within a hierarchy prioritizing the inputs to fair value measurements at the following 
three levels:

61

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

• Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

• Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

• Level 2 – inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly; and

• Level 2 – inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly; and

• Level 3 – inputs that are not based on observable market data.

• Level 3 – inputs that are not based on observable market data.

Classification and measurement 

Classification and measurement 

The Company classifies its financial instruments in the following measurement categories depending on the Company’s business model 
for managing financial assets and the contractual terms of the cash flows:

The Company classifies its financial instruments in the following measurement categories depending on the Company’s business model 
for managing financial assets and the contractual terms of the cash flows:

(i)  

(i)  

Financial assets at amortized cost:

Financial assets at amortized cost:

Assets that are held for collection of contractual cash flows where those cash flows represent solely payments of principal and 

Assets that are held for collection of contractual cash flows where those cash flows represent solely payments of principal and 

interest are measured at amortized cost.  Interest income from these financial assets is included in finance income using the 

interest are measured at amortized cost.  Interest income from these financial assets is included in finance income using the 

effective interest rate method.  Any gain or loss arising on derecognition is recognized directly in profit or loss and presented 

effective interest rate method.  Any gain or loss arising on derecognition is recognized directly in profit or loss and presented 

in other gains or losses, together with foreign exchange gains and losses.  As at December 31, 2022, the Company’s financial 

in other gains or losses, together with foreign exchange gains and losses.  As at December 31, 2022, the Company’s financial 

assets in this category include cash and accounts receivable.

assets in this category include cash and accounts receivable.

(ii) Financial liabilities at amortized cost:

(ii) Financial liabilities at amortized cost:

Financial liabilities that are measured at amortized cost are initially recognized at the amount required to be paid less, when 

Financial liabilities that are measured at amortized cost are initially recognized at the amount required to be paid less, when 

material, a discount to reduce the payables and accrued liabilities to fair value.  Subsequently, financial liabilities are measured 

material, a discount to reduce the payables and accrued liabilities to fair value.  Subsequently, financial liabilities are measured 

at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method.  As at December 31, 2022, the Company's financial liabilities in this 

at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method.  As at December 31, 2022, the Company's financial liabilities in this 

category include accounts payable and accrued liabilities and its operating loan facility.

category include accounts payable and accrued liabilities and its operating loan facility.

(iii)  Fair value through other comprehensive income (“FVOCI”):

(iii)  Fair value through other comprehensive income (“FVOCI”):

Assets that are held for collection of contractual cash flows and for selling the financial assets, where the assets’ cash flows 

Assets that are held for collection of contractual cash flows and for selling the financial assets, where the assets’ cash flows 

represent  solely  payments  of  principal  and  interest,  are  measured  at  FVOCI.    Movements  in  the  carrying  amount  are  taken 

represent  solely  payments  of  principal  and  interest,  are  measured  at  FVOCI.    Movements  in  the  carrying  amount  are  taken 

through OCI, except for the recognition of impairment gains or losses, interest revenue and foreign exchange gains and losses 

through OCI, except for the recognition of impairment gains or losses, interest revenue and foreign exchange gains and losses 

which are recognized in profit or loss.  When the financial asset is derecognized, the cumulative gain or loss previously recognized 

which are recognized in profit or loss.  When the financial asset is derecognized, the cumulative gain or loss previously recognized 

in OCI is reclassified from equity to profit or loss and recognized in other gains or losses and impairment expenses are presented 

in OCI is reclassified from equity to profit or loss and recognized in other gains or losses and impairment expenses are presented 

as a separate line item on the statement of profit or loss.  As at December 31, 2022, the Company held no financial instruments 

as a separate line item on the statement of profit or loss.  As at December 31, 2022, the Company held no financial instruments 

in this category. 

in this category. 

(iv)  Fair value through profit or loss (“FVPL”): 

(iv)  Fair value through profit or loss (“FVPL”): 

Assets that do not meet the criteria for amortized cost or FVOCI are measured at FVPL.  A gain or loss on a debt investment that 

Assets that do not meet the criteria for amortized cost or FVOCI are measured at FVPL.  A gain or loss on a debt investment that 

is subsequently measured at FVPL is recognized in profit or loss and presented net within other gains or losses in the period in 

is subsequently measured at FVPL is recognized in profit or loss and presented net within other gains or losses in the period in 

which it arises.  Financial assets at FVPL are financial assets held for trading.  Derivatives are also categorized as held for trading 

which it arises.  Financial assets at FVPL are financial assets held for trading.  Derivatives are also categorized as held for trading 

and measured at FVPL unless they are designated as hedges.  As at December 31, 2022, the Company’s financial instruments 

and measured at FVPL unless they are designated as hedges.  As at December 31, 2022, the Company’s financial instruments 

in this category include its interest rate swap.

in this category include its interest rate swap.

Impairment of financial assets

Impairment of financial assets

The Company assesses, on a forward-looking basis, the expected credit losses associated with its debt instruments carried at amortized 
cost.  The impairment methodology applied depends on whether there has been a significant increase in credit risk. 

The Company assesses, on a forward-looking basis, the expected credit losses associated with its debt instruments carried at amortized 
cost.  The impairment methodology applied depends on whether there has been a significant increase in credit risk. 

Financial Instrument Risk Exposure and Management

Financial Instrument Risk Exposure and Management

The Company is exposed to the following risks associated with its financial instruments: 

The Company is exposed to the following risks associated with its financial instruments: 

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Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations 
and arises primarily from the Company’s trade and other receivables.  The credit risk is managed via the Company’s credit-granting 
procedures  which  include  an  evaluation  of  the  customer’s  financial  condition  and  payment  history.    In  certain  circumstances  the 
Company may require customers to make advance payment prior to the provision of services, issue a letter of credit or take other 
measures to reduce credit risk. 

For trade receivables, the Company applies the simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses which uses a lifetime expected 
loss allowance for all  trade receivables.   To measure the expected  credit losses, trade receivables and contract assets have been 
grouped based on shared credit-risk characteristics and analyzed.  Accounts receivable are written-off when there is no reasonable 
expectation of recovery.  Indicators that there is no reasonable expectation of recovery include, amongst others, the failure of a debtor 
to engage in a repayment plan with the Company and a failure to make contractual payments for a period greater than 180 days past 
due.

The terms of the Company’s contracts generally require payment within 30 days.  The Company continuously monitors the recoverability 
of its accounts receivable balances and subject to agreed payment terms, generally considers the balance to be overdue when it ages 
over 90 days.  In management’s judgment there is no significant credit risk exposure in the balances outstanding at:

$Thousands

Within 30 days

31 to 60 days

61 to 90 days

Over 90 days

Estimated credit losses

Total accounts receivable

As at December 31  

2022

As at December 31 
2021

 $       34,308 

 $       22,195 

12,196

 732 

407

 (775)

3,747

852

 1,109 

 (675)

 $       46,868 

 $       27,228 

Significant Estimates and Judgments – Estimated Credit Losses

The loss allowances for financial assets are based on assumptions about risk of default and expected loss rates.  The Company uses 
judgment in making these assumptions and selecting the inputs to the impairment calculation, based on the Company’s past history, 
existing market conditions as well as forward-looking estimates at the end of each reporting period.

Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they come due.  The Company mitigates 
liquidity risk through management of its working capital balance, monitoring actual and forecasted cash flows and using its operating 
loan facility when necessary.  At December 31, 2022, this risk was limited by a positive working capital balance of $31.1 million and 
$16.0 million available in the Company’s undrawn banking facility. 

If future results do not meet the Company’s expectations there is a risk that the Company could be offside with its financial covenants in 
its banking facility and lose the ability to draw on the facility to meet its financial obligations or have to repay the amounts outstanding 
on the facility.  The Company maintains a positive working relationship with the banks in its syndicated facility and on July 17, 2020, 
entered into an amending agreement with its lenders in the syndicate to provide a five quarter covenant relief period.  The facility was 
further amended quarterly to add additional quarters of covenant relief to June 30, 2023 (Note 14).

63

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
Maturity information regarding the Company’s long-term debt is as follows:

$Thousands

Less than 1 Year 

1-3 Years

Total 

Bank credit facility - principal

               $                - 

 $            93,514 

 $            93,514 

Bank credit facility - interest 

7,111

5,750

12,861

Total  

 $            7,111 

 $            99,264

 $          106,375 

Maturity information regarding the Company’s long-term lease obligations is as follows:

$Thousands

Lease obligations

Less than 1 Year 

2-3 Years

4-5 Years

Total 

 $            990 

 $            655 

 $           148

 $      1,793 

Lease obligations - interest 

 85 

 53 

 16 

 154 

Total  

 $        1,075 

 $            708 

 $           164 

 $      1,947 

Foreign currency exchange - transaction risk

Foreign currency exchange transaction risk is the risk that future cash flows will fluctuate as a result of changes in foreign currency 
exchange  rates.    The  Company’s  geographical  divisional  operations  are  primarily  denominated  in  their  local  currency  with  limited 
exposure to foreign currency exchange transaction risk through capital expenditures or financial instruments.  From time to time the 
company may enter into forward currency contracts to manage this risk.

Foreign currency exchange - translation risk

The Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange translation risk as revenues, expenses and working capital from its US operations 
are denominated in USD.  In addition, the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are subject to unrealized foreign currency exchange translation 
gains or losses on consolidation.  

Interest rate risk

The Company is exposed to changes in interest rates on borrowings under its operating loan facility which is subject to floating interest 
rates.  To mitigate this risk the company entered into an interest rate swap with its principal banker as the agent on the syndication 
along with two other Canadian banks.  The term of the interest rate swap is June 15, 2022 to June 15, 2026 and the notional amount 
of the swap is $50,000,000.  The fixed rate is 4.24% while the floating rate is indexed to CDOR.  At period end the interest rate swap 
is valued at fair value with any unrealized gain (loss) recorded as other income (loss) on the consolidated statement of net income.  
At December 31, 2022, the Company recorded an unrealized loss of $290,000. The fair value measurement of the risk management 
contract has a fair value hierarchy of Level 3. 

Commodity risk

The Company is exposed to the effects of fluctuating crude oil and natural gas prices through the resultant changes in the exploration 
and development budgets of its customers.

64

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSAccounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities are comprised of the following:

$Thousands

Trade payables

Statutory liabilities

Accrued expenses

Post-employment benefits

As at December 31  

2022

As at December 31 
2021

 $                12,238 

 $                6,987 

 1,264 

 15,636 

 323 

 503 

12,916

 342 

Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 $              29,461 

 $             20,748 

13. Change in Non-Cash Working Capital

For The Year Ended

December 31  

2022

December 31 
2021

 $           (19,640)

 $          (12,113)

 (377) 

8,731

 (76)

 612 

 6,692 

 (129)

 $           (11,362)

 $            (4,938)

 $           (10,232)

 $            (8,867)

(1,130)

 3,929 

 $           (11,362)

 $            (4,938)

$Thousands

Change in non-cash working capital:

    Accounts receivable

    Prepaid expenses and other

    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

    Deferred revenue

Change in non-cash working capital

Pertaining to:

    Operating activities

    Investing activities

Change in non-cash working capital

DEBT AND EQUITY

14. Debt

Operating Loan Facility 

The Company has a syndicated credit agreement with the Company’s principal banker as the agent on the syndication along with three 
other Canadian banks.  The operating loan facility totals $110,000,000. The Credit facility was extended by one year to September 
2024 on July 15, 2022.  The credit agreement was amended on July 17, 2020, to include a covenant relief period that extended to 

65

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
June 30, 2021.  The facility has been further amended to add additional quarters of covenant relief to June 30, 2023.  The interest 
rate during the covenant relief period ranges from 225 to 350 basis points over prime interest rates depending on the Funded Debt(1)
to Tangible Net Worth(1) Ratio until July 2023 at which time it reverts to a Funded Debt(1) to EBITDA(1) Ratio.  Security for this facility 
includes all present and after-acquired personal property and a first floating charge over all other present and after-acquired property 
including real property.  The financial covenants are: 

1.  The Funded Debt(1) to EBITDA(1) Ratio: the Company shall ensure that the Funded Debt(1) to EBITDA(1) Ratio shall not be more than the 

following:

(i) 

4.50:1.00 as at the Fiscal Quarter ending December 31, 2022;

(ii) 

4.00:1.00 as at the Fiscal Quarter ending March 31, 2023;

(iii)  3.50:1.00 as at the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2023; and

(iv)  3.00:1.00 as at the Fiscal Quarter ending September 30, 2023 and beyond.

The Funded Debt(1) to EBITDA(1) Ratio shall be calculated quarterly on the last day of each Fiscal Quarter on a rolling four quarter basis; 

2.  The EBITDA(1) to Interest Expense(1) Ratio: the Company shall ensure that:

For the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2022 and beyond, the EBITDA(1) to Interest Expense(1) Ratio shall not be less than 3.00:1.00.

The EBITDA(1) to Interest Expense(1) Ratio shall be calculated quarterly on the last day of each Fiscal Quarter on a rolling four quarter 

basis.

Upon the end of the Covenant Relief Period the Company’s covenants revert back to:

(i) 

Funded Debt(1) to EBITDA(1) Ratio of not more than 3.00:1.00, and 

(ii) 

EBITDA(1) to Interest Expense(1) Ratio of not less than 3.00:1.00.

At December 31, 2022, the Company was in compliance with its covenants with a Funded Debt(1) to EBITDA(1) Ratio of 2.05:1.00, and 
an EBITDA(1) to Interest Expense(1) Ratio of 6.16:1.00.

The facility also includes a borrowing base calculation which is the sum of:

(i) 

75% of Eligible Accounts Receivable(1); plus 

(ii) 

50% of orderly liquidation value of all Eligible Rig Assets(1); less 

(iii)  Priority Payables(1) of the Loan Parties.

At December 31, 2022, the Company’s borrowing base totalled $148,375,000.

The credit facility includes a $10,000,000 operating line of credit that is classified as current, given the Company expects to settle 

the balance within a normal operating cycle.  The maturity date aligns with the total credit facility.  At December 31, 2022, the current 

portion of debt was nil (December 31, 2021 – $ 1,717,000).  The balance outstanding under the credit loan facility, net of unamortized 

loan  fees,  is  classified  as  long-term  debt  as  the  credit  agreement  has  no  required  repayment  obligations  prior  to  the  end  of  the 

loan facility term.  The Company borrowed $94,000,000 in total from this facility as at December 31, 2022 (December 31, 2021 - 

$86,700,000).

(1)    Readers  should  be  aware  that  EBITDA,  Funded  Debt,  Interest  Expense,  Tangible  Net  Worth,  Eligible  Accounts  Receivable,  Priority  Payables  and  Eligible  Rig  Assets  have 
specifically set out definitions in the loan facility agreement and are not necessarily defined by or consistent with either GAAP or determinations by other users for other purposes.

66

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuity of Debt 

$Thousands

Balance as at December 31

Drawn on credit facility 

Repayment of debt

Net deferred loan fees  

Balance as at December 31

$Thousands

Debt allocated to:

    Current portion 

    Long-term portion

Balance as at December 31

15. Lease Obligations 

IFRS 16 “Leases” – Accounting Policies 

For The Year Ended

December 31  

2022

December 31 
2021

 $                  86,156 

$             74,303

10,000

 (2,717)

 75 

16,590

(4,873)

136

 $                  93,514 

$             86,156

As at December 31  

2022

As at December 31 
2021

        $                         - 

$                1,717

93,514

84,439

 $                   93,514 

$             86,156

The Company leases various offices, yards, rig equipment, vehicles and office equipment.  Lease contracts are typically made for fixed 
periods of two to five years, but may have extension or termination options.  Lease terms are negotiated on an individual basis and 
contain a wide range of different terms and conditions.  The lease agreements do not impose any covenants, but leased assets may 
not be used as security for borrowing purposes. 

Lease obligations arising from a lease are initially measured on a present value basis.  Lease liabilities include the net present value 
of the following lease payments. 

•  fixed payments less any lease incentives receivable; 
•  amounts expected to be payable by the lessee under residual value guarantees; 
•  the exercise price of a purchase option if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise that option; and 
•  payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the lessee exercising that option.

Each lease payment is allocated between the liability and finance cost.  The finance cost is charged to profit or loss over the lease 
period so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability for each period.  

67

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
The  lease  payments  are  discounted  using  the  interest  rate  implicit  in  the  lease.    If  that  rate  cannot  be  determined,  the  lessee’s 
incremental borrowing rate is used, being the rate that the lessee would have to pay to borrow the funds necessary to obtain an asset 
of similar value in a similar economic environment with similar terms and conditions.  The discount rates range from 5.01% to 7.99%.

Continuity of Lease Obligations  

 $Thousands

 Land and 
Property 

 Rig 
Equipment 

 Office 
Equipment 
and Software 

 Vehicles 

 Total 

Balance as at December 31, 2020

 $         2,115 

 $         339 

 $         479 

 $            35 

 $         2,968 

Change in lease obligations

 (629)

(163)

 (32)

 (1,156)

Lease additions

Lease terminations

              - 

              - 

              - 

              - 

(176)

              - 

 (3)

Balance as at December 31, 2021

1,486

              - 

Change in lease obligations

 (696)

               - 

Lease additions

               - 

               - 

 829 

 (356)

 245 

              - 

 (19)

 304

 682 

 (179)

 2,315 

 (1,071)

 549 

 (332)

 682 

Balance as at December 31, 2022

 $           790 

       $           - 

 $         718 

 $         285 

 $         1,793 

$Thousands

Current portion

Long-term portion

 Land and 
Property 

 Rig 
Equipment 

 Office 
Equipment 
and Software 

 Vehicles 

 Total 

 $           679 

       $           - 

 $         269 

 $           42 

 $             990 

 111 

               - 

 449 

 243 

803

Balance as at December 31, 2022

 $           790 

       $           - 

 $         718 

 $         285 

 $         1,793 

Lease Expense 

The Company recorded $118,000 in interest expense related to its lease obligations for the year ended December 31, 2022 (2021 - 
$171,000).  

16. Capital Management

The Company has determined capital to include long-term debt and share capital.  The Company's objectives when managing capital 
are:

•  to safeguard the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, so that it can continue to provide returns for shareholders and 

benefits for other stakeholders; and

•  to augment existing resources in order to meet growth opportunities.

The  Company  manages  the  capital  structure  and  makes  adjustments  to  it  in  light  of  changes  in  economic  conditions  and  the  risk 
characteristics of the underlying assets.  In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Company may adjust the amount of 
dividends paid to shareholders, repurchase shares, issue new shares, sell assets or take on long-term debt.

68

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
17. Share Capital

Authorized:

•  An unlimited number of Series Preferred shares, issuable in series, designated as First Preferred shares, no par value

•  An unlimited number of Series Preferred shares, issuable in series, designated as Second Preferred shares, no par value

•  An unlimited number of Class A Non-Voting shares, no par value
•  An unlimited number of Class B Common shares, no par value

Issued:

•  All issued shares are fully paid

The shares outstanding are:

Number of shares

  Class A Non-Voting 

Class B Common

Total

Shares outstanding at December 31, 2021

37,954,407

1,653,784

39,608,191

Stock options exercised

42,000

                          -

42,000

Shares outstanding at December 31, 2022

 37,996,407 

 1,653,784 

 39,650,191 

Each Class B Common share may be converted into one Class A Non-Voting share at the shareholder’s option. 

The holders of Class A Non-Voting shares have no right to participate if a takeover bid is made for Class B Common shares unless:

•  an offer to purchase Class B Common shares is made to all or substantially all holders of Class B Common shares;

•  at the same time, an offer to purchase Class A Non-Voting shares on the same terms and conditions is not made to the holders of 

Class A Non-Voting shares; and 

•  holders of more than 50% of the Class B Common shares do not reject the offer in accordance with the terms of AKITA's articles of 

incorporation.

If these three pre-conditions are met, then the holders of Class A Non-Voting shares will be entitled to exchange each Class A Non-Voting 
share for one Class B Common share for the purpose of depositing the resulting Class B Common shares pursuant to the terms of the 
takeover bid.

The Class A Non-Voting shares and Class B Common shares rank equally in all other respects.

Incremental costs attributable to the issue of new shares or options are recorded as a reduction in equity, net of income taxes. 

Shares repurchased by the Company are recorded as a reduction of shareholders’ equity based upon the consideration paid, including any 
directly incremental costs, net of income taxes.  All shares repurchased by the Company are cancelled upon repurchase.

69

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSPERSONNEL

18. Share-Based Compensation Plans

The Company has four share-based compensation plans.  Stock options qualify as an equity-settled share-based compensation plan, 
the deferred share units (“DSUs”) and share appreciation rights (“SARs”) qualify as cash-settled share-based compensation plans and 
the performance share units (“PSUs”) are cash-settled or equity-settled at the discretion of the Company.  For all four of the share-
based compensation plans, associated services received are measured at fair value and are calculated by multiplying the number of 
options, DSUs, SARs or PSUs expected to vest with the fair value of one option, DSU, SAR or PSU as of the grant date.

Stock Options
Subject to the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, the Company’s Corporate Governance, Nomination, Compensation and 
Succession Committee may designate directors, officers, employees and other persons providing services to the Company to be granted 
options to purchase Class A Non-Voting shares.  

The vesting provisions and exercise period (which cannot exceed 10 years) are determined at the time of the grant.  Each tranche is 
considered a separate award with its own vesting period and grant date fair value.  The fair value of each tranche is measured at the 
date of grant using either the Binomial or the Black Scholes option pricing model.  The number of awards expected to vest is reviewed 
at least annually, with any impact being recognized immediately.

The following table summarizes stock options reserved, granted and available for future issuance:

Number of options

Reserved under the current stock option plan 

Balance at beginning of year

Added to stock option plan (1)

Expired

Granted

Available for future issuance

December 31  

2022

 6,500,000 

365,500

December 31 
2021

 3,100,000 

855,500

3,400,000

                            -

298,000

                            -

 (430,000)

3,633,500

 (490,000)

365,500

(1) On May 10, 2022, the Company’s stock option plan was replenished, and 3,400,000 shares were added to the shares reserved for future issuance under the current stock 
option plan.

70

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSThe following table is a summary of the Company's stock options plan:

2022

2021

Number of 
Options

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise Price

Number of  
Options

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise Price

Options outstanding at January 1 

1,332,500

 $             2.14 

842,500

 $           2.80 

Granted

Exercised

Expired

430,000

 $             1.69 

490,000

 $           1.01 

(42,000)

 $             0.77 

(298,000)

 $             4.12 

            -

            -

            -

            -

Options outstanding at December 31

 1,422,500 

 $             1.63 

 1,332,500

 $           2.14 

Options exercisable at December 31

652,000

 $             1.94 

490,500

 $           2.79 

The following table summarizes outstanding stock options at December 31:

Vesting 
Period 
(Years)

5

5

5

5

5

Exercise 
Price

 $   5.62 

 $   3.93 

 $   0.44 

 $   1.01 

 $   1.69 

Number  
Outstanding

42,500

197,500

322,500

430,000

430,000

Weighted Average 
Contractual Life

Deferred Share Units

2022

Remaining 
Contractual 
Life (Years)

5.7 

6.2

5.5 

6.3 

8.0 

6.6

Number 
Exercisable

Number  
Outstanding

42,500

 162,500 

158,000

193,500

172,000

86,000

 327,500 

 352,500 

 490,000

2021

Remaining 
Contractual  
Life (Years)

 6.7 

 7.2 

 6.5 

 7.3

7.0

Number 
Exercisable

 97,500 

 81,000 

 70,500 

 98,980

The Company has a cash-settled share-based long-term incentive compensation plan for certain employees.  Each DSU granted equates 
to one Class A Non-Voting share and entitles the holder to receive a cash payment equal to the Company’s share price on the payment 
date.  DSU holders are entitled to share in dividends, which are credited as additional DSUs, at each dividend payment date.  DSUs vest 
immediately but are not exercisable until resignation or retirement from management and/or the Board of Directors.

Units issued under the Company’s DSU plan are measured at fair value using the intrinsic value method when granted and subsequently 
re-measured at each reporting date using the Company’s Class A Non-Voting share price at the reporting date with the associated 
expense (recovery) recognized in selling and administrative expense.  The Company assumes a zero forfeiture rate.  

71

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
A summary of the Company’s DSU plan is presented in the following table: 

2022

2021

Number of 
Deferred 
Share Units

Fair 
Value 
($000's)

Number of 
Deferred 
Share Units 

Fair 
Value 
($000's)

DSUs outstanding as at January 1 

 349,882 

 $           329 

159,882

 $              77 

Granted

Redeemed

Change in fair value  

 74,850 

(166,206)

 125 

 (309) 

 302 

190,000

 190

         - 

              - 

62

DSUs outstanding as at December 31

258,526

 $           447 

349,882

 $            329 

Deferred share units allocated to:

2022

2021

Number of 
Deferred 
Share Units

Fair 
Value 
($000's)

Number of 
Deferred 
Share Units 

Fair 
Value 
($000's)

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

4,947

 $                8 

71,157

$              67 

Non-current liabilities

253,579

 439 

278,725

 262 

DSUs outstanding as at December 31

258,526

 $           447 

349,882

$            329 

Performance Share Units

The Company has granted PSUs to certain employees under its Performance Share Unit Plan. PSUs are time-vested whole-share units that 
entitle employees to receive, upon vesting, either one Class A Non-Voting share of AKITA or a cash payment equal to the value of one Class 
A Non-Voting share of AKITA. The number of PSUs eligible to vest is determined by a multiplier that ranges from zero percent to 100 
percent and is based on the Company achieving key pre-determined performance measures. PSUs vest after three years.

Units issued under the Company’s PSU plan are measured at fair value using the intrinsic value method when granted and subsequently 
re-measured at each reporting date using the Company’s Class A Non-Voting share price at the reporting date with the associated 
expense  (recovery)  recognized  in  selling  and  administrative  expense.    The  Company  assumes  a  zero  forfeiture  rate  and  that  all 
performance measurements will be met.

A summary of the Company’s PSU plan is presented in the following table: 

2022

2021

Performance 
Share Units 
(#)

Fair 
Value 
($000's)

Performance 
Share Units  
(#)

Fair 
Value 
($000's)

PSUs outstanding as at January 1 

         -

     $             -

Granted

Change in fair value  

68,862

115

4

        -

        -

    $          -

        -

        -

PSUs outstanding as at December 31

68,862

 $          119 

        -

    $          -

The total long-term share-based compensation plan liability is $558,000 (December 31, 2021 - $262,000).

72

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
Share Appreciation Rights

SARs may be granted to directors, officers and key employees of the Company.  The vesting provisions (which range from three to eight 
years) and exercise period (which cannot exceed 10 years) are determined at the time of grant.  The holder is entitled on exercise to 
receive a cash payment from the Company equal to any increase in the market price of the Class A Non-Voting shares over the base 
value of the SAR exercised.  The base value is equal to the closing price of the Class A Non-Voting shares on the day before the grant. 
As at December 31, 2022, no SARs have been granted (December 31, 2021–$nil).

Share-Based Compensation Expense 

The fair value of the services received is recognized as selling and administrative expense.  In the case of equity-settled share-based 
payment  plans,  the  selling  and  administrative  expense  results  in  a  corresponding  increase  in  contributed  surplus  over  the  vesting 
period of the respective plan.  When stock options are exercised, shares are issued and the amount of the proceeds, together with the 
amount recorded in contributed surplus, is recognized in share capital.  For cash-settled share-based payment plans, a corresponding 
liability is recognized.  The fair value of the cash-settled share-based payment plans is remeasured at each Statement of Financial 
Position date through the Statement of Net Income and Comprehensive Income until settlement.  

Share-based compensation expense consists of the following:

$Thousands

Stock option expense

DSU expense

PSU expense

For the Year Ended

December 31 
2022

 $         250 

427

119

December 31 
2021

 $         255 

252

-

Total share-based compensation expense

 $         677 

 $        507 

The stock option expense was determined using the Binomial model based on the following assumptions.  Expected volatility is calculated     
by examining a historical 60 month (5 year) trading history up to the grant date, where significant outliers are excluded to provide a  
better estimate.

Risk-free interest rate

Expected volatility

Dividends yield rate

Option life

Weighted average share price

Forfeiture rate

Fair value of options

2022

2.86%

92%

0.00%

5.4 years

 $               1.69 

0.00%

2021

1.10%

79%

0.00%

5.4 years

 $              1.01 

0.00%

 $               1.25 

 $              0.66 

73

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
19. Employee Future Benefits

The Company has a defined contribution pension plan, registered under the Alberta Employment Pension Plans Act, which covers 
substantially all of its Canadian employees.  Under the provisions of the plan, the Company contributes 5% of regular earnings for 
eligible employees on a current basis.  In addition, Canadian employees having eligible terms of service are subject to admission 
into the Company’s group RRSP.  The Company makes contributions on behalf of these plans to a separate entity and has no 
legal or constructive obligations to pay further contributions if the plans do not hold sufficient assets to pay the employee benefits 
relating to employee service in current or prior periods.

The  Company  has  a  401(k)  plan,  registered  under  the  Employment  Retirement  Income  Security  Act  of  1974,  which  covers  all 
of its United States employees.  Under the provisions of the plan, the Company contributes 3% of regular earnings for eligible 
employees on a current basis.

Contributions to the Company’s defined contribution pension plan, group RRSP and the 401(k) plan are recognized as employee 
benefit expense when they are due.

The Company has established an unregistered defined benefit pension plan for certain retired employees.  The defined benefit 
pension  plan,  which  provides  for  pensions  based  upon  the  age  of  the  retiree  at  the  date  of  retirement,  is  non-contributory 
and  unfunded.    The  Company  obtains  an  actuarial  valuation  from  an  independent  actuary  subsequent  to  each  year-end  or  if 
circumstances change.  The most recent evaluation was dated January 11, 2023, and was utilized in measuring the December 
31, 2022 balances.

The  defined  benefit  pension  plan  liability  is  the  present  value  of  the  defined  benefit  obligation  at  the  Statement  of  Financial 
Position date.  The cost of the defined benefit pension plan is determined using the projected unit credit method.  The defined 
benefit pension obligation is determined by discounting the estimated future cash outflows using interest rates of high-quality 
Canadian denominated corporate bonds that have terms to maturity approximating the terms of the related pension liability.  Past 
service costs are recognized in net income when incurred.  Post-employment benefits expense is comprised of the interest on 
the net defined benefit liability, calculated using a discount rate based on market yields on high quality bonds, and the current 
service  cost.    Remeasurements  consisting  of  actuarial  gains  and  losses,  the  actual  return  on  plan  assets  (excluding  the  net 
interest component) and any change in the asset ceiling are recognized in other comprehensive income.

74

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSContinuity of Defined Benefit Pension Liability

$Thousands

2022

2021

Actuarial present value of defined benefit obligation as at January 1

 $          5,463 

 $          5,800 

Interest cost

Current service cost

Benefits paid

Unrealized actuarial gain

 155 

 18 

 (275)

 (1,082)

 132 

 20 

 (198)

 (291) 

Actuarial present value of defined benefit obligation as at December 31

 $          4,279 

 $          5,463 

$Thousands

Pension liability allocated to:

2022

2021

    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 $             315 

 $              275 

    Non-current liabilities

 3,964 

 5,188 

Pension liability outstanding as at December 31

 $          4,279 

 $          5,463 

Total post-employment benefits paid during the year totalled $584,000, consisting of $275,000 in defined benefit pension payments 
and $309,000 in DSU redemption.

Key Assumptions

Discount rate at beginning of the year

Anticipated retirement age of plan members

(1) all plan members are retired as at December 31, 2022.

For the Year Ended

December 31  

2022

2.9%

n/a (1)

December 31 
2021

2.3%

66 years

The Company’s pension expense is recorded in selling and administrative expenses and interest expense and is comprised of the 
following:

$Thousands

Defined benefit pension plan

      Interest cost

      Service cost

Expense for defined benefit pension plan

Expense for defined contribution pension plans

For the Year Ended

December 31  

2022

December 31 
2021

 $                  155 

 $                  132 

 18 

 173 

3,054

 21 

 153 

 1,664 

Total expense

 $               3,227 

 $               1,817 

75

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
Significant Estimates and Judgments – Defined Benefit Pension Liability 

Significant estimates used in the preparation of AKITA’s financial statements relate to the measurement of the non-current defined 
benefit pension liability for certain retired employees that was recorded as $3,694,000 at December 31, 2022 (December 31, 2021 
- $5,188,000).  AKITA utilizes the services of a third party to assist in the actuarial estimate of the Company’s defined benefit pension 
expense and liability.  At December 31, 2022, a key assumption is the discount rate of 5.10% (2021 – 2.9%).  From the perspective 
of a sensitivity analysis, a 1% decrease in the discount rate would result in a $448,000 increase in the defined benefit obligation 
while a 1% increase in the discount rate would result in a $381,000 decrease in the defined benefit obligation.  Additionally, if 
members’ lives should be one year longer than actuarial expectations, the defined benefit obligation would increase by $70,000.  
Except for the impact on the discount rate used in the pension assumptions, recent changes in the global economy and related 
markets have not otherwise affected the measurement of the Company’s defined benefit pension liability.

OTHER NOTES

20. Commitments and Contingencies

From time to time, the Company enters into drilling contracts with its customers that are for extended periods.  At December 31, 2022, 
the Company had no drilling rigs with multi-year contracts. 

The Company has entered into a two year contract with a related party to provide sponsorship and advertising at an annual cost of 
$350,000.

At December 31, 2022, the Company had capital expenditure commitments of $740,000 (2021 – $1,743,000).

21. Related Party Transactions

All related party transactions were made in the normal course of business with regular payment terms and have been recorded at the 
amounts agreed upon with the related parties.

a)   ATCO Group and Spruce Meadows

The Company is related to the ATCO Group of companies and to Spruce Meadows through its controlling shareholder (see Note 1 – 

General Information).  The transactions and year-end balances with those affiliates are as follows:

$Thousands

Revenue (computer services, rent)

Purchases:

        Sponsorship and advertising (Note 20)

        Selling and administrative 

        Operating 

Year-end accounts payable

76

For the Year Ended

December 31  
2022

December 31 
2021

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$

 87 

175

 81 

744 

74

$

$

$

$

$

89

 175 

 72 

 534 

47

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual ReportNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
b)  Joint ventures and joint venture partners

The Company is related to its joint ventures and joint venture partners.  The joint ventures’ and joint venture partners’ transactions 

and year balances with AKITA are as follows:  

$Thousands

Operating costs

Selling and administrative costs

$Thousands

Due to AKITA from joint venture partners

Due to AKITA from joint ventures

For the Year Ended

December 31 
2022

 $         

 4,613 

 $      

           493 

As at December 31  
2022

 $ 

$ 

 1,801 

 858 

December 31  
2021

 $  

 $

2,880

        350 

As at December 31  
2021

 $

 $

 1,709 

1,564

c)  Key management compensation
  Key management includes the officers and directors of the Company.  The following table presents the compensation paid or payable 

to key management for services in the capacity as either officers or directors:

$Thousands

Salaries, director's fees and other short-term benefits

Post-employment benefits

Share-based payments

Long-service payable

For the Year Ended

December 31  
2022

December 31  
2021

 $ 

 $  

 $ 

 $

 1,906 

 94 

 690 

50

 $

 $

 $

 $

 1,335 

 72 

 498 

      -

77

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual ReportNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
10 YEAR FINANCIAL REVIEW

$Thousands (except per share)

Summary of Operations

Revenue

Income (loss) before income taxes

Income taxes expense (recovery)

Net income (loss)

     As a percentage of average  shareholders’ equity

Earnings (loss) per Class A and Class B share (basic)

Funds flow from operations

     As a percentage of average  shareholders’ equity

Financial Position at Year End

Working capital (deficiency)

Current ratio

Total assets

Shareholders’ equity

     per share

Other

Capital expenditures (net)

Depreciation and amortization

Dividends paid

     per share

Annual 
Ranking

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

1

4

5

4

3

4

4

1

1

3

5

5

9

9

4

4

8

8

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

200,996 

 3,539 

(749)

4,288 

3.1%

 0.11 

 34,813 

25.3%

25.3%

 31,121 

 2.02 

 268,281 

 137,851 

3.48 

17,982 

30,263 

-   

- 

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

 110,088 

(21,782)

 (792)

 (20,990)

(16.0%)

 (0.53)

 7,454 

5.7%

 6,496 

 1.27 

 247,574 

 131,485 

 3.32 

 16,416 

 28,838 

      -   

      -   

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

 119,664 

 (102,701)

 (9,427)

 (93,274)

(61.3%)

 (2.03)

 10,322 

6.8%

 8,683 

1.56

 251,521 

 152,266 

 3.84 

 7,593 

 32,681 

         -   

         -   

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

 175,890 

118,361 

 (24,679)

 (12,228)

 (4,804)

3,651 

 (19,875)

(15,939)

(8.1%)

 (0.50)

(5.9%)

(0.65)

 12,925 

 14,306 

5.3%

5.3%

 4,032 

$       11,166 

1.14

     1.31 

 369,116 

$     403,641 

 245,134 

$     271,728 

 6.19 

$

 6.86 

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

71,198 

 (53,230)

 (14,053)

 (39,177)

(22.5%)

  (2.18) 

 6,607

3.8%

15,528 

2.02

207,497 

 174,455 

9.72 

 20,348 

27,126 

 6,100 

0.34 

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

 61,061  $

 112,488 

165,274 

 168,111 

 7,535  $

 (44,544)

  2,206  $

(10,579)

 5,329  $

 (33,965)

2.4%

(14.2%)

 0.30  $

 (1.89)

 28,121 

 7,042 

 21,079 

8.3%

1.17 

 34,500  $

 38,510 

 56,195 

15.7%

16.0%

22.2%

 34,907  $

 16,002 

$

(5,028)

$

40,645 

4.49

2.45

0.90

 257,907  $

 254,516 

340,926 

 219,646  $

 220,200 

259,841 

 12.24  $

 12.27 

14.48 

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

 35,682 

 9,167 

 26,515 

11.3%

 1.48 

 57,619 

24.6%

2.93

 291,748 

245,288 

 13.65 

 35,113 

 26,825 

 5,567 

 0.32 

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

 15,238 

 17,546 

13,193  $

 17,960 

103,949 

 36,763 

 10,101 

 0.17 

26,614 

7,942 

 0.34 

 23,959  $

36,748 

30,200 

 6,100  $

  0.34  $

6,101 

  0.34 

6,015 

  0.34 

78

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual Report10 YEAR FINANCIAL REVIEW$Thousands (except per share)

Summary of Operations

Revenue

Income (loss) before income taxes

Income taxes expense (recovery)

Net income (loss)

     As a percentage of average  shareholders’ equity

Earnings (loss) per Class A and Class B share (basic)

Funds flow from operations

     As a percentage of average  shareholders’ equity

Financial Position at Year End

Working capital (deficiency)

Current ratio

Total assets

Shareholders’ equity

     per share

Other

Capital expenditures (net)

Depreciation and amortization

Dividends paid

     per share

1

4

5

4

3

4

4

1

1

3

5

5

9

9

4

4

8

8

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

200,996 

 3,539 

(749)

4,288 

3.1%

 0.11 

 34,813 

25.3%

25.3%

 31,121 

 2.02 

 268,281 

 137,851 

3.48 

17,982 

30,263 

-   

- 

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

 110,088 

(21,782)

 (792)

 (20,990)

(16.0%)

 (0.53)

 7,454 

5.7%

 6,496 

 1.27 

 247,574 

 131,485 

 3.32 

 16,416 

 28,838 

      -   

      -   

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

 119,664 

 (102,701)

 (9,427)

 (93,274)

(61.3%)

 (2.03)

 10,322 

6.8%

 8,683 

1.56

 251,521 

 152,266 

 3.84 

 7,593 

 32,681 

         -   

         -   

Annual 

Ranking

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

 175,890 

 (24,679)

 (4,804)

 (19,875)

(8.1%)

 (0.50)

 12,925 

5.3%

118,361 

 (12,228)

3,651 

(15,939)

(5.9%)

(0.65)

 14,306 

5.3%

 4,032 

$       11,166 

1.14

     1.31 

 369,116 

$     403,641 

 245,134 

$     271,728 

 6.19 

$

 6.86 

 15,238 

 36,763 

 10,101 

 0.17 

$

$

$

$

 17,546 

26,614 

7,942 

 0.34 

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

71,198 

 (53,230)

 (14,053)

 (39,177)

(22.5%)

  (2.18) 

 6,607

3.8%

15,528 

2.02

207,497 

 174,455 

9.72 

 20,348 

27,126 

 6,100 

0.34 

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

 61,061  $

 112,488 

 7,535  $

 (44,544)

  2,206  $

(10,579)

 5,329  $

 (33,965)

2.4%

(14.2%)

 0.30  $

 (1.89)

 34,500  $

 38,510 

15.7%

16.0%

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

165,274 

 28,121 

 7,042 

 21,079 

8.3%

1.17 

 56,195 

22.2%

 168,111 

 35,682 

 9,167 

 26,515 

11.3%

 1.48 

 57,619 

24.6%

 34,907  $

 16,002 

$

(5,028)

$

40,645 

4.49

2.45

0.90

 257,907  $

 254,516 

 219,646  $

 220,200 

 12.24  $

 12.27 

13,193  $

 17,960 

 23,959  $

36,748 

 6,100  $

  0.34  $

6,101 

  0.34 

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

340,926 

259,841 

14.48 

103,949 

30,200 

6,015 

  0.34 

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

2.93

 291,748 

245,288 

 13.65 

 35,113 

 26,825 

 5,567 

 0.32 

79

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual Report10 YEAR FINANCIAL REVIEWCORPORATE INFORMATION

Officers
Linda A. Southern-Heathcott
Executive Chair and Chief Executive Officer 

Banker

ATB Financial
Calgary, Alberta

Colin A. Dease
President and Chief Operating Officer

Darcy Reynolds
Vice President, Finance and 
Chief Financial Officer

Head Office
AKITA Drilling Ltd.,
1000, 333 - 7th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P 2Z1
403.292.7979

Counsel

Bennett Jones LLP
Calgary, Alberta

Auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Calgary, Alberta

Registrar and Transfer Agent
Odyssey Trust Company 
Calgary, Alberta 
1.888.290.1175

Share Symbol/TSX
Class A Non-Voting (AKT.A)

Class B Common (AKT.B)

Website
www.akita-drilling.com

Directors
Loraine M. Charlton
Corporate Director
Calgary, Alberta

Douglas A. Dafoe
President and CEO
Ember Resources Inc.
Calgary, Alberta

Harish K. Mohan
Corporate Director
Calgary, Alberta

Robert J. Peabody
Corporate Director
Calgary, Alberta

Nancy C. Southern
Chairman, President and  
Chief Executive Officer,  
ATCO Ltd., Canadian Utilities Limited, and 
CU Inc.  
Calgary, Alberta

Linda A. Southern-Heathcott
Executive Chair and Chief Executive Officer,  
AKITA Drilling Ltd. 
President and  
Chief Executive Officer,  
Spruce Meadows Ltd.,
President,  
Team Spruce Meadows Inc.,
Calgary, Alberta

Henry G. Wilmot
Corporate Director
Calgary, Alberta

Charles W. Wilson
Corporate Director
Boulder, Colorado

2

AKITA DRILLING    |  2022 Annual Report

AKITA DRILLING  |  2022 Annual Report 81

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2022

ANNUAL REPORT

HEAD OFFICE
AKITA Drilling Ltd., 1000, 333 - 7th Ave SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P 2Z1 Canada
www.akita-drilling.com