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Birchcliff Energy Ltd.

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FY2010 Annual Report · Birchcliff Energy Ltd.
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BIR:2010

Annual Report

The sun is rising on our resource plays.

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CONTENTS

  1  -  Financial and operational highlights
  3  -  Corporate profile
  5  -  Report to shareholders
 11  -  Financial performance
 15  -  Operations review
 35  -  Reserves evaluation
 41  -  Advisories
 42  -  Health, safety & environment
 42  -  Community support
 44  -  Board of Directors
 46  -  Executive team
 48  -  Financial information
 49  -  Management’s discussion and analysis
 74  -  Management’s report
 75  -  Independent auditor’s report
 76  -  Financial statements
 79  -  Notes to financial statements
 95  -  Glossary of terms
 96  -  Corporate information

SHAREHOLDERS’ MEETING

The Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders  
will be held at 3:00 pm on Thursday, May 19th, 2011  
in the Devonian Room of the Calgary Petroleum Club,  
319 – 5th Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta.

Financial and operational highlights:

OPERATING
Average daily production
  Light oil (barrels) 
  Natural gas (thousands of cubic feet) 
  NGLs (barrels) 
  Total – barrels of oil equivalent (6:1) 

Average sales price ($ Canadian)
  Light oil (per barrel) 
  Natural gas (per thousand cubic feet) 
  NGLs (per barrel) 
  Total – barrels of oil equivalent (6:1) 

Undeveloped land
  Gross (acres) 
  Net (acres) 

NETBACK AND COST
($ per barrel of oil equivalent at 6:1)
  Petroleum and natural gas revenue 
  Royalties 
  Operating expense 
  Transportation and marketing expense 

Netback 
  General and administrative expense, net 

Interest expense  

Cash flow netback 
  Depletion and depreciation expense 
  Accretion expense 
  Stock-based compensation expense 
  Amortization of deferred financing fees 
  Future income tax recovery (expense) 

Net income (loss) 

FINANCIAL
Petroleum and natural gas revenue ($000) 

Cash flow from operations ($000) 
  Per share – basic ($) 
  Per share – diluted ($) 

Net income (loss) ($000) 
  Per share – basic ($) 
  Per share – diluted ($) 

Daily production per weighted average million basic share (boe/d) 
Proved reserves per basic share – end of period (boe) 
Proved plus probable reserves per basic share – end of period (boe) 

Common shares outstanding
  End of period – basic 
  End of period – diluted 
  Weighted average shares for period – basic 
  Weighted average shares for period – diluted 
Capital expenditures, net ($000) (1)(2) 
Working capital deficiency ($000) 
Revolving credit facilities ($000) 
Total debt ($000) 

Three  
months ended 
Dec. 31, 2010 

Three 
months ended 
Dec. 31, 2009 

Twelve 
months ended 
Dec. 31, 2010 

Twelve 
months ended 
Dec. 31, 2009

3,486 
73,978 
559 
16,375 

81.89 
3.94 
76.14 
37.83 

3,045 
43,170 
274 
10,515 

75.01 
4.81 
67.94 
43.23 

3,135 
56,970 
448 
13,079 

78.76 
4.21 
72.82 
39.72 

2,934
47,805
314
11,216

64.35
4.28
55.52
36.65

500,069 
456,952 

398,308 
353,150 

500,069 
456,952 

398,308
353,150

37.88 
(2.91) 
(6.92)  
(2.56)  

25.49 
(3.25)  
(2.60)  

19.64 
(14.51)  
(0.33)  
(1.67)  
(0.17)  
(1.23)  

1.73 

57,072 

29,592 
0.24 
0.23 

2,612 
0.02 
0.02 

131.01 
0.91 
1.61 

43.32 
(5.35) 
(7.64) 
(2.47) 

27.86 
(3.54) 
 (2.72) 

21.60 
(15.80)  
(0.60) 
(1.84) 
(0.51) 
(1.18) 

1.67 

41,908 

20,900 
0.17 
0.17 

1,616 
0.01 
0.01 

85.12 
0.73 
1.27 

39.80 
(3.55) 
(7.70)  
(2.59)  

25.96 
(2.12)  
(2.82)  

21.02 
(15.64)  
(0.38)  
(2.22)  
(0.34)  
(1.20)  

1.24 

189,978 

100,351 
0.81 
0.79 

5,902 
0.05 
0.05 

104.94 
0.91 
1.61 

36.80
(3.75)
(8.89)
(2.39)

21.77
(2.77)
(2.52)

16.48
(20.40)
(0.43)
(2.40)
(0.29)
1.12

(5.92)

150,669

67,476
0.57
0.56

(24,252)
(0.21)
(0.21)

95.06
0.73
1.27

125,129,234 
137,316,486 
124,994,761 
129,264,791 

123,815,002 
134,464,987 
123,538,213 
126,358,921 

125,129,234 
137,316,486 
124,629,761 
127,662,373 

123,815,002
134,464,987
117,993,314
117,993,314

47,456 
3,956 
333,468 
337,424 

44,368 
20,291 
201,230 
221,521 

220,034 
3,956 
333,468 
337,424 

101,690
20,291
201,230
221,521

1)  Included as a reduction of net capital expenditures in the twelve months ended December 31, 2010 are proceeds of $17.5 million relating to the sale of a  

minor asset.

2)  Included as a reduction of net capital expenditures in the twelve months ended December 31, 2010 is an expected recovery of $9.9 million (December 31, 

2009 – $6.3 million) relating to the Alberta Drilling Royalty Credit Program. 

FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2010 snapshot:

Proved plus  
probable (2P)  
reserves

201

4th quarter production

Cash flow

16,375 $100

MMboe

boe/day

million

2P reserves

One core area

Earnings

Peace  
River  
Arch

28%

increase

$5.9

million

Reserve life index
(years)

PCS Gas Plant  
expanded processing capacity

Operating  
costs per boe

29.8

on 2P basis assuming  
18,500 boe/day production rate

60

MMcf/day

13%

reduction

2  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  CORPORATE PROFILE

 
\\ Corporate profile

With an enterprise value of approximately $1.9 billion, Birchcliff Energy Ltd. is a 
Calgary, Alberta based intermediate oil and gas company that explores for, develops 
and produces natural gas, light oil and natural gas liquids from its two extensive 
resource  plays  –  the  Montney/Doig  Natural  Gas  Resource  Play  and  the  Worsley 
Light Oil Resource Play – both located in northern Alberta’s Peace River Arch. 

In 2010, Birchcliff’s fourth quarter production averaged 16,375 boe per day, a 56% 
increase from the fourth quarter of 2009. We expect 2011 production to average 
18,500 boe per day with an average of 17,500 boe per day during the first half of 
the year and 19,500 boe per day during the second half of the year. 

Complementing our production growth, in 2010 we completed Phase I and Phase II 
of the 100%-owned Pouce Coupe South Gas Plant (PCS Gas Plant), with processing 
capacity of 60 MMcf per day of natural gas. This strategic asset has allowed us to 
reduce our operating costs per boe, control our production and strengthen our foot-
hold on our Montney/Doig Natural Gas Resource Play.

Significant  reserves  additions  during  2010  increased  our  proved  plus  probable 
reserves to 201 MMboe, a 28% increase from 2009.

Our strategy is to continue to grow our natural gas and light oil-focused asset base 
by the drill bit and to continue to purchase land in Crown land sales or by private 
acquisitions. 

Birchcliff’s shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol BIR 
and are included in the Standard and Poor’s S&P/TSX Composite Index.

CORPORATE PROFILE  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  3

 
Report to shareholders:

In 2010, we delivered  
on the PCS Gas Plant. 
Phase I, capable of 
processing 30 MMcf  
per day, commenced 
operation in March and 
Phase II, which doubled 
the processing capacity  
to 60 MMcf per day, 
commenced operation in 
November. Construction 
of both Phase I and  
Phase II was on budget 
and completed ahead  
of schedule.

4  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS

 
Birchcliff significantly increased its portfolio of potential future 
drilling locations for both its Montney/Doig Natural Gas Resource 
Play and its Worsley Light Oil Resource Play. As of today’s date, 
we have in excess of 1,000 net potential Montney/Doig horizontal 
natural gas drilling locations. 

Fellow Shareholder,

>  A. Jeffery Tonken 

President and Chief Executive Officer

On behalf of the directors, management and staff of Birchcliff, I am very pleased to report our 
2010 results and to take the opportunity to provide you with an update of recent activities 
and our current outlook for 2011 and beyond.

Birchcliff had another very successful year. We met or exceeded our goals. We increased our 
average annual production and reserves. We continued to add reserves with very low finding 
and development costs, which together with increased production rates, higher oil prices and 
lower depletion costs, resulted in earnings in 2010. Our recycle ratios continued to be excellent. 

We expanded our large undeveloped land base while maintaining a 91% average working interest. 

Birchcliff significantly increased its portfolio of  potential future drilling locations for both its 
Montney/Doig Natural Gas Resource Play and its Worsley Light Oil Resource Play. As of today’s 
date, we have in excess of 1,000 net potential Montney/Doig horizontal natural gas drilling 
locations. 

In the current low natural gas price environment, we continue to have a very large portfolio of 
Montney/Doig horizontal natural gas well drilling opportunities that are economic to pursue. 
We are continuing to expand Birchcliff’s footprint on both of its established resource plays. 
In addition, we are doing the technical work and planning required in developing a new oil 
resource play opportunity on our map sheet, in the Peace River Arch.

2010 was highlighted by the construction of our Pouce Coupe South Gas Plant (the “PCS Gas 
Plant”) which commenced processing natural gas in March 2010 at a design capacity of 
30 mmcf per day, (Phase I). We expanded the plant to a processing capacity of 60 mmcf per day 
and it began processing natural gas in November 2010, (Phase II). We have also obtained a 
permit from the Energy Resources Conservation Board (“ERCB”) for the doubling of processing 
capacity to 120 mmcf per day (Phase III). Construction of both Phases I and II was on budget 
and completed ahead of schedule. The PCS Gas Plant is the culmination of several years of 
work, with respect to both the development of production and reserves on our Montney/Doig 
Natural Gas Resource Play and the execution of our business strategy to develop a core 
producing  property  with  significant  undeveloped  land  surrounding  the  production  where  we 
own and control the infrastructure. 

REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  5

 
Report to shareholders:

<  Alan Fritz, our Health, 

Safety and Environment 
Manager at the PCS 
Gas Plant.

I note that Birchcliff is one of the few companies of its size in this industry that has earnings. 
The PCS Gas Plant plays a major part in this because our processing costs in our own plant 
are very low. Our low depletion costs per boe (which follow from low finding and development 
costs) and low operating costs resulted in $5.9 million of earnings in 2010. This was accom-
plished when gas averaged $3.80 per GJ at AECO during 2010. In fact, we had $2.6 million 
in earnings in the fourth quarter when natural gas averaged $3.45 per GJ at AECO. 

As a measure of last year’s success, I note in a year where our business environment was 
challenging, Birchcliff increased its proved plus probable reserves by 28% (27% per share) 
and added those reserves for approximately $4.49 per boe without future capital, and $8.34 
per boe including future capital. Birchcliff also increased its 2010 average production by 17% 
over 2009 (10% per share) while maintaining its proved plus probable reserve life index at 
29.8 years assuming average production of 18,500 boe/day in 2011.

With our success in 2010, we have accomplished four important objectives:

§  We have established a large reserve and production base at low finding and development 
costs from which we can generate sustainable profitable production growth for many years.
§  We have successfully constructed two phases of our PCS Gas Plant that is now processing 
our natural gas at a low cost and we have obtained an ERCB permit to double its current 
processing capacity.

§  We  have  increased  our  technical  knowledge  base  with  respect  to  our  two  established 
resource  plays  to  the  point  where  the  risks  associated  with  the  further  expansion  and 
development of these resource plays are substantially reduced.

§  Using the material scientific knowledge we have gained from the development of our two 
established resource plays, we are focused on the development of new oil resource play 
opportunities in the Peace River Arch. In that regard, we have accumulated land which we 
think is prospective for new oil resource play opportunities.

6  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS

 
The pace of development of the production and reserves associated with our Montney/Doig 
Natural Gas Resource Play is now primarily a function of the future expansion of gas processing 
capacity by both Birchcliff and others, and the resulting economics based upon future natural 
gas prices. 

We have identified an inventory of at least 1,000 net potential horizontal Montney/Doig natural 
gas drilling locations, representing in excess of $5 billion of drilling opportunities. This inventory 
has the potential to significantly expand our reserves and production in the coming years.

Our Worsley Light Oil Resource Play continues to expand with delineation drilling increasing 
the size of the Worsley pool and a combination of infill drilling and expansion of the water 
flood slowing production declines and adding reserves each year. This asset continues to out-
perform our expectations and we believe we can successfully continue to expand this resource 
play in the area on lands that we control.

These two strong assets will allow Birchcliff to grow production and reserves with the drill bit, 
stay focused on its map sheet and focus its attention on its core business.

Birchcliff’s 2011 average production is expected to be 18,500 boe per day, a 41% increase 
from 2010. To further increase production, we are planning the Phase III expansion of the PCS 
Gas Plant. The decision to proceed with construction of Phase III will be made in the second 
quarter of 2011 and is primarily subject to the outlook for natural gas prices.

To continue growing production, we need to spend significant future capital in developing our 
resource plays. It is therefore important to note that our year-end bank debt of $337 million 
(including working capital deficiency) as against $375 million of available credit facilities gives 
Birchcliff significant financial flexibility. We expect to expand our current bank facilities in the 
near future based on the significant reserves additions we have achieved.

2011 CAPITAL BUDGET

In light of our success in 2010, we have set our 2011 capital expenditure budget at $159 million.

Birchcliff’s capital budget is described below and a significant portion, $73 million, is focused 
on the continued development of its Montney/Doig Natural Gas Resource Play. Birchcliff 
expects to drill 44 (36.3 net) wells in 2011. Highlights of the budget include:

§  $73.3 million for the drilling, completing, equipping and tie-in of 17 (13.6 net) Montney/

Doig horizontal natural gas wells;

§  $33.5 million for the Worsley Light Oil Resource Play including the drilling of 11 (11.0 net) 
horizontal light oil wells and 4 (4.0 net) vertical light oil wells and capital to support expan-
sion of the water flood; and

§  $52.2 million for other drilling, facilities, production optimization, land and capital projects, 

sustaining capital and seed capital for new growth opportunities.

This capital expenditure program is expected to be funded out of cash flow and Birchcliff’s 
credit facilities.

REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  7

 
Report to shareholders:

2011 OUTLOOK

The outlook for 2011 is very positive. We intend to continue to expand our footprint on both of 
our established resource plays by maximizing exploitation opportunities and drilling development 
and exploration wells. Further, we will continue to purchase undeveloped land and build infra-
structure, which we expect will further increase the reserves attributable to Birchcliff’s lands.

We  expect  2011  to  be  a  year  of  continued  low  cost  reserve  additions,  further  reduction  of 
operating costs per boe and significant production growth. The increased cash flow that results 
from our increased production will provide the capital for future sustainable growth. We expect 
to increase our average production by more than 40% over 2010 and position ourselves for 
continued production growth in 2012.

CONCLUSION

2010 was another very successful year for Birchcliff. Our success has been through the drill 
bit. We believe our results are repeatable because we have captured large resources in place 
on lands that we control.

In the coming years, we are determined to increase our processing capacity in order to convert 
reserves into production. With the quality of our resource plays and the land holdings we have 
acquired,  we  expect  to  continue  to  add  significant  long  life  reserves  and  corresponding  net 
asset value in the future at very low finding and development costs. Our massive drilling inven-
tory will sustain production growth for years to come.

It  is  important  to  recognize  both  our  office  staff  who  developed  and  planned  each  of  the 
individual initiatives that have brought us this success and our field staff who have safely and 
efficiently executed the field operations that turned good ideas into actual physical results. 
I gratefully acknowledge that without the hard work and tireless dedication of our staff, Birchcliff 
could not have achieved the success we now enjoy. 

I would also like to thank our Directors for their continued dedication, input and guidance. 

We welcome Ken Cullen as a director of Birchcliff. In addition to Mr. Cullen’s accounting back-
ground, he has significant knowledge of our industry and is an excellent addition to our board. 

A special thank you to our executive and management teams, who work very long hours for the 
benefit of our employees and shareholders.

Finally, we all thank Mr. Seymour Schulich for his support and advice which has played an 
integral role in our success. During 2010, Mr. Schulich increased his share position to 33 million 
common shares, which is approximately 26% of the outstanding shares of Birchcliff. Without 
Mr. Schulich’s support it would have been extremely difficult to execute on our business plan.

On behalf of the Executive Team.

Respectfully,

(signed) "A. Jeffery Tonken"

A. Jeffery Tonken
President and Chief Executive Officer

March 25, 2011

>  Wayne Brown, our 

Production Manager.

8  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS

 
REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  9

 
1
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12

10

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2

0

2006

2010

2006

2010

2006

2010

2006 

2010

Production growth
(annual average boe/day)

2P reserves growth
(millions of boe)

Cash flow
(millions of dollars)

Operating costs per boe
(dollars)

10  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
\\ Financial performance

During  2010,  Birchcliff  had  strong  production  growth,  all  by 
the drill bit, while maintaining financial flexibility. We carefully 
deployed $234 million of capital in exploration and development 
activities designed to enhance the long-term sustainability and 
profitability of our enterprise.

Throughout  2010,  despite  operating  in  an  extended  period  of 
low natural gas prices, Birchcliff was able to generate cash flow 
of $100.4 million ($0.81 per share) resulting in solid earnings of 
$5.9 million ($0.05 per share). 

Our  drilling  success  resulted  in  low  finding,  development  and 
acquisition costs of $4.49 per boe excluding future development 
capital and $8.34 per boe including future development capital 
(both on a proved plus probable basis). 

By building the PCS Gas Plant, we enhanced our control of strategic 
infrastructure and strengthened our ability to process more of our 
own and third party production, which reduced operating costs, 
increased netbacks and resulted in earnings.

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  11

 
Financial performance:

Cash flow

2010 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

$100

million

§  Finding,  development  and  acquisition  costs  (“FD&A”)  on  a  proved  plus  probable  (“2P”) 
basis are $4.49 per boe, excluding future development capital and $8.34 per boe, including 
future development capital.

§  Cash flow of $100.4 million or $0.81 per share.
§  Earnings of $5.9 million or $0.05 per share, notwithstanding low natural gas prices.
§  Operating costs (excluding transportation and marketing) of $7.70 per boe, down 13.4% 

from $8.89 per boe in 2009. 

§  Operating netback recycle ratio of 5.8 and cash flow netback recycle ratio of 4.7 (2P basis, 

excluding future development capital).

§  Net asset value of $16.80 per fully diluted share, a 6.4% increase from 2009 of $15.79 
per fully diluted share. This increase is especially meaningful as the natural gas forecast for 
the years 2011 to 2015, used to value our reserves, decreased by more than 31%. Net 
asset value is calculated using net present value of all reserves at a 10% discount rate, 
deducting total debt, assuming exercise of all options and warrants and without including 
any value for undeveloped land. 

FINDING, DEVELOPMENT AND ACQUISITION COSTS 

During 2010, net capital expenditures were $220 million. This reflects approximately $234 
million invested in exploration and development and $1.5 million spent on administrative 
assets, less $15.5 million of net dispositions. 

The following table sets out our finding and development costs (“F&D”) per boe based on $234 
million of capital and our FD&A per boe based on $218.5 million of capital, as follows: 

FD&A costs at December 31, 2010:

$/boe

EXCLUDING FUTURE DEVELOPMENT CAPITAL
F&D
  Proved 
  Proved plus probable 
Acquisitions
  Proved 
  Proved plus probable 
FD&A
  Proved 
  Proved plus probable 

INCLUDING FUTURE DEVELOPMENT CAPITAL (1) 
F&D
  Proved 
  Proved plus probable 
Acquisitions
  Proved 
  Proved plus probable 
FD&A
  Proved 
  Proved plus probable 

2010 

2009 

2008 

3 year average

9.09 
5.49 

0.62 
0.31 

7.61 
4.49 

13.01 
9.89 

0.62 
0.31 

11.12 
8.34 

2.57 
1.57 

8.84 
6.32 

2.63 
1.61 

7.12 
5.36 

8.84 
6.32 

7.13 
5.37 

9.09 
4.99 

37.11 
21.59 

9.40 
5.17 

20.17 
13.98 

37.11 
21.59 

20.36 
14.06 

6.29
3.71

3.96
2.09

6.02
3.53

12.48
9.24

3.96
2.09

11.97
8.81

1)  Includes the increase in future development capital for 2010 over 2009 of $100.8 million on a proved basis and $187.2 million on a proved plus probable basis.

12  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Future development costs used in the evaluation by AJM Petroleum Consultants (“AJM”) were 
$769.3 million on a proved basis and $1.14 billion on a proved plus probable basis, which 
includes approximately $57 million for the Phase III expansion of our PCS Gas Plant from 
60 MMcf to 120 MMcf per day of total capacity.

CASH FLOW AND NET INCOME 

In  2010,  Birchcliff  had  cash  flow  of  $100.4  million  ($0.81  per  share)  and  recorded  net 
income of $5.9 million ($0.05 per share) as compared to a net loss of $24.3 million ($0.21 
per share) in 2009. These earnings are significant: notwithstanding extremely low natural gas 
prices, Birchcliff was profitable on a full cycle basis, indicating that our resource plays continue 
to be economic. 

Cash flow
(millions of dollars)

  $150

  120

90

60

30

0

2006 

2010

OPERATING COSTS AND NETBACKS 

Operating cost per boe
(dollars)

Operating costs in 2010 (excluding transportation and marketing costs) were $7.70 per boe, 
down 13% from 2009. 

Our 2010 operating netback was $25.96, a 19% increase over 2009 and our 2010 cash flow 
netback was $21.02, a 28% increase over 2009. Operating netback is a measure of all of the 
revenues generated per boe, net of royalties, less production, transportation and marketing costs. 
Cash flow netback is the operating netback less interest and general and administration expenses. 

  $12

10

8

6

4

2

0

2006 

2010

RECYCLE RATIOS 

Recycle ratios measure profitability by comparing the netback on each barrel of oil equivalent 
to the cost of discovering and extracting each barrel of oil equivalent. The average “operating 
netback” or “cash flow netback” per boe, as the case may be, is divided by each of the F&D 
and FD&A per boe.

During 2010, the average WTI price of crude oil was US $79.52 per barrel and the average 
price of natural gas at AECO was Cdn $4.01 per MMbtu.

Operating and cash flow netback recycle ratios at December 31, 2010:

EXCLUDING FUTURE DEVELOPMENT CAPITAL
F&D proved plus probable 
FD&A proved plus probable 
INCLUDING FUTURE DEVELOPMENT CAPITAL
F&D proved plus probable 
FD&A proved plus probable 

Operating netback recycle ratio 

Cash flow netback recycle ratio

2010 

2009 

2010 

2009

4.7 
5.8 

2.6 
3.1 

13.9 
13.5 

4.1 
4.1 

3.8 
4.7 

2.1 
2.5 

10.5
10.3

3.1
3.1

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  13

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
R12

R11

R10

R9

R8

R7

R6

R5

R4

R3

R2

R1W6

R25

R24

R23

R22

R21

R20

Peejay

Currant

Clear Prairie

Osborn

Charlie

Buick

Rigel

Boundary
Lake North

Clear Hills

Worsley

Hines

Dixonville

North
District

Flatrock

Boundary
Lake

Hill

Cecil

Clayhurst

Gerry Lake

Parkland

Doe

Bear
Canyon

Balsam

Mulligan

Bonanza

Hamelin
Creek

Dunvegan

Whitelaw

Tangent

West
District

Pouce Coupe

Gordondale

Mirage

Progress
Doe

Pouce Coupe
South

Progress

Spirit River

Rycroft

Belloy

Peoria

Glacier

Valhalla

Saddle Hills

Kakut-Woking

Sinclair

Knopcik

Grande
Prairie

Grande Prairie

Teepee

Bezanson

Eaglesham

Sturgeon Lake

Elmworth

Wapiti

East
District

Gold Creek

Ante Creek

Dawson Creek

Sunrise

Dawson

LEGEND

■	 Birchcliff land  

(only non-confidential  
land shown)

  Birchcliff Pouce Coupe  

South Gas Plant

  Birchcliff facility

WELL LEGEND
Bottom Hole Locations:

  Location
  Service or drain
  Gas
  Abandoned oil
  Abandoned gas
  Suspended
  Oil
  Dry & abandoned
  Suspended gas
  Injection

BC  AB

14  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  OPERATIONS REVIEW

T91

T90

T89

T88

T87

T86

T85

T84

T83

T82

T81

T80

T79

T78

T77

T76

T75

T74

T73

T72

T71

T70

T69

T68

T67

T66

T65

T64

T63

 
 
\\ Operations review

Birchcliff is delivering growth by the drill bit. During 2010, we 
drilled  56  (48.2  net)  wells.  Twenty-three  (18.8  net)  of  those 
were horizontal natural gas wells in our Montney/Doig Natural Gas 
Resource Play and 16 (16.0 net) were oil wells in our Worsley 
Light Oil Resource Play. 

Fourth  quarter  production  averaged  16,375  boe  per  day,  a 
56% increase from the fourth quarter of 2009. We expect 2011 
production to average 18,500 boe per day with an average of 
17,500 boe per day during the first half of the year and 19,500 
boe per day during the second half of the year.

Birchcliff has established sufficient scale on both its unconven-
tional  resource  plays  that  will  allow  it  to  continue  to  grow  by 
developing the existing asset base. We expect to create significant 
value for our shareholders in the future.

OPERATIONS REVIEW  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  15

 
Operations review:

<  Jerilyn McLeod, our 
Health, Safety and 
Environment Technician 
with Tyler Montpellier, 
one of our North 
District Operators.

PEACE RIVER ARCH AREA

All of Birchcliff’s operations are concentrated within one core area, the Peace River Arch area of 
Alberta, which is centred northwest of Grande Prairie, adjacent to the Alberta/British Columbia 
border, and is considered by management to be one of the most desirable natural gas and light 
oil drilling areas in North America.

The Peace River Arch is one of the most prolific natural gas and oil producing areas of the 
Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin and is generally characterized by multiple horizons with 
a myriad of structural, stratigraphic and hydrodynamic traps. There is an abundance of prolific 
resource plays, related in part to the proximity of the area to the deep basin, where generation 
and trapping of hydrocarbons preferentially occurs. The Peace River Arch provides all-season 
access that allows us to drill, equip and tie-in wells on an almost continuous basis, excluding 
the spring breakup period. 

Our strategy in the Peace River Arch is focused on developing sound exploration and develop-
ment opportunities that can support extensive drilling and production growth in a repeatable, 
low  risk  manner.  Birchcliff  works  to  de-risk  plays  by  drilling  both  vertical  and  horizontal 
exploration wells to develop an in-depth understanding of oil and gas pools, rock properties 
and petrophysical characteristics. We design, test and evaluate our drilling, completion and 
production  technologies  and  practices  to  get  continual  improvements  in  productivity  and  to 
drive down capital and operating costs. Our pool delineation strategy de-risks future develop-
ment  and  reduces  future  costs  as  new  well  pads  and  infrastructure  are  designed  and  built 
to  support  multiple  horizontal  well  locations  and  increased  production.  We  have  a  focused 
strategy  to  acquire  additional  contiguous  land  blocks  at  Crown  sales  or  through  selective 
acquisitions. Our dominant land and infrastructure position in the Peace River Arch has helped 
us develop an in-depth knowledge of the land, the geology, the reservoirs, the infrastructure 
and the stakeholders.

At 2010 year end, on a proved plus probable basis, Birchcliff had 201.1 MMboe of reserves 
in the Peace River Arch, with a reserve life index of 29.8 years (assuming a production rate of 
18,500 boe per day). Birchcliff’s reserves are 82% natural gas and 18% light oil and natural 
gas liquids.

16  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  OPERATIONS REVIEW

 
On a proved plus probable basis, Birchcliff had 201.1 MMboe of 
reserves  in  the  Peace  River  Arch,  with  a  reserve  life  index  of 
29.8 years (assuming a production rate of 18,500 boe per day). 
Birchcliff’s reserves are 82% natural gas and 18% light oil and 
natural gas liquids.

ALBERTA

Peace River
Arch Area

Grande Prairie

Edmonton

Calgary

<  All of Birchcliff’s 
operations are 
concentrated in one 
core area, the Peace 
River Arch area of 
Alberta.

Birchcliff’s 2010 average production in the Peace River Arch was 13,079 boe per day. Our 
fourth  quarter  production  averaged  16,375  boe  per  day  and  our  December  average  was 
19,102 boe per day. Wells in the Peace River Arch have the potential to initially produce 
500 to 10,000 mcf per day (83 to 1,666 boe per day) of natural gas or 30 to 500 bbls per 
day of light oil. 

We have excellent control and access to infrastructure in the Peace River Arch to process our 
light oil and natural gas production. In 2010, we commenced processing natural gas through 
our new 100% owned PCS Gas Plant, which has a processing capacity of 60 MMcf per day. 
Birchcliff holds working interests in 15 gas plants, three of which are wholly owned and five of 
which we operate. We hold working interests in five oil batteries, two of which we operate. We 
have working interests in 37 compressor sites, the majority of which we wholly own and operate. 

In 2010, we invested $19.1 million to expand and maintain our land position in the Peace 
River Arch and at December 31, 2010 held 500,069 (456,952 net) acres of undeveloped 
land, with an average working interest of 91%.

We spent $199.4 million on exploration and development projects (including acquisitions and 
dispositions) in the Peace River Arch in 2010, including the drilling of 56 (48.2 net) wells. All 
were successful except one (1.0 net) dry hole. Drilling depths on a true vertical depth basis 
can range from 300 metres for our shallower horizons to 2,700 metres for our deeper, higher 
impact targets. The capital cost for our horizontal wells has continued to decrease as we realize 
efficiencies through multi-well pads, increased proximity to existing infrastructure and more 
cost competitive pricing for services.

During 2011, we expect to spend approximately $159 million, which will include the drilling 
of 44 (36.3 net) wells. Of these wells, 17 (13.6 net) will be Montney/Doig horizontal gas wells 
and 11 (11 net) will be Worsley horizontal light oil wells. Of this capital, approximately 55% is 
expected to be spent in the West District, 33% in the North District and 8% in the East District.

Annual average production growth
(thousands of boe per day)

15

12

9

6

3

0

2006 

2010

2P reserves growth
(millions of boe)

  250

  200

  150

  100

50

0

2006 

2010

OPERATIONS REVIEW  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  17

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operations review:

West District:

BIRCHCLIFF’S DISTRICTS WITHIN THE PEACE RIVER ARCH

Exploration and  
development expenditures
(percent of corporate total)

  75%

Production volumes
(percent of corporate total)

  58%

2010

2010

Proved plus probable reserves
(percent of corporate total)

  80%

2010

Net undeveloped land holdings
(percent of corporate total)

  24%

Within the Peace River Arch, we have three districts, each with its own technical team: West 
District, North District and East District. Each of the districts is comprised of a number of regions.

West District

The West District is centred approximately 95 kilometres northwest of Grande Prairie and con-
tains three primary regions: Pouce Coupe, Pouce Coupe South and Glacier. Our principal asset 
in the West District is the Montney/Doig Natural Gas Resource Play, which is one of the most 
sought after natural gas resource plays in North America. 

We have identified over 1,000 potential drilling locations on the Montney/Doig Natural Gas 
Resource Play. Birchcliff’s lands in the West District are surrounded by land held by other 
companies also actively drilling on this play, such as ARC Resources Ltd., Advantage Oil & Gas 
Ltd., Canadian Natural Resources Limited, Devon Canada Corporation, Encana Corporation, 
Murphy Energy Corp., Shell Canada, Talisman Energy Inc. and Tourmaline Oil Corp. 

Approximately 80% of Birchcliff’s total proved and probable reserves are located in the West 
District and provide years of low-risk development drilling and exploration opportunities.

The West District represented approximately 76% of our natural gas production and 2% of 
our oil production in 2010. Natural gas production is primarily from the Montney/Doig Natural 
Gas Resource Play. In 2010, West District production averaged 7,599 boe per day and the 
operating netback for this production was $18.39 per boe. Average operating costs in the West 
District were $6.14 per boe, a 25% decrease from 2009.

Production from the West District flows through six gas plants and one oil battery. We own 
and operate two gas plants in the West District; most notably our new 100% owned PCS Gas 
Plant, which has a designed inlet capacity of 60 MMcf per day, and a smaller 100% owned 
sweet gas plant in Pouce Coupe North. We have ownership interests in three other sweet gas 
plants in the West District, at 32.9%, 15% and 5.2% working interests. We also process gas 
at the East District Canadian Natural Resources Limited operated Progress gas plant, in which 
we have a small working interest. Other gas is delivered to the Spectra gathering system, which 
is processed under firm service contracts at either the Fourth Creek plant or the Gordondale 
East gas plant. 

2010

In 2010, we invested $15.4 million to expand and maintain Birchcliff’s land position in the 
West District. At December 31, 2010, we had interests in approximately 176,281 (148,987 
net)  acres  of  land  of  which  119,122  (109,058  net)  acres  were  undeveloped.  Our  average 
working interest in undeveloped land in the West District is approximately 92%. 

We  spent  $159.4  million  on  West  District  exploration,  development  and  minor  acquisition 
projects in 2010, including the drilling and completion of 25 (20.8 net) wells. The West 
District offers multiple, stacked targets down to total vertical depths of 2,700 metres. 

During 2011, we expect to spend approximately $86.8 million in the West District, which 
includes the drilling and completion of 17 (13.6 net) Montney/Doig horizontal wells, all of which 
are expected to be on production by year end 2011. Our Montney/Doig natural gas horizontal 
wells qualify for the Natural Gas Deep Drilling Program as well as horizontal gas drilling incen-
tives. These programs add significant value to our drilling opportunities.

18  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  OPERATIONS REVIEW

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
North District

Our  North  District  is  centred  approximately  250  kilometres  north  of  Grande  Prairie.  Within 
the North District, Worsley is the primary region and our most significant asset is the Worsley 
Light Oil Resource Play. 

Approximately 14% of our total proved plus probable reserves are located in the North District. 
Our plans for this district are focused on the Worsley Light Oil Resource Play, including extension 
of the oil pool to the north and the south, recompletion and infill development opportunities, 
expansion of the water flood and expansion of the application of horizontal drilling and multi-stage 
fracture stimulation technology as it relates to our oil properties. 

North District:

Exploration and  
development expenditures
(percent of corporate total)

  19%

The North District represented approximately 12% of our natural gas production and 76.5% of 
our oil production in 2010, with production primarily from the oil rich Charlie Lake formation. 
In 2010, North District production averaged 3,564 boe per day and operating netback for this 
production was $42.22 per boe. 

Production volumes
(percent of corporate total)

  27%

Most of the production from the North District flows through a Birchcliff-operated gas plant 
and oil battery, in which we have a 98.8% and 84.6% working interest, respectively. Both of 
these facilities are located in the core of the Worsley region. We also hold a 29.7% working 
interest in a sweet gas plant in the Hill region of the North District. 

2010

2010

In 2010, we invested $1.7 million to expand and maintain our North District land position. As 
of December 31, 2010, we had interests in approximately 135,928 (124,493 net) acres of 
land of which 113,522 (108,139 net) acres are undeveloped. Our average working interest in 
undeveloped land in the North District is approximately 95%. 

Proved plus probable reserves
(percent of corporate total)

  14% 

We  spent  $42.5  million  on  North  District  exploration  and  development  projects  in  2010, 
including  the  drilling  and  completion  of  17  (17.0  net)  wells.  We  enhanced  the  water  flood 
area by converting two producing wells to injection wells and generated a surveillance model 
to evaluate pattern performance and prepare for 2011 activities. Currently about one third of 
the Birchcliff owned portion of the Worsley light oil pool is under water flood. The water flood 
response has exceeded our expectations and we look forward to further expansion of the water 
flood area in 2011.

During 2011, we expect to spend approximately $52.4 million in the North District, which 
includes  the  drilling  and  completion  of  15  (15.0  net)  oil  wells,  comprised  of  11  horizontal 
wells and four vertical wells. In the north end of the light oil pool, we plan to drill six horizontal 
wells, applying multi-stage fracture stimulation technology to increase production. In the south 
east-end of the light oil pool, we plan to drill two multi-lateral horizontal wells, and one single 
leg horizontal well, to help define optimal inter-well spacing. All of these horizontal wells are 
eligible for the current horizontal oil royalty reduction program, which is calculated from the 
total measured depth drilled. We expect to drill five wells in the water flood area and expand 
the water flood area to the south by converting two wells to injection wells. In addition, we plan 
to drill one exploration horizontal well outside of the pool boundaries.

2010

Net undeveloped land holdings
(percent of corporate total)

  24%

2010

OPERATIONS REVIEW  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  19

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operations review:

East District:

East District

Exploration and  
development expenditures
(percent of corporate total)

6% 

Production volumes
(percent of corporate total)

  15% 

2010

2010

Proved plus probable reserves
(percent of corporate total)

6% 

2010

Net undeveloped land holdings
(percent of corporate total)

  52%

2010

Our East District is centred approximately 50 kilometres northeast of Grande Prairie. Progress, 
Rycroft and Bezanson are the primary regions contained within the East District. The Progress 
Doe Creek oil pool and the Montney/Doig Natural Gas Resource Play are the East District’s 
primary  assets.  During  2010,  Birchcliff  initiated  research,  evaluation  and  testing  of  new 
resource plays in the East District where we have significant land holdings prospective for a 
number of resource plays. 

The East District represented approximately 13% of our natural gas production and 21% of 
our oil production in 2010. Production is from multiple zones, from the late Devonian to the 
Cretaceous. In 2010, production from the East District averaged 1,915 boe per day. 

We process East District production through eight gas plants and three oil batteries. Birchcliff 
operates two gas plants and one oil battery in the East District; one gas plant with a 55.5% 
working interest, one gas plant with a 100% working interest and an oil battery with a 22.5% 
working interest. We have ownership interests in six other gas plants and two other oil batteries 
in the East District.

In  2010,  we  invested  $1.9  million  to  expand  and  maintain  the  land  position  in  the  East 
District. At December 31, 2010, we had interests in approximately 358,358 (285,727 net) 
acres of land of which 267,419 (239,755 net) acres were undeveloped. Our average working 
interest in undeveloped land in the East District is approximately 90%. 

We  spent  $12.9  million  on  East  District  exploration  and  development  projects  (excluding 
acquisitions and dispositions) in 2010, including the drilling and completion of 14 (10.4 net) 
wells. We participated in the drilling of several wells in the Progress Doe Creek oil pool includ-
ing  four  unit  vertical  producers,  four  non-unit  horizontal  producers  and  two  non-unit  water 
injection wells. We also drilled a Halfway oil horizontal well in the Progress region that began 
producing in January 2011, proving up the concept of using horizontal multi-stage fracture 
stimulation technology to obtain commercial oil rates from the area’s tighter Halfway shore 
face sands. 

During 2011, we expect to spend approximately $12 million in the East District. In the Progress 
Doe Creek pool, we anticipate drilling and completion of three unit in-fill oil wells (two vertical 
and one horizontal), five non-unit horizontal Doe Creek oil wells and two non-unit water injec-
tion conversions. In the Bonanza region, we plan to drill one development Doig oil well which, 
if successful, will result in several follow up oil drills planned for 2012. In the Progress region, 
pending production results of our recent Halfway horizontal well, we plan to drill one follow up 
well during the fourth quarter of 2011. Depending on our technical review, we may also drill 
a horizontal oil well in one of the emerging resource plays.

>  Vince Zylinski, our 
Superintendent, 
Production and Wayne 
Brown, our Production 
Manager with one of 
our drilling consultants.

20  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  OPERATIONS REVIEW

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OPERATIONS REVIEW  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  21

 
Operations review:

22  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  OPERATIONS REVIEW

BIRCHCLIFF’S RESOURCE PLAYS IN THE PEACE RIVER ARCH

Birchcliff is focused on two resources plays within the Peace River Arch: the Montney/Doig 
Natural Gas Resource Play in the West and East Districts, and the Worsley Light Oil Resource 
Play in the North District. We have also acquired lands that are prospective for one or more new 
resource plays. Birchcliff characterizes its resource plays as plays that have regionally perva-
sive, continuous, low permeability hydrocarbon accumulations or systems that usually require 
intensive stimulation to produce. The production characteristics of these plays include steep 
initial declines that rapidly trend to much lower decline rates, yielding long life production and 
reserves. Resource plays exhibit a statistical distribution of estimated ultimate recoveries and 
therefore provide a repeatable distribution of drilling opportunities. As more wells are drilled 
into the play, there is a substantial decrease in both the geological and technical risks. 

Montney/Doig Natural Gas Resource Play

The Montney/Doig Natural Gas Resource Play is classified by Birchcliff as a hybrid resource 
play because it is comprised of approximately 300 metres (1,000 feet) of gas saturated rock 
with both tight silt and sand reservoir rock interlayered with shale gas source rock. 

Most of our capital invested in the Montney/Doig Natural Gas Resource Play has been directed 
toward the Basal Doig/Upper Montney zones. However, in an effort to expand the stratigraphic 
potential of the play, 11 (8.2 net) of the 23 horizontal natural gas wells drilled in 2010 were 
drilled  in  the  Middle/Lower  Montney  zones.  Birchcliff  believes  the  Middle/Lower  Montney 
reservoir characteristics are similar to the Basal Doig/Upper Montney reservoirs. Drilling results 
to date have met or exceeded our expectations and have resulted in an expansion of our 
opportunity portfolio.

Wells on the Montney/Doig Natural Gas Resource Play are drilled to approximately 2,300 to 
2,500 metres for a vertical well and 4,000 to 5,000 metres measured depth for a horizontal 
well. Initial well productivity for the vertical wells is 500 to 1,000 mcf per day (83 to 166 boe 
per day) and 3,000 to 10,000 mcf per day (500 to 1,666 boe per day) for the horizontal wells. 

Well spacing is an important consideration for the Montney/Doig Natural Gas Resource Play. 
Industry competitors typically have drilled up to four wells per section per stratigraphic zone on 
400 metre inter-well spacing (160 acre spacing). Recently, industry competitors in the Peace 
River  Arch  area  have  drilled  up  to  eight  wells  per  section  per  stratigraphic  zone  using  200 
metre inter-well spacing (80 acre spacing units). 

Reserve assignments by AJM to Birchcliff’s lands in the Montney/Doig Natural Gas Resource 
Play are currently based on 300 metre inter-well spacing. Our technological analysis supports 
reducing inter-well spacing and in the future we expect AJM to assign additional future hori-
zontal locations and reserves based on reduced inter-well spacing.

In 2010, AJM increased our proved plus probable Montney/Doig reserves attributed to Montney/
Doig horizontal natural gas wells by 39% to 158.4 MMboe at December 31, 2010, compared 
with approximately 114.1 MMboe at December 31, 2009.

We believe that at December 31, 2010, we had at least 950 net potential future Montney/Doig 
horizontal natural gas well locations on our lands. These potential locations are comprised of 
219 net future horizontal locations to which reserves have been assigned by AJM and 731 net 
potential future horizontal locations on lands that we believe have a high likelihood of extending 
the Montney/Doig Natural Gas Resource Play. This estimate of potential locations assumes the 
drilling of four horizontal wells per section per stratigraphic zone. 

 
0 m

500 m

1000 m

1500 m

2000 m

2500 m

3000 m

Stratigraphic Column 
and Production Zones

LEGEND

	 Oil zones
  Natural gas zones

Surface

Doe Creek

Dunvegan

Paddy/Cadotte

Notikewin

Falher

Bluesky

Gething

Cadomin

Nikanassin
Nordegg

Baldonnel
Charlie Lake
Boundary Lake
Subcrop

Halfway

Doig

Montney

Kiskatinaw

Exshaw 

Wabamun

Duvernay

Leduc

Beaverhill Lake/
Granite Wash

PreCambrian
Graben Complex

OPERATIONS REVIEW  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  23

 
 
Operations review:

Montney/Doig  
Schematic Stratigraphic 
Cross Section

LEGEND

	 Shoreface sandstone, 

coarse siltstones, > 6% Ø

	 Lower shoreface 

siltstones, 3-6% Ø

	 Silts and shales with high 

total organic content, < 3% Ø

  Phosphate with high 

total organic content, low Ø

	 Dolomitized Coquinas, > 9% Ø

	 Anomalously thick 
sandstone, > 9% Ø

	 Turbiditic coarse siltstones, 

sandstones, > 9% Ø

	 Established reserves or 

significant test

TSE  Transgressive surface of erosion

RSE  Regressive surface of erosion

  3rd Ord. Max. Flood. Surface?

Reference: after Davies, Moslow 
and Sherwin, 1997

n
o
i
t
a
m
r
o
F

g
i
o
D

n
o
i
t
a
m
r
o
F

y
e
n
t
n
o
M

Dawson

Pouce Coupe

Progress

Grande
Prairie

Upper Doig

Doig Phosphate
Basal Doig

F

G

Anomalously
Thick Sandstone

E

D

G

Tidal Inlet

Anomalously
Thick Sandstone

C

B

A

Shoreface    Sands

Shoreface    Sands

Shoreface Sands

Shoreface Sands

T S E

R S E

T S E
R S E

a

u i n

q

o

2   C

B

a

u i n

q

o

1   C

B

a

u i n

q

‘ A ’   C o

  M e m b e r
U p p e r
t h i a n )
( S m i

T S E

  M e m b e r
i e s b a c h i a n - D i e n e r
L o w e r
  G r

i a n )

( E .

West

BC  AB

East

6th  Meridian

The following table summarizes reserves data attributable to our horizontal wells on the Montney/
Doig Natural Gas Resource Play that has been extracted from the independent reserves evalua-
tion conducted by AJM; the number of existing horizontal wells and locations to which reserves 
were attributed by AJM; and the future capital associated with such reserves, estimated by AJM.

Montney/Doig Natural Gas Resource Play reserves data at December 31, 2010:

Natural gas 

Natural gas liquids 

Total 

Existing horizontal wells and 
future horizontal well locations 

Net future capital

2010 

2009 

2010 

2009 

Bcf 

Bcf 

mbbl 

mbbl 

2010 

mboe 

2009 

mboe 

2010 

2009 

2010 

2009 

2010 

2009

gross 

gross 

net 

net 

$millions 

$millions

Proved
  Developed  
  producing 
Total proved 
Proved plus 
  probable 

99.3 
494.4 

41.2 
352.3 

658.2 
3,570.6 

263.7 
2,238.8 

17,213.6 
85,970.0 

7,138.7 
60,952.0 

48 
221 

21 
167 

40.0 
177.3 

18.4 

0 
132.0  596.7(1) 

17.8
547.0

910.5 

660.0 

6,653.2 

4,145.4 

158,403.2 

114,150.6 

321 

253 

259.0 

199.7  938.3(1) 

811.4

1)  Includes future plant capital of approximately $57 million for the expansion of the PCS Gas Plant to 120 MMcf per day of total capacity.

24  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  OPERATIONS REVIEW

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Birchcliff believes the Middle/Lower Montney reservoir charac-
teristics are similar to the Basal Doig/Upper Montney reservoirs. 
Drilling  results  to  date  have  met  or  exceeded  our  expectations 
and have resulted in an expansion of our opportunity portfolio.

British Columbia

Alberta

R10

R5

R1W6

R20

R15

R10W5

94 J

0

94 I

100

200

94 G

94 H

2

0

0

R25

94 A

R20

R15

94 B

2

5

0

M

o

n

t

n

Dawson
Creek

93 O

93 J

e

y

0

0

1

D

93 P

e

f

o

r

m

a

t
i

o

n

L

i

n

e

93 I

M

o

n

t

n

e

y

E

r

o

s
i

o

n

a

l

E

d

g

e

0

0

2

Grande Prairie

2 0 0

0
0
1

0

Montney Play Trend Outline

LEGEND

	 Birchcliff land  

(only non-confidential land shown)

  Reference: Edwards, D.E., Barclay, J.E., Gibson, D.W., Kvill, G.E., and Halton, 

E., 1994. Triassic Strata of the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. In 
Geological Atlas of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin. G.D. Mossop and I. 
Shetsen (comps.). Calgary, Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists and Alberta 
Research Council, p. 269.

T115

T110

T105

T100

T95

T90

T85

T80

T75

T70

T65

T60

T55

T50

T45

OPERATIONS REVIEW  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  25

 
 
 
 
 
Operations review:

Montney/Doig Natural Gas Resource Play land and horizontal wells at December 31, 2010:

Number of sections  
Number of existing wells and future  
  horizontal well locations  

gross 

91.2 

321 

2010 

net 

76.1 

259.0 

gross 

78.4 

253 

2009

net

63.4

199.7

1)  Average of the reserves assignments for all existing horizontal wells and future horizontal well locations to which reserves were attributed by AJM Petroleum Consultants.

Montney/Doig Natural Gas Resource Play reserves and other data for horizontal wells at December 31, 2010:

Average proved plus probable reserves
  Per existing horizontal well (Bcfe) 
  Per future horizontal well location (Bcfe) 
Forecast average cost per horizontal well (millions) 
Average number of net existing horizontal wells and  
future horizontal well locations per net section  

2010 

2009

4.2 
3.9 
$4.0 

3.4 

3.5(1)
3.5(1)
$4.0

3.1

1)  Average of the reserves assignments for all existing horizontal wells and future horizontal well locations to which reserves were attributed by AJM Petroleum Consultants.

In a continued effort to increase our understanding of the Montney/Doig Natural Gas Resource 
Play  and  to  better  quantify  our  potential  on  this  play,  Birchcliff  has  commissioned  AJM  to 
estimate  the  unrisked  petroleum  initially-in-place  and  the  contingent  resources  for  the  Doig 
Phosphate,  Basal  Doig  and  the  Montney  formations  in  the  greater  Pouce  Coupe  region  of 
Alberta. We expect to receive and make public the results of this resource assessment in the 
second quarter of 2011.

Worsley Light Oil Resource Play

The  Worsley  Light  Oil  Resource  Play  has  demonstrated  consistent  and  prolific  production 
performance. Successful expansion of the pool, water flood performance and the application 
of  horizontal  drilling  and  multi-stage  fracture  stimulation  technology  have  all  contributed  to 
its continued reserve growth, production growth and high netbacks. Birchcliff’s assets in the 
Worsley region (acquired in September 2007) have provided $167 million in operating cash 
flow, $125 million of which has been invested back into the property.

Vertical wells on the Worsley Light Oil Resource Play are drilled to approximately 1,400 metres 
and horizontal wells are drilled to a measured depth of 2,500 to 3,000 metres. Vertical wells 
deliver initial productivity rates of 30 to 100 boe per day and horizontal wells deliver 60 to 
400 boe per day.

Birchcliff drilled 16 successful 100% owned development oil wells (five vertical and 11 horizontal) 
in the Worsley Light Oil Resource Play in 2010. Our 2010 drilling program successfully delin-
eated and extended the pool to the west and south, which increased our estimate of original 
oil in place. With this success, a sizeable number of follow up locations have been identified. 
Birchcliff has expanded the water flood by converting two producing wells to injection wells. 
As a result of these activities, approximately one third of the Birchcliff owned portion of the 
Worsley Light Oil Resource Play is under water flood. The water flood response has exceeded 
our expectations and we are committed to further expansion of the water flood area.

26  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  OPERATIONS REVIEW

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
R10

R9

R8W6

3D Seismic Program

T89

Worsley Area

LEGEND

	 Birchcliff land  

(only non-confidential land shown)

	 Birchcliff 08-10 activity

	 Birchcliff 11 activity

  Birchcliff facility

	 Original Waterflood area

	 Waterflood expansion

T88

	 Existing injectors

	 Injector conversions

WELL LEGEND
Bottom Hole Locations:

  Location
  Service or drain
  Gas
  Abandoned oil
  Abandoned gas
  Suspended
  Oil
  Dry & abandoned
  Suspended gas
  Injection

Water source well

3D Seismic Program

3D Seismic program

T87

T86

On  the  Worsley  Light  Oil  Resource  Play  in  2010,  both  the  original  oil  in  place  and  the 
estimated recoverable reserves for the pool continue to grow from July 1, 2007, the date we 
originally acquired these lands. 

History of reserves estimated for Worsley Light Oil Pool at December 31, 2010:

MMboe

Total proved reserves 
Proved plus provable reserves 

18.8 
28.2 

18.3 
26.3 

17.5 
24.6 

15.0 
21.2 

11.3
15.1

Dec. 31, 2010 

Dec. 31, 2009 

Dec. 31, 2008 

Dec. 31, 2007 

July 1, 2007

OPERATIONS REVIEW  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  27

 
 
 
 
 
Operations review:

<  (left to right)  

New resource plays

Larry Shaw, Alan Fritz, 
Vince Zylinski, Jeff 
Tonken, Wayne Brown, 
Dave Humphreys, Darin 
McLarty, Jody Denis

Birchcliff  has  invested  considerable  time  and  capital  analyzing  and  evaluating  various  new 
resource plays in the Peace River Arch. Several industry competitors have recently announced 
important developments on new resource plays in this area of Alberta. In 2010, we acquired 
165,819 gross (163,128 net) acres of land (approximately 255 net sections) in several large 
contiguous blocks at 100% working interest that are prospective for one or more of these new 
resource plays. While still in the early development phase, based on the high level of industry 
activity and our own internal technical evaluation, we are optimistic about the potential value 
of these new resource plays. Birchcliff is also conducting detailed core work on various plays 
to better understand rock properties and play potential. In 2011, we plan to drill a vertical 
exploration evaluation well in one of these new resource plays. With favourable results from 
the vertical well, we will re-enter the well and drill horizontally to evaluate it for commerciality. 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 

Over the last several years, Birchcliff has invested substantial time and money to develop an 
integrated science and technology team based approach to the way we explore for and develop 
tight/shale oil and gas resource plays in the Peace River Arch. This investment is based on the 
understanding that resource plays are complex and require in-depth scientific knowledge to 
identify gas or oil saturated and geo-mechanically favourable sweet spots. Integrating geology, 
petrophysics,  geophysics,  reservoir  hydrodynamics,  reservoir  engineering,  microsiesmic  and 

28  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  OPERATIONS REVIEW

 
<  Scanning electron 
microscope: 
Backscatter electron 
image of a Montney 
reservoir core from a 
recent Birchcliff gas 
well – the darker black/
grey portions show the 
effective intergranular 
porosity development 
and the solid portions 
are individual grains of 
quartz, dolomite and 
feldspar.

geo-mechanics  with  our  drilling,  completion  and  production  practices  has  helped  Birchcliff 
significantly de-risk the Montney Doig Natural Gas Resource Play and the Worsley Light Oil 
Resource Play while enabling more precise identification and ranking of our growing portfolio 
of opportunities.

Birchcliff’s experienced and talented team of geoscientists and engineers are now applying an 
integrated science and technology methodology to new shale/tight oil and gas resource plays 
in the Peace River Arch. 

As part of Birchcliff’s commitment to the scientific study of resource plays, we participated in two 
industry consortiums initiated by Core Laboratories. The “North American Shale Gas Study” is 
a multi-company, geo-engineering study of gas shales conducted by the Integrated Reservoir 
Solutions division of Core Laboratories. To date, over 70 companies have participated in the 
project, which involves the characterization and evaluation of the numerous conventional cores 
taken from multiple gas shale formations in a variety of North American Basins. The gas shale 
reservoirs are analyzed for their geological, petrophysical, geo-mechanical, geo-chemical and 
production properties. This data is integrated with well logs, stimulation designs and production 
test information. This large and searchable database provides Birchcliff with valuable informa-
tion not only on its own wells in a particular gas shale play, but also on other operators’ wells in 
other gas shale formations. The second industry consortium is the “Montney Shale Gas Study” 
conducted by Core Laboratories, which is similar to the North American Shale Gas Study, but 
focused specifically on the Montney formation of the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. 

OPERATIONS REVIEW  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  29

 
Operations review:

Potential Montney/Doig  
horizontal drilling locations

1,000Ë

net

30  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  OPERATIONS REVIEW

Utilizing this science, significant time and expertise has been invested into the modeling and 
design of various hydraulic fracture stimulation treatments, fluids, geometry and stimulated 
rock volume simulations so that the optimal fracture density, well length and inter-well spacing 
can be better determined in various reservoirs on our lands. This will be key to effectively 
exploiting our lands at an optimal well spacing while maximizing our production profiles and 
ultimate reserve capture. Our proven operational experience and expertise is also applied in 
real  time  during  our  fracture  stimulations  treatments  which  has  resulted  in  the  repeated 
successful placement of our fracture stimulations. Overall, the application of this science and 
technology will allow us to maximize gas recovery while minimizing capital expenditures result-
ing in greater value for our shareholders.

Other technical studies include the collection of both seismic and microseismic data, which 
we utilize to assist in our exploration efforts. Our geophysical database at December 31, 2010 
included  2,639  kilometres  of  two-dimensional  data  and  1,213  square  kilometres  of  three-
dimensional data. 

Drilling

Birchcliff currently has identified over 1,000 net potential Montney/Doig horizontal natural gas 
drilling locations assuming four horizontal wells per stratigraphic zone per section. 

Birchcliff’s  2010  drilling  program,  which  offered  a  mixture  of  moderate  to  high  impact 
development and exploration prospects, focused on its two resource plays, the Montney/Doig 
Natural Gas Resource Play and the Worsley Light Oil Resource Play.  During 2010, Birchcliff 
drilled 56 (48.24 net) wells, all of which were cased except for one (1.0 net) dry hole. These 
wells included 26 (21.8 net) gas wells, and 29 (25.44 net) oil wells.

In the West District, Birchcliff drilled 23 (18.8 net) Montney/Doig horizontal natural gas wells 
utilizing multi-stage fracture stimulation technology. Birchcliff also drilled one (1.0 net) Montney/
Doig vertical exploration well.  In the West District, we also drilled and completed our first 
100% working interest Boundary Lake horizontal oil well, utilizing multistage fracture stimula-
tion technology.

Drilling activities in the North District included five (5.0 net) vertical oil wells and 11 (11.0 
net) horizontal oil wells on our Worsley Light Oil Resource Play. In the North District, Birchcliff 
also drilled a 100% working interest Leduc well that discovered a new natural gas pool.

In other areas, Birchcliff drilled a 100% working interest Gething natural gas exploration well 
in the Rycroft region. In the Progress region, we drilled and completed our first 67% working 
interest  Halfway  horizontal  oil  well,  utilizing  multistage  fracture  stimulation  technology.  We 
were also active in the Progress region, drilling six (3.54 net) vertical and four (3.23 net) 
horizontal wells on our Doe Creek oil pool.

During 2011, in the Montney/Doig Natural Gas Resource Play we expect to drill 17 (13.6 net) 
horizontal natural gas wells. Our planned 2011 drilling program will bring the total number 
of horizontal wells drilled by Birchcliff on the Montney/Doig Natural Gas Resource Play since 
2007 to 65 (53.6 net). On our Worsley Light Oil Resource Play we expect to drill 15 (15.0 net) 
light oil wells, of which 11 (11.0 net) are horizontal wells and four (4.0 net) are vertical wells.

Advancements in horizontal drilling and multi-stage fracture stimulation technology have 
resulted in measurable improvement over time in our production and reserves capture from 
our  resource  plays.  We  continue  to  put  extensive  capital  and  technical  time  and  effort  into 
tight/shale oil and gas technologies to better understand the reservoir characteristics and the 
optimal completion techniques of these resource plays. 

 
Our  drilling  program  uses  state-of-the-art  technology  and  equipment,  striving  to  achieve 
optimal results while reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. By drilling smaller wellbores and 
using A/C powered drilling rigs when possible, we minimize both noise disturbance and engine 
emissions.  By  drilling  multiple  wells  from  pad  locations  using  long  reach  horizontal  drilling 
and completion technology, and utilizing eight metre pipeline right-of-ways where possible, we 
significantly reduce our land usage and operating footprint.

FACILITIES

Birchcliff holds working interests in 15 gas plants, three of which are wholly owned and five of 
which we operate. We hold working interests in five oil batteries, two of which we operate. 
We have working interests in 37 compressor sites, the majority of which we wholly own and 
operate.  These  facilities  provide  low  processing  costs,  third-party  processing  revenue,  and 
more importantly, enable us to control production and maintain a high degree of operating 
flexibility  in  this  highly  competitive  area.  During  2011,  we  expect  to  spend  approximately 
$28.4 million throughout our core area on our natural gas, oil and water facilities and production 
optimization projects. These investments will help Birchcliff to control infrastructure and 
continue to reduce its operating costs.

Pouce Coupe South Gas Plant 

Birchcliff’s 100% working interest PCS Gas Plant, capable of processing up to 60 MMcf per 
day of natural gas, is located in the West District, in the heart of its Montney/Doig Natural Gas 
Resource Play. The PCS Gas Plant is strategically situated to enable us to control and operate 
all essential infrastructure – from wellhead to sales point. 

Construction of the PCS Gas Plant was divided into phases, with Phase I, capable of process-
ing 30 MMcf per day, commencing operation in March 2010 and Phase II, which doubled the 
processing capability to 60 MMcf per day, commencing operation in November 2010.

Using leading edge technology, the PCS Gas Plant is a state-of-the-art facility and meets or 
exceeds all ERCB and Alberta Environment requirements. The facility employs energy efficient 
equipment to optimize performance and keep operating costs low.

Construction of Phases I and II of the PCS Gas Plant, including the associated infrastructure, 
47 kilometres of pipelines and an acid gas disposal well, required a capital investment of 
approximately $77 million. Now that we have successfully converted this capital into enhanced 
processing facilities and infrastructure, we have achieved our goal of significantly lowering our 
gas processing costs. In view of current natural gas prices, being able to produce natural gas 
at the low end of the industry cost structure gives us a strong competitive advantage. The PCS 
Gas Plant is a key component in positioning Birchcliff to become the dominant low-cost finder 
and producer of natural gas in the Pouce Coupe region.

Phase III expansion

To  further  solidify  the  significant  advantages  of  the  PCS  Gas  Plant,  Birchcliff  has  received 
ERCB approval for a Phase III expansion, which is designed to add an additional 60 MMcf per 
day of processing capacity, for a total processing capacity of 120 MMcf per day. The decision 
to proceed with construction of Phase III will be made in the second quarter of 2011 and is 
primarily subject to the outlook for natural gas prices. 

Worsley Oil Battery and Gas Plant

The  Worsley  oil  battery  and  gas  plant  are  located  in  the  North  District,  in  the  heart  of  our 
Worsley Light Oil Resource Play. Control of infrastructure in the Worsley region allows us to 
effectively manage the operating costs associated with the oil production from this region. We 
operate the Worsley oil battery and gas plant with a 84.6% working interest in the oil battery 
and a 98.8% working interest in the gas plant. 

OPERATIONS REVIEW  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  31

 
32  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS

 
Birchcliff’s 100% working interest PCS Gas Plant is located in 
the  heart  of  its  Montney/Doig  Natural  Gas  Resource  Play.  The 
PCS Gas Plant is strategically situated to enable us to control and 
operate all essential infrastructure – from wellhead to sales point. 

REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  33

 
34  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  RESERVES EVALUATION

 
\\ Reserves evaluation

Birchcliff’s experienced and talented team of geoscientists and 
engineers  have  expanded  the  application  of  horizontal  drilling 
and multi-stage fracture stimulation technologies throughout our 
opportunity portfolio, driving continuous improvement in operating 
efficiencies and recoverable reserves. 

In 2010, an independent evaluator estimated Birchcliff’s proved 
plus probable reserves at 201 MMboe, a 28% gain over year end 
2009. Natural gas reserves from our Montney/Doig Natural Gas 
Resource Play increased 39% to 158 MMboe and oil reserves 
from our Worsley Light Oil Resource Play also continued to grow. 

We  have  identified  over  1,000  net  potential  Montney/Doig 
horizontal natural gas drilling locations, assuming four horizontal 
wells per stratigraphic zone per section. 

At year end 2010, Birchcliff had reserve life index of 29.8 years 
on a proved plus probable basis (assuming a production rate of 
18,500 boe per day).

RESERVES EVALUATION  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  35

 
Reserves evaluation:

Reserve life index
(years)

2010 RESERVES HIGHLIGHTS:

29.8

on 2P basis assuming  
18,500 boe/day production rate

§  Birchcliff’s reserve life index on a 2P basis was 29.8 years (assuming a production rate of 

18,500 boe/day). 

§  Proved  developed  producing  (“PDP”)  reserves  increased  by  50%  to  30.8  MMboe  from 

20.6 MMboe at year end 2009.

§  Proved reserves increased by 27% to 114 MMboe from 90 MMboe at year end 2009.
§  2P reserves increased by 28% to 201.1 MMboe, from 157.3 MMboe at year end 2009.
§  On a per share basis, 2P reserves increased to 1.6 boe/share, a 27% increase from year 

end 2009.

§  2P reserves are comprised of 82% natural gas and 18% light oil and natural gas liquids.
§  For each boe produced in 2010:

–  3.1 boe of PDP reserves were added, a 310% reserve replacement on a PDP basis.
–  10.2 boe of 2P reserves were added, a 1,020% reserve replacement on a 2P basis. 

AJM  Petroleum  Consultants  (“AJM”)  prepared  an  independent  evaluation  of  Birchcliff’s  oil 
and gas reserves effective December 31, 2010, in accordance with the Canadian Oil and Gas 
Evaluation Handbook (“COGEH”) and National Instrument 51-101 (“NI 51-101”). The results 
were provided to Birchcliff in an Evaluation Report dated February 9, 2011 (the “AJM Evalu-
ation”). Additional data on reserves is contained in our “Statement of Reserves and Other Oil 
and Gas Information”, which is filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Columns may not add due 
to rounding of individual items.

Information provided in this annual report is based on AJM’s December 31, 2010 forecast of 
commodity prices and costs (the “AJM Price Forecast”). The natural gas price forecast used by 
AJM for the years 2011 through 2015 is approximately $2.27/mcf lower than in the forecast 
used for the same years in its 2009 reserves evaluation.

OIL AND GAS RESERVES BY PRODUCT TYPE

The following table summarizes AJM’s estimates of Birchcliff’s oil and gas reserves at Decem-
ber 31, 2010 using the AJM Price Forecast.

Summary of oil and gas reserves at December 31, 2010:

Forecast prices and costs

Reserves category 

Proved
  Developed producing 
  Developed non-producing 
  Undeveloped 

Total proved 
Probable 

Light and medium oil 

Natural gas(1) 

Natural gas liquids 

BOEs

Gross 

mbbl 

Net 

mbbl 

Gross 

MMcf 

Net 

MMcf 

6,877 
2,642 
9,052 

18,571 
9,829 

5,934 
2,217 
7,366 

15,517 
7,398 

137,347 
5,137 
405,586 

548,070 
443,886 

120,149 
4,482 
367,399 

492,031 
391,932 

Gross 

mbbl 

1,012 
41 
3,013 

4,066 
3,344 

7,411 

Net 

mbbl 

653 
30 
2,260 

2,943 
2,267 

Gross 

mboe 

Net

mboe

30,780 
3,539 
79,663 

26,612
2,994
70,859

113,982 
87,155 

100,465
74,987

5,211 

201,137 

175,453

Proved plus probable 

28,400 

22,915 

991,955 

883,963 

1)  Estimates of reserves of natural gas include both associated and non-associated gas. 

36  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  RESERVES EVALUATION

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
<  3D visualization: We integrate horizontal well path 

trajectories with 3D seismic and use this informa-
tion for well planning and completion optimization.

NET PRESENT VALUES OF FUTURE NET REVENUES

The following table is a summary of the net present values of future net revenues associated 
with Birchcliff’s reserves at December 31, 2010, using the AJM Price Forecast, before income 
taxes, without discount and using various discount rates. Notwithstanding that the AJM Price 
Forecast for the years 2011 to 2015 decreased by more than 31%, the net present value (at 
a 10% discount rate) increased by 12% as a result of the additional reserves added in 2010. 

Net present value of future net revenue(1) at December 31, 2010:

Forecast prices and costs

Before income taxes discounted at (%/year)

$millions

Proved
  Developed producing 
  Developed non-producing 
  Undeveloped 

Total proved 
Probable 

Proved plus probable 

0% 

5% 

8% 

10% 

15% 

20%

1,007.2 
255.3 
2,098.5 

3,361.0 
3,101.7 

6,462.8 

786.8 
159.3 
1,289.0 

2,235.1 
1,632.7 

3,867.8 

696.1 
128.6 
992.0 

1,816.7 
1,180.4 

2,997.1 

646.8 
113.8 
839.3 

1,599.9 
968.2 

2,568.1 

550.9 
88.3 
560.0 

1,199.2 
619.2 

1,818.4 

481.5
72.1
374.1

927.7
417.5

1,345.1

1)  National Instrument 51-101 requires the inclusion of the following statement: Estimates of future net revenues whether discounted or not do not represent fair  

market value.

RESERVES EVALUATION  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  37

 
 
 
 
 
In 2010, AJM increased our proved plus probable Montney/Doig 
reserves attributed to Montney/Doig horizontal natural gas wells 
by  39%  to  158.4  MMboe  at  December  31,  2010,  compared 
with approximately 114.1 MMboe at December 31, 2009.

FORECAST PRICES USED IN THE AJM EVALUATION

The following table sets out the forecast price assumptions used by AJM for the AJM Evaluation. 
The pricing and cost assumptions used were determined by AJM using information available 
from numerous governmental agencies, industry publications, oil refineries, natural gas marketers 
and industry trends. These forecast price assumptions are subject to many uncertainties that 
exist in both the domestic and international petroleum industry. 

AJM December 31, 2010 price forecast:

Year 

2011   
2012   
2013   
2014   
2015   
2016   
2017   
2018   
2019   
2020   
2021   
2022   
2023   
2024   
2025   
2026   
2027   
2028   
2029   
2030   
Thereafter 

Crude oil 

Natural gas 

Natural gas liquids 

WTI 
crude oil 

Edmonton    
City Gate  

Natural gas 
at AECO 

Edmonton 
propane 

Edmonton 
butane 

Edmonton 
C5+ 

Currency 
exchange rate 

Inflation 
rate

$US/bbl 

$CDN/bbl 

$CDN/mcf 

$CDN/bbl 

$CDN/bbl 

$CDN/bbl 

$US/$CDN 

85.00 
89.25 
91.55 
95.50 
102.85 
110.40 
112.60 
114.85 
117.15 
119.50 
121.90 
124.35 
126.80 
129.35 
131.95 
134.60 
137.30 
140.00 
142.80 
145.70 
2.0% 

82.80 
88.80 
94.05 
98.15 
105.80 
113.70 
116.05 
118.35 
120.75 
123.15 
125.60 
128.15 
130.70 
133.30 
135.95 
138.70 
141.45 
144.30 
147.20 
150.10 
2.0% 

4.10  
4.60  
5.20  
5.50  
5.75  
6.20  
6.55  
7.00  
7.30  
7.45  
7.60  
7.75  
7.95  
8.10  
8.25  
8.40  
8.60  
8.75  
8.95  
9.10 
2.0% 

45.55 
48.85 
51.75 
54.00 
58.20 
62.55 
63.85 
65.10 
66.40 
67.75 
69.10 
70.50 
71.90 
73.30 
74.75 
76.30 
77.80 
79.35 
80.95 
82.55 
2.0% 

70.40 
75.50 
79.95 
83.45 
89.95 
96.65 
98.65 
100.60 
102.65 
104.70 
106.75 
108.95 
111.10 
113.30 
115.55 
117.90 
120.25 
122.65 
125.10 
127.60 
2.0% 

86.95 
93.25 
98.75 
103.05 
111.10 
119.40 
121.85 
124.25 
126.80 
129.30 
131.90 
134.55 
137.25 
139.95 
142.75 
145.65 
148.50 
151.50 
154.55 
157.60 
2.0% 

1.000 
0.980 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 

percent

0.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0%

38  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  RESERVES EVALUATION

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RESERVES RECONCILIATION 

The following tables set forth a reconciliation of the Corporation’s gross reserves by product for 
the year ended December 31, 2010 as derived from the AJM Evaluation using the AJM Price 
Forecast against AJM’s evaluation of such reserves for the year ended December 31, 2009, 
using the forecast prices and costs in the AJM evaluation for the year ended December 31, 2009.

2P reserves

28%

increase

2010 reconciliation of gross proved reserves:

Forecast prices and costs

Opening balance December 31, 2009 
Discoveries 
Extensions(1) 
Improved recovery 
Infill Drilling 
Recompletions  
Technical revisions(2) 
Acquisitions 
Dispositions 
Economic factors(3) 
Working interest adjustment(4) 
Production(5) 

Light and 
medium crude oil 

Natural gas 

mbbl 

MMcf 

18,906.7 
– 
1,540.5 
– 
225.2 
– 
(673.8) 
21.1 
(307.2) 
4.1 
(1.3) 
(1,144.3) 

410,817.0 
– 
156,359.9 
– 
26.4 
– 
(14,740.2) 
18,910.8 
(212.1) 
(4,817.0) 
2,519.1 
(20,794.0) 

NGLs 

mbbl 

2,660.8 
– 
1,133.1 
– 
0.1 
– 
309.4 
160.4 
(2.0) 
(55.7) 
24.0 
(163.7) 

Oil equivalent

mboe

90,037.0
–
28,733.6
–
229.7
–
(2,821.1)
3,333.3
(344.6)
(854.4)
442.6
(4,773.7)

Closing balance December 31, 2010 

18,571.0 

548,069.9 

4,066.4 

113,982.4

2010 reconciliation of gross probable reserves:

Forecast prices and costs

Opening balance December 31, 2009 
Discoveries 
Extensions(1) 
Improved recovery 
Infill drilling 
Recompletions  
Technical revisions(2) 
Acquisitions 
Dispositions 
Economic factors(3) 
Working interest adjustment(4) 

Light and 
medium crude oil 

Natural gas 

mbbl 

MMcf 

8,854.0 
– 
1,113.7 
– 
78.9 
– 
(78.6) 
7.9 
(153.6) 
5.1 
1.7 
– 

337,519.4 
– 
90,590.0 
– 
18.3 
– 
(605.3) 
18,474.0 
(165.3) 
(6,419.4) 
4,473.6 
– 

NGLs 

mbbl 

2,121.9 
– 
696.3 
– 
0.1 
– 
394.2 
150.8 
(2.6) 
(50.6) 
34.3 
– 

Oil equivalent

mboe

67,229.1
–
16,908.3
–
82.1
–
214.7
3,237.7
(183.8)
(1,115.4)
781.6 
–

Closing balance December 31, 2010 

9,829.1 

443,885.3 

3,344.4 

87,154.4

RESERVES EVALUATION  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reserves evaluation:

2010 reconciliation of gross proved plus probable reserves:

Forecast prices and costs

Opening balance December 31, 2009 
Discoveries 
Extensions(1) 
Improved recovery 
Infill drilling 
Recompletions  
Technical revisions(2) 
Acquisitions 
Dispositions 
Economic factors(3) 
Working interest adjustment(4) 
Production(5) 
Closing balance December 31, 2010 

Light and 
medium crude oil 

Natural gas 

mbbl 

MMcf 

27,760.7 
– 
2,654.2 
– 
304.1 
– 
(752.4) 
29.0 
(460.8) 
9.2 
0.4 
(1,144.3) 
28,400.1 

748,336.4 
– 
246,949.9 
– 
44.7 
– 
(15,345.5) 
37,384.8 
(377.4) 
(11,236.4) 
6,992.7 
(20,794.0) 
991,955.2 

NGLs 

mbbl 

4,782.7 
– 
1,829.4 
– 
0.2 
– 
703.6 
311.2 
(4.6) 
(106.3) 
58.3 
(163.7) 
7,410.8 

Oil equivalent

mboe

157,266.1
–
45,641.9
–
311.8
–
(2,606.4)
6,571.0
(528.3)
(1,969.8)
1,224.2
(4,773.7)
201,136.8

1)  The majority of reserve changes comprising “Extensions” were the result of drilling activities in the Montney/Doig Natural Gas Resource Play. Much of the capital 
in 2010 was in support of Phase I and Phase II of the PCS Gas Plant, which commenced operation in March 2010 and November 2010 respectively. Wells were 
drilled extending the resource play beyond lands to which reserves had previously been attributed. As a result of these successful wells, reserves were attributed 
to future well locations proximal to these wells.

2)  The majority of the technical revisions are a result of wells becoming uneconomic to develop at current natural gas prices.

3)  “Economic Factors”, although not significant, result from natural gas prices forecast by AJM that were significantly lower than the 2009 AJM evaluation for the 

entire forecast period, and resulted in negative impacts on reserve volumes.

4)  “Working Interest Adjustment” results from working interest changes that were identified since the AJM evaluation for the year ended December 31, 2009.

5)  Represents production for 2010.

Gamma Ray
Core Grain Density

Core and Log
Porosity

Efacies

NMR and Core
Porosity

Resistivity
Sonic

Core and Log TOC

2900.0

2950.0

40  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  RESERVES EVALUATION

<  Log facies: We integrate core data with standard 

and advantaged technology logging measurements 
to calculate reservoir properties such as porosity, 
total organic carbon and water saturation.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advisories:

Boe conversions: Barrels of oil equivalent (“boe”) amounts may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion 
ratio of six thousand cubic feet (6 mcf) of natural gas to one barrel of oil (1 bbl) is based on an energy equivalent conversion 
method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.

Reserves data: All estimates of reserves volumes and future net revenues disclosed in this annual report for 2010 are derived 
from the reserves evaluation dated February 9, 2011 which was prepared effective December 31, 2010 in accordance with 
National Instrument 51-101 by AJM Petroleum Consultants, an independent reserves evaluator. Estimates of reserves for 
each of 2008 and 2009 are derived from the evaluation of the Corporation’s reserves prepared by AJM Petroleum Consultants 
effective December 31 of such year.

Reserves for portion of properties: With respect to the disclosure of reserves contained in this annual report relating to portions 
of the Corporation’s properties, the estimates of reserves and future net revenue for individual properties may not reflect the 
same confidence level as estimates of reserves and future net revenues for all properties due to the effects of aggregation. 

Finding and development costs: With respect to disclosure of finding and development costs contained in this annual report:

a)  The amounts of finding and development and/or acquisition costs herein are calculated by dividing the total of the particular 
costs noted incurred during such year by the amounts of additions to proved reserves and proved and probable reserves 
during such year that resulted from the expenditure of such costs.

b)  In calculating the amounts of finding and development and/or acquisition costs for a year, the changes during the year in 
estimated future development costs and in estimated reserves are based upon the evaluation of the Corporation’s reserves 
prepared by AJM Petroleum Consultants effective December 31 of such year.

c)  National Instrument 51-101 requires the inclusion of the following warning statement:

The aggregate of the exploration and development costs incurred in the most recent financial year and any change during that 
year in estimated future development costs generally will not reflect total finding and development costs related to reserves 
additions for that year.

Forward  looking  statements:  This  annual  report  contains  forward  looking  statements  and  forward  looking  information  as 
defined by applicable securities law (collectively referred to as “forward looking statements”) regarding the assets, business 
and operations of Birchcliff Energy Ltd. and the economic and regulatory environment in which it operates. The use of words 
such as “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “potential”, “proposed” and similar 
expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained 
here  are  forward  looking  statements.  In  particular,  this  document  contains  forward  looking  statements  as  to  recoverable 
reserves volumes, associated future net revenues and numbers of future wells that may be drilled. Undue reliance should not 
be placed on forward looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which 
they are based will occur.

The  forward  looking  statements  are  based  upon  expectations  and  assumptions  as  to  future  commodity  prices,  currency 
exchange rates, inflation rates, royalty rates, future well production rates, well drainage areas, success of drilling future wells, 
the  sufficiency  of  budgeted  capital  expenditures  in  carrying  out  planned  activities  and  availability  of  labour  and  services. 
Although the Corporation believes that the expectations reflected in the forward looking statements are reasonable, there can 
be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. As a consequence, actual results may differ materially from 
those anticipated in the forward looking statements.

A key assumption with respect to estimates of reserves volumes and associated future net revenues and numbers of future 
wells to be drilled is the validity of the commodity prices, currency exchange rates, future capital and operating costs and well 
production rates forecast by AJM in the AJM Evaluation. With respect to the number of future wells to be drilled, another key 
assumption is the validity of the geological and other technical interpretations that have been performed by the Corporation’s 
technical staff which indicate that commercially economic reserves can be recovered from the Corporation’s lands as a result 
of drilling such future wells. 

Since forward looking statements address future events, by their nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. These 
risks include but are not limited to risks associated with oil and gas exploration, production, marketing and transportation such 
as loss of market, volatility of prices, currency fluctuations, imprecision of reserve estimates, environmental risks, competition 
from other producers and ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources. 

The foregoing list of risk factors is not exhaustive. Additional information on these and other risks factors that could affect 
operations or financial results are included in the Corporation’s most recent Annual Information Form and in other reports 
filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities. The forward looking statements contained in this annual report are based 
on estimates and opinions of management at the time the information is presented. The Corporation is not under any duty 
to update the forward looking statements after the date of this document to conform such information to actual results or to 
changes in the Corporation’s plans or expectations, except as otherwise required by applicable securities laws. 

ADVISORIES  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  41

 
Health, safety & environment:

In  all  of  our operations,  we are  committed to  the  health  and  safety  of  our  employees,  the 
public at large and the environment. We strive to minimize the environmental impact of our 
operations and to meet or exceed industry best practices and government standards appli-
cable to our business. 

We have implemented rigorous safety policies, procedures, standards and training and work 
hard to continually improve. During the construction of Phase II of the PCS Gas Plant, there 
were  approximately  250  people  working  on  the  project,  in  excess  of  500,000  cumulative 
hours, without one serious incident. 

Fostering a relationship with the community is as integral to the success of our projects as 
obtaining the required regulatory approvals. At Birchcliff, we believe cooperative, sincere and 
responsive consultation efforts with residents in the areas in which we operate creates a solid 
foundation for our business. Birchcliff has an experienced team to work with local residents to 
learn their values and priorities and to resolve any issues or concerns that arise in the course 
of our field operations. 

Through investments in state-of-the-art equipment and technology, we have taken an innova-
tive approach to reducing our environmental impact. The new PCS Gas Plant has near-zero 
emissions. Variable speed drives used throughout the PCS Gas Plant optimize performance and 
minimize energy consumption and solar power is used to drive pumps, valves and communica-
tion equipment at producing well sites. We are continuously evaluating new technology and 
techniques across our operations to help improve efficiency and reduce our environmental footprint. 

Community support:

>  Grande Prairie STARS 
helicopter and crew.

Birchcliff recognizes the role that communities play in our company’s success and looks for 
opportunities to “give back.” Every year, our people participate in a number of community 
support endeavours in the areas surrounding our field operations and in Calgary. 

In 2010, we contributed to a number of local community initiatives – including minor hockey, 
amateur sports, municipal libraries, agricultural societies and fire departments – all of which 
elevate and enhance quality of life at the local level. 

We are also a strong supporter of the Grande Prairie chapter of STARS, an important partner 
in trauma care for this region of Alberta. We support the United Way and make a direct annual 
contribution to Home Front Calgary, a community-justice response team dedicated to helping 
families  experiencing  domestic  violence.  Every  year,  our  Calgary  employees  volunteer  with 
Feed the Hungry for the Sunday Dinner Program, which provides full course, nutritious meals 
to an average of 700 dinner guests in an atmosphere of dignity and respect. During the holiday 
season, our employees “adopt a family” through the Kinette Club of Calgary and donate gifts, 
food and decorations to help make the holidays special for a Calgary family in need. 

Through these various activities, Birchcliff creates and maintains long-term, positive partner-
ships and relationships, while promoting employee engagement in the communities we where 
live and work. 

42  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  HS&E AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT

 
During the construc-
tion of Phase II of the 
PCS Gas Plant, there 
were approximately 
250 people working 
on the project, in  
excess of 500,000 
cumulative hours, 
without one serious 
incident.

HS&E AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  43

 
Board of Directors:

Our Board of Directors provides leadership and supervises the management of the business and affairs of Birchcliff. In fulfilling their 
mandate, the Directors have a responsibility to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Corporation. 

Larry A. Shaw 

Mr.  Shaw  is  the  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Birchcliff  and  is 
a member of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee 
and  Reserves  Evaluation  Committee.  He  has  more  than  24 
years  of  experience  in  the  oil  and  gas  industry  and  is  one  of 
the  company’s  founders.  Prior  to  joining  Birchcliff,  Mr.  Shaw 
served  as  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Case  Resources  Inc., 
Big  Bear  Exploration  Ltd.  and  Stampeder  Exploration  Ltd. 
He was President of Shaw Automotive Group Ltd. and Shaw 
G.M.C.  Pontiac  Buick  Hummer  Ltd.  Mr.  Shaw  received  his 
Honors Degree in Business Administration from the University 
of Western Ontario.

Gordon W. (Scotty) Cameron

Mr.  Cameron  is  a  Director  of  Birchcliff  and  is  a  member  of 
the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Reserves 
Evaluation Committee. He has more than 42 years of experi-
ence in the oil and gas industry and is one of the company’s 
founders.  Prior  to  joining  Birchcliff,  Mr.  Cameron  served  as 
a  director  of  Case  Resources  Inc.,  Big  Bear  Exploration  Ltd., 
Transwest  Energy  Inc.,  Stampeder  Exploration  Ltd.  and  as 
director and Chairman of the Board of Novagas Clearinghouse 
Ltd. and Maximum Energy Trust. He was President and Chief 
Executive Officer of Pan-Alberta Gas Ltd., and Chairman of the 
Energy Council of Canada. Mr. Cameron received his Bachelor 
of Commerce Degree and his Doctor of Laws Degree from the 
University of Saskatchewan. Mr. Cameron received the Order of 
Canada in 1995 in recognition of his contributions to the Cana-
dian business community and his extensive philanthropic work.

Kenneth N. (Ken) Cullen

Mr.  Cullen  was  appointed  a  Director  of  Birchcliff  in  February 
2011 and is a member of the Audit Committee, Compensation 
Committee and Reserves Evaluation Committee. He has more 
than  30  years  experience  working  with  companies  in  the  oil 
and gas industry as a partner at Deloitte & Touche LLP in the 
Assurance  and  Advisory  (Audit)  group  prior  to  his  retirement 
in 2006. Mr. Cullen currently serves as a director of Southern 
Pacific Resources Corp. and Parkbridge Lifestyle Communities 
Inc. Mr. Cullen received his Chartered Accountant Designation 
from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia.

44  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  BOARD OF DIRECTORS

<  Mr. Larry Shaw, Chairmain of the Board

Werner A. (Vern) Siemens

Mr.  Siemens  is  a  Director  of  Birchcliff  and  is  a  member  of 
the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Reserves 
Evaluation Committee. He has more than 24 years of experi-
ence in the oil and gas industry and is one of the company’s 
founders.  Prior  to  joining  Birchcliff,  Mr.  Siemens  served  as  a 
Director of Case Resources Ltd., Big Bear Exploration Ltd. and 
Stampeder  Exploration  Ltd.  He  was  Vice  President  of  Agra 
Industries  Ltd.  and  President  and  Chief  Executive  Officer  of 
Blue Label Beverages Ltd.

A. Jeffery Tonken

See Mr. Tonken’s biography under “Executive team.”

 
Executive team:

46  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  EXECUTIVE TEAM

 
A. Jeffery Tonken
President & Chief Executive Officer
jtonken@birchcliffenergy.com

Karen A. Pagano
Vice President, Engineering
kpagano@birchcliffenergy.com

Mr.  Tonken  is  the  President  and  Chief  Executive  Officer  and  a 
Director of Birchcliff. He has more than 30 years of experience in 
the oil and gas industry and is one of the company’s founders. 
Prior to creating Birchcliff, Mr. Tonken founded and served as 
President and Chief Executive Officer of Case Resources Inc., 
Big Bear Exploration Ltd. and Stampeder Exploration Ltd. Mr. 
Tonken was previously a Partner of the law firm Howard Mackie 
(now Borden Ladner Gervais LLP). Mr. Tonken currently serves 
as  a  Director  of  Daylight  Energy  Ltd.  and  as  a  Governor  of 
the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP). Mr. 
Tonken  received  his  Bachelor  of  Commerce  degree  from  the 
University of Alberta and his Bachelor of Laws degree from the 
University of Wales.

Bruno P. Geremia
Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
bgeremia@birchcliffenergy.com

Mr. Geremia is Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and is 
a Chartered Accountant. He has more than 19 years of experi-
ence in the oil and gas industry and is one of the company’s 
founders. Prior to joining Birchcliff, Mr. Geremia served as Vice 
President and Chief Financial Officer of both Case Resources 
Inc.  and  Big  Bear  Exploration  Ltd.;  as  Director,  Commercial 
of  Gulf  Canada  Resources;  and  as  Manager,  Special  Projects 
of  Stampeder  Exploration  Ltd.  Mr.  Geremia  was  previously  a 
Chartered Accountant with Deloitte & Touche LLP. Mr. Geremia 
received his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University 
of Calgary.

Myles R. Bosman
Vice President, Exploration & Chief Operating Officer 
mbosman@birchcliffenergy.com

Mr. Bosman is Vice President, Exploration and Chief Operating 
Officer and is a Professional Geologist. He has more than 20 
years  of  experience  in  the  oil  and  gas  industry  and  is  one  of 
the company’s founders. Prior to joining Birchcliff, Mr. Bosman 
served  as  Vice  President,  Exploration  and  Chief  Operating 
Officer of Case Resources Inc.; Exploration Manager of Summit 
Resources  Ltd.;  and  as  an  Exploration  Geologist  with  both 
Numac  Energy  Inc.  and  Canadian  Hunter  Exploration.  Mr. 
Bosman  received  his  Bachelor  of  Science  degree  in  Geology 
from the University of Calgary.

Ms. Pagano is Vice President, Engineering and is a Professional 
Engineer with more than 22 years of experience in the oil and 
gas industry. She previously served as Vice President, Operations 
and as a Senior Exploitation Engineer with Birchcliff. Prior to 
joining Birchcliff in 2005, she was Manager of Operations of 
Koch Exploration; a Senior Production Engineer with Upton 
Resources Inc.; and a Senior Drilling and Completions Engineer 
with Alberta Energy Company. Ms. Pagano received her Bach-
elor of Electrical Engineering degree, with distinction, from the 
University of Saskatchewan.

David M. Humphreys
Vice President, Operations
dhumphreys@birchcliffenergy.com

Mr.  Humphreys  is  Vice  President,  Operations  and  has  more 
than 24 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. Prior 
to  joining  Birchcliff  in  2009,  he  served  as  Vice  President, 
Operations of Highpine Oil & Gas Ltd., White Fire Energy Ltd., 
and Virtus Energy Ltd.; Production Manager of both Husky Oil 
Operations Ltd. and Ionic Energy; and as a Senior Production 
Engineer  with  Northrock  Resources  Ltd.  Mr.  Humphreys 
received  his  Hydrocarbon  Engineering  Technology  diploma 
from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.

James W. Surbey
Vice President, Corporate Development
jsurbey@birchcliffenergy.com

Mr. Surbey is Vice President, Corporate Development and is an 
engineer and a lawyer. He has more than 33 years of experi-
ence in the oil and gas industry and is one of the company’s 
founders. Prior to joining Birchcliff, he served as Vice President, 
Corporate  Development  of  Case  Resources  Inc.;  Senior  Vice 
President, Corporate Development of Big Bear Exploration Ltd.; 
and  Vice  President,  Corporate  Development  of  Stampeder 
Exploration  Ltd.  Mr.  Surbey  was  previously  a  Senior  Partner  of 
the law firm Howard Mackie (now Borden Ladner Gervais LLP). 
Mr.  Surbey  received  his  Bachelor  of  Engineering  degree  and 
Bachelor of Laws degree from McGill University.

EXECUTIVE TEAM  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  47

 
\\ Financial information

48  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 
Management’s discussion and analysis:

Birchcliff Energy Ltd. (“Birchcliff” or the “Corporation”) is an intermediate oil and gas exploration, development and production 
company based in Calgary, Alberta. Additional information relating to the Corporation, including its Annual Information Form, is 
available on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. Birchcliff’s common shares are listed for trading on the Toronto Stock 
Exchange (“TSX”) under the symbol “BIR” and are included in the Standard and Poor’s S&P/TSX Composite Index.

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is dated March 17, 2011. The annual financial statements with 
respect to the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2010 (the “Reporting Periods”) as compared to the three and twelve 
months ended December 31, 2009 (the “Comparable Prior Periods”) and this MD&A have been prepared by management and 
approved by the Corporation’s Audit Committee and Board of Directors. This MD&A should be read in conjunction with the unau-
dited interim financial statements of the Corporation and related notes for the Reporting Periods and Comparable Prior Periods, 
and the audited financial statements and related notes as at and for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009. All financial 
information has been prepared in accordance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) and all amounts 
are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated. 

SELECTED ANNUAL INFORMATION

Year ended December 31  

$000’s, except for production and share information

Average daily production (boe at 6 mcf:1 bbl) 
Petroleum and natural gas revenue  
Total revenue, net royalties 

Cash flow from operations  
  Per share – basic ($) 
  Per share – diluted ($) 

Net income (loss)  
  Per share – basic ($) 
  Per share – diluted ($) 

Capital expenditures, net(1)(2) 
Total assets  
Working capital deficit  
Revolving credit facilities  
Total debt  
Shareholders’ equity  

Common shares outstanding
  End of period – basic 
  End of period – diluted 
  Weighted average shares for period – basic 
  Weighted average shares for period – diluted 

2010 

2009

13,079 
189,978 
173,045 

100,351 
0.81 
0.79 

5,902 
0.05 
0.05 

220,034 
995,391 
3,956 
333,468 
337,424 
577,123 

11,216
150,669
135,327

67,476
0.57
0.56

(24,252)
(0.21)
(0.21)

101,690
837,108
20,291
201,230
221,521
554,561

125,129,234 
137,316,486 
124,629,761 
127,662,373 

123,815,002
134,464,987
117,993,314
117,993,314

1)  Included as a reduction of net capital expenditures in the year ended December 31, 2010 are proceeds of $17.5 million relating to the sale of a minor asset.

2)  Included as a reduction of net capital expenditures in the year ended December 31, 2010 is an expected recovery of $9.9 million (2009 – $6.3 million) relating 

to the Alberta Drilling Royalty Credit Program.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  49

 
Management’s discussion and analysis:

2010 OVERALL PERFORMANCE 

Production: 

Production in 2010 averaged 13,079 boe per day. This is a 17% increase from the 11,216 boe per day the Corporation averaged 
in 2009. Production in the fourth quarter of 2010 averaged 16,375 boe per day, a 56% increase from the 10,515 boe per day 
the Corporation averaged in the fourth quarter of 2009. These increases were achieved through the success of Birchcliff’s capital 
drilling program and the processing of natural gas through Phases I and II of Birchcliff’s 100% owned and operated Pouce Coupe 
South Natural Gas Plant (“PCS Gas Plant”), which commenced operation in March and November of 2010, respectively. Birchcliff’s 
average daily production for December 2010 was 19,102 boe per day.

Production consisted of approximately 75% natural gas and 25% crude oil and natural gas liquids in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Commodity prices:

Oil sales prices at the wellhead averaged $78.76 per barrel in 2010, a 22% increase from $64.35 per barrel in 2009. Natural gas 
sales prices at the wellhead averaged $4.21 per mcf in 2010, a 2% decrease from $4.28 per mcf in 2009. The prices received 
for Birchcliff’s petroleum and natural gas sales are impacted by world events that dictate the level of supply and demand for oil 
and natural gas. Birchcliff currently does not have any commodity hedges in place and therefore is subject to fluctuations in 
commodity prices.

Canadian Edmonton Par oil prices averaged $77.50 per barrel in 2010 as compared to $65.90 per barrel in 2009. The AECO 
daily natural gas spot prices averaged $4.01 per mcf in 2010 as compared to $3.96 per mcf in 2009. 

Capital expenditures:

Total capital expenditures (excluding dispositions) in 2010 were $237.5 million as compared to $101.7 million in 2009. Birchcliff 
disposed of a minor non-producing asset in the first quarter of 2010 for $17.5 million. As a result of this asset sale, net capital 
expenditures in 2010 were $220.0 million. Of the $237.5 million in total capital spent during 2010, approximately $39.2 million 
(17%) was directed to the construction of Phases I and II of the PCS Gas Plant and related infrastructure, and $91.9 million 
(39%) on the drilling and completion of Montney/Doig horizontal natural gas wells used to fill the plant in order to utilize the total 
design capacity of 60 mmcf per day. The remaining $106.4 million in capital was spent acquiring land; expanding the Montney/
Doig Natural Gas Resource Play and Worsley Light Oil Resource Play and related infrastructure; on minor acquisitions; and on 
other exploration and development projects. Further details of the Corporation’s capital expenditures in 2010 are set forth in the 
table entitled “Capital Expenditures”.

Construction of both Phases I and II of the PCS Gas Plant was completed ahead of schedule and on budget, with a combined 
design capacity of 60 mmcf per day.

Cash flow and earnings:

Cash flow was $100.4 million ($0.81 per share) in 2010 as compared to $67.5 million ($0.57 per share) in 2009. The 49% 
increase in cash flow from 2009 resulted from a combination of factors, including increased average daily production; higher average 
petroleum prices realized at the wellhead and decreased net general and administrative expenses, offset by higher interest expense. 

Cash flow netback was $21.02 per boe in 2010, a 28% increase from 2009. Despite the low natural gas price environment, a 
significant factor in this increase was a 13% reduction in operating costs per boe to $7.70 per boe (excluding transportation and 
marketing expense) during 2010. This reduction was mainly achieved through a greater proportion of Birchcliff’s natural gas being 
processed through the new PCS Gas Plant and increased cost recoveries. 

Birchcliff recorded net income of $5.9 million ($0.05 per share) in 2010 as compared to a net loss of $24.3 million ($0.21 loss 
per share) in 2009. The increase in net income from 2009 was mainly attributable to higher cash flow and lower depletion 
expense, and was offset by increases in stock-based compensation expense and future income tax expense reported in 2010.

50  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 
OUTLOOK

Production:

Birchcliff’s 2011 average daily production is expected to be 18,500 boe per day, which represents average annual production 
growth of approximately 41% from 2010. Birchcliff expects to average 17,500 boe per day during the first half of 2011 and 
19,500 boe per day during the second half of 2011. The 2011 production forecast assumes that no unexpected outages occur 
in the infrastructure that Birchcliff relies on to produce its wells and that existing and future wells continue to meet production 
expectations. 

Birchcliff is focused on utilizing the full capacity of the PCS Gas Plant and providing sustainable average daily production rates in 
2011.

Capital expenditures:

The Board of Directors recently approved Birchcliff’s 2011 capital spending program in the amount of $159 million. Of the 
$159 million, approximately $73 million is budgeted for drilling and development of the Montney/Doig Natural Gas Resource Play; 
approximately $34 million is allocated to the Worsley Light Oil Resource Play; and approximately $52 million is planned for 
infrastructure, land acquisitions, sustaining capital and seed capital for new growth opportunities and other projects. 

The Corporation’s operating cash flow and revolving credit facilities will be used to fund the capital spending program in 2011. 

Cash flow and bank debt:

Birchcliff’s bank syndicate approved an increase of the revolving credit facilities to an aggregate limit of $375 million in November 
2010. The $375 million of credit facilities will provide Birchcliff with greater liquidity and financial flexibility to further develop its 
Montney/Doig Natural Gas Resource Play and the Worsley Light Oil Resource Play. Birchcliff expects that its bank credit facilities 
will be increased during its normal credit review in May 2011. The review of the Corporation’s borrowing base limit will depend 
largely on the bank syndicate’s expectation of future commodity prices. 

Despite the current low natural gas price environment, the Corporation does not foresee any liquidity issues with respect to the 
operation of its petroleum and natural gas business in 2011. Birchcliff expects to meet all its future obligations as they become 
due. Management expects that Birchcliff’s average working capital deficiency will be similar in 2011 as compared to 2010 as a 
result of reduced capital spending. 

The Corporation intends to finance its oil and natural gas business primarily through cash generated from operations, working 
capital, minor asset dispositions and available credit from its revolving facilities. Should commodity prices deteriorate materially, 
Birchcliff may adjust its capital spending accordingly to ensure that it does not exceed its anticipated cash flow. Birchcliff is now 
at a size that it anticipates it will not require additional equity except to fund a significant acquisition or to significantly increase its 
capital spending beyond its cash flow. Management expects to be able to obtain debt financing, and should the need arise, raise 
additional equity sufficient to meet both its short term and long term growth requirements. 

Resource plays and infrastructure:

The 100% owned and operated PCS Gas Plant has enhanced the value of the Montney/Doig Natural Gas Resource Play in 2010 
by allowing for production growth, reducing operating costs per boe and increasing Birchcliff’s strategic control over the Pouce 
Coupe area. Birchcliff expects to achieve the full operating and processing benefits of Phases I and II of the PCS Gas Plant in 2011. 
This assumes that no unexpected outages occur at the PCS Gas Plant that Birchcliff relies on to produce a significant portion of 
its natural gas and that existing and future Montney/Doig horizontal natural gas wells continue to meet production expectations.

Birchcliff received Energy Resources Conservation Board approval for construction of Phase III of its PCS Gas Plant, subject to 
normal industry conditions, which will add up to another 60 mmcf per day of processing capacity, bringing total processing capacity 
to 120 mmcf per day. The decision to proceed with construction of Phase III will be made in the second quarter of 2011 and is 
primarily dependent on the outlook for natural gas prices.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  51

 
Management’s discussion and analysis:

Birchcliff has a very strong asset base with its two main resource plays, the Montney/Doig Natural Gas Resource Play and the 
Worsley Light Oil Resource Play. The extensive portfolio of development opportunities on these resource plays will provide low 
risk, long life future production and reserves additions that are readily available with the investment of additional capital. Birchcliff 
expects to be able to manage its lease expiries so that minimal lands will be lost. 

These properties provide the Corporation with a long term and operationally reliable cash flow base, the level of which is primarily 
dependent on commodity prices. Commodity prices affect cash flow, thus dictating the pace at which Birchcliff invests in its 
resource plays and the rate at which its production will grow. Birchcliff has a long term view of the development of its resource 
plays and therefore short term commodity prices do not affect the quality or long term value of the Corporation’s asset base. 

MAJOR TRANSACTIONS AFFECTING FINANCIAL RESULTS 

On November 30, 2010, the Corporation’s bank syndicate approved an increase of the revolving credit facilities to an aggregate 
limit of $375 million from $350 million. The amended revolving credit facilities included an increased credit limit for the extendible 
revolving term credit facility (the “Syndicated Credit Facility”) of $345 million from $320 million.

On May 21, 2010, the Corporation’s bank syndicate approved an increase of the revolving credit facilities to an aggregate limit 
of $350 million from $255 million and extended the conversion date of those facilities from May 21, 2010 to May 20, 2011. 
In conjunction with these changes, the $50 million term credit facility was repaid and cancelled. The amended revolving credit 
facilities included an increased credit limit for the Syndicated Credit Facility of $320 million from $235 million and an increased 
credit limit for the extendible revolving working capital facility (the “Working Capital Facility”) of $30 million from $20 million. 

LIQUIDITY 

Working capital:

The  Corporation’s  working  capital  deficit  (current  assets  minus  current  liabilities)  decreased  to  $4.0  million  at  December  31, 
2010 from $20.3 million at December 31, 2009. The deficit at the end of 2010 was mainly comprised of costs incurred from 
the construction of the Phase II expansion of the PCS Gas Plant and related infrastructure, and the drilling and completion of new 
Montney/Doig horizontal wells during the fourth quarter of 2010.

At  December  31,  2010,  the  major  components  of  Birchcliff’s  current  assets  were:  cash  on  hand  (10%);  joint  venture  billings 
(39%) to be received from its partners; and revenue (44%) to be received from its marketers in respect of December 2010 produc-
tion, which was subsequently received in January 2011. In contrast, current liabilities largely consisted of trade payables (65%) 
and accrued capital and operating costs (28%). Cash on hand at the end of 2010 was used in full to reduce trade payables in 
January 2011. 

Birchcliff manages its working capital deficit using its cash flow and advances under its revolving credit facilities. The Corporation’s 
working capital deficit does not reduce the amount available under the Corporation’s revolving facilities, which have a combined 
limit of $375 million at December 31, 2010. The Corporation did not have any liquidity issues with respect to the operation of its 
petroleum and natural gas business during 2010 and 2009.

Total debt and bank debt:

Total debt (including working capital deficit) increased to $337.4 million at December 31, 2010 from $221.5 million at December 31, 
2009. The increase in total debt from 2009 was primarily a result of $137.2 million in total capital (before dispositions) expended 
during 2010 in excess of cash flow during that same period, offset by proceeds of $17.5 million from the sale of a minor 
asset in March 2010. 

52  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 
The amount outstanding on Birchcliff’s revolving credit facilities at December 31, 2010 was $333.5 million (2009 – $201.2 million), 
which is net of $5.7 million (2009 – $5.2 million) in unamortized interest and fees. 

The amount drawn under the Corporation’s revolving credit facilities increased to $339.2 million at December 31, 2010, with an 
aggregate limit of $375 million compared with $206.4 million drawn at December 31, 2009, when the aggregate limit was $305 
million. The drawn amount is not reduced for unamortized costs and excludes letters of credit that have not been drawn upon. A 
significant portion of the funds drawn under the Corporation’s bank credit facilities in 2010 was directed towards the construction 
of Phases I and II of the PCS Gas Plant, related infrastructure and Montney/Doig horizontal natural gas wells. 

The following table shows the Corporation’s total available credit at the end of 2010 and 2009.

December 31 

$000’s

Maximum borrowing base limit:(1)
Revolving credit facilities 
Non-revolving term credit facility(2) 

Principal amount utilized:
Drawn revolving credit facilities 
Outstanding letters of credit(3) 

Total unused credit 

2010 

2009

375,000 
– 

375,000 

255,000
50,000

305,000

(339,176)  
(3,014) 

(206,387)
(2,739)

(342,190) 

(209,126)

32,810 

95,874

1)  The Corporation’s credit facilities are subject to a semi-annual review of the borrowing base limit, which is directly impacted by the value of its oil and natural  

gas reserves. 

2)  Effective May 21, 2010, the Corporation repaid in full and cancelled the $50 million non-revolving term credit facility.

3)  Letters of credit are issued to various service providers. No amounts were drawn on the letters of credit as at and during the years ended December 31, 2010 

and 2009.

The financial covenants applicable to the Corporation’s credit facilities include a quarterly interest coverage ratio test, which is 
calculated as earnings before interest, taxes, stock-based compensation, depletion, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) over 
interest expense. The following table shows the interest coverage ratios at December 31, 2010 and 2009:

Annualized EBITDA to interest coverage(1) 

1)  Interest coverage ratio is calculated on a trailing four quarter basis. 

 December 31, 2010 

December 31, 2009

Required 

>3.5 

Actual 

8.4 

Required 

>3.5 

Actual

7.6

The Corporation was compliant with all financial covenants applicable under its credit facilities as at and during the periods ended 
December 31, 2010 and 2009 and continues to be compliant with such covenants at the date hereof.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  53

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s discussion and analysis:

Contractual obligations:

The Corporation enters into contractual obligations in the course of conducting its day-to-day business. The following table lists 
Birchcliff’s estimated material contractual obligations at December 31, 2010:

$000’s

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 
Drawn revolving credit facilities(1) 
Office leases(2) 
Transportation and processing 

Total estimated contractual obligations(3) 

< 1 Year 

1 – 2 Years 

3 – 5 Years 

Thereafter

50,721 
– 
3,108 
10,143 

63,972 

– 
– 
3,118 
9,201 

12,319 

– 
339,176 
9,675 
17,531 

366,382 

–
–
6,182
–

6,182

1)  The revolving facilities consist of approximately $5.2 million drawn on the Working Capital Facility and $334 million drawn on the Syndicated Credit Facility at 

December 31, 2010.

2)  The Corporation is committed under an operating lease relating to its office premises, beginning December 1, 2007 and expiring on November 30, 2017. Birchcliff 
does not presently use all of the leased premises and has sublet approximately 24% of the excess space to an arms’ length party on a basis that recovers all of 
the rental costs for the first five years. The Corporation is also committed to March 29, 2011 under an operating lease for another office premises that it does not 
use and has sublet to an arm’s length party on a basis that recovers all of its rental costs.

3)  Contractual commitments that are routine in nature and form part of the normal course of operations for Birchcliff are not included in the above table.

OUTSTANDING SHARE DATA 

The common shares of Birchcliff are the only class of shares outstanding. Birchcliff’s common shares began trading on the TSX 
on July 21, 2005 under the symbol “BIR” and were at the same time de-listed from the TSX Venture Exchange where they were 
trading under the same symbol prior to such time. Birchcliff’s common shares are included in the Standard and Poor’s S&P/TSX 
Composite Index. The following table summarizes the common shares issued in 2010 and 2009:

Balance at December 31, 2008 
Issue of common shares 
Issue of common shares upon exercise of options  

Balance at December 31, 2009 
Issue of common shares upon exercise of options 

Balance at December 31, 2010 

Common shares

112,395,970
10,000,000
1,419,032

123,815,002
1,314,232

125,129,234

At March 11, 2011, there were outstanding 125,578,411 common shares, 11,457,009 stock options to purchase an equivalent 
number of common shares and 2,939,732 performance warrants to purchase an equivalent number of common shares. 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Petroleum and natural gas revenues:

Petroleum and Natural Gas (“P&NG”) revenues totaled $57.1 million ($37.88 per boe) for the three month Reporting Period and 
$190.0 million ($39.80 per boe) for the twelve month Reporting Period as compared to $41.9 million ($43.32 per boe) and 
$150.7 million ($36.80 per boe) for the Comparable Prior Periods. The increase in aggregate P&NG revenues was largely a result 
of increased average daily production during the Reporting Periods. The following table details Birchcliff’s P&NG revenues, production 
and sales prices by category for the Reporting Periods and Comparable Prior Periods:

54  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended December 31, 2010 

Three months ended December 31, 2009

Average 
daily 
production 

3,486 
73,978 
559 

16,375 

Percent 

Average 

Total 
revenue 

Average 
daily 
production 

Percent 

Average

% 

21 
75 
4 

100 

$/unit 

$000’s 

81.89 
3.94 
76.14 

37.83 
0.5 

37.88 

21,015 
19,092 
1,716 

41,823 
85 

41,908 

3,045 
43,170 
274 

10,515 

% 

29 
68 
3 

100 

$/unit

75.01
4.81
67.94

43.23
0.09

43.32

Twelve months ended December 31, 2010 

Twelve months ended December 31, 2009

Average 
daily 
production 

3,135 
56,970 
448 

13,079 

Percent 

Average 

Total 
revenue 

Average 
daily 
production 

Percent 

Average

% 

24 
73 
3 

100 

$/unit 

$000’s 

78.76 
4.21 
72.82 

39.72 
0.08 

68,916 
74,754 
6,369 

150,039 
630 

39.80 

150,669 

2,934 
47,805 
314 

11,216 

% 

26 
71 
3 

100 

$/unit

64.35
4.28
55.52

36.65
0.15

36.80

Total 
revenue 

$000’s 

26,263 
26,806 
3,916 

56,985 
87 

57,072 

Total 
revenue 

$000’s 

90,125 
87,576 
11,919 

189,620 
358 

189,978 

Light oil (bbls) 
Natural gas (mcf) 
Natural gas liquids (bbls) 

Total P&NG sales  
Royalty revenue 

Total P&NG revenue  

Light oil (bbls) 
Natural gas (mcf) 
Natural gas liquids (bbls) 

Total P&NG sales  
Royalty revenue 

Total P&NG revenue  

Commodity prices

Birchcliff sells all of its crude oil on a spot basis and virtually all of its natural gas production for prices based on the AECO daily 
spot price. Birchcliff receives premium pricing for its natural gas due to its high heat content. The following table details the average 
sales price and differential received by Birchcliff for natural gas during the Reporting Periods and Comparable Prior Periods:

Average natural gas sales price ($/mcf) 
Average AECO daily spot price(1) ($/mmbtu)  

Positive differential 

1)  $1.00/mmbtu = $1.00/mcf based on a standard heat value mcf.

Three  
months ended 
Dec. 31, 2010 

Three 
months ended 
Dec. 31, 2009 

Twelve 
months ended 
Dec. 31, 2010 

Twelve 
months ended 
Dec. 31, 2009

3.94 
3.64 

0.30 

4.81 
4.49 

0.32 

4.21 
4.01 

0.20 

4.28
3.96

0.32

The price the Corporation receives for its production depends on a number of factors, including AECO Canadian dollar spot market 
prices for natural gas, Canadian dollar Edmonton Par oil prices, US dollar oil prices, the US-Canadian dollar exchange rate and 
transportation and product quality differentials. Birchcliff had no financial derivatives such as commodity price risk management 
contracts, forward exchange rate contracts and interest rate swaps in place during the Reporting Periods and Comparable Prior 
Periods, but it actively monitors the market to determine if any are required. The Corporation has no current intention to enter into 
any such contracts at the date hereof.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  55

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s discussion and analysis:

Royalties:

Birchcliff recorded a royalty expense of $4.4 million ($2.91 per boe) for the three month Reporting Period and $16.9 million 
($3.55 per boe) for the twelve month Reporting Period as compared to a royalty expense of $5.2 million ($5.35 per boe) and 
$15.3 million ($3.75 per boe) for the Comparable Prior Periods. Royalties are paid to the Alberta Government and other land and 
mineral rights owners. The following table illustrates the Corporation’s royalty expense for the Reporting Periods and Comparable 
Prior Periods:

Oil & natural gas royalties ($000’s) 
Oil & natural gas royalties ($/boe) 
Effective royalty rate(1) (%) 

Three  
months ended 
Dec. 31, 2010 

Three 
months ended 
Dec. 31, 2009 

Twelve 
months ended 
Dec. 31, 2010 

Twelve 
months ended 
Dec. 31, 2009

4,388 
2.91 
8% 

5,172 
5.35 
12% 

16,933 
3.55 
9% 

15,342
3.75
10%

1)  The effective royalty rate is calculated by dividing the total aggregate royalties into petroleum and natural gas sales for the period.

The decrease in the effective royalty rates from the Comparable Prior Periods is largely due to production royalty incentives for a 
number of new Montney/Doig horizontal natural gas wells and Worsley horizontal oil wells brought on production during the Reporting 
Periods that are receiving a 5% royalty rate.

New royalty and drilling incentives

On July 9, 2009, the Government of Alberta approved an incentive royalty rate of 5% for the first year of production from each new 
conventional oil or gas well brought on production after April 1, 2009 and before March 31, 2011, up to a maximum of 50,000 
barrels of oil or 500 million cubic feet of natural gas per well.

On September 15, 2009, the Government of Alberta approved a Drilling Royalty Credit (“DRC”) incentive for new conventional oil 
and natural gas wells spud on or after April 1, 2009 and rig released before April 1, 2011. Birchcliff is entitled to a DRC of $200 
per meter drilled, up to a maximum of 50% of the aggregate Crown royalties paid by the Corporation during the incentive period. 
Included as a reduction of net capital in the twelve month Reporting Period is an expected recovery of $9.9 million in DRC related 
to this incentive program. The recovery of DRC is dependent on future commodity prices and the effect these prices have on the 
aggregate royalties paid by Birchcliff during the incentive period. Due to the low natural gas price environment, the Corporation 
may not be able to recover in full all the DRC earned from its capital drilling program during the incentive period.

On March 11, 2010, the Alberta Government announced certain changes to the existing royalty framework based on the recom-
mendations  from  the  Investment  Competiveness  Review.  As  a  result  of  the  competiveness  review,  the  existing  Alberta  Royalty 
Framework (“ARF”) will be adjusted to better reflect current industry conditions. The adjusted ARF will be effective for the January 
2011 production month. Some of the highlights include:

§  The current 5% front-end royalty rate on natural gas and conventional oil will become a permanent feature of the royalty 

system with the current time and volume limits as described above.

§  The $200 per meter drilling royalty credit program will continue to remain in place as legislated until March 31, 2011. Credits 
not used prior to January 1, 2011 and credits established by drilling on or after that date until March 31, 2011 will be offset 
from net royalties calculated using adjusted ARF rates. 

§  The maximum royalty rate for conventional and unconventional natural gas will be reduced from 50% to 36%. For conven-

tional oil, the maximum royalty will be reduced from 50% to 40%.

§  The transitional royalty framework for oil and gas introduced in November 2008 will continue until December 31, 2013. 
Effective January 1, 2011, the government will not allow any new wells to elect the transitional royalty rates, but it will allow 
an operator of wells for which transitional royalty rates have already been elected an option to switch to the new rates effective 
January 1, 2011.

56  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On May 27, 2010, the Alberta Government finalized the new royalty curves for oil and natural gas wells. A number of new incen-
tive programs were also introduced for unconventional resource exploration and the use of high-cost technologies. Some of the 
highlights include:

§  Wells defined as a “horizontal gas well” will receive a lower upfront maximum royalty rate of 5% to account for the high cost 
of horizontal drilling. This horizontal gas new well royalty rate will apply for 18 producing months up to a maximum of 500 
million cubic feet of gas equivalent production per well, and is retroactive for wells that were spud on or after May 1, 2010.
§  Wells defined as a “horizontal oil well” will receive a lower upfront maximum royalty rate of 5% at the start of production to 
facilitate the recovery of investment costs prior to imposing a higher royalty rate. This horizontal oil new well royalty rate will 
apply to all products, with varying volume and production month limits set according to depth of the well, and is retroactive to 
wells that were spud on or after May 1, 2010.

§  The Natural Gas Deep Drilling Program (“NGDDP”) will become an ongoing feature of Alberta’s royalty regime. Vertical depth 
requirements under this program were adjusted from 2,500 meters to 2,000 meters and will be applied retroactively for wells 
that were spud on or after May 1, 2010. Wells that have producing intervals that exceed 2,000 meters of true vertical depth 
are eligible for a royalty credit adjustment. The royalty credit ranges from $625 per meter to $3,750 per meter drilled and 
depends on the type of well drilled and the depth ranges specified under the program.

These royalty incentive programs will create a lower cost structure for Birchcliff. Projects will have better economics under the new 
royalty framework as compared to the prior framework and therefore are more likely to be approved for capital spending during this 
current low natural gas commodity cycle. Birchcliff intends to focus its capital spending program in large part on its Montney/Doig 
Natural Gas Resource Play and Worsley Light Oil Resource Play to maximize the return available from these new Alberta incentive 
programs.

Operating costs:

Operating costs were $10.4 million ($6.92 per boe) for the three month Reporting Period and $36.7 million ($7.70 per boe) 
for the twelve month Reporting Period as compared to $7.4 million ($7.64 per boe) and $36.4 million ($8.89 per boe) for the 
Comparable Prior Periods. The following table compares operating costs for the Reporting Periods and Comparable Prior Periods:

Field operating costs 
Recoveries 

Field operating costs, net of recoveries 
Expensed workovers and other 

Total operating costs 

Field operating costs 
Recoveries 

Field operating costs, net of recoveries 
Expensed workovers and other 

Total operating costs 

Three months ended December 31, 2010 

Three months ended December 31, 2009

$000’s 

12,084 
(2,123) 

9,961 
467 

10,428 

$/boe 

8.02 
(1.41) 

6.61 
0.31 

6.92 

$000’s 

7,866 
(789) 

7,077 
316 

7,393 

$/boe

8.13
(0.81)

7.32
0.32

7.64

Twelve months ended December 31, 2010 

Twelve months ended December 31, 2009

$000’s 

41,212 
(6,105) 

35,107 
1,638 

36,745 

$/boe 

8.63 
(1.28) 

7.35 
0.35 

7.70 

$000’s 

39,432 
(3,830) 

35,602 
786 

36,388 

$/boe

9.63
(0.93)

8.70
0.19

8.89

Operating costs per boe decreased by 9% and 13% from the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2009 largely due to 
the operating benefits achieved from Phases I and II of the PCS Gas Plant, which commenced processing natural gas in March and 
November 2010 respectively, and increased recoveries. 

Birchcliff continues to focus on controlling and reducing operating costs on a per boe basis. 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  57

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
Management’s discussion and analysis:

Transportation and marketing expenses:

Transportation and marketing expenses were $3.9 million ($2.56 per boe) for the three month Reporting Period and $12.4 million 
($2.59 per boe) for the twelve month Reporting Period as compared to $2.4 million ($2.47 per boe) and $9.8 million ($2.39 per 
boe) for the Comparable Prior Periods. These costs consist primarily of transportation costs. 

General and administrative expenses:

Net General and Administrative (“G&A”) expenses were $4.9 million ($3.25 per boe) for the three month Reporting Period and 
$10.1 million ($2.12 per boe) for the twelve month Reporting Period as compared to $3.4 million ($3.54 per boe) and $11.4 
million ($2.77 per boe) for the Comparable Prior Periods. The components of G&A for the Reporting Periods and Comparable Prior 
Periods are as follows: 

Salaries, benefits and consultants 
Other   

G & A expense, gross 
Overhead recoveries 
Capitalized overhead 

G & A expense, net 

G & A expense, net per boe 

Salaries, benefits and consultants 
Other   

G & A expense, gross 
Overhead recoveries 
Capitalized overhead 

G & A expense, net 

G & A expense, net per boe 

Three months ended December 31, 2010 

Three months ended December 31, 2009

$000’s 

6,403 
1,999 

8,402 
(2,461) 
(1,044) 

4,897 

$3.25 

% 

76 
24 

100 
(29) 
(13) 

58 

$000’s 

4,513 
1,362 

5,875 
(1,701) 
(752) 

3,422 

$3.54 

%

77
23

100
(29)
(13)

58

Twelve months ended December 31, 2010 

Twelve months ended December 31, 2009

$000’s 

14,143 
7,792 

21,935 
(9,510) 
(2,288) 

10,137 

$2.12 

% 

64 
36 

100 
(43) 
(11) 

46 

$000’s 

11,849 
5,945 

17,794 
(4,540) 
(1,901) 

11,353 

$2.77 

%

67
33

100
(26)
(11)

63

Gross G&A expenses increased on an aggregate basis in the Reporting Periods largely as a result of the increased company growth 
year over year. Net G&A expenses decreased on a per boe basis from 2009 mainly due to additional volumes added from Phases 
I and II of the PCS Gas Plant and due to the significant increases in overhead recoveries, which are directly attributable to the 
increased capital spent in 2010. Capital expenditures during the twelve months ended December 31, 2010 increased by 116% 
from the same period in 2009. 

The capitalization of costs in the “overhead recoveries” category reflects an industry standard charge per Authorization For Expen-
diture to capitalize engineering, land, accounting and operations time related to overhead costs spent on capital projects, whereas 
the “capitalized overhead” category reflects a portion of costs relating to Birchcliff’s exploration and geology department.

58  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
Interest expenses:

Interest expense was $3.9 million ($2.60 per boe) for the three month Reporting Period and $13.5 million ($2.82 per boe) for 
the twelve month Reporting Period as compared to $2.6 million ($2.72 per boe) and $10.3 million ($2.52 per boe) for the 
Comparable Prior Periods. The aggregate interest expense from the Comparable Prior Periods increased mainly due to higher average 
balance on the outstanding credit facilities during the Reporting Periods. The Corporation’s average outstanding credit facilities 
balance was approximately $306.9 million in the three month Reporting Period and $249.0 million in the twelve month Reporting 
Period as compared to $191.9 million and $208.3 million in the Comparable Prior Periods, calculated as the simple average of 
the month end amounts. Funds drawn from Birchcliff’s credit facilities during the Reporting Periods were largely directed towards 
the PCS Gas Plant, related infrastructure and Montney/Doig horizontal wells.

The aggregate interest expense is impacted by the pricing margins that are used to determine Birchcliff’s average effective interest 
rate under its bank credit facilities. During the twelve month Reporting Period, the Corporation withdrew the full $50 million term 
credit facility which had higher pricing margins than the revolving credit facilities and was outstanding for most of the first quarter 
of 2010. No amounts were drawn or outstanding on the term credit facility during 2009. In May 2010, Birchcliff repaid and 
cancelled the term credit facility. New lower pricing margins became applicable when the Corporation increased its revolving credit 
facilities limit to $350 million in May 2010. 

The effective rate applicable to the Working Capital Facility was 5.8% at the end of the Reporting Period as compared to 4.8% at 
the end of the Comparable Prior Period. The overall effective interest rates applicable to the bankers’ acceptances issued under the 
Syndicated Credit Facility was 5.4% and 5.9% in the three and twelve month Reporting Periods as compared to 5.7% and 5.7% 
in the Comparable Prior Periods. The effective interest rate applicable to the bankers’ acceptances issued under the term credit 
facility was 5.9% in the twelve month Reporting Period. 

Depletion, depreciation and accretion expenses:

Depletion, Depreciation and Accretion (“DD&A”) expenses were $22.4 million ($14.84 per boe) for the three month Reporting 
Period and $76.5 million ($16.02 per boe) for the twelve month Reporting Period as compared to $15.9 million ($16.40 per boe) 
and $85.3 million ($20.83 per boe) for the Comparable Prior Periods. DD&A expenses increased on an aggregate basis quarter 
over quarter mainly due to increased average daily production in the fourth quarter of 2010, notwithstanding increased proved 
reserve additions in the current quarter. DD&A expenses decreased on a per boe basis from the Comparable Prior Periods mainly 
due to the reduced cost of adding significant proved reserves recorded during the fourth quarter of 2010. The components of DD&A 
for the Reporting Periods and Comparable Prior Periods are as follows:

Depletion & depreciation 
Accretion on asset retirement obligations 

Total DD&A 

Depletion & depreciation 
Accretion on asset retirement obligations 

Total DD&A 

Three months ended December 31, 2010 

Three months ended December 31, 2009

$000’s 

21,865 
495 

22,360 

$/boe 

14.51 
0.33 

14.84 

$000’s 

15,289 
584 

15,873 

$/boe

15.80
0.60

16.40

Twelve months ended December 31, 2010 

Twelve months ended December 31, 2009

$000’s 

74,636 
1,833 

76,469 

$/boe 

15.64 
0.38 

16.02 

$000’s 

83,495 
1,758 

85,253 

$/boe

20.40
0.43

20.83

DD&A is a function of the estimated proved reserve additions, the associated future development capital required to recover those 
proved reserves, the cost of petroleum and natural gas properties in the full cost pool attributable to those proved reserves and 
production in the period. At December 31, 2010, the Corporation excluded $60.5 million (2009 – $44.9 million) from its full cost 
pool for undeveloped land acquired by Birchcliff.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  59

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
Management’s discussion and analysis:

Petroleum and natural gas properties impairment test

The Corporation follows the full cost method of accounting, which requires periodic review of capitalized costs to ensure that they 
do not exceed the recoverable value of the petroleum and natural gas properties and the fair value of the Corporation’s assets. 

Birchcliff performed an impairment test on its petroleum and natural gas assets at December 31, 2010 and determined its petro-
leum and natural gas assets were not impaired at that time. 

Stock-based compensation expenses:

Birchcliff accounts for its stock-based compensation awards, namely stock options and performance warrants, using the fair value 
method. The related expense is recorded in the income statement over the vesting period. 

The Corporation recorded a total stock-based compensation expense of $2.5 million ($1.67 per boe) for the three month Reporting 
Period and $10.6 million ($2.22 per boe) for the twelve month Reporting Period as compared to $1.8 million ($1.84 per boe) 
and $9.8 million ($2.40 per boe) for the Comparable Prior Periods. Included in total stock-based compensation expense in the 
twelve month Comparable Prior Period was $3.1 million relating to the extension of the performance warrants on May 28, 2009 
as discussed below. Excluding the impact of the extension of the performance warrants, the stock-based compensation expense 
related to stock options was $1.8 million and $6.7 million in the three and twelve month Comparable Prior Periods.

The increase in stock option expense from the Comparable Prior Periods was largely due to the issuance of 2,311,300 options 
to directors, officers, and employees of Birchcliff at an exercise price of $9.72 per common share in January 2010 as a result of 
Birchcliff’s annual compensation review. 

A summary of the Corporation’s outstanding stock options at December 31, 2010 is presented below:

Outstanding, December 31, 2008 
Granted 
Exercised 
Forfeited 

Outstanding, December 31, 2009 
Granted 
Exercised 
Forfeited 

Outstanding, December 31, 2010 

Number 

Weighted average 
exercise price

6,324,221 
3,959,900 
(1,419,032) 
(1,154,836) 

7,710,253 
3,350,300 
(1,314,232) 
(498,801) 

9,247,520 

$

5.58
5.53
(3.74)
(6.18)

5.81
9.61
(4.63)
(7.41)

7.26

On January 14, 2005, the Corporation issued 4,049,665 performance warrants with an exercise price of $3.00 and an expiration 
date  of  January  31,  2010  to  members  of  its  executive  team.  On  May  28,  2009,  the  outstanding  performance  warrants  were 
amended following receipt of shareholder approval to extend the expiration date from January 31, 2010 to January 31, 2015. 
There remained 2,939,732 outstanding and exercisable performance warrants at December 31, 2010. Each stock option and 
performance warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at the exercise price.

Deferred financing fees:

In May 2009, the Corporation paid $625,000 in financing fees to establish the one year non-revolving $50 million term credit 
facility, and $1.35 million to increase the aggregate limit of the revolving credit facilities to $255 million and extend the conver-
sion date of the revolving facilities from May 22, 2009 to May 21, 2010. In January 2010, the Corporation paid an additional 
$250,000 in financing fees to extend the maturity date of the term credit facility from May 21, 2010 to May 21, 2011. In May 
2010, the Corporation paid approximately $1.0 million in financing fees to increase the aggregate limit of the revolving credit 
facilities to $350 million and extend the conversion date of those facilities from May 21, 2010 to May 20, 2011. In November 
2010, the Corporation paid an additional $75,000 in fees to increase the aggregate limit of the revolving facilities to $375 million. 

60  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Corporation amortized to income approximately $0.3 million ($0.17 per boe) in deferred financing fees during the three month 
Reporting Period and $1.6 million ($0.34 per boe) for the twelve month Reporting Period as compared to $0.5 million ($0.51 per 
boe) and $1.2 million ($0.29 per boe) for the Comparable Prior Periods.

Income taxes:

Birchcliff recorded a future income tax expense of approximately $1.9 million ($1.23 per boe) for the three month Reporting Period 
and $5.8 million ($1.20 per boe) for the twelve month Reporting Period as compared to a future income tax expense of $1.1 million 
($1.18 per boe) and a recovery of $4.6 million ($1.12 per boe) for the Comparable Prior Periods. A future income tax expense was 
recorded in the Reporting Periods largely due to higher reported net income in those periods. 

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Capital expenditures:

The following table sets forth a summary of the Corporation’s capital expenditures incurred for the Reporting Periods and Comparable 
Prior Periods:

Three months ended December 31 

$000’s

Land   
Seismic 
Workovers and other 
Drilling and completions 
Well equipment and facilities 
Capitalized general and administrative expenses 

Total finding and development costs (F&D) 
Acquisitions and dispositions 

Total finding, development and acquisition costs (FD&A) 
Administrative assets 

Total capital expenditures 

Twelve months ended December 31 

$000’s

Land   
Seismic 
Workovers and other 
Drilling and completions(1) 
Well equipment and facilities 
Capitalized general and administrative expenses 

Total finding and development costs (F&D) 
Acquisitions and dispositions(2) 

Total finding, development and acquisition costs (FD&A) 
Administrative assets 

Total capital expenditures 

2010 

2009

1,312 
1,384 
2,273 
25,087 
15,547 
1,045 

46,648 
– 

46,648 
808 

47,456 

2,768
796
2,732
16,043
20,902
752

43,993
285

44,278
90

44,368

2010 

2009

19,050 
2,755 
9,749 
127,814 
72,300 
2,289 

233,957 
(15,460) 

218,497 
1,537 

220,034 

4,452
1,551
6,333
37,985
45,498
1,902

97,721
3,334

101,055
635

101,690

1)  Included in drilling and completions for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010 is an expected recovery of $9.9 million (2009 – $6.3 million) related to 

the Alberta Drilling Royalty Credit Program.

2)  On March 3, 2010, the Corporation sold a minor non-producing asset in the Kakut area of Alberta for $17.5 million.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  61

 
Management’s discussion and analysis:

Capital resources:

The following table sets forth a summary of the Corporation’s capital resources for the Reporting Periods and Comparable Prior 
Periods:

Three months ended December 31 

$000’s

Cash generated by operations 
Changes in non-cash working capital from operations 
Asset retirement expenditures 
Equity issues 
Increase in revolving credit facilities 
Changes in non-cash working capital from investing 

Total capital resources 

Twelve months ended December 31 

$000’s

Cash generated by operations 
Changes in non-cash working capital from operations 
Asset retirement expenditures 
Equity issues, net of issue costs 
Increase (decrease) in revolving credit facilities 
Deferred financing fees paid 
Changes in non-cash working capital from investing 

Total capital resources 

2010 

2009

29,592 
5,345 
(571) 
1,186 
52,042 
(35,415) 

52,179 

20,900
(7,780)
(297)
1,929
18,303
11,313

44,368

2010 

2009

100,351 
1,429 
(902) 
6,083 
132,105 
(1,268) 
(13,041) 

224,757 

67,476
(10,051)
(606)
64,605
(9,826)
(1,975)
(7,858)

101,765

62  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS

The following are the quarterly results of the Corporation for the eight most recently completed quarters:

Quarters ended 

$000’s, except for production, share and per share amounts

Petroleum and natural gas production (boe per day) 
Petroleum and natural gas commodity  
  price at wellhead ($ per boe) 
Natural gas commodity price at wellhead ($ per mcf) 
Petroleum commodity price at wellhead ($ per bbl) 
Total petroleum and natural gas revenue 
Total royalties 
Total revenues, net 
Total capital expenditures, net 

Net income (loss) 
  Per share basic 
  Per share diluted 
Cash generated by operations 
  Per share basic 
  Per share diluted 

Book value of total assets 
Non-revolving term credit facility 
Revolving credit facilities 
Total debt 
Shareholders’ equity  

December 31,  
2010 

September 30,  
2010 

June 30,  
2010 

March 31,  

2010

16,375 

13,109 

12,357 

10,407

37.83 
3.94 
81.89 
57,072 
(4,388) 
52,684 
47,456 

2,612 
$0.02 
$0.02 
29,592 
$0.24 
$0.23 

995,391 
– 
333,468 
337,424 
577,123 

36.60 
3.79 
76.44 
44,125 
(3,561) 
40,564 
93,792 

422 
– 
– 
24,022 
$0.19 
$0.19 

961,592 
– 
281,172 
319,921 
570,813 

39.45 
4.16 
76.24 
44,546 
(3,621) 
40,925 
43,083 

215 
– 
– 
23,825 
$0.19 
$0.19 

883,279 
– 
235,993 
250,370 
566,943 

47.12
5.34
80.03
44,235
(5,363)
38,872
 35,703

2,653
$0.02
$0.02
22,912
$0.18
$0.18

860,180
49,661
158,614
232,287
562,019

Common shares outstanding – end of period
  basic 
  diluted 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
  basic 
  diluted 

125,129,234 
137,316,486 

124,912,134 
137,364,386 

124,792,136 
137,255,386 

124,358,735
137,190,886

124,994,761 
129,264,791 

124,872,806 
127,253,296 

124,548,932 
126,816,143 

124,095,074
127,094,837

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  63

 
 
 
 
 
Management’s discussion and analysis:

Quarters ended 

$000’s, except for production, share and per share amounts

Petroleum and natural gas production (boe per day) 
Petroleum and natural gas commodity  
  price at wellhead ($ per boe) 
Natural gas commodity price at wellhead ($ per mcf) 
Petroleum commodity price at wellhead ($ per bbl) 
Total petroleum and natural gas revenue 
Total royalties 
Total revenues, net 
Total capital expenditures, net 

Net income (loss) 
  Per share basic 
  Per share diluted 
Cash generated by operations 
  Per share basic 
  Per share diluted 

Book value of total assets 
Revolving credit facilities 
Total debt 
Shareholders’ equity  

Common shares outstanding – end of period
  basic 
  diluted 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
  basic 
  diluted 

Discussion of quarterly results:

December 31,  
2009 

September 30,  
2009 

June 30,  
2009 

March 31,  

2009

10,515 

10,552 

11,313 

12,513

43.23 
4.81 
75.01 
41,908 
(5,172) 
36,736 
44,368 

1,616 
$0.01 
$0.01 
20,900 
$0.17 
$0.17 

33.32 
3.20 
70.00 
32,446 
(3,644) 
28,802 
33,442 

(9,039) 
($0.07) 
($0.07) 
12,196 
$0.10 
$0.10 

33.79 
3.75 
63.84 
34,917 
2,118 
37,035 
5,485 

(7,128) 
($0.06) 
($0.06) 
20,026 
$0.18 
$0.18 

36.48
5.27
49.33
41,398
(8,644)
32,754
18,395

(9,701)
($0.09)
($0.09)
14,354
$0.13
$0.13

837,108 
201,230 
221,521 
554,561 

796,338 
182,589 
199,346 
549,239 

819,142 
219,361 
179,649 
535,917 

800,959
228,867
253,544
496,276

123,815,002 
134,464,987 

123,267,436 
134,049,987 

122,807,637 
134,732,322 

112,542,635
124,618,156

123,538,213 
126,358,921 

122,914,069 
122,914,069 

112,887,812 
112,887,812 

112,457,321
112,457,321

Birchcliff’s average production in the fourth quarter of 2010 was 16,375 boe per day, a 25% increase from 13,109 boe per day 
in the third quarter of 2010 and a 56% increase from 10,515 boe per day in the fourth quarter of 2009. These production gains 
were achieved through the success of Birchcliff’s capital drilling program in 2010 and processing of natural gas through Phases I 
and II of the PCS Gas Plant, which commenced operations in March and November 2010, respectively. 

Total capital expenditures in the fourth quarter of 2010 were $47.5 million as compared to $93.8 million in the third quarter of 
2010 and $44.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2009. Of the $47.5 million in capital expended in the current quarter, approximately 
$5.6 million (12%) was spent on the expansion of Phase II of the PCS Gas Plant and related infrastructure, and approximately 
$12.2 million (26%) on the drilling and completion of new Montney/Doig horizontal natural gas wells to be tied into the PCS Gas 
Plant. The remaining $29.7 million in capital was spent on acquiring land; expanding the existing Montney/Doig Natural Gas 
Resource Play and Worsley Light Oil Resource Play and related infrastructure; and other projects. Further details of the Corporation’s 
capital expenditures for the fourth quarter of 2010 are set forth in the table entitled “Capital Expenditures”.

Cash flow generated by the Corporation in the fourth quarter of 2010 was $29.6 million as compared to $24.0 million in the third 
quarter of 2010 and $20.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2009. Cash flow was higher than the previous quarter mainly due to 
increased average daily production; slightly higher average petroleum and natural gas prices realized at the wellhead offset by 
increased net G&A expenses and higher interest expense. The increase in cash flow as compared to the fourth quarter of 2009 was 
mainly attributed to higher average daily production notwithstanding higher interest expenses and net G&A expenses and lower 
petroleum and natural gas prices realized at the wellhead in the current quarter as compared to the fourth quarter of 2009.

64  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 
 
 
 
 
Canadian Edmonton Par oil prices averaged $80.33 per barrel in the fourth quarter of 2010 as compared to $74.43 per barrel in 
the third quarter of 2010 and $76.56 per barrel in the fourth quarter of 2009. The AECO daily natural gas spot prices averaged 
$3.64 per mcf in the fourth quarter of 2010 as compared to $3.54 per mcf in the third quarter of 2010 and $4.49 per mcf in 
the fourth quarter of 2009. 

Despite weak natural gas prices, Birchcliff has reported net income in each of its five recently completed quarters. Birchcliff 
recorded net income of $2.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 as compared to net income of $0.4 million in the third quarter 
of 2010 and $1.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2009. The increase in net income from the comparative quarters was mainly a 
result of higher cash flow, notwithstanding higher DD&A expenses reported during the fourth quarter of 2010.

Total debt (including working capital deficit) increased to $337.4 million at December 31, 2010 from $319.9 million at September 
30, 2010 and $221.5 million at December 31, 2009. The increase in total debt was largely due to $17.9 million and $119.7 
million in net capital expended during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2010 in excess of cash flow during those 
same periods. Birchcliff’s 2010 cash flow and bank credit facilities were used to fund the PCS Gas Plant project. 

MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

Within its focus area, the Corporation is always reviewing potential property acquisitions and corporate mergers and acquisitions 
for the purposes of determining whether any such potential transaction is of interest to the Corporation and the terms on which 
such a potential transaction would be available. As a result, the Corporation may from time to time be involved in discussions or 
negotiations with other parties or their agents in respect of potential property acquisitions and corporate merger and acquisition 
opportunities, but the Corporation is not committed to any such potential transaction and cannot be reasonably confident that it 
can complete any such potential transaction until appropriate legal documentation has been signed by relevant parties.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure controls:

The Corporation has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures that have been designed by, or under the 
supervision of, the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer (“Certifying Officers”) to provide reasonable 
assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Corporation in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or 
submitted by it under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in 
the securities legislation and to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in its annual filings, interim filings or 
other reports filed or submitted under securities legislation is accumulated and communicated to the Corporation’s management, 
including its Certifying Officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Such disclosure controls and 
procedures are referred to as the “Disclosure Controls and Procedures”.

The Certifying Officers have evaluated, or caused to be evaluated under their supervision, the effectiveness of the Corporation’s 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures as at December 31, 2010 and have concluded that such Disclosure Controls and Procedures 
were effective as at that date to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Corporation in its 
annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted by it under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized, 
and reported within the time periods specified in the securities legislation and that information required to be disclosed by the 
Corporation in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted under securities legislation is accumulated and 
communicated to the Corporation’s management, including the Certifying Officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding 
required disclosure.

While the Certifying Officers believe that the Corporation’s Disclosure Controls and Procedures are effective to provide a reasonable 
level of assurance, they do not expect that the Disclosure Controls and Procedures will provide an absolute level of assurance or 
prevent all errors and fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived, maintained and operated, can provide only reasonable, 
not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are achieved.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  65

 
Management’s discussion and analysis:

Internal controls over financial reporting:

The Corporation has established and maintains internal controls over financial reporting that have been designed by, or under the 
supervision of, the Corporation’s Certifying Officers to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting 
and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP applicable to the Corporation and 
reasonable assurance that all assets are safeguarded and transactions are appropriately authorized and recorded to facilitate the 
preparation of relevant, reliable and timely information. Such internal controls over financial reporting are herein referred to as 
“ICFR”. The Certifying Officers have evaluated, or caused to be evaluated under their supervision, the effectiveness of the Corporation’s 
ICFR as required by National Instrument 52-109, Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings. Based on that 
evaluation, the Certifying Officers concluded that the Corporation’s ICFR was effective at December 31, 2010 for the purposes 
described above. It should be noted that a control system, including the Corporation’s, no matter how well conceived, maintained 
and operated, can provide only reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system will be met and 
it should not be expected that the ICFR will prevent all errors and fraud.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Transition to International Financial Reporting Standards:

Effective January 1, 2011, Canadian public companies are required to adopt International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). 
The Corporation has developed a plan to complete the transition to IFRS by January 1, 2011, including the preparation of 2010 
required comparative information. Birchcliff’s transition plan includes training and development throughout the organization, and 
three key phases:

§  Phase 1 – Scoping and diagnostics

Phase 1 involves performing a high level diagnostic analysis to identify areas that may be affected by the transition to IFRS. 
The results of this analysis are priority ranked according to complexity and the amount of time required to assess the impact of 
changes in transitioning to IFRS.

§  Phase 2 – Impact analysis and evaluation 

During Phase 2, items identified in Phase 1 are addressed according to the priority levels assigned to them. This phase involves 
analysis of policy choices allowed under IFRS and their impact on the financial statements. In addition, certain potential 
differences are further investigated to assess whether there may be a broader impact to Birchcliff’s debt agreements, business 
processes or management reporting systems. The conclusion of the impact analysis and evaluation phase requires the Audit 
Committee of the Board of Directors to review and approve all accounting policy choices as proposed by management.

§  Phase 3 – Implementation 

Phase 3 involves implementation of all changes approved in Phase 2 and will include changes to information systems, business 
processes, modification of agreements and training of all staff who are impacted by the conversion.

In 2009, Birchcliff made significant progress on its transition plan, completing Phase 1 and moving into Phase 2, and conducting 
preliminary impact analysis of accounting policy alternatives. In 2010, Birchcliff focused its efforts primarily on Phases 2 and 3 
of the transition plan. Management has essentially finalized its IFRS accounting policies for significant impact areas (excluding 
income tax) and has quantified the expected financial impact of these policies on the IFRS opening balance sheet at January 1, 
2010 (“Transition Date”). Birchcliff has also implemented necessary changes to its business processes and information systems 
for significant areas of impact, with internal control requirements taken into account.

IFRS accounting policies: 

Birchcliff has evaluated all significant accounting policy differences between IFRS and Canadian GAAP. Each of these differences 
and the expected financial impact on the IFRS opening balance sheet is discussed in more detail below. All chosen IFRS accounting 
policies have been reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors in the fourth quarter of 2010. Birchcliff’s 
analysis of the chosen IFRS accounting policies specifically considers the current IFRSs that are in effect. As a result, any new or 
amended accounting standards that are issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) in future periods may 
impact our current assessment of the chosen IFRS accounting policies and the expected financial impact on transition to IFRS.

66  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 
Property, plant & equipment 

Property, Plant and Equipment (“PP&E”) is the most significant area impacted by the adoption of IFRS. Birchcliff currently follows 
the Canadian GAAP guidelines on full cost accounting for oil and gas companies. IFRS has no equivalent guideline. In order to 
facilitate the transition to IFRS by full cost oil and gas companies, the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 1 First-time Adoption of 
IFRS allowing additional exemptions for first-time adopters of IFRS. Under these amendments, full cost oil and gas companies can 
elect to use the recorded amount under Canadian GAAP as the “deemed cost” for oil and gas assets on the transition date to IFRS. 
Companies that elect to use this IFRS 1 exemption on transition will need to decide whether to allocate based on reserve volumes 
or values using either proved or proved plus probable reserves. Without this exemption, the Corporation would have been required 
to retrospectively determine the carrying amount of oil and gas assets at the date of transition, or use the fair value or revaluation 
amount as the new deemed cost under IFRS. Birchcliff will use this exemption on transition to IFRS and allocate the existing net 
book value of its oil and gas full cost pool at the area level using proved plus probable reserve volumes. By using the exemption, 
the net book value of Birchcliff’s PP&E at the date of transition to IFRS will be the same as it was under Canadian GAAP.

In moving to IFRS, Birchcliff will be required to adopt different accounting policies for pre-exploration activities, Exploration and 
Evaluation (“E&E”), DD&A, and accounting for gains and losses on property dispositions, significant components of PP&E and other 
material non-monetary transactions.

Pre-exploration costs are costs incurred before the Corporation obtains the legal right to explore an area. Under Canadian GAAP, 
these costs are capitalized, while under IFRS, these costs must be expensed. At this time, Birchcliff does not anticipate that this 
accounting policy difference will have a significant impact on the Corporation’s IFRS financial statements. 

During the E&E phase, Birchcliff capitalizes costs incurred for these projects under Canadian GAAP. Under IFRS, the Corporation 
has the choice to either continue capitalizing E&E costs until technical feasibility and commercial viability of the project is determined 
or to expense these costs as incurred. Once technical feasibility and commercial viability of an E&E project is determined, the 
related costs (net of any impairment) are transferred to the Developing and Producing (“D&P”) category. If Birchcliff’s policy choice 
is to continue capitalizing E&E project costs under IFRS, the Corporation has the alternative to either begin depleting the related 
costs when in the E&E phase or to deplete the costs once the project has demonstrated technical feasibility and commercial 
viability and is in the D&P phase. Birchcliff has estimated its E&E assets at the date of transition to be immaterial. Birchcliff will 
capitalize E&E project costs as incurred and begin depleting the related costs once technical feasibility and commercial viability of 
an E&E project is established and related costs are transferred to the D&P category. Technical feasibility and commercial viability 
of an E&E project is established when proved reserves are identified. 

Under Canadian GAAP, Birchcliff calculates its DD&A rate at the country cost centre level. Under IFRS, this rate will be calculated 
at a lower unit of account. Under IFRS, the Corporation has the alternative to either continue depleting its assets over proved 
reserves (same as Canadian GAAP) or use another basis which more accurately reflects the useful life of Birchcliff’s oil and gas 
assets. Birchcliff will calculate its DD&A rate at the area level and deplete its oil and gas assets over proved plus probable reserves 
on transition to IFRS. 

Full cost oil and gas accounting under Canadian GAAP requires that gains or losses on divestitures of properties are only recognized 
when the disposal would affect the DD&A rate by 20% or more. Under IFRS, there is no such exemption, and therefore Birchcliff 
will be required to recognize all gains and losses on property divestitures and from disposal of significant components of PP&E. 
There is no impact of adopting this IFRS accounting policy at January 1, 2010. 

As a result of the additional IFRS 1 exemptions released by the IASB in July 2009, the Corporation anticipates that all changes to 
its PP&E accounting policies will be adopted prospectively at date of transition. 

Impairment testing

Under  Canadian  GAAP,  the  recoverable  amount  of  Birchcliff’s  oil  and  gas  assets  under  the  first  step  of  the  impairment  test  is 
determined using undiscounted future cash flow from proved reserves. Under IFRS, the recoverable amount is calculated using 
discounted future cash flow from proved or proved plus probable reserves. In addition, impairment testing under Canadian GAAP is 
performed at the country cost centre level, while under IFRS it will be performed at a lower level referred to as a cash-generating 
unit. Canadian GAAP prohibits reversal of impairment losses. Under IFRS, if the conditions giving rise to impairment have reversed, 
impairment losses previously recorded would be partially or fully reversed to eliminate write-downs recorded. Birchcliff expects to 
adopt these changes in accounting policy prospectively. 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  67

 
Management’s discussion and analysis:

Birchcliff has identified a single cash-generating unit at the date of transition. Birchcliff did not have an impairment of its petroleum 
and natural gas assets under IFRS at January 1, 2010. The impairment calculation was performed using an after-tax discount rate 
of 12% on cash flow from proved plus probable reserves. Birchcliff also expects that its petroleum and natural gas assets will not 
be impaired at December 31, 2010 under IFRS.

Asset retirement obligation

Under Canadian GAAP, the Corporation recognizes a liability for the estimated fair value of future asset retirement obligations 
associated with PP&E. The fair value is capitalized and amortized over the same period as the underlying asset. Birchcliff estimates 
the liability based on the estimated costs to abandon and reclaim its net ownership interest in wells and facilities, including an 
estimate for the timing of the costs to be incurred in future periods. These cash outflows are discounted using a credit-adjusted risk 
free rate of 8% under Canadian GAAP. Changes in the net present value of the future retirement obligation are expensed through 
accretion as part of DD&A (same as IFRS). 

Under IFRS, asset retirement obligations are calculated at each reporting period by estimating the risk-adjusted future cash outflows 
which are discounted using a risk-free rate. Due to the change in the discount rate from a credit-adjusted rate to a risk-free rate, 
Birchcliff will record a $12.0 million increase in discounted future asset retirement obligation with the offset to retained earnings 
on transition at January 1, 2010. Birchcliff’s risk-adjusted future cash outflows were discounted using a risk-free rate of 4% on 
transition to IFRS.

Stock-based compensation

IFRS 2 Share-Based Payments requires the expense related to share-based payments to be recognized as the options vest. For 
options with different vesting periods, each vesting tranche must be treated as a separate option grant which accelerates the 
expense recognition (“Graded Vesting Amortization”) in comparison to Canadian GAAP, which allows the expense to be recognized 
on a straight-line basis over the period the options vest. Birchcliff must also apply an estimated forfeiture rate at the initial grant 
date for each option tranche. The forfeiture rate is taken into account by adjusting the number of stock options expected to vest 
under each tranche and subsequently revising this estimate throughout the vesting period, as necessary. When determining the fair 
value of each vesting tranche, Birchcliff will apply an estimated option tranche life which reflects historical experiences in comparison 
to GAAP, which allows the life of the option to equal the five year expiry period. Birchcliff expects total aggregate stock-based 
compensation expense to be lower under IFRS as compared to Canadian GAAP as a result of using a lower estimated option life 
when calculating the fair value of an option tranche under IFRS. However, because of the graded vesting requirements, stock based 
compensation expense will be higher in earlier vesting periods for an option tranche under IFRS as compared to GAAP. 

As a result of adopting IFRS 2, Birchcliff will record a $2.5 million increase to contributed surplus with the offset to retained 
earnings at January 1, 2010. The increase is largely due to the accelerated expense recognition for vesting tranches under IFRS. 

Income tax

In transitioning to IFRS, the carrying amount of Birchcliff’s deferred tax balances will be directly impacted by the tax effects resulting 
from changes required by the above IFRS accounting policy differences. Birchcliff is still determining the impact of the revised 
standard on its IFRS transition. Therefore, at this time the income tax impacts of the differences are not reasonably determinable.

Changes to IFRS accounting standards:

Birchcliff’s analysis of accounting policy differences specifically considers the current IFRS standards that are in effect. The Corpo-
ration will continue to monitor any new or amended accounting standards that are issued by the IASB in future periods.

Internal controls over financial reporting:

The transition to IFRS is not expected to have a significant impact on its internal controls over financial reporting. Birchcliff has 
reviewed its internal controls over financial reporting and has implemented all significant changes in accounting policies, including 
the appropriate additional business controls and procedures for future IFRS reporting requirements. 

68  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 
Disclosure controls and procedures:

The transition to IFRS is not expected to have a significant impact on its disclosure controls and procedures. Birchcliff will continue 
to assess stakeholders’ information requirements and will ensure that adequate and timely information is provided so that all stake-
holders remain apprised throughout the transition. 

Education and training:

All of the key individuals that are involved in financial reporting under Canadian GAAP have received IFRS training and are actively 
involved in the IFRS transition project. Birchcliff will continue to involve senior financial reporting personnel in the IFRS transition 
throughout 2011. External advisors have been retained and will continue to assist management with the IFRS project on an as 
needed basis. The Corporation’s auditors are involved throughout the process to ensure that Birchcliff’s accounting policies are in 
accordance with the new standards.

Information systems:

Birchcliff  has  evaluated  and  implemented  necessary  changes  to  its  information  systems  for  significant  areas  of  impact.  While 
Birchcliff’s system updates were minimal, they were critical to allow for reporting of both Canadian GAAP and IFRS statements in 
2010 as well as the updates required to track capital expenditures at a granular level for IFRS reporting in 2011 and thereafter. 

Impact to our business:

Birchcliff does not expect that the adoption of IFRS in 2011 will have a significant impact or influence on its business activities, 
operations or strategies going forward. Management will continue to closely monitor the impact of IFRS on its business activities 
during 2011.

RISK FACTORS & RISK MANAGEMENT 

Commodity price risk:

Birchcliff’s liquidity and cash flow are largely impacted by petroleum and natural gas commodity prices. Birchcliff has not hedged 
any of its oil and natural gas production at the date hereof and although it does monitor the hedge market, its strategy is to continue 
to sell its oil and natural gas production at the spot market rate. Management remains bullish about future commodity prices and 
believes Birchcliff is well positioned to take advantage of a rising oil and natural gas price environment. If there is a significant 
deterioration in the price it receives for oil and natural gas, Birchcliff will consider reducing its capital spending or access alternate 
sources of capital. 

Foreign currency exchange risk:

The Corporation is exposed to foreign currency fluctuations because its Canadian revenues are strongly linked to United States dollar 
denominated benchmark prices. Birchcliff has not hedged any of its foreign exchange risk at the date hereof. 

Production risk:

Birchcliff believes it has a stable production base from a large number of producing wells and that an adverse event affecting 
production at any single well would not cause a liquidity issue. Nonetheless, Birchcliff remains subject to the risk that production 
rates of its most significant wells may decrease in an unpredictable and uncontrollable manner, which could result in a material 
decrease in the Corporation’s overall production and associated cash flows. 

The majority of Birchcliff’s production passes through owned or third party infrastructure prior to it being ready for transfer at 
designated commodity sales points. There is a risk that should this infrastructure fail and cause a significant portion of Birchcliff’s 
production to be shut-in and unable to be sold, this could have a material adverse effect on Birchcliff’s available cash flow. The 
Corporation mitigates this risk by purchasing business interruption and property insurance policies for its significant owned infra-
structure and contingent business interruption insurance policies for its significant third party infrastructure.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  69

 
Management’s discussion and analysis:

Reserve replacement risk:

Oil and natural gas reserves naturally deplete as they are produced over time. The success of the Corporation’s business is highly 
dependent on its ability to acquire and/or discover new reserves in a cost efficient manner. Substantially all of the Corporation’s 
cash flow is derived from the sale of the petroleum and natural gas reserves it accumulates and develops. In order to remain 
financially viable, the Corporation must be able to replace reserves over time at a lesser cost on a per unit basis than its cash flow 
on a per unit basis. The reserves and costs used in this determination are estimated each year based on numerous assumptions 
and these estimates and costs may vary materially from the actual reserves produced or from the costs required to produce those 
reserves. In order to mitigate this risk, the Corporation employs a competent and experienced team of petroleum and natural gas 
professionals  and  closely  monitors  the  capital  expenditures  made  for  the  purposes  of  increasing  its  petroleum  and  natural  gas 
reserves. Historically, Birchcliff’s finding, development and acquisition costs and reserve replacement on a proved and probable 
basis have remained competitive compared to industry peers. 

Health, safety & environmental risk:

Health,  safety  and  environment  risks  influence  the  workforce,  operating  costs  and  the  establishment  of  regulatory  standards. 
Birchcliff provides staff with the training and resources they need to complete work safely and effectively; incorporates hazard 
assessment and risk management as an integral part of everyday operations; monitors performance to ensure its operations comply 
with legal obligations and internal standards; and identifies and manages environmental liabilities associated with its existing asset 
base. The Corporation has a site inspection program and a corrosion risk management program designed to ensure compliance 
with environmental laws and regulations. Birchcliff carries insurance to cover a portion of property losses, liability to others and 
business interruption resulting from unusual events. 

Birchcliff is subject to the risk that the unexpected failure of its equipment used in drilling, completing or producing wells or in 
transporting production could result in release of fluid substances that pollute or contaminate lands at or near its facilities which 
could result in significant liability to the Corporation for costs of clean up, remediation and reclamation of contaminated lands. 
Birchcliff conducts its operations with due regard for the potential impact on the environment. This includes hiring skilled personnel, 
providing adequate training to all staff involved with operations, and by retaining expert advice and assistance to deal with 
environmental remediation and reclamation work where such expertise is needed. 

Regulatory risk:

Government  royalties,  income  tax  laws,  environmental  laws  and  regulatory  requirements  can  have  a  significant  financial  and 
operational impact on the Corporation. As an oil and natural gas producer, Birchcliff is subject to a broad range of regulatory 
requirements.  Birchcliff  hires  and  retains  skilled  personnel  that  are  knowledgeable  regarding  changes  to  the  regulatory  regime 
under which it operates. 

All of Birchcliff’s properties are currently located within the province of Alberta. There is a risk that although the Corporation 
believes it is making an economic investment at the time all of the upfront capital is invested in facilities or drilling, completing 
and equipping an oil or natural gas well, the Government may at any point in the economic life of that project, expropriate without 
compensation a portion of the expected profit under a new royalty/tax regulation or regime with no grandfathering provisions. This 
may cause a particular project to become uneconomic once the new royalties or taxes take effect. This type of possible future 
government action is unpredictable and cannot be forecast by the Corporation. 

Counterparty risk:

Birchcliff assumes customer credit risk associated with oil and gas sales and joint venture participants. To mitigate this risk, the 
Corporation performs regular reviews of receivables to minimize default or non-payment and takes the majority of its production in 
kind. The Corporation also puts in place security arrangements with respect to amounts owed to it by others when reviews indicate 
it is appropriate to do so.

70  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 
Access to credit markets:

Due to the nature of the Corporation’s business it is necessary from time to time for the Corporation to access other sources of capital 
beyond its internally generated cash flow in order to fund the development and acquisition of its long term asset base. As part of 
this strategy the Corporation obtains some of this necessary capital by incurring debt and therefore the Corporation is dependent 
to a certain extent on continued availability of the credit markets. 

The continued availability of the credit markets for Birchcliff is primarily dependent on the state of the economy and the health of 
the banking industry in Canada and the United States. There is risk that if the economy and banking industry experience unexpected 
and/or prolonged deterioration, then Birchcliff’s access to credit markets may contract or disappear altogether. The Corporation 
tries to mitigate this risk by dealing with reputable lenders and tries to structure its lending agreements to give it the most flexibility 
possible should these situations arise. However, the situations that may give rise to credit markets tightening or disappearing are 
beyond Birchcliff’s control.

Birchcliff is also dependent to a certain extent on continued access to equity capital markets. The Corporation is listed on the 
Toronto Stock Exchange and maintains an active investor relations program. Continued access to capital is dependent on Birchcliff’s 
ability to continue to perform at a level that meets market expectations. 

Climate change risks:

North American climate change policy is evolving at both regional and national levels and recent political and economic events 
may significantly affect the scope and timing of new climate change measures that are ultimately put in place. Although it is not 
the case today, the Corporation expects that some of its significant facilities may ultimately be subject to future regional, provincial 
and/or federal climate change regulations to manage greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions.

The Specified Gas Emitters Regulation, which came into effect in Alberta in 2007, requires large industrial facility emitters of GHG 
to reduce GHG emissions intensities by 12% below a baseline based on 2003-2005 emissions. Each of Birchcliff’s facilities is 
below the 100,000 tonnes per year threshold that this regulation applies to. 

The Government of Alberta released its climate change strategy which sets a target to reduce GHG emissions in Alberta by 200 
megatonnes or 50% by 2050. Implementing carbon capture and storage technology across industrial sectors is a large component 
of the strategy, along with energy-efficiency measures, clean energy technologies, and expanding the use of renewable sources of 
energy.

The Canadian government has expressed interest in pursuing the development of a North American cap and trade system for GHG 
emissions. In April 2007, the Government of Canada released the Regulatory Framework for Air Emissions (“Framework”). The 
Framework outlines short, medium and long-term objectives for managing both GHG emissions and air pollutants in Canada. It is 
uncertain how the Framework will fit within a North American cap and trade system and what the specific requirements for industrial 
emitters such as Birchcliff will be. Proposed regulations have not yet been released and therefore it is uncertain whether the 
impacts from such future regulations will be material to the Corporation.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  71

 
Management’s discussion and analysis:

ADVISORIES

BOE conversions:

Barrels of oil equivalent (“boe”) amounts may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio of six thousand 
cubic feet (6 mcf) of natural gas to one barrel of oil (1 bbl) is based on an energy equivalent conversion method primarily applicable 
at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.

Non-GAAP measures:

This MD&A and the Corporation’s Quarterly and Annual Reports uses the terms “cash flow”, “netback”, “cash flow netback”, “operating 
netback”, “cash flow per share”, and “EBITDA”, which do not have standardized meanings prescribed by GAAP and therefore may 
not be comparable to measures by other companies where similar terminology is used. Cash flow appears as a separate line on the 
Corporation’s Statements of Cash Flows above “changes in non-cash working capital” and is reconciled to net income (loss) and 
comprehensive income (loss). Netback denotes petroleum and natural gas revenue less royalties, less operating expenses and less 
transportation and marketing expenses. Cash flow netback denotes net earnings plus non-cash items including future income tax 
expense (less any recovery), depletion, depreciation and accretion expense, unrealized losses from risk management contracts and 
foreign exchange (less unrealized gains), non-cash stock-based compensation expense and amortization of deferred financing fees. 
EBITDA denotes earnings before interest, taxes, stock-based compensation, depletion, depreciation and amortization.

Forward looking information:

This MD&A contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (hereinafter collectively referred to  as 
“forward-looking information”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. These statements relate to future events 
or future performance and are based upon the Corporation’s current internal expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions 
and beliefs. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. In some cases, words such as 
“plan”, “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “potential”, “proposed” and other similar 
words, or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” occur, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. 

In particular, this MD&A contains forward-looking information, including among other places, under the headings “Outlook” and 
“International Financial Reporting Standards”. This forward-looking information includes but is not limited to statements regarding: 
expected processing capacity of the PCS Gas Plant and its future expansion; overall production; planned drilling, exploration and 
development; planned 2010 capital spending and sources of funding; expected results from the Corporation’s portfolio of oil and 
gas assets; the quantity and development of oil and gas reserves; future net cash flows and discounted cash flows; expected operating, 
general administrative, services, environmental compliance costs and expenses; royalty rates and incentives; treatment under tax 
laws; expected ability to transition to new accounting standards and other expectations, beliefs, plans, goals, objectives, assumptions, 
information and statements about possible future events, conditions, results of operations or performance. The Corporation cannot 
guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation by the Corporation 
that actual results achieved will be the same in whole or in part as those set out in the forward-looking information.

With respect to such forward-looking information the key assumptions on which the Corporation relies are: that future prices for 
crude oil and natural gas, future currency exchange rates and interest rates, and future availability of debt and equity financing will 
be at levels and costs that allow the Corporation to manage, operate and finance its business and develop its properties and meet 
its future obligations; that the regulatory framework in respect of royalties, taxes and environmental matters applicable to the 
Corporation will not become so onerous as to preclude the Corporation from viably managing, operating and financing its business 
and the development of its properties; that the Corporation will continue to be able to identify, attract and employ qualified staff 
and obtain the outside expertise and specialized and other equipment it requires to manage, operate and finance its business and 
develop its properties; and various assumptions as to future prices for crude oil and natural gas, currency exchange rates, inflation 
rates, future well production rates, well drainage areas, success rates of future well drilling and future costs and availability of 
labour and services. With respect to estimates of reserves volumes and associated future net revenues and numbers of future wells 
to be drilled, a key assumption is the validity of the commodity prices, currency exchange rates, future capital and operating costs 

72  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 
and well production rates forecast by the Corporation’s independent reserves evaluator. With respect to the number of future wells 
to be drilled, a key assumption is the validity of the geological and other technical interpretations that have been performed by 
Birchcliff’s technical staff and that indicate that commercially economic reserves can be recovered from Birchcliff’s lands as a 
result of drilling such future wells. 

Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or 
expectations upon which they are based will occur. Forward-looking information involves numerous assumptions, uncertainties 
and both known and unknown risks. There is a risk that such predictions, forecasts, and projections may not occur. Although the 
Corporation believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance 
that such expectations will prove to be correct. Some of those risks include: risks inherent in the oil and gas industry, such as 
operational risks in exploring for, developing and producing crude oil and nature gas, market demand and unpredictable facilities 
outages; risks and uncertainties involving geology of oil and gas deposits; uncertainty of reserves and resources estimates, reserves 
life and underlying reservoir risk; general economic conditions in Canada, the United States and globally; changes in governmental 
regulation of the oil and gas industry, including environmental regulation; fluctuations in foreign exchange rates or interest rates; 
adverse conditions in the debt and equity markets; and competition from others for scarce resources. 

The foregoing list of risk factors is not exhaustive. The forward-looking information contained in this MD&A is expressly qualified 
by this cautionary statement. Additional information on these and other risk factors that could affect operations or financial results 
are included in the Corporation’s most recent Annual Information Form. In addition, information is available in the Corporation’s 
other reports filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Forward-looking information is based on estimates and opinions 
of management at the time the information is presented. The Corporation is not under any duty to update the forward-looking 
information after the date of this MD&A to conform such information to actual results or to changes in the Corporation’s plans or 
expectations, except as otherwise required by applicable securities laws. 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  73

 
Management’s report:

To the Shareholders of Birchcliff Energy Ltd.

The financial statements of Birchcliff Energy Ltd. were prepared by management within the 
acceptable limits of materiality and are in accordance with accounting principles generally 
accepted in Canada. Management is responsible for ensuring that the financial and operating 
information presented in this annual report is consistent with that shown in the financial statements.

The financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with the accounting 
policies as described in the notes to the financial statements. Timely release of financial infor-
mation sometimes necessitates the use of estimates when transactions affecting the current 
accounting period cannot be finalized until future periods. When necessary, such estimates are 
based on informed judgments made by management. 

Management has designed and maintains an appropriate system of internal controls to provide 
reasonable assurance that all assets are safeguarded and financial records properly maintained 
to facilitate the preparation of financial statements for reporting purposes.

Deloitte  &  Touche  LLP,  an  independent  firm  of  Chartered  Accountants  appointed  by  share-
holders, have conducted an examination of the corporate and accounting records in order to 
express their opinion on the financial statements.

The Audit Committee, consisting of non-management directors, has met with representatives 
of Deloitte & Touche LLP and management in order to determine if management has fulfilled 
its responsibilities in the preparation of the financial statements. The Board of Directors has 
approved the financial statements on the recommendation of the Audit Committee.

Respectfully,

(signed) “A. Jeffery Tonken” 

(signed) “Bruno P. Geremia”

A. Jeffery Tonken 
President and Chief Executive Officer 

Bruno P. Geremia
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

March 17, 2011

74  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
Independent auditor’s report:

To the Shareholders of Birchcliff Energy Ltd.

We have audited the accompanying financial statements of Birchcliff Energy Ltd., which are 
comprised of the balance sheet as at December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the statements of 
net income (loss), comprehensive income (loss) and retained earnings (deficit) and cash flows 
for the years then ended, and the notes to the financial statements.

Management’s responsibility for the financial statements

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

Auditor’s responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. 
We conducted our audits in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. 
Those standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the 
audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from 
material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and 
disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s 
judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial state-
ments, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers 
internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements 
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 entity’s internal control. An audit also 
includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of 
accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of 
the financial statements.

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

Opinion

In  our  opinion,  the  financial  statements  present  fairly,  in  all  material  respects,  the  financial 
position of Birchcliff Energy Ltd. as at December 31, 2010 and 2009, the results of its opera-
tions and its financial performance and its cash flows for the years then ended in accordance 
with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.

(signed) “Deloitte & Touche LLP”

Deloitte & Touche LLP 
Chartered Accountants  
Calgary, Alberta 

March 17, 2011

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  75

 
Balance sheets:

As at December 31 

000’s

ASSETS
Current
  Cash  
  Accounts receivable (Note 8) 
  Prepaid and other 

Deferred financing fees (Note 5) 
Petroleum and natural gas properties and equipment (Note 4) 

LIABILITIES
Current
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 

Revolving credit facilities (Note 6) 
Asset retirement obligations (Note 9) 
Future income taxes (Note 10) 
Commitments (Note 14)

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Share capital (Note 11)  
Contributed surplus (Note 12) 
Deficit  

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

Approved by the Board

(signed) “Larry A. Shaw” 

(signed) “A. Jeffery Tonken”

Larry A. Shaw  
Director 

A. Jeffery Tonken
Director

2010 

2009

4,863 
39,241 
2,661 

46,765 

– 
948,626 

995,391 

50,721 

50,721 

333,468 
26,448 
7,631 

140
29,665
4,635

34,440

245
802,423

837,108

54,731

54,731

201,230
24,713
1,873

550,472 
28,096 
(1,445) 

577,123 

995,391 

541,593
20,315
(7,347)

554,561

837,108

76  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statements of net income (loss),  
comprehensive income (loss) and retained earnings (deficit):

For the years ended December 31 

000’s

REVENUE
  Petroleum and natural gas 
  Royalties 

EXPENSES
  Production (Note 16) 
  Transportation and marketing 
  General and administrative, net (Note 4)  
  Stock-based compensation (Note 12) 
  Depletion, depreciation and accretion (Notes 4 and 9) 
  Amortization of deferred financing fees (Notes 5 and 6) 

Interest on non – revolving term credit facility (Note 5) 
Interest on revolving credit facilities (Note 6) 

Income (loss) before taxes 

TAXES
  Future income tax expense (recovery) (Note 10) 

Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) 

Retained earnings (deficit), beginning of year 

Deficit, end of year 

Net income (loss) per common share (Note 13) 
  basic 
  diluted 
Weighted average common shares (Note 13) 
  basic 
  diluted 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

2010 

2009

189,978 
(16,933) 

173,045 

150,669
(15,342)

135,327

36,745 
12,359 
10,137 
10,577 
76,469 
1,646 
700 
12,753 

36,388
9,799
11,353
9,844
85,253
1,200
–
10,311

161,386 

164,148

11,659 

(28,821)

5,757 

5,757 

(4,569) 

(4,569)

5,902 

(24,252)

(7,347) 

16,905

(1,445) 

(7,347)

$0.05 
$0.05 

$(0.21)
$(0.21)

124,629,761 
127,662,373 

117,993,314
117,993,314

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  77

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statements of cash flows:

For the years ended December 31 

000’s

OPERATING
  Net income (loss) 
  Adjustments for items not affecting cash:
  Depletion, depreciation and accretion  
  Stock-based compensation  
  Amortization of deferred financing fees  
  Future income tax expense (recovery) 

  Changes in non-cash working capital (Note 15) 
  Asset retirement expenditures 

FINANCING

Increase (decrease) in revolving credit facilities  

  Deferred financing fees paid  

Issuance of share capital (Note 11) 

  Share issue costs (Note 11) 

INVESTING
  Purchase of petroleum and natural gas properties and equipment  
  Sale of petroleum and natural gas properties and equipment (Note 4) 
  Development of petroleum and natural gas properties and equipment  
  Changes in non-cash investing working capital (Note 15) 

Net increase in cash  

Cash, beginning of year 

Cash, end of year 

Cash interest paid  
Cash taxes paid  

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

2010 

2009

5,902 

(24,252)

76,469 
10,577 
1,646 
5,757 

100,351 
1,429 
(902) 

100,878 

132,105  
(1,268)  
6,083 
– 

136,920 

(2,051) 
17,511 
(235,494) 
(13,041) 

85,253
9,844
1,200
(4,569)

67,476
(10,051)
(606)

56,819

(9,826)
(1,975) 
67,300
(2,695) 

52,804

(3,334) 

–
(98,356)
(7,858)

(233,075) 

(109,548)

4,723 

140 

4,863 

13,453 
– 

75

65

140

10,311
–

78  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to financial statements:

  1.  NATURE OF OPERATIONS

Birchcliff Energy Ltd. (“Birchcliff” or the “Corporation”) was a private company, incorporated under the Business Corporations 
Act (Alberta) on July 6, 2004 as 1116463 Alberta Ltd. The name was changed from 1116463 Alberta Ltd. to Birchcliff 
Energy Ltd. on September 10, 2004. The address of the Corporation’s registered office is 500, 630 - 4th Avenue, S.W., Calgary, 
Alberta, Canada T2P 0J9. 

The Corporation is engaged in the exploration for and the development, production and acquisition of, petroleum and natural 
gas reserves in Western Canada. Birchcliff trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “BIR”. Birchcliff’s financial 
year end is December 31. 

  2.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The  annual  Financial  Statements  have  been  prepared  by  management  in  accordance  with  Canadian  Generally  Accepted 
Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), within an acceptable level of materiality, utilizing the framework of the accounting policies 
below. The Financial Statements are expressed in Canadian (“CDN”) dollars.

a)  Basis of accounting:

The Corporation’s Financial Statements include the accounts of Birchcliff. There are no subsidiary companies.

b)  Revenue recognition:

Revenue associated with sales of petroleum and natural gas are recorded when the commodities are delivered and title 
passes  to  the  purchaser.  Revenue  associated  with  petroleum  and  natural  gas  sales  are  recorded  gross  of  royalties  and 
transportation and marketing charges.

c)  Joint venture activities:

Substantially all of the Corporation’s exploration and production activities are conducted jointly with others and, accordingly, 
the accounts reflect only the Corporation’s proportionate interest in such activities.

d)  Measurement uncertainty:

The preparation of timely Financial Statements necessitates the use of estimates when transactions affecting the current 
accounting period cannot be finalized until future periods. These estimates will affect assets, liabilities and the disclosure 
of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Financial Statements, as well as revenues and expenses during the 
reporting  periods.  Such  estimates  are  based  on  informed  judgments  made  by  management.  Actual  results  could  differ 
materially from those estimated.

Amounts recorded for depletion, depreciation and accretion and amounts used for impairment test calculations are based 
on estimates of petroleum and natural gas reserves which include estimates of future commodity prices, future capital 
costs and other relevant assumptions. The Corporation’s reserves are estimated and evaluated, at a minimum, annually 
by an independent engineering firm. The provision for income taxes is based on judgments in applying income tax law and 
estimates on the timing, likelihood and reversal of temporary differences between the accounting and tax bases of assets 
and liabilities. By their nature, these estimates are subject to measurement uncertainty and the impact of changes in such 
estimates on the Financial Statements of future periods could be material.

e)  Cash:

Cash consists of cash on deposit, less outstanding cheques, and deposits with a maturity at the time of investment of less 
than three months.

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  79

 
Notes to the financial statements:

  2.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

f)  Property, plant and equipment:

Capitalized costs

The Corporation follows the full cost method of accounting whereby all costs relating to the exploration, acquisition and 
development of petroleum and natural gas reserves are capitalized. Such costs include land acquisition costs, geological 
and  geophysical  expenses,  production  equipment,  carrying  charges  of  non-producing  properties,  costs  of  drilling  both 
productive and non-productive wells and corporate charges directly related to acquisition, exploration and development 
activities. Proceeds from the sale of properties are applied against capitalized costs, with no gain or loss recognized, unless 
such a sale would alter the rate of depletion and depreciation by 20% or more.

Depletion and depreciation

Depletion and depreciation of petroleum and natural gas properties and equipment, together with the estimated future 
costs to be incurred in developing proved reserves, are depleted or depreciated using the unit-of-production method based 
on the proved reserves before royalties as estimated by independent engineers. Petroleum and natural gas reserves and 
production are converted into equivalent units based upon estimated relative energy content of six thousand cubic feet of 
natural gas to one barrel of oil. The costs of undeveloped properties are excluded from the costs subject to depletion and 
depreciation until it is determined whether proved reserves are attributable to the properties. 

Impairment

Petroleum and natural gas properties are evaluated each reporting period through an impairment test to determine the 
recoverability of capitalized costs. The carrying amount is assessed as recoverable when the sum of the undiscounted cash 
flows expected from proved reserves plus the cost of unproved interests, net of impairments, exceeds the carrying amount. 
When the carrying amount is assessed as non-recoverable, an impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying 
amount exceeds the sum of the discounted cash flows from proved and probable reserves plus the cost of unproved interests, 
net of impairments. Reserves are determined pursuant to National Instrument 51-101, Standards of Disclosure for Oil and 
Gas Activities. Unproved properties are assessed at least annually to determine whether impairment has occurred.

Administrative assets

The  Corporation  records  depreciation  on  its  office  furniture  and  equipment,  which  includes  computer  equipment,  on  a 
straight-line basis using an expected useful life of four years.

g)  Asset retirement obligations:

The Corporation recognizes the estimated liability associated with future site reclamation costs in the Financial Statements 
when a well or related asset is drilled, constructed or acquired including facilities. Costs are estimated by management in 
consultation with the Corporation’s engineers based on current costs and technology in accordance with current legislation 
and industry practices. The obligation is initially measured at fair value, and subsequently adjusted for the accretion of 
discount and any changes to the underlying cash flows. The asset retirement cost is capitalized to petroleum and natural 
gas properties and equipment and amortized into earnings in depletion expense on a basis consistent with depletion and 
depreciation. Actual site restoration and abandonment expenditures are applied directly against the asset retirement obligation. 
The Corporation reviews the obligation regularly such that revisions to the estimated timing of cash flows, discount rates 
and estimated costs will result in an increase or decrease to the asset retirement obligation.

h)  Future income taxes:

The Corporation accounts for its income taxes using the liability method. Under this method, future income tax assets and 
liabilities are determined based on the differences between the accounting and tax bases of assets and liabilities using 
substantively enacted tax rates anticipated to apply in relevant future periods. The effect of a change in income tax rates 
on future income tax assets and liabilities is recognized in the period of substantive enactment.

80  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
  2.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

i)  Stock-based compensation:

The Corporation accounts for its stock-based compensation plans using the fair value method to value stock options and 
performance warrants granted to officers, directors, employees and consultants. Under this method, compensation cost 
attributed to stock options and performance warrants (“stock awards”) granted is measured at fair value at the grant date 
and expensed over the vesting period with a corresponding increase to contributed surplus. Upon the exercise of stock 
awards, consideration paid together with the amount previously recognized in contributed surplus is recorded as an 
increase to share capital. The Corporation does not incorporate an estimated forfeiture rate for stock awards that will not 
vest, but instead accounts for forfeitures as a change in estimate in the period in which they occur. In the event that vested 
stock awards expire without being exercised, previously recognized compensation costs associated with such awards are 
not reversed.

j)  Flow-through shares:

The resource expenditure deductions for income tax purposes related to exploratory and development activities funded by 
flow-through share arrangements are renounced to investors in accordance with tax legislation. The Corporation records 
the carrying value of the expenditures in property, plant and equipment as incurred and records the future income taxes 
associated with the renunciation of expenditures with a corresponding reduction to share capital. 

k)  Financial instruments:

All financial instruments are initially recognized at fair value on the balance sheet. The Corporation has classified each 
financial instrument into the following categories: “held for trading” financial assets and financial liabilities; “loans or 
receivables”; and “other financial liabilities”. Subsequent measurement of the financial instruments is based on their 
classification. The Corporation has made the following classifications:

§  Cash and cash equivalents are classified as financial assets held for trading and are measured at fair value. Gains and 

losses from revaluation are recognized in net income.

§  Accounts receivable are classified as loans and receivables and are initially measured at fair value.
§  Revolving credit facilities, accounts payable and accrued liabilities are classified as other liabilities and are initially 

measured at fair value. 

l)  Derivative financial instruments:

Derivative financial instruments are used by the Corporation to manage economic exposure to market risks relating to 
commodity prices. Birchcliff’s policy is not to utilize derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.

Derivative financial instruments that do not qualify as hedges, or are not designated as hedges, are classified as held-for-
trading and are recorded using the mark-to-market method of accounting whereby instruments are recorded in the Balance 
Sheet as either an asset or liability with changes in fair value recognized in net income. 

m)  Per share information:

Per share information is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. 
Diluted per share information is calculated using the treasury stock method, which assumes that any proceeds from the 
exercise of “in-the-money” stock options or performance warrants plus the unamortized stock based compensation expense 
amounts would be used to purchase common shares at the average market price during the period. No adjustment to 
diluted income per share is made if the result of these calculations is anti-dilutive.

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  81

 
Notes to the financial statements:

  2.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

n)  Foreign currency translations:

Monetary assets and liabilities of the Corporation that are denominated in foreign currencies are translated into its reporting 
currency at the rates of exchange in effect at the period end date. Any gains or losses are recorded in net income.

  3.  TRANSITION TO INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS 

In 2006, the Accounting Standards Board (“AcSB”) ratified a strategic plan to converge Canadian GAAP with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) by 2011 for public reporting entities. On February 13, 2008 the AcSB confirmed that 
IFRS will replace Canadian GAAP for public companies beginning January 1, 2011. The adoption date of January 1, 2011 
will require the restatement, for comparative purposes, of amounts reported by Birchcliff for the year ended December 31, 
2010, including the opening balance sheet as at January 1, 2010.

  4.  PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT

December 31, 2010 

$000’s

Petroleum and natural gas assets 
Office furniture, equipment & other 

December 31, 2009 

$000’s

Petroleum and natural gas assets 
Office furniture, equipment & other 

Cost 

Accumulated 
depletion and 
depreciation 

Net book 
value

1,318,722 
4,952 

(372,530) 
(2,518) 

1,323,674 

(375,048) 

946,192
2,434

948,626

Cost 

Accumulated 
depletion and 
depreciation 

Net book 
value

1,099,420 
3,415 

(298,560) 
(1,852) 

1,102,835 

(300,412) 

800,860
1,563

802,423

At December 31, 2010, the cost of petroleum and natural gas assets includes $60.5 million (2009 – $44.9 million) relating to 
unproved properties which have been excluded from costs subject to depletion and depreciation. Birchcliff capitalized general 
and administrative costs directly related to exploration and development activities of approximately $2.3 million in the year 
ended December 31, 2010 (2009 – $1.9 million). 

On March 3, 2010, the Corporation completed and closed the sale of a non-producing asset in the Kakut area of Alberta for 
$17.5 million. The proceeds from the sale were used to reduce the cost of petroleum and natural gas assets at December 31, 
2010. No gain or loss was recorded on the sale.

On September 15, 2009, the Government of Alberta approved a drilling royalty incentive for new conventional oil and natural 
gas wells drilled on or after April 1, 2009, but before April 1, 2011. Included as a reduction of petroleum and natural gas 
assets at December 31, 2010 is an expected recovery of $9.9 million (2009 – $6.3 million) related to the Alberta Drilling 
Royalty Credit Program. 

The  Corporation  performed  an  impairment  test  at  December  31,  2010  to  ensure  the  carrying  value  of  its  petroleum  and 
natural gas properties and equipment is recoverable and does not exceed fair value. The petroleum and natural gas future 
prices are based on December 31, 2010 commodity price forecasts of the Corporation’s independent reserve evaluators. The 
following table summarizes the estimated crude oil and natural gas prices used in the impairment test: 

82  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  4.  PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT (continued)

Year 

2011   
2012   
2013   
2014   
2015   
2016   
2017   
2018   
2019   
2020   
2021   
2022   
2023   
2024   
2025   
2026   
2027   
2028   
2029   
2030   
Thereafter 

WTI oil(1)  

Foreign 
exchange rate 

Edmonton 
light crude oil(1) 

AECO gas(1)

$US/bbl 

85.00 
89.25 
91.55 
95.50 
102.85 
110.40 
112.60 
114.85 
117.15 
119.50 
121.90 
124.35 
126.80 
129.35 
131.95 
134.60 
137.30 
140.00 
142.80 
145.70 
2% 

$CDN/bbl 

$CDN/mcf

1.00 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
0.950 
2% 

82.80 
88.80 
94.05 
98.15 
105.80 
113.70 
116.05 
118.35 
120.75 
123.15 
125.60 
128.15 
130.70 
133.30 
135.95 
138.70 
141.45 
144.30 
147.20 
150.10 
2% 

4.10
4.60
5.20
5.50
5.75
6.20
6.55
7.00
7.30
7.45
7.60
7.75
7.95
8.10
8.25
8.40
8.60
8.75
8.95
9.10
2%

1)  Estimated prices used in the impairment test were adjusted for crude oil and natural gas differentials and transportation and marketing costs specific to the 

Corporation’s operations.

Birchcliff’s petroleum and natural gas properties and equipment were not impaired at December 31, 2010 and 2009.

  5.  NON-REVOLVING TERM CREDIT FACILITY

On May 21, 2009, the Corporation entered into a $50 million non-revolving one year term credit facility (the “Term Facility”). 
The Term Facility was provided by a syndicate of banks (the “Syndicate”). The Corporation paid approximately $625,000 in 
financing fees to the Syndicate to establish the one year Term Facility. In January 2010, the Corporation paid an additional 
$250,000 in financing fees to extend the maturity date of this facility from May 21, 2010 to May 21, 2011. As no amounts 
were drawn or outstanding on the Term Facility at December 31, 2009, approximately $245,000 in unamortized fees was 
shown as a non-current asset on the balance sheet. Effective May 21, 2010, the Corporation repaid and cancelled the Term 
Facility. The increased funds available from the revolving credit facilities as described in Note 6 were used to repay the full 
$50 million outstanding under the Term Facility. No amounts are outstanding on the Term Facility at December 31, 2010.

During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Corporation fully amortized to income approximately $0.5 million (2009 
– $0.4 million) in deferred financing fees applicable to the Term Facility. The overall effective interest rate applicable to the 
bankers’ acceptances issued under this facility was 5.9% during the year ended December 31, 2010.

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  83

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements:

  6.  REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITIES

December 31  

$000’s

Syndicated credit facility 
Working capital facility 

Drawn revolving credit facilities 
Unamortized prepaid interest on bankers’ acceptances 
Unamortized deferred financing fees 

Revolving credit facilities, net 

2010 

2009

334,000 
5,176 

339,176 

(5,311)  
(397)  

333,468 

192,000
14,387

206,387
(4,627)
(530)

201,230

Effective May 21, 2010, Birchcliff amended its agreement with its bank syndicate, which increased the Corporation’s 
revolving credit facilities limit from $255 million to an aggregate limit of $350 million. On November 30, 2010, Birchcliff’s 
bank syndicate approved an increase of the revolving credit facilities limit from $350 million to an aggregate limit of $375 
million. At December 31, 2010, the revolving credit facilities consist of an extendible revolving term credit facility with an 
authorized limit of $345 million (the “Syndicated Credit Facility”) and an extendible revolving working capital facility with an 
authorized limit of $30 million (the “Working Capital Facility”). The Corporation paid approximately $1.0 million in financing 
fees to the Syndicate to extend the conversion date of the revolving credit facilities from May 21, 2010 to May 20, 2011. 
These fees have been deferred and netted against the amounts drawn under this facility and are being amortized to income 
over the one year extension period. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Corporation amortized to income approxi-
mately $1.2 million (2009 – $0.8 million) in deferred fees applicable to this facility. 

At December 31, 2010, the effective interest rate applicable to the Working Capital Facility was 5.8% (2009 – 4.8%). The 
overall effective interest rates applicable to the bankers’ acceptances issued under the Syndicated Credit Facility was 5.9% 
during the year ended December 31, 2010 (2009 – 5.7%). 

The revolving credit facilities allow for prime rate loans, US base rate loans, bankers’ acceptances, letters of credit and LIBOR 
loans. The interest rates applicable to the drawn loans are based on a pricing grid and will increase as a result of the increased 
ratio of outstanding indebtedness to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. The revolving credit facilities 
are subject to the Syndicate’s redetermination of the borrowing base twice each year as of November 15 and the conversion 
date. Upon any change in or redetermination of the borrowing base limit which results in a borrowing base shortfall, Birchcliff 
must eliminate the borrowing base shortfall amount. The revolving credit facilities are secured by a fixed and floating charge 
debenture, an instrument of pledge and a general security agreement encompassing all of the Corporation’s assets.

Syndicated credit facility:

The Syndicated Credit Facility has a conversion date of May 20, 2011 and a maturity date which is two years after the conver-
sion date. Birchcliff may request an extension of the conversion date with such an extension not exceeding 364 days, in order 
to maintain the revolving Syndicated Credit Facility. If the conversion date of the Syndicated Credit Facility is not extended, 
then on the conversion date, the revolving Syndicated Credit Facility will convert to a term loan whereby all principal and 
interest will be required to be repaid at the maturity date. 

Working capital facility:

The Working Capital Facility has a conversion date of May 20, 2011 and a maturity date which is two years after the conver-
sion date. Birchcliff may request an extension of the conversion date with such an extension not exceeding 364 days, in order 
to maintain the revolving Working Capital Facility. If the Syndicate does not grant an extension of the conversion date, then 
upon four months after the expiry of the conversion date, the revolving Working Capital Facility will convert to a term loan 
whereby all principal and interest will be required to be repaid at the maturity date.

84  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
  7.  CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

The Corporation’s general policy is to maintain a sufficient capital base in order to manage its business in the most effective 
manner with the goal of increasing the value of its assets and thus its underlying share value. The Corporation’s objectives 
when managing capital are to maintain financial flexibility in order to preserve its ability to meet financial obligations, including 
potential obligations arising from additional acquisitions; to maintain a capital structure that allows Birchcliff to favour the 
financing of its growth strategy using primarily internally-generated cash flow and its available debt capacity; and to optimize 
the use of its capital to provide an appropriate investment return to its shareholders.

There were no changes in the Corporation’s approach to capital management throughout 2010 and 2009. The following table 
shows the Corporation’s total available credit at the end of 2010 and 2009.

December 31  

$000’s

Maximum borrowing base limit:(1)
  Revolving credit facilities 
  Non-revolving term credit facility(2) 

Principal amount utilized:
  Drawn revolving credit facilities  
  Outstanding letters of credit(3) 

Total unused credit  

2010 

2009

375,000 
– 

375,000 

255,000
50,000

305,000

(339,176)  
(3,014) 

(206,387)
(2,739)

(342,190) 

(209,126)

32,810 

95,874

1)  The Corporation’s credit facilities are subject to a semi-annual review of the borrowing base limit which is directly impacted by the value of oil and natural 

gas reserves. 

2)  Effective May 21, 2010, the Corporation repaid in full and cancelled the $50 million non-revolving term credit facility. 

3)  Letters of credit are issued to various service providers. No amounts were drawn on the letters of credit as at or during the years ended December 31, 2010 

and 2009.

The financial covenants applicable to the Corporation’s bank credit facilities include a quarterly interest coverage ratio test, 
which is calculated as earnings before interest, taxes, stock-based compensation, depletion, depreciation and amortization 
(“EBITDA”) over interest expense. The following table shows the interest coverage ratios at December 31, 2010 and 2009:

December 31 

Annualized EBITDA to interest coverage(1) 

1)  Interest coverage ratio is calculated on a trailing four quarter basis. 

2010 

2009

Required 

>3.5 

Actual 

8.4 

Required 

>3.5 

Actual

7.6

The Corporation was compliant with all financial covenants under its credit facilities as at and during the years ended Decem-
ber 31, 2010 and 2009.

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  85

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements:

  7.  CAPITAL MANAGEMENT (continued)

The capital structure of the Corporation is as follows:

December 31  

$000’s

Total shareholders’ equity(1) 
Total shareholders’ equity as a % of total capital 
Working capital deficit (2) 
Drawn revolving credit facilities  

Total drawn debt 
Total drawn debt as a % of total capital 

Total capital 

2010 

2009 

Change

577,123 
63% 
3,956 
339,176 

343,132 
37% 

920,255 

554,561 
71%
20,291
206,387

226,678 
29% 

781,239 

4%

51%

18%

1)  Shareholders’ equity is defined as share capital plus contributed surplus plus retained earnings, less any deficit.

2)  Working capital deficit is defined as current assets less current liabilities.

During the year ended December 31, 2010, total shareholders’ equity increased due to the exercise of options (Note 12) and 
an increase in reported net income for the period. Total debt increased during the year ended December 31, 2010 largely due 
to $119.7 million of net capital spent in excess of cash flow during that year.

  8.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS

Birchcliff is exposed to credit risk, liquidity risk and market risk as part of its normal course of business. The Board of Directors 
has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of the Corporation’s financial risk management framework and 
periodically reviews the results of all risk management activities and all outstanding positions. Management has implemented 
and monitors compliance with risk management guidelines as outlined by the Board of Directors. The Corporation’s risk 
management guidelines are established to identify and analyze the risks faced by the Corporation, to set appropriate risk limits 
and controls, and to monitor risks and adherence to market conditions and the Corporation’s activities.

Credit risk:

Cash is comprised of bank balances. Historically, the Corporation has not carried short term investments. Should this change 
in the future, counterparties will be selected based on credit ratings and management will monitor all investments to ensure 
a stable return, and complex investment vehicles with higher risk will be avoided. The Corporation’s exposure to cash credit 
risk at the balance sheet date is very low.

A substantial portion of the Corporation’s accounts receivable are with marketers and joint venture partners in the oil and 
natural gas industry and are subject to normal industry credit risks. The carrying amount of accounts receivable reflects 
management’s assessment of the credit risk associated with these customers. 

The following table illustrates the Corporation’s maximum exposure for receivables:

December 31  

$000’s

Marketers 
Joint venture partners 
Other 

Total receivables 

2010 

2009

20,800 
18,118 
323 

39,241 

16,607
12,984
74

29,665

86  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
  8.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS (continued)

At December 31, 2010, approximately 22% of the Corporation’s significant individual accounts receivable was due from one 
marketer (2009 – 18%, one marketer). For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Corporation received 14%, 43%, 14%, 
and 14% of its revenue, respectively, from four core marketers. The Corporation received the majority of its revenue for the 
year ended December 31, 2009 from four marketers, who individually accounted for 39%, 10%, 11% and 23%, respectively. 
Typically, Birchcliff’s maximum credit exposure from its marketers is revenue from two months of commodity sales. Receivables 
from marketers are normally collected on the 25th day of the month following production. Birchcliff mitigates the credit risk 
associated with these by establishing marketing relationships with credit worthy purchasers, obtaining guarantees from their 
ultimate parent companies and obtaining letters of credit as appropriate. The Corporation historically has not experienced any 
material collection issues with its marketers. 

At December 31, 2010, approximately $0.4 million or 1% of Birchcliff’s total accounts receivable are aged over 120 days 
and considered past due. The majority of these accounts are due from various joint venture partners. Birchcliff attempts to 
mitigate the credit risk from joint venture receivables by obtaining pre-approval of significant capital expenditures. However, 
the receivables are from participants in the oil and natural gas sector, and collection of the outstanding balances is dependent 
on industry factors such as commodity price fluctuations, escalating costs and the risk of unsuccessful drilling. In addition, 
further risk exists with joint venturers’ as disagreements occasionally arise that increase the potential for non-collection. The 
Corporation does not typically obtain collateral from oil and natural gas marketers or joint venturers’, however, the Corporation 
does have the ability to withhold production from joint venturers’ in the event of non-payment. 

Should Birchcliff determine that the ultimate collection of a receivable is in doubt, it will provide the necessary provision in 
its allowance for doubtful accounts with a corresponding charge to income. If the Corporation subsequently determines an 
account is uncollectible, the account is written off with a corresponding charge to the allowance for doubtful accounts. Birchcliff 
did not have an allowance for doubtful accounts balance at December 31, 2010 and 2009. 

Liquidity risk:

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Corporation will not be able to meet its obligations associated with financial liabilities that are 
settled by cash as they become due. Birchcliff’s approach to managing liquidity is to ensure, as much as possible, that it will 
have sufficient liquidity to meet its short term and long term financial obligations when due, under both normal and unusual 
conditions without incurring unacceptable losses or risking harm to the Corporation’s reputation.

All of the Corporation’s contractual financial liabilities are to be settled in cash. Typically, the Corporation ensures that it has 
sufficient cash on demand to meet expected operational expenses, including the servicing of financial obligations. To achieve 
this objective, the Corporation prepares annual capital expenditure budgets, which are approved by the Board of Directors 
and are regularly reviewed and updated as considered necessary. Petroleum and natural gas production is monitored weekly 
and is used to provide monthly cash flow estimates. Further, the Corporation utilizes authorizations for expenditures on both 
operated and non operated projects to manage capital expenditure. The Corporation also attempts to match its payment cycle 
with collection of oil and natural gas revenue on the 25th of each month. 

To  facilitate  the  capital  expenditure  program,  the  Corporation  has  reserve-based  bank  credit  facilities  which  are  reviewed 
semi-annually by the lender. The principal amount utilized under the Corporation’s credit facilities at December 31, 2010 was 
$342.2 million (2009 – $209.1 million) and $32.8 million (2009 – $95.9 million) in unused credit was available at the end 
of the period to fund future obligations.

The following table lists the contractual obligations of the Corporation’s financial liabilities at December 31, 2010:

$000’s

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 
Drawn revolving credit facilities  

Total financial liabilities 

< 1 Year 

1 – 2 Years 

3 – 5 Years 

Thereafter

50,721 
– 

50,721 

– 
– 

– 

– 
339,176 

339,176 

–
–

–

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  87

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements:

  8.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS (continued)

Market risk:

Market risk is the risk that changes in market conditions, such as commodity prices, exchange rates and interest rates, will 
affect the Corporation’s net income or the value of its financial instruments, if any. The objective of market risk management 
is to manage and control exposures within acceptable limits, while maximizing returns. These risks are consistent with prior 
years. All risk management transactions are conducted within risk management tolerances that are reviewed by the Board 
of Directors.

Commodity price risk

Commodity price risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows will fluctuate as a result of changes in commodity 
prices. Significant changes in commodity prices can materially impact the Corporation’s borrowing base limit. Lower commodity 
prices can also reduce the Corporation’s ability to raise capital. Commodity prices for crude oil and natural gas are not only 
influenced by Canadian (“CDN”) and United States (“US”) demand, but also by world events that dictate the levels of supply 
and demand. 

The Corporation may attempt to mitigate commodity price risk through the use of financial derivatives such as commodity 
price risk management contracts. Birchcliff had no risk management contracts in place as at or during the years ended 
December 31, 2010 and 2009. The Corporation actively monitors the market to determine whether any additional commodity 
price risk management contracts are warranted. 

Foreign Currency Risk

Foreign currency risk is the risk that future cash flows will fluctuate as a result of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. 
The exchange rate effect cannot be quantified but generally an increase in the value of the CDN dollar as compared to the 
US dollar will reduce the prices received by Birchcliff for its petroleum and natural gas sales. The Corporation had no forward 
exchange rate contracts in place as at or during the year ended December 31, 2010 and 2009. 

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk is the risk that future cash flows will fluctuate as a result of changes in market interest rates. The Corporation’s 
credit facilities are exposed to interest rate cash flow risk on a floating interest rate due to fluctuations in market interest rates. 
The remainder of Birchcliff’s financial assets and liabilities are not exposed directly to interest rate risk.

A 1% change in the CDN prime interest rate during the year ended December 31, 2010 would have increased (decreased) 
net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) by approximately $2.5 million (2009 – $2.1 million), assuming that all 
other variables remain constant. A sensitivity of 1% is considered reasonable given the current level of the bank prime rate 
and market expectations for future movements. The Corporation considers this risk to be limited and thus does not hedge its 
interest rate risk.

The Corporation had no interest rate swap contracts in place as at or during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.

Fair value of financial instruments:

Birchcliff’s financial instruments include cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and credit facilities. All  
of Birchcliff’s financial instruments are transacted in active markets. Financial instruments carried at fair value are assessed 
using the following hierarchy based on the amount of observable inputs used to value the instrument.

88  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
  8.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS (continued)

§  Level 1 – Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Active markets 
are those in which transactions occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
§  Level 2 – Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1. Prices in Level 2 are either directly 
or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. Level 2 valuations are based on inputs, including quoted forward prices for 
commodities, time value and volatility factors, which can be substantially observed or corroborated in the marketplace.
§  Level 3 – Valuations in this level are those with inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data.

Assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the place-
ment within the fair value hierarchy level. The carrying value and fair value of financial instruments at December 31, 2010 is 
disclosed below by financial instrument category, as well as any related loss or interest expense for the period:

$000’s

ASSETS HELD FOR TRADING
  Cash(1)  

LOANS AND RECEIVABLES
  Accounts receivable(2)  

OTHER LIABILITIES
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities(2)  
  Drawn revolving credit facilities(3) 

1)  Cash is reported at fair value, based on a Level 1 designation.

Carrying value 

Fair value 

Loss 

Interest expense

4,863 

4,863 

39,241 

39,241 

50,721 
339,176 

50,721 
339,176 

– 

– 

– 
– 

–

–

–
12,753

2)  Accounts receivable and accounts payable and accrued liabilities are reported at amortized cost. Due to the short term nature of accounts receivable and 

accounts payable and accrued liabilities, their carrying values approximate their fair values.

3)  The Corporation’s revolving facilities bear interest at a floating rate and accordingly the fair market value approximates the carrying value before the carrying 

value is reduced for any remaining unamortized costs as described in Note 6. 

  9.  ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS 

The Corporation’s asset retirement obligations result from net ownership interests in petroleum and natural gas properties and 
equipment including well sites, gathering systems and processing facilities. Birchcliff estimates the total undiscounted amount 
of cash flows required to settle its asset retirement obligations at December 31, 2010 to be approximately $91.5 million 
(2009 – $70.1 million) which will be incurred between 2011 and 2062. A credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate of 8% and 
an inflation rate of 2% were used to calculate the fair value of the asset retirement obligation.

A reconciliation of the asset retirement obligations is provided below:

December 31  

$000’s

Balance, January 1  
  Obligations incurred 
  Obligations acquired, net 
  Changes in estimate 
  Accretion expense 
  Actual expenditures 

Ending balance 

2010 

2009

24,713 
1,350 
92  
(638) 
1,833 
(902) 

26,448 

21,223
475
17
1,846
1,758
(606)

24,713

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  89

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements:

 10.  FUTURE INCOME TAX

The provision for income taxes differs from the result that would be obtained by applying the combined current year Canadian 
federal and provincial income tax rates in 2010 of 28% (2009 – 29%). The difference results from the following items:

December 31  

$000’s

Net income (loss) before taxes 

Computed expected income tax expense (recovery) 
Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from: 
  Non-deductible stock-based compensation 
  Non-deductible expenses 
  Changes in tax rate and other 

Future income tax expense (recovery) 

The components of the future income tax assets and liabilities at December 31 are as follows:

December 31  

$000’s

Future tax liabilities:
  Property, plant and equipment 
  Deferred financing fees 
Future tax assets:
  Asset retirement obligations 
  Share issue costs 
  NCL’s, SR&ED’s & ITC’s(1)  

Net future tax liability 

2010 

2009

11,659 

3,265 

2,962 
69 
(539) 

5,757 

(28,821)

(8,358)

2,855
50
884

(4,569)

2010 

2009

(59,595) 
(105) 

(42,198)
(217)

6,636 
1,465 
43,968 

(7,631) 

6,237
2,357
31,948

(1,873)

1)  “NCL” = Non Capital Losses; “SR&ED” = Scientific Research & Experimental Development; “ITC” = Investment Tax Credits

At December 31, 2010, the Corporation’s estimated non-capital losses for income tax purposes is approximately $157.2 million 
(2009 – $109.1 million) available to shelter future taxable income. Management expects that future taxable income will be 
available to utilize non-capital losses.

The following table shows a breakdown of the Corporation’s non-capital losses at the end of 2010 by year of expiry:

Year of expiry 

$000’s

2015 
2026 
2028 
2029 
2030 
2031 

Total non-capital losses 

90  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Amount

71
388
18,098
28,463
58,376
51,758

157,154

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 11.  SHARE CAPITAL

a)  Authorized:

Unlimited number of voting common shares
Unlimited number of non-voting preferred shares

The preferred shares may be issued in one or more series and the directors are authorized to fix the number of shares in 
each series and to determine the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to the shares of each series.

b)  Issued:

Balance, December 31, 2008 
Issued upon exercise of stock options 
Tax effect of flow through shares (Note (c)) 
Issued, net of costs (Note (d)) 
Tax effect of share issue costs (Note (d)) 

Balance, December 31, 2009 
Issued upon exercise of stock options 

Balance, December 31, 2010 

Number of 
common shares 

112,395,970 
1,419,032 
- 
10,000,000 
- 

123,815,002 
1,314,232 

125,129,234 

Amount

$000’s

477,482
7,813
(3,750)
59,305
743

541,593
8,879

550,472

c)  Birchcliff recognized a future income tax liability of $3,750,000 with respect to the renunciation of $15 million of qualified 

100% deductible flow-through shares.

d)  On June 30, 2009, Birchcliff issued 10,000,000 common shares at a price of $6.20 per share for total net proceeds of 
$59,304,600. Birchcliff recognized a future income tax benefit of $743,000 in respect of share issue costs of $2,695,400 
incurred with respect to the issuance of 10,000,000 common shares.

 12.  STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Stock options:

The Corporation has established a stock-based compensation plan whereby officers, directors, employees, and consultants 
may be granted options to purchase common shares at a fixed price not less than the fair market value of the stock at the 
time of grant, subject to certain conditions. Stock options granted under this plan vest over a three year period at the rate of 
one-third on each anniversary date of the stock option grant. All stock options granted are for a five year term. The Corporation 
is authorized to issue stock options for a maximum of 10% of the issued and outstanding common shares pursuant to the 
Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan. In order to calculate the compensation expense, the fair value of the stock 
options is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model that takes into account, as of the grant date: exercise price, 
expected life, current stock price, expected volatility, expected dividends and risk-free interest rates.

During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Corporation recorded $10.6 million (2009 – $9.8 million) of stock-based 
compensation expense and a corresponding increase to contributed surplus related to stock options issued and outstanding 
during the period. 

At December 31, 2010, the Corporation’s Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan permitted the grant of options in respect 
of a maximum 12,512,923 (2009 – 12,381,500) common shares. At December 31, 2010, there remained available for 
issuance options in respect of 3,265,403 (2009 – 4,671,247) common shares. A summary of the Corporation’s outstanding 
stock options for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 is presented below:

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  91

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements:

 12.  STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (continued)

Outstanding, December 31, 2008 
Granted 
Exercised 
Forfeited 

Outstanding, December 31, 2009 
Granted 
Exercised 
Forfeited 

Outstanding, December 31, 2010 

The weighted average assumptions used in calculating the fair values are set forth below:

December 31  

Risk-free interest rate 
Expected maturity (years) 
Expected volatility 
Dividend yield 
Fair value per option 

Number 

Weighted average 
exercise price

6,324,221 
3,959,900 
(1,419,032) 
(1,154,836) 

7,710,253 
3,350,300 
(1,314,232) 
(498,801) 

9,247,520 

$

5.58
5.53
(3.74)
(6.18)

5.81
9.61
(4.63)
(7.41)

7.26

2010 

2009

2.5% 
5.0 
60.5% 
– 
$5.11 

2.0%
5.0
63.5%
–
$3.02

A summary of the stock options outstanding and exercisable under the plan at December 31, 2010 is presented below:

  Exercise price 

Awards outstanding 

Low 

High 

Quantity 

  $3.87 
  $6.01 
  $9.01 
 $12.01 

$6.00 
$9.00 
$12.00 
$14.25 

3,793,120 
2,111,200 
3,155,400 
187,800 

9,247,520 

Performance warrants:

Weighted 
Average 
Remaining 
Contractual Life 

2.45 
2.73 
4.07 
2.53 

3.07 

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise Price 

$4.76 
$7.61 
$9.70 
$13.07 

Quantity 

2,073,295 
1,072,765 
99,399 
125,200 

$7.26 

3,370,659 

Awards exercisable

Weighted 
Average 
Remaining 
Contractual Life 

1.95 
2.37 
2.59 
2.53 

2.12 

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise Price

$4.52
$7.49
$10.74
$13.07

$5.97

On  January  14,  2005,  as  part  of  the  Corporation’s  initial  restructuring  to  become  a  public  entity,  the  Corporation  issued 
4,049,665 performance warrants with an exercise price of $3.00 and an expiration date of January 31, 2010 to members 
of its executive team. Each performance warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at the exercise price. 
Because the performance conditions were fulfilled in 2005, resulting in the performance warrants vesting, the full amount of 
the related compensation expense was recorded in net income in that year. The fair value of each performance warrant was 
determined on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. On May 28, 2009, the Corporation’s out-
standing performance warrants were amended to extend the expiration date from January 31, 2010 to January 31, 2015. The 
Corporation recorded stock-based compensation expense of $3.1 million relating to the extension of the performance warrants 
for the year ended December 31, 2009. 

No performance warrants were issued or exercised during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009. At December 31, 
2010, there remained outstanding and exercisable 2,939,732 performance warrants.

92  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 12.  STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (continued)

Contributed surplus continuity:

$000’s

Balance, December 31, 2008 
Stock-based compensation expense – stock options(1) 
Stock-based compensation expense – performance warrants 
Exercise of stock options 

Balance, December 31, 2009 
Stock-based compensation expense – stock options(1) 
Exercise of stock options 

Balance, December 31, 2010 

Amount

12,984
6,784
3,060
(2,513)

20,315
10,577
(2,796)

28,096

1)  Included in the stock-based compensation expense is the non-cash impact of forfeitures during the period.

 13.  PER SHARE INFORMATION

December 31  

2010 

2009

Basic
  Net income (loss) per share 
  Weighted average shares outstanding 

Diluted
  Net income (loss) per share 
  Weighted average shares outstanding 

$0.05 
124,629,761 

$(0.21)
117,993,314

$0.05 
127,662,373 

$(0.21)
117,993,314

The weighted average diluted common shares outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2010 excludes 2,886,200 of 
stock options that are anti-dilutive. The average market value of the Corporation’s shares for the purpose of calculating the 
dilutive effect of stock options and performance warrants was based on average quoted market prices for the period that the 
options and warrants were outstanding.

The basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding are the same for the year ended December 31, 2009 as 
the Corporation reported a net loss during that period. 

 14.  COMMITMENTS 

The Corporation is committed under an operating lease relating to its office premises beginning December 1, 2007 which 
expires on November 30, 2017. Birchcliff does not use all of the leased space and has sublet approximately 24% of the 
excess space to an arms’ length party on a basis that recovers all of the rental costs for the first five years. The Corporation is 
committed to the following aggregate minimum lease payments (not reduced by rents receivable by the Corporation): 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  93

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements:

 14.  COMMITMENTS (continued)

Year 

$000’s

2011 
2012 
2013 
2014 
2015 
Thereafter 

Amount

3,108
3,118
3,225
3,225
3,225
6,182

The Corporation is also committed to March 29, 2011 under an operating lease for another office premises that it does not 
use and has sublet to an arm’s length party on a basis that recovers all of its rental costs.  

 15.  SUPPLEMENTARY CASH FLOW INFORMATION

The following table details the components of non-cash working capital:

December 31  

$000’s

Provided by (used in) 
  Accounts receivable 
 Prepaid and other 
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 

Provided by (used in) 
  Operating 
Investing 

 16.  PRODUCTION EXPENSES

2010 

2009

(9,577) 
1,974 
(4,009) 

(11,612) 

1,429 
(13,041) 

(11,612) 

172
(1,604)
(16,477)

(17,909)

(10,051)
(7,858)

(17,909)

The Corporation’s production expenses include all costs with respect to day-to-day well and facility operations. Processing 
recoveries related to joint venture and third party natural gas reduces production expenses.

For the years ended December 31  

$000’s

Field production costs 
Processing recoveries 

Field production costs, net of recoveries 
Expensed workovers and other 

Total production expenses 

2010 

2009

41,212 
(6,105) 

35,107 
1,638 

36,745 

39,432
(3,830)

35,602
786

36,388

94  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Glossary of terms:

DEFINITIONS

2P – proved plus probable reserves.

North District – the area designated by Birchcliff as the North District 

AJM – AJM Petroleum Consultants, Birchcliff’s independent reserves 

on the map found on page 14.

auditors.

AJM Price Forecast – AJM’s December 31, 2010 forecast of commodity 

prices and costs.

Birchcliff – Birchcliff Energy Ltd.

East District – the area designated by Birchcliff as the East District on 

the map found on page 14.

ERCB – the Energy Resources Conservation Board.

F&D – finding and development costs.

PCS Gas Plant – Birchcliff’s 100% owned and operated natural gas 
processing  plant  located  in  the  West  District,  Pouce  Coupe  South 
region at 03-22-078-12W6. 

PDP – proved developed producing reserves.

Peace River Arch – the Peace River Arch area of Alberta, a geological 
area  centred  northwest  of  Grande  Prairie,  adjacent  to  the  British 
Columbia border. 

TSX – Toronto Stock Exchange.

West District – the area designated by Birchcliff as the West District on 

FD&A – finding, development and acquisition costs.

the map found on page 14.

Montney/Doig Natural Gas Resource Play – Birchcliff’s Montney and 
Doig formation natural gas resource play located in Birchcliff’s West 
and East Districts.

Western  Canadian  Sedimentary  Basin  –  the  vast  sedimentary  basin 
underlying  Western  Canada  that  is  the  source  of  most  of  Western 
Canada’s current oil and gas production.

Natural  Gas  Deep  Drilling  Program  –  the  Government  of  Alberta, 
Department of Energy natural gas deep drilling program for royalty 
adjustments.

NI 51-101 – National Instrument 51-101 – Standards of Disclosure 

for Oil & Gas Activities.

Worsley  Light  Oil  Resource  Play  –  Birchcliff’s  Charlie  Lake  light  oil 
resource play located near the Town of Worsley in the North District.

ABBREVIATIONS

CONVERSIONS

Oil and natural gas liquids 

Natural gas

barrel 
barrels 
barrels per day 
thousand barrels 

bbl 
bbls 
bbls/d 
mbbls 
MMbbls  million barrels 
boe 
boe/d 
mboe 
MMboe  million barrels of oil equivalent 
NGL 

barrel of oil equivalent 
barrels of oil equivalent per day 
thousand barrels of oil equivalent 

natural gas liquid 

thousand cubic feet
million cubic feet
billion cubic feet
thousand cubic feet per day

mcf 
MMcf 
Bcf 
mcf/d 
MMcf/d  million cubic feet per day
cubic metres
m³ 
Gigajoule
GJ 

Other

AECO 
WTI 

°API 
psi 
$000s 

benchmark natural gas price determined at the AECO “C” hub in southest Alberta
West Texas Intermediate crude oil, a benchmark oil price determined at  
Cushing, Oklahoma
the measure of the density or gravity of liquid petroleum products
pounds per square inch
thousands of dollars

The following table sets forth certain conversions 
between  Standard  Imperial  Units  and  the 
International System of Units (or metric units).

From 

To 

Multiply by

mcf 
mcf 
cubic metres 
bbls 
cubic metres 
feet 
metres 
miles 
kilometres 
acres 
hectares 
sections 
sections 

cubic metres 
GJ 
cubic feet 
cubic metres 
bbls 
metres 
feet 
kilometres 
miles 
hectares 
acres 
acres 
hectares 

28.174
1.055
35.494
0.159
6.289
0.305
3.281
1.609
0.621
0.405
2.471
640
256

GLOSSARY OF TERMS  \\  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  95

 
 
 
 
 
Corporate information:

OFFICERS

A. Jeffery Tonken
President & Chief Executive Officer

Bruno P. Geremia
Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Myles R. Bosman
Vice President, Exploration & Chief Operating Officer

Karen A. Pagano 
Vice President, Engineering 

David M. Humphreys
Vice President, Operations

James W. Surbey
Vice President, Corporate Development

DIRECTORS

Gordon W. Cameron(1)(2)(3)
Calgary, Alberta

Kenneth N. Cullen(1)(2)(3)
Calgary, Alberta

Larry A. Shaw(1)(2)(3)
Chairman of the Board 
Calgary, Alberta

Werner A. Siemens(1)(2)(3)
Calgary, Alberta

A. Jeffery Tonken
President & Chief Executive Officer 
Birchcliff Energy Ltd. 
Calgary, Alberta

1)  Member of the Audit Committee
2)  Member of the Compensation Committee 
3)  Member of the Reserves Evaluation Committee

SHAREHOLDERS’ MEETING

The Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders  
will be held at 3:00 pm on Thursday, May 19th, 2011  
in the Devonian Room of the Calgary Petroleum Club,  
319 – 5th Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta.

Solicitors:
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Calgary, Alberta

Auditors:
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Chartered Accountants 
Calgary, Alberta

Reserves evaluators:
AJM Petroleum Consultants
Calgary, Alberta

Bankers:
Scotia Bank 
HSBC Bank Canada 
Alberta Treasury Branch 
Union Bank  
The Toronto Dominion Bank

Transfer agent:
Olympia Trust Company
Calgary, Alberta

Stock exchange listing:
TSX Exchange
Symbol: BIR

Head office:
500, 630 – 4th Avenue S.W. 
Calgary, Alberta T2P 0J9 
Phone:  403-261-6401 
403-261-6424
Fax: 

Spirit River office:
5604 – 49th Avenue 
Spirit River, Alberta T0H 0G0 
Phone:  780-864-4624 
780-864-4628
Fax: 

Email: 
www.birchcliffenergy.com

info@birchcliffenergy.com 

Thank you:
Birchcliff would like to thank Laura Paige Austin and  
Jerilyn McLeod for the gorgeous photography in this annual report. 
Executive portraits: Trudie Lee Photography

96  BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY LTD. 2010  \\  CORPORATE INFORMATION

 
OURBIRTEAM

BRETTON ABERNETHY, DANIELLE ARMSTRONG, DEREK ARNOLD, CAMILLE ASHTON, RAINER AUGSTEN, 
GATES  AURIGEMMA,  LAURA  AUSTIN,  AL  BASNETT,  BILL  BAXTER,  CHARMAINE  BELLEY,  TIM  BERG, 
AMBER BOISVERT, MYLES BOSMAN, BRADLEY BOUCK, DAVID BOYLE, JUDY BRAZER, PETER BRIMACOMBE, 
WAYNE  BROWN,  SCOTTY  CAMERON,  CHRIS  CARLSEN,  ROBERT  CHARCHUK,  DAVID  CHRISTENSEN, 
BOB CLARK, RORY COLLINS, MIKE CORDINGLEY, KEN CULLEN, BRAD CULVER, KRYSTAL DAFOE, JODY 
DENIS, CINDY DESMARAIS, JESSE DOENZ, KELLEN DOENZ, RANDY DORSCHEID, TERRY ELLIOT, KATHY 
FAIRBURN, CHRIS FEHR, TRISHA FLANAGAN, TONYA FLEMING, GORDON FORBES, HEATHER FRAESE, 
GRANT  FRIESEN,  ALAN  FRITZ,  SHERRY  FROST,  GEORGE  FUKUSHIMA,  RANDY  FUNDYTUS,  BRUNO 
GEREMIA,  CHAD  GODDARD,  ANDY  GREGG,  BOB  GRISACK,  LINDSAY  GROPP,  NEIL  GUENTER,  RATHA 
HALFORD,  PAUL  HAYWARD,  SHAUNA  HEYNEN,  LORNA  HILDEBRAND,  JACK  HINGLEY,  JASEN 
HOLMSTROM,  DARYL  HUDAK,  DAVE  HUMPHREYS,  MICHELLE  JACKSON,  DEREK  JAMIESON,  DAVE 
JOHNSON, STACY JOHNSON, DUSTIN KELM, CLAIRE KNIGHT, DIANE KNOBLAUCH, HEATHER KWIATKOWSKI, 
DANI LAIRD, BENO LANINGA, MELONY LAUZON, JOE LYSTE, DALLAS MACLEAN, TYSON MAGNOWSKI, DAN 
MASUCH, GRAHAM MAYR, JEFF MCANDREWS, HOLLY MCFARLANE, DEB MCFEE, ANGIE MCGONIGAL, 
DARIN  MCLARTY,  JERILYN  MCLEOD,  DANIELLE  MCPHEE,  MELISSA  MEYERS-FRASZ,  AL  MICHETTI, 
CRISTIAN  MOANGHER,  ROY  MODRALL,  TYLER  MONTPELLIER,  SHAUN  MOSKALYK,  MCKENZIE 
MURDOCH,  ED  MURPHY,  SARAH  NANCE,  MICHAEL  NG,  MARCEL  NJONGWE,  TODD  OICKLE,  ANGELA 
OLIVIER,  KAREN  PAGANO,  BRUCE  PALMER,  BILL  PARTRIDGE,  PAUL  PASCO,  DEAN  PATERSON,  OWEN 
PATTON, BRENDA PEARSON, COLIN PENNER, ALLAN PICKEL, LINDSAY POSTMA, DEREK RAE, TYLER 
REID, LYNN REID-BICKNELL, AIDAN RICHARDSON, DALE RICHARDSON, JIMMY ROCHE, MEGAN ROCHE, 
MICHELLE  RODGERSON,  RICHARD  ROUBLE,  TODD  SAJTOVICH,  LEE  SALLENBACH,  VICTOR 
SANDHAWALIA, DON SCHAREIN, ANDREAS SCHEEL, MIRANDA SHARPE, LARRY SHAW, VERN SIEMENS, 
NICKOLAS  SIZER,  MEREDITH  ST.  JOHN,  BEN  STEVENSON,  DARBY  STOLK,  TRACEY  SUCHLANDT,  JIM 
SURBEY, JEFF TONKEN, GILLIAN TOPPING, MELODIE TOPPING, HUE TRAN, TREVOR TRUDEAU, KARA 
TURNER, CHAD VAN IDERSTINE, DAVID WALKER, CODY WANGLER, BILL WARREN, MATTHEW WEISS, 
ROBERT WILSON, DARYL WINNICKY, CHRIS WURZ, JOHN YEO, STEVE ZYLINSKI, VINCE ZYLINSKI

TSX:BIR

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