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Bonterra Energy Corp.

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FY2010 Annual Report · Bonterra Energy Corp.
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The Value of Bonterra

Growth
Performance
Sustainability

AN NUAL REPORT 20 10

Bonterra Energy Corp. is a high-yield, dividend paying oil and gas company headquartered in  
Calgary, Alberta with a proven history of creating growth and long-term value for shareholders on a per 
share basis. Bonterra’s successful performance is due to its experienced management team, conservative 
capital structure and sustainable pace of development. The Company’s operations are currently focused 
on creating value through the execution of its Cardium horizontal drill program and efficient operating 
practices, resulting in superior returns for investors. 

Bonterra’s common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BNE.

Bonterra is focused on providing investors with continued superior growth on both a total and per share 
basis. Bonterra’s asset base consists of stable, producing properties located mainly in the Pembina field 
in central Alberta and are characterized by a long reserve life and low risk, predictable returns.  
The success of the Company’s Cardium horizontal drill program will continue to drive future growth  
and maximize long-term value for shareholders. 

GROWTH

Bonterra provides income in the form of a monthly dividend and has consistently generated strong 
returns for investors. The Company has over $436 million in tax pools which currently extends Bonterra’s 
tax horizon past 2018, allowing the Company to target a 2011 payout ratio of 55 to 70 percent of  
funds flow. 

PERFORMANCE

Bonterra is focused on the sustainable development and efficient management of its high-quality,  
low-risk asset base. By operating approximately 84 percent of its production, Bonterra maintains a high 
degree of control over the pace of its capital development program and costs incurred. The Company 
spent $76.9 million in 2010 and drilled 22 gross (20.0 net) wells with a 100 percent success rate. 

SUSTAINABILITY

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::  Annual Highlights 02  ::  Quarterly Highlights 03  ::  Report to Shareholders 04  ::  Operational Review 09  ::  Cardium Horizontal Drilling 10  ::  
::  Statistical Review 12  ::  Management’s  Discussion & Analysis 19  ::  Consolidated Financial Statements 51  ::  
::  Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 55  ::  Corporate Information 78  ::

  5,628

BOE PER DAY IN 2010   

8% 

INCREASE IN PRODUCTION  
PER SHARE

See page 4 
for more info

  39.4

MILLION BOE  
OF P+P RESERVES

5%

INCREASE IN P+P RESERVES  
ON A PER SHARE BASIS 

See page 12  
for more info

  59% 

 $2.55 

ONE-YEAR TOTAL RETURN

PAID OUT PER SHARE IN 2010

  $1.2 

 $79.6 

BILLION MARKET CAP 

MILLION FUNDS FLOW 

14

YEAR DRILLING INVENTORY

420

GROSS DRILLING LOCATIONS

  77%

OF P+P RESERVES WEIGHTED 
TO CRUDE OIL/LIQUIDS

  17.8

YEAR RLI  
(PROVED PLUS PROBABLE)

See page 4  
for more info

See page 5  
for more info

See page 9  
for more info

See page 12  
for more info

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2

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ANNUAL 
HIGHLIGHTS

Funds Flow increased 20% in 2010.
Find out more on page 5

A 50% increase in dividends  
paid year over year.
Find out more on page 6

69% of production in 2010  
was oil/liquids. 
Find out more on page 26

Financial ($000s, except $ per share) 
Revenue – realized oil and gas 
Funds Flow (1) 

Per share basic 
Per share diluted  
Payout ratio 

Cash flow from operations 

Per share basic 
Per share diluted 
Payout ratio (2) 

Cash payments per share (2) 
Net earnings (3) 

Per share basic 
Per share diluted 

Capital expenditures and acquisitions (net of disposals)   
Total assets 
Working capital deficiency 
Long-term debt  
Shareholders’ equity 
Operations 
Oil and liquids (barrels per day) 
Natural gas (MCF per day) 
Total BOE per day  

2010 
118,980 
79,602 
4.23 
4.12 
60% 
66,262 
3.52 
3.42 
72% 
2.55 
49,864 
2.65 
2.58 
70,680 
335,144 
14,602 
85,386 
138,413 

3,875 
10,521 
5,628 

2009 
85,712 
66,504 
3.69 
3.67 
46% 
38,893 
2.16 
2.15 
79% 
1.70 
68,563 
3.81 
3.78 
5,640 
293,987 
10,162 
59,823 
118,874 

3,141 
11,120 
4,994 

2008
121,730
70,448
4.13
4.12
76%
69,570
4.07
4.06
77%
3.12
55,426
3.25
3.23
45,407
265,301
23,878
79,910
56,777

3,073
7,637
4,346

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2010 
Financial ($000s, except $ per share) 
Revenue – realized oil and gas 
Funds Flow (1) 

Per share basic 
Per share diluted  
Payout ratio 

Cash flow from operations 

Per share basic 
Per share diluted 
Payout ratio (3) 

Cash dividends per share (2) 
Net earnings 

Per share basic 
Per share diluted 

Capital expenditures and acquisitions  

(net of disposals) 

Total assets 
Working capital deficiency 
Long-term debt  
Shareholders’ equity 
Operations 
Oil and liquids (barrels per day) 
Natural gas (MCF per day) 
Total BOE per day  

4th  

3rd 

2nd 

1st

34,209 
21,104 
1.11 
1.08 
61% 
16,987 
0.89 
0.86 
74% 
0.68 
14,213 
0.75 
0.73 

25,318 
335,144 
14,602 
85,386 
138,413 

4,378 
10,214 
6,080 

28,332 
19,622 
1.04 
1.01 
63% 
17,558 
0.93 
0.91 
71% 
0.66 
12,724 
0.68 
0.66 

19,227 
318,493 
17,891 
73,901 
128,492 

3,890 
10,674 
5,669 

29,191 
17,550 
0.94 
0.91 
68% 
16,644 
0.89 
0.86 
72% 
0.64 
10,887 
0.58 
0.56 

10,994 
307,934 
2,281 
78,434 
126,045 

3,874 
11,157 
5,733 

27,248
21,326
1.14
1.11
50%
15,073
0.81
0.79
70%
0.57
12,040
0.64
0.63

15,141
305,440
13,178
63,097
125,392

3,345
10,038
5,018

(1)  Funds flow is not a recognized measure under GAAP. For these purposes, the Company defines funds flow as funds 

provided by operations before changes in non-cash operating working capital items but including gain on sale of property 
and investments, adjustments of investment tax credit receivable and excluding restricted cash and asset retirement 
obligations settled.

(2)   Cash dividend payments per share are based on payments made in respect of production months as opposed to the  

month paid. 

(3)   Net earnings includes gains from the sale of properties and investments and recognition of investment tax credits before tax 

effect as follows: (2010 - $10,820,000, 2009 - $51,868,000, 2008 - $Nil).

QUARTERLY 
HIGHLIGHTS

Bonterra met its 2010 target  
payout ratio of between  
60 and 75% of Funds Flow.
Find out more on page 6

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Q4 2010 production increased 
24% compared to Q4 2009.
Find out more on page 26

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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REPORT TO 
SHAREHOLDERS

Bonterra Energy Corp. (“Bonterra” or the “Company”) is pleased to report to shareholders its 
operational and financial results for the year ended December 31, 2010. The Company continues 
to maintain that the best assessment of an entity is its long-term return to shareholders. In 2010, 
Bonterra provided investors with a total return of 59 percent and continued to perform extremely 
well over longer periods of time. Total return to shareholders over a three year period (2008 – 2010) 
was 176 percent and over a five year period (2006 – 2010) was 205 percent. These positive results are 
mainly attributable to the Company’s success in the development of its Cardium horizontal drilling 
program. 

It is a long-term outlook that defines Bonterra’s business strategy. The Company provides investors with 
stable income in the form of a monthly dividend and the potential of appreciation of its share price by 
sustainable annual growth through the internal development and expansion of its high-quality asset base. 

GROWTH AND PERFORMANCE 

Bonterra has been a leader in applying horizontal, multi-stage frac technology in the Pembina Cardium 
field having drilled the first well in the halo area in 2008. The Company has continued to aggressively 
develop its Cardium opportunities in 2010 recording its best operational results to date. 

2010 highlights include:

  Drilled 22 gross (20.0 net) operated Cardium horizontal, multi-stage fractured wells with a  

100 percent success rate in the halo area.

  Participated in 5 gross (0.75 net) successful non-operated Cardium horizontal,  

multi-stage fractured wells in the main Pembina Cardium pool.

  Average daily production increased by 13 percent to 5,628 BOE per day.

  Production per share increased by 8 percent to 0.109 BOE per share.

  Total Proved plus Probable reserves increased by 10 percent to 39.4 million BOE. 

  Total Proved plus Probable reserves per share increased by 5 percent to 2.09 BOE per share.

0.109

0.101

0.092

0.091

0.087

2.09

1.99

1.83

1.62

1.57

Production per Share/Unit
(BOE)

Reserves per Share/Unit
(Proved plus Probable)

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

5 year compounded growth rate

  Total Proved reserves increased by 13 percent to 28.6 million BOE.

 
 
 
 
 
  Proved plus Probable reserve adds 2.7 times 2010 production.

  Proved plus Probable reserve life index of 17.8 years, one of the highest among  

conventional producers.

In 2011, Bonterra plans to invest between $50 to $60 million on its development program focusing 
capital and technical staff on the Company’s highest-quality opportunities. The program plan is to:

  Drill a minimum of 20 gross horizontal Cardium wells mainly in the halo area of the Pembina and 

Willesden Green fields with the remainder in the main pool of the Pembina field.

  Maintain a steady pace of development targeting 10 to 15 percent growth in production. Production 

for the full year 2011 is estimated to be between 6,200 to 6,500 BOE per day.

Implement further cost reduction initiatives on the horizontal drill program including new drilling  
and completion methods to not only decrease costs but also improve well performance and 
reserve recovery.

  Conduct project reviews throughout the year and apply additional operational efficiencies where 

possible to reduce operating costs to the $12.50 to $13.50 per BOE range.

  Continue to review and develop new opportunities to ensure long-term sustainable growth.

FINANCIAL RESULTS

Financial results in 2010 were positively impacted by increased production levels and improved crude oil 
prices. Overall, Bonterra generated cash flow from operations of $66.3 million and net earnings of  
$49.9 million or on a per share basis (basic), $3.52 and $2.65, respectively. The Company’s average realized 
price for crude oil and natural gas liquids increased 21.5 percent year over year to $72.69 per barrel. 
Natural gas prices remained depressed and the Company’s average realized price was $4.14 per MCF.

The improved crude oil pricing environment is positive for the Company. Bonterra’s production  
is composed of predominantly light oil and in 2010, 69 percent of the Company’s production was  
crude oil and liquids. The Board of Directors and management have decided to not engage in any 
hedging practices at the present time and have not hedged since 2008. 

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

Average Daily Production
(BOE per day)

Cash Flow from Operations
($ thousands)

Funds Flow
($ thousands)

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5,628

4,994

4,346

4,218

4,042

66,262

38,893

69,570

51,433

51,944

79,602

66,504

70,448

53,815

52,797

 
 
 
 
 
 
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2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

Cash Dividends/Distributions 
to Investors
($ per unit/share)

Funds Flow

Dividends/Distributions

$4.23
$2.55

$3.69
$1.70

$4.13
$3.12

$3.18
$2.64

$3.15
$2.82

In 2010, Bonterra increased the monthly cash dividend twice and paid out a total of $2.55 per share, an 
increase of 50 percent over 2009 levels. Subsequent to year-end, Bonterra was able to again increase  
the dividend to its current level of $0.24 per share which began with the dividend paid out in  
January 2011. 

Management and the Board of Directors will continue to monitor production volumes, commodity prices, 
operating costs, payout ratios and capital expenditures on a monthly basis to determine the dividend 
amount. There remains good potential to increase the dividend level should the current strong pricing 
environment persist coupled with expected production level increases resulting from the capital program. 

 FINANCIAL STRENGTH

A conservative approach to the Company’s capital structures has been a key factor in building financial 
strength and flexibility. Bonterra retains its strong financial position by maintaining a sustainable growth 
strategy, minimizing the amount and cost of debt and raising equity when prudent. As a result, Bonterra 
is well funded to execute the 2011 capital program and to pursue additional acquisition opportunities that 
may become available.

Bonterra has over $436 million in tax pools, $27 million in investment tax credits and $141 million of capital 
loss carry forwards (which can only be claimed against taxable capital gains). The Company anticipates 
that these pools push Bonterra’s tax horizon beyond 2018.

The Company ended 2010 with a total of debt and working capital to cash flow ratio of 1.18 times (based 
on a total of debt and working capital of $100.0 million and annualized 2010 fourth quarter funds flow of 
$84.4 million). As a result of its strong financial position, Bonterra is well funded to execute the  
2011 capital program and to pursue additional acquisition opportunities that may become available. 

ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS

Bonterra has strengthened its asset base by selling a portion of its non-core holdings. In February 2010, 
the Company disposed of its Southeast Saskatchewan Pinto property. The proceeds of disposition were 
$5,534,000 cash. In addition, during the third quarter of 2010 the Company disposed of non-producing land 
for proceeds of $700,000. The Company re-deployed the proceeds from these dispositions towards 
Bonterra’s 2010 Cardium drilling program.

 
 
 
 
 
7

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Bonterra’s core asset base is concentrated in the Cardium pools located in the Pembina and Willesden 
Green fields of west central Alberta. The Company’s high level of concentration and experience in the  
area provides Bonterra with the knowledge to efficiently exploit the Cardium formation. As such, Bonterra 
plans to pursue land and corporate acquisitions to acquire further interests in its key resource plays. 
In addition, Bonterra is also considering natural gas acquisitions to take advantage of the low price 
environment. Bonterra’s enviable, mainly oil, drilling inventory of over 14 years may allow the 
Company to acquire natural gas assets at low prices and to wait until natural gas pricing improves  
before developing these properties. 

OUTLOOK

This is an exciting time for Bonterra and its shareholders. The Company has a superior inventory of 
long-life, light oil targets in the Cardium play and the flexibility to allocate internal resources 
to achieve the best returns. The Company will continue to execute a disciplined approach to its 
operations and financial management in 2011 to maximize shareholder value on a long-term basis while 
remaining committed to continuous improvements and safety across its operations. 

The Company is confident that 2011 will be a year of growth for both its operations and its investors. 
Bonterra would like to take this opportunity to thank its long-term shareholders for their continued support 
of the Company, the Board of Directors for their strategic guidance and its employees for continuing to 
create and deliver outstanding value for shareholders.

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

George F. Fink 
Chairman of the  
Board and Chief  
Executive Officer 

Randy M. Jarock 
President and 
Chief Operating Officer 

Proved plus Probable Reserves
(MBOE)

Proved plus Probable 
Reserve Life Index
(years)

39,397

35,824

31,241

27,321

26,476

17.8

20.1

18.7

17.4

17.6

 
 
 
 
 
8

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Bonterra’s demonstrated 
history of year over year 
reserve and production 
growth on a per share 
basis is unparalleled in the 
energy industry. Growth 
on a per share basis will 
remain a prime objective 
for Bonterra. 

14 year

DRILLING INVENTORY

10%-15%

PRODUCTION
GROWTH TARGET
FOR 2011

 
 
 
 
 
01-25-047-03W5

Well Production

Actual versus Predicted Performance

Current Performance Point
(as of Dec 2010)

Model was calibrated with 
production and pressure 
data up to this point

70,000 

60,000 

50,000 

40,000 

30,000 

20,000 

10,000 

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5

10

15
Month

20

25

0

0 

100  200  300  400  500  600  700  800  900 

Total Time on Production, days

History-Matched Period           
Additional Well Performance Data                   Model Prediction

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OPERATIONAL 
REVIEW

The enormous resource potential, robust economics 
and solid results recorded by Bonterra in its horizontal 
Cardium drilling program continue to provide the 
Company with strong competitive advantages. 

Bonterra drilled the first horizontal well (01-25-047-
03W5) in the Pembina halo area in late 2008 which has 
averaged 101 BOE per producing day to date. This well 
has performed as expected, exhibiting a typical Cardium 
hyperbolic decline that is generally observed in the main 
Pembina Pool. The well has also tracked favorably with 
Sproule Associates Limited’s predicted performance 
trend from the 3-D Reservoir Model that was completed in 
September, 2009. This 3-D numerical model indicates that 
oil recoveries of up to 225,000 stock tank barrels per well 
are achievable in portions of the Cardium halo with similar 
well completion and reservoir characteristics.

250

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100

50

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0

0 

Bonterra’s operations are defined by consistency and 
sustainability. Bonterra’s demonstrated history of year 
over year reserve and production growth on a per share 
basis is unparalleled in the energy industry. Growth  
on a per share basis will remain a prime objective  
for Bonterra.

In 2011, Bonterra plans to drill at least 20 wells, 
predominantly in the halo area of the Pembina and 
Willesden Green Cardium fields with the remainder in the 
main pool of the Pembina Cardium field. The Company 
plans to continue advancing its use of horizontal 
multi-stage technology in the main part of the Pembina 
Cardium pool in 2011 by initiating an operated multi-well 
program in the second half of 2011 with the objective of 
changing the pool exploitation strategy to horizontal well 
development from vertical well development. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10 CARDIUM HORIZONTAL DRILLING

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OVERVIEW

Bonterra is the third largest operator in the Pembina Cardium field, Canada’s largest conventional light 
oil field, with approximately 160 gross (117 net) sections including 27.5 gross (23.9 net) sections in the 
halo area. Bonterra has a 14 year drilling inventory with 420 gross locations already identified including 
at least 52 gross horizontal locations in the Halo area of the Pembina and Willesden Green fields. 

In 2011, the Company will spend $50 to $60 million on its capital development program focused  
mainly on its horizontal drill program. Full year production rates are expected to average between  
6,200 to 6,500 BOE per day, an increase of 10 to 15 percent over 2010 levels. 

West
Pembina

Berrymoor
Cardium
Unit

T51

T50

T49

T48

T47

East
Carnwood

Warburg

T46

Willesden Green

BONTERRA LANDS

R14

R13

R12

R11

R10

R9

R8

R7

R6

R5

R4

R3

R2W5

T45

T44

T43

Main Pool

Bonterra participated in successfully drilling 
five gross (0.75 net) non-operated horizontal 
Berrymoor Cardium Unit wells in the main 
Pembina Cardium pool. The Company plans  
to further advance the use of horizontal  
multi-stage technology in 2011 with the objective 
of converting some identified vertical locations 
to horizontals locations. 

98.4 gross (82.3 net) sections

5 gross (0.75 net) wells drilled in 2010

6 gross (2.9 net) wells planned in 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
West Pembina

East Carnwood

The West Pembina area was a key focus area for the Company in 2010. 
Bonterra’s development plans in 2011 will involve completing development 
of the area to four wells per section. 

Bonterra will look to follow up on the success of the 15-22-48-05W5 well in 
this area with its 2011 capital development program.

2222

23

24

19

20

21

22

23

24

19

20

21

22

19

20

21

22

23

24

19

20

21

MAIN POOL

22

23

24

19

15

14

10

11

13

12

3

2

1

18

17

16

15

14

13

18

17

16

15

7

6

8

5

9

4

10

11

HALOHALO

12

7

3

2

1

6

8

5

9

4

10

T48

3

2

33

34

35

36

31

32

33

34

35

36

31

32

33

28

27

26

25

30

29

28

27

26

25

30

29

28

T47

34

27

21

22

23

24

19

20

21

22

23

24

19

20

21

22

16

15

14

13

18

17

16

15

14

13

MAIN POOL
MAIN POOL

15

16

17

18

9

10

11

12

3

2

1

7

6

8

5

9

4

10

11

12

3

2

1

7

6

8

5

9

10

4

T46

3

34

35

36

31

32

33

34

35

36

31

32

33

34

R4

27

26

25

R3

30

29

28

27

26

R2W5

25

30

29

28

27

22

23

24

19

20

21

22

23

24

19

20

21

22

   4 gross (3.75 net) sections
  12 wells drilled in 2010
  4 gross (3 net) wells planned  

in 2011

  278,310 Bbls of cumulative oil  

production (02/28/2011)

  2,845.6 MBOE Proved reserves;  

4,062.1 MBOE Proved plus  
Probable reserves

18

17

16

15

14

13

18

17

16

15

14

13

18

7

6

8

5

9

4

10

11

12

3

2

1

7

6

8

5

9

4

10

11

12

3

2

1

7

6

31

32

33

34

35

36

31

32

33

34

35

36

31

30

29

28

27

26

25

30

29

28

27

26

25

30

19

20

21

22

23

24

19

20

21

22

23

24

19

18

17

16

HALOHALO

15

14

13

18

17

16

15

14

13

18

7

6

8

5

9

4

10

11

12

3

2

1

7

6

8

5

9

4

10

11

12

3

2

1

7

6

   5.5 gross (4.375 net) 

sections

  5 gross (4.25 net) wells 

drilled in 2010

  5 gross wells (3.75 net) 

planned in 2011

  93,157 Bbls of 

cumulative oil 
production (02/28/2011)

  1,846 MBOE Proved; 
3,139.6 MBOE Proved 
plus Probable reserves

11

B
O
N
T
E
R
R
A

E
N
E
R
Y

C
O
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P

.

2
0
1
0

A
N
N
U
A
L

R
E
P
O
R
T

Willesden Green

Warburg

This area provides the Company with a large potential for future reserve 
growth and will be an important component of the 2011 capital  
development program.

Bonterra has recorded success in this area, the initial area of development. 
It has demonstrated potential for low-risk and repeatable infill development.

2323

2424

1919

2020

2121

2222

2323

2424

1414

1313

1818

1717

1616

1515

1414

1313

1111

1212

2

1

77

6

88

5

99

4

1010

HALOHALO

1111

122

3

2

1

3535

3636

3131

3232

3333

3434

3535

3636

2626

2525

3030

2929

2828

2727

2626

2525

2323

2424

1919

2020

2121

2222

2323

2424

1414

1313

1818

1717

1616

1515

1414

1313

19

1818

77

6

311

3030

199

1818

2020

2121

2222

1717

1616

1515

88

5

9

4

1010

3

3232

3333

3434

2929

2828

2727

2020

2121

2222

177

1616

155

1111

1212

22

11

77

66

88

55

99

44

1010

1111

1212

33

22

11

7

66

MAIN POOL
MAIN POOL

1010

8

9

55

44

33

MAIN POOL

   5 gross (4.875 net) sections
  4 gross wells (3.75 net) 

drilled in 2010

  5 gross (5 net) wells planned 

in 2011

  17,211 Bbls of cumulative oil 

production (02/28/2011)

  251.3 MBOE Proved;  

838.1 MBOE Proved plus 
Probable reserves

   7.75 gross (5.3 net) sections
  3 gross (2.0 net) wells drilled  

in 2010

  2 gross (1.4 net) wells planned 

in 2011

  354,075 Bbls of cumulative oil 

production (02/28/2011)

HALO

  1,409 MBOE Proved;  

2,197 MBOE Proved plus  
Probable reserves 

3535

3636

3131

3232

3333

3434

3535

3636

3131

3232

3333

3434

* Drilling plans are subject to change based on actual results.

 
 
 
 
 
12

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0
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2

.

P
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Y
R
E
N
E

A
R
R
E
T
N
O
B

STATISTICAL REVIEW

RESERVES

Bonterra engaged the services of Sproule Associates Limited to prepare a reserve evaluation with an 
effective date of December 31, 2010. The reserves are located in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia 
and Saskatchewan. Bonterra’s largest producing area is located in the Pembina and Willesden Green fields 
of Alberta, which contains 94.3 percent of the Company’s reserves of a Proved plus Probable basis. The gross 
reserve figures from the following tables represent Bonterra’s ownership interest before royalties and before 
consideration of the Company’s royalty interests. Tables may not add due to rounding.

SUMMARY OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2010

Reserve Category: 
Proved 
  Developed Producing 
  Developed Non-Producing 
  Undeveloped 
Total Proved 
Probable 
Total Proved Plus Probable 

   Light and  
   Medium 
   Oil (Mbbl) 

Natural 
Gas 
(MMcf) 

Natural 
 Gas Liquids 
 (Mbbl) 

15,594.4 
206.1 
4,693.0 
20,493.5 
7,708.2 
28,201.7 

32,552 
507 
5,441 
38,500 
15,192 
53,692 

1,400.7 
12.6 
251.7 
1,665.0 
581.7 
2,246.7 

BOE(1) 
(MBOE)

22,420.3
303.3
5,851.4
28,575.1
10,822.0
39,397.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13

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E
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C
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A
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N
U
A
L

R
E
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O
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T

RECONCILIATION OF COMPANY GROSS RESERVES BY PRINCIPAL 
PRODUCT TYPE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2010

Light and Medium 
Oil and Natural 
Gas Liquids 

Proved 
plus 
  Probable 

Proved 

(Mbbl)   

19,220.1 
2,984.1 
0 
1,474.1 
0 
0 
(178.9) 
73.5 
(1,414.4)   
22,158.5 

 (Mbbl)   
27,567.7 
4,915.8 
0 
(489.9) 
0 
0 
(213.3) 
82.5 
(1,414.4)   
30,448.4 

December 31, 2009 
Extension 
Improved Recovery 
Technical Revisions 

  Discoveries 
  Acquisitions 
  Dispositions 

Economic factors 

  Production 
December 31, 2010 

Natural Gas 

BOE(1)

Proved 
plus 
  Probable 

Proved 
(MMcf)   
36,642 
2,706 
0 
3,512 
0 
0 
(318) 
(202) 
(3,840)   
38,500 

 (MMcf)   
49,539 
4,374 
0 
4,193 
0 
0 
(376) 
(198) 
(3,840)   
53,692 

Proved 
Plus  
  Probable 
(MBOE)
35,824.2
5,644.8
0
208.9
0
0
(276.0)
49.5
(2,054.4)
39,397.1

Proved 
 (MBOE)   
25,327.1 
3,435.1 
0 
2,059.4 
0 
0 
(231.9) 
39.8 
(2,054.4)   
28,575.2 

SUMMARY OF NET PRESENT VALUES OF FUTURE NET REVENUE  
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2010

Net Present Values of Future Net Revenue Before Income Taxes Discounted at (%/Year)

($ Millions) 
Reserve Category: 
Proved 
  Developed Producing 
  Developed Non-Producing 
  Undeveloped 
Total Proved 
Probable 
Total Proved Plus Probable   

0% 

5% 

10% 

15% 

20% 

Future 
  Net Value 
10%/yr 
  ($/BOE)(1)

1,097.7 
14.4 
207.1 
1,319.2 
644.5 
1,963.7 

656.9 
10.7 
135.8 
803.5 
251.8 
1,055.2 

479.9 
8.6 
93.1 
581.6 
132.1 
713.6 

385.3 
7.2 
65.4 
457.9 
82.0 
540.0 

326.0 
6.2 
46.5 
378.7 
56.1 
434.8 

24.15
31.65
18.85
23.19
14.58
20.91

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
14

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0
1
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2

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P
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Y
R
E
N
E

A
R
R
E
T
N
O
B

Net Present Values of Future Net Revenue After Income Taxes Discounted at (%/Year)

($ Millions) 
Reserves Category: 
Proved 
  Developed Producing 
  Developed Non-Producing 
  Undeveloped 
Total Proved 
Probable 
Total Proved Plus Probable 

0% 

929.5 
10.8 
155.3 
1,095.5 
483.5 
1,579.0 

5% 

585.3 
8.3 
100.3 
693.9 
188.5 
882.3 

10% 

441.9 
6.8 
67.4 
516.1 
98.7 
614.8 

15% 

362.7 
5.8 
46.1 
414.7 
61.2 
475.9 

20%

311.5
5.2
31.6
348.2
41.9
390.1

Commodity prices used in the above calculations of reserves are as follows: 

 Natural Gas 
AECO- 
C-Spot 
 (Cdn $  

  Edmonton 
  Par Price 
 (Cdn $ 
per BBl)   per MMbtu)    

93.08 
93.85 
93.43 
93.54 
94.95 
96.38 
97.84 
99.32 
100.81 
102.34 

4.04 
4.66 
4.99 
6.58 
6.69 
6.80 
6.91 
7.02 
7.14 
7.26 

  Butanes 
  Edmonton 
 (Cdn $ 
per Bbl)    
62.44 
  62.95 
62.67 
62.75 
63.69 
64.65 
65.63 
66.62 
67.63 
68.65 

  Pentanes 
  Edmonton 
(Cdn $ 
per Bbl)   
95.32 
96.11 
95.68 
95.79 
97.24 
98.71 
100.20 
101.71 
103.25 
104.81 

Inflation 
Rate 

Exchange 
Rate 
 (%/Yr)    ($ U.S./$ Cdn)
0.932
0.932
0.932
0.932
0.932
0.932
0.932
0.932
0.932
0.932

1.5   
1.5   
1.5   
1.5   
1.5   
1.5   
1.5   
1.5   
1.5   
1.5   

Year 
2011 
2012 
2013 
2014 
2015 
2016 
2017 
2018 
2019 
2020 

Crude oil, natural gas and liquid prices escalate at 1.5 percent thereafter.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
15

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E
N
E
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Y

C
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P

.

2
0
1
0

A
N
N
U
A
L

R
E
P
O
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T

2010 FINDING AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS

The Company has historically been active in its capital development program. Over three years, Bonterra has 
incurred the following finding and development (F&D) and finding, development and acquisition(FD&A)(3) costs: 

Proved Reserve Net Additions 
Proved plus Probable Reserve Net Additions 

Proved Reserve Net Additions 
Proved plus Probable Reserve Net Additions 

  2010 F&D 
  Costs per 
  BOE(1)(2) 
21.98 
$ 
19.19 
$ 

 2010 FD&A 
  Costs per 
  BOE(1)(2)(3) 
20.86 
$ 
18.13 
$ 

2009 F&D 
  Costs per 
BOE(1)(2) 
16.23 
11.01 

$ 
$ 

  2009 FD&A 
  Costs per  
  BOE(1)(2)(3) 
13.25 
$ 
8.93 
$ 

2008 F&D 
  Costs per 
BOE(1)(2) 
7.00 
6.82 

$ 
$ 

  2008 FD&A 
  Costs per 
  BOE(1)(2)(3) 
8.67 
$ 
7.47 
$ 

  Three Year 
  Average
15.07
$ 
12.34
$ 

  Three Year 
  Average
14.26
$ 
11.51
$ 

(1)  Barrels of Oil Equivalent may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A BOE conversion ratio of 6 MCF: 1 bbl is based  

on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at 
the wellhead.

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

(3)  FD&A costs are net of proceeds of disposal and the FD&A costs per BOE are based on reserves acquired net of reserves 

disposed of.

FD&A and F&D cost increases are primarily due to 1) a 12 percent increase to the Company’s average 
horizontal well costs, reflecting the deeper Cardium targets in West Pembina and Willesden Green and  
the placing of more fracs per well; 2) capital for infrastructure which will reduce operating expense but  
not increase reserves was included that was not included in the previous reserve report; and 3) due to the  
51-101 Standards of Disclosure only six of a possible 22 wells were assigned reserves in Willesden Green.

All reserves numbers provided in the preceding tables are Bonterra’s interest before royalties. It should not 
be assumed that the estimates of future net revenue presented in the above tables represent the fair market 
value of reserves. There is no assurance that the forecast prices and costs assumptions will be attained and 
variances could be material. Estimates of reserves and future net revenues 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. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16

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A
U
N
N
A
0
1
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2

.

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Y
R
E
N
E

A
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R
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T
N
O
B

PRODUCTION

Pembina, Alberta 
British Columbia 
Saskatchewan 
Other Alberta 

LAND HOLDINGS

Alberta 
British Columbia 
Saskatchewan 

  Oils and NGLs 
(Bbls per day) 
3,564 
22 
172 
117 
3,875 

2010
Natural Gas 
(MCF per day) 
6,607 
2,971 
269 
674 
10,521 

Total 
(BOE per day)
4,665
517
217
229
5,628

2010 

2009

Gross Acres 

172,749 
61,330 
6,881 
240,960 

 Net Acres 
109,944 
21,217 
5,640 
136,801 

 Gross Acres 
172,907 
73,194 
14,779 
260,880 

  Net Acres
109,710
28,509
12,846
151,065

PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS EXPENDITURES

The following table summarizes petroleum and natural gas capital expenditures incurred by Bonterra  
on acquisitions, land, seismic, exploration and development drilling and production facilities for the years 
ended December 31: 

($000s) 
Land 
Acquisitions 
Disposals 
Exploration and development costs 
Net petroleum and natural gas capital expenditures 

2010 
- 
- 
(6,234) 
76,914 
70,680 

2009
  5,184
  7,105  
(30,191)
  22,912
  5,640

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
17

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T
E
R
R
A

E
N
E
R
Y

C
O
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P

.

2
0
1
0

A
N
N
U
A
L

R
E
P
O
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T

DRILLING HISTORY

The following tables summarize Bonterra’s gross and net drilling activity and success: 

Crude oil 
Natural gas 
Dry 
Total 
Success rate 

Crude oil 
Natural gas 
Dry 
Total 
Success rate 

Crude oil 
Natural gas 
Dry 
Total 
Success rate 

Development 

Exploratory 

Total

2010

Gross 
30 
1 

- 

31 
100% 

Net 
22.09 
0.11 

- 

22.20 
100% 

Gross 
- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

Development 

2009
Exploratory 

Gross 
15.0 
2.0 
- 
17.0 
100% 

Net 
12.4 
0.4 
- 
12.8 
100% 

Gross 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

Development 

2008
Exploratory 

Net 
- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

Net 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

Gross 
30 
1 

- 

31 
100% 

Total

Gross 
15.0 
2.0 
- 
17.0 
100% 

Total

Gross 

Net 

Gross 

Net 

Gross 

35.0 
8.0 
- 
43.0 
100% 

25.5 
5.1 
- 
30.6 
100% 

1 
- 
- 
1 
100% 

0.3 
- 
- 
0.3 
100% 

36.0 
8.0 
- 
44.0 
100% 

Net
22.09
0.11

-

22.20
100%

Net
12.4
0.4
-
12.8
100%

Net

25.8
5.1
-
30.9
100%

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18

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2

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P
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N
E

A
R
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T
N
O
B

SHARE TRADING STATISTICS

High 
Low 
Close 
Daily Average Trading Volume 

BONTERRA VS. THE INDICES

$ 
$ 
$ 

2010 
53.56 
31.27 
51.65 
29,041 

$ 
$ 
$ 
$ 

2009
36.44
13.50
35.14
22,704

Cumulative Total Return on $100 Investment

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

Dec. 2005

Dec. 2006

Dec. 2007

Dec. 2008

Dec. 2009

Dec. 2010

Bonterra  

TSX 300 Composite Index              

      TSX Energy Index     

2010 Production by Commodity

2010 Reserves by Commodity
(based on Proved plus Probable Reserves)

69%  Oil and NGLs

31%  Natural Gas 

77%  Oil and NGLs

23%  Natural Gas 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
19

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A

E
N
E
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Y

C
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P

.

2
0
1
0

A
N
N
U
A
L

R
E
P
O
R
T

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION  
AND ANALYSIS

This report dated March 22, 2011 is a review of the operations, current financial position, and outlook for 
Bonterra Energy Corp. (“Bonterra” or the “Company”) and should be read in conjunction with the audited 
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010, together with the notes related thereto.

NON-GAAP MEASURES

Throughout this Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) we use the terms “payout ratio” and 
“cash netback” to analyze operating performance. We calculate payout ratio by dividing cash dividends to 
shareholders by cash flow from operating activities both of which are measures prescribed by GAAP  
which appear on our consolidated statements of cash flows. We calculate cash netback by dividing  
various operation and deficit statement items as determined by GAAP by total production on a barrel of  
oil equivalent basis. 

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain statements contained in this MD&A include statements which contain words such as “anticipate”, 
“could”, “should”, “expect”, “seek”, “may”, “intend”, “likely”, “will”, “believe” and similar expressions, 
statements relating to matters that are not historical facts, and such statements of our beliefs, intentions 
and expectations about development, results and events which will or may occur in the future, constitute 
“forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and are 
based on certain assumptions and analysis made by us derived from our experience and perceptions. 
Forward-looking information in this MD&A includes, but is not limited to: expected cash provided by 
continuing operations; dividends; future capital expenditures, including the amount and nature thereof; oil 
and natural gas prices and demand; expansion and other development trends of the oil and gas industry; 
business strategy and outlook; expansion and growth of our business and operations; and maintenance of 
existing customer, supplier and partner relationships; supply channels; accounting policies; credit risks;  
and other such matters.

 
 
 
 
 
20

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0
1
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2

.

P
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Y
R
E
N
E

A
R
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T
N
O
B

All such forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions and analyses made by us in light of 
our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as  
well as other factors we believe are appropriate in the circumstances. The risks, uncertainties, and  
assumptions are difficult to predict and may affect operations, and may include, without limitation: foreign 
exchange fluctuations; equipment and labour shortages and inflationary costs; general economic conditions; 
industry conditions; changes in applicable environmental, taxation and other laws and regulations as well as 
how such laws and regulations are interpreted and enforced; the ability of oil and natural gas companies to 
raise capital; the effect of weather conditions on operations and facilities; the existence of operating risks; 
volatility of oil and natural gas prices; oil and gas product supply and demand; risks inherent in the ability to 
generate sufficient cash flow from operations to meet current and future obligations; increased competition; 
stock market volatility; opportunities available to or pursued by us; and other factors, many of which are 
beyond our control. The foregoing factors are not exhaustive and are further discussed herein under the 
heading Business Prospects, Risks and Outlooks as well as in the Company’s Annual Information Form  
filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or  
implied by, this forward-looking information and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the 
events anticipated by the forward-looking information will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what 
benefits will be derived therefrom. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention or 
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, 
future events or otherwise. 

The forward-looking information contained herein is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

 
 
 
 
 
ANNUAL COMPARISONS

As at and for the years ended December 31, 
Financial ($000s, except $ per share)
Revenue – realized oil and gas 
Cash flow from operations 
  Per share basic 
  Per share diluted 
Cash payments per share (1) 
Payout ratio (1) 
Net earnings (2) 
  Per share basic 
  Per share diluted 
Capital expenditures and acquisitions (net of disposals) 
Total assets 
Working capital deficiency 
Long-term debt  
Shareholders’ equity 
Operations 
Oil and liquids (barrels per day) 
Natural gas (MCF per day) 
Total BOE per day  

2010 

2009 

2008

118,980 
66,262 
3.52 
3.42 
2.55 
72% 
49,864 
2.65 
2.58 
70,680 
335,144 
14,602 
85,386 
138,413 

3,875 
10,521 
5,628 

85,712 
38,893 
2.16 
2.15 
1.70 
79% 
68,563 
3.81 
3.78 
5,640 
293,987 
10,162 
59,823 
118,874 

3,141 
11,120 
4,994 

121,730
69,570
4.07
4.06
3.12
77%
55,426
3.25
3.23
45,407
265,301
23,878
79,910
56,777

3,073
7,637
4,346

(1)   Cash dividend payments per share are based on payments made in respect of production months as opposed to the  

month paid. 

(2)   Net earnings includes gains from the sale of properties and investments and recognition of investment tax credits before tax 

effect as follows: (2010 – $10,820,000, 2009 – $51,868,000, 2008 – $Nil)

21

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O
N
T
E
R
R
A

E
N
E
R
Y

C
O
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P

.

2
0
1
0

A
N
N
U
A
L

R
E
P
O
R
T

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
22

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L
A
U
N
N
A
0
1
0
2

.

P
R
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Y
R
E
N
E

A
R
R
E
T
N
O
B

QUARTERLY COMPARISONS

Financial ($000s, except $ per share) 
Revenue – realized oil and gas 
Cash flow from operations 
  Per share basic 
  Per share diluted 
Cash dividends per share (1) 
Payout ratio (1) 
Net earnings 
  Per share basic 
  Per share diluted 
Capital expenditures and acquisitions (net of disposals) 
Total assets 
Working capital deficiency 
Long-term debt  
Shareholders’ equity 
Operations 
Oil and liquids (barrels per day) 
Natural gas (MCF per day) 
Total BOE per day  

4th 
34,209 
16,987 
0.89 
0.86 
0.68 
74% 
14,213 
0.75 
0.73 
25,318 
335,144 
14,602 
85,386 
138,413 

4,378 
10,214 
6,080 

3rd 
28,332 
17,558 
0.93 
0.91 
0.66 
71% 
12,724 
0.68 
0.66 
19,227 
318,493 
17,891 
73,901 
128,492 

3,890 
10,674 
5,669 

2010

2nd 
29,191 
16,644 
0.89 
0.86 
0.64 
72% 
10,887 
0.58 
0.56 
10,994 
307,934 
2,281 
78,434 
126,045 

3,874 
11,157 
5,733 

1st
27,248
15,073
0.81
0.79
0.57
70%
12,040
0.64
0.63
15,141
305,440
13,178
63,097
125,392

3,345
10,038
5,018

(1)   Cash dividend payments per share are based on payments made in respect of production months as opposed to the  

month paid. 

(2)   Net earnings includes gains from the sale of properties and investments and recognition of investment tax credits before tax 

effect as follows: (2010 – $10,820,000, 2009 – $51,868,000, 2008 – $Nil)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial ($000s, except $ per share) 
Revenue – realized oil and gas 
Cash flow from operations 
  Per share basic 
  Per share diluted 
Cash dividends per share (1) 
Payout ratio (1) 
Net earnings 
  Per share basic 
  Per share diluted 
Capital expenditures and acquisitions (net of disposals) 
Total assets 
Working capital deficiency 
Long-term debt  
Shareholders’ equity 
Operations 
Oil and liquids (barrels per day) 
Natural gas (MCF per day) 
Total BOE per day  

4th 
24,946 
13,673 
0.76 
0.75 
0.50 
66% 
52,136 
2.88 
2.85 
(16,976) 
293,987 
10,162 
59,823 
118,874 

3,182 
10,193 
4,881 

3rd 
20,965 
9,350 
0.50 
0.50 
0.44 
87% 
5,790 
0.32 
0.32 
17,660 
273,543 
14,455 
81,386 
74,025 

3,084 
10,881 
4,898 

2009

2nd 
20,501 
9,238 
0.52 
0.52 
0.40 
77% 
4,544 
0.26 
0.26 
2,255 
258,393 
13,989 
71,573 
72,332 

3,029 
11,551 
4,954 

1st
19,300
6,632
0.38
0.38
0.36
94%
6,093
0.35
0.35
2,701
260,732
14,909
89,383
56,377

3,268
11,877
5,245

(1)   Cash dividend payments per share are based on payments made in respect of production months as opposed to the  

month paid. 

(2)   Net earnings includes gains from the sale of properties and investments and recognition of investment tax credits before tax 

effect as follows: (2010 – $10,820,000, 2009 – $51,868,000, 2008 – $Nil).

23

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DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure controls and procedures (DC&P) are defined under National Instrument 52-109 – Certification of 
Disclosure Controls in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings (NI 52-109) as “…controls and other procedures 
of an issuer that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed 
by the issuer 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 include controls and procedures designed 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 issuer’s management, including its certifying 
officers as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.” The Company has conducted 
a review and evaluation of its DC&P, with the conclusion that as at December 31, 2010 the Company has an 
effective system of DC&P as defined under NI 52-109. In reaching this conclusion, the Company recognizes 
that two key factors must be and are present:

1.  the Company is very dependent upon its advisors and consultants (principally its legal counsels) 
to assist in recognizing, interpreting, understanding and complying with the various securities 
regulations disclosure requirements; and

2.  the Company has an active Board and management with open lines of communication.

Bonterra has a small staff with varying degrees of knowledge concerning the various regulatory disclosure 
requirements. In many circumstances, the various regulatory requirements are relatively new, subject to 
interpretation, and complex. The Company is not of sufficient size to justify a separate department or one or 
more staff member specialists in this area. Therefore the Company must rely upon its advisors/consultants 
to assist it and as such they form part of the disclosure controls and procedures.

Proper disclosure necessitates that a person not only be aware of the pertinent disclosure requirements, 
but must also be sufficiently involved in the affairs of the Company and/or receives the communication 
of information to assess any necessary disclosure requirements. Accordingly, it is essential that there be 
proper communication among those people who manage and govern the affairs of the Company, this being 
the Board of Directors and senior management. The Company believes this communication exists.

While Bonterra believes it has adequate DC&P in place, lapses in the disclosure controls and procedures 
could occur and/or errors could occur. Should such occur, the Company intends to take whatever steps it 
deems necessary to minimize the consequences thereof.

 
 
 
 
 
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INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR) are defined in NI 52-109 as “… a process designed by, or 
under the supervision of, an issuer’s certifying officers and effected by the issuer’s board of directors, 
management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial 
reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with the issuer’s 
Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (GAAP) and includes those policies and procedures that:

1.  pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the 

transactions and dispositions of the assets of the issuer;

2.  are designed to provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit 
preparation of financial statements in accordance with the issuer’s GAAP, and that receipts and 
expenditures of the issuer are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management  
and directors of the issuer; and

3.  are designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of 

unauthorized acquisitions, use or disposition of the issuer’s assets that could have a material effect on 
the annual financial statements or interim financial statements.”

The Company has conducted a review and evaluation of its ICFR, with the conclusion that as of  
December 31, 2010, the Company’s system of ICFR as defined under NI 52-109 is adequately designed to 
provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial 
statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the Company has concluded that 
sufficient mitigating controls exist that the below mentioned weaknesses have resulted in no material 
impact on the Company’s financial reporting or ICFR.

The control framework the Company used to design and evaluate its ICFR was the Committee of 
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In its evaluation, the Company identified 
certain weaknesses in internal controls over financial reporting:

1.  due to the limited number of staff at the Company, it is not feasible to achieve the complete 

segregation of incompatible duties; and 

2.  due to the limited number of staff, the Company relies upon third parties as participants in the 

Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

 
 
 
 
 
26

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The Company believes these weaknesses are mitigated by: the active involvement of senior management 
and the Board of Directors in the affairs of the Company; open lines of communication within the Company; 
the present levels of activities and transactions within the Company being readily transparent; the thorough 
review of the Company’s financial statements by management, the Board of Directors and by the Company’s 
auditors; and the establishment of a whistle-blower policy. Based on the above identified weaknesses, the 
Company has concluded that the Company’s ICFR are ineffective. The mitigating factors will not necessarily 
prevent a misstatement occurring as a result of the aforesaid weaknesses in the Company’s internal controls 
over financial reporting. A system of internal controls over financial reporting, no matter how well conceived 
or operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the internal controls 
over financial reporting are met. The Company has no plans for remediating the above weaknesses. 

INTERNAL CONTROL CHANGES

The Company is required to comply with Multilateral Instrument 52-109 “Certification of Disclosure in 
Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings”, otherwise referred to as Canadian SOX (C-Sox). The 2010 certificate 
requires that the Company disclose in the MD&A any changes in the Company’s internal control over 
financial reporting that occurred during the period that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to 
materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Company confirms that no 
such changes were made to the internal controls over financial reporting during 2010.

PRODUCTION

Crude oil and NGLs (barrels per day) 
Natural gas (MCF per day) 
Average BOE per day 

Three Months Ended 

Twelve Months Ended

December  
31, 2010 
4,378 
10,214 
6,080 

September 
30, 2010 
3,890 
10,674 
5,669 

December 
31, 2009 
3,182 
10,193 
4,881 

December 
31, 2010 
3,875 
10,521 
5,628 

December 
31, 2009
3,141
11,120
4,994

Barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) are calculated using a conversion ratio of 6 MCF to 1 barrel of oil. The 
conversion is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and 
does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead and as such may be misleading if used in isolation. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
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Bonterra’s 2010 average production increased 12.7 percent on a per BOE per day basis over 2009 which 
includes the production from the February 2010 sale of the Pinto property of approximately 60 BOE per 
day and the November 2009 sale of the Shaunavon property of approximately 200 BOE per day. Crude oil 
production increased by 23.4 percent while gas production decreased by 5.4 percent. The natural gas 
decrease was due primarily to the shut in of a portion of the Company’s Pembina natural gas production.  
In June 2010, a non-operated natural gas plant, to which Bonterra delivers a portion of its natural gas, 
reached capacity and resulted in the shut in of a number of the Company’s natural gas wells. The average 
amount of shut in natural gas during Q3 was approximately 660 MCF per day (110 BOE per day). 

Effective October 1, 2010, the Company was notified of additional shut in requirements due to other owners 
in the plant increasing their throughput. Although Bonterra is an owner in the facility, the Company had been 
delivering natural gas volumes well in excess of its ownership percentage. The amount of natural gas shut 
in effective October 1, 2010 was approximately 1,100 MCF per day (183 BOE per day) net to the Company. 
The Company is currently reviewing alternatives, while considering the current low natural gas prices, to 
either redirect this natural gas production or participate with the other owners in the plant in the expansion 
of the facility. A short-term solution has been presented by one of the other owners where they would 
redirect a portion of their natural gas to an alternative natural gas processing facility. Once this is complete, 
anticipated by the end of Q1 2011, Bonterra would be able to reactivate all of its currently shut in production, 
but due to low natural gas prices may elect to keep these wells shut in for the present time. 

The Company drilled 22 gross (20.0 net) operated Pembina Cardium horizontal oil wells (five gross  
and net in Q4 2010) and one gross and net Pembina Cardium vertical oil well during 2010. The Company  
also participated in the drilling of five gross (0.75 net) (two gross and 0.3 net in Q4 2010) non-operated 
Pembina Cardium horizontal oil wells and two gross (0.3 net) non-operated Pembina Cardium vertical 
oil wells during 2010. Bonterra’s working interest in the non-operated wells is approximately 15 percent. 
Bonterra had a 100 percent success rate in 2010.

As of December 31, 2010 the Company had four gross (3.75 net) operated horizontal wells drilled but not  
on production. One of the remaining operated horizontal oil wells (one net) was placed on production  
January 2, 2011. The remaining three (2.75 net) horizontal wells were on production in February, 2011. 

The Company’s fourth quarter 2010 production saw increases in crude oil of 488 barrels per day and a decline 
in natural gas of 460 MCF per day production compared to Q3 2010. During the fourth quarter, the Company 
was able to place on production two 100 percent gross and net horizontal wells in October, four gross  
(3.43 net) horizontal wells in November and one gross and net horizontal well in late December, 2010. 
Offsetting the increase in solution gas from these wells was the additional shut in of approximately  
600 MCF per day of natural gas production due to the above mentioned gas plant capacity restrictions.

Bonterra expects 2011 production to average between 6,200 and 6,500 BOE per day.

 
 
 
 
 
28

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REVENUE 

Revenue – oil and gas sales ($ 000s)  

Average Realized Prices: 
Crude oil and NGLs ($ per barrel) 
Natural gas ($ per MCF) 

Three Months Ended 

Twelve Months Ended

December  
31, 2010 
34,209 

September 
30, 2010 
28,332 

December 
31, 2009 
24,946 

December 
31, 2010 
118,980 

December 
31, 2009
85,712

75.91 
3.78 

68.79 
3.74 

68.40 
4.76 

72.69 
4.14 

59.82
4.15

Revenue from petroleum and natural gas sales increased 38.8 percent in 2010 compared to 2009. The 
increase was primarily due to a 23.4 percent increase in crude oil production as well as a 21.5 percent 
increase in crude oil prices. During 2010 the Company did not enter into any risk management contracts.

Quarter over quarter the Company saw an increase in revenues of $5,877,000, a 20.7 percent increase,  
due primarily to increased crude oil production as well as increased crude oil pricing.

ROYALTIES 

($ 000s except $ per BOE) 
Crown royalties 
Freehold royalties, gross overriding  
  royalties and net carried interests 
Total royalty expense 
Percentage of revenue 
$ per BOE 

Three Months Ended 

Twelve Months Ended

December  
31, 2010 
2,092 

September 
30, 2010 
1,907 

December 
31, 2009 
1,451 

December 
31, 2010 
7,562 

December 
31, 2009
4,737

757 
2,849 
8.3 
5.09 

1,041 
2,948 
10.4 
5.65 

892 
2,343 
9.4 
5.22 

3,875 
11,437 
9.6 
5.57 

2,677
7,414
8.6
4.07

Royalties paid by the Company consist primarily of Crown royalties paid to the Provinces of Alberta, 
Saskatchewan and British Columbia. The Company’s average Crown royalty rate was approximately  
6.4 percent (2009 – 5.5 percent) and approximately 3.3 percent (2009 – 3.1 percent) for other royalties. 

The fourth quarter royalties decreased $99,000 over the third quarter. During the fourth quarter the 
Company reviewed several of its other royalty agreements and discovered some overpayments. The 
adjustment recorded in Q4 2010 amounted to approximately $160,000 of overpayments in previous periods. 
In addition, production subject to the freehold royalty rate of 17 percent has been declining while production 
from the Company’s new crown horizontal wells, which have a five percent royalty rate, has increased 
resulting in an overall lower royalty expense.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
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ALBERTA GOVERNMENT COMPETITIVENESS REVIEW

On March 11, 2010, the Government of Alberta announced it will modify conventional oil and natural gas 
royalties effective January 2011 to increase Alberta’s competitiveness in the upstream energy sector. The 
current five percent front-end royalty rate on conventional oil and natural gas will become a permanent 
feature of the royalty system. The maximum royalty rate for conventional oil will be reduced to 40 percent 
from 50 percent. The maximum royalty rate for conventional and unconventional natural gas will be reduced 
at higher prices from 50 to 36 percent. Other royalty incentive programs will remain in effect. Management 
believes these changes to the royalty system should have a positive effect on the Company’s future  
cash flow.

OTHER REVENUE

($ 000s) 
Investment tax credit recovery 
Gain on sale of property 
Gain on sale of investments 
Interest and other 
Total other revenue 

Three Months Ended 

Twelve Months Ended

December  
31, 2010 
– 
– 
782 
10 
792 

September 
30, 2010 
– 
700 
3,536 
2 
4,238 

December 
31, 2009 
27,670 
24,198 
– 
95 
51,963 

December 
31, 2010 
– 
6,485 
4,335 
36 
10,856 

December 
31, 2009
27,670
24,198
–
158
52,026

As part of the Company’s conversion from a trust to a corporation in 2008, Bonterra assumed approximately 
$27,670,000 of investment tax credits (ITC’s) from SRX Post holdings Inc. Due to the depressed commodity 
prices as of December 31, 2008, the Company was not able to justify the ability to claim these ITC’s prior 
to their expiration. The recovery in the price of crude oil as well as the Company’s success in its horizontal 
crude oil development has resulted in significantly higher future anticipated cash flow from Bonterra’s oil 
and gas operations and therefore justified that the ITC’s are likely to be claimed in the future. The Company 
was able to do so in 2009. 

On November 6, 2009, the Company closed the sale of a portion of its Shaunavon oil production to  
Eagle Rock Exploration Ltd. (Eagle Rock) (TSXV: ERX). The proceeds of disposition consisted of  
$23,729,000 cash and 30,769,200 common shares in Eagle Rock (representing approximately 4.2 percent of 
the outstanding common shares of that company at the time). The closing price of the Eagle Rock common 
shares on November 6, 2009 was $0.21 resulting in total consideration for the property of $30,191,000. The 
book value (net of asset retirement provision) of the property to the Company was approximately $5,993,000 
resulting in a gain on sale of $24,198,000. Eagle Rock has since changed its name to Wild Stream  
Exploration Inc. (Wild Stream) (TSXV: WSX) and consolidated its common shares on a 30:1 basis.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
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In February 2010, the Company disposed of its Southeast Saskatchewan Pinto property. The proceeds of 
disposition were $5,534,000 cash. At the time of disposition, the Company had a net book value of $120,000 
for the property and had an asset retirement obligation related to the property of $371,000 that was 
transferred resulting in a gain on sale of property of $5,785,000. In addition, during the third quarter of 2010 
the Company disposed of non-producing land for proceeds of $700,000. The Company had no capital costs 
associated with this land.

Effective July 6, 2010, Comaplex Minerals Corp. (Comaplex) (a company with common directors and 
management with the Company) was acquired by Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited (Agnico-Eagle) (TSX: AEM). 
In exchange for Bonterra’s 689,682 common shares in Comaplex, the Company received 689,682 shares in 
Geomark Exploration Ltd. (Geomark) (TSXV: GME) (a company with common directors and management 
with the Company) and 108,693 common shares in Agnico-Eagle. The value of the Agnico-Eagle shares is 
included with investments while the value of the Geomark shares is listed as investment in related party on 
the December 31, 2010 balance sheet.

During 2010, Bonterra disposed of a portion of its investments. Gross proceeds from the sales were 
$5,603,000 resulting in an accounting gain of $4,335,000. The Company holds in excess of $11,000,000 worth 
of investments as of December 31, 2010.

PRODUCTION COSTS

($ 000s except $ per BOE) 
Production costs 
$ per BOE 

Three Months Ended 

Twelve Months Ended

December  
31, 2010 
8,699 
15.55 

September 
30, 2010 
8,069 
15.47 

December 
31, 2009 
6,870 
15.30 

December 
31, 2010 
30,451 
14.82 

December 
31, 2009
27,848
15.28

Total production costs in 2010 have increased by $2,603,000 over 2009. The increase is substantially due to 
approximately $2.5 million in 2007, 2008 and 2009 natural gas processing fee adjustments billed to Bonterra 
during 2010 by the operator of several of the natural gas plants that the Company uses to process its natural 
gas. On a per BOE basis, production costs have declined in 2010 compared to 2009 by $0.46, and excluding 
the natural gas processing fee adjustments, by $1.66 mainly due to higher rate horizontal wells, field 
optimization and cost control procedures implemented by Bonterra. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
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Total operating costs increased in the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to the prior quarter due  
primarily to the billing of 2009 natural gas processing charge adjustments of approximately $800,000  
(see above discussion). 

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE 

($ 000s except $ per BOE) 
G&A Expense 
$ per BOE 

Three Months Ended 

Twelve Months Ended

December  
31, 2010 
1,468 
2.62 

September 
30, 2010 
1,204 
2.31 

December 
31, 2009 
1,623 
3.61 

December 
31, 2010 
5,406 
2.63 

December 
31, 2009
4,458
2.45

General and administrative (G&A) expenses increased 21.3 percent in 2010 compared to 2009. The Company 
provides administrative services to Geomark and Pine Cliff Energy Ltd. (Pine Cliff) (TSXV: PNE), companies 
that share common directors and management. Please refer to discussion under Related Party Transactions 
for details.

The Company’s significant general and administrative costs include employee compensation; professional 
services such as legal, engineering and accounting; computer services, bank charges and occupancy costs. 
Employee compensation expense increased by approximately 21 percent ($742,000) in 2010 from 2009 due to 
a larger bonus accrual and an increase in staff. The Company’s bonus plan consists of cash payments equal 
to three percent of before tax net earnings (excluding the 2009 investment tax credit recovery of $27,670,000) 
to be paid to employees and key consultants. Bonus payments to individuals are based on performance. 
Costs associated with professional services were relatively unchanged year over year. Costs associated 
with computer services (decrease of $72,000) and bank charges (decrease of $43,000) were offset by 
increased occupancy cost of $138,000.

The quarter over quarter increase of $264,000 was primarily due to increased employee and  
consultant compensation. 

During the year the Company capitalized $Nil (2009 – $460,000) of general and administrative costs.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
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INTEREST EXPENSE

($ 000s except $ per BOE) 
Interest on long-term debt 
Other interest 
Interest Expense 
$ per BOE 

Three Months Ended 

Twelve Months Ended

December  
31, 2010 
654 
192 
846 
1.51 

September 
30, 2010 
562 
140 
702 
1.35 

December 
31, 2009 
620 
118 
738 
1.64 

December 
31, 2010 
2,244 
555 
2,799 
1.35 

December 
31, 2009
2,833
461
3,294
1.81

Bank debt at December 31, 2010 was $70,386,000 (December 31, 2009 – $59,823,000). The Company’s banking 
arrangements allow it to use Bankers Acceptances (BA’s) as part of its loan facility. Interest charges on  
BA’s are generally one half percent lower than that charged on the general loan account. 

The Company has also borrowed $32,000,000 (December 31, 2009 – $23,500,000) from two related parties as 
well as $15,000,000 (December 31, 2009 – Nil) from a private investor. Please see Related Party Transactions 
and Liquidity and Capital Resources sections for further details.

Interest charges decreased in 2010 as decreased interest rates more than overset the increase in average 
outstanding debt balance. The interest rate decrease is due to a reduced bank rate resulting from a better 
debt to cash flow ratio and to increases in loans from related parties and private investments which have a 
lower interest rate than bank loans.

Quarter over quarter saw an increase in interest charges due to increased debt balances resulting from the 
Company’s fourth quarter capital program.

Effective April 9, 2010, the Company renewed its bank facility under similar terms and conditions with 
the exception of extending the revolving period to April 27, 2012, reducing its interest and bank fees and 
amending one of the material covenants (see below). 

The interest rate on the credit facility is calculated as follows: 

Consolidated Total Funded Debt (1)  
  to Consolidated Cash flow Ratio 
Canadian Prime Rate Plus (2) 
Bankers’ Acceptances Rate Plus (2)  

Level I 
Under 
1.0:1  
100 
225 

Level II 
Over 
1.0:1 to 1.5:1 
150 
275 

Level III 
Over 
1.5:1 to 2.0:1 
175 
300 

Level IV 
Over 
2.0:1 to 2.5:1 
200 
325 

Level V
Over 
2.5:1
250
375

(1)   Consolidated total funded debt excludes related party amounts and subordinated debenture but includes working capital. 
Consolidated cash flow is calculated as cash flow according to GAAP excluding adjustments for non-cash working  
capital items. 

(2)  Numbers in table represent basis points.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
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Consolidated total funded debt to consolidated cash flow ratio shall be calculated each fiscal quarter and 
the interest rates adjusted effective as of the first day of the fiscal quarter commencing immediately after 
the fiscal quarter in which Bonterra files a compliance certificate containing the ratio, with each such 
adjustment to be effective until the next such adjustment.

As of December 31, 2010 the Company will continue to qualify for the Level I interest rates. 

The following is a list of the material covenants of the Company’s bank facility:

•	 The	Company	is	required	to	not	exceed	$120,000,000	in	consolidated	debt	(includes	negative	 

working capital but excludes debt to related parties and the subordinated promissory note). As of 
December 31, 2010 the Company had consolidated total funded debt of $52,995,000.

•	 Total	dividends	paid	in	the	current	quarter	and	the	three	previous	quarters	shall	not	exceed	80	percent	

of the previous four quarters’ cash flow as defined under GAAP. Dividend payments totalled $46,867,000 
during the quarter and the three previous quarters while cash flow totalled $68,782,000 during the same 
period for an overall payout ratio of 68 percent.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Stock-based compensation is a statistically calculated value representing the estimated expense of  
issuing employee stock options. The Company records a compensation expense over the vesting period 
based on the fair value of options granted to employees, directors and consultants. The Company issued 
only 36,000 stock options during 2010 resulting in a reduction of stock-based compensation by $428,000.  
As of December 31, 2010, the Company has a total of $290,000 of stock-based compensation to amortize over 
the next two years.

The 36,000 common share options were issued with a weighted average exercise price of $36.98 per share 
and a fair value of $5.67 per option. The fair value of the options granted has been estimated using  
the Black-Scholes option pricing model, assuming a weighted risk free interest rate of 1.9 percent  
(2009 – 1.4 percent), expected weighted average volatility of 33 percent (2009 – 33 percent), expected 
weighted average life of 2.8 years (2009 – 3.0 years) and an annual dividend rate based on the dividends  
paid to the shareholders during the year. 

 
 
 
 
 
34

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R
O
P
E
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L
A
U
N
N
A
0
1
0
2

.

P
R
O
C

Y
R
E
N
E

A
R
R
E
T
N
O
B

DEPLETION, DEPRECIATION, ACCRETION AND DRY HOLE COSTS

The Company follows the successful efforts method of accounting for petroleum and natural gas 
exploration and development costs. Under this method, the costs associated with dry holes are charged to 
operations. For intangible capital costs that result in the addition of reserves, the Company depletes its oil 
and natural gas intangible assets using the unit-of-production basis by field. 

For tangible assets such as well equipment, the Company now uses a 10 percent declining basis for 
depreciation calculation. The Company changed from the straight line basis due to the increasing reserve 
life index which continues to indicate a longer service life for its production assets.

Provisions are made for asset retirement obligations through the recognition of the fair value of obligations 
associated with the retirement of tangible long-life assets being recorded in the period the asset is put into 
use, with a corresponding increase to the carrying amount of the related asset. The obligations recognized 
are statutory, contractual or legal obligations. The liability is adjusted over time for changes in the value of 
the liability through accretion charges which are included in depletion, depreciation and accretion expense. 
The costs capitalized to the related assets are amortized to earnings in a manner consistent with the 
depletion and depreciation of the underlying asset.

At December 31, 2010, the estimated total undiscounted amount required to settle the asset retirement 
obligations was $62,579,000 (2009 – $64,482,000). The $1,903,000 decrease is due primarily to a reduction in 
anticipated inflation from two percent to one and a half percent.

These obligations will be settled based on the useful lives of the underlying assets, which extend up to  
50 years into the future. This amount has been discounted using a credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate of 
five percent. The discount rate is reviewed annually and adjusted if considered necessary. A change in the 
rate would have a significant impact on the amount recorded for asset retirement obligations. Based on 
the current provision, a one percent increase in the risk adjusted rate would decrease the asset retirement 
obligation by $2,827,000, while a one percent decrease in the risk adjusted rate would increase the asset 
retirement obligation by $3,875,000. 

The above calculation requires an estimation of the amount of the Company’s petroleum reserves by field. 
This figure is calculated annually by an independent engineering firm and is used to calculate depletion.  
This calculation is to a large extent subjective. Reserve adjustments are affected by economic assumptions 
as well as estimates of petroleum products in place and methods of recovering those reserves. To the extent 
reserves are increased or decreased, depletion costs will vary. 

 
 
 
 
 
35

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A

E
N
E
R
Y

C
O
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P

.

2
0
1
0

A
N
N
U
A
L

R
E
P
O
R
T

For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010, the Company expensed $22,278,000 (2009 – $19,277,000) for the 
above-described items. The increase is predominately due to increased production volumes resulting from 
the Company’s Pembina Cardium horizontal oil well drill program. The higher BOE depletion charges on 
the horizontal wells are primarily due to lack of production history on these wells resulting in lower proved 
reserves being assigned but with substantial probable reserves being assigned. The Company’s policy is 
to deplete the cost of the wells based on proved reserves. When there is longer production history on the 
horizontal wells there may be a conversion of the probable reserves to proven reserves which would result in 
a reduction of depletion charges per BOE in future years.

The Company continues to have relatively low finding and development costs. Based on year end reserves, 
the Company’s average cost of proved reserves is $7.80 (2009 – $6.62) per BOE.

The Company currently has an estimated reserve life for its proved developed producing reserves of  
10.1 (2009 – 11.7) years calculated using the Company’s gross reserves (prior to allowance for royalties) 
based on the third party engineering report dated December 31, 2010 and using fourth quarter 2010 
average production rates of 6,080 BOE per day (2009 – 4,879 BOE per day). Based on total proved reserves 
the Company has a 12.9 (2009 – 14.2) year reserve life and on a proved and probable basis the reserve life 
increases to 17.8 (2009 – 20.1) years. These figures are some of the longest reserve life indexes (excluding  
oil sands) in the Canadian oil and gas industry. 

TAXES

The current tax provision relates to a resource surcharge of $141,000 (2009 – $282,000) payable to the 
Province of Saskatchewan. The resource surcharge is calculated as a flat percent of revenues generated 
from the sale of petroleum products produced in Saskatchewan. The resource surcharge rate is three 
percent in 2010. In 2009, a capital tax amount of $269,000 payable to the Province of Quebec was incurred 
due to the 2008 reorganization for the conversion from a Trust to a Corporation. The capital tax payable to  
the Province of Quebec was a one-time charge.

 
 
 
 
 
36

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P
E
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L
A
U
N
N
A
0
1
0
2

.

P
R
O
C

Y
R
E
N
E

A
R
R
E
T
N
O
B

The Company has the following tax pools, which may be used to reduce taxable income in future years, 
limited to the applicable rates of utilization:

($ 000s) 
Undepreciated capital costs 
Eligible capital expenditures 
Share issue costs 
Canadian oil and gas property expenditures 
Canadian development expenditures 
Canadian exploration expenditures 
SR&ED expenditures 
Income tax losses carried forward (1) 

Rate of Utilization (%) 
20-100 
7 
20 
10 
30 
100 
100 
100 

  Amount
25,441
$ 
6,849
1,424
19,074
109,642
11,140
39,985
222,596
436,151

$ 

(1)   Income tax losses carried forward expire in the following years; 2024 – $3,347,000, 2025 – $7,532,000, 2026 – $46,671,000,  

2027 – $117,189,000, 2028 – $34,726,000, 2029 – $13,131,000.

In addition to the above pools, the Company also has $27,670,000 (December 31, 2009 – $27,670,000) 
remaining of investment tax credits that expire in the following years; 2019 – $3,469,000, 2020 – $3,059,000, 
2021 – $4,667,000, 2022 – $3,909,000, 2023 – $3,155,000, 2024 – $1,995,000, 2025 – $2,257,000, 2026 – $2,405,000, 
2027 – $2,009,000, 2028 – $745,000.

The Company also has $141,417,000 (December 31, 2009 – $143,061,000) of capital loss carry forwards which 
can only be claimed against taxable capital gains.

The amount and timing of reversals of temporary differences will also depend on the Company’s  
future operating results and its future acquisitions and dispositions of assets and liabilities. A significant 
change in any of the preceding assumptions could materially affect the Company’s estimate of the future 
income tax asset.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
37

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O
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T
E
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R
A

E
N
E
R
Y

C
O
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P

.

2
0
1
0

A
N
N
U
A
L

R
E
P
O
R
T

NET EARNINGS 

($ 000s except $ per share) 
Net Earnings 
$ per share – Basic  
$ per share – Fully Diluted  

Three Months Ended 

Twelve Months Ended

December  
31, 2010 
14,213 
0.75 
0.73 

September 
30, 2010 
12,724 
0.68 
0.66 

December 
31, 2009 
52,136 
2.88 
2.85 

December 
31, 2010 
49,864 
2.65 
2.58 

December 
31, 2009
68,563
3.81
3.78

Bonterra’s net earnings for the year ended December 31, 2010 represents a 27.3 percent decrease over 
the Company’s 2009 net earnings. Two significant factors contributing to the 2009 net earnings were the 
Company’s recordings of the investment tax credit recovery of $27,670,000 and the sale of a portion of the 
Company’s Shaunavon production for a gain of $24,198,000; all of which occurred in the fourth quarter of 
2009. Excluding these items (net of 29.15 percent tax effect), 2009 net earnings would decrease by $36,748,000 
from $68,563,000 to an adjusted net earnings of $31,815,000. In 2010, a gain on sale of property of $4,665,000 
(net of 28.06 percent tax effect) was incurred. Excluding these items, Bonterra’s 2010 net earnings increased 
by $13,384,000, or 42 percent, over 2009.

Higher revenues resulting from increased production and increased commodity prices were the main  
reason for the significant net earnings increase. The Company continues to return in excess of 40 percent  
of its gross crude oil and natural gas revenues in net earnings. The Company’s low capital costs per BOE  
of reserves combined with the Company’s low production decline rates should allow for continued  
positive earnings.

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Other comprehensive income for 2010 consists of an unrealized gain before tax on investments  
(including investments in a related party) of $8,602,000 (2009 – $697,000) including a fourth quarter  
unrealized gain before tax of $2,642,000 relating to an increase in the investment’s fair value. The Company 
also sold some of these investments, which comprise of marketable securities, for a realized gain before 
tax of $4,335,000 (2009 – $Nil) including a fourth quarter realized gain before tax of $782,000. Realized gains 
decrease other comprehensive income, as the gains are transferred to net earnings. Other comprehensive 
income varies from net earnings by unrealized changes in the fair value of Bonterra’s holdings of 
investments including the investment in Geomark, net of tax. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
38

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2

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Y
R
E
N
E

A
R
R
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T
N
O
B

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS

($ 000s except $ per share) 
Cash flow from operations 
$ per share – basic 
$ per share – fully diluted 

Three Months Ended 

Twelve Months Ended

December  
31, 2010 
16,987 
0.89 
0.86 

September 
30, 2010 
17,558 
0.93 
0.91 

December 
31, 2009 
13,673 
0.76 
0.75 

December 
31, 2010 
66,262 
3.52 
3.42 

December 
31, 2009
38,893
2.16
2.15

Cash flow from operations increased 70 percent year over year, mainly due to increased production and 
crude oil prices. Fourth quarter cash flow decreased by $571,000 over Q3 due to adjustments of $3,335,000 
relating to changes in non-cash working capital items. The Company has not entered into any risk 
management agreements and as such is fully exposed to changes in commodity prices and exchange rates. 

CASH NETBACKS

The following table illustrates the Company’s annual cash netback:

($ per BOE) 
Production volumes (BOE) 
Gross production revenue 
Royalties 
Production costs 
Field netback 
General and administrative 
Interest and taxes 
Cash netback 

2010 
2,054,375 
57.92 
$ 
(5.57) 
(14.82) 
37.53 
(2.63) 
(1.43) 
$   33.47 

2009
1,822,628
47.04
$ 
(4.07)
(15.28)
27.69
(2.45)
(2.11)
23.13

$  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
39

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E
N
E
R
Y

C
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P

.

2
0
1
0

A
N
N
U
A
L

R
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O
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T

The following table illustrates the Company’s cash netback for the three months ended:

($ per BOE) 
Production volumes (BOE) 
Gross production revenue 
Royalties 
Production costs 
Field netback 
General and administrative 
Interest and taxes 
Cash netback 

$  

December 31,  September 30,  
2010
521,601
54.32
(5.65)
(15.47)
33.20
(2.31)
(1.39)
29.50

2010 
559,400 
$   61.15 
(5.09) 
(15.55) 
40.51 
(2.62) 
(1.58) 
$   36.31 

$  

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

As a result of the acquisition of Comaplex by Agnico-Eagle, the loan agreement and Bonterra common 
shares previously held by Comaplex were transferred to Geomark. A new management agreement was 
entered into between Bonterra and Geomark with the only amendment to the former agreement with 
Comaplex being a reduction in the monthly management fee from $30,000 to $22,500.

Geomark and Comaplex combined paid a management fee to the Company of $316,500 (2009 – $330,000). 
Geomark also shares office rental costs and reimburses the Company for costs related to employee benefits 
and office materials. In addition, Geomark owns 204,633 (Comaplex December 31, 2009 – 204,633) common 
shares in the Company. Services provided by the Company included executive services (chief executive 
officer, president and vice president, finance duties), accounting services, oil and gas administration and 
office administration. All services performed were charged at estimated fair value. At December 31, 2010, 
Geomark owed the Company $35,000 (Comaplex December 31, 2009 – $105,000).

As of December 31, 2010, Geomark has loaned the Company $20,000,000 (Comaplex December 31, 2009 – 
$12,000,000). The loan is unsecured, bears interest at Canadian chartered bank prime less 5/8th of a percent 
and has no set repayment terms. The loan cannot be repaid, or demanded to be paid by Geomark, unless 
the Company has sufficient available borrowing limits under the Company’s credit facility. Interest paid on 
both the Comaplex and Geomark loans during 2010 was $313,000 (2009 – $194,000). This loan results in being 
a substantial benefit to Bonterra and to Geomark. The interest paid to Geomark by Bonterra is substantially 
lower than bank interest and for Geomark, the interest earned is substantially higher than Geomark would 
receive by investing in bank instruments such as BA’s or GIC’s.

 
 
 
 
 
 
40

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0
1
0
2

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P
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Y
R
E
N
E

A
R
R
E
T
N
O
B

The Company also has a management agreement with Pine Cliff. Pine Cliff has common directors  
and management with the Company. Pine Cliff paid a management fee to the Company of $90,000  
(2009 – $120,000). Services provided by the Company include executive services (CEO, president and vice 
president, finance duties), accounting services, oil and gas administration and office administration.  
All services performed are charged at estimated fair value. The Company has no share ownership in  
Pine Cliff. At December 31, 2010, the Company had an account receivable from Pine Cliff of $1,000  
(December 31, 2009 – $1,000).

As of December 31, 2010, the Company’s CEO and major shareholder has loaned the Company $12,000,000 
(December 31, 2009 – $11,500,000). The loan is unsecured, bears interest at Canadian chartered bank prime 
less 5/8th of a percent and has no set repayment terms. The loan cannot be repaid, or demanded to be paid 
by the Company’s CEO, unless the Company has sufficient available borrowing limits under the Company’s 
credit facility. Interest paid on this loan during 2010 was $242,000 (2009 – $209,000). This loan results in being 
a substantial benefit to Bonterra and to the CEO. The interest paid to the CEO by Bonterra is substantially 
lower than bank interest and for the CEO, the interest earned is substantially higher than the CEO would 
receive by investing in bank instruments such as BA’s or GIC’s.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

During 2010, the Company incurred capital costs of $76,914,000 (2009 – $28,726,000) net of drilling  
tax credits. The costs relate primarily to the drilling, completing, tie-in and equipping of 22 gross (20.0 net)  
operated Pembina Cardium horizontal wells as well as its proportion of the non-operated drilling costs. 
During the fourth quarter of 2010, Bonterra elected to drill two additional operated horizontal oil wells and 
the operator of non-operated property also added two additional (0.3 net to Bonterra) horizontal oil wells to 
its drilling program.

The Company currently has plans to spend approximately $50,000,000 to $60,000,000 on its 2011 Pembina 
Cardium horizontal well program and non-operated capital programs. Bonterra anticipates funding the 2011 
capital program out of cash flow, proceeds from the exercise of employee stock options, sale of investments 
and the Company’s line of credit.

As of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company has a bank facility consisting of a 
$100,000,000 syndicated revolving credit facility and a $20,000,000 non-syndicated revolving credit facility. 
Amounts drawn under these facilities at December 31, 2010 were $70,386,000 (December 31, 2009 – 
$59,823,000). The interest rates on the outstanding debt as of December 31, 2010 were 4.0 percent and 
3.4 percent on the Company’s Canadian prime rate loan and Bankers’ Acceptances, respectively. For 
information related to interest rate levels and material covenants please refer to the discussion under 
Interest Expense. 

 
 
 
 
 
41

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O
N
T
E
R
R
A

E
N
E
R
Y

C
O
R
P

.

2
0
1
0

A
N
N
U
A
L

R
E
P
O
R
T

On October 4, 2010, the Company borrowed $15,000,000 from a private investor. In exchange Bonterra has 
issued a Subordinated Promissory Note for $15,000,000. The terms of the Subordinated Promissory Note are 
that it bears interest at three percent, is not callable by the investor prior to January 4, 2012 at which time it 
will be a demand note until its maturity of April 4, 2012, and can be repaid at the option of the Company at 
any time. Security consists of a floating demand debenture totaling $15,000,000 over all of the Company’s 
assets and is subordinated to any and all claims in favor of the syndicate of senior lenders providing credit 
facilities to the Company.

The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares without nominal or par value. 
Transactions during the years 2010 and 2009 in the shares of the common stock of the Company are  
as follows:

Common Shares 
Balance, beginning of year 
Issued pursuant to private placement 
Issued on acquisition of Cobalt (Note 4) 
Issued pursuant to Company share option plan 
Transfer of contributed surplus to share capital 
Issue costs for private placement 
Future tax effect of share issue costs 
Balance, end of year  

2010 

Amount  
($ 000s) 

121,955 
– 
– 
12,377 
698 
– 
– 
135,030 

Number 

18,619,641 
– 
– 
599,900 
– 
– 
– 
19,219,541 

2009

Amount
($ 000s)

99,530
17,996
3,207
1,898
103
(1,046)
267
121,955

Number 

17,257,603 
1,068,000 
201,438 
92,600 
– 
– 
– 
18,619,641 

The Company provides a stock option plan for its directors, officers, employees and consultants. Under the 
plan, the Company may grant options for up to 1,921,954 common shares (2009 – 1,861,964). The exercise price 
of each option granted equals the market price of the common shares on the date of grant and the option’s 
maximum term is five years. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42

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P
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R

L
A
U
N
N
A
0
1
0
2

.

P
R
O
C

Y
R
E
N
E

A
R
R
E
T
N
O
B

A summary of the status of the Company’s stock option plan as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and changes 
during the twelve month periods ended on those dates is presented below:

December 31, 2010 

December 31, 2009

Outstanding at beginning of period 
Options granted 
Options cancelled 
Options exercised 
Outstanding at end of period 
Options exercisable at end of period 

$ 

  Weighted- 
Average 
Exercise  
Price 
  20.36 
36.98 
34.66 
20.63 
  20.56 
  20.50 

$ 
$ 

Options 
1,330,900 
36,000 
(20,000) 
(599,900) 
747,000 
255,500 

Options 
1,390,500 
33,000 
– 
(92,600) 
1,330,900 
370,900 

$ 

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
  20.50
14.90
–
20.50 
  20.36
  20.50

$ 
$ 

The following table summarizes information about options outstanding at December 31, 2010:

Options Outstanding 

Options Exercisable

Number 
Outstanding 
at 12/31/10 
22,000 
719,000 
6,000 
747,000 

Weighted-
Average 
Remaining 
Contractual 
Life 
2.1 years 
1.9 years 
2.5 years 
1.9 years 

Range of Exercise Prices 
$  14.90 
   20.50 
   48.60 
$  14.90 - $  48.60 

COMMITMENTS

$ 

Weighted- 
Average 
Price 
  14.90 
20.50 
48.60 
  20.56 

$ 

Number 
Exercisable 
at 12/31/10 
– 
255,500 
– 
255,500 

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
  –
20.50 
– 
  20.50

$  

$ 

The Company has no contractual obligations that last more than a year other than its office lease 
agreements which are as follows:

Lease Obligations ($000s) 
Year 1 
Year 2 
Year 3 
Year 4 
Year 5 
Total 

$ 

$  

 967
874
537
–
–
2,378

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL REPORTING UPDATE

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)

In October 2009, the Accounting Standards Board issued a third and final IFRS Omnibus Exposure  
Draft confirming that publicly accountable enterprises will be required to apply IFRS, in full and without 
modification, for all financial periods beginning January 1, 2011. The adoption date of January 1, 2011 will 
require the restatement, for comparative purposes, of amounts reported by Bonterra for the year ended 
December 31, 2010, including the opening balance sheet as at January 1, 2010.

The Company commenced the process to transition its financial statements from current Canadian GAAP 
to IFRS in 2008. The Company’s project consists of three key phases: the scoping and diagnostic phase, the 
impact analysis and evaluation phase and the implementation phase.

•	 Scoping	and	diagnostic	phase	–	this	phase	involves	performing	a	high	level	impact	analysis	to	identify	

areas that may be affected by the transition to IFRS. The results of this analysis were given a priority 
ranking according to their complexity and the amount of time required to assess the impact of changes 
in transitioning to IFRS. The Company identified the following high impact and medium impact areas:

43

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A
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High impact areas:

•	

•	

•	

•	

IFRS	1	–	First	time	adoption	of	IFRS

IFRS	3	–	Business	combinations

IAS	16	–	Property	and	equipment

IAS	36	–	Impairment	of	assets

  Medium impact areas include:

•	

•	

•	

•	

•	

•	

•	

•	

•	

IFRS	6	–	Exploration	and	evaluation	of	mineral	resources

IFRS	2	–	Share-based	payments

IAS	1	 –	Presentation	of	financial	statements

IAS	10	–	Events	after	the	balance	sheet	date

IAS	12	–	Income	Taxes

IAS	18	–	Revenues

IAS	23	–	Borrowing	costs

IAS	39	–	Financial	instruments,	recognition	and	measurement

IAS	37	–	Provisions,	contingent	liabilities	and	contingent	assets

 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
44

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T
N
O
B

•	

Impact	analysis	and	evaluation	phase	–	during	this	phase,	items	identified	in	the	diagnostic	were	
addressed according to the priority ranking assigned to them. The Company conducted analysis of 
policy choices allowed under IFRS and their impact to the financial statements. Additionally, certain 
potential differences were further investigated to assess if there was any broader impact to the 
Company’s net earnings, debt agreements, compensation arrangements or management reporting 
systems. The impact analysis and evaluation phase was concluded by management pending the  
Audit Committee of the Board of Directors approval on all accounting policies chosen by management. 
Since Bonterra uses successful efforts method of accounting on its petroleum and natural gas 
properties under Canadian GAAP, the audit committee of the Board of Directors gave management 
the directive to chose policies that will retain as much comparability to the accounting policies chosen 
under Canadian GAAP.

•	

Implementation	phase	–	involved	implementation	of	all	changes	approved	in	the	impact	analysis	and	
evaluation phase, which included minor changes to existing information systems, the creation of new 
business processes and the modification of training staff impacted by the conversion.

Since its inception, the project has been led by the financial reporting group with sponsorship from the 
executive team. The Company has effectively completed all phases of its IFRS transition project and 
continues to review its draft IFRS financial statements and disclosures for completeness and quality 
assurance. The Audit Committee will review and approve the Company’s IFRS accounting policy selections 
and adjustments prior to the release of the first quarter of 2011 financial statements and MD&A.

First Time Adoption of IFRS

Most adjustments required on transition to IFRS will be made retrospectively against opening retained 
earnings as of the date of the first comparative balance sheet presented, based on standards applicable 
at that time. IFRS 1 provides entities adopting IFRS for the first time with certain optional exemptions and 
mandatory exceptions to the general requirement for full retrospective application of IFRS. Management 
has analyzed the various accounting policy choices available under IFRS 1 and has implemented those 
determined to be the most appropriate for Bonterra. Accordingly, it has applied the following IFRS 1 
exemptions in its IFRS opening balance sheet:

•	 Business	combinations	(IFRS	1)	–	provides	the	option	to	apply	IFRS	3,	Business	Combinations,	

retrospectively or prospectively from the Transition Date. The retrospective basis would require 
restatement of all business combinations that occurred prior to the Transition Date. The Company 
elected not to retrospectively apply IFRS 3 to business combinations that occurred prior to its Transition 
Date and such business combinations have not been restated. Any goodwill arising on such business 
combinations before the Transition Date has not been adjusted from the carrying value previously 
determined under Canadian GAAP as a result of applying these exemptions. 

 
 
 
 
 
45

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T

•	 Share-based	payments	(IFRS	2)	–	encourages	the	application	of	its	provisions	to	equity	instruments	

granted on or before November 7, 2002, but permits the application only to equity instruments granted 
after November 7, 2002 that had not vested by the Transition Date. The Company elected to avail itself 
of the exemption provided under IFRS 1 and applied IFRS 2 for all equity instruments granted after 
November 7, 2002 that had not vested by its Transition Date. Further, the Company applied IFRS 2 for 
all liabilities arising from share-based payment transactions that existed at its Transition Date. This 
election has no material effect on the Company.

•	 Borrowing	Costs	(IAS	23)	–	requires	an	entity	to	capitalize	the	borrowing	costs	related	to	all	qualifying	

assets for which the commencement date for capitalization is on or after January 1, 2010. Due  
to the short time frame to drill a well and place it on production this election has no material effect  
on the Company.

•	

Leases	(IAS	17)	–	requires	an	entity	to	assess	arrangements	outstanding	at	the	Transition	Date.	It	also	
requires a determination of the appropriate lease classification in accordance with IAS 17, should 
an arrangement containing a lease be identified as part of the International Financial Reporting 
Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) 4, Determining Whether an Arrangement Contains a Lease, 
application. This election has no effect on the Company.

•	 Decommissioning	Liabilities	Included	in	the	Cost	of	Property,	Plant	and	Equipment	(IAS	37)	–	 

Provisions, Contingent Assets and Contingent Liabilities requires an entity to estimate the statutory and 
constructive liabilities that existed at the Transition Date, discounted at the risk free rate. The Company 
has revalued its asset retirement obligation under GAAP to IFRS. The Company also determined it had 
no unrecorded statutory or constructive obligations. 

The following is a listing of key areas where accounting policies differ and where accounting policy 
decisions are necessary that will significantly impact our reported financial position and results  
of operations:

•	 Deferred	credit	–	On	November	12,	2008,	Bonterra	Energy	Income	Trust	(the	“Trust”)	was	acquired	by	
Bonterra Oil & Gas Ltd. through a reverse takeover by the Trust of SRX Post Holdings Inc. (SRX). This 
transaction gave the Company additional tax pools in excess of the purchase price. Under Canadian 
GAAP this purchase was considered an acquisition of an asset and not a business combination and 
therefore the resulting gain on acquisition had to be deferred and charged to net earnings on the same 
basis as the acquired assets. Under IFRS the deferred gain does not meet the definition of a liability and 
the deferred credit of $55,131,000 ($7,363,000 of the deferred credit being a current liability) is recorded 
as a decrease to deficit. 

 
 
 
 
 
46

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A
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N
O
B

•	 Asset	exchange	revaluation	–	In	2007,	the	Company	exchanged	certain	oil	and	gas	assets	in	Alberta	 
for oil and gas assets in Saskatchewan that were recorded at book value under Canadian GAAP.  
Under IFRS the values of the assets received are to be recorded at fair value, this resulted in  
$14,310,000 increase in the cost of the property and equipment and a $2,553,000 increase in the 
accumulated depletion and amortization of the property and equipment on the January 1, 2010  
opening balance sheet. As a result of this change, the Company’s deferred tax asset decreased by 
$3,446,000 million and the net offset is recorded as a decrease to deficit.

•	 Asset	retirement	obligation	(ARO)	–	Under	IFRS,	the	Company	is	required	to	revalue	its	entire	liability	

for asset retirement costs at each balance sheet date using a current liability-specific discount rate, 
which can generally be interpreted to mean the current risk-free rate of interest. Under Canadian 
GAAP, obligations are discounted using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate and, once recorded, the asset 
retirement obligation is not adjusted for future changes in discount rates. At January 1, 2010 Bonterra’s 
total of its asset retirement obligations will increase by $3,492,000 to $21,282,000 from $17,790,000,  
as the liability is revalued to reflect the estimated risk free rate of interest at that time of 4.1 percent. 
The offsetting ARO asset cost will be adjusted by $3,540,000 due to the changes in the ARO liability. 
The ARO asset would also incur $1,804,000 more accumulated depletion. As a result of these changes, 
Bonterra’s deferred tax asset is increased by $442,000 and the net offset is recorded as an increase  
to deficit.

•	

•	

Future	income	tax	asset	(liability)	–	Under	Canadian	GAAP,	Bonterra	separates	future	income	tax	 
assets (liabilities) between current, which as of January 1, 2010 was a $11,889,000 asset and long-term, 
which as of January 1, 2010 was a $58,265,000 asset. Under IFRS, all future income tax assets (liabilities)  
(which will be renamed “deferred tax”) will all be classified as long-term.

Impairment	of	property	and	equipment	(P&E)	assets	–	Canadian	GAAP	generally	uses	a	two-step	
approach to impairment testing; first comparing asset carrying values with undiscounted future  
cash flows to determine whether an impairment exists, and then measuring impairment by comparing 
asset carrying values to their fair value (which is calculated using discounted cash flows). IFRS uses 
a one-step approach for testing and measuring impairment, with asset carrying values compared 
directly with the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use down to a cash generating unit 
(CGU) level. A cash generating unit is the smallest group of assets that generates cash flows largely 
independent of other assets or group of assets. The impairment test categories of CGUs under IFRS 
is materially similar to the impairment groupings already chosen under Canadian GAAP, since the 
Company is using the successful efforts method of accounting for its P&E assets. The discount rate 
however, to determine fair value could materially differ under IFRS versus Canadian GAAP. As of 
January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010, the Company does not anticipate an impairment of P&E  
assets under IFRS. 

 
 
 
 
 
47

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The table below summarizes the Company’s January 1, 2010 balance sheet under Canadian GAAP and the 
transitional entries required to present the opening balance sheet under IFRS. Bonterra has not yet prepared 
a full set of annual financial statements under IFRS, therefore, amounts disclosed are unaudited.

($ 000s) 
Current assets 
Long-term assets 
Total assets 

Current liabilities 
Long-term liabilities 
Equity 
Total liabilities and equity 

Canadian  

IFRS 
GAAP  Adjustments 
(11,889) 
21,919 
10,030 

39,569 
254,418 
293,987 

49,731 
125,382 
118,874 
293,987 

(7,363) 
(44,277) 
61,670 
10,030 

IFRS
27,680
276,337
304,017

42,368
81,105
180,544
304,017

In addition to accounting policy differences, the Company’s transition to IFRS is expected to impact its 
internal control over financial reporting, disclosure controls and procedures, certain of Bonterra’s business 
activities and IT systems as follows:

•	

Internal	control	over	financial	reporting	(ICFR)	–	Bonterra	is	currently	in	the	process	of	reviewing	its	
ICFR documentation and is identifying instances where controls must be amended or added in order to 
address the accounting policy changes required under IFRS. No material changes in control procedures 
are expected as a result of transition to IFRS.

•	 Disclosure	controls	and	procedures	–	Bonterra	has	assessed	the	impact	of	transition	to	IFRS	on	its	

disclosure controls and procedures and has not identified any material changes required in its control 
environment. It is expected that there will be increased note disclosure around certain financial 
statement items than what is currently required under Canadian GAAP. Management is currently 
drafting its IFRS note disclosure in accordance with current IFRS standards and continues to monitor 
requirements put forth by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) in discussion papers 
and exposure drafts for future disclosure requirements. Throughout the transition process, Bonterra 
has carefully considered its stakeholders’ information requirements and will continue to ensure that 
adequate and timely information is provided to meet these needs.

•	 Business	activities	–	Management	has	been	cognizant	of	the	upcoming	transition	to	IFRS,	and	as	such,	
has worked with its counterparties and lenders to ensure that any agreements that contain references 
to Canadian GAAP financial statements are modified to allow for IFRS statements. Based on the 
changes to the Company’s accounting policies, no issues are expected to arise with the existing wording 
of debt covenants and related agreements as a result of the conversion to IFRS.

 
 
 
 
 
   
 
48

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T
N
O
B

•	

IT	systems	–	Bonterra	has	completed	the	accounting	system	updates	required	in	order	to	prepare	
for IFRS reporting. Since the Company has been using successful efforts method to account for its 
petroleum and natural gas assets, no significant modifications were deemed critical in order to allow 
for reporting of both Canadian GAAP and IFRS statements in 2010.

BUSINESS PROSPECTS, RISKS AND OUTLOOKS

The resource industry operates with a great deal of risk. The most significant risks may come from oil and 
natural gas price swings, the uncertainty of finding new reserves from drilling programs or acquisitions, 
competition within the industry and increasing environmental controls and regulations. The prices received 
for crude oil are established by world market forces and for natural gas by forces within North America. 
Fluctuations in pricing can have extremely positive or negative effects on the Company’s cash flow or in the 
value of its producing and non-producing oil and natural gas properties. 

The Company presently attempts to minimize these risks by pursuing both oil and natural gas activities and 
operates its oil and natural gas interests in areas which have long life reserves, where it has the technical 
expertise to enhance production, control operating costs and to increase margins of profit. 

SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS

Sensitivity analysis, as estimated for 2011:

U.S. $1.00 per barrel 
Canadian $0.10 per MCF 
Change of Canadian $0.01/U.S. $ exchange rate 

(1)   Based on year end outstanding common shares of 19,219,541. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Cash  
Flow 
$  1,376,000 
$ 
349,000 
$  1,161,000 

Cash Flow 
Per Share (1)
0.072
0.018
0.060

$ 
$ 
$ 

Additional information relating to the Company may be found on www.sedar.com as well as on the 
Company’s website at www.bonterraenergy.com.

 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S 
RESPONSIBILITY 
FOR FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS

The information provided in this report, including the financial statements, is the responsibility of 
management. In the preparation of the statements, estimates are sometimes necessary to make a 
determination of future values for certain assets or liabilities. Management believes such estimates  
have been based on careful judgements and have been properly reflected in the accompanying  
financial statements.

Management maintains a system of internal controls to provide reasonable assurance that the Company’s 
assets are safeguarded and to facilitate the preparation of relevant and timely information.

Deloitte & Touche LLP has been appointed by the Shareholders to serve as the Company’s external 
auditors. They have examined the financial statements and provided their auditor’s report. The audit 
committee has reviewed these financial statements with management and the auditors, and has reported 
to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has approved the financial statements as presented in 
this annual report.

49

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George F. Fink 
Chief Executive Officer 
March 22, 2011 

Garth E. Schultz
Chief Financial Officer
March 22, 2011

 
 
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT 
AUDITOR’S 
REPORT

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N
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B

To the Shareholders of Bonterra Energy Corp.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Bonterra Energy Corp., which comprise  
the consolidated balance sheets as at December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the consolidated statements of shareholders’  
equity, operations and deficit, comprehensive income and cash flow for the years then ended, and the notes to the 
consolidated financial statements.

Management’s Responsibility for the Consolidated Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these consolidated 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 consolidated 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 consolidated 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 audit to obtain reasonable assurance about 
whether the consolidated financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the 
consolidated financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the 
assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, 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 consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements.

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

Opinion

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of 
Bonterra Energy Corp. as at December 31, 2010 and 2009 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the 
years then ended in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.

Calgary, Alberta
March 22, 2011 

Chartered Accountants

 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED 
BALANCE  
SHEETS

As at December 31 ($ 000s) 

ASSETS 
Current 
  Accounts receivable (Note 14) 
  Crude oil inventory 
Prepaid expenses  
Future income tax asset (Note 10) 
Investments (Note 5 and 6) 
Investment in related party (Note 5) 

Investment in related party (Note 5) 
Restricted cash  
Investment tax credit receivable (Note 10) 
Future income tax asset (Note 10) 
Property and Equipment (Note 6) 

Petroleum and natural gas properties and related equipment 

  Accumulated depletion and depreciation 
Net Property and Equipment 

LIABILITIES 
Current 
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 
  Due to related parties (Note 7) 
  Deferred credit (Note 10) 

Subordinated promissory note (Note 8) 
Bank debt (Note 9) 
Deferred credit (Note 10) 
Asset retirement obligations (Note 11) 

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees (Note 16) 
Shareholders’ Equity (Note 12) 

Share capital 

  Contributed surplus 

  Deficit 
  Accumulated other comprehensive income (Note 13) 

Total Shareholders’ Equity 

See the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements
On behalf of the Board:

George F. Fink 
Director 

Bill Woodward
Director

51

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2010 

2009

17,345 
487 
1,631 
22,889 
11,471 
– 
53,823 
814 
– 
27,670 
30,011 

332,141 
(109,315) 
222,826 
335,144 

16,839 
32,000 
19,586 
68,425 
15,000 
70,386 
25,850 
17,070 
196,731 

135,030 
3,135 
138,165 
(5,454) 
5,702 
248 
138,413 
335,144 

14,713
431
3,247
11,889
4,462
4,827
39,569
–
812
27,670
58,265

255,840
(88,169)
167,671
293,987

18,868
23,500
7,363
49,731
–
59,823
47,769
17,790
175,113

121,955
3,350
125,305
(8,451)
2,020
(6,431)
118,874
293,987

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
52

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N
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0
1
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2

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P
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Y
R
E
N
E

A
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E
T
N
O
B

CONSOLIDATED 
STATEMENTS OF 
SHAREHOLDERS’ 
EQUITY

For the Years Ended December 31 ($ 000s) 
Shareholders’ equity, beginning of year 
Comprehensive income for the year 
Common Shares issued pursuant to private placement 
Common Shares issued on acquisition 
Common Shares issued pursuant to Company share option plan 
Stock-based compensation expense 
Dividends declared 
Shareholders’ Equity, End of Year 

CONSOLIDATED 
STATEMENTS 
OF OPERATIONS 
AND DEFICIT

For the Years Ended December 31 ($ 000s except $ per share) 
Revenue and Other Income 
  Oil and gas sales 
  Royalties 

Investment tax credit recovery  
  Gain on sale of property (Note 6) 
  Gain on sale of investments 

Interest and other  

Expenses 

Production costs 

  General and administrative  

Interest on long-term debt (Notes 8 and 9) 

  Other interest (Note 7) 

Stock-based compensation  

  Depletion, depreciation and accretion 

Earnings Before Taxes 
Taxes (Note 10) 
  Current 

Future 

Net Earnings for the Year 
Deficit, beginning of year 
Dividends declared and paid 
Deficit, end of year 

Net Earnings Per Share – Basic (Note 12) 
Net Earnings Per Share – Diluted (Note 12) 

See the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

2010 
118,874 
53,546 
– 
– 
12,377 
483 
(46,867) 
138,413 

2009
56,777
69,163
17,217
3,207
1,898
911
(30,299)
118,874

2010 

2009

118,980 
(11,437) 
– 
6,485 
4,335 
36 
118,399 

30,451 
5,406 
2,244 
555 
483 
22,278 
61,417 
56,982 

141 
6,977 
7,118 
49,864 
(8,451) 
(46,867) 
(5,454) 

2.65 
2.58 

85,712
(7,414)
27,670
24,198
–
158
130,324

27,848
4,458
2,833
461
911
19,277
55,788
74,536

551
5,422
5,973
68,563
(46,715)
(30,299)
(8,451)

3.81
3.78

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED 
STATEMENTS OF 
COMPREHENSIVE 
INCOME

For the Years Ended December 31 ($ 000s except $ per share) 
Net Earnings for the Year 
Other comprehensive income net of income tax 
  Unrealized gains on investments 

(net of income taxes of 1,192, (2009 – 97)) 

  Realized gains on investments transferred to  

  net earnings (net of income taxes of 607 (2009 – Nil))  

Other Comprehensive Income  
Comprehensive Income 
Comprehensive Income Per Share – Basic (Note 12) 
Comprehensive Income Per Share – Diluted (Note 12) 

See the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

2010 
49,864 

7,410 

(3,728) 
3,682 
53,546 
2.85 
2.77 

2009
68,563

600

–
600
69,163
3.84
3.81

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CONSOLIDATED 
STATEMENTS  
OF CASH FLOW

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For the Years Ended December 31 ($ 000s) 
Operating Activities 
  Net earnings for the year 
Items not affecting cash 
  Stock-based compensation 
  Depletion, depreciation and accretion 
  Gain on sale of property 
  Gain on sale of investments 
  Future income taxes 

  Change in non-cash working capital 

  Accounts receivable 
  Crude oil inventory 
  Prepaid expenses 
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 

  Restricted cash 

Investment tax credit receivable 

  Asset retirement obligations settled (Note 11) 

Cash Provided by Operating Activities 
Financing Activities 

Increase (decrease) in debt 

  Due to related parties 

Subordinated promissory note 
Issue of shares pursuant to private placement 
Share issue costs 
Stock option proceeds 

  Dividends 
Cash Used in Financing Activities 
Investing Activities 

Property and equipment expenditures 
Proceeds on sale of properties 
Proceeds on sale of investments 

  Restricted term deposit 
  Change in non-cash working capital 

  Accounts receivable 
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 

Cash Used in Investing Activities 
Net cash inflow 
Cash, beginning of year 
Cash, End of Year 

Cash Interest Paid 
Cash Taxes Paid 

See the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

2010 

2009

49,864 

68,563

483 
22,278 
(6,485) 
(4,335) 
6,977 
68,782 

(2,590) 
(39) 
1,616 
(1,313) 
812 
– 
(1,006) 
(2,520) 
66,262 

10,563 
8,500 
15,000 
– 
– 
12,377 
(46,867) 
(427) 

(76,914) 
6,234 
5,603 
– 

(42) 
(716) 
(65,835) 
– 
– 
– 

2,799 
152 

911
19,277
(24,198)
–
5,422
69,975

(47)
365
1,057
(4,654
440
(27,670)
(573)
(31,082)
38,893

(35,613)
17,500
–
17,996
(1,046)
1,898
(30,299)
(29,564)

(28,726)
23,729
–
20

(3,613)
(739)
(9,329)
–
–
–

3,294
616

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE 
CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS

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For the Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 

1.   CHANGE OF ORGANIZATION

Effective January 1, 2010, Bonterra Energy Income Trust, a wholly owned Trust of Bonterra Oil & Gas Ltd., 
was wound up into its parent and was amalgamated with Bonterra Energy Corp., a former subsidiary of 
the Trust. The continuing entity officially changed its name to Bonterra Energy Corp. (“Bonterra” or the 
“Company”) subsequent to finalizing the reorganization.

2.   SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with Canadian 
generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) as described below.

Consolidation

These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, the Trust (wholly owned by 
the Company as of December 31, 2009 and wound up on January 1, 2010) and its wholly owned subsidiary 
Bonterra Energy Corp. (amalgamated with the Company on January 1, 2010). Inter-company transactions 
and balances are eliminated upon consolidation.

Measurement Uncertainty

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates 
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent 
assets and liabilities as at the date of the balance sheets as well as the reported amounts of revenues, 
expenses, and cash flows during the periods presented. Such estimates relate primarily to unsettled 
transactions and events as of the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ materially 
from estimated amounts.

Amounts recorded for depletion, depreciation, accretion and amounts used for impairment calculations 
are based on estimates of crude oil and natural gas reserves and future costs required to develop those 
reserves. Stock-based compensation is based upon expected volatility and option life estimates. Asset 
retirement obligations are based on estimates of abandonment costs, timing of abandonment, inflation 
and interest rates. The provision for income taxes is based on judgements in applying income tax law and 
estimates on the timing, likelihood and reversal of temporary differences between the accounting and tax 
basis of assets and liabilities. These estimates are subject to measurement uncertainty and changes in 
these estimates could materially impact the financial statements of future periods.

 
 
 
 
 
56

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Revenue Recognition

Revenues associated with sales of petroleum and natural gas are recorded when title passes  
to the customer.

Joint Interest Operations

Significant portions of the Company’s oil and gas operations are conducted jointly with other parties and 
accordingly the financial statements reflect only the Company’s proportionate interest in such activities.

Inventories

Inventories consist of crude oil. Crude oil stored in the Company’s tanks are valued on a first in first out basis 
at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Inventory cost for crude oil is determined based on combined 
average per barrel operating costs, royalties and depletion and depreciation for the year and net realizable 
value is determined based on estimated sales price less transportation costs.

Investments

Investments are carried at fair value. Fair value is determined by multiplying the year end trading price of the 
investments by the number of common shares held at period end.

Property and Equipment

Petroleum and Natural Gas Properties and Related Equipment

The Company follows the successful efforts method of accounting for petroleum and natural gas properties 
and related equipment. Costs of exploratory wells are initially capitalized pending determination of proved 
reserves. Costs of wells which are assigned proved reserves remain capitalized, while costs of unsuccessful 
wells are charged to earnings. All other exploration costs including geological and geophysical costs are 
charged to earnings as incurred. Development costs, including the cost of all wells, are capitalized.

Producing properties are assessed annually or more frequently as economic events dictate, for potential 
impairment. Impairment is assessed by comparing the estimated net undiscounted future cash flows to the 
carrying value of the asset. If required, the impairment recorded is the amount by which the carrying value of 
the asset exceeds its fair value.

Costs related to undeveloped properties are excluded from the depletion base until it is determined whether 
or not proved reserves exist or if impairment of such costs has occurred. These properties are assessed at 
least annually to determine whether impairment has occurred. 

 
 
 
 
 
57

B
O
N
T
E
R
R
A

E
N
E
R
Y

C
O
R
P

.

2
0
1
0

A
N
N
U
A
L

R
E
P
O
R
T

Depreciation and depletion of capitalized costs of oil and gas producing properties are calculated using 
the unit-of-production method. Development and exploration drilling costs are depleted over the remaining 
proved reserves. 

On January 1, 2010, the Company prospectively began depreciating petroleum and natural gas plant and 
equipment using the declining balance method at 10 percent per year, a change from the straight-line 
method. The change of estimate was due to declining balance depreciation providing a better reflection 
of the estimated service life of the related assets. During 2010, the Company incurred $2,000,000 less 
depreciation under the declining balance method, than under the straight-line method.

Furniture, Equipment and Other

On January 1, 2010, the Company prospectively began depreciating these assets using the declining balance 
method at rates of 10 percent to 30 percent per year, a change from the straight-line method. The change of 
estimate was due to declining balance depreciation providing a better reflection of the estimated service 
life of the related assets. During 2010, the Company incurred $141,000 less depreciation under the declining 
balance method, than under the straight-line method. 

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method. Under this method, the Company 
records a future income tax asset or liability to reflect any difference between the accounting and tax basis 
of assets and liabilities, using substantively enacted income tax rates. The effect on future tax assets and 
liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in net earnings in the period in which the change occurs. 
Future income tax assets are only recognized to the extent it is more likely than not that sufficient future 
taxable income will be available to allow the future income tax asset to be realized.

Asset Retirement Obligations

The Company recognizes an Asset Retirement Obligation (ARO) in the period in which it is incurred when 
a reasonable estimate of the fair value can be made. On a periodic basis, management will review these 
estimates and changes, if any, will be applied prospectively. The fair value of the estimated ARO is recorded 
as a long-term liability, with a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of the related asset. The 
capitalized amount is depleted on a unit-of-production basis over the life of the reserves. The liability amount 
is increased each reporting period due to the passage of time and the amount of accretion is charged 
to earnings in the period. Revisions to the estimated timing of cash flows or to the original estimated 
undiscounted cost would also result in an increase or decrease to the ARO. Actual costs incurred upon 
settlement of the obligations are charged against the ARO to the extent of the liability recorded.

 
 
 
 
 
58

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R
O
P
E
R

L
A
U
N
N
A
0
1
0
2

.

P
R
O
C

Y
R
E
N
E

A
R
R
E
T
N
O
B

Stock-Based Compensation 

The Company accounts for stock based compensation using the fair-value method of accounting for stock 
options granted to directors, officers, employees and other service providers using the Black-Scholes option 
pricing model. Stock-based compensation expense is recorded over the vesting period with a corresponding 
amount reflected in contributed surplus. Stock-based compensation expense is calculated as the estimated 
fair value of the options at the time of grant, amortized over their vesting period. When stock options are 
exercised, the associated amounts previously recorded as contributed surplus are reclassified to common 
share capital. The Company has not incorporated an estimated forfeiture rate for stock options that will not 
vest, rather, the Company accounts for actual forfeitures as they occur.

Financial Instruments

Financial instruments are measured at fair value on initial recognition of the instrument and are classified 
into one of the following five categories: held-for trading, loans and receivables, held-to-maturity 
investments, available-for-sale financial assets or other financial liabilities.

Subsequent measurement of financial instruments is based on their initial classification. Held-for-trading 
financial instruments are measured at fair value and changes in fair value are recognized in net earnings. 
Available-for-sale financial instruments are measured at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in 
other comprehensive income until the instrument is derecognized or impaired. The remaining categories of 
financial instruments are recognized at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method.

All risk management contracts are recorded in the balance sheet at fair value unless they qualify for the 
normal sale and normal purchase exemption. All changes in their fair value are recorded in net earnings 
unless cash flow hedge accounting is used, in which case changes in fair value are recorded in other 
comprehensive income until the underlying hedged transaction is recognized in net earnings. Any hedge 
ineffectiveness is immediately recognized in net earnings. The Company has elected not to use cash flow 
hedge accounting on its risk management contracts with financial counterparties resulting in all changes in 
fair value being recorded in net earnings.

Accounts receivable are classified as loans and receivables which are measured at amortized cost. 
Investments and investments in related party are classified as available-for-sale which are measured at 
fair value and any gains or losses are recognized in other comprehensive income in the period they occur. 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, bank debt, subordinated promissory note and amounts due to 
related parties are classified as other financial liabilities, which are measured at amortized cost.

 
 
 
 
 
59

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O
N
T
E
R
R
A

E
N
E
R
Y

C
O
R
P

.

2
0
1
0

A
N
N
U
A
L

R
E
P
O
R
T

Risk Management Contracts

The Company is exposed to market risks resulting from fluctuations in commodity prices, foreign currency 
exchange rates and interest rates in the normal course of its business. The Company may use a variety 
of instruments to manage these exposures. For transactions where hedge accounting is not applied, the 
Company accounts for such instruments using the fair value method by initially recording an asset or 
liability, and recognizing changes in the fair value of the instruments in earnings as unrealized gains or 
losses on risk management contracts. Fair values of financial instruments are based on third party quotes or 
valuations provided by independent third parties. Any realized gains or losses on risk management contracts 
are recognized in earnings in the period they occur.

The Company may elect to use hedge accounting when there is a high degree of correlation between  
the price movements in the financial instruments and the items designated as being hedged and the 
Company has documented the relationship between the instruments and the hedged item as well as its  
risk management objective and strategy for undertaking hedge transactions. During the years ended 
December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company did not designate any of its financial instruments 
as hedges. There are no risk management contracts outstanding at December 31, 2010 and  
December 31, 2009.

Basic and Diluted per Share Calculations

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing earnings by the weighted average number of shares 
outstanding during the year. Diluted per share amounts reflect the potential dilution that could occur if 
options to purchase shares were exercised. The treasury stock method is used to determine the dilutive 
effect of common share options, whereby proceeds from the exercise of common share options or other 
dilutive instruments are assumed to be used to purchase common shares at the average market price 
during the period.

3.  RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

The Canadian Accounting Standards Board has confirmed that IFRS will replace Canadian GAAP effective 
January 1, 2011, including comparatives for 2010, for Canadian publicly accountable enterprises.

 
 
 
 
 
60

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R
O
P
E
R

L
A
U
N
N
A
0
1
0
2

.

P
R
O
C

Y
R
E
N
E

A
R
R
E
T
N
O
B

4.  BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

On July 2, 2009, the Company acquired all of the issued common shares of Cobalt Energy Ltd. (Cobalt) for 
consideration of 201,438 common shares at a value of $15.92 per common share plus the assumption of 
$2,856,000 of negative working capital for total consideration of $6,063,000. Results of Cobalt’s operations 
have been included in the consolidated financial statements commencing from that date.

The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method and the purchase price was allocated to the 
fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed as follows:

($ 000s) 
Cost of acquisition 

Value of common stock 

  Acquisition costs 

Allocation of purchase price: 

Property and equipment 
Future income tax liability 
  Working capital deficiency 
  Asset retirement obligations 

3,207
170
3,377

7,105
(748)
(2,856)
(124)
3,377

5.  INVESTMENT IN RELATED PARTY

The investment consists of 689,682 common shares in Geomark Exploration Ltd. (Geomark), a  
company having common directors and management with the Company. The investment is recorded at  
fair market value. 

Effective July 6, 2010, Comaplex Minerals Corp. (Comaplex) (a company having common management  
and directors) was acquired by Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited (Agnico-Eagle). In exchange for Bonterra’s  
689,682 common shares in Comaplex, the Company received 689,682 shares in Geomark and 108,693 common 
shares in Agnico-Eagle (value included in Investments on the balance sheet). The investment in Geomark 
represents 1.3 percent ownership in the outstanding common shares of Geomark.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
61

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O
N
T
E
R
R
A

E
N
E
R
Y

C
O
R
P

.

2
0
1
0

A
N
N
U
A
L

R
E
P
O
R
T

6.   PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

($ 000s) 
Undeveloped land 
Petroleum and natural gas properties and  

related equipment 

Furniture, equipment and other 

2010 

  Accumulated 
  Depletion and 
Cost  Depreciation 
– 
4,595 

2009

  Accumulated
  Depletion and
Depreciation
–

Cost 
7,992 

326,072 
1,474 
332,141 

108,217 
1,098 
109,315 

246,387 
1,461 
255,840 

87,153
1,016
88,169

On November 6, 2009, the Company divested of a portion of its Shaunavon oil production to  
Eagle Rock Exploration Ltd. (Eagle Rock). The proceeds of disposition consisted of $23,729,000 cash  
and 30,769,200 common shares in Eagle Rock (representing approximately 4.2 percent of the outstanding 
common shares of that company at that time). The Eagle Rock common shares were trading for  
$0.21 cents per share on November 6, 2009. The Company had a net book value (after effects of asset 
retirement obligations) of $5,993,000 attributable to the assets disposed of resulting in a gain on sale of the 
property of $24,198,000.

Eagle Rock has since changed its name to Wild Stream Exploration Inc. (Wild Stream) and consolidated its 
common shares on a 30:1 basis resulting in Bonterra holding 1,025,640 common shares (value included in 
Investments on the balance sheet). 

In February 2010, the Company disposed of its Southeast Saskatchewan Pinto property. The proceeds of 
disposition were $5,534,000 cash. At the time of disposition, the Company had a net book value of $120,000 
for the property. It also had an asset retirement obligation related to the property of $371,000 that was 
transferred resulting in a gain on sale of property of $5,785,000.

In July 2010, the Company disposed of non-producing land rights for proceeds of $700,000. The Company has 
never had any capital costs associated with these land rights.

During the year the Company capitalized $Nil (2009 – $460,000) of general and administrative costs.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
62

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R
O
P
E
R

L
A
U
N
N
A
0
1
0
2

.

P
R
O
C

Y
R
E
N
E

A
R
R
E
T
N
O
B

7.  DUE TO RELATED PARTIES

As of December 31, 2010, the Company’s CEO and major shareholder has loaned the Company $12,000,000 
(December 31, 2009 – $11,500,000). The loan is unsecured, bears interest at a Canadian chartered bank prime 
less 5/8th of a percent and has no set repayment terms but is payable on demand. Interest paid on this loan 
during 2010 was $242,000 (2009 – $209,000). 

As a result of the acquisition by Agnico-Eagle of Comaplex on July 6, 2010, the $12,000,000 loan previously 
held by Comaplex was transferred to Geomark and is repayable by the Company under the same terms.  
As of December 31, 2010, Geomark has loaned the Company $20,000,000. The loan is unsecured, bears  
interest at a Canadian chartered bank prime less 5/8th of a percent and has no set repayment terms but is 
payable on demand. Interest paid on this loan during 2010 was $313,000 (including interest paid to Comaplex) 
(2009 – $194,000 paid to Comaplex).

The Company’s bank agreement requires that the above loans can only be repaid should the Company 
have sufficient available borrowing limits under the Company’s credit facility. As of December 31, 2010, the 
Company has sufficient room to repay all balances.

Please refer to Note 14 for additional related party transactions.

8.  SUBORDINATED PROMISSORY NOTE

On October 4, 2010 the Company borrowed $15,000,000 from a private investor. In exchange Bonterra has 
issued a Subordinated Promissory Note for $15,000,000. The terms of the Subordinated Promissory Note are 
that it bears interest at three percent, is not callable by the investor prior to January 4, 2012 at which time it 
will be a demand note until its maturity of April 4, 2012, and can be repaid at the option of the Company at 
any time. Security consists of a floating demand debenture totaling $15,000,000 over all of the Company’s 
assets and is subordinated to any and all claims in favor of the syndicate of senior lenders providing credit 
facilities to the Company. Interest paid on the subordinated promissory note during 2010 was $110,000.

The Company’s bank agreement requires that the above loan can only be repaid should the Company 
have sufficient available borrowing limits under the Company’s credit facility. As of December 31, 2010 the 
Company has sufficient room to repay the subordinated promissory note.

 
 
 
 
 
63

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O
N
T
E
R
R
A

E
N
E
R
Y

C
O
R
P

.

2
0
1
0

A
N
N
U
A
L

R
E
P
O
R
T

9.   BANK DEBT

As of December 31, 2010, the Company has a bank facility consisting of a $100,000,000 syndicated and 
$20,000,000 non-syndicated revolving credit facility (December 31, 2009 – $100,000,000 syndicated and 
$20,000,000 non-syndicated revolving credit facility). The interest rates on the outstanding debt as of 
December 31, 2010 were 4.0 percent and 3.4 percent on the Company’s Canadian prime rate loan and 
Bankers’ Acceptances, respectively. The terms of the syndicated revolving credit facility provided that the 
loan is revolving to April 27, 2012 and is subject to annual review. The revolving credit facility has no fixed 
payment requirements. The Company at December 31, 2010 was in level I (see below) in respect of its various 
borrowing charges.

The amount available for borrowing under the credit facility is reduced by outstanding letters of credit. 
Letters of credit totaling $285,000 were issued at December 31, 2010 (December 31, 2009 – $285,000).  
Security for the credit facilities consists of various fixed and floating demand debentures totaling 
$200,000,000 over all of the Company’s assets, and a general security agreement with first ranking over  
all personal and real property. 

The interest rate on the credit facility is calculated as follows: 

Consolidated Total Funded Debt (1)  
  to Consolidated Cash flow Ratio 
Canadian Prime Rate Plus (2) 
Bankers’ Acceptances Rate Plus (2)  

Level I 
Under 
1.0:1  
100 
225 

Level II 
Over 
1.0:1 to 1.5:1 
150 
275 

Level III 
Over 
1.5:1 to 2.0:1 
175 
300 

Level IV 
Over 
2.0:1 to 2.5:1 
200 
325 

Level V
Over 
2.5:1
250
375

(1)   Consolidated total funded debt excludes related party amounts and subordinated debenture but includes working  

capital. Consolidated cash flow is calculated as cash flow according to GAAP excluding adjustments for non-cash working 
capital items. 

(2)  Numbers in table represent basis points.

Consolidated total funded debt to consolidated cash flow ratio shall be calculated each fiscal quarter and 
the interest rates adjusted effective as of the first day of the fiscal quarter commencing immediately after 
the fiscal quarter in which Bonterra files a compliance certificate containing the ratio, with each such 
adjustment to be effective until the next such adjustment.

The following is a list of the material covenants:

•	 The	Company	is	required	to	not	exceed	$120,000,000	in	consolidated	total	funded	debt	 

(includes working capital but excludes due to related parties and subordinated debt).

•	 The	total	of	the	dividends	paid	in	the	current	quarter	and	the	three	previous	quarters	shall	not	exceed	 
80 percent of the previous four quarters’ cash flow as defined under GAAP excluding adjustments for 
non-cash working capital items.

 
 
 
 
 
   
 
64

T
R
O
P
E
R

L
A
U
N
N
A
0
1
0
2

.

P
R
O
C

Y
R
E
N
E

A
R
R
E
T
N
O
B

At December 31, 2010, the Company is in compliance with all covenants.

10.  INCOME TAXES

The Company has recorded a future income tax asset related to assets and liabilities and related  
tax amounts:

($ 000s) 
Future tax liability related to investments 
Future tax liability related to property and equipment 
Future tax asset related to asset retirement obligations 
Future tax asset related to finance costs 
Future tax asset related to corporate tax losses and SR&ED claims 
Future tax asset related to corporate capital tax losses 
Valuation adjustment 
Future Tax Asset – Long-Term 

Current portion of future income tax asset related to corporate tax 

losses and SR&ED claims:  

Future Tax Asset – Current 

A reconciliation of the deferred credit is as follows:

($ 000s) 
Amount recorded on reorganization 
Amortized in 2008 
Amortized in 2009 
Rate adjustment 2009 
Balance as of December 31, 2009 
Amortized in 2010 
Rate adjustment 2010 
Balance as of December 31, 2010 

Current portion 
Long-term portion 

2010 
(832) 
(12,347) 
4,274 
367 
37,717 
17,705 
(16,873) 
30,011 

2009
(824)
(5,855)
4,474
802
59,668
17,883
(17,883)
58,265

22,889 
22,889 

11,889
11,889

71,303
(4,240)
(12,356)
425
55,132
(9,408)
(288)
45,436

19,586 
25,850 
45,436

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
65

B
O
N
T
E
R
R
A

E
N
E
R
Y

C
O
R
P

.

2
0
1
0

A
N
N
U
A
L

R
E
P
O
R
T

Income tax expense varies from the amounts that would be computed by applying Canadian federal and 
provincial income tax rates as follows:

($ 000s) 
Earnings before income taxes 
Combined federal and provincial income tax rates 
Income tax provision calculated using statutory tax rates 
Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from: 
Saskatchewan resource surcharge 

  Quebec tax 

Stock-based compensation 

  Deferred credit amortization 
  Non-taxable portion of gains 
  Change in valuation allowance 
  Change in effective tax rate 
  Other 
Income tax expense 

2010 
56,982 
28.06% 
15,989 

141 
– 
136 
(9,696) 
(461) 
(1,010) 
2,071 
(52) 
7,118 

2009
74,536
29.15%
21,727

282
269
266
(11,931)
–
–
(4,708)
68
5,973

The Company and its subsidiaries have the following tax pools, which may be used to reduce taxable income 
in future years, limited to the applicable rates of utilization:

($ 000s) 
Undepreciated capital costs 
Eligible capital expenditures 
Share issue costs 
Canadian oil and gas property expenditures 
Canadian development expenditures 
Canadian exploration expenditures 
SR&ED expenditures 
Income tax losses carried forward (1) 

Rate of Utilization (%) 
20-100 
7 
20 
10 
30 
100 
100 
100 

$ 

Amount
   25,441
6,849
1,424
19,074
109,642
11,140
39,985
222,596
$  436,151

(1)   Federal income tax losses carried forward expire in the following years; 2024 – $3,347,000, 2025 – $7,532,000, 2026 – $46,671,000, 

2027 – $117,189,000, 2028 – $34,726,000, 2029 – $13,131,000. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
66

T
R
O
P
E
R

L
A
U
N
N
A
0
1
0
2

.

P
R
O
C

Y
R
E
N
E

A
R
R
E
T
N
O
B

The Company has $27,670,000 (2009 – $27,670,000) remaining of investment tax credits that expire in the 
following years; 2019 – $3,469,000, 2020 – $3,059,000, 2021 – $4,667,000, 2022 – $3,909,000, 2023 – $3,155,000, 
2024 – $1,995,000, 2025 – $2,257,000, 2026 – $2,405,000, 2027 – $2,009,000, 2028 – $745,000.

The Company also has $141,417,000 (December 31, 2009 – $143,061,000) of capital loss carry forwards which 
can only be claimed against taxable capital gains.

The amount and timing of reversals of temporary differences will also depend on the Company’s future 
operating results, acquisitions and dispositions of assets and liabilities. A significant change in any of these 
assumptions could materially affect the Company’s estimate of the future income tax asset.

11.  ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

At December 31, 2010, the estimated total undiscounted amount required to settle the asset retirement 
obligations was $62,579,000 (2009 – $64,482,000). Costs for asset retirement have been calculated assuming a 
1.5 percent inflation rate. These obligations will be settled based on the useful lives of the underlying assets, 
which extend up to 50 years into the future. This amount has been discounted using a credit-adjusted risk-
free interest rate of five percent (2009 – five percent).

Changes to asset retirement obligations were as follows:

($ 000s) 
Asset retirement obligations, January 1 
Adjustment to asset retirement obligations 
Adjustment related to asset disposals  
Liabilities settled during the year 
Accretion 
Asset retirement obligations, December 31 

2010 
17,790 
(220) 
(368) 
(1,006) 
874 
17,070 

2009
18,338
(138)
(750)
(573)
913
17,790

 
 
 
 
 
67

B
O
N
T
E
R
R
A

E
N
E
R
Y

C
O
R
P

.

2
0
1
0

A
N
N
U
A
L

R
E
P
O
R
T

12.  SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Authorized

The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares without nominal or par value. 
The Company is also authorized to issue an unlimited number of Class “A” redeemable Preferred Shares 
and an unlimited number of Class “B” Preferred Shares. There are currently no outstanding Class “A” 
redeemable preferred shares or Class “B” preferred shares. 

Issued

Common Shares 
Balance, beginning of year 
Issued pursuant to private placement 
Issued on acquisition of Cobalt (Note 4) 
Issued pursuant to Company share option plan 
Transfer of contributed surplus to share capital 
Issue costs for private placement 
Future tax effect of share issue costs 
Balance, end of year  

2010 

Amount  
($ 000s) 

121,955 
– 
– 
12,377 
698 
– 
– 
135,030 

Number 

18,619,641 
– 
– 
599,900 

19,219,541 

2009

Amount
($ 000s)

99,530
17,996
3,207
1,898
103
(1,046)
267
121,955

Number 

17,257,603 
1,068,000 
201,438 
92,600 

18,619,641 

On May 27, 2009, the Company completed a private placement for 1,068,000 common shares at a price of  
$16.85 per common share for aggregate proceeds of $17,996,000. The Company incurred issue costs of 
$1,046,000 in respect of the offering.

The number of common shares used to calculate diluted net earnings per share for the year ended  
December 31, 2010 of 19,348,991 shares (2009 – 18,131,085) included the basic weighted average number 
of common shares outstanding of 18,810,355 shares (2009 – 18,006,320) plus 538,636 shares (2009 – 124,765) 
related to the dilutive effect of common share options.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
68

T
R
O
P
E
R

L
A
U
N
N
A
0
1
0
2

.

P
R
O
C

Y
R
E
N
E

A
R
R
E
T
N
O
B

A summary of the changes to the Company’s contributed surplus is presented below:

Contributed Surplus 

($ 000s) 
Balance, beginning of year 
Stock-based compensation expensed (non-cash) 
Stock-based options exercised (non-cash) 
Balance, end of year 

The deficit balance is composed of the following items:

($ 000s) 
Accumulated earnings 
Accumulated cash dividends 
Deficit 

2010 
3,350 
483 
(698) 
3,135 

2009
2,542
911
(103)
3,350

2010 
326,609 
(332,063) 
(5,454) 

2009
276,745
(285,196)
(8,451)

The Company provides a stock option plan for its directors, officers, employees and consultants. Under the 
plan, the Company may grant options for up to 1,921,954 common shares (2009 – 1,861,964). The exercise price 
of each option granted equals the market price of the common shares on the date of grant and the option’s 
maximum term is five years. 

A summary of the status of the Company’s stock option plan as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and changes 
during the years ended on those dates is presented below:

December 31, 2010 

December 31, 2009

Outstanding at beginning of period 
Options granted 
Options cancelled 
Options exercised 
Outstanding at end of period 
Options exercisable at end of period 

$ 

  Weighted- 
Average 
Exercise  
Price 
  20.36 
36.98 
34.66 
20.63 
  20.56 
  20.50 

$ 
$ 

Options 
1,330,900 
36,000 
(20,000) 
(599,900) 
747,000 
255,500 

Options 
1,390,500 
33,000 
– 
(92,600) 
1,330,900 
370,900 

$ 

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
  20.50
14.90
–
20.50 
  20.36
  20.50

$ 
$ 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
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B
O
N
T
E
R
R
A

E
N
E
R
Y

C
O
R
P

.

2
0
1
0

A
N
N
U
A
L

R
E
P
O
R
T

The following table summarizes information about options outstanding at December 31, 2010:

Options Outstanding 

Options Exercisable

Weighted- 
Average 
Number 
Outstanding 
at 12/31/10 
22,000 
719,000 
6,000 
747,000 

Weighted- 
Remaining 
Contractual 
Life 
2.1 years 
1.9 years 
2.5 years 
1.9 years 

Average 
Exercise 
Price 
$14.90 
20.50 
48.60 
$20.56 

Weighted- 
Number 
Exercisable 
at 12/31/10 
– 
255,500 
– 
255,500 

Average 
Exercise 
Price
$   –
 20.50 
– 
$ 20.50

Range of Exercise Prices 
$  14.90 
   20.50 
   48.60 
$  14.90 - $  48.60 

The Company records compensation expense over the vesting period based on the fair value of options 
granted to employees, directors and consultants. In 2010, the Company granted 36,000 stock options with 
an estimated fair value of $204,000 ($5.67 per option) using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the 
following key assumptions:

Weighted-average risk free interest rate (%) 
Expected life (years) 
Weighted-average volatility (%) 
Dividend yield 2010 and 2009 

2010 
1.87 
2.8 
33.1 

2009
1.4
3.0
33.0

based on the percentage of dividends  
paid during the period granted

13.  ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

($ 000s) 
Unrealized gains on available  
for sale financial assets 

($ 000s) 
Unrealized gains on available  
for sale financial assets 

Other
January 1,  Comprehensive 
Income  

2010 

December 31,
2010

2,020 

3,682 

5,702

January 1, 
2009 

Other
Comprehensive 
Income  

December 31,
2009

1,420 

600 

2,020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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14.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company received a management fee from Geomark and Comaplex of $316,500  
(Comaplex 2009 – $330,000) for management services and office administration. This fee has been included 
as a recovery in general and administrative expenses. At December 31, 2010, the Company had an account 
receivable from Geomark of $35,000 (Comaplex December 31, 2009 – $105,000). Effective July 6, 2010, the 
Company cancelled its management agreement with Comaplex due to its takeover by Agnico-Eagle. 

A new management agreement was entered into with Geomark effective July 6, 2010, under the same terms 
and conditions as those of the Comaplex agreement except that the monthly fee is $22,500 compared to 
Comaplex’s monthly fee of $30,000.

The Company received a management fee from Pine Cliff Energy Ltd. (Pine Cliff), a company having  
common directors and management with Bonterra, of $90,000 (2009 – $120,000) for management services 
and office administration. This fee has been included as a recovery in general and administrative  
expenses. At December 31, 2010 the Company had an account receivable from Pine Cliff of $1,000  
(December 31, 2009 – $1,000). 

These transactions are in the normal course of operations and are measured at the exchange amount, which 
is the amount of consideration established and agreed to by the related parties. 

15.  FINANCIAL AND CAPITAL RISK MANAGEMENT

Financial Risk Factors

The Company undertakes transactions in a range of financial instruments including:

•	 Receivables

•	 Payables	and	accrued	liabilities

•	 Common	share	investments

•	 Due	to	related	parties

•	 Bank	debt

•	 Subordinated	Promissory	Note

The Company’s activities result in exposure to a number of financial risks including market risk  
(commodity price risk, interest rate risk, and foreign exchange risk), credit risk, and liquidity risk.

 
 
 
 
 
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The Company’s overall risk management program seeks to mitigate these risks and reduce the volatility 
on the Company’s financial performance. Financial risk management is carried out by senior management 
under the direction of the Directors of the Company.

The Company may enter into various risk management contracts in accordance with Board approval  
to manage the Company’s exposure to commodity price fluctuations. Currently no risk management 
agreements are in place. The Company does not speculatively trade in risk management contracts. The 
Company’s risk management contracts are entered into to manage the risks relating to commodity prices 
from its business activities.

Capital Risk Management

The Company’s objectives when managing capital, which the Company defines to include shareholders’ 
equity, debt, due to related parties, subordinated promissory note and working capital balances, are to 
safeguard the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, so that it can continue to provide returns to 
its shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce 
the cost of capital. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Company may adjust the amount 
of dividends, debt facilities or issue new shares.

The Company monitors capital on the basis of the ratio of debt to cash flow. This ratio is calculated using 
each quarter end net debt (total debt adjusted for working capital) and divided by the preceding twelve 
months cash flow. The Company believes that a debt level of approximately one and a half year’s cash flow 
is an appropriate level to allow it to take advantage in the future of either acquisition opportunities or to 
provide flexibility to develop its undeveloped resources by horizontal or vertical drill programs. 

The following section (a) of this note provides a summary of the Company’s underlying economic positions 
as represented by the carrying values, fair values and contractual face values of the Company’s financial 
assets and financial liabilities. The Company’s debt to cash flow from operations is also provided.

The following section (b) addresses in more detail the key financial risk factors that arise from the 
Company’s activities including its policies for managing these risks.

 
 
 
 
 
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The following section (c) provides details of the Company’s risk management contracts that are used for 
financial risk management.

a)  Financial assets, financial liabilities and debt ratio

 The carrying amounts, fair value and face values of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities are 
shown in Table 1.

Table 1

($ 000s) 
Financial assets 
Accounts receivable 
Investments 
Investments in related party 

Financial liabilities 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 
Due to related parties 
Subordinated promissory note 
Bank debt 

($ 000s) 
Financial assets 
Accounts receivable 
Investments 
Investments in related party 
Restricted cash 

Financial liabilities 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 
Due to related parties 
Bank debt 

As at December 31, 2010

Carrying Value 

Fair Value 

Face Value

17,345 
11,471 
814 

16,839 
32,000 
15,000 
70,386 

17,345 
11,471 
814 

16,839 
32,000 
15,000 
70,386 

17,445
N/A
N/A

16,839
32,000
15,000
70,386

As at December 31, 2009

Carrying Value 

Fair Value 

Face Value

14,713 
4,462 
4,827 
812 

18,868 
23,500 
59,823 

14,713 
4,462 
4,827 
812 

18,868 
23,500 
59,823 

14,873
N/A
N/A
812

18,868
23,500
59,823

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Financial instruments consisting of accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, due to 
related parties, subordinated promissory note and bank debt on the consolidated balance sheet are carried 
at amortized cost. Investments and investments in related party are carried at fair value. All of the fair value 
items are transacted in active markets. Bonterra classifies the fair value of these transactions according to 
the following hierarchy based on the amount of observable inputs used to value the instrument.

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.

Bonterra’s investments and investments in related party have been assessed on the fair value hierarchy 
described above and are all considered Level 1.

The net debt and cash flow from operations figures are presented in Table 2.

Table 2

($ 000s) 
Bank debt 
Due to related parties 
Subordinated promissory note 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 
Current assets (1) 
Net Debt 
Cash flow from operations (2) 
Net debt to cash flow from operations 

December 31, 2010
70,386
32,000
15,000
16,839 
(30,934)
103,291
66,262
1.56

(1)  Current assets include accounts receivable, crude oil inventory, prepaid expenses, and investments. 
(2)   Cash flow from operations includes annual net earnings less adjustment for, stock-based compensation, depletion, 

depreciation and accretion, gain on sale of property, gain on sale of investments, future income taxes, changes in non-cash 
working capital items, and asset retirement obligations settled. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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b)  Risks and mitigations

Market risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flow of the Company’s financial instruments will 
fluctuate because of changes in market prices. Components of market risk to which the Company is 
exposed are discussed below.

Commodity price risk

The Company’s principal operation is the production and sale of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas 
liquids. Fluctuations in prices of these commodities directly impact the Company’s performance and 
ability to continue with its dividends. 

The Company has used various risk management contracts to set price parameters for a portion of its 
production. Management, in agreement with the Board of Directors, decided that at least in the near 
term it will discontinue the use of commodity price agreements. The Company will assume full risk in 
respect of commodity prices.

Interest rate risk

Interest rate risk refers to the risk that the value of a financial instrument or cash flows associated 
with the instrument will fluctuate due to changes in market interest rates. Interest rate risk arises from 
interest bearing financial assets and liabilities that the Company uses. The principal exposure of the 
Company is on its borrowings which have a variable interest rate which gives rise to a cash flow  
interest rate risk.

The Company’s debt facilities consist of a $100,000,000 revolving operating line, $20,000,000 demand 
operating line, a $15,000,000 subordinated promissory note and $32,000,000 due to related parties. The 
borrowings under these facilities are at bank prime plus or minus various percentages as well as by 
means of bankers’ acceptances (BA’s) within the Company’s credit facility. The Company manages 
its exposure to interest rate risk through entering into various term lengths on its BA’s but in no 
circumstances do the terms exceed six months. 

Sensitivity Analysis

Based on historic movements and volatilities in the interest rate markets and management’s current 
assessment of the financial markets, the Company believes that a one percent variation in the Canadian 
prime interest rate is reasonably possible over a 12-month period. 

A one percent increase (decrease) in the Canadian prime rate would decrease (increase) net earnings 
and comprehensive income by $758,000, respectively.

 
 
 
 
 
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Foreign exchange risk

The Company has no foreign operations and currently sells all its product sales in Canadian currency. The 
Company however is exposed to currency risk in that crude oil is priced in U.S. currency then converted to 
Canadian currency. The Company currently has no outstanding risk management agreements. Management, 
in agreement with the Board of Directors, decided that at least in the near term it will discontinue the use of 
commodity price agreements. The Company will assume full risk in respect of foreign exchange fluctuations.

Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk that a contracting party will not complete its obligations under a financial instrument 
and cause the Company to incur a financial loss. The Company is exposed to credit risk on all financial 
assets included on the balance sheet. To help mitigate this risk:

•	 The	Company	only	enters	into	material	agreements	with	credit	worthy	counterparties.	These	include	

major oil and gas companies or major Canadian chartered banks; and

•	 Agreements	for	product	sales	are	primarily	on	30	day	renewal	terms.

Of the accounts receivable balance of December 31, 2010 ($17,345,000) and December 31, 2009 ($14,713,000) 
over 88 (2009 – 87) percent relates to product sales with international oil and gas companies and drilling 
credits receivable from the province of Alberta.

The Company assesses quarterly, if there has been any impairment of the financial assets of the Company. 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, there was no impairment provision required on any of the 
financial assets of the Company due to historical success of realizing financial assets. The Company does 
have a credit risk exposure as the majority of the Company’s accounts receivables are with counterparties 
having similar characteristics. However, payments from the Company’s largest accounts receivable 
counterparties have consistently been received within 30 days and the sales agreements with these parties 
are cancellable with 30 days notice if payments are not received. 

At December 31, 2010, approximately $231,000 or 1.3 percent of the Company’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. The Company actively monitors past due accounts and takes the necessary actions to 
expedite collection, which can include withholding production or netting payables when the accounts are 
with joint venture partners. Should the Company 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 earnings. If the Company subsequently determines an account is uncollectable, the account is 
written off with a corresponding charge to the allowance account. The Company’s allowance for doubtful 
accounts balance at December 31, 2010 is $100,000 (December 31, 2009 – $160,000) with the difference being 
included in general and administrative expenses. There were no accounts written off during the year. 

 
 
 
 
 
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The maximum exposure to credit risk is represented by the carrying amount on the balance sheet. There are 
no material financial assets that the Company considers past due.

Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk includes the risk that, as a result of the Company’s operational liquidity requirements:

•	 The	Company	will	not	have	sufficient	funds	to	settle	a	transaction	on	the	due	date;

•	 The	Company	will	not	have	sufficient	funds	to	continue	with	its	dividends;

•	 The	Company	will	be	forced	to	sell	assets	at	a	value	which	is	less	than	what	they	are	worth;	or

•	 The	Company	may	be	unable	to	settle	or	recover	a	financial	asset	at	all.

To help reduce these risks the Company:

•	 Maintains	a	portfolio	of	high-quality,	long	reserve	life	oil	and	gas	assets.

The Company has the following maturity schedule for its financial liabilities:

($ 000s) 
Accounts payable and  
  accrued liabilities 
Due to related parties 
Subordinated promissory note 
Bank debt 
Office leases 
Total 

Recognized on  
Financial Statements 

Payments Due By Period 

Less than 1 year 

1-3 years 

4-5 years

Yes – Liability 
Yes – Liability 
Yes – Liability 
Yes – Liability 
No 

16,839 
32,000 
– 
– 
967 
49,806 

– 
– 
5,000 
70,386 
1,411 
86,797 

–
–
–
–
–
–

c)  Risk management contracts

The Company has no outstanding risk management contracts.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16.  COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND GUARANTEES

The Company has no contractual obligations that last more than a year other than its office lease 
agreements which are as follows:

Lease Obligations ($ 000s) 
Year 1 
Year 2 
Year 3 
Year 4  
Year 5 
Total 

967
874
537
–
–
2,378

17.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS – DIVIDENDS

Subsequent to December 31, 2010, the Company has declared the following dividends:

Date declared 
January 5, 2011 
February 2, 2011 
March 2, 2011 

Record date 
January 14, 2011 
February 15, 2011 
March 15, 2011 

$ per share 
$0.24 
$0.24 
$0.24 

Date payable
January 31, 2011
February 28, 2011
March 31, 2011

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CORPORATE 
INFORMATION

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
G.J. Drummond, Nassau, Bahamas
G.F. Fink, Calgary, Alberta
C.R. Jonsson, Vancouver, British Columbia
F. W. Woodward, Calgary, Alberta

OFFICERS
G.F. Fink – Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
R.M. Jarock – President and Chief Operating Officer
G.E. Schultz – Chief Financial Officer
R.D. Thompson – Vice President, Finance

REGISTRAR & TRANSFER AGENT
Olympia Trust Company, Calgary, Alberta

AUDITORS
Deloitte & Touche LLP, Calgary, Alberta

SOLICITORS
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Calgary, Alberta

BANKERS
CIBC, Calgary, Alberta
The Royal Bank of Canada, Calgary, Alberta
Alberta Treasury Branch, Calgary, Alberta

STOCK LISTING
The Toronto Stock Exchange, Toronto, Ontario
Trading symbol: BNE

HEAD OFFICE
901, 1015 – 4th Street SW
Calgary, Alberta T2R 1J4
PH 403.262.5307
FX 403.265.7488

WEB SITE
www.bonterraenergy.com

 
 
 
 
 
901, 1015 - 4th Street SW
Calgary, Alberta T2R 1J4