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Bonterra Energy Corp.

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FY2012 Annual Report · Bonterra Energy Corp.
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YIELD
SUSTAINABILITY
GROWTH

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

THE RIGHT ASSETS. 
THE RIGHT PEOPLE. 
THE RIGHT STRATEGY.

Bonterra Energy Corp. is a high-yield, dividend paying oil and gas company 
headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with a proven history of creating 
growth and long-term value for shareholders on a per share basis. Bonterra has 
paid a monthly dividend (distribution) since inception and intends to pay 
approximately 50 to 65 percent of funds flow to investors. Bonterra’s successful 
performance is due to its experienced management team, conservative capital 
structure and sustainable pace of development. 

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

Annual Highlights 2  
Quarterly Highlights 3  
Report to Shareholders 4 
Cardium: The Right Assets 8  
Statistical Review 12  

Management’s Discussion & Analysis 19  
Financial Statements 40  
Notes to Financial Statements 44 
Corporate Information 65

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

 
2012 HIGHLIGHTS

YIELD

SUSTAINABILITY

GROWTH

Bonterra’s business strategy is to provide 
income to shareholders on a monthly basis 
in the form of a monthly dividend and to 
generate above average returns for 
shareholders over time through the 
development and expansion of its high 
quality asset base. 

The company’s conservative capital 
structure along with its large drilling 
inventory and efficient horizontal drilling 
program positions the company well  
to continue to provide superior value  
to its shareholders.

Bonterra’s operations are characterized by 
a long reserve life index and low risk, 
predictable returns. The company focuses 
on the sustainable development of its 
asset base through a steady pace of 
development and efficient operating 
practices. Bonterra’s implementation of 
new drilling and completion methods  
have decreased costs and improved  
well performance and reserve recovery. 
The company will continue to execute its 
disciplined approach to operations in  
2013 to maximize shareholder returns  
on a long-term basis.

Bonterra’s track record of production, 
reserves and dividend growth on both 
a total and per share basis remains 
unparalleled in the Canadian energy 
industry. Bonterra has increased its  
holdings in the Cardium during 2012  
and its 2013 horizontal drill program 
will continue to drive growth as the 
company pursues the development of 
its opportunities in both the Pembina 
and Willesden Green fields. Bonterra will 
maintain its focus on providing superior 
growth to shareholders balanced by 
conservative financial management. 

$3.12  
per share  
paid out in 2012

$90 M 
2013 capital  
program

90.5% 
five year return  
to shareholders 

>10 year 
drilling  
inventory 

6,703  
BOE per day  
produced in 2012

100% 
drilling success  
rate in 2012

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

1

ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS

As at and for the year ended  
($ 000s except $ per share) 

December 31, 
2012

December 31, 
2011

December 31, 
2010

FINANCIAL
Revenue – realized oil and gas sales
Funds flow (1)
  Per share – basic
  Per share – diluted
  Payout ratio (2)
Cash flow from operations
  Per share – basic
  Per share – diluted
  Payout ratio (2)
Cash dividends per share (2)
Net earnings
  Per share – basic
  Per share – diluted
Capital expenditures and acquisitions net of dispositions
Total assets
Working capital deficiency
Long-term debt
Shareholders’ equity
OPERATIONS
Oil    

NGLs 

– barrels per day
– average price ($ per barrel)
– barrels per day
– average price ($ per barrel)
– MCF per day
– average price ($ per MCF)
Total barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOE) (4)

Natural gas  

142,770
80,429
4.07
4.06
77%
74,325
3.75
3.75
83%
3.12
33,211
1.68
1.68
98,130(3)
419,933
29,876
166,808
163,277

4,035
82.04
476
52.18
13,157
2.60
6,703

162,277
101,988
5.27
5.22
58%
97,409
5.04
4.98
61%
3.06
43,608
2.25
2.23
62,686
364,176
51,576
69,916
181,640

4,075
92.76
386
60.89
11,163
3.86
6,322

118,980
74,385
3.95
3.84
64%
66,238
3.52
3.42
72%
2.55
39,954
2.12
2.06
70,680
347,825
17,905
85,386
190,173

3,585
74.76
290
47.11
10,521
4.14
5,628

 (1)  Funds flow is not a recognized measure under IFRS. For these purposes, the Company defines funds flow as funds provided by operations including proceeds  
from sale of investments and investment income received excluding the effects of changes in non-cash working capital items, decommissioning expenditures 
settled and restricted cash.

(2)  Cash dividends per share are based on payments made in respect of production months within the quarter.

(3)  Includes an acquisition that closed on June 7, 2012 for $17,108,000.

(4)  BOE may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A BOE conversion ratio of 6 MCF: 1 bbl is based on an energy equivalency conversion method 

primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.

2 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
QUARTERLY HIGHLIGHTS

As at and for the periods ended  
($ 000s except $ per share)

FINANCIAL
Revenue – realized oil and gas sales
Funds flow (1)
  Per share – basic
  Per share – diluted
  Payout ratio (2)
Cash flow from operations
  Per share – basic
  Per share – diluted
  Payout ratio (2)
  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 (barrels per day)
NGLs (barrels per day)
Natural gas (MCF per day)
Total BOE per day (4)

2012

Q4

Q3

Q2

Q1

39,624
19,796
1.00
1.00
78%
21,460
 1.08 
 1.08 
72%
 0.78 
6,082
0.31 
0.31 
24,069
419,933
29,876
166,808
163,277

4,400
595
16,009
7,663

35,204
21,705
1.10
1.09
71%
16,440
0.83
0.83
94%
0.78
7,746
0.39
0.39
27,360
412,812
49,808
128,779
169,839

4,108
461
12,583
6,666

31,049
16,621
0.84
0.84
93%
14,727
0.74
0.74
105%
0.78
9,201
0.47
0.46
25,288(3)
393,772
42,082
114,747
176,292

3,650
428
11,753
6,037

36,893
22,307
1.13
1.13
69%
21,698
 1.10 
 1.10 
71%
0.78
10,182
0.52
0.51
21,413
371,757
57,889
75,543
181,008

3,975
419
12,260
6,438

(1)   Funds flow is not a recognized measure under IFRS. For these purposes, the Company defines funds flow as funds provided by operations including proceeds 
from sale of investments and investment income received excluding the effects of changes in non-cash working capital items, decommissioning expenditures 
settled and restricted cash.

(2)  Cash dividends per share are based on payments made in respect of production months within the quarter.

(3)  Includes an acquisition that closed on June 7, 2012 for $17,108,000.

(4)  Barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A BOE conversion ratio of 6 MCF: 1 bbl is based on an energy equivalency 

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

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

3

 
 
 
 
BONTERRA IS  
COMMITTED TO 
CREATING AND 
DELIVERING 
OUTSTANDING  
VALUE ON BEHALF  
OF ITS INVESTORS.

REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS

Bonterra Energy Corp. (Bonterra or the Company) is pleased to report its financial and operational results for the year ended 
December 31, 2012. 

STRATEGY

It was a challenging year for the Canadian energy sector, including Bonterra, as the operating environment was hampered by a 
number of significant issues including an extended spring break-up, weak commodity prices, including volatile price differentials 
between WTI and average realized prices, lengthy plant turnarounds and pipeline issues. Despite these hurdles, Bonterra 
continued to create value for its shareholders through the successful execution of its long-term business strategy which is 
focused on: 

•	 	providing	shareholders	with	income	in	the	form	of	a	monthly	dividend;	

•	 	potential	share	price	appreciation	by	growing	production	and	reserves	on	both	a	total	and	per	share	basis	through	the	

execution	of	a	sustainable	development	program	and		the	efficient	management	of	its	high-quality,	low	risk	asset	base;	and	

•	 	preserving	balance	sheet	strength.	

4 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

Bonterra continues to offer above average returns to investors. 
Since inception Bonterra has provided investors with a 
compound annual rate of return of over 40 percent and the 
Company’s five year return to shareholders is 90.5 percent.

2012 highlights include:

•	 	Paid	$3.12	per	share	($0.26	per	share	monthly)	in	dividends	
to	shareholders	that	has	been	increased	to	$0.28	per	share	
monthly	effective	March	31,	2013;

•	 	Executed	an	$81.0	million	capital	program	before	

acquisitions comprised of 34 gross (22.9 net) Cardium 
horizontal	wells	drilled	with	a	100	percent	success	rate;

•	 	New	production	records	set	with	average	daily	production	

of	6,703	barrels	of	oil	equivalent	(BOE)	per	day	(67	percent	
oil	and	liquids)	for	the	full	year	2012	and	7,663	BOE	per	day	
in	the	fourth	quarter,	an	increase	of	6.0	percent	and	 
14.8	percent	over	the	same	periods	in	2011;

•	 	Production	per	share	was	0.124	BOE	per	share,	an	increase	

of	4.2	percent	over	2011;

•	 	Proved	plus	Probable	(P+P)	reserves	of	45.0	million	BOE	
(approximately	75	percent	oil	and	liquids),	a	9.4	percent	
increase	over	December	2011	reserves	of	41.1	million	BOE;

•	 	Added	a	total	of	6.3	million	BOE	of	reserves	(P+P)	which	

equates	to	2.5	times	2012	production;

•	 	Reserves	per	share	(P+P)	increased	7.0	percent	to	 

2.28	BOE	per	share	compared	to	2.13	BOE	per	share	 
in	the	prior	year;	and

•	 	The	Company	was	successful	in	strengthening	its	Cardium	

core area with two key acquisitions.

2012 challenges include:

•	 	The	debt	to	funds	flow	ratio	at	December	31,	2012	was	in	

excess of the Company’s guidance of 1.5 to 1 times.  
(This	has	been	rectified	in	2013);

•	 	A	reduction	of	$11.11	in	corporate	netbacks	per	BOE	from	

$42.47	in	2011	to	$31.36	in	2012	due	to:	the	average	annual	
oil differential between the price of WTI and the Company’s 
realized	price	of	$12.07	in	2012	compared	to	$2.42	in	2011;	
the	reduction	of	natural	gas	prices	from	$3.86	per	MCF	in	
2011	to	$2.60	per	MCF	in	2012;	and	the	reduction	of	natural	
gas	liquids	from	$60.89	per	barrel	in	2011	to	$52.18	per	
barrel in 2012. The decrease in corporate netbacks using 
2012	average	production	reduced	cash	flow	by	 
$27.2	million;	and

•	 	The	Company	exceeded	its	capital	expenditure	budget	by	
approximately	$30	million	in	2012	due	to	an	unbudgeted	
$17	million	acquisition	and	additional	drilling	in	Q4	2012.	
Bonterra had considered issuing shares from treasury in 
December 2012 to finance this increase in capital spending 
and	the	negative	effect	on	the	debt	to	funds	flow	ratio	but	
did	not	need	to	proceed	with	this	after	the	Spartan	Oil	Corp.	
acquisition which closed in January 2013.

ASSETS

Bonterra holds an enviable suite of light oil properties in its 
core area in the Cardium located in the Pembina and  
Willesden	Green	fields	in	west	central	Alberta.	Horizontal	
drilling has revitalized this mature basin and the Company has 
been at the forefront of increased development having drilled 
the first horizontal well in the halo of the Pembina field that 
commenced	production	in	February	2009.	The	Company’s	
high level of concentration and experience in the area provides 
Bonterra with the knowledge to efficiently exploit the Cardium 

AVERAGE DAILY PRODUCTION 
(boe per day)

PRODUCTION PER SHARE 
(boe)

RESERVES PER SHARE 
(boe)

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

6,703

6,322

5,628

4,994

4,346

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

0.124

0.119

0.109

0.101

0.092

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2.28

2.13

2.09

1.99

1.83

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

5

formation and the Company has pursued land and corporate 
acquisitions to continue to acquire further interests in this key 
resource play.

FINANCIAL RESULTS  
AND COmmODITY PRICE ENVIRONmENT

During the second quarter of 2012, Bonterra completed a 
tuck-in acquisition in the Willesden Green area adding 52.3 
gross	(10.5	net)	sections	of	land	and	250	BOE	per	day	of	
production, net to the Company. These lands are considered 
underdeveloped and provide Bonterra with an additional 191 
gross	(37	net)	potential	Cardium	drilling	locations.

In late 2012, Bonterra announced its most significant 
acquisition	to	date	of	a	Cardium-focused	producer	Spartan	Oil	
Corp. (Spartan) which closed on January 25, 2013. The Spartan 
assets further solidified Bonterra’s position as one of the 
predominant sustaining light-oil dividend paying companies in 
the Canadian energy sector, augmented Bonterra’s large  
asset base in the Cardium formation which now totals 250.3 
(193.7	net)	sections	and	increased	production	to	approximately	
13,500	BOE	per	day	of	production	at	the	date	of	acquisition.	
The Spartan assets are expected to increase Bonterra’s liquids 
weighting and the corporate production profile in 2013 is 
anticipated	to	be	approximately	75	percent	light	oil	and	
natural gas liquids which should result in increased netbacks.

The Company currently estimates that it has a greater than  
10 year drilling inventory (based on drilling four horizontal wells 
per section) and remains well-positioned to continue delivering 
strong operational performance in 2013 through the continued 
development of its significant portfolio of organic growth 
opportunities. Bonterra will focus its efforts on improving 
production rates, sustaining a consistent pace of development 
and increasing project economics across its operations.

Oil	and	natural	gas	prices	exhibited	continued	weakness	in	
2012 and price differentials between Bonterra’s average 
realized price and WTI widened substantially from prices 
received in 2011, due in most part to pipeline capacity 
constraints, refinery outages, seasonal turnarounds and  
quality adjustments. The price differential slightly decreased 
during the fourth quarter of 2012 due to a combination of 
increased	rail	shipments,	decreased	production	of	Alberta	
synthetic crude and increased demand from U.S. and  
Canadian	refineries.	However,	continued	European	and	 
North	American	economic	concerns	and	pipeline	capacity	
constraints continued to negatively affect the realized price  
for oil in Canada. 

The Company’s average realized price for crude oil was  
$82.04	per	barrel,	a	decrease	of	approximately	11.6	percent	
when compared to 2011. In addition, natural gas prices 
continued to remain extremely weak and Bonterra’s average 
realized	price	decreased	32.6	percent	to	$2.60	per	MCF	in	 
2012	when	compared	to	$3.86	per	MCF	in	2011.	

Mainly as a result of this lower price environment, revenue  
and	cash	flow	from	operations	decreased	12.0	percent	and	 
23.7	percent,	respectively,	year	over	year.	However,	Bonterra’s	
strong operating results in 2012 along with the substantial 
increase in production volumes allowed the Company to 
maintain	the	monthly	dividend	level	to	shareholders	at	$0.26	
per	share,	representing	a	payout	ratio	of	77	percent	of	funds	
flow.	Higher	production	volumes	will,	subject	to	commodity	
prices, assist in reducing this payout ratio further in 2013. 

FUNDS FLOW 
($ thousands)

CASH DIVIDENDS/
DISTRIBUTIONS TO INVESTORS 
($ per unit/share)

NETBACkS  
($ per boe)

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

80,429

101,988

74,385

69,975

70,448

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

$4.07

77%

$5.27

58%

$3.95

64%

$3.69

44%

$4.13

76%

FUNDS FLOW

DIVIDENDS/DISTRIBUTIONS

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

$31.36

$58.19

$42.47

$70.33

$33.45

$57.92

$23.13

$47.04

$45.59

CASH NETBACK

G&A

ROYALTIES

INTEREST & TAXES

FIELD OPERATING

6 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

A	number	of	pipeline	expansions	and	reversals	of	flow	
direction currently underway could alleviate pipeline capacity 
issues later in 2013 and 2014. In addition, there are a number 
of pipeline initiatives under review including the Keystone 
XL	pipeline	in	the	United	States	and	the	Northern	Gateway	
pipeline	in	Canada.	However,	neither	of	these	has	received	
government or regulatory approval at this time and Bonterra 
will	continue	to	focus	on	managing	its	funds	flow,	capital	
expenditure ranges and dividend payments within the current 
commodity environment. 

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 and minimizing the 
amount and cost of debt. The Company’s current net debt 
to	funds	flow	ratio	is	less	than	1.5	times	(after	the	closing	
of the Spartan acquisition) and Bonterra is well funded to 
execute the 2013 capital program and to pursue any additional 
acquisition opportunities that may become available.

Bonterra	currently	has	approximately	$600.0	million	in	tax	
pools,	$27.7	million	in	investment	tax	credits	and	$135.7	million	
of capital loss carry forwards (which can only be claimed 
against taxable capital gains). The Company anticipates that 
these pools move Bonterra’s tax horizon beyond 2015.

Bonterra’s 2013 capital development 
program is focused on sustaining its 
current business model offering both solid 
growth and yield to its shareholders.

2013 OUTLOOk

Bonterra’s 2013 capital development program is focused 
on sustaining its current business model offering both solid 
growth and yield to its shareholders. The Board of Directors 
has	approved	a	capital	development	program	of	$90.0	million	
which mainly targets light oil prospects through its Cardium 
horizontal drill program. The program plan in 2013 is to:

•	 	Maintain	a	steady	pace	of	development	and	manage	

annual decline levels. Bonterra anticipates allowing current 
production levels to reduce to an average daily production 
rate	of	approximately	12,000	BOE	per	day;

•	 	Drill	29	gross	(28.1	net)	operated	horizontal	wells	and	

participate	in	drilling	13	gross	(4.3	net)	non-operated	wells;

•	 	Seek	out	additional	operating	efficiencies	and	control	

costs.	Operating	expenditures	are	expected	to	average	
approximately	$13.00	per	BOE	on	an	annualized	basis;

•	 	Ensure	sustainability	by	managing	the	dividend	payout	ratio	
to	range	between	50	and	65	percent	of	funds	flow	in	2013;	

•	 	Manage	risk	by	maintaining	balance	sheet	strength.	Bonterra	
anticipates	maintaining	its	net	debt	to	cash	flow	ratio	at	less	
than	1.5	times	in	2013;	and

•	 	Continue	to	provide	increased	value	to	shareholders.	

Bonterra	increased	the	monthly	dividend	to	$0.28	per	share	
beginning in March 2013. Bonterra’s Board of Directors and 
management will continue to take into account production 
volumes and commodity prices in determining monthly 
dividend amounts and will consider increasing the dividend 
should crude oil pricing remain favourable coupled with 
anticipated production increases.

THE RIGHT PEOPLE

Bonterra’s successful execution of its long-term strategy has 
been dependent on the strength of its people. The Company’s 
Board of Directors, management team, employees and field 
staff have been instrumental in providing continued growth 
and results on behalf of shareholders. We would like to 
thank these people for their continued efforts in 2012 as the 
Company looks forward to another year of growth for both its 
operations and its investors. 

This will be an exciting year for both Bonterra and its 
shareholders. We would also like to take this opportunity to 
thank our long-term shareholders for their continued support 
as well as welcome our new shareholders through the Spartan 
acquisition. The Company is committed to continue to create 
and deliver outstanding value on behalf of its investors 
and will continue to pursue the aggressive development of 
its light oil targets in the Cardium to drive future growth. 
The Company’s disciplined approach to its operations in 
2013 should allow Bonterra to continue to capitalize on its 
numerous opportunities and maximize shareholder value on a 
long-term basis. 

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

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

7

CARDIUM: 
THE RIGHT ASSETS.

OPERATIONS

Bonterra continues to provide value to shareholders through its holdings in the 

Pembina Cardium in central Alberta, one of Canada’s largest oil fields. The pool is 

characterized by stable production, high quality oil and high netbacks with only  

14 percent of original oil in place having been produced. 

During 2012 and 2013, Bonterra increased its land position in the Cardium  

through two key acquisitions and this concentrated asset base now represents 

approximately 93 percent of Bonterra’s Proved plus Probable (P+P) reserves.  

The acquisitions were a strong strategic fit for the Company resulting in  

significant development potential and ongoing value creation. 

The revitalization of the Cardium through horizontal drilling and completion 

technology has marked an evolution in the Company’s pool exploitation strategy 

from conventional development to a more resource play-based development 

program.  However, Bonterra’s fundamental operational strategy remains 

unchanged; provide production and reserves growth on both a total and per share 

basis, effectively manage costs and seek out new operational efficiencies.

8 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

STRENGTHENING OUR POSITION

In 2012, Bonterra focused on consolidating and developing 
its Cardium core area and completed two acquisitions which 
increased its significant land position and met its acquisition 
criteria of high-quality production, significant reserves, 
operational efficiencies and upside potential. 

In the second quarter of 2012, Bonterra completed a tuck-in 
acquisition in the Willesden Green field of 52.3 gross (10.5 net) 
sections and most significantly, in late 2012 announced its  
largest	acquisition	to	date	of	Spartan	Oil	Corp.	(Spartan)	 
which closed in January 2013. The Spartan assets included  

60.75	gross	(51.34	net)	sections	and	the	Company’s	large,	
concentrated asset base in the Cardium now totals 250.3 gross 
(193.7	net)	sections.

The Spartan properties are a strong geographical fit to 
Bonterra’s asset base, have significant operational synergies, 
provide additional drilling inventory over the long-term and 
are anticipated to increase the Company’s 2013 oil and liquids 
weighting. Bonterra has completed extensive geological 
mapping of the Spartan land base and has fully integrated  
the assets into its 2013 capital program. 

PEMBINA CARDIUM LAND BASE

WILLESDEN GREEN CARDIUM LAND BASE

 BONTERRA LANDS 

 SPARTAN AqUISITION 

 WILLESDEN GREEN ACqUISITION

Corporate Overview

2012 Highlights

2013 Guidance

•	

•	

•	

•	

	Average	Working	Interest	–	77%

	Reserve	Life	Index	(P+P)	–	 
16.1	years

	Proved	+	Probable	Reserves	–	 
70.5	MBOE

	Land	Position	–	250.3	gross	 
(193.7	net)	sections	

•	 Booked	Locations	–	219	gross;	178.4	net

•	

•	

•	

•	

•	

	2012	Average	Daily	Production	6,703	
BOE per day

	34	gross	(22.9	net)	horizontal	wells	drilled

	Production	per	share	increased	4.2%	to	
0.124	BOE	per	share	

	P+P	reserves	increased	9.4	percent	to	
45.0	million	BOE

	Reserve	per	share	increased	(P+P)	
increased	7.0%	to	2.28	BOE	per	share

•	

•	

•	

	Average	Daily	Production	 
12,000 BOE per day

	Production	Profile	–	75%	Liquids;	25%	Gas

	Operating	Costs	–	$13.00	per	BOE

•	 Capital	Budget	–	$90	million

•	

	Drilling	Program	–	29	gross	(28.1	net)	
operated	and	13	gross	(4.3	net)	
non-operated horizontal wells

•	 Average	Well	Costs	–	$2.7	million	

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

9

PEMBINA CARDIUM MAIN POOL

ORIGINAL OIL IN PLACE

0 to 5,000 Mbbl
5,000 to 10,000 Mbbl
10,000 to 15,000 Mbbl
15,000 to 20,000 Mbbl
20,000+ Mbbl
Bonterra Land

HIGH AMOUNTS OF ORIGINAL OIL IN PLACE 
WITH LOW RECOVERY FACTOR

5+ million bbl OOIP, Less than 15%RF
5+ million bbl OOIP, Less than 10%RF
5+ million bbl OOIP, Less than 5%RF
Bonterra Land

CURRENT RECOVERY FACTOR

0%-5% RF
5%-10% RF
10%-15% RF
15%-20% RF
20%-25% RF
25+% RFl
Bonterra 
Land

mOmENTUm IN 2013

In	2013,	Bonterra	will	execute	a	disciplined	$90	million	capital	
program focused on its oil weighted opportunities in the 
Cardium	Formation.	Bonterra	has	continued	to	improve	and	
refine its Cardium development strategy to both increase well 
performance and reserve recoveries while minimizing costs.  
In 2013, Bonterra will drill several different areas within the 
Pembina and Willesden Green fields and expects to  
transition to pad drilling in the future once delineation  
drilling is completed.

As	shown	in	these	three	maps,	the	majority	of	Bonterra’s	land	
position in the Pembina Cardium pool covers areas with high 
original oil in place and low current recovery factors. The 
Spartan transaction added a significant land position in areas 
exhibiting these highly prospective characteristics. The 
company is currently assessing additional opportunities to 
further increase both recovery factors and rates of return  
on its large asset base.

The Company recently completed a reservoir simulation  
model to investigate optimal well densities, fracture spacing 
and wellbore orientations in the Pembina field. The simulation 
suggested that in some cases, increased well densities will 
result in higher recoveries and ultimately higher rates of  
return. The simulation also investigated the potential for 
secondary recovery methods. Bonterra will use these findings 
to further calibrate its development of the Cardium and 
optimize overall recoveries. 

Bonterra has continued to improve  
and refine its Cardium development 
strategy to both increase well 
performance and reserve recoveries  
while minimizing costs.

OPTImIzING PERFORmANCE 

Bonterra’s	operating	strategy	is	aimed	at	enhancing	cash	flow	
over the long-term to maintain sustainability in the dividends 
paid to investors. Bonterra’s commitment to operational and 
technical excellence helps to reduce development risks and 
lower operating costs, thus allowing the Company to  
maximize netbacks. 

10 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

A	strong	focus	for	Bonterra’s	technical	team	in	2013	will	be	
continued optimization across its operations. Bonterra has 
been	refining	its	frac	placement	methods	and	fluid	types	to	
decrease capital costs. In 2012, the Company fully transitioned 
to water-based fracs which has significantly reduced overall 
well costs and increased per well production results. In 2013, 
Bonterra is currently targeting drilling, completion, equipping 
and	tie-in	costs	to	average	approximately	$2.7	million	per	well.

The Spartan assets delivered significant efficiencies including a 
100 percent owned gas plant and will provide the opportunity 
for further facility consolidations. In addition, Spartan realized 
significant capital savings through a monobore well design 

and	pad	drilling	in	the	Keystone	Unit	No.	2	to	the	point	in	
which Spartan’s average spud to rig release averaged just 
seven days. Bonterra expects to realize similar efficiencies  
as it transitions into similar drilling scenarios in the future.

Bonterra	operates	approximately	88.5	percent	of	its	total	
production, thereby allowing the Company to better manage 
costs and efficiently invest capital. Bonterra is able to 
strategically schedule development programs and well 
workovers to control its pace as well as manage its corporate 
decline through the prudent use of capital and selective timing 
of its drilling program to deliver sustainable and consistent 
growth to its shareholders. 

Bonterra’s commitment to operational and technical excellence helps to reduce 
development risks and lower operating costs, thus allowing the Company to  
maximize netbacks. 

PROVED PLUS  
PROBABLE RESERVES 
(MBOE)

2012 PRODUCTION  
BY COMMODITY 

2012 RESERVES  
BY COMMODITY 

2012

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

Proforma Spartan

70,537

33%

45,032
41,149

39,397

35,824

31,241

67%

Natural gas
Oil & NGLs

25%

75%

Natural gas
Oil & NGLs

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

11

STATISTICAL REVIEW

CORPORATE RESERVES INFORmATION:

Bonterra	engaged	the	services	of	Sproule	Associates	Limited	to	prepare	a	reserve	evaluation	with	an	effective	date	of	December	
31,	2012.	The	reserves	are	located	in	the	provinces	of	Alberta,	British	Columbia	and	Saskatchewan.	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 GROSS OIL AND GAS RESERVES AS OF DECEmBER 31, 2012

Reserve category:

PROVED
  Developed producing
  Developed non-producing
  Undeveloped
TOTAL PROVED
PROBABLE
TOTAL PROVED PLUS PROBABLE

Light and 
medium oil 
(Mbbl)

14,415.7
366.3
8,151.6
22,933.6
8,013.1
30,946.7

Natural gas 
(Mmcf)

Natural gas 
liquids (Mbbl)

BOE(1)  
(MBOE)

33,037
2,629
13,592
49,258
18,963
68,221

1,365.7
51.8
573.5
1,991.0
724.0
2,715.0

21,287.6
856.3
10,990.4
33,134.3
11,897.6
45,031.9

RECONCILIATION OF COmPANY GROSS RESERVES BY PRINCIPAL PRODUCT TYPE  
AS OF DECEmBER 31, 2012 

Light and medium oil  
and natural gas liquids

Natural gas

BOE(1)

Proved plus 
probable 
(Mbbl)

Proved 
(Mbbl)

Proved 
(Mmcf)

Proved plus 
probable 
(Mmcf)

Proved 
(MBOE)

Proved plus 
probable 
(MBOE)

21,160.1
1,142.7
4,482.4
(883.1)
-
770.0
-
(158.7)
(1,588.8)
24,924.6

30,492.4
1,403.6
5,792.5
(3,470.0)
-
1,200.3
-
(168.4)
(1,588.8)
33,661.7

41,822
1,279
7,769
403
-
2,685
-
(564)
(4,136)
49,258

63,941
1,624
10,039
(5,052)
-
3,769
-
(1,964)
(4,136)
68,221

28,130.4
1,355.9
5,777.2
(815.9)
-
1,217.5
-
(252.7)
(2,278.1)
33,134.3

41,149.2
1,674.3
7,465.7
(4,312.0)
-
1,828.5
-
(495.7)
(2,278.1)
45,031.9

December 31, 2011
  Extension

Improved recovery
  Technical revisions
  Discoveries
  Acquisitions
  Dispositions
  Economic factors
  Production
December 31, 2012

12 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

 
SUmmARY OF NET PRESENT VALUES OF FUTURE NET REVENUE AS OF DECEmBER 31, 2012

($ Millions)

Reserve category:
PROVED
  Developed producing
  Developed non-producing
  Undeveloped
TOTAL PROVED
PROBABLE
TOTAL PROVED PLUS PROBABLE

Net present value before income taxes  
discounted at (% per year)

0%

5%

10%

841.9
26.8
393.1
1,261.8
614.6
1,876.4

542.9
16.5
191.5
750.9
236.0
986.9

406.5
11.5
96.2
514.2
118.7
632.9

CHANGES TO RESERVES AFTER DECEmBER 31, 2012

On	January	25,	2013,	Bonterra	completed	the	acquisition	of	Spartan	Oil	Corp.	(Spartan).	Spartan	engaged	the	services	of	Sproule	
Associates	Limited	to	prepare	a	reserve	evaluation	with	an	effective	date	of	December	31,	2012.	The	gross	reserve	figures	from	
the following tables represent Spartan’s ownership interest before royalties and before consideration of the company’s royalty 
interests at December 31, 2012. 

SUmmARY OF GROSS OIL AND GAS RESERVES AS OF DECEmBER 31, 2012 (SPARTAN)

Reserve category:

PROVED
  Developed producing
  Developed non-producing
  Undeveloped
TOTAL PROVED
PROBABLE
TOTAL PROVED PLUS PROBABLE

Light and 
medium oil 
(Mbbl)

6,019.8
600.2
8,115.4
14,735.4
4,941.0
19,676.4

Natural gas 
(Mmcf)

Natural gas 
liquids (Mbbl)

BOE(1)  
(MBOE)

9,762
685
10,005
20,452
6,411
26,863

462.8
37.9
533.2
1,033.9
317.9
1,351.7

8,109.6
752.3
10,316.1
19,177.9
6,327.4
25,505.3

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

13

RECONCILIATION OF COmPANY GROSS RESERVES BY PRINCIPAL PRODUCT TYPE  
AS OF DECEmBER 31, 2012 (SPARTAN) 

Light and medium oil  
and natural gas liquids

Natural gas

BOE(1)

Proved plus 
probable 
(Mbbl)

Proved 
(Mbbl)

Proved 
(Mmcf)

Proved plus 
probable 
(Mmcf)

Proved 
(MBOE)

Proved plus 
probable 
(MBOE)

12,838.2
966.2
690.0
-
2,027.0
-
77.2
-
0.2
(829.5)
15,769.3

18,639.4
1,628.3
1,110.3
-
380.1
-
98.1
-
1.4
(829.8)
21,028.1

11,822
740
390
-
8,515
-
40
-
(1)
(1,054)
20,452

16,750
1,214
793
-
9,109
-
51
-
-
(1,054)
26,863

14,808.5
1,089.5
755.0
-
3,446.2
-
83.9
-
-
(1,005.2)
19,177.9

21,431.1
1,830.6
1,242.5
-
1,898.3
-
106.6
-
1.4
(1,005.5)
25,505.3

December 31, 2011
  Extension

Infill drilling
Improved recovery
  Technical revisions
  Discoveries
  Acquisitions
  Dispositions
  Economic factors
  Production
December 31, 2012

SUmmARY OF NET PRESENT VALUES OF FUTURE NET REVENUE AS OF DECEmBER 31, 2012 (SPARTAN)

($ Millions)

Reserve category:
PROVED
  Developed producing
  Developed non-producing
  Undeveloped
TOTAL PROVED
PROBABLE
TOTAL PROVED PLUS PROBABLE

Net present value before income taxes  
discounted at (% per year)

0%

5%

10%

428.7
42.9
437.1
908.7
387.2
1,295.9

296.9
29.2
236.2
562.3
149.6
711.9

228.5
22.3
138.4
389.2
73.1
462.3

14 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

 
 
PRO FORmA RESERVES AND NET PRESENT VALUES (BONTERRA AND SPARTAN) 

SUmmARY OF GROSS OIL AND GAS RESERVES AS OF DECEmBER 31, 2012

Reserve category:

PROVED
  Developed producing
  Developed non-producing
  Undeveloped
TOTAL PROVED
PROBABLE
TOTAL PROVED PLUS PROBABLE

Light and 
medium oil 
(Mbbl)

20,435.5
966.5
16,267.0
37,669.0
12,954.1
50,623.1

Natural gas 
(Mmcf)

Natural gas 
liquids (Mbbl)

BOE(1)  
(MBOE)

42,799
3,314
23,597
69,710
25,374
95,084

1,828.5
89.7
1,106.7
3,024.9
1,041.9
4,066.7

29,397.2
1,608.6
21,306.5
52,312.2
18,225.0
70,537.2

SUmmARY OF NET PRESENT VALUES OF FUTURE NET REVENUE AS OF DECEmBER 31, 2012

($ Millions)

Reserve category:
PROVED
  Developed producing
  Developed non-producing
  Undeveloped
TOTAL PROVED
PROBABLE
TOTAL PROVED PLUS PROBABLE

Net present value before income taxes  
discounted at (% per year)

0%

5%

10%

1,270.6
69.7
830.1
2,170.5
1,001.8
3,172.3

839.9
45.7
427.7
1,313.3
385.6
1,698.8

635.0
33.8
234.6
903.4
191.8
1,095.2

FINDING, DEVELOPmENT AND ACqUISITION (FD&A) COSTS

The	Company	has	historically	been	active	in	its	capital	development	program.	Over	three	years,	Bonterra	has	incurred	the	
following	FD&A(3)	costs	excluding	Future	Development	Costs:

Proved reserve net additions
Proved plus probable reserve net additions

$ 
$ 

13.64  
16.05  

$ 
$ 

33.22  
15.38  

$ 
$ 

13.89  
13.02  

$ 
$ 

16.22
14.79

2012 FD&A  
costs per  
BOE(1)(2)(3)

2011 FD&A  
costs per  
BOE(1)(2)(3)

2010 FD&A 
costs per  
BOE(1)(2)(3)

Three year 
average(4)

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

15

 
 
Over	three	years,	Bonterra	has	incurred	the	following	FD&A(3)	costs	including	Future	Development	Costs:

2012 FD&A  
costs per  
BOE(1)(2)(3)

2011 FD&A  
costs per  
BOE(1)(2)(3)

2010 FD&A 
costs per  
BOE(1)(2)(3)

Three year 
average(5)

Proved reserve net additions 
Proved plus probable reserve net additions

$ 
$ 

20.91
21.62  

$ 
$ 

57.53  
35.40  

$ 
$ 

21.98  
19.19  

$ 
$ 

19.47
17.92

(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.

(4)   Three year average is calculated using three year total capital costs and reserve additions on both a Proved and Proved plus Probable basis. 

(5)   Three year average is calculated using three year total capital costs and reserves additions on both a Proved and Proved plus Probable basis plus the average 

change in future capital costs over the three year period.

COmmODITY PRICES USED IN THE ABOVE CALCULATIONS OF RESERVES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Edmonton  
par price  
(Cdn $
 per Bbl)

Natural gas 
AECO-C spot 
(Cdn $ per 
MMbtu)

Butanes 
Edmonton  
(Cdn $  
per Bbl)

Pentanes 
Edmonton  
(Cdn $  
per Bbl)

Inflation  
rate  
(%/Yr)

Exchange  
rate 
($U.S./$Cdn)

84.55
89.84
88.21
95.43
96.87
98.32
99.79
101.29
104.35
105.92

3.31
3.72
3.91
4.70
5.32
5.40
5.49
5.58
5.67
5.76

63.02
66.96
65.74
71.13
72.20
73.28
74.38
75.50
76.63
77.78

90.53
96.19
94.44
102.18
103.71
105.27
106.85
108.45
110.08
111.73

1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5

1.001
1.001
1.001
1.001
1.001
1.001
1.001
1.001
1.001
1.001

2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022

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

16 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

 
 
 
PRODUCTION

Pembina and Willesden Green, Alberta
Saskatchewan
British Columbia
Other Alberta

2012

Oils and NGLs
(Bbls per day)

Natural gas
(MCF per day)

Total 
(BOE per day)

4,170
199
27
115
4,511

10,634
45
2,179
299
13,157

5,942
207
390
165
6,703

LAND HOLDINGS

Bonterra’s holdings of petroleum and natural gas leases and rights are as follows:

Alberta
Saskatchewan
British Columbia

2012

2011

Gross acres

Net acres

Gross acres

Net acres

186,389
6,585
62,045
255,019

109,837
5,416
22,639
137,892

169,862
6,881
62,045
238,788

107,645
5,630
22,639
135,914

In 2012, Spartan’s holdings of petroleum and natural gas leases and rights are as follows:

Alberta
Saskatchewan
British Columbia

2012

Gross acres

Net acres

46,987
80,699
-
127,686

42,043
56,503
-
98,546

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

17

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

2012

182
17,108
(3,753)
84,593
98,130

2011

309
-
(238)
62,615
62,686

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

Development
Gross

Net

34
-
-
34
100%

22.9
-
-
22.9
100%

Development
Gross

25
-
-
25
100%

Net

17.29
-
-
17.29
100%

2012
Exploratory
Gross

Net

-
-
-
-
-

-
-
-
-
-

Total

Gross

34
-
-
34
100%

2011
Exploratory
Gross

Total

Net

Gross

-
-
-
-
-

-
-
-
-
-

25
-
-
25
100%

Net

22.9
-
-
22.9
100%

Net

17.29
-
-
17.29
100%

18 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

MANAgEMENT’s DiscUssiON AND ANALysis

The following report dated March 21, 2013 is a review of the operations and current financial position for the year ended 
December 31, 2012 for Bonterra Energy Corp. (Bonterra or the Company) and should be read in conjunction with the audited 
financial statements presented under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), including the notes related thereto. 

Use of NoN‑IfRs fINaNcIal MeasURes

Throughout this Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A), the Company uses the terms “payout ratio”, “cash netback” 
and “net debt” to analyze operating performance, which are not standardized measures recognized under IFRS and do not have 
a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. These measures are commonly used in the oil and gas industry and are considered 
informative by management, shareholders and analysts. These measures may differ from those made by other companies and 
accordingly may not be comparable to such measures as reported by other companies. 

The Company calculates payout ratio by dividing cash dividends paid to shareholders by cash flow from operating activities, 
both of which are measures prescribed by IFRS which appear on our statements of cash flows. We calculate cash netback by 
dividing various financial statement items as determined by IFRS by total production for the period on a barrel of oil 
equivalent basis.

fReqUeNtly RecURRINg teRMs

Bonterra uses the following frequently recurring terms in this MD&A: “bbl” refers to barrel, “NGL” refers to natural gas liquids, 
“MCF” refers to thousand cubic feet and “BOE” refers to barrels of oil equivalent. Disclosure provided herein in respect of a 
BOE may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A BOE conversion ratio of 6 MCF: 1 bbl is based on an energy conversion 
method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. 

NUMeRIcal aMoUNts

The reporting and the functional currency of the Company is the Canadian dollar.

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

19

fINaNcIal aNd opeRatIoNal dIscUssIoN

aNNUal coMpaRIsoNs

As at and for the year ended ($ 000s except $ per share)

December 31,   
2012

December 31,   
2011

December 31,   
2010

FINANCIAL
Revenue – realized oil and gas sales
Cash flow from operations
  Per share – basic
  Per share – diluted
  Payout ratio (1)
Cash dividends per share (1)
Net earnings
  Per share – basic
  Per share – diluted
Capital expenditures and acquisitions, net of dispositions
Total assets
Working capital deficiency
Long-term debt 
Shareholders’ equity
OPERATIONS
Oil 

NGLs   

– barrels per day
– average price ($ per barrel)
– barrels per day
– average price ($ per barrel)
– MCF per day
– average price ($ per MCF)
Total barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOE)

Natural gas    

142,770
74,325
3.75
3.75
83%
3.12
33,211
1.68
1.68
98,130(2)
419,933
29,876
166,808
163,277

4,035
82.04
476
52.18
13,157
2.60
6,703

162,277
97,409
5.04
4.98
61%
3.06
43,608
2.25
2.23
62,686
364,176
51,576
69,916
181,640

4,075
92.76
386
60.89
11,163
3.86
6,322

118,980
66,238
3.52
3.42
72%
2.55
39,954
2.12
2.06
70,680
347,825
17,905
85,386
190,173

3,585
74.76
290
47.11
10,521
4.14
5,628

(1)  Cash dividends per share are based on payments made in respect of production months within the quarter.

(2)  Includes an acquisition that closed on June 7, 2012 for $17,108,000.

20 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                        
qUaRteRly coMpaRIsoNs

As at and for the periods ended 
($ 000s except for $ per share)

FINANCIAL
Revenue – realized oil and gas sales
Cash flow from operations
  Per share – basic
  Per share – diluted
  Payout ratio (1)
Cash dividends per share (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 (barrels per day)
NGLs (barrels per day)
Natural gas (MCF per day)
Total BOE per day

2012

Q4

Q3

Q2

Q1

39,624
21,460
1.08 
1.08 
72%
0.78 
6,082
0.31 
0.31 
24,069
419,933
29,876
166,808
163,277

4,400
595
16,009
7,663

35,204
16,440
0.83
0.83
94%
0.78
7,746
0.39
0.39
27,360
412,812
49,808
128,779
169,839

4,108
461
12,583
6,666

31,049
14,727
0.74
0.74
105%
0.78
9,201
0.47
0.46
25,288(2)
393,772
42,082
114,747
176,292

3,650
428
11,753
6,037

36,893
21,698
      1.10 
      1.10 
71%
0.78
10,182
0.52
0.51
21,413
371,757
57,889
75,543
181,008

3,975
419
12,260
6,438

(1)  Cash dividends per share are based on payments made in respect of production months within the quarter.

(2)  Includes an acquisition that closed on June 7, 2012 for $17,108,000.

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

21

 
 
 
 
As at and for the periods ended 
($ 000s except for $ per share)

FINANCIAL
Revenue – oil and gas sales
Cash flow from operations
  Per share – basic
  Per share – diluted
  Payout ratio (1)
Cash dividends per share (1)
Net earnings
  Per share – basic
  Per share – diluted

Capital expenditures and acquisitions,  

net of dispositions

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

2011

Q4

Q3

Q2

Q1

42,818
26,180
1.35
1.33
58%
0.78
6,067
0.31
0.31

20,529
364,176
51,576
69,916
181,640

4,096
493
12,541
6,679

36,535
21,730
1.12
 1.10 
69%
0.78
9,384
0.49
0.48

15,941
354,549
43,362
72,391
185,908

3,789
340
10,553
5,887

44,754
25,465
1.32
1.29
59%
0.78
14,533
0.75
0.74

5,872
348,097
30,823
72,608
192,297

4,164
372
11,024
6,373

38,170
24,034
1.25
1.22
58%
0.72
13,624
0.71
0.69

20,344
357,000
39,777
70,568
192,054

4,258
338
10,517
6,350

(1)  Cash dividends per share are based on payments made in respect of production months within the quarter.

BUsINess eNvIRoNMeNt 

Bonterra’s financial results are significantly influenced by fluctuations in commodity prices, including price differentials. The  
following table depicts selective market benchmark prices and foreign exchange rates in the last eight quarters to assist in 
understanding volatility in prices and foreign exchange rates that have impacted Bonterra’s financial and operating performance.

Crude oil 
  WTI (U.S.$/bbl)
Bonterra average realized
  price (Cdn$/bbl)
Natural gas 
  AECO (Cdn$/mcf)
Bonterra average realized 
  price (Cdn$/mcf)
Foreign exchange 
  (Cdn$/U.S.$)

Q4-2012

Q3-2012

Q2-2012

Q1-2012

Q4-2011

Q3-2011

Q2-2011

Q1-2011

88.18

78.58

3.20

3.43

92.22

93.49

102.93

94.06

89.76

102.56

94.10

80.54

80.93

88.48

96.25

88.21

101.30

85.02

2.31

2.41

1.89

1.96

2.15

3.19

3.65

3.86

2.32

3.34

3.91

4.15

3.79

4.12

0.9913

 0.9948 

 1.0102 

 1.0012 

 1.0231 

 0.9802 

 0.9677

 0.9860

In 2012, the price differentials between Bonterra’s average realized price and WTI widened substantially from prices received in 
2011, due in most part to reduced demand because of refinery outages and seasonal turnarounds and the inability to get oil to 
markets because of pipeline capacity constraints and quality adjustments. The price differential did tighten during the fourth 
quarter of 2012 due to a combination of increased rail shipments, a reduction in the production of Alberta synthetic crude and 
increased demand from U.S. and Canadian refineries. However, continued European and North American economic concerns and 
pipeline capacity constraints negatively affected the price for oil realized in Canada in the latter part of Q4 2012. A number of 
pipeline expansions and pipeline reversals currently underway will assist in delivering more oil to markets later in 2013 and 2014. 

22 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

In addition, there are a number of ongoing pipeline initiatives including Keystone XL pipeline in the U.S. and Northern Gateway 
pipeline in Canada to assist in delivering future increases in Canadian production volumes. However, neither of these have 
received government or regulatory approval at this time.

Notwithstanding the current price challenges in both oil and natural gas markets, the Company expects to be able to continue 
exploiting its current land base, growing production on a per share basis and maintaining payment of its dividend. 

BUsINess oveRvIew, stRategy aNd Key peRfoRMaNce dRIveRs

Bonterra is a growing petroleum and natural gas focused Canadian energy corporation that actively develops, produces and sells 
crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, to provide ever increasing returns to its shareholders. Bonterra’s geographically 
concentrated assets are primarily low‑risk, high working interest properties that provide abundant infill drilling opportunities and 
good access to infrastructure and processing facilities. The Company continues to focus its exploration efforts primarily on 
horizontal infill drilling opportunities for light crude oil in the Company’s core Pembina and Willesden Green Cardium properties.

In June 2012, the Company purchased Willesden Green oil and gas assets for consideration of $17,108,000. The purchase added 
52.3 gross (10.5 net) sections of land, 191 gross (37 net) potential Cardium formation drilling locations and 250 BOE per day of 
production, net to the Company. These lands are considered underdeveloped as horizontal well development is in its 
early stages. 

On January 25, 2013, Bonterra acquired 100 percent of the issued and outstanding common shares of Spartan Oil Corp. (Spartan) 
pursuant to an arrangement agreement. Spartan was a public oil and gas company with properties in Alberta and Saskatchewan. 
Consideration for Spartan shares was 0.1169 voting common shares of Bonterra, which amounted to the issuance of 10,711,405 
Bonterra shares valued at $502,258,000. Spartan has contributed strong cash flow, positive working capital, no debt and a 
light‑oil asset base primarily concentrated in the Pembina Cardium region, providing a complimentary production base and a 
long‑term inventory of drilling opportunities. The acquisition is anticipated to assist Bonterra on a financial and operating basis, 
continue to grow production and cash flow on a per share basis and to maintain a strong financial position. The acquisition adds 
to Bonterra’s sustainable, high‑netback, production profile, company‑owned infrastructure and its high‑quality, multi‑year drilling 
inventory that is in excess of 10 years (assuming four wells per section). On March 1, 2013 Spartan amalgamated with Bonterra.

Bonterra’s successful operations are dependent upon several factors, including but not limited to, the price of energy commodity 
products, efficiently managing capital spending, its ability to maintain desired levels of production, control over its infrastructure, 
its efficiency in developing and operating properties and its ability to control costs. The Company’s key measures of performance 
with respect to these drivers include, but are not limited to, average production per day, average realized prices and average 
operating costs per unit of production. Disclosure of these key performance measures can be found in the MD&A and/or previous 
interim or annual MD&A disclosures.

dRIllINg

($ 000s)

December 31, 
2012
Net(2) Gross(1)

Three months ended
September 30,
2012
Net(2) Gross(1)

Gross(1)

December 31,
2011
Net(2) Gross(1)

December 31,
2012
Net(2) Gross(1)

December 31,
2011
Net(2)

Year ended

Crude oil horizontal – operated
Crude oil horizontal – non-operated
Total
Success rate

 6 
 6 
 12 

 4.6 
 1.6 
 6.2 
100%

 10 
 2 
 12 

 7.8 
 1.0 
 8.8 
100%

 6 
 2 
 8 

 5.2 
 0.6 
 5.8 
100%

 24 
 10 
 34 

 20.0 
 2.9 
 22.9 
100%

 20 
 5 
 25 

 16.3 
 1.0 
 17.3 
100%

(1)  “Gross” wells means the number of wells in which Bonterra has a working interest.

(2)  “Net” wells means the aggregate number of wells obtained by multiplying each gross well by Bonterra’s percentage of working interest.

During 2012, the Company placed two gross (two net) wells on production that were drilled in 2011, drilled 24 gross (20.0 net) 
wells, of which 21 gross (17.0 net) were placed on production. The remaining three (3.0 net) wells were placed on production in 
the first quarter of 2013. In addition, 10 gross (2.9 net) non‑operated wells were drilled and placed on production during 2012.

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

23

The majority of the Company’s 2012 drilling program was completed in the third quarter of 2012. Of the eight gross wells drilled 
in the first half of 2012, five gross (4.6 net) were completed and placed on production in the third quarter.

In the second half of the year, the Company drilled 16 gross (12.4 net) wells of which nine gross (7.0 net) were placed on 
production in the third quarter and four gross (2.4 net) were placed on production in the fourth quarter. Included in the fourth 
quarter were three gross (3.0 net) wells drilled but originally budgeted for 2013. These wells commenced production in the 
first quarter of 2013.

pRodUctIoN

($ 000s)

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

December 31,
 2012

Three months ended
September 30,
2012

Year ended

December 31,
 2011

December 31,
 2012

December 31,
 2011

 4,400 
 595 
 16,009 
 7,663 

 4,108 
 461 
 12,583 
 6,666 

 4,096 
 493 
 12,541 
 6,679 

 4,035 
 476 
 13,157 
 6,703 

 4,075 
 386 
 11,163 
 6,322 

Production volumes during 2012 increased to 6,703 BOE per day compared to 6,322 BOE per day during 2011. The increase in 
production is due to the continued success of the Cardium horizontal drilling program in the Pembina and Willesden Green 
areas and the accelerated drilling program in the second half of the year. During 2012, the increase in production was negatively 
impacted by pipeline constraints, a saturated refining market, forest fires and high levels of precipitation during Q2 2012 which 
significantly delayed drilling and completion of wells. 

Production volumes for Q4 2012 increased by 15 percent to 7,663 BOE per day compared to Q3 2012, which was due to a full 
quarter of production from newly tied‑in wells. The Company tied‑in four gross wells (2.4 net) in Q4 2012 compared to 14 gross 
wells (11.6 net) late in Q3 2012. The increased production was partially offset by a pipeline apportionment for the month 
of December. 

Subsequent to year end, the Company purchased Spartan. At the time of closing, Bonterra was producing approximately 
8,700 BOE per day and Spartan was producing approximately 4,800 BOE per day for a combined production of 13,500 BOE 
per day that includes substantial flush production from a large number of new wells. These new wells have sizeable decline 
rates during the first year of production and as such, average daily production volumes for 2013 are estimated to be 
approximately 12,000 BOE per day (a reduction from the present level of 13,500 BOE per day). Spartan’s assets also consisted  
of a 12 MMcf per day operated and wholly owned gas plant that will provide more flexibility for gas processing, help alleviate 
pipeline constraints and reduce future shut‑in production issues.

oIl aNd gas sales

($ 000s)

Revenue – oil and gas sales 
Average realized prices ($):
Crude oil (per barrel)
NGLs (per barrel)
Natural gas (per MCF)
Average (per BOE)

December 31,
 2012

Three months ended
September 30,
2012

Year ended

December 31,
 2011

December 31,
 2012

December 31,
 2011

39,624

35,204

42,818

142,770

162,277

 78.58 
 50.41 
 3.43 
 56.20 

 80.54 
 46.40 
 2.41 
 57.40 

 96.25 
 59.46 
 3.34 
 69.68 

 82.04 
 52.18 
 2.60 
 58.19 

 92.76 
 60.89 
 3.86 
 70.33 

Revenue from oil and gas sales decreased by $19,507,000 in 2012 or 12 percent compared to 2011. This decrease was due to an 
11 percent decrease in the average realized price per BOE, made up of a combination of an 11 percent decrease in oil prices, a 
14 percent decrease in NGL prices and 32 percent decrease in natural gas prices from one year ago. Overall pricing was the 
significant factor in reduced revenues as oil production was relatively flat, natural gas production increased by 18 percent and 
NGL production increased by 23 percent compared to 2011.

24 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

The quarter over quarter increase in oil and gas revenues of 13 percent or $4,420,000, was in part due to a 15 percent increase 
in production, being a combination of oil production increases of seven percent, NGL production increases of 29 percent and 
natural gas production increases of 27 percent compared to the prior quarter. Average realized prices were also a factor in 
increased revenues, as NGL prices increased nine percent and natural gas prices increased by 42 percent compared to the 
prior quarter.

The Company’s product split on a revenue basis for the 2012 is approximately 91 percent weighted towards crude oil and NGLs. 
This ratio will likely remain similar or increase as the Company continues to develop its Pembina and Willesden Green Cardium 
(mainly oil) properties. 

The Company did not enter into any commodity price hedges or other types of risk management contracts in either 2011 or 2012.

RoyaltIes

($ 000s)

Crown royalties 

Freehold, gross overriding and  

other royalties 

Total royalties

Crown royalties – percentage of  

revenue

Freehold, gross overriding and other  
royalties – percentage of revenue

Royalties – percentage of revenue
Royalties $ per BOE

December 31,
 2012

Three months ended
September 30,
2012

Year ended

December 31,
 2011

December 31,
 2012

December 31,
 2011

2,436

1,017
3,453

6.1

2.6
8.7
4.90

1,942

720
2,662

5.5

2.1
7.6
4.34

2,993

1,277
4,270

7.6

2.4
10.0
6.95

9,727

4,033
13,760

6.8

2.8
9.6
5.61

12,316

5,261
17,577

7.6

3.2
10.8
7.62

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 is approximately 6.8 percent for 2012 compared to 7.6 percent for 2011. The 
decrease is primarily due to lower commodity prices for crude oil and natural gas attracting lower crown royalty rates, partially 
offset by horizontal Cardium wells no longer being eligible for the initial five percent royalty rate due to accumulated production 
thresholds being reached or the expiry of time allowed to reach the threshold levels. A significant portion of the Company’s 
production is from low productivity wells and therefore have reduced Crown royalty rates.

The Crown royalty rate increased for Q4 2012 compared to Q3 2012 primarily due to increased volumes and prices for natural gas 
and NGLs.

Non‑crown royalties decreased for 2012 compared to 2011 primarily due to less oil and gas revenue from wells subject to 
non‑crown royalties as most new wells were drilled on crown lands. The percent increase in non‑crown royalties quarter over 
quarter is primarily due to increased production from the new wells subject to freehold royalties that were placed on production 
in the latter half of the year. 

pRodUctIoN costs 

($ 000s except $ per BOE)

Production costs
$ per BOE

December 31,
 2012

Three months ended
September 30,
2012

Year ended

December 31,
 2011

December 31,
 2012

December 31,
 2011

13,407
 19.02 

10,178
 16.59 

9,824
 15.99 

41,408
 16.88 

36,787
 15.94 

Total production costs for 2012 increased 13 percent from 2011. On a per BOE basis, production costs have increased by 
six percent. 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

25

In 2012, production costs increased due to higher costs associated with gas compression, gathering and processing fees. The 
Company also experienced higher road maintenance costs due to extended wet weather in Q2 2012 and increased frequency of 
plant turnarounds during year. In addition, the Company received third party equalization charges of approximately $1,650,000 
in the fourth quarter. These onetime charges had the effect of increasing production costs by $0.67 per BOE in 2012. In addition, 
the Company was unable to tie‑in a portion of its natural gas production due to pipeline constraints, thereby increasing costs on 
a per BOE basis.

Production costs increased by $3,229,000 in Q4 2012 compared to Q3 2012, due to a 15 percent increase in production, including 
a 38 percent increase in natural gas production. The Company experienced higher gas compression, gathering, processing fees 
and operating charges. Also included in the production costs were onetime charges from third parties. These charges increased 
production costs by $2.24 per BOE in Q4 2012.

With the acquisition of Spartan’s wholly owned gas plant facility, the Company now has access to alternative lower cost facilities 
for its gas processing. This facility will help to increase gas processing capacity which should alleviate production 
apportionments and reduce production costs on a per BOE basis in 2013. 

otheR INcoMe

($ 000s)

Gain on sale of property
Realized gain on investments
Investment income
Administrative income

December 31,
 2012

Three months ended
September 30,
2012

Year ended

December 31,
 2011

December 31,
 2012

December 31,
 2011

 - 
 943 
 39 
 37 
 1,019 

 7 
 1,317 
 50 
 83 
 1,457 

 - 
 - 
 5 
 79 
 84 

 3,616 
 2,705 
 161 
 285 
 6,767 

 162 
 2,126 
 27 
 327 
 2,642 

During 2012, the Company disposed of a portion of its Central Alberta Redwater property for cash proceeds of $1,109,000, 
equal to the accounting gain, as this property was recorded with no carrying value. The Company also disposed of a portion of 
its Central Alberta Tomahawk property for cash proceeds of $2,500,000. At the time of disposition, the property had no carrying 
value which results in a gain on sale equal to its proceeds. The Company maintained a non‑operated 50 percent working interest 
in the Tomahawk property. One new well was drilled and placed on production in the third quarter and three more wells were 
drilled and placed on production in the fourth quarter of 2012. 

During 2012, the Company disposed of a portion of its investments for gross proceeds of $3,485,000 (December 31, 2011 ‑ 
$3,991,000). In addition, the Company realized a gain on investments of $631,000 on the share exchange between Pine Cliff 
Energy Ltd. and Geomark Exploration Ltd. (see related party section). The market value of the investments held by the Company 
is in excess of $5,000,000 at December 31, 2012 (December 31, 2011 ‑ $6,800,000). The decrease in carrying value is mainly due 
to the sale of investments in 2012 partially offset by increased market value in the remaining investments.

The Company receives administrative income by way of management fees from related parties (see related party transactions).

26 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

geNeRal aNd adMINIstRatIoN (g&a) expeNse

($ 000s except $ per BOE)

Employee compensation expense
Office and administration expense

$ per BOE

December 31,
 2012

Three months ended
September 30,
2012

Year ended

December 31,
 2011

December 31,
 2012

December 31,
 2011

875
755
1,630
 2.31 

935
600
1,535
 2.50 

896
1,059
1,955
 3.18 

3,974
2,121
6,095
 2.48 

4,456
2,332
6,788
 2.94 

Total G&A expense decreased 10 percent to $6,095,000 for the year ended December 31, 2012 from $6,788,000 in 2011. 

The decrease in employee compensation expense of $482,000 for 2012 compared to a year ago was primarily due to reduced 
number of staff and a decrease in accrued bonuses, due to lower net earnings before income taxes. The Company has a bonus 
plan in which the bonus pool consists of three percent of earnings before income taxes. The Company firmly believes that tying 
employee compensation (including the use of stock options) to the performance of the Company clearly aligns the interest of 
the employees to that of the shareholders. 

Quarter over quarter employee compensation expense decreased due to a reduction in accrued bonuses related to decreased 
earnings before taxes. 

The decrease in office and administration expense for 2012, related primarily to a decrease in costs of legal, engineering and 
regulatory filing fees. This was partially offset by increased consulting fees and computer software costs compared to 2011. 

Quarter over quarter office and administration expense increased by $155,000 due to increases in office rent, computer 
software costs and additional bank fees relating to the increase in the credit facility during the fourth quarter of 2012. 

fINaNce costs 

($ 000s except $ per BOE)

Interest on long-term debt
Other interest
Interest expense
$ per BOE
Unwinding of the discounted value
     of decommissioning liabilities
Total finance costs

December 31,
 2012

Three months ended
September 30,
2012

Year ended

December 31,
 2011

December 31,
 2012

December 31,
 2011

 1,616 
 225 
 1,841 
 2.61 

 224 
 2,065 

 779 
 305 
 1,084 
 1.77 

 227 
 1,311 

 547 
 305 
 852 
 1.39 

 339 
 1,191 

 3,730 
 1,279 
 5,009 
 2.04 

 886 
 5,895 

 2,272 
 1,210 
 3,482 
 1.51 

 954 
 4,436 

Interest on long‑term debt increased 64 percent in 2012 compared to 2011 as the Company increased the bank debt in the 
second quarter of 2012 with the Willesden Green Asset acquisition for cash of $17,108,000, repaid a $20,000,000 related party 
loan in the fourth quarter of 2012, increased the capital drilling program compared to 2011 and experienced decreased cash 
flows as a result of lower commodity pricing from one year ago. 

Other interest relates to amounts paid to related parties (see related party transactions), a $15,000,000 subordinated promissory 
note from a private investor and a onetime interest charge of $145,000 for the period between the effective date of March 1, 2012 
and the closing date of June 7, 2012 on the Willesden Green oil and gas asset purchase. 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

27

shaRe‑Based payMeNts

($ 000s)

$ per BOE

December 31,
 2012

Three months ended
September 30,
2012

Year ended

December 31,
 2011

December 31,
 2012

December 31,
 2011

 1,264 

 1,040 

 822 

 4,241 

 2,554 

Share‑based payments are 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. Share‑based payments increased in 2012 over 2011 primarily due to the issuance of 496,500 options 
issued in the fourth quarter of 2011 and 942,000 options that were issued during 2012. Quarter over quarter share‑based 
payments increased as 734,000 of the 942,000 options issued in 2012 were issued during the fourth quarter of 2012.

Based on currently outstanding options, the Company anticipates that an expense of approximately $3,785,000 will be recorded 
for 2013, $427,000 for 2014 and $107,000 for 2015. For more information about options issued and outstanding, please refer to 
Note 15 of the December 31, 2012 audited annual financial statements.

depletIoN, depRecIatIoN aNd IMpaIRMeNt

($ 000s)

December 31,
 2012

Three months ended
September 30,
2012

Year ended

December 31,
 2011

December 31,
 2012

December 31,
 2011

Depletion and depreciation
Impairment of natural gas assets

 10,585 
 - 

 8,010 
 - 

 13,467 
 2,585 

 33,521 
 - 

 32,699 
 2,585 

Capital costs for oil and gas properties that result in the addition of reserves are depleted using the unit‑of‑production basis by 
field over their total developed reserve life which includes proved plus probable developed reserves only. In 2012, the Company 
adjusted its estimate from using a proved developed reserve base to total developed reserve base to better reflect the asset life 
expectancy of the Company’s Pembina and Willesden Green Cardium properties through the application of the horizontal 
drilling program. 

For production facility and equipment expenditures such as well and production processing equipment, the Company uses a 
10 percent declining basis for depreciation calculation. 

Provision for depletion and depreciation increased by approximately three percent for 2012 over 2011. The increase in depletion 
was the result of increased production volumes in 2012 of six percent partially offset by an eight percent increase in total 
developed reserves. 

Depletion and depreciation increased by 32 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012 over the prior quarter. This was primarily 
attributable to increased production of 15 percent and additional capital costs being subject to depletion as the majority of the 
2012 wells drilled were placed on production in the second half of the year.

There were no impairment provisions recorded for the year ended December 31, 2012. In 2011, there were significant reductions 
in the future commodity price forecasts for natural gas used by the Company’s independent reserves evaluator when compared 
to the previous year resulting in an impairment provision of $2,585,000 for minor natural gas assets in British Columbia. 

taxes

The Company recorded a deferred tax expense of $11,406,000 for 2012 (2011 ‑ $17,885,000). The deferred tax expense decrease 
in 2012 compared to 2011 is primarily related to decreased earnings before income taxes.

The Company has $424,101,000 of tax pools, which may be used to reduce taxable income in future years, limited to various 
rates of utilization. The Company also has $27,670,000 (December 31, 2011 ‑ $27,670,000) remaining of investment tax credits 
that expire between the years 2019 to 2028. In addition, the Company has $135,502,000 (December 31, 2011 ‑ $137,289,000) of 
capital loss carry forwards which can only be claimed against taxable capital gains. For additional information regarding income 
taxes, see Note 9 of the December 31, 2012 audited annual financial statements.

28 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

Net eaRNINgs

($ 000s except $ per share)

Net earnings
$ per share – basic
$ per share – diluted

December 31,
 2012

Three months ended
September 30,
2012

Year ended

December 31,
 2011

December 31,
 2012

December 31,
 2011

6,082
0.31 
0.31

7,746
0.39
0.39

6,067
0.31
0.31

33,211
1.68
1.68

43,608
2.25
2.23

Net earnings decreased in 2012 by $10,397,000 or 24 percent from 2011. Decreased net earnings resulted primarily from lower 
crude oil and natural gas prices, along with increases to operating costs, finance costs and share‑based payments expense. This 
decrease was partially offset by increased natural gas and NGL production and a gain on sale of assets along with decreased 
royalties and deferred tax expense. 

The decrease in net earnings for Q4 2012 compared to Q3 2012 resulted from increased operating costs, royalties, finance costs 
and depletion and depreciation expense in Q4 2012 and a larger gain on sale of a portion of the Company’s investment in 
marketable securities recorded in Q3 2012.

otheR coMpReheNsIve INcoMe

Other comprehensive loss for 2012 consists of an unrealized gain before tax on investments (including investments in a related 
party) of $1,514,000 relating to an increase in the investments’ fair value (December 31, 2011 – unrealized loss of $1,462,000 
relating to a decrease in the investments’ fair value). The Company also disposed of a portion of these investments in 2012 for 
a realized gain before tax of $2,705,000 (December 31, 2011 ‑ $2,126,000). Realized gains decrease other comprehensive income 
as these 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 related party, net of tax. 

cash flow fRoM opeRatIoNs

($ 000s except $ per share)

Cash flow from operations
$ per share – basic
$ per share – diluted

December 31,
 2012

Three months ended
September 30,
2012

Year ended

December 31,
 2011

December 31,
 2012

December 31,
 2011

21,460
1.08
1.08

16,440
0.83
0.83

26,180
1.35
1.33

74,325
3.75
3.75

97,409
5.04
4.98

In 2012, cash flow from operations decreased by $23,084,000 or 24 percent compared to 2011. This was primarily due to 
decreased crude oil and natural gas prices along with increases in operating and finance costs, partially offset by lower royalties 
and G&A expenditures. The quarter over quarter increase of $5,020,000, or 31 percent, was due primarily to an increase in oil 
and gas production and revenue, partially offset by higher operating and finance costs and royalties.

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

29

cash NetBacK 

The following table illustrates the calculation of the Company’s cash netback from operations for the periods ended:

$ per BOE

Production volumes (BOE)
Gross production revenue
Royalties
Field operating costs
Field netback
General and administrative
Interest and other
Cash netback

December 31,
 2012

Three months ended
September 30,
2012

Year ended

December 31,
 2011

December 31,
 2012

December 31,
 2011

 705,001 
$56.20 
 (4.90)
 (19.02)
 32.28 
 (2.31)
 (2.51)
$27.46 

 613,296 
$57.40 
 (4.34)
 (16.59)
 36.47 
 (2.50)
 (1.56)
$32.41 

 614,482 
$69.68 
 (6.95)
 (15.99)
 46.74 
 (3.18)
 (1.25)
$42.31 

 2,453,474 
$58.19 
 (5.61)
 (16.88)
 35.70 
 (2.48)
 (1.86)
$31.36 

 2,307,465 
$70.33 
 (7.62)
 (15.94)
 46.77 
 (2.94)
 (1.36)
$42.47 

Related paRty tRaNsactIoNs

On October 19, 2012, Pine Cliff Energy Ltd. (Pine Cliff), a company with some common directors and some common management 
with Bonterra, acquired 100 percent of the issued and outstanding common shares of Geomark Exploration Ltd. (Geomark), 
pursuant to an arrangement agreement. Consideration for each Geomark Share was 1.5 voting common shares of Pine Cliff. 
Bonterra now holds 1,034,523 common shares in Pine Cliff (December 31, 2011 – 689,682 common shares in Geomark) which 
represents 0.7 percent ownership in Pine Cliff’s outstanding common shares. Pine Cliff’s common shares have a fair market value 
as of December 31, 2012 of $910,000 (December 31, 2011 ‑ $566,000 fair value of the Geomark shares). Geomark paid a 
management fee to the Company of $225,000 (December 31, 2011 ‑ $270,000). With the arrangement, the management 
agreement between Bonterra and Geomark was terminated effective October 19, 2012.

On November 9, 2012, Bonterra repaid the $20,000,000 (December 31, 2011 ‑ $20,000,000) loan with Geomark. Interest paid 
on this loan during the year was $397,000 (December 31, 2011 ‑ $475,000).

The Company also has a management agreement with Pine Cliff. Pine Cliff paid a management fee to the Company of $60,000 
(December 31, 2011 ‑ $60,000). Services provided by the Company include executive services, accounting services, oil and gas 
administration and office administration. All services performed are charged at estimated fair value. As at December 31, 2012, 
the Company had an account receivable from Pine Cliff of $45,000 (December 31, 2011 – $4,000).

As at December 31, 2012, the Company’s CEO, Chairman of the Board and major shareholder has loaned the Company 
$12,000,000 (December 31, 2011 ‑ $12,000,000). The loan bears interest at Canadian chartered bank prime less 5/8th of a 
percent and has no set repayment terms but is payable on demand. Security under the debenture is over all of the Company’s 
assets and is subordinated to any and all claims in favour of the syndicate of senior lenders providing credit facilities to the 
Company. The loan can only be repaid should the Company have sufficient available borrowing limits under the Company’s 
credit facility. Interest paid on this loan during 2012 was $286,000 (December 31, 2011 ‑ $285,000). This loan results in a 
substantial benefit to Bonterra as the interest paid to the CEO by Bonterra is lower than bank interest.

30 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

lIqUIdIty aNd capItal ResoURces

woRKINg capItal defIcIeNcy

($ 000s)

Working capital deficiency
Long-term bank debt
Net debt
Shareholders' equity
Total

December 31,  
2012

December 31,  
2011

29,876
166,808
196,684
163,277
359,961

51,576
69,916
121,492
181,640
303,132

Net deBt aNd woRKINg capItal

Net debt is a combination of long‑term bank debt and working capital. The increase in net debt from $121,492,000 at 
December 31, 2011 to $196,684,000 at December 31, 2012 is attributable primarily to the substantial decrease in commodity 
prices in 2012 compared to 2011 and thus lower field net backs and cash flow from operations. In addition, the Company 
increased capital spending during 2012 compared to 2011, while at the same time maintaining the dividends paid to shareholders. 

Working capital is calculated as current liabilities less current assets. The Company finances its working capital deficiency 
using cash flow from operations, its long‑term bank facility, share issuances, option exercises and sale of investments.

capItal expeNdItURes

During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company incurred capital costs of $81,022,000 (2011 ‑ $62,686,000 net of 
drilling credits) net of proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment. The costs relate primarily to the drilling of 
24 gross (20.0 net) Pembina and Willesden Green Cardium operated horizontal wells and 10 (2.9 net) non‑operated wells, 
facilities and gathering systems.

In June 2012, the Company purchased Willesden Green oil and gas assets for cash consideration of $17,108,000, which 
included oil and gas properties and equipment and is not included in the above outlined capital costs for 2012.

loNg‑teRM deBt

Long‑term debt represents the outstanding draws from the Company’s credit facility as described in the notes to the 
Company’s annual financial statements. As of December 31, 2012, the Company has a bank facility consisting of a $160,000,000 
(December 31, 2011 ‑ $120,000,000) syndicated revolving credit facility and a $20,000,000 non‑syndicated revolving 
credit facility. Amounts drawn under these facilities at December 31, 2012 were $166,808,000 (December 31, 2011 ‑ $69,916,000). 
The interest rates on the outstanding debt as of December 31, 2012 were 3.8 percent and 3.0 percent on the Company’s Canadian 
prime rate loan and Banker’s Acceptances, respectively. The loan is revolving to April 25, 2013 and with a maturity date of April 
25, 2014 and is subject to annual review. The revolving credit facility has no fixed terms of repayment.

Advances drawn under the credit facility are secured by a fixed and floating charge debenture over the assets of the Company. 
In the event the credit facility are not extended or renewed, amounts drawn under the facility would be due and payable on the 
maturity date. The size of the committed credit facilities is based primarily on the value of the Company’s producing petroleum 
and natural gas assets and related tangible assets as determined by the lenders. For more information please see Note 13 of the 
December 31, 2012 audited annual financial statements.

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

31

shaReholdeRs’ eqUIty

The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares without nominal or par value.

December 31, 2012

December 31, 2012

Issued and fully paid – common shares

Balance, beginning of year

Issued pursuant to the Company share option plan
  Transfer from contributed surplus to share capital 
Balance, end of year

Number

19,571,316
338,225

19,909,541

Amount 
($ 000s)

142,567
6,934
376
149,877

Number

19,219,541
351,775

19,571,316

Amount 
($ 000s)

135,030
7,150
387
142,567

The Company is 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. 

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 1,990,954 (December 31, 2011 – 1,957,131) common shares. The exercise price of each option granted 
will not be lower than the market price of the common shares on the date of grant and the option’s maximum term is five years. 
For additional information regarding options outstanding, please see Note 15 of the December 31, 2012 audited annual 
financial statements.

dIvIdeNd polIcy

For the year ended December 31, 2012, Bonterra paid dividends of $61,707,000 ($3.12 per share) compared to $58,805,000 
($3.04 per share) in the same period in 2011. Bonterra’s dividend policy is regularly monitored and is dependent upon 
production, commodity prices, funds from operations, debt levels and capital expenditures. With its large inventory of 
undrilled locations, Bonterra continues to be well positioned to provide its shareholders a combination of sustainable growth 
and dividend income.

Bonterra’s dividends to its shareholders are funded by cash flow from operating activities with the remaining cash flow directed 
towards capital spending and, where applicable, the repayment of debt. To the extent that the excess cash flow from operations 
after dividends is not sufficient to cover capital spending, the shortfall is funded by funds from the exercising of employee stock 
options, the sale of investments and by draw downs from Bonterra’s credit facilities. Bonterra intends to provide dividends to 
shareholders that are sustainable to the Company considering its liquidity and its long‑term operational strategy. In addition, 
since the level of dividends is highly dependent upon cash flow generated from operations, which fluctuates significantly in 
relation to changes in financial and operational performance, commodity prices, interest and exchange rates and many other 
factors, future dividends cannot be assured. Bonterra’s payout ratio based on cash flow was 83 percent for the year ended 
December 31, 2012 (61 percent for the year ended December 31, 2011).

Net deBt to cash flow

Bonterra intends to continue focusing on managing its cash flow, capital expenditure ranges and dividend payments. At December 31, 2012, 
the Company was in excess of its annual guidance of 1.5 to 1 times net debt to cash flow ratio with a ratio of 2.65 to 1 times. This 
ratio was higher due to lower than budgeted commodity prices, higher than budgeted capital costs and the Willesden Green oil 
and gas asset acquisition of $17.1 million. The Company believes the Spartan acquisition in January 2013 (see Note 20 to the 
annual financial statements) and the Willesden Green asset acquisition will help to sustain future cash flows and shareholder 
dividends and significantly improve the debt to cash flow ratio back to an annual range of 1.0 to 1 times and 1.5 to 1 times. 

32 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

 
qUaRteRly fINaNcIal INfoRMatIoN

For the periods ended
($ 000s except $ per share)

Revenue – oil and gas sales
Cash flow from operations
Net earnings
  Per share – basic
  Per share – diluted

For the periods ended
($ 000s except $ per share)

Revenue – oil and gas sales
Cash flow from operations
Net earnings
  Per share – basic
  Per share – diluted

2012

Q3

35,204
16,440
7,746
0.39
0.39

2011

Q3

36,535
21,730
9,384
0.49
0.48

Q2

31,049
14,727
9,201
0.47
0.46

Q2

44,754
25,465
14,533
0.75
0.74

Q4

39,624
21,460
6,082
0.31 
0.31 

Q4

42,818
26,180
6,067
0.31
0.31

Q1

36,893
21,698
10,182
0.52
0.51

Q1

38,170
24,034
13,624
0.71
0.69

The fluctuations in the Company’s revenue and net earnings from quarter to quarter are primarily caused by variations in 
production volumes, realized oil and natural gas pricing and the related impact on royalties. Q4 2011 net earnings were lower 
than the prior quarter due to the recording of an impairment of natural gas assets. 

cRItIcal accoUNtINg estIMates

The historical information in this MD&A is based primarily on the Company’s financial statements, which have been prepared in 
Canadian dollars in accordance with IFRS. The application of IFRS requires management to make estimates, judgements and 
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets or liabilities, if any, 
at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Bonterra 
bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the 
circumstances. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The 
following are estimates and judgements applied by management that most significantly affect the company’s 
financial statements:

ReseRve estIMatIoN

The capitalized costs of proved oil and gas properties are amortized to expense on a unit of production basis at a rate calculated 
by reference to proved plus probable developed reserves determined in accordance with National Instrument 51‑101 and the 
Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook. Commercial reserves are determined using best estimates of oil and gas in place, 
recovery factors, future development and extraction cots and future oil and gas prices.

Proved reserves are those reserves that have a reasonable certainty (normally at least 90 percent confidence) of being 
recoverable under existing economic and political conditions, with existing technology. Probable reserves are based on 
geological and/or engineering data similar to that used in estimates of proved reserves, but technical, contractual, or regulatory 
uncertainties preclude such reserves from being classified as proved. Probable reserves are attributed to known accumulations 
that have a greater or equal to 50 percent confidence level of recovery.

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

33

exploRatIoN aNd evalUatIoN expeNdItURes

Exploration and evaluation costs are initially capitalized with the intent to establish commercially viable reserves. Exploration and 
evaluation assets include undeveloped land costs, licenses and exploration well costs. Exploration costs related to geophysical 
and geological activities are immediately charged to earnings as incurred. The Company is required to make estimates and 
judgments about future events and circumstances regarding the economic viability of extracting the underlying resources. The 
costs are subject to technical, commercial and management review to confirm the continued intent to develop and extract the 
underlying resources. Changes to project economics, resource quantities, expected production techniques, unsuccessful drilling, 
expired mineral leases, production costs and required capital expenditures are important factors when making this 
determination. To the extent a judgment is made that extraction of the reserves is not viable, the exploration and evaluation 
costs will be impaired and charged to net earnings.

IMpaIRMeNt of NoN‑fINaNcIal assets

The recoverable amounts of Bonterra’s cash‑generating units and individual assets have been determined based on fair values 
less costs to sell. This calculation requires the use of estimates and assumptions. Oil and gas prices and other assumptions will 
change in the future, which may impact Bonterra’s recoverable amount calculated and may therefore require a material 
adjustment to the carrying value of property and plant and equipment. Bonterra monitors internal and external indicators of 
impairment relating to its exploration and evaluation assets and property, plant and equipment. 

Impairment is evaluated at the cash‑generating unit (CGU) level. The determination of CGUs requires judgment in defining the 
smallest identifiable group of assets that generate cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets 
or groups of assets. CGUs have been determined based on similar geological structure, shared infrastructure, geographical 
proximity, commodity type and similar exposures to market risks.

decoMMIssIoNINg aNd RestoRatIoN costs

Decommissioning and restoration costs will be incurred by Bonterra at the end of the operating lives of Bonterra’s oil and gas 
properties. The ultimate decommissioning and restoration costs are uncertain and cost estimates can vary in response to 
many factors including assumptions of inflation, present value discount rates on future liabilities, changes to relevant legal 
requirements and the emergence of new restoration techniques or experience at other production sites. The expected timing and 
amount of expenditures can also change, for example, in response to changes in reserves or changes in laws and regulations or 
their interpretation.

shaRe‑Based payMeNts

The Company accounts for share‑based payments 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. Estimating fair value 
requires the determination of the most appropriate valuation model for a grant of equity instruments, which is dependent on 
the terms and conditions of the grant. This also requires the determination of the most appropriate inputs to the valuation 
model including the expected life of the option, risk free interest rates, volatility and dividend yield and making assumptions 
about them.

defeRRed INcoMe taxes

Deferred income tax is recognized using the liability method, providing for unused tax losses, unused tax credits and temporary 
differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for 
taxation purposes. Deferred tax is not recognized for the following temporary differences: the initial recognition of assets and 
liabilities in a transaction that is not a business combination and that affects neither accounting nor taxable profit, and 
differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that they are unlikely to be reversed in the foreseeable future. 
Deferred tax is measured at the tax rates that are expected to be applied to the temporary differences when they reverse, 
based on the laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date.

34 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

Bonterra recognizes the net future tax benefit related to deferred income tax assets to the extent that it is probable that the 
deductible temporary differences will reverse in the foreseeable future. Assessing the recoverability of deferred income tax 
assets requires Bonterra to make significant estimates related to expectations of future taxable income. Estimates of future 
taxable income are based on forecasted cash flows from operations and Bonterra’s interpretation of the application of existing 
tax laws. To the extent that any interpretation of tax law is challenged by the tax authorities or future cash flows and taxable 
income differ significantly from estimates, the ability of Bonterra to realize the net deferred tax assets recorded at the balance 
sheet date may be compromised.

fINaNcIal INstRUMeNts

The estimated fair values of financial assets and liabilities, by their very nature, are subject to measurement uncertainty due 
to their exposure to credit, liquidity and market risks. Furthermore, the Company may use derivative instruments to manage 
commodity price, foreign currency and interest rate exposures. The fair values of these derivatives are determined using 
valuation models which require assumptions concerning the amount and timing of future cash flows and discount rates. 
Management’s assumptions rely on external observable market data including quoted commodity prices and volatility, 
interest rate yield curves and foreign exchange rates. The resulting fair value estimates may not be indicative of the amounts 
realized or settled in current market transactions and as such are subject to measurement uncertainty.

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, 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; cash 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.

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. 

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, what benefits will be derived there from. Except as required by law, Bonterra 
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.

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

35

dIsclosURe coNtRols aNd pRocedURes

Disclosure controls and procedures have been designed to ensure the information required to be disclosed by the Company is 
accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required 
disclosures. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), together with management, have 
concluded, based on their evaluation as of December 31, 2012 that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are 
effective to provide reasonable assurance that material information related to the issuer, is made known to them by others 
within the Company. It should be noted that while the Company’s CEO and CFO believe that the Company’s disclosure controls 
and procedures provide a reasonable level of assurance that they are effective, they do not expect that the disclosure controls 
and procedures or internal control over financial reporting will prevent all errors and fraud. A control system, no matter how 
well conceived or operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objective of the control system is met.

INteRNal coNtRol Update

The Company’s CEO and CFO are responsible for establishing and maintaining Disclosure Controls and Procedures (DC&P) 
and adequate Internal Control over Financial Reporting (ICFR) to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of 
financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements at December 31, 2012 for external purposes in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards. The control framework the Company used to design its ICFR was in accordance with 
the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s CEO and CFO have evaluated, 
or caused to be evaluated under their supervision, the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting at 
December 31, 2012 of the Company and concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting are effective for 
the foregoing purpose. 

No changes were made to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the year ended December 31, 2012, that 
have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the internal control over financial reporting.

All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. These systems, therefore, provide reasonable 
but not absolute assurance that financial information is accurate and complete.

fINaNcIal RepoRtINg Update

As of January 1, 2013, Bonterra will be required to adopt amendments to IAS 1 “Presentation of Financial Statements” which will 
require companies to group together items within other comprehensive income that may be reclassified to the net earnings 
section of the comprehensive income statement. Bonterra does not expect a material impact as a result of the amendments.

Each of the additional new standards outlined below is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 with 
early adoption permitted, except for IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments” which is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 
January 1, 2015. The Company has not yet assessed the impact, if any, that the new amended standards will have on its financial 
statements or whether to early adopt any of the new requirements.

IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments”

The result of the first phase of the IASB’s project to replace IAS 39, “Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement”. 
The new standard replaces the current multiple classification and measurement models for financial assets and liabilities with 
a single model that has only two classification categories: amortized cost and fair value.

IFRS 10 “Consolidated Financial Statements”

Replaces Standing Interpretations Committee 12, “Consolidation ‑ Special Purpose Entities” and the consolidation requirements 
of IAS 27 “Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements”. The new standard replaces the existing risk and rewards based 
approaches and establish control as the determining factor when determining whether an interest in another entity should be 
included in the consolidated financial statements.

36 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

IFRS 11 “Joint Arrangements” 

Replaces IAS 31 “Interests in Joint Ventures” along with amending IAS 28 “Investment in Associates”. IFRS 11, “Joint 
Arrangements”, requires a venturer to classify its interest in a joint arrangement as a joint venture or joint operation. 
Joint ventures will be accounted for using the equity method of accounting whereas for a joint operation the venturer will 
recognize its share of the assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses of the joint operation. Under existing IFRS, entities have 
the choice to proportionately consolidate or equity account for interests in joint ventures. 

IFRS 12 “Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities”

Provides comprehensive disclosure requirements on interests in other entities, including joint arrangements, associates, and 
special purpose vehicles. The new disclosure requires information that will assist financial statement users in evaluating the 
nature, risks and financial effects of an entity’s interest in subsidiaries and joint arrangements.

IFRS 13 “Fair Value Measurement”

Provides a common definition of fair value within IFRS. The new standard provides measurement and disclosure guidance and 
applies when IFRS requires or permits the item to be measured at fair value, with limited exceptions. This standard does not 
determine when an item is measured at fair value and as such does not require new fair value measurements.

Additional information relating to the Company may be found on www.sedar.com or on our website at www.bonterraenergy.com.

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

37

MANAgEMENT’s REsPONsiBiLiTy fOR 
fiNANciAL sTATEMENTs

The information provided in this report, including the financial statements, is the responsibility of management. The timely 
preparation of the financial statements requires that management make estimates and use judgment regarding the reported 
amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as at the date of the financial statements 
and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Such estimates primarily relate to unsettled transactions 
and events as at the date of the financial statements. Accordingly, actual results may differ from estimated amounts as future 
confirming events occur. 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 control to provide reasonable assurance that the Company’s assets are safeguarded 
and to facilitate the preparation of relevant and timely information.

Deloitte 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.

George F. Fink

Chief Executive Officer and 
Chairman of the Board

Robb D. Thompson

Chief Financial Officer and 
Corporate Secretary

March 21, 2013

March 21, 2013

38 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

iNDEPENDENT AUDiTOR’s REPORT

to the shaReholdeRs of BoNteRRa eNeRgy coRp.

We have audited the accompanying financial statements of Bonterra Energy Corp., which comprise the statements of  
financial position as at December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the statements of comprehensive income, statements of changes  
in equity and statements of cash flows for the years then ended, and the notes to the financial statements.

MaNageMeNt’s RespoNsIBIlIty foR the fINaNcIal stateMeNts

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

aUdItoR’s RespoNsIBIlIty

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

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. 
The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of  
the financial 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 financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are 
appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal 
control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting 
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.

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

opINIoN

In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Bonterra Energy Corp. as  
at December 31, 2012 and 2011, and its financial performance and its cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards.

Chartered Accountants

Calgary, Alberta

March 21, 2013

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

39

fiNANciAL sTATEMENTs

stateMeNt of fINaNcIal posItIoN

As at  
($ 000s)

Assets
Current
  Accounts receivable 
  Crude oil inventory
  Prepaid expenses

Investments

Investment in related party 
Exploration and evaluation assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investment tax credit receivable
Deferred tax asset 

Liabilities
Current
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    Due to related parties
    Subordinated promissory note

Bank debt
Decommissioning liabilities

Commitments and subsequent events
Shareholders’ equity 
    Share capital
    Contributed surplus
    Accumulated other comprehensive income 
    Retained earnings

See accompanying notes to these financial statements.

On behalf of the Board:

George F. Fink

Director

Bill Woodward

Director

Note

December 31,  
2012

December 31,  
2011

5
7
8
9
9

10
1 1
12

13
14

19, 20

15

 19,158 
 797 
 1,635 
 4,136 
 25,726 
 910 
 1,982 
 341,452 
 27,670 
 22,193 
 419,933 

 28,602 
 12,000 
 15,000 
 55,602 

 166,808 
 34,246 
 256,656 

 149,877 
 9,167 
 1,620 
 2,613 
 163,277 
 419,933 

 17,094 
 1,092 
 1,688 
 6,266 
 26,140 
 566 
 1,989 
 274,361 
 27,670 
 33,450 
 364,176 

 30,716 
 32,000 
 15,000 
 77,716 

 69,916 
 34,904 
 182,536 

 142,567 
 5,302 
 2,662 
 31,109 
 181,640 
 364,176 

40 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

 
stateMeNt of coMpReheNsIve INcoMe

For the years ended December 31   
($ 000s, except $ per share)

Revenue
  Oil and gas sales, net of royalties
  Other income

Expenses
  Production costs
  Office and administration 
  Employee compensation
  Finance costs
  Share-based payments
  Depletion and depreciation

Impairment of natural gas assets

Earnings before income taxes
Deferred income taxes 
Net earnings for the year
Other comprehensive income (loss)
  Unrealized gains (losses) on investments
  Deferred taxes on unrealized losses (gains) on investments
  Realized gains on investments transferred to net earnings
  Deferred taxes on realized gains on investments transferred to net earnings
Other comprehensive loss for the year
Total comprehensive income for the year
Net earnings per share – basic 
Net earnings per share – diluted
Comprehensive income per share – basic 
Comprehensive income per share – diluted

See accompanying notes to these financial statements.

Note

2012

2011

16
17

4
15
8
7,8

9

15
15
15
15

 129,010 
 6,767 
 135,777 

 41,408 
 2,121 
 3,974 
 5,895 
 4,241 
 33,521 
 - 
 91,160 
 44, 617 
 11,406 
 33,211 

 1,514 
 (189)
 (2,705)
 338 
 (1,042)
 32,169 
 1.68 
 1.68 
 1.63 
 1.63 

 144,700 
 2,642 
 147,342 

 36,787 
 2,332 
 4,456 
 4,436 
 2,554 
 32,699 
 2,585 
 85,849 
 61,493 
 17,885 
 43,608 

 (1,462)
 266 
 (2,126)
 282 
 (3,040)
 40,568 
 2.25 
 2.23 
 2.10 
 2.07 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

41

  
 
stateMeNt of cash flows

For the years ended December 31   
($ 000s)

Operating activities
Earnings before income taxes
Items not affecting cash
  Share-based payments 
  Depletion and depreciation 

Impairment of natural gas assets 

  Unwinding of the fair value of decommissioning liabilities
  Gain on sale of property
  Gain on sale of investments

Investment income
Interest expense

Change in non-cash working capital
  Change in accounts receivable
  Change in crude oil inventory
  Change in prepaid expenses
  Change in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Decommissioning expenditures
Interest paid
Cash provided by operating activities
Financing activities

Increase (decrease) in bank debt

  Due to related parties
  Stock option proceeds
  Dividends
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Investing activities

Investment income received

  Exploration and evaluation expenditures
  Property, plant and equipment expenditures 
  Proceeds on sale of property
  Purchase of investments
  Proceeds on sale of investments
  Acquisition
Change in non-cash working capital
  Change in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
  Change in accounts receivable
Cash used in investing activities
Net cash inflow 
Cash, beginning of year
Cash, end of year

See accompanying notes to these financial statements.

Note

2012

2011

 44,617 

 61,493 

 4,241 
 33,521 
 - 
 886 
 (3,616)
 (2,705)
 (161)
 5,009 

 1,580 
 194 
 53 
 (3,743)
 (542)
 (5,009)
 74,325 

 96,892 
 (20,000)
 6,934 
 (61,707)
 22,119 

 161 
 (182)
 (84,593)
 3,753 
 (185)
 3,485 
 (17,108)

 1,629 
 (3,404)
 (96,444)
 - 
 - 
 - 

 2,554 
 32,699 
 2,585 
 954 
 (162)
 (2,126)
 (27)
 3,482 

 (2,313)
 (417)
 (57)
 3,057 
 (831)
 (3,482)
 97,409 

 (470)
 - 
 7,150 
 (58,805)
 (52,125)

 27 
 (309)
 (62,615)
 238 
 - 
 3,991 
 - 

 10,820 
 2,564 
 (45,284)
 - 
 - 
 - 

6

42 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

  
 
 
 
 
 
stateMeNt of chaNges IN eqUIty

($ 000s, except number of shares outstanding)

Number of 
shares  
outstanding 
(Note 15)

Share capital 
(Note 15)

Contributed 
surplus (1)

Accumulated  
other  
 comprehensive 
income (2)

Retained 
earnings

Total 
shareholders’ 
equity

January 1, 2011
Share-based payments
Exercise of options

Transfer to share capital on 

exercise of options

Comprehensive income (loss)
Dividends
December 31, 2011
Share-based payments
Exercise of options

Transfer to share capital on  

exercise of options

Comprehensive income (loss)
Dividends
December 31, 2012

19,219,541

 135,030 

351,775

 7,150 

 3,135 
 2,554 

 387 

 (387)

19,571,316

 142,567 

338,225

 6,934 

 5,302 
 4,241 

 5,702 

 46,306 

 (3,040)

 2,662 

 43,608 
 (58,805)
 31,109 

 376 

 (376)

 (1,042)

19,909,541

 149,877 

 9,167 

 1,620 

 33,211 
 (61,707)
 2,613 

 190,173 
 2,554 
 7,150 

 - 
 40,568 
 (58,805)
 181,640 
 4,241 
 6,934 

 - 
 32,169 
 (61,707)
 163,277 

(1)  Contributed surplus comprises of share-based payments.

(2)  Accumulated other comprehensive income comprises of unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments.

See accompanying notes to these financial statements.

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

43

NOTEs TO THE fiNANciAL sTATEMENTs

As at and for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

1.  NatURe of BUsINess aNd segMeNt INfoRMatIoN

Bonterra Energy Corp. (Bonterra or the Company) is a public company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and incorporated 
under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta). The address of the Company’s registered office is Suite 901, 1015‑4th Street SW, 
Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2R 1J4.

Bonterra operates in one industry and has only one reportable segment being the development and production of oil and 
natural gas in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin.

2.  BasIs of pRepaRatIoN

a)  stateMeNt of coMplIaNce

These financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRS), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

The financial statements were authorized for issue by the Company’s Board of Directors on March 21, 2013.

B)  chaNge IN accoUNtINg estIMate

Property, Plant and Equipment

On January 1, 2012, the Company prospectively began depleting oil and gas properties using the unit‑of‑production method 
over their proved plus probable developed reserve life (Total Developed Method), a change from the unit–of‑production 
method over their proved developed reserve life (Proved Developed Method). The change of estimate was due to the Total 
Developed Method providing a better reflection of the estimated service life of the related assets. For 2012, the Company 
recorded less depletion and depreciation of $9,692,000 under the Total Developed Method, compared to what would have 
been recorded using the Proved Developed Method. The Company believes it is not practical to estimate the effect on depletion 
and depreciation expense for future periods.

c)  BasIs of MeasUReMeNt

These financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for certain financial instruments and 
share‑based payment transactions which are measured at fair value.

d)  fUNctIoNal aNd pReseNtatIoN cURReNcy

The Company’s functional and presentation currency is the Canadian dollar.

Monetary assets and liabilities are translated into Canadian dollars at the rates prevailing on the reporting date. Non‑monetary 
assets and liabilities are translated into Canadian dollars at the rates prevailing on the transaction dates. Exchange gains and 
losses are recorded as income or expense in the period in which they occur.

44 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

e)  sIgNIfIcaNt accoUNtINg estIMates aNd JUdgMeNts

The timely preparation of financial statements 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 statement of financial 
position 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.

Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in 
the year in which the estimates are revised and in any future years affected. The following are the estimates and judgments 
applied by management that most significantly affect the Company’s financial statements.

Exploration and Evaluation Expenditures

Exploration and evaluation costs are initially capitalized with the intent to establish commercially viable reserves. Exploration 
and evaluation assets include undeveloped land and costs related to exploratory wells. The Company is required to make 
estimates and judgments about future events and circumstances regarding the future economic viability of extracting the 
underlying resources. Changes to project economics, resource quantities, expected production techniques, unsuccessful drilling, 
expired mineral leases, production costs and required capital expenditures are important factors when making this 
determination. To the extent a judgment is made, that the underlying reserves are not viable, the exploration and evaluation 
costs will be impaired and charged to net earnings. 

Impairment of Non-Financial Assets

Property, plant and equipment are aggregated into cash generating units (CGUs) based on their potential ability to generate 
largely independent cash flows and are used for impairment assessment. CGUs have been determined based on similar 
geological structure, shared infrastructure, geographical proximity, commodity type, and similar markets risks, oil and gas prices 
and other assumptions will change in the future, which may impact the Company’s recoverable amounts and may therefore 
require a material adjustment to the carrying value of property, plant and equipment. The determination of the Company’s CGUs 
is subject to management’s judgment.

Reserves Estimation

The capitalized costs of oil and gas properties are depleted on a unit‑of‑production basis at a rate calculated by reference to 
proved plus probable developed reserves determined in accordance with National Instrument 51‑101 and the Canadian Oil and 
Gas Evaluation handbook. Commercial reserves are determined using best estimates of oil and gas in place, recovery factors and 
future oil and gas prices. Amounts used for impairment calculations are also based on estimates of crude oil and natural gas 
reserves and future costs required to develop those reserves. 

Share-based Payments

The Company measures the cost of equity‑settled transactions with employees by reference to the fair value of the equity 
instruments at the date they are granted. Estimating the fair value requires the determination of the most appropriate valuation 
model for a grant, which is dependent on the terms and conditions of the grant. This also requires the determination of the most 
appropriate inputs to the valuation model including the expected life of the option, risk free interest rates, volatility and 
dividend yield. 

Decommissioning and Restoration Costs 

Decommissioning and restoration costs will be incurred by the Company at the end of the operating lives of the Company’s oil 
and gas properties. Provisions for decommissioning liabilities are uncertain and cost estimates can vary in response to many 
factors including timing of abandonment, inflation, change in legal requirements, new restoration techniques and interest rates. 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

45

Income Taxes

The Company recognizes the net future tax benefit related to deferred income tax assets to the extent that it is probable that the 
deductible temporary differences will reverse in the foreseeable future. Assessing the recoverability of deferred tax assets and 
investment tax credit receivable requires the Company to make significant estimates related to expectations of future taxable 
income. The provision for income taxes is based on judgments in applying income tax law and estimates of the timing, likelihood 
and reversal of temporary differences between the accounting and tax basis of assets and liabilities. The ability to realize on the 
deferred tax assets and investment tax credit receivable recorded on the balance sheet may be compromised to the extent that 
any interpretation of tax law is challenged or taxable income differs significantly from estimates.

Further details regarding accounting estimates and judgments are discussed in Note 3.

f)  ReceNt accoUNtINg pRoNoUNceMeNts

As of January 1, 2013, Bonterra will be required to adopt amendments to IAS 1 “Presentation of Financial Statements” which 
will require companies to group together items within other comprehensive income that may be reclassified to the net earnings 
section of the statement of comprehensive income. Bonterra does not expect a material impact as a result of the amendments.

Each of the additional new standards outlined below is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 with 
early adoption permitted, except for IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments” which is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 
January 1, 2015. The Company has not yet assessed the impact, if any, that the new amended standards will have on its financial 
statements or whether to early adopt any of the new requirements.

IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments”

The result of the first phase of the IASB’s project to replace IAS 39, “Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement”. 
The new standard replaces the current multiple classification and measurement models for financial assets and liabilities 
with a single model that has only two classification categories: amortized cost and fair value.

IFRS 10 “Consolidated Financial Statements”

Replaces Standing Interpretations Committee 12, “Consolidation ‑ Special Purpose Entities” and the consolidation requirements 
of IAS 27 “Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements”. The new standard replaces the existing risk and rewards based 
approaches and establish control as the determining factor when determining whether an interest in another entity should be 
included in the consolidated financial statements.

IFRS 11 “Joint Arrangements” 

Replaces IAS 31 “Interests in Joint Ventures” along with amending IAS 28 “Investment in Associates”. IFRS 11, 
“Joint Arrangements,” requires a venturer to classify its interest in a joint arrangement as a joint venture or joint operation. 
Joint ventures will be accounted for using the equity method of accounting whereas for a joint operation the venturer will 
recognize its share of the assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses of the joint operation. Under existing IFRS, entities have 
the choice to proportionately consolidate or equity account for interests in joint ventures. 

IFRS 12 “Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities”

Provides comprehensive disclosure requirements on interests in other entities, including joint arrangements, associates, and 
special purpose vehicles. The new disclosure requires information that will assist financial statement users in evaluating the 
nature, risks and financial effects of an entity’s interest in subsidiaries and joint arrangements.

IFRS 13 “Fair Value Measurement”

Provides a common definition of fair value within IFRS. The new standard provides measurement and disclosure guidance and 
applies when IFRS requires or permits the item to be measured at fair value, with limited exceptions. This standard does not 
determine when an item is measured at fair value and as such does not require new fair value measurements.

46 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

3.  sIgNIfIcaNt accoUNtINg polIcIes

a)  ReveNUe RecogNItIoN

Revenues from the sale of petroleum and natural gas are recorded when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have 
been transferred to the customer. This generally occurs when the product is physically transferred into a third‑party pipeline or 
when the delivery truck arrives at a customer’s receiving location. Items such as royalties from crown, freehold, gross overriding 
(GORR) and Saskatchewan surcharge are netted against revenue. These items are netted to reflect the deduction for other 
parties’ proportionate share of the revenue.

Administration fee income is recorded when management services and office administration are provided (see related parties 
disclosure Note 11 and Note 17). 

B)  JoINtly coNtRolled opeRatIoNs

Certain exploration, development and production activities are conducted jointly with others. These financial statements reflect 
only the Company’s interests in such activities. A jointly controlled operation involves the use of assets and other resources of 
the Company and those of other venturers rather than through the establishment of a corporation, partnership or other entity. 
The Company has no interests in jointly controlled entities. The Company recognizes in its financial statements the interest 
in assets that it owns, the liabilities and expenses that it incurs and its share of income earned by the joint venture through 
proportionate consolidation. The Company has no material individual capital commitments in any joint venture interest or 
in any joint venture. 

c)  INveNtoRIes

Inventories consist of crude oil. Crude oil stored in the Company’s tanks is 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, depletion and depreciation for the period and net realizable value is determined based on estimated sales price less 
transportation costs.

d)  INvestMeNts aNd INvestMeNt IN Related paRty

Investments and investment in related party consist of equity securities classified on initial recognition as available‑for‑sale and 
are carried at fair value. Fair value is determined by multiplying the period end trading price of the investments by the number 
of common shares held as at period end. Unrealized holding gains and losses are recognized in other comprehensive income. 
Net gains and losses arising on disposal are recognized in net earnings.

e)  exploRatIoN aNd evalUatIoN assets

General exploration or evaluation (E&E) expenditures incurred prior to acquiring the legal right to explore are charged to 
expense as incurred.

E&E expenditures represent undeveloped land costs, licenses and exploration well costs.

Undeveloped land costs, licenses and exploration well costs are initially capitalized and, if subsequently determined to have not 
found sufficient reserves to justify commercial production, are charged to expense. E&E assets continue to be capitalized as long 
as sufficient progress is being made to assess the reserves and economic viability of the asset. Once technical feasibility and 
commercial viability has been established, E&E assets are transferred to property, plant and equipment (PP&E). E&E assets are 
assessed for impairment either annually, upon transfer to PP&E assets or whenever indications of impairment exist to ensure 
they are not carried above their recoverable amounts. 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

47

f)  pRopeRty, plaNt aNd eqUIpMeNt

PP&E assets include transferred‑in E&E costs, development drilling and other subsurface expenditures. PP&E assets are carried 
at cost less depletion and depreciation of all development expenditures and include all other expenditures associated with 
PP&E assets.

When commercial production in an area has commenced, PP&E properties, excluding surface costs are depleted using the 
unit‑of‑production method over their total developed reserve life. Total developed reserves are determined annually by qualified 
independent reserve engineers. Changes in factors such as estimates of total developed reserves that affect unit‑of‑production 
calculations are accounted for on a prospective basis. Surface costs such as production facilities and furniture, fixtures and other 
equipment are depreciated over their estimated useful lives.

Oil and Gas Properties

The initial cost of an asset is comprised of its purchase price or construction cost, including expenditures such as drilling costs, 
the present value of the initial and changes in the estimate of any decommissioning obligation associated with the asset and 
finance charges on qualifying assets, that are directly attributable to bringing the asset into operation and to its present location. 

Production Facilities

Production facilities are comprised of costs related to petroleum and natural gas plant and production equipment.

Depletion and Depreciation

Depletion and depreciation is recognized in the statement of comprehensive income. Production facilities, furniture, fixtures 
and other equipment are depreciated over the individual assets’ estimated economic lives. 

These assets are depreciated on a declining balance method as follows:

Production facilities 
Furniture, fixtures and other equipment 

10 percent per year 
10 percent to 20 percent per year

g)  IMpaIRMeNt of assets

Impairment of Financial Assets

A financial asset is considered to be impaired if objective evidence indicates that one or more events have had a negative effect 
on the estimated future cash flows of that asset. An impairment loss in respect of a financial asset measured at amortized cost 
is calculated as the difference between its carrying amount and the present value of the estimated future cash flows discounted 
at the original effective interest rate. Individually significant financial assets are tested for impairment on an individual basis. 
The remaining financial assets are assessed collectively in groups that share similar credit risk characteristics. An impairment 
loss in respect of an available‑for‑sale financial asset is calculated by reference to its current fair value.

All impairment losses are recognized in net earnings. An impairment loss is reversed if there is an indicator that the impairment 
reversal can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment loss was recognized. Any subsequent recovery of 
an impairment loss in respect of an investment in an equity instrument classified as available‑for‑sale is reversed through other 
comprehensive income instead of net earnings. For financial assets measured at amortized cost, the reversal is recognized in 
net earnings.

48 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

 
 
 
  
 
 
Impairment of Non-Financial Assets

The carrying amounts of the Company’s non‑financial assets are reviewed at the end of each reporting period to determine whether 
there is any indication of impairment. If such indication exists, then the assets’ carrying amounts are assessed for impairment. 

For the purpose of impairment testing, assets (which include E&E and PP&E assets) are grouped together into the smallest group 
of assets that generates cash flows from continuing use that are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets or groups 
of assets (the cash‑generating unit or CGU). The recoverable amount of an asset or a CGU is the greater of its value‑in‑use (VIU) 
and its fair value less costs to sell (FVLCS).

An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an asset or its CGU exceeds its recoverable amount. Impairment 
losses are recognized in the statement of comprehensive income. Impairment losses recognized in respect of a CGU are allocated 
first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the CGU and then to reduce the carrying amount of the other 
assets of the CGU on a pro‑rata basis.

An impairment loss in respect of goodwill cannot be reversed. In respect of other assets, impairment losses recognized in prior 
periods are assessed at each reporting date for any indications that the loss has decreased or no longer exists. If the amount of 
the impairment loss decreases in a subsequent period and the decrease can be objectively related to an event occurring after the 
impairment was recognized, the impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed 
the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depletion and depreciation, if no impairment loss had 
been recognized.

h)  decoMMIssIoNINg lIaBIlItIes

The fair value of the statutory, contractual, constructive or legal liabilities associated with the retirement and reclamation of oil 
and gas properties is recorded when incurred, with a corresponding increase to the carrying amount of the related PP&E. The 
amount recognized is the estimated cost of decommissioning, discounted to its present value using the Company’s risk free rate. 
Changes in the estimated timing of decommissioning or decommissioning cost estimates and changes to the risk free rates are 
dealt with prospectively by recording an adjustment to the provision, and a corresponding adjustment to property, plant and 
equipment. The unwinding of the discount on the decommissioning provision is charged to net earnings as a finance cost.

The Company recognizes a decommissioning liability 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 and if there are any, they will be 
applied prospectively. The fair value of the estimated provision 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 
proved plus probable developed reserves. The liability amount is increased each reporting period due to the passage of time and 
this amount is charged to earnings in the period. Actual costs incurred upon settlement of the obligations are charged against 
the provision to the extent of the liability recorded and the remaining balance of the actual costs is recorded in the statement 
of comprehensive income.

I) 

INcoMe taxes

Tax expense comprises current and deferred taxes. Tax is recognized in the statement of comprehensive income or directly 
in equity.

Current tax expense is based on the results for the period as adjusted for items that are not taxable or not deductible. 
Current tax is calculated using tax rates and laws that are substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period. 
Management periodically evaluates positions taken in tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulation 
is subject to interpretation. Provisions are established where appropriate on the basis of amounts expected to be paid to the 
tax authorities. 

Deferred tax is recognized using the liability method, providing for unused tax losses, unused tax credits and temporary 
differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for 
taxation purposes. Deferred tax is not recognized for the following temporary differences: the initial recognition of assets 
and liabilities in a transaction that is not a business combination and that affects neither accounting nor taxable profit, and 
differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that they are unlikely to be reversed in the foreseeable future. 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

49

Deferred tax is measured at the tax rates that are expected to be applied to the temporary differences when they reverse, 
based on the laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date.

A deferred tax asset is recognized to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which 
unused tax losses, unused tax credits and temporary differences can be utilized. Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each 
balance date and are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realized. 

The amount and timing of reversals of temporary differences will also depend on the Company’s future operating results, and 
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 deferred income tax asset.

J)  shaRe‑Based payMeNts

The Company accounts for share‑based payments 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. Share‑based payments 
are recognized through the statement of comprehensive income over the vesting period with a corresponding amount reflected 
in contributed surplus in equity. For awards issued in tranches that vest at different times, the fair value of each tranche is 
recognized over its respective vesting period.

At the grant date and at the end of each reporting period, the Company assesses and re‑assesses for subsequent periods its 
estimates of the number of awards that are expected to vest and recognizes the impact of the revisions in the statement of 
comprehensive income. Upon exercise of share‑based options, the proceeds received net of any transaction costs and the fair 
value of the exercised share‑based options is credited to share capital.

K)  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: fair‑value through profit or loss, loans and receivables, held‑to‑maturity investments, available‑for‑sale 
financial assets and financial liabilities at amortized cost.

Subsequent measurement of financial instruments is based on their initial classification. Fair‑value through profit or loss financial 
instruments are measured at fair value and changes in fair value are recognized in the statement of comprehensive income. 
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.

Cash and restricted cash are classified as fair‑value through profit and loss. Accounts receivable are classified as loans and 
receivables which are measured at amortized cost. Investments are classified as available‑for‑sale which is 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 financial 
liabilities at amortized cost.

Bank debt, subordinated promissory note and due to related parties are classified as current liabilities unless the Company 
has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least 12 months after the reporting date.

50 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

l)  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 net 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, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company did not designate any of its financial 
instruments as hedges. There were no risk management contracts outstanding as at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. 

M)  Net eaRNINgs aNd coMpReheNsIve INcoMe peR shaRe

Per share amounts are calculated by dividing the net earnings or comprehensive income attributable to common shareholders 
of the Company by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. 

Diluted per share amounts are calculated similar to basic per share amounts except that the weighted average common shares 
outstanding are increased to include additional common shares from the assumed exercise of dilutive share options. The number 
of additional outstanding common shares is calculated by assuming that the outstanding in‑the‑money share options were 
exercised and that the proceeds from such exercises were used to acquire common shares at the average market price during 
the reporting period.

4.  fINaNce costs

A breakdown of finance costs for the current and previous year is:

($ 000s)

Interest expense on bank debt
Interest expense on amounts owing to related parties
Interest expense on subordinated promissory note and other
Unwinding of the fair value of decommissioning liabilities
Total

5.  INvestMeNt IN Related paRty

December 31,  
2012

December 31,  
2011

3,730
683
596
886
5,895

2,272
760
450
954
4,436

On October 19, 2012, Pine Cliff Energy Ltd. (Pine Cliff), a company with some common directors and some common management 
with Bonterra, acquired 100 percent of the issued and outstanding common shares of Geomark Exploration Ltd. (Geomark), 
pursuant to an arrangement agreement. Geomark became a wholly‑owned subsidiary of Pine Cliff and its shares were delisted 
from the TSX Venture Exchange on October 22, 2012. Consideration for each Geomark Share was 1.5 voting common shares of 
Pine Cliff. Bonterra now holds 1,034,523 common shares in Pine Cliff (December 31, 2011 – 689,682 common shares in Geomark) 
which represents 0.7 percent ownership in Pine Cliff’s outstanding common shares. The investment in Pine Cliff is recorded at fair 
market value. 

In addition, Geomark owns 204,633 (December 31, 2011 – 204,633) common shares in Bonterra. 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

51

6.  acqUIsItIoN

On June 7, 2012, Bonterra acquired oil and natural gas assets in the Willesden Green area of Alberta for cash consideration of 
$17,108,000. The results of the Willesden Green oil and gas assets have been included in the financial statements since that date. 
The Willesden Green oil and gas assets contributed oil and gas sales, net of royalties, of $1,785,000 and operating expenses of 
$688,000 for the period from June 7, 2012 to December 31, 2012. If the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2012, total oil 
and gas sales, net of royalties, would have been approximately $3,416,000 and total operating expenses would have been 
approximately $1,163,000 for the year ended December 31, 2012. 

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

Net assets acquired

Property, plant and equipment
Decommissioning liabilities
Working capital
Total

Consideration:
Cash
Total purchase price

7.  exploRatIoN aNd evalUatIoN assets

($ 000s)

Cost and carrying amount
Balance at January 1, 2011
Additions
Transfers to property, plant and equipment
Impairment (Note 8)
Balance at December 31, 2011
Additions
Transfers to property, plant and equipment
Balance at December 31, 2012

($ 000s)

 19,603 
 (2,735)
 240 
 17,108 

 17,108 
 17,108 

E&E assets

 4,595 
 309 
 (2,001)
 (914)
 1,989 
 182 
 (189)
 1,982 

52 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

8.  pRopeRty, plaNt aNd eqUIpMeNt

Cost
($ 000s)

Oil and gas 
properties

Production 
facilities

Balance at January 1, 2011
Additions
Transfers from exploration and evaluation assets
Disposal
Balance at December 31, 2011
Additions
Transfers from exploration and evaluation assets
Acquisition
Disposal
Balance at December 31, 2012

 283,484 
 58,874 
 2,001 
 (166)
344,193
 67,003 
 189 
 16,117 
 (261)
427,241

 62,728 
 15,019 
 - 
 (136)
77,611
 13,931 
 - 
 3,486 
 (126)
94,902

Accumulated Depletion and Depreciation
($ 000s)

Oil and gas 
properties

Production  
facilities 

Balance at January 1, 2011
Depletion and depreciation
Disposal and other
Impairment
Balance at December 31, 2011
Depletion and depreciation
Disposal and other
Balance at December 31, 2012

Carrying amounts as at:
($ 000s)
December 31, 2011
December 31, 2012

 (88,297)
 (27,435)
 (5)
 (784)
 (116,521)
 (27,187)
 101 
 (143,607)

 (25,265)
 (5,181)
 44 
 (887)
 (31,289)
 (6,232)
 - 
 (37,521)

Furniture, 
fixtures 
& other 
equipment

Total property, 
plant & 
equipment

 1,474 
 77 
 - 
 (41)
1,510
 183 
 - 

 (32)
1,661

 347,686 
 73,970 
 2,001 
 (343)
423,314
 81,117 
 189 
 19,603 
 (419)
523,804

Furniture, 
fixtures 
& other 
equipment

Total property, 
plant & 
equipment

 (1,098)
 (83)
 38 
 - 
 (1,143)
 (102)
 21 
 (1,224)

 (114,660)
 (32,699)
 77 
 (1,671)
 (148,953)
 (33,521)
 122 
 (182,352)

 227,672 
 283,634 

 46,322 
 57,381 

 367 
 437 

 274,361 
 341,452 

In January 2012, the Company disposed of its Central Alberta Redwater property. The proceeds of disposition was cash of 
$1,109,000. At the time of disposition, the property had no carrying value resulting in a gain on sale equal to its proceeds.

In June 2012, the Company disposed of a portion of its Central Alberta Tomahawk property. The proceeds of disposition was cash 
of $2,500,000. At the time of disposition, the property had no carrying value resulting in a gain on sale equal to its proceeds.

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

53

IMpaIRMeNt

Management has determined four cash generating units for the Company, which are comprised of one core cash‑generating 
unit (CGU) for the Pembina Cardium and Willesden Green assets in Alberta, Canada and three other non‑core CGUs.

These CGUs are the Company’s producing fields. As part of its annual impairment analysis, the Company assessed its PP&E 
assets, production facilities, furniture and other equipment by CGU for possible impairment. 

The assessment for impairment has been determined based on the value‑in‑use (VIU) method. VIU was determined on the 
basis of the discounted expected future cash flows based on the Company’s plans to continue to produce total proved and 
probable reserves.

Projected estimates of cash flows from the CGUs have been determined based on the economic life of the reserves using an 
inflation rate of 1.5 percent (2011 ‑ 2.0 percent). The pre‑tax discount rate applied to the cash flows for the Company’s total 
proved and probable assets is 10 percent (2011 – proved and probable developed assets was 10 percent and probable 
undeveloped assets was 15 percent). 

There were no impairment provisions recorded for the year ended December 31, 2012. In 2011, there were significant reductions 
in the future commodity price forecasts for natural gas used by the Company’s independent reserves evaluator when compared 
to the previous year resulting in an impairment provision of $2,585,000 for minor natural gas assets in British Columbia. 

9.  INcoMe taxes 

($ 000s)

Deferred tax asset (liability) related to:

Investments

  Exploration and evaluation assets and property, plant and equipment
  Decommissioning liabilities
  Corporate tax losses and SR&ED claims
  Corporate capital tax loss
  Unrecorded benefit of capital tax losses 
Deferred tax asset

December 31,  
2012

December 31,  
2011

 (302)
 (34,856)
 8,575 
 48,474 
 16,964 
 (16,662)
22,193

 (308)
 (27,354)
 8,737 
 52,067 
 17,212 
 (16,904)
33,450

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 taxes
Combined federal and provincial income tax rates
Income tax provision calculated using statutory tax rates
Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:
Share-based payments
Non-taxable portion of realized gains
Unrecorded benefit of capital tax losses 
Recorded benefit (expense) in other comprehensive income
Change in effective tax rate
Others
Deferred income tax expense

December 31,  
2012

December 31,  
2011

44,617
25.04%
11,172

 1,062 
 (381)
 (242)
 (189)
 11 
 (27)
11,406

61,493
26.53%
16,314

 677 
 (300)
 31 
 266 
 789 
 108 
17,885

54 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

 
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
Canadian oil and gas property expenditures
Canadian development expenditures
Canadian exploration expenditures
Income tax losses carried forward (1)

Rate of 
Utilization (%)

20-100
7
10
30
100
100

Amount

39,200
5,924
25,114
121,417
11,174
221,272
424,101

(1) 

 Federal income tax losses carried forward expire in the following years; 2024 - $1,501,000, 2025 - $7,532,000, 2026 - $46,671,000, 2027 - $117,189,000, 
2028 - $35,248,000, 2029 - $13,131,000. 

The Company has $27,670,000 (December 31, 2011 ‑ $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 $135,502,000 (December 31, 2011 ‑ $137,289,000) of capital loss carry forwards which can only be 
claimed against taxable capital gains.

10. accoUNts payaBle aNd accRUed lIaBIlItIes

Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities comprise of the following categories:

($ 000s)

Accounts payable
Accrued liabilities

December 31,  
2012

December 31,  
2011

20,181
8,421
28,602

25,890
4,826
30,716

11.  tRaNsactIoNs wIth Related paRtIes

As at December 31, 2012, the Company’s CEO, Chairman of the Board and major shareholder has loaned the Company 
$12,000,000 (December 31, 2011 ‑ $12,000,000). The loan bears interest at Canadian chartered bank prime less 5/8th of 
a percent and has no set repayment terms but is payable on demand. Security under the debenture is over all of the 
Company’s assets and is subordinated to any and all claims in favour of the syndicate of senior lenders providing credit 
facilities to the Company. Interest paid on this loan during the year was $286,000 (December 31, 2011 ‑ $285,000).

On November 9, 2012, Bonterra repaid the $20,000,000 (December 31, 2011 ‑ $20,000,000) loan with Geomark. Interest paid 
on this loan during the year was $397,000 (December 31, 2011 ‑ $475,000).

The Company received a management fee from Geomark of $225,000 for the year (December 31, 2011 ‑ $270,000) for 
management services and office administration. This fee has been included in other income. With the arrangement agreement 
between Pine Cliff and Geomark, the management agreement between Bonterra and Geomark was terminated effective 
October 19, 2012.

The Company received a management fee of $60,000 for the year ended December 31, 2012 (December 31, 2011 ‑ $60,000) 
for management services and office administration from Pine Cliff. This fee has been included in other income. As at 
December 31, 2012, the Company had an account receivable from Pine Cliff of $45,000 (December 31, 2011 ‑ $4,000). 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

55

coMpeNsatIoN foR Key MaNageMeNt peRsoNNel

($ 000s)

Compensation
Share-based payments
Total compensation

December 31,  
2012

December 31,  
2011

1,529
2,445
3,974

1,352
1,289
2,641

Key management personnel are those persons, including all directors, having authority and responsibility for planning, 
directing and controlling the activities of the Company.

12.  sUBoRdINated pRoMIssoRy Note

As at December 31, 2012, Bonterra has borrowed $15,000,000 (December 31, 2011 ‑ $15,000,000) from a private investor, in 
exchange for a Subordinated Promissory Note. The terms of the Subordinated Promissory Note are that it bears interest at 
three percent and is payable after thirty days written notice by either party. 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 the year 
was $451,000 (December 31, 2011 ‑ $450,000).

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. 

13. 

BaNK deBt

As at December 31, 2012, the Company has a bank facility consisting of $160,000,000 syndicated revolving credit facility 
and a $20,000,000 non‑syndicated revolving credit facility. Amounts drawn under the facilities at December 31, 2012 were 
$166,808,000 (December 31, 2011 ‑ $69,916,000). Amounts borrowed under the credit facilities at December 31, 2012 bear 
interest at a floating rate based on the applicable Canadian prime rate, which is presently three percent or Banker’s Acceptance 
rate, plus between 0.75 percent and 3.50 percent, depending on the type of borrowing and the Company’s consolidated total 
funded debt to consolidated cash flow. The terms of the revolving credit facilities provided that the loan is revolving to April 
25, 2013 and with a maturity date of April 25, 2014 and is subject to annual review. The revolving credit facilities have no fixed 
terms of repayment.

The amount available for borrowing under the credit facilities is reduced by outstanding letters of credit. Letters of credit totaling 
$400,000 were issued as at December 31, 2012 (December 31, 2011 ‑ $400,000). Security for credit facilities consists of various 
and floating demand debentures totaling $300,000,000 over all of the Company’s assets and a general security agreement with 
first ranking over all personal and real property.

The following is a list of the material covenants on the banking facility:

•	  The Company is required to not exceed $180,000,000 in consolidated debt (includes working capital but excludes amounts 

due to related parties and subordinated promissory note).

•	  Dividends paid in the current quarter shall not exceed 80 percent of the average available cash flow for the preceding four 

fiscal quarters.

Available cash flow is defined to be cash provided by operating activities excluding gains on sale of property and investments, 
the change in non‑cash working capital and decommissioning liabilities settled and including all net proceeds of dispositions 
included in cash used in investing activities. At December 31, 2012, the Company is in compliance with all covenants.

56 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

14.  decoMMIssIoNINg lIaBIlItIes

At December 31, 2012, the estimated total undiscounted amount required to settle the decommissioning liabilities was 
$67,684,000 (December 31, 2011 ‑ $73,475,000). The provision has been calculated assuming a 1.5 percent inflation rate 
(December 31, 2011 – 2.0 percent inflation rate). These obligations will be settled based on the useful lives of the underlying 
assets, which extend up to 54 years into the future. This amount has been discounted using a risk‑free interest rate of 
2.4 percent (December 31, 2011 ‑ 2.5 percent).

Changes to decommissioning liabilities were as follows:

($ 000s)

Decommissioning liabilities, January 1
Adjustment to decommissioning liabilities
Acquistion
Disposals
Liabilities settled during the period
Unwinding of the fair value of decommissioning liabilities
Decommissioning liabilities, end of year

15. 

shaReholdeRs’ eqUIty

aUthoRIzed

December 31,  
2012

December 31,  
2011

34,904
 (3,477)
 2,735 
 (260)
 (542)
 886 
 34,246 

23,427
 11,354 
 - 
 - 
 (831)
 954 
 34,904 

The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares without nominal or par value.

December 31, 2012

December 31, 2011

Issued and fully paid – common shares

Balance, beginning of year

Issued pursuant to the Company share option plan
  Transfer from contributed surplus to share capital 
Balance, end of year

Number

19,571,316
338,225

19,909,541

Amount 
($ 000s)

142,567
6,934
376
149,877

Number

19,219,541
351,775

19,571,316

Amount 
($ 000s)

135,030
7,150
387
142,567

The Company is 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. 

The weighted average common shares used to calculate basic and diluted net earnings per share for the years ended 
December 31 is as follows:

Basic shares outstanding 
Dilutive effect of share options (1)
Diluted shares outstanding

2012

19,780,814
13,120
19,793,934

2011

19,341,514
212,643
19,554,157

(1) 

 The Company did not include 1,215,000 share options (December 31, 2011 – 599,000) in the dilutive effect of share options calculation as these share options 
were anti-dilutive.

For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company declared and paid dividends of $61,707,000 ($3.12 per share) 
(December 31, 2011 ‑ $58,805,000 ($3.04 per share)).

The Company provides an equity settled option plan for its directors, officers, employees and consultants. Under the plan, the 
Company may grant options for up to 1,990,954 (December 31, 2011 – 1,957,131) common shares. The exercise price of each option 
granted cannot be lower than the market price of the common shares on the date of grant and the option’s maximum term is 
five years. 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

57

 
A summary of the status of the Company’s stock option plan as of December 31, 2012, and changes during the year ended on 
those dates is presented below: 

At January 1, 2011
Options granted
Options exercised
Options cancelled
Options forfeited
At December 31, 2011
Options granted
Options exercised
Options cancelled
Options forfeited
At December 31, 2012

Number of 
options

 747,000 
 1,142,000 
 (351,775)
 (11,000)
 (58,000)
 1,468,225 
 942,000 
 (338,225)
 (18,000)
 (152,000)
 1,902,000 

Weighted-
average 
exercise price

$20.56 
54.54
20.32
14.90
32.14
$46.63 
45.38
20.50
51.61
54.07
$49.99 

The following table summarizes information about options outstanding at December 31, 2012:

Options Outstanding

Options Exercisable

Number 
outstanding  at 
December 31, 
2012

855,000
1,047,000
1,902,000

Weighted-average 
remaining 
contractual life

Weighted-average 
exercise price

1.8 years
2.4 years
2.1 years

$44.61 
54.38
$49.99 

Number 
exercisable at 
December 31, 
2012

6,000
442,500
448,500

Weighted-average 
exercise price

$48.60 
57.96
$57.83 

Range of exercise 
prices

$ 40.00 – $ 49.00
50.00 –    59.00
$ 40.00 – $ 59.00

The Company records compensation expense over the vesting period, which ranges between one to three years, based on the 
fair value of options granted to employees, directors and consultants. In 2012, the Company granted 942,000 stock options 
(December 31, 2011 – 1,142,000) with an estimated fair value of $3,814,000 or $4.05 per option (December 31, 2011 ‑ $8,394,000 
or $7.35 per option) using the Black‑Scholes option pricing model with the following key assumptions:

Weighted-average risk free interest rate (%) (1)
Expected life (years)
Weighted-average volatility (%) (2)
Forfeiture rate (%)
Weighted average dividend yield

December 31,  
2012

December 31,  
2011

 1.12 
 1.42 
 28.23 
 - 
 6.90 

 1.40 
 2.03 
 32.41 
 - 
 5.53 

(1) 

 Risk-free interest rate is based on the weighted average Government of Canada benchmark bond yields for one, two, and three year terms to match 
corresponding vesting periods.

(2)   The expected volatility is measured as the standard deviation of expected share price returns based on statistical analysis of historical weekly share prices for a 

representative period.

The weighted average share price of the options exercised in 2012 was $49.17 (2011 ‑ $53.38).

58 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

December 31,  
2012

December 31,  
2011

 142,770 

 162,277 

 (9,727)
 (4,033)
 129,010 

 (12,316)
 (5,261)
 144,700 

December 31,  
2012

December 31,  
2011

161
285
3,616
2,705
6,767

27
327
162
2,126
2,642

16.  oIl aNd gas sales, Net of RoyaltIes

($ 000s)

Oil and gas sales
Less:
  Crown royalties
  Freehold, gross overriding royalties and other
Oil and gas sales, net of royalties

17.  otheR INcoMe

($ 000s)

Investment income
Administrative income
Gain on sale of property
Realized gain on investments
Other income

18.  fINaNcIal aNd capItal RIsK MaNageMeNt

fINaNcIal RIsK factoRs

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

•	 Accounts receivable

•	 Accounts payable 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, liquidity risk and equity price risk.

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

The Company may enter into various risk management contracts 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 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 a capital structure that provides a low 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.

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

59

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. During the current year the Company exceeded the targeted debt level due to decreasing commodity prices, 
the Willesden Green asset acquisition, an increased capital drilling program, while sustaining current dividend levels. On 
January 25, 2013, the Company completed a business acquisition of Spartan Oil Corp. which is expected to increase cash flows, 
restore targeted debt levels to less than 1.5:1 on an annual basis, and increase its holding in its core area, the Pembina and 
Willesden Green Cardium properties (see Note 20).

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.

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 the table below.

($ 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

As at December 31, 2012

As at December 31, 2011

Carrying 
value

Fair  
value

Face  
value

Carrying 
value

Fair  
value

Face  
value

 19,158 
 4,136 
 910 

 19,158 
 4,136 
 910 

 19,389 
 N/A 
 N/A 

 17,094 
 6,266 
 566 

 17,094 
 6,266 
 566 

 17,136 
 N/A 
 N/A 

 28,602 
 12,000 
 15,000 
 166,808 

 28,602 
 12,000 
 15,000 
 166,808 

 28,602 
 12,000 
 15,000 
 166,808 

 30,716 
 32,000 
 15,000 
 69,916 

 30,716 
 32,000 
 15,000 
 69,916 

 30,716 
 32,000 
 15,000 
 69,916 

Financial instruments consisting of accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, due to related parties, 
subordinated promissory note and bank debt on the statement of financial position 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.

60 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

The net debt and cash flow figures as of December 31, 2012 are as follows:

($ 000s)

Bank debt
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Due to related parties
Subordinated promissory note
Current assets 
Net debt
Cash flow from operations 
Net debt to annual cash flow from operations

B)  RIsKs aNd MItIgatIoNs

 166,808 
 28,602 
 12,000 
 15,000 
 (25,726)
 196,684 
 74,325 
2.65

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, including fluctuations in the differential between West Texas Intermediate prices and Bonterra’s 
realized prices, 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 $160,000,000 syndicated revolving operating line, $20,000,000 non‑syndicated 
operating line, $12,000,000 due to a related party and a $15,000,000 subordinated promissory note. The borrowings under 
these facilities, except for the subordinated promissory note, are at bank prime plus or minus various percentages as well as by 
means of banker’s acceptances (BAs) within the Company’s credit facility. The subordinated promissory note is at a fixed interest 
rate of three percent. The Company manages its exposure to interest rate risk on its floating interest rate debt through 
entering into various term lengths on its BAs 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) both annual net earnings and 
comprehensive income by $1,340,000.

Equity Price Risk

Equity price risk refers to the risk that the fair value of the investments and investment in related party will fluctuate due to 
changes in equity markets. Equity price risk arises from the realizable value of the investments that the Company holds which 
are subject to variable equity market prices which on disposition gives rise to a cash flow equity price risk. The Company will 
assume full risk in respect of equity price fluctuations.

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

61

Foreign Exchange Risk

The Company has no foreign operations and currently sells all of 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 not use 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 statement 
of financial position. 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 $19,158,000 accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2012 (December 31, 2011 ‑ $17,094,000) over 60 percent 
(2011 – 70 percent) relates to product sales with international oil and gas companies and from the provincial government 
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, 2012, there was no material 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 receivable is 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, 2012, approximately $1,330,000 or 6.9 percent of the Company’s total accounts receivable are aged over 
90 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, 2012 is $231,000 (December 31, 2011 ‑ $42,000) with the difference being included in general and administrative 
expenses. There were no material accounts written off during the period. 

The maximum exposure to credit risk is represented by the carrying amounts of accounts receivable, accounts payable and 
accrued liabilities and the continuing availability of subordinated promissory note, due to related parties and bank debt on 
the statement of financial position. 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.

62 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

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

Yes - Liability
Yes - Liability
Yes - Liability
Yes - Liability
No

Less than 1 
year

Over 1 year to 
3 years

4 to 5 years

 28,602 
 12,000 
 15,000 
 - 
 538 
 56,140 

 - 
 - 
 - 
 166,808 
 28 
 166,836 

 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 

c)  RIsK MaNageMeNt coNtRacts

The Company has no outstanding risk management contracts at December 31, 2012.

19.  coMMItMeNts

opeRatINg leases

The Company has entered into leases for buildings and office equipment. These leases have an average life of 0.7 years. There 
are no restrictions placed upon the lessee by entering into these leases. Future minimum lease payments under non‑cancellable 
operating leases as at December 31, 2012 are as follows:

($ 000s)

Within one year
After one year but not more than five years
Total

20. sUBseqUeNt eveNts

I)  acqUIsItIoN

2012

538
28
566

On January 25, 2013, Bonterra acquired 100 percent of the issued and outstanding common shares of Spartan Oil Corp. (Spartan) 
pursuant to an arrangement agreement (Spartan Transaction). Spartan was a public oil and gas company with properties in 
Alberta and Saskatchewan. The acquisition of Spartan, including the complementary light oil assets in Bonterra’s core area of 
the Pembina and Willesden Green Cardium properties, will contribute increased cash flows, controlled infrastructure, positive 
working capital and no debt which positively affects the Company’s net debt to cash flow ratio. Consideration for Spartan shares 
was 0.1169 voting common shares of Bonterra, which amounted to the issuance of 10,711,405 Bonterra shares valued at 
$502,258,000, using the closing share price of $46.89 per share on the date of the Spartan Transaction. The exchange ratio 
for the transaction represents a deemed price of $5.03 per Spartan Share. The Spartan Transaction will be accounted for as a 
business combination with Bonterra identified as the acquirer. 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

63

The preliminary purchase price allocation using the acquisition method was allocated to the assets acquired and the liabilities 
assumed as follows:

Net assets acquired:

Exploration and evaluation assets
Property, plant and equipment
Goodwill
Working capital
Decommissioning liabilities
Deferred tax liability
Total

Consideration:
Bonterra shares (10,711,405 shares at $46.89)
Total purchase price

($ 000s)

 8,829 
 462,269 
 98,369 
 10,685 
 (11,657)
 (66,237)
 502,258 

 502,258 
 502,258 

The purchase price allocation is subject to change as of the issue date of these financial statements. Bonterra does not believe it 
is practical to estimate the effect on net earnings for future periods. On March 1, 2013, Spartan was amalgamated with Bonterra. 

II)  dIvIdeNds

Subsequent to December 31, 2012, the Company has declared the following dividends:

Date declared

January 3, 2013
February 4, 2013
March 4, 2013

III) BaNK facIlIty

Record date

$ per share

Date payable

January 15, 2013
February 15, 2013
March 15, 2013

0.26
January 31, 2012
0.26 February 28, 2013
March 28, 2013
0.28

The Company’s banking syndicate have provided approvals in connection with the annual redetermination of the borrowing base, 
subject to normal closing conditions. Management expects that on or around March 28, 2013, the Company will amend its bank 
facilities under similar terms and conditions with exception of extending the revolving period and maturity date, and increasing 
the total syndicated and non‑syndicated credit facilities to $250 million from $180 million. In addition, security for the credit 
facilities, consisting of various and floating demand debentures, will increase to $400 million from $300 million.

64 

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012

cORPORATE iNfORMATiON

BoaRd of dIRectoRs

stocK lIstINg

G.J. Drummond, Nassau, Bahamas

The Toronto Stock Exchange

G.F. Fink, Calgary, Alberta

R.M. Jarock, Calgary, Alberta

C.R. Jonsson, Vancouver, British Columbia

F.W. Woodward, Calgary, Alberta

offIceRs

Trading Symbol: BNE

head offIce

901, 1015 – 4th Street SW

Calgary, Alberta  T2R 1J4

PH 403.262.5307

B.A. Curtis – Vice President, Business Development

FX 403.265.7488

G.F. Fink – Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

A. Neumann – Vice President, Engineering and Operations

R.D. Thompson – Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

weBsIte

www.bonterraenergy.com

RegIstRaR & tRaNsfeR ageNt

Olympia Trust Company, Calgary, Alberta

aUdItoRs

Deloitte LLP, Calgary, Alberta

solIcItoRs

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Calgary, Alberta

BaNKeRs

CIBC, Calgary, Alberta

Alberta Treasury Branch, Calgary, Alberta

National Bank of Canada, Calgary, Alberta

BONTERRA | ANNUAL REPORT 2012 

65

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

www.BoNteRRaeNeRgy.coM