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Whitecap Resources

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FY2010 Annual Report · Whitecap Resources
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2 0 1 0   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

BUILDING LIGHT OIL  
VALUE AND GROWTH

 
CORPORATE PROFILE

WHITECAP RESOURCES INC. (“WHITECAP” OR THE “COMPANY”) IS ENGAGED IN THE ACQUISITION, 
DEVELOPMENT,  OPTIMIZATION AND  PRODUCTION  OF  CRUDE  OIL AND  NATURAL  GAS  IN WESTERN 
CANADA.  WE  HAVE  AN  ENVIABLE  SUITE  OF  OIL-WEIGHTED,  LONG  RESERVE  LIFE  ASSETS  WITH 
SUBSTANTIAL  UNBOOKED  UPSIDE  POTENTIAL,  A  SIGNIFICANT  LEVEL  OF  DEVELOPMENT  WELL 
INVENTORY AND A STRONG BALANCE SHEET.

CONTENTS

Financial & Operating Highlights 

Message to Shareholders 

Review of Operations 

Management’s Discussion & Analysis 

Management’s Report 

Independent Auditors’ Report 

Financial Statements 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Corporate Information & Abbreviations 

1
2
4
9
26
27
28
31
45

CORPORATE HISTORY

MARCH 8 / 2011 

JANUARY 14 / 2011

Announced acquisition of Spry Energy Ltd. for $223 million 
Significantly expands presence in the Cardium oil resource play

Acquired partner interest in Valhalla North asset for $25 million 

Provides for oil production and reserve growth in core asset

OCTOBER 18 / 2010 

Graduated to the Toronto Stock Exchange

JULY 12 / 2010 

Acquisition of Onyx 2006 Inc. for $52 million 
Entrance into Pembina horizontal Cardium play

JUNE 25 / 2010 

Going public transaction through reverse takeover of Spitfire Energy Ltd. 

Acquired Fosterton pool in southwest Saskatchewan

SEPTEMBER 17 / 2009

Acquired Valhalla North asset for $58 million 

Sets stage for Whitecap with light oil focus

 
FINANCIAL AND 
OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS

Whitecap’s 2010 year end results include approximately six months of production from the reverse takeover of Spitfire Energy 
Ltd. and five months of production from the acquisition of Onyx 2006 Inc.

FInAncIAL ($000s) 
Total revenues 
Funds from operations 
    Basic & diluted ($/share) 
net loss  
    Basic & diluted ($/share) 
Development capital expenditures  
corporate and property acquisitions (cash-based) 
Bank debt and working capital(1) 
OpERATIng 
production 
    crude oil (bbls/d) 
    natural gas (Mcf/d) 
    ngLs (bbls/d) 
    Total (boe/d) 
Average realized price 
    crude oil ($/bbl) 
    natural gas ($/Mcf) 
    ngLs ($/bbl) 
    Total ($/boe) 
netbacks ($/boe) 
    Total commodity revenue 
    Other income 
    Royalties 
    Operating expenses 
    Transportation expenses 
Operating netbacks prior to hedging 
    Realized hedging gain 
Operating netbacks 
Total wells drilled  
Working interest wells 
Success rate 
Undeveloped land holdings (acres) 
    gross 
    net 
common shares, end of period (000s)  
Weighted average shares (000s) 

(1) Excludes risk management contracts.

2010 
25,991 
11,706 
0.51 
(9,623) 
(0.42) 
41,579 
52,572 
29,545 

631  
4,141  
112  
1,433  

74.89  
4.24  
56.95  
49.68  

49.68  
0.64  
(7.44) 
(12.73) 
(1.65) 
28.50  
1.04  
29.54  
17.0 
10.6 
100% 

66,973 
46,228  
41,826 
23,162 

2009
4,799
997
0.21
(1,224)
(0.26)
429
56,511
10,315

105
855
28
275

73.99
4.55
54.32
47.82

47.82
0.19
(9.29)
(11.95)
(1.81)
24.96
–
24.96
–
–
–

11,280
4,111
15,312
4,721

Annual Report 2010

1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MESSAGE TO 
SHAREHOLDERS 

YEAR IN REVIEW

2010 was an eventful and exceptional year for us. We began the year with a well-defined strategy to increase our exposure 
to light oil value and growth opportunities. Our execution was purposeful and disciplined as we increased our leverage to oil 
production as well as assembling an inventory of oil opportunities for future growth.

The  successful  results  of  this  past  year  are  directly  attributable  to  the  strength  and  vision  of  our  employees.   
Their ability to identify and capture valuable light oil based assets and generate a considerable inventory of light oil development 
wells has provided us with an enviable oil platform from which to grow. We are geographically concentrated in three regions in 
Western canada; being the peace River Arch area of northwestern Alberta, the pembina area of west central Alberta and the 
Fosterton area of southwest Saskatchewan.

We started 2010 as a private company producing approximately 900 boe/d (45% oil & ngLs) from our Valhalla north asset.  
In June, we completed a reverse takeover of Spitfire Energy Ltd., a publicly traded company which provided us with an additional 
360 boe/d (85% oil) of production and resulted in us becoming a publicly traded entity on the TSX Venture Exchange. In July, 
we  acquired  Onyx  2006  Inc.,  a  private  company  with  assets  that  included  600  boe/d  (50%  oil  and  ngLs)  focused  in  the 
pembina cardium area and which provided us with a third core area from which to grow. These acquisitions and our strong 
internal performance have provided us with a substantial amount of development and exploitation upside in areas that are 
accessible year round. Our aggressive but disciplined approach to growth and our graduation to the Toronto Stock Exchange on  
October 18, 2010 have allowed us to build a strong institutional shareholder base.

HIGHLIGHTS

 /

 /

 /

 /

 grew  our  average  production  150  percent  from  806  boe/d  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  2009  to  2,014  boe/d  in  the   
fourth quarter of 2010 through strategic oil-weighted acquisitions and internally generated growth.

 Our  2010  exit  production  rate  was  3,200  boe/d  (60  percent  oil  and  ngLs)  compared  to  731  boe/d  for  2009   
(46 percent oil and ngLs), a 338 percent increase, as a result of an active second half drilling program.

 generated  cash  flow  of  $11.7  million  on  an  operating  netback  of  $29.54/boe  in  2010  compared  to  cash  flow  of   
$1.0 million and an operating netback of $24.96/boe in the prior year.

 Invested  $40.3  million  in  field  expenditures  consisting  of  $36.9  million  for  drilling,  completing  and  the   
tie-in of 17 (10.6 net) wells with a 100 percent success rate, $2.1 million for recompleting and optimizing 18 wells  
and $1.3 million for land, seismic and our waterflood simulation study.

 /

 completed two significant oil-weighted corporate acquisitions and eight minor property acquisitions in our three core 
areas totaling $92 million.

 /

 Increased our drilling inventory three-fold from 60 to 180 wells of which 96 percent are oil opportunities.

 /

 /

 Increased proved plus probable gross reserves by 169 percent to 13.7 MMboe (65 percent oil and ngLs) and proved 
gross reserves by 192 percent to 8.3 MMboe (64 percent oil and ngLs).

 Achieved finding, development and acquisition (“FD&A”) costs of $14.52 per proved plus probable boe, excluding 
changes in future development costs, generating a recycle ratio of 2.5 times based on our current operating netback 
of $35.50/boe.

2

Whitecap Resources

LOOKING AHEAD

We anticipate that our business plan going forward will not alter dramatically from our 2010 plan. We will remain focused on 
large oil resource-in-place assets where application of advancing horizontal frac technology is significantly improving operating 
results and increasing reserve recovery factors. We will continue to measure our success by our growth in production, reserves, 
net asset value and cash flow on a per share basis. As well, our financing strategy will again be designed to support value creation 
through the turbulent commodity price environment that we are currently experiencing and expect to continue for the remainder 
of the year.

We are fortunate to have the majority of our production from high netback oil. The challenge for industry is to keep the cost of 
finding new production and reserves as low as possible as well as the necessity to gain timely access to services. Whitecap 
is prepared and committed to meet the challenges that we contemplate the future will bring and we remain confident that we 
will be able to deliver exceptional operational and financial per share results for Whitecap shareholders in 2011 and beyond.

In closing, I would like to express my appreciation to our employees for their focus and determination, to our Board of Directors 
for their time and guidance and to our shareholders and stakeholders for their support and belief in us. With continued optimism 
and enthusiasm, I remain!

On behalf of the Board,

gRAnT FAgERHEIM 
pRESIDEnT AnD cHIEF EXEcUTIVE OFFIcER

March 22, 2011

Annual Report 2010

3

REVIEW OF 
OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

Whitecap employs a strategy of entering scalable and repeatable resource type plays early in their development life cycle.  
Our targeted entry point is early enough in the play’s life cycle that we can benefit from economic efficiencies but late enough 
that the early stage economic risk has been removed.

Whitecap uses an aggressive but disciplined approach to acquisitions, ensuring they provide a strong foundation for organic 
growth through the drill bit. We evaluate many opportunities large and small, but only transact when they will add value to 
Whitecap. In 2010 we completed two corporate acquisitions, eight property acquisitions and drilled 17 wells (10.6 net) with  
a 100 percent success rate.

The combination of acquisitions and organic growth resulted in 2010 year end proved reserves of 8.3 MMboe and proved 
plus probable reserves of 13.7 MMboe. When we include the January 2011 acquisition of a partner interest in Valhalla, proved 
reserves increase to 9.2 MMboe and proved plus probable reserves increase to 15.3 MMboe; a 225 percent and 201 percent 
from the prior year, respectively.

Our three core operating areas currently consist of the Valhalla north asset in the peace River Arch area of northwestern Alberta, 
the pembina area of west central Alberta and the Fosterton area of southwest Saskatchewan.

ALBERTA

SASkATcHEWAn

peace river arch

valhalla 
north

west central

pembina

sw saskatchewan

fosterton

4

Whitecap Resources

OIL RESOURCE PLAYS

References to “DPIIP” in this document means Discovered Petroleum Initially In Place and is defined as quantity of hydrocarbons 
that are estimated to be in place within a known accumulation, plus those estimated quantities in accumulations yet to be 
discovered. There is no certainty that it will be economically viable or technically feasible to produce any portion of this DPIIP 
except for those identified as proved or probable reserves.

PEACE RIVER ARCH– ANCHORS WHITECAP’S UNDERLYING VALUE

The  Valhalla  north  property  is  located  in  the  peace  River  Arch  area  of  Alberta  and  is  characterized  by  shallow  declines,   
a predictable reserve base and a consistent working interest (50%). The property has multiple prospective oil and gas zones 
which allows us to focus on the oil potential in the near to medium-term and provides the company with an option on future 
gas price increases.

The primary resource plays that Whitecap is currently focused on are the large Montney Sexsmith oil pool and the Middle 
Montney oil pools which overlie the Montney Sexsmith zone. Our technical expert analyses have led to the confirmation of  
a  large  DpIIp  within  our Valhalla  area. We  will  continue  to  further  evaluate  the  multi-zone  potential  and  the  most  efficient 
methods of extraction.

Montney Sexsmith

key characteristics

 / Light oil 36  ApI

 / Homogenous reservoir

 / no formation water

 / Very successful waterflood in place on a small portion of the pool

gross resource potential

 / DpIIp 83 MMbbls

 / Recovered to date 8 percent or 6.9 MMbbls

 / current booked recovery 16 percent or 13.3 MMbbls

 / Expected ultimate recovery on waterflood of approximately 40 percent or 21.7 MMbbls of incremental reserves

Whitecap has been the first to apply horizontal multi-frac technology in the Montney Sexsmith pool and as a result has been 
able to generate superior returns than those generated by vertical wells. The horizontal wells drilled qualify for the five percent 
royalty rate on up to 70,000 to 80,000 boe and for a maximum of 30 to 36 months which significantly enhances the economics 
of the wells. 

Middle Montney

key characteristics

 / Light oil 36  ApI

 / High quality reservoir 

 / Waterflood potential

 / Synergies with the Montney Sexsmith pool

gross resource potential

 / DpIIp 38 MMbbls

 / Recovered to date 1.8 percent or 0.7 MMbbls

 / current booked recovery 3.9 percent or 1.5 MMbbls

 / Expected ultimate recovery approximately 40 percent on waterflood or 13.8 MMbbls of incremental reserves

Annual Report 2010

5

WEST CENTRAL ALbERTA – EARLY STAGE GROWTH AREA

Our key cardium oil producing properties are located in East pembina, South pembina and the Willesden green areas of West 
central Alberta. This is an early stage resource play being developed with horizontal multi-frac technology where advancements 
in this technology will continue to increase productivity and decrease costs. In the medium-term, continued development of 
this resource and the associated production history will provide the framework for significant reserve additions as industry’s 
confidence in the cardium performance matures and optimal developments are put in place.

Cardium

key characteristics

 / Light oil 40  ApI

 / geology and DpIIp mapping are well defined

 / no formation water with production in the cardium

gross resource potential

 / DpIIp 166 MMbbls

 / Recovered to date 0.1 percent or 0.2 MMbbls

 / current booked recovery 3.2 percent or 5.3 MMbbls

 /

 /

 Expected primary recovery ranges from 10 percent to 15 percent or 11.3 MMbbls to 19.6 MMbbls of  
incremental reserves

 potential waterflood recovery ranges from 25 percent to 40 percent or 36 to 61 MMbbls incremental over what  
is currently booked.

The cardium play with its 40  light oil generates high netbacks and coupled with advances in horizontal frac technology allows 
Whitecap to generate superior rates of return. The horizontal wells drilled qualify for the five percent royalty rate on up to 60,000 
boe and for a maximum of 24 months which significantly enhances the economics of this development. 

SOUTHWEST SASKATCHEWAN – INFILL DRILLING PROJECT

The  main  Roseray  resource  play  is  located  at  Fosterton  in  southwest  Saskatchewan. This  is  a  low  risk  infill  drilling  project 
consisting of shallow drilling depths (1,000m) and conventional, non-frac’d completions which leads to low development costs.

Roseray

key characteristics

 / Medium oil 22  ApI

 / Very stable and predictable production profile

 / consistent and repeatable economics

gross resource potential

 / DpIIp 31 MMbbls

 / Recovered to date 9 percent or 2.8 MMbbls

 / current booked recovery 13.8 percent or 4.3 MMbbls

 / Expected ultimate recovery greater than 35 percent or more than 6.5 MMbbls of incremental reserves

In  addition  to  the  Roseray  infill  opportunities  there  are  several  new  oil  opportunities  emerging  due  to  the  advancement   
in horizontal frac technology.

6

Whitecap Resources

LAND HOLDINGS

As at December 31, 2010, Whitecap’s land base was 77,872 net acres with an average working interest of 60 percent. Of this 
total, 46,228 net acres were undeveloped. Our land holdings translate to over 180 locations of which 125 are unbooked with 
96 percent being oil opportunities.

RESERVES

McDaniel Engineering consultants Ltd. (“McDaniel”), an independent petroleum engineering firm, has evaluated the crude oil, 
natural gas and natural gas liquids reserves of the company effective December 31, 2010 and prepared a reserves report in 
accordance with national Instrument 51-101 “Standards of Disclosure for Oil and gas Activities” and the canadian Oil and gas 
Evaluation Handbook. Full and complete disclosure of information as required by nI 51-101 can be referenced in the company’s 
Annual Information Form (“AIF”).

The following is an overview of the McDaniel’s report:

SUMMARy OF cOMpAny gROSS RESERVES 
(FOREcAST pRIcIng)(1)(2) 
proved producing 
proved non-producing 
Undeveloped 
Total proved 
probable 
Total proved plus probable 

Oil 
(Mbbls) 
2,914 
125 
1,801 
4,840 
3,348 
8,188 

gas 
(MMcf) 
11,032 
1,388 
5,224 
17,644 
10,783 
28,427 

SUMMARy OF BEFORE TAX nET pRESEnT VALUES (FOREcAST pRIcIng) ($M)(1)(2)(5) 
proved producing 
proved non-producing 
Undeveloped 
Total proved 
probable 
Total proved plus probable 

0% 
205,576 
10,735 
80,078 
296,390 
234,822 
531,211 

ngL 
(Mbbls) 
312 
27 
138 
477 
274 
751 

5% 
156,453 
8,194 
46,855 
211,502 
133,287 
344,790 

Total 
(Mboe)
5,064
384
2,810
8,257
5,419
13,676

10%
126,647
6,409
27,225
160,281
85,163
245,443

Annual Report 2010

7

RESERVE REcOncILIATIOn (Mboe)(1)(2) 
Opening balance December 31, 2009(3)(4) 
    Development 
    Revisions 
    Acquisitions 
    production 
closing balance December 31, 2010 

pERFORMAncE RATIOS 
FInDIng, DEVELOpMEnT AnD AcqUISITIOn cOSTS ($/boe)(6) 
2010 FD&A cost (excludes change in “FDc”) 

REcycLE RATIO(7) 
Using current field netback of $35.50/boe  

RESERVE LIFE InDEX (years)(8) 
2010 exit production rate – 3,200 boe/d 

proved 
2,828 
964 
363 
4,625 
523 
8,257 

probable 
2,255 
97 
(126) 
3,193 
– 
5,419 

proved plus
probable
5,083
1,061
237
7,818
523
13,676

Total proved 

proved 
plus probable

22.23 

14.52

1. 6 

7.1 

2.5

11.7

(1) gross company reserves are the company’s total interest share before the deduction of any royalties and without including any royalty interest of the company.
(2) Based on McDaniel’s January 1, 2011 escalated price forecast.
(3) Based on Whitecap’s internally prepared reserve evaluation using gLJ petroleum consultants’ January 1, 2010 escalated price forecast.
(4)  Whitecap is the resulting entity following the completion of the reverse takeover of Spitfire Energy Ltd. (“Spitfire”) by Whitecap and the subsequent amalgamation of Whitecap 
and Spitfire on July 1, 2010. In accordance with gAAp, Whitecap was deemed to be the acquirer of Spitfire and therefore, the December 31, 2009 reserves information 
reflects Whitecap’s reserves as at December 31, 2009.

(5) The net present values of future net revenue do not represent fair market value.
(6)  FD&A (finding, development and acquisition) costs are used as a measure of capital efficiency and are calculated by dividing the capital costs for the period, by the change 
in the reserves, incorporating revisions and production, for the same period. The capital expenditures include the announced purchase price of corporate acquisitions rather 
than the amounts allocated to property, plant and equipment for accounting purposes. The capital expenditures also exclude capitalized administration costs and acquisition 
costs. FD&A costs including FDc is $32.67/Mboe for proved reserves and $25.91/Mboe for proved plus probable.

(7)  The Recycle Ratio is calculated by dividing the field netback per boe by the FD&A costs for the period. The recycle ratio is comparing the netback from existing reserves to 
the cost of finding new reserves and may not accurately indicate investment success unless the replacement reserves are of equivalent quality as the produced reserves.

(8) The reserve life index is calculated by dividing the reserves (in Mboe) in each category by the annualized exit production rate in boe/year.

8

Whitecap Resources

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION 
AND ANALYSIS

The following management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) of financial condition and results of operations for Whitecap 
Resources Inc. (the “company” or “Whitecap”) is dated March 22, 2011 and should be read in conjunction with the company’s 
audited financial statements and related notes for the period ended December 31, 2010. 

The accompanying financial statements of Whitecap have been prepared by management and approved by the company’s 
Board of Directors. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with canadian generally accepted accounting 
principles (“gAAp”) in canadian dollars, except where indicated otherwise. 

The MD&A contains non-gAAp measures and forward-looking information; readers are cautioned that the MD&A should be 
read in conjunction with Whitecap’s disclosure under “non-gAAp Measures” and “Forward-Looking Statements” included at 
the end of this MD&A.

DESCRIPTION OF bUSINESS

Whitecap  is  an  oil-weighted  exploration,  development  and  production  company  based  in  calgary,  Alberta,  canada.   
The company’s operations are in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

On  June  25,  2010,  the  company  completed  the  reverse  takeover  of  Spitfire  Energy  Ltd.  (“Spitfire”)  which  provided  for   
(i) a recapitalization of the corporation through a private placement; (ii) the appointment of a new management team and a new 
board of directors; and (iii) the acquisition of an oil-weighted asset base in southwest Saskatchewan.

On July 1, 2010, Spitfire amalgamated with its wholly-owned subsidiary Whitecap Resources Inc. and changed its name to 
Whitecap Resources Inc. The comparative financial statements of the company for the year ended December 31, 2010 include 
the operating results of Whitecap prior to the reverse takeover and the results of the combined entities after June 25, 2010.

2010 YEAR-END FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL RESULTS

Production

Whitecap’s 2010 average production volumes and commodity splits were as follows:

crude Oil (bbls/d) 
natural gas (Mcf/d) 
ngLs (bbls/d) 
Total (boe/d) 
production Split (%) 
crude Oil and ngL 
natural gas 
Total 

2010 
631 
4,141 
112 
1,433 

52 
48 
100 

2009
105
855
28
275

48
52
100

Whitecap commenced operations in September 2009 which resulted in average production volumes of 275 boe/d in 2009 
compared to 1,433 boe/d in 2010. The fourth quarter 2010 production volumes increased 150 percent from 2,014 boe/d 
compared to 806 boe/d in the prior period. The significant increase in production is a result of strategic corporate and asset 
acquisitions throughout the year and the company’s effective re-investment in those assets.

Annual Report 2010

9

 
 
Revenue

A breakdown of 2010 revenue as follows: 

($000s) 
crude Oil 
natural gas 
ngLs 
Total commodity revenue 
Other revenue 
Total 

2010 
17,254 
6,412 
2,325 
25,991 
336 
26,327 

2009
2,828
1,421
550
4,799
19
4,818

Total revenue increased 5 times to $26.3 million in 2010 from $4.8 million in 2009. Fourth quarter 2010 total revenue was  
$9.7 million compared to $3.7 million for the same period in the prior year. Higher revenues in 2010 were a result of several 
factors including the company producing for a full year in 2010 versus a partial year in 2009, the addition of strategic corporate 
and property acquisitions, growth from a successful drilling program and stronger oil prices in 2010.

Average benchmark and realized prices for 2010 are as follows:

BEncHMARk pRIcES 
    WTI (US$/bbl) (1) 
    US$ / c$ foreign exchange rate 
    WTI (c$/bbl) 
    AEcO natural gas ($/Mcf)(2) 
AVERAgE REALIzED pRIcES(3) 
    crude Oil ($/bbl) 
    natural gas ($/Mcf) 
    ngLs ($/bbl) 
    combined ($/boe) 

(1) WTI represents posting prices of West Texas Intermediate oil.
(2) Represents the AEcO daily posting.
(3) prior to hedging gains and losses.

2010 

79.45 
0.98 
81.22 
4.00 

74.89 
4.24 
56.95 
49.68 

2009

61.80
0.88
70.54
3.95

73.99
4.55
54.32
47.82

Oil prices continued to recover in 2010 with US$WTI averaging $79.45/bbl compared to $61.80/bbl in the prior year, partially 
offset by a stronger canadian dollar. natural gas prices however, have remained low due to the oversupply of natural gas in 
the market. 

Oil and natural gas products are sold on the spot market and realized prices fluctuate with changes in the benchmark pricing 
of the underlying commodities. Average realized prices in the comparative period are higher than the comparative benchmark 
averages due to the company starting production in the latter part of 2009 where commodity prices were higher than the  
yearly average. 

The company’s crude oil and liquids are at a discount to Edmonton par due to the differential embedded in the quality of the 
product produced from each of its three core areas. The crude oil quality is 36° ApI at Valhalla north in the peace River Arch 
area of northwest Alberta, 40° ApI at pembina in west central Alberta and 22° ApI at Fosterton in southwest Saskatchewan. 
The company’s natural gas commands a modest premium to the Alberta natural gas spot benchmark price due to its higher 
heat content. 

10

Whitecap Resources

 
 
 
Risk Management and Hedging Activities

Whitecap  maintains  an  ongoing  risk  management  program  to  reduce  the  volatility  of  revenues  in  order  to  fund  capital 
expenditures and protect acquisition economics as necessary. The company has not designated any of its risk management 
activities as accounting hedges under the canadian Institute of chartered Accountants section 3855.

The company realized a gain of $0.5 million on its risk management contracts. The unrealized loss is a result of the non-cash 
change in the mark-to-market values period over period.

RISk MAnAgEMEnT cOnTRAcTS ($000s) 
Realized gain on risk management contracts 
Unrealized loss on risk management contracts 
Total loss on risk management contracts 

543
(2,001)
(1,458)

At December 31, 2010 the following risk management contracts were outstanding:

TypE 
Swap 
Swap 
collar 

VOLUME 
500 bbls/d 
500 bbls/d 
300 bbls/d 

pRIcE 
c$86.85/bbl 
c$87.60/bbl 
c$75.00/bbl floor/ 
c$100.00/bbl ceiling

InDEX 
c$WTI 
c$WTI 
c$WTI 

TERM
Jan to Jun 2011
Jan to Dec 2011
Jul to Dec 2011

Subsequent to December 31, 2010, the company entered into the following risk management contract:

TypE 
Swap 

VOLUME 
1,000 gJ/d 

pRIcE 
$3.85/gJ 

InDEX 
AEcO 

TERM
Feb to Dec 2011

At December 31, 2010, the following financial power contracts were outstanding:

TypE 
Swap 
Swap 

VOLUME 
3,506 MWh 
1,139 MWh 

pRIcE 
$49.60/MWh 
$46.06/MWh 

TERM
Jan 2011 to Dec 2011
Jan 2011 to Dec 2011

In aggregate, the company has hedged approximately 26 percent of its forecasted 2011 production. This leaves ample room for 
upside price participation as well as the ability to layer on incremental risk management contracts over time. 

Whitecap’s  risk  management  strategy  is  to  transact  with  creditworthy  counterparties  to  provide  downside  protection  and 
minimize the price cap on its product.

Annual Report 2010

11

 
 
Operating Netbacks

The components of 2010 operating netback are shown below:

nETBAck ($/boe) 
    Total commodity revenue 
    Other income 
    Royalties 
    Operating expenses 
    Transportation expenses 
Operating netback prior to hedging 
    Realized hedging gain 
Operating netback 

2010 
49.68  
0.64  
(7.44) 
(12.73) 
(1.65) 
28.50  
1.04  
29.54  

2009
47.82
0.19
(9.29)
(11.95)
(1.81)
24.96
–
24.96

For  the  twelve  months  ended  December  31,  2010,  royalties  as  a  percentage  of  revenue  were  15  percent  compared   
to 19 percent in the prior period and 12 percent in the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to 25 percent in the fourth quarter  
of 2009. The decrease in royalty rates was a result of new production from the company’s horizontal wells which qualify for the 
five percent royalty holiday.

For  the  twelve  months  ended  December  31,  2010,  operating  costs  have  increased  to  $12.73  per  boe  compared   
to $11.95 per boe in the prior period. The increase was mainly due to asset acquisitions in 2010 that had higher operating costs 
per boe compared to our existing Valhalla north property. In the fourth quarter of 2010, operating costs were $17.64 per boe 
compared to $11.89 per boe in the prior period. The higher than expected operating costs in the fourth quarter of 2010 were 
due to 13th month adjustments on gas processing and gathering fees in our Valhalla non-operated facility.

12

Whitecap Resources

General and Administrative (“G&A”)

($000s) 
general and administrative – gross 
Overhead recoveries 
capitalized 
general and administrative – cash 
Stock-based compensation 
capitalized stock-based compensation 
Total general and administrative 

2010 
4,392 
(1,343) 
(1,116) 
1,933 
7,930 
(2,166) 
7,697 

2009
1,182
(117)
(93)
972
341
–
1,313

gross  g&A  costs  in  2010  were  $4.4  million  offset  by  $2.5  million  of  overhead  recoveries  and  capitalized  g&A.  Increase  
in g&A costs are due to the company moving from a startup phase in the prior period to fully operating in 2010. Included  
in g&A expenses for 2010 were fees associated with listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange and one-time charges relating to 
the corporate acquisitions. 

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based  compensation  expense  is  the  amortization  over  the  vesting  period  of  the  fair  value  of  stock  options  granted  
to  employees,  consultants  and  directors  of  the  company.  Stock  options  granted  under  the  stock  option  plan  have  a  term  
of four years to expiry and warrants granted have a term of five years to expiry. The fair value of all options granted is estimated 
at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

As at December 31, 2010, the company had 2.0 million stock options and 1.6 million performance warrants outstanding. 
The  options  and  warrants  were  issued  at  an  average  exercise  price  of  $2.82  per  option  and  $2.50  per  warrant.   
Stock-based compensation expense of $1.4 million related to options has been recognized with the offsetting amount recorded 
in contributed surplus. 

The performance warrants become exercisable as to one-third upon the 20 day weighted average trading price of the common 
shares’ market price equaling or exceeding $4.00, an additional one-third upon the market price equaling or exceeding $5.00 
and final one-third upon the market price equaling or exceeding $6.00. All performance warrants met their vesting requirements 
in 2010 and $6.5 million in compensation expense was recorded in the period.

Annual Report 2010

13

Interest and Financing Expenses

($000s) 
Interest and fees on bank debt and loans 
Interest on debentures 
non-cash interest expense 
Total interest and financing charges 

2010 
1,068 
747 
169 
1,984 

2009
225
313
61
599

Interest  expense  has  increased  compared  to  the  prior  period  as  a  result  of  a  full  year  of  capital  spending  in  addition   
to corporate and property acquisitions in 2010, which increased bank debt. cash interest and financing charges decreased 
65 percent from $5.36 per boe in 2009 compared to $3.47 per boe in 2010 primarily due to higher production volumes.  
Total interest and financing charges include non-cash interest expense related to the debenture offering. This is discussed 
further in the liquidity and capital resources section of the MD&A.

Depletion, Depreciation, and Accretion

($000s) 
Depletion and Depreciation expense 
Accretion expense 

per BOE 

2010 
15,240 
181 
15,421 
29.48 

2009
2,233
30
2,263
22.55

The DD&A rate will fluctuate from one period to the next depending on the amount and type of capital spending and the amount 
of reserves added. The depletion rate is calculated on proven reserves, however proven plus probable reserves are added from 
acquisitions and development expenditures.

14

Whitecap Resources

 
Ceiling Test

The company performed a ceiling test calculation at December 31, 2010 in accordance with cIcA full-cost accounting guidelines. 
no impairment was recorded as a result of the calculation. The forecasted future oil and gas prices used in the ceiling test 
evaluation of the company’s proved reserves at December 31, 2010 is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Taxes

The company has a future income tax recovery of $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. The future income tax 
recoveries in the reporting period reflect reduction to future tax rates, excesses of tax pools over accounting values and tax 
pool adjustments from the prior year.

The following deductions are available for future income tax purposes:

($000s) 
Undepreciated capital cost  
canadian development expense 
canadian exploration expense 
canadian oil and gas property expense 
non-capital loss carry forward 
Share issue costs 
Total 

Cash Flow and Net Loss

2010 
26,288 
30,824 
6,062 
49,510 
25,687 
5,056 
143,427 

2009
13,788
111
90
36,766
5,570
754
57,079

cash  flow  from  operating  activities  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2010  was  $6.1  million  compared  to  prior  period   
of $0.6 million as a result of the company advancing from a startup phase to a producing phase with the related revenue 
generation from its properties.

net loss for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $9.6 million ($0.42 per share, basic and diluted) compared to a net loss 
of $1.2 million ($0.26 per share, basic and diluted) for the prior period. Increase in the net loss is primarily related to higher 
non-cash DD&A and stock-based compensation expense.

Related Party Transactions

In  the  prior  year  the  company  received  loans  from  certain  officers  of  Whitecap  for  general  working  capital  purposes.   
These amounts bear interest at 6 percent per annum and were repayable on demand. At December 31, 2009 the loans were 
fully repaid and no balances were outstanding.

The company has retained the law firm of Burnet, Duckworth and palmer LLp (“BDp”) to provide Whitecap with legal services. 
grant zawalsky, a director of Whitecap, is a partner of this firm. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the company 
incurred $0.4 million to BDp for legal fees and disbursements. These amounts have been recorded at the exchange amount. 
The company expects to retain the services of BDp on occasion.

Annual Report 2010

15

Capital Expenditures

($000s) 
Land and lease 
geological and geophysical  
Drilling and completions 
Investment in facilities 
capitalized administration 
Drilling credits 
Development capital 
Office and other 
Expenditures on corporate and property acquisitions (cash-based) 
Total capital expenditures 

2010 
916 
448 
34,139 
6,650 
1,116 
(1,816) 
41,453 
126 
52,572 
94,151 

2009
3
90
158
–
93
–
344
85
56,511
56,940

For the year ended December 31, 2010, capital expenditures, excluding acquisitions and after deducting Alberta Drilling 
Royalty  credits  (“Drilling  credits”),  totaled  $41.5  million,  with  approximately  98  percent  spent  on  drilling,  completions   
and facilities. 

Peace River Arch Alberta

Activity in 2010 focused on the Valhalla Montney Sexsmith light oil pool with 8 (3.9 net) of the total 17 (10.6 net) wells drilled 
in 2010 being within the Montney Sexsmith pool. Five of the wells drilled were horizontal multi-fracture wells and were the first 
horizontal wells drilled in the pool. Initial rates for these wells averaged more than 250 boe/d and stabilized within 3 months at 
an average of approximately 150 boe/d. These results combined with the cost savings being realized from program experience 
have resulted in a project rate of return (“ROI”) of approximately 57 percent. performance has exceeded expectations with 
production growing 76 percent from 850 to 1,500 boe/d in 2010. 

Subsequent to December 31, 2010, the company was successful in consolidating its interest across the pool by acquiring one 
of its partner’s interest. The consistent and equal ownership across the entire pool paves the way for full development of the 
pool including the waterflood. 

16

Whitecap Resources

West Central Alberta

Whitecap entered the early stage cardium resource play early in the third quarter through the acquisition of Onyx 2006 Inc. 
(“Onyx”). Since then, the company has drilled and placed on production, 4 (3.6 net) horizontal multi-fracture cardium light oil 
wells; two in the pembina area and two in the Willesden green area. Initial rates for these four wells averaged approximately 
200 boe/d per well. Operating netbacks in the area have been greater than $65/bbl due in part to the five percent royalty holiday 
period. In addition to our initial entry into the cardium area, the company has added five smaller property acquisitions around 
our core area. 

Southwest Saskatchewan

The primary asset in southwest Saskatchewan is in the Fosterton Roseray formation. The two infill Fosterton Roseray oil wells 
that were drilled in the second quarter, were completed and placed on production with production averaging 30 boe/d per 
well  with  all-in  costs  of  approximately  $0.7  million  per  well,  which  makes  for  excellent  economics. Wells  in  the  Fosterton 
Roseray oil pool are very predictable and provide the opportunity for low risk, low decline production additions at very attractive  
economic returns.

Asset Retirement Obligation

At  December  31,  2010,  the  company  recorded  an  Asset  Retirement  Obligation  (“ARO”)  of  $4.2  million  for  future 
abandonment and reclamation of the company’s properties. Included in the ARO balance are $0.2 million related to liabilities 
incurred, $1.7 million related to liabilities acquired from corporate and property acquisitions, accretion of $0.2 million and  
revisions to estimates of $0.8 million. Estimates are based on both operational knowledge of the properties and industry 
guidance provided by the ERcB. The estimates are reviewed quarterly and adjusted as new information regarding the liability 
is determined.

Capital Resources and Liquidity

Credit Facility

At December 31, 2010, the company had a $65 million operating credit facility with a canadian financial institution. Borrowings 
under the facility bear interest at the lender’s prime rate plus 1.25 percent or, at the company’s option, guaranteed notes at 
the lender’s base rate plus 2.75 percent. The loan is payable on demand and is secured by a $200 million debenture over the 
company’s real properties, a floating charge over all present and after acquired real property interests, and a security interest 
over all present and after acquired personal property.

Subsequent to the year end, the company syndicated its credit facility, which increased Whitecap’s credit limit to $85 million 
from the previous limit of $65 million. The new facility consists of a $10 million operating line and a $75 million syndicated 
facility. The facility is a borrowing base facility subject to semi-annual review by the bank, with the next review scheduled for 
the fall of 2011. 

At December 31, 2010, Whitecap is in compliance with all covenants under its credit facility. 

Annual Report 2010

17

Convertible Debentures

The debentures were classified as long-term debt, net of the fair value of the conversion feature at the date of issue, which 
was  classified  as  part  of  shareholders’  equity. The  value  of  the  debt  was  calculated  as  the  present  value  of  the  principal 
and interest payments with the remainder of the value attributed to the conversion feature and recorded as equity. The debt 
portion of the debenture was accreted up to its full face value by the end of the debenture term. The accretion was recorded  
as non-cash interest and financing charges on the statement of operations and deficit. The financing charges related to the 
debenture offering were offset against the convertible debenture balance and were amortized as interest and financing charges 
over the life of the debentures. 

The company had a $10 million principal amount of 8 percent secured convertible debentures. Interest was paid quarterly 
in  arrears.  On  December  7,  2010,  the  holders  of  the  convertible  debenture  elected  to  convert  the  entire  principal  amount 
outstanding  into  approximately  3.5  million  common  shares.  The  outstanding  debt  and  equity  portion  of  the  convertible 
debentures were transferred to share capital on conversion, while the remaining financing costs were expensed.

Equity

On June 25, 2010, the company completed the reverse takeover of Spitfire whereby each shareholder of Whitecap received 
8.33  common  shares  of  Spitfire  in  exchange  for  each Whitecap  share  totaling  15.4  million  shares. As  part  of  the  reverse 
takeover,  Spitfire  also  completed  a  $7.75  million  non-brokered  private  placement  (the “private  placement”)  of  1.6  million 
units  of  Spitfire  at  a  price  of  $2.50  per  unit,  with  each  unit  comprised  of  one  common  share  and  one  common  share 
purchase  warrant  entitling  the  holder  to  purchase  one  common  share  at  a  price  of  $2.50  for  a  period  of  five  years  and 
1.5  million  common  shares  at  a  price  of  $2.50  per  common  share. The  private  placement  units  and  common  shares  are 
subject to an 18 month escrow, pursuant to which 25 percent of such security was released from escrow on July 12, 2010 
and 25 percent released every six months thereafter. On July 1, 2010, Spitfire amalgamated with its wholly-owned subsidiary  
Whitecap Resources Inc. and changed its name to Whitecap Resources Inc.

On July 30, 2010, the company completed a bought deal finance offering of 8.9 million subscription receipts of Whitecap 
common shares at a price of $4.50 per subscription receipt for total gross proceeds of $40.1 million. concurrent with the 
closing  of  the  Onyx  acquisition,  the  outstanding  subscription  receipts  of Whitecap  were  exchanged  for  common  shares  of 
Whitecap effective July 30, 2010.

On December 7, 2010, the holders of the convertible debenture elected to convert the entire principal amount outstanding into 
approximately 3.5 million common shares. 

On December 22, 2010, the company completed a bought deal finance offering of 6.9 million subscription receipts of Whitecap 
common shares at a price of $5.85 per subscription receipt for total gross proceeds of $40.4 million.

The  company  is  authorized  to  issue  an  unlimited  number  of  common  shares.  As  at  December  31,  2010  there  were   
41.8 million common shares outstanding.

Liquidity

The  company  generally  relies  on  operating  cash  flows,  equity  issuances  and  the  bank  loan  to  fund  capital  requirements 
and provide liquidity. From time to time, the company accesses capital markets to meet its additional financing needs and  
to maintain flexibility in funding its capital programs. Future liquidity depends primarily on cash flow generated from operations, 
existing credit facilities and the ability to access debt and equity markets. Bank debt is classified as a current liability as it is  
a demand loan, however the company does not believe that the loan will be required to be repaid in the near-term. The company 
is currently in a net loss position, however it generates positive operating cash flow and the net loss position is primarily due  
to non-cash items. Additionally, the company has $47.5 million of unutilized bank debt to cover any working capital deficiencies.  
The  company  believes  that  it  is  well  positioned  to  take  advantage  of  its  internally  developed  opportunities  funded  through 
available credit facilities combined with anticipated cash flow from operations. present sources of capital are currently sufficient 
to satisfy the capital program for the upcoming 2011 fiscal year.

18

Whitecap Resources

Contractual Obligations

Whitecap has contractual obligations in the normal course of business which may include purchase of assets and services, 
operating  agreements,  transportation  commitments,  sales  commitments,  royalty  obligations,  lease  rental  obligations  and 
employee agreements. These obligations are of a recurring, consistent nature and impact Whitecap’s cash flows in an ongoing 
manner. The company is committed to future payments under the following agreements:

($000s) 
Operating lease - office buildings 

2011 
1,008 

2012 
947 

2013 
913 

2014+ 
3, 187 

Total
6,055

Off balance Sheet Arrangements

The company does not have any special purpose entities nor is it party to any arrangements that would be excluded from the 
balance sheet.

Subsequent Events

In December, the company announced that it had entered into an agreement to purchase a partner’s working interest in the 
Valhalla north property. The transaction closed on January 14, 2011 for a total consideration of $25.0 million. 

On March 8, 2011 the company announced that it had entered into an agreement with respect to a business combination with 
Spry Energy Ltd. (“Spry”). The arrangement provides for a total consideration of $223.0 million payable by Whitecap including 
the assumption of Spry’s net debt of approximately $36.0 million. The transaction will be funded in part through a $136 million 
bought deal financing of subscription receipts in the capital of the company at $6.80 per subscription receipt (the “Offering”). 
Spry shareholders will receive, for each Spry share held: i) 1.17647 Whitecap common shares; or $8.00 in cash, subject to an 
aggregate cash maximum of $130.9 million and a maximum distribution of 8.2 million Whitecap common shares. The acquisition  
is expected to close on or before May 11, 2011. Whitecap has also granted to the underwriters an option to purchase up to an 
additional 2,000,000 subscription receipts, or common shares, at a price of $6.80 per subscription receipt or common share, 
as applicable, in whole or in part, on or within 30 days following closing of the Offering.

The  company  syndicated  its  credit  facility,  which  increased  Whitecap’s  credit  limit  to  $85  million  from  the  previous  limit  
of  $65  million. The  new  facility  consists  of  a  $10  million  operating  line  and  a  $75  million  syndicated  facility. The  facility  
is a borrowing base facility subject to semi-annual review by the bank, with the next review scheduled for the fall of 2011.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Whitecap’s financial and operating results may incorporate certain estimates including:

 /

 estimated revenues, royalties and operating expenses on production as at a specific reporting date but for which actual 
revenues and expenses have not yet been received;

 / estimated capital expenditures on projects that are in progress;

 /

 /

 /

 /

 estimated depletion, depreciation and accretion that are based on estimates of oil and gas reserves that the company 
expects to recover in the future, commodity prices, estimated future salvage values and estimated future capital costs;

 estimated fair values of derivative contracts that are subject to fluctuation depending upon the underlying commodity 
prices and foreign exchange rates;

 estimated  value  of  asset  retirement  obligations  that  are  dependent  upon  estimates  of  future  costs  and  timing   
of expenditures;

 estimated  income  and  other  tax  liabilities  requiring  interpretation  of  complex  laws  and  regulations. All  tax  filings  are 
subject to audit and potential reassessment after the lapse of considerable time;

 / estimated stock-based compensation expense using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

The company has hired individuals and consultants who have the skills required to make such estimates and ensures that 
individuals or departments with the most knowledge of the activity are responsible for the estimates. Further, past estimates are 
reviewed and compared to actual results, and actual results are compared to budgets in order to make more informed decisions 
on future estimates.

Annual Report 2010

19

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 

In  January  2006,  the  cIcA’s  Accounting  Standards  Board  (“AcSB”)  formally  adopted  the  strategy  of  replacing  canadian 
generally  accepted  accounting  principles  (gAAp)  with  IFRS  for  canadian  enterprises  with  public  accountability.   
On February 13, 2008, the AcSB confirmed that the use of IFRS will be required for accounting periods commencing on or 
after January 1, 2011, for publicly accountable profit-orientated enterprises. 

First-time adoption of IFRS 

The financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011, will be prepared according to IFRS with comparative amounts 
for the year ended December 31, 2010. IFRS 1, First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards, generally 
requires that the company apply IFRS on a retrospective basis in its opening balance sheet as at January 1, 2010. IFRS 1 also 
provides certain mandatory exceptions and elective exemptions to retrospective application. The company has completed its 
analysis and is in the process of finalizing its IFRS adjustments and exemptions as of December 31, 2010.

Significant accounting differences between the company’s current accounting policies under canadian gAAp and expected 
accounting policies under IFRS include the following areas:

Property, Plant and Equipment (“PP&E”)

The company, like many other canadian oil and gas reporting issuers, applies the “full-cost” accounting methodology to its 
oil and gas assets. Under full-cost, capital expenditures are maintained in a single cost center for each country, and the cost 
center is subject to a single depletion calculation and impairment test. However, IFRS requires a more extensive evaluation  
of the company’s oil and gas assets.

capital  expenditures  have  to  be  segregated  between  exploration  and  evaluation  (“E&E”)  and  development  and  production 
(“D&p”) assets. In addition, assets have to be aggregated at a component level. On transition, this requires establishing the book 
value of the unproved lands and then allocating the remaining carrying value to the D&p assets, based on reserve allocations 
for each component. 

The company’s unproved land balance as at December 31, 2009 will be the opening balance of E&E at January 1, 2010.  
This  and  any  other  exploratory  assets  will  be  separately  disclosed  on  the  balance  sheet  and  in  the  notes  to  the  financial 
statements. E&E assets will be assessed for impairment on January 1, 2010, and thereafter, when amounts are transferred 
to property, plant and equipment assets and when indicators exist. For impairment testing, E&E assets are expected to be 
combined with pp&E; the excess of carrying amount over recoverable amount is expensed in the period of impairment. 

The  company’s  net  book  value  of  pp&E  excluding  E&E  as  at  December  31,  2009  will  be  the  opening  cost  of  pp&E   
at  January  1,  2010. This  amount  was  allocated,  based  on  reserve  value,  to  depletable  units  which  consolidate  into  cash 
generating Units (“cgUs”).

The company has determined an appropriate depletion method by depleting at the depletable unit level. In addition, there is 
the option to deplete using a reserve base of proved reserves or both proved plus probable reserves. Whitecap is currently 
assessing the most appropriate depletion methodology it will use. 

Impairment  tests  will  occur  if  there  is  any  indication  that  an  asset  may  be  impaired  and  the  recoverable  amount  shall  be 
estimated for the individual asset. If it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of the individual asset, the company 
will determine the recoverable amount of the cgU to which the asset belongs. The company has finalized its cgUs for this 
purpose. An impairment test will be performed individually for all cgUs when indicators suggest there may be impairment. 
There will be more cgUs than the single full-cost pool. The recognition of impairment in a prior year can be reversed should the 
conditions that caused the impairment improve.

20

Whitecap Resources

Decommissioning costs

provisions,  contingent  liabilities  and  assets,  including  asset  retirement  obligations  (“ARO”)  are  identified  and  calculated 
differently under IFRS. ARO calculations are expected to be impacted due to differences in the election of the discount rates  
to be used to present value the liability. In addition, under IFRS, ARO is required to be revalued each reporting period at the then 
prevailing interest rate. This may increase or decrease the ARO recorded on the balance sheet depending on the movement 
of  interest  rates.  In  addition,  onerous  contracts  will  require  identification  and,  to  the  extent  they  exist,  must  be  recorded  
as a liability on the balance sheet.

Share-based compensation

Share-based payments are expensed, based on a graded vesting schedule. Also, the company will be required to incorporate 
a  forfeiture  multiplier  rather  than  account  for  forfeitures  as  they  occur  under  canadian  gAAp.  The  company’s  current 
accounting policy is aligned with the IFRS standard and does not expect any differences.

Provisions

Under  IFRS,  a  provision  is  recorded  if  there  is  a  present  (legal  or  constructive)  obligation  as  a  result  of  a  past  event.   
A  constructive  obligation  arises  when  an  entity  creates  a  valid  expectation  to  other  parties  that  it  will  discharge  certain 
responsibilities based on an established pattern of past practice or published policies. IFRS provides a more precise definition 
and  specific  examples  of  a  constructive  obligation;  a  provision  may  be  recognized  at  a  different  point  in  time  depending  
on past practice of determining when an equitable or contractual obligation exists under canadian gAAp.

Under canadian gAAp, a contingent liability is recognized when it is likely that a future event will confirm a liability has been 
incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Under IFRS, a provision is recognized when there is a present 
obligation, it is more likely than not an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation and reliable estimates can be 
made of the amount of the obligation. This could potentially lead to situations where a provision may be recognized under IFRS, 
but was not previously recognized under canadian gAAp. When measuring provisions, canadian gAAp allows issuers to accrue 
provisions at the low end of the range of estimates when no outcome is more likely than other others. Under IFRS, the mid-point 
of the range is used to measure the provision when each outcome in a range is as likely as any other. This could potentially lead 
to provisions being accrued at higher amounts.

IFRS 1 Exemptions

First-Time Adoption of IFRS (IFRS 1) provides entities adopting IFRS for the first time with a number of optional exemptions and 
mandatory exceptions, in certain areas, to the general requirement for full retrospective application of IFRS. The company plans 
to take advantage of optional exemptions in two main areas:

 /

 /

 Value  the  opening  cost  of  E&E  and  pp&E  assets  at  the  net  book  value  determined  under  canadian  gAAp  on   
January  1,  2010,  rather  than  applying  IFRS  rules  retrospectively.  pp&E  assets  accumulated  in  the  cost  centers   
shall be allocated to depletable units using reserve volumes or reserve values.

 Value past business combinations at the amounts determined under canadian gAAp, rather than applying IFRS rules 
retrospectively. note that on January 1, 2010, the company continued to use the canadian Handbook Section 1581, 
which is not aligned with IFRS 3, therefore differences in this area will arise in the 2010 comparatives.

The above is not intended to be a complete and comprehensive disclosure of all the possible significant accounting differences 
between  the  company’s  current  canadian  gAAp  accounting  policies  and  those  expected  under  IFRS.  The  company  has 
analyzed the accounting policy choices available under IFRS and selected the ones best suited for its operations. At this time 
the company is in the final stages of internal approval and discussing the choices with its external auditors. The company 
will disclose additional information as the impacts, effects and policy choices are finalized. Any amendments to existing IFRS 
standards or implementation of new IFRS standards could lead to additional changes.

Annual Report 2010

21

business Risks

Whitecap’s exploration and production activities are concentrated in the Western canadian Sedimentary Basin, where activity 
is  highly  competitive  and  includes  a  variety  of  different-sized  companies.  Whitecap  is  subject  to  a  number  of  risks  that   
are  also  common  to  other  organizations  involved  in  the  oil  and  gas  industry.  Such  risks  include  finding  and  developing   
oil and gas reserves at economic costs, estimating amounts of recoverable reserves, production of oil and gas in commercial 
quantities, marketability of oil and gas produced, fluctuations in commodity prices, financial and liquidity risks and environmental  
safety risks.

In  order  to  reduce  exploration  risk, Whitecap  employs  or  contracts  highly  qualified  and  motivated  professionals  who  have 
demonstrated the ability to generate quality proprietary geological and geophysical prospects. 

Whitecap has retained an independent engineering consulting firm that assists the company in evaluating recoverable amounts 
of  oil  and  gas  reserves. Values  of  recoverable  reserves  are  based  on  a  number  of  variable  factors  and  assumptions  such  
as commodity prices, projected production, future production costs and government regulations. Such estimates may vary from 
actual results.

The company mitigates its risk related to producing hydrocarbons through the utilization of current technology and information 
systems. In addition, Whitecap strives to operate the majority of its prospects, thereby maintaining operational control. When the 
company does not operate, it relies on its partners in jointly-owned properties to maintain operational control. 

Whitecap is exposed to market risk to the extent that the demand for oil and gas produced by the company exists within 
canada  and  the  United  States.  External  factors  beyond  the  company’s  control  may  affect  the  marketability  of  oil  and  gas 
produced.  These  factors  include  commodity  prices  and  variations  in  the  canada–United  States  currency  exchange  rate, 
which in turn responds to economic and political circumstances throughout the world. Oil prices are affected by worldwide 
supply and demand fundamentals while natural gas prices are affected by north American supply and demand fundamentals.  
Whitecap may periodically use futures and options contracts to hedge its exposure to the potential adverse impact of commodity 
price volatility.

Exploration and production for oil and gas is very capital intensive. As a result, the company relies on equity markets as a source 
of new capital. In addition, Whitecap utilizes bank financing to support ongoing capital investments, which exposes the company 
to fluctuations in interest rates on its bank debt. Funds from operations also provide Whitecap with capital required to grow in its 
business. Equity and debt capital are subject to market conditions and availability may increase or decrease from time to time. 
Funds from operations also fluctuate with changing commodity prices.

Environmental Risks

Oil and gas exploration and production can involve environmental risks such as litigation, physical and regulatory risks. physical 
risks include the pollution of the environment and destruction of natural habitat, as well as safety risks such as personal injury. 
The company works hard to understand the sensitivities of the environments in which it operates and its responsibilities from 
the beginning to the end. It also strives to identify the potential environmental impacts of its new projects, in the planning stage 
and  during  operations. The  company  conducts  its  operations  with  high  standards  in  order  to  protect  the  environment  and 
the general public. Whitecap maintains current insurance coverage for comprehensive and general liability as well as limited 
pollution liability. The amount and terms of this insurance are reviewed on an ongoing basis and adjusted as necessary to reflect 
current corporate requirements, as well as industry standards and government regulations.

22

Whitecap Resources

Climate Change

World leaders gathered in copenhagen in December 2009 to discuss climate policy. Even though consensus was not achieved, 
the message from the copenhagen Accord was clear: greenhouse gases (“gHg”) and other air pollutants must be regulated 
in  order  to  deal  effectively  with  climate  change.  gHg  emissions  can  be  measured  as  carbon  dioxide  equivalents  (“cO2E”) 
and would consist of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride. 

The Federal government of canada has announced its intention to regulate gHg and other air pollutants. As these regulations 
are under development, the company is unable to predict the total impact of the potential regulations upon its business. 

The Alberta government has set targets for gHg emission reductions. Alberta Environment required all facilities that exceeded 
100,000 tonnes of cO2E to reduce their gHg emissions intensity by 12% versus an established baseline emissions intensity. 
In order to comply with the Alberta regulations, companies can make operating improvements to their facilities, purchase carbon 
offsets or make a monetary contribution to the Alberta climate change and Emissions Management Fund.

Selected Annual Information

($000s except per share amounts) 
FInAncIAL 

Total commodity revenue 
Funds from (used in) operations 
    Basic & diluted ($/share) 
net (loss) 
    Basic & diluted ($/share) 
Development capital expenditures 
corporate and property acquisitions (cash-based) 
Total assets 
Bank debt and working capital(1)  
common shares outstanding (000s)(3) 
OpERATIOnAL 

Average daily production 
    crude oil (bbls/d) 
    natural gas (Mcf/d) 
    ngLs (bbls/d)  
    Total (boe/d) 

Summary of quarterly results (“unaudited”)

($000s, except as noted) 
FInAncIAL 
Total commodity revenue 
Funds from (used in) operations 
    Basic & diluted ($/share) 
net income (loss) 
    Basic & diluted ($/share) 
Development capital expenditures  
corporate and property acquisitions (cash-based) 
Total assets 
Bank debt and working capital(1) 
common shares outstanding (000s)(3) 
OpERATIOnAL 
Average daily production 
    crude oil (bbls/d) 
    natural gas (Mcf/d) 
    ngLs (bbls/d) 
    Total (boe/d) 

(1) Excludes risk management contracts.
(2) 83 common shares were issued on incorporation.
(3) Reflects 8.33 share exchange and 10 to 1 share consolidation.

2010 

2009 

2008

25,991 
11,706 
0.51 
(9,623) 
(0.42) 
41,579 
52,572 
207,424 
29,545 
41,826 

631 
4,141 
112 
1,433 

4,799 
997 
0.21 
(1,224) 
(0.26) 
429 
56,511 
59,060 
10,315 
15,312 

105 
855 
28 
275 

–
(126)
–
(129)

68
–
192
(194)
(2)

–
–
–
–

2010 

2009

Q4 

Q3 

Q2 

Q1 

q4 

q3 

q2 

q1

– 

3,999 
1,938 
0.12 
(712) 
(0.04) 
7,252 
303 

9,746 
3,681 
0.11 
(4,361) 
(0.13) 
15,870 
8,728 

7,778 
3,998 
0.14 
(4,916) 
(0.16) 
14,639 
41,962 

4,468 
2,089 
0.14 
23 
0.00 
3,818 
1,579 
207,424  184,345  108,905  64,166  59,060  60,307  222  172
21,014  13,574  10,315  11,965  475  313
29,545 
(2)
22,259  15,333  15,312  14,994 
41,826 

–
1,068 
3,731 
(154)  (111)
4 
1,258 
0.00 
–
0.08 
(430)  (163)  (119)
(512) 
–
(0.10) 
(0.03) 
411 
13
2 
(39)  56,550 

46,674 
31,448 

– 
3 

(2) 

– 

973 
5,379 
145 
2,014 

861 
4,828 
121 
1,787 

343 
3,192 
89 
964 

337 
3,131 
94 
953 

308 
2,470 
86 
806 

108 
922 
24 
285 

– 
– 
– 
– 

–
–
–
–

Annual Report 2010

23

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For  the  period  from  incorporation  to August  31,  2009, Whitecap  did  not  have  any  petroleum  and  natural  gas  properties.  
In  September  2009,  the  company  closed  the  acquisition  of  the Valhalla  north  assets  located  in Alberta. The  assets  were 
acquired under the terms of an agreement whereby Whitecap and a private company jointly acquired the assets. Whitecap 
acquired a 50 percent operated interest in the assets for cash consideration of approximately $58 million prior to purchase 
price adjustments. 

In the second quarter of 2010, the company completed the reverse takeover of Spitfire whereby each shareholder of Whitecap 
received 8.33 common shares of Spitfire in exchange for each Whitecap share. On July 1, 2010, Spitfire amalgamated with its 
wholly-owned subsidiary Whitecap Resources Inc. and changed its name to Whitecap Resources Inc.

In the third quarter of 2010, the company completed the acquisition of Onyx 2006 Inc. (“Onyx”) for consideration of approximately 
$52.0 million. In connection with the acquisition of Onyx, Whitecap completed a bought deal finance offering of 8.9 million 
subscription receipts at $4.50 per subscription receipt for total gross proceeds of $40.1 million. The outstanding receipts were 
exchanged for common shares effective July 30, 2010.

In  the  fourth  quarter  of  2010,  the  company  completed  a  bought  deal  finance  offering  of  6.9  million  common  shares  at  
$5.85 per common share for total gross proceeds of $40.4 million. proceeds for the offering were used to initially reduce bank 
debt and subsequently used to purchase a partner’s working interest in the peace River Arch area. Additionally during the fourth 
quarter, holders of the $10.0 million convertible debenture elected to convert the instrument into approximately 3.5 million 
common shares. 

NON-GAAP MEASURES

This  document  contains  the  terms  “funds  from  operations”  and  “operating  netbacks”,  which  do  not  have  a  standardized 
meaning prescribed by canadian gAAp and therefore may not be comparable with the calculation of similar measures by other 
companies. Whitecap  uses  funds  from  operations  and  operating  netbacks  to  analyze  financial  and  operating  performance. 
Whitecap feels these benchmarks are key measures of profitability and overall sustainability for the company. Both of these 
terms  are  commonly  used  in  the  oil  and  gas  industry.  Funds  from  operations  and  operating  netbacks  are  not  intended   
to  represent  operating  profits  nor  should  they  be  viewed  as  an  alternative  to  cash  flow  provided  by  operating  activities, 
net  earnings  or  other  measures  of  financial  performance  calculated  in  accordance  with  gAAp.  Funds  from  operations  are 
calculated as cash flows from operating activities less changes in non-cash working capital. Operating netbacks are determined  
by deducting royalties, production expenses and transportation and selling expenses from oil and gas revenue. The company 
calculates funds from operations per share using the same method and shares outstanding that are used in the determination 
of earnings per share.

($000s) 
cash flow from operating activities 
changes in non-cash working capital 
Funds from operations 

2010 
6,083 
5,623 
11,706 

2009
602
395
997

24

Whitecap Resources

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND STATEMENTS

This  document  may  contain  certain  forward-looking  information  and  statements  within  the  meaning  of  applicable  securities 
laws. The use of any of the words “expect”, “anticipate”, “continue”, “estimate”, “objective”, “ongoing”, “may”, “will”, “project”, 
“should”, “believe”, “plans”, “intends”, “strategy” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information 
or  statements.  In  particular,  but  without  limiting  the  foregoing,  this  document  may  contain  forward-looking  information  and 
statements pertaining to the following: projected average and exit production rates; the volumes and estimated value of Whitecap’s 
oil and gas reserves; the life of Whitecap’s reserves; the volume and product mix of Whitecap’s oil and gas production; future oil 
and natural gas prices and Whitecap’s commodity risk management programs; the amount of future asset retirement obligations; 
future liquidity and financial capacity; future results from operations and operating metrics; future costs, expenses and royalty 
rates; future interest costs; future development, exploration, acquisition and development activities (including drilling plans) and 
related capital expenditures and future taxes payable by Whitecap; and Whitecap’s tax pools.

The forward-looking information and statements contained in this document reflect several material factors and expectations 
and  assumptions  of  Whitecap  including,  without  limitation:  that  Whitecap  will  continue  to  conduct  its  operations  in   
a manner consistent with past operations; the general continuance of current industry conditions; the continuance of existing  
(and  in  certain  circumstances,  the  implementation  of  proposed)  tax,  royalty  and  regulatory  regimes;  the  accuracy  of  the 
estimates  of  Whitecap’s  reserve  and  resource  volumes;  certain  commodity  price  and  other  cost  assumptions;  and  the 
continued availability of adequate debt and equity financing and cash flow to fund its planned expenditures; Whitecap believes 
the material factors, expectations and assumptions reflected in the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable 
but no assurance can be given that these factors, expectations and assumptions will prove to be correct.

The forward-looking information and statements included in this document are not guarantees of future performance and 
should not be unduly relied upon. Such information and statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other 
factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information 
or statements including, without limitation: changes in commodity prices; changes in the demand for or supply of Whitecap’s 
products;  unanticipated  operating  results  or  production  declines;  changes  in  tax  or  environmental  laws,  royalty  rates   
or other regulatory matters; changes in development plans of Whitecap or by third party operators of Whitecap’s properties, 
increased debt levels or debt service requirements; inaccurate estimation of Whitecap’s oil and gas reserve and resource 
volumes; limited, unfavorable or a lack of access to capital markets; increased costs; a lack of adequate insurance coverage; 
the  impact  of  competitors;  and  certain  other  risks  detailed  from  time  to  time  in Whitecap’s  public  disclosure  documents 
(including, without limitation, those risks identified in this document).

The  forward-looking  information  and  statements  contained  in  this  document  speak  only  as  of  the  date  of  this  document,  
and none of Whitecap or its subsidiaries assumes any obligation to publicly update or revise them to reflect new events or 
circumstances, except as may be required pursuant to applicable laws.

Annual Report 2010

25

MANAGEMENT’S 
REPORT

Management  is  responsible  for  the  integrity  and  objectivity  of  the  information  contained  in  this  annual  report  and  for  the 
consistency  between  the  financial  statements  and  other  financial  operating  data  contained  elsewhere  in  the  report.   
The  accompanying  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  by  management  in  accordance  with  accounting  principles 
generally accepted in canada using estimates and careful judgment, particularly in those circumstances where transactions 
affecting  a  current  period  are  dependent  upon  future  events. The  accompanying  financial  statements  have  been  prepared 
using  policies  and  procedures  established  by  management  and  reflect  fairly  the  company’s  financial  position,  results   
of  operations  and  cash  flow,  within  reasonable  limits  of  materiality  and  within  the  framework  of  the  accounting  policies   
as outlined in the notes to the financial statements.

Management has established and maintained a system of internal control which is designed to provide reasonable assurance 
that assets are safeguarded from loss or unauthorized use and the financial information is reliable and accurate. The Audit 
committee of the Board of Directors has reviewed in detail the financial statements with management and the external auditors. 
The financial statements have been approved by the Board of Directors on the recommendation of the Audit committee.

gRAnT B. FAgERHEIM 
pRESIDEnT AnD cEO 

March 22, 2011

THAnH kAng 
VIcE pRESIDEnT FInAncE AnD cFO

26

Whitecap Resources

 
INDEPENDENT 
AUDITORS’ 
REPORT

To the Shareholders of Whitecap Resources Inc.

We  have  audited  the  accompanying  financial  statements  of Whitecap  Resources  Inc.,  which  comprise  the  balance  sheets  
as at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 and the statements of operations, comprehensive loss and deficit and cash 
flows for the periods then ended, and the related notes including a summary of significant accounting policies.

Management’s responsibility for the financial statements

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

Auditor’s responsibility

Our  responsibility  is  to  express  an  opinion  on  these  financial  statements  based  on  our  audits. We  conducted  our  audits  in 
accordance  with  canadian  generally  accepted  auditing  standards.  Those  standards  require  that  we  comply  with  ethical 
requirements and plan and perform the 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 Whitecap Resources Inc. 
as at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the periods then 
ended in accordance with canadian generally accepted accounting principles.

cHARTERED AccOUnTAnTS 
cALgARy, ALBERTA

March 22, 2011

Annual Report 2010

27

bALANCE 
SHEET

AS AT DEcEMBER 31
($000s) 
ASSETS 
current Assets 
    cash 
    Accounts receivable 
    Deposits and prepaid expenses 
    Risk management contracts 

properties and equipment [note 5] 
Future income tax asset [note 14] 

LIABILITIES 
current Liabilities 
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 
    Bank debt [note 7] 
    Risk management contracts [note 13] 

convertible debentures [note 8] 
Asset retirement obligation [note 9] 
Future income tax liability [note 14] 

SHAREHOLDERS’ EqUITy 
    Share capital [note 10] 
    Equity component of debentures [note 8] 
    contributed surplus [note 10] 
    Deficit 

See accompanying notes to financial statements

Approved on behalf of the Board:

2010 

2009

10  
10,212  
727  
– 
10,949  
196,475 
– 
207,424 

22,941 
17,553  
1,977  
42,471  
– 
4,180  
11,719 
58,370  

151,994 
– 
8,036  
(10,976) 
149,054  
207,424  

5
1,886
434
24
2,349
56,049
662
59,060

2,060
10,580
–
12,640
9,594
1,309
–
23,543

36,104
425
341
(1,353)
35,517
59,060

STEpHEn c. nIkIFORUk 
DIREcTOR 

gRAnT B. FAgERHEIM 
DIREcTOR 

28

Whitecap Resources

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS, 
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS  
AND DEFICIT

FOR THE yEAR EnDED DEcEMBER 31 
($000s, except per share amounts) 
REVEnUE 
    petroleum and natural gas revenue 
    Royalties 
    Other income 

Realized gain on risk management contracts 
Unrealized gain (loss) on risk management contracts [note 13] 

EXpEnSES 
    Operating 
    Transportation 
    general and administrative [note 10] 
    Interest and financing 
    Depletion, depreciation and accretion 

net loss before income taxes 
TAXES 
    Future income tax recovery [note 14] 
net loss and other comprehensive loss 
DEFIcIT, BEgInnIng OF pERIOD 
DEFIcIT, EnD OF pERIOD 
nET LOSS pER SHARE [note 11] 
    Basic and diluted ($/share) 

See accompanying notes to financial statements

2010 

2009

25,991 
(3,891) 
336 
22,436 
543 
(2,001) 
20,978 

6,659 
866 
7,697 
1,984 
15,421 
32,627 
(11,649) 

2,026 
(9,623) 
(1,353) 
(10,976) 

4,799
(932)
19
3,886
–
24
3,910

1,199
181
1,313
599
2,263
5,555
(1,645)

421
(1,224)
(129)
(1,353)

(0.42) 

(0.26)

Annual Report 2010

29

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2010 

2009

(9,623) 

(1,224)

15,421 
(2,026) 
5,764 
169 
2,001 
11,706 
(5,623) 
6,083 

6,973 
– 
84,207 
– 
(16,975) 
74,205 

(41,579) 
(52,572) 
13,868 
(80,283) 
5 
5 
10 

1,815 
– 

2,263
(421)
341
61
(24)
997
(394)
602

10,580
(300)
35,863
9,958
–
56,101

(429) 
(56,511) 
200
(56,740)
(37)
42
5

538
–

STATEMENT  
OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE yEAR EnDED DEcEMBER 31
($000s) 
OpERATIng AcTIVITIES 
    net loss for the period 
    Items not affecting cash: 
    Depletion, depreciation and accretion 
    Future income taxes 
    Stock-based compensation 
    non-cash interest expense [note 8] 
    Unrealized (gain) loss on risk management contracts [note 13] 

net change in non-cash working capital items 

FInAncIng AcTIVITIES  
    Increase in bank debt 
    Related party repayment [note 15] 
    Issuance of share capital, net of share issue costs 
    Issuance of convertible debentures, net of financing costs 
    Repayment of acquisition debt 

InVESTIng AcTIVITIES 
    Expenditures on property, plant and equipment 
    Expenditures on corporate and property acquisitions 
    net change in non-cash working capital items 

Increase (decrease) in cash, during the period 
cash, beginning of period 
cash, end of period 

cash interest paid 
cash taxes paid 
See accompanying notes to financial statements

30

Whitecap Resources

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS

1. NATURE OF bUSINESS 
Whitecap Resources Inc. (also referred to herein as “Whitecap” or “the company”) is an oil and natural gas exploration, 
development  and  production  company  based  in  calgary,  Alberta,  canada.  The  company’s  operations  are  in  Alberta   
and Saskatchewan.

On  June  25,  2010,  the  company  completed  the  reverse  takeover  of  Spitfire  Energy  Ltd.  (“Spitfire”)  which  provided  for  
(i) a recapitalization of the company through a private placement; (ii) the appointment of a new management team and  
a new board of directors; (iii) the acquisition of an oil-weighted asset base in southwest Saskatchewan.

On July 1, 2010, Spitfire amalgamated with its wholly-owned subsidiary Whitecap Resources Inc. and changed its name 
to Whitecap Resources Inc. The comparative financial statements of the company for the year ended December 31, 2010 
include  the  operating  results  of  Whitecap  prior  to  the  reverse  takeover  and  the  results  of  the  combined  entities  after  
June 25, 2010.

2. SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES
bASIS OF PRESENTATION

The financial statements are stated in canadian dollars and have been prepared by management in accordance with canadian 
generally  accepted  accounting  principles  (“gAAp”). The  preparation  of  financial  statements  requires  management  to  make 
estimates  and  assumptions  that  affect  the  reported  amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities  and  the  disclosure  of  contingencies  
at the date of the financial statements, and revenues and expenses during the reporting year. Actual results could differ from  
those estimated.

MEASUREMENT UNCERTAINTY

The  amounts  recorded  for  the  fair  value  of  financial  instruments,  stock-based  compensation,  depreciation,  depletion  and 
accretion,  the  provision  for  asset  retirement  obligations  and  the  provision  for  future  income  taxes  are  based  on  estimates.  
In  addition,  the  ceiling  test  calculation  is  based  on  estimates  of  proved  reserves,  production  rates,  oil  and  gas  prices,   
future costs and other relevant assumptions. By their nature, these estimates are subject to measurement uncertainty and the 
impact on the financial statements of future periods could be material.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

Revenue associated with the sale of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids (“ngLs”) owned by Whitecap are recognized 
when title passes from Whitecap to its customers and collectability is reasonably assured.

TRANSPORTATION

costs paid by Whitecap for the transportation of natural gas, crude oil and ngLs from the wellhead to the point of title transfer 
are recognized when the transportation is provided.

JOINT INTERESTS

Whitecap conducts a significant portion of its oil and gas production activities through jointly controlled operations and the 
financial statements reflect only Whitecap’s proportionate interest in such activities.

Annual Report 2010

31

DEPLETION AND DEPRECIATION

Depletion  of  petroleum  and  natural  gas  properties  and  depreciation  of  production  equipment  are  calculated  on  the   
unit-of-production basis based on:

(a)  total estimated proved reserves calculated in accordance with national Instrument 51-101, Standards of Disclosure 

for Oil and gas Activities;

(b)  total capitalized costs, excluding unproved lands, plus estimated future development costs of proved undeveloped 

reserves, including future estimated asset retirement costs; and

(c)  relative  volumes  of  petroleum  and  natural  gas  reserves  and  production,  before  royalties,  converted  at  the  energy 

equivalent conversion ratio of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of oil.

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EqUIPMENT (“PP&E”)

Whitecap follows the full cost method of accounting. All costs of exploring, developing, enhancing and acquiring petroleum and 
natural gas properties, including asset retirement costs, are capitalized and accumulated in one cost centre as all operations are 
in canada. Maintenance and repairs are charged against operations and renewals and enhancements that extend the economic 
life of the pp&E are capitalized. gains and losses are not recognized upon disposition of petroleum and natural gas properties 
unless such a disposition would alter the rate of depletion by 20 percent or more.

IMPAIRMENT

Impairment  is  recognized  if  the  carrying  amount  of  the  pp&E  exceeds  the  sum  of  the  undiscounted  cash  flows  expected  
to result from Whitecap’s proved reserves. cash flows are calculated based on third party quoted forward prices, adjusted for 
Whitecap’s contract prices and quality differentials.

Upon recognition of impairment, Whitecap would then measure the amount of impairment by comparing the carrying amounts  
of the pp&E to an amount equal to the estimated net present value of future cash flows from proved plus risked probable 
reserves. Whitecap’s risk-free interest rate is used to arrive at the net present value of the future cash flows. Any excess carrying 
value above the net present value of Whitecap’s future cash flows would be recorded as a permanent impairment and charged 
against operations.

The cost of unproved properties is excluded from the impairment test described above and subject to a separate impairment 
test.  In  the  case  of  impairment,  the  book  value  of  the  impaired  properties  is  moved  to  the  petroleum  and  natural  gas  
depletable base.

ASSET RETIREMENT ObLIGATIONS

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

32

Whitecap Resources

STOCK-bASED COMPENSATION

Whitecap has a stock-based compensation plan and uses the fair-value method to record compensation expense with respect 
to stock options granted. The fair value of each option granted is estimated on the date of grant and a provision for the costs 
is provided for as contributed surplus over the vesting period outlined in the option agreement. The consideration received by 
the company on the exercise of share options is recorded as an increase to share capital together with corresponding amounts 
previously recognized in contributed surplus. Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur which could result in recoveries of the 
compensation expense.

INCOME TAxES

Whitecap  follows  the  liability  method  of  accounting  for  income  taxes.  Under  this  method,  income  tax  liabilities  and  assets 
are recognized for the estimated tax consequences attributable to differences between the amounts reported in the financial 
statements  of Whitecap  and  their  respective  tax  base,  using  substantively  enacted  future  income  tax  rates. The  effect  of  
a change in income tax rates on future tax liabilities and assets is recognized in income in the period in which the change 
occurs, provided that the income tax rates are substantively enacted. Temporary differences arising on acquisitions result in 
future income tax assets and liabilities.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Financial assets, financial liabilities and non-financial derivatives are measured at fair value on initial recognition.

Measurement  in  subsequent  periods  depends  on  whether  the  financial  instrument  has  been  classified  as  held-for-trading, 
available-for-sale, held-to-maturity loans and receivables, or other financial liabilities.

(a) Held-for-trading

Financial assets and liabilities designated as held-for-trading are subsequently measured at fair value with changes in those 
fair values charged immediately to operations. Whitecap classifies all risk management contracts as held-for-trading. cash 
and cash equivalents are also classified as held-for-trading.

(b) Available-for-sale assets

Available-for-sale  financial  assets  are  subsequently  measured  at  fair  value  with  changes  in  fair  value  recognized  in   
Other  comprehensive  Income  (“OcI”),  net  of  tax. Amounts  recognized  in  OcI  for  available-for-sale  financial  assets  are 
charged to operations when the asset is derecognized or when there is an other than temporary asset impairment. 

(c) Held-to-maturity investments, loans and receivables and other financial liabilities

Held-to-maturity investments, loans and receivables and other financial liabilities are subsequently measured at amortized 
cost using the effective interest method. Whitecap classifies accounts receivable as loans and receivables, and accounts 
payable, bank debt and convertible debentures as other financial liabilities.

Financing costs are shown as a reduction in the carrying value of long-term debt and are being expensed over the term of the 
debt using the effective interest method. 

Annual Report 2010

33

3. NEW ACCOUNTING POLICIES

current Accounting changes

 /

 /

 The  cIcA  issued  sections  1601  “consolidated  Financial  Statements”  and  1602  “non-controlling  Interests”,  which 
replaces  existing  guidance  under  Section  1600  “consolidated  Financial  Statements”.  Section  1601  establishes 
standards for the preparation of consolidated financial statements, and section 1602 provides guidance on accounting 
for a non-controlling interest in a subsidiary. These standards will be effective on January 1, 2011. The adoption of these 
sections does not impact the company’s financial statements at this time. 

 “Business combinations”, Section 1582, which replaces the previous business combinations standard. The standard 
requires  assets  and  liabilities  acquired  in  a  business  combination,  contingent  consideration  and  certain  acquired 
contingencies  to  be  measured  at  their  fair  values  as  of  the  date  of  acquisition.  In  addition,  acquisition-related  and 
restructuring  costs  are  recognized  separately  from  the  business  combination  and  are  included  in  the  statement  of 
operations. The  adoption  of  this  standard  impacts  the  accounting  treatment  of  business  combinations  entered  into 
after January 1, 2011. The standard allows for companies to use “Business combinations”, Section 1581 until the end  
of 2010. The company has opted to use Section 1581.

The  above  cIcA  Handbook  sections  are  converged  with  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  (“IFRS”).  Whitecap 
will  be  required  to  report  its  results  in  compliance  with  IFRS  beginning  in  2011  and  is  in  the  process  of  implementation  
of IFRS accordingly. 

4. FINANCIAL ASSETS AND CREDIT RISK
credit risk is the risk of financial loss to Whitecap if a partner or counterparty to a product sales contract or financial instrument 
fails to meet its contractual obligations. Whitecap is exposed to credit risk with respect to its accounts receivable and risk 
management contracts. Most of Whitecap’s accounts receivable relate to oil and natural gas sales and are subject to typical 
industry credit risks. Whitecap manages this credit risk as follows:

 /

 By entering into sales contracts with only established credit worthy counterparties as verified by a third party rating agency, 
through internal evaluation or by requiring security such as letters of credit;

 / By limiting exposure to any one counterparty; and

 /

 By restricting cash equivalent investments and risk management transactions to counterparties that, at the time of 
transaction, are not less than investment grade.

The majority of the credit exposure on accounts receivable at December 31, 2010 pertains to accrued revenue for December 
2010 production volumes. Whitecap transacts with a number of oil and natural gas marketing companies and commodity end 
users  (“commodity  purchasers”).  commodity  purchasers  and  marketing  companies  typically  remit  amounts  to Whitecap  by 
the 25th day of the month following production. Joint interest receivables are typically collected within one to three months 
following production. At December 31, 2010, no one counterparty accounted for more than 25 percent of the total accounts 
receivable balance.

During the twelve months of 2010, Whitecap has not experienced any material credit loss in the collection of receivables.

When determining whether amounts that are past due are collectable, management assesses the credit worthiness and past 
payment history of the counterparty, as well as the nature of the past due amount. Whitecap considers all amounts greater than 
90 days to be past due. As at December 31, 2010, there was $0.6 million of receivables aged over 90 days. Subsequent to 
December 31, 2010, approximately $0.5 million has been collected and the remaining balance is not considered to be a credit 
risk. Maximum credit risk is calculated as the total recorded value of accounts receivable and risk management contracts at 
the balance sheet date.

34

Whitecap Resources

5. ACqUISITIONS

(a) Spitfire Energy Ltd. (Reverse takeover)

On  June  25,  2010, Whitecap  shareholders  received  approximately  15.3  million  shares  of  Spitfire. The  total  consideration 
has been valued based on a share price of $3.33 per Spitfire share outstanding plus net debt of approximately $8.6 million.  
For accounting purposes the transaction was accounted for as a reverse takeover with Whitecap deemed to be the acquirer and 
Spitfire deemed to be the acquiree. The acquisition will be recorded by the elimination of the share capital, contributed surplus 
and deficit of Spitfire.

nET ASSETS AcqUIRED ($000s): 
non-cash working capital deficiency 
petroleum and natural gas properties 
Asset retirement obligations 
Future income tax liability 

cOnSIDERATIOn 
Issuance of shares 
Transaction costs 

(b) Onyx 2006 Inc. (“Onyx”)

2010
(8,571)
34,355
(636)
(4,063)
21,085

20,002
1,083
21,085

On  July  30,  2010,  Whitecap  acquired  all  the  issued  and  outstanding  shares  of  Onyx  for  an  aggregate  purchase  price  
of approximately $52 million which included $40.5 million payable in cash to the shareholders of Onyx and the assumption 
of approximately $11.0 million of total net liabilities.

nET ASSETS AcqUIRED ($000s): 
non-cash working capital deficiency 
petroleum and natural gas properties 
Asset retirement obligations 
Future income tax liability 

cOnSIDERATIOn 
cash consideration paid 
Transaction costs 

PROPERTY AND EqUIPMENT

($000s) 
petroleum and natural gas properties 
Other assets 
Less: accumulated depletion and depreciation 
Total net book value 

2010
(10,958)
63,440
(692)
(10,876)
40,914

40,534
380
40,914

2009
58,134
152
(2,237)
56,049

 2010 
213,673 
279 
(17,477) 
196,475 

Annual Report 2010

35

 
 
 
 
At  December  31,  2010,  approximately  $13.5  million  (2009  –  $0.8  million)  of  unproved  property  and  salvage  value   
of $2.5 million (2009 – $1.0 million) was excluded from the depletion calculation. Future development costs of $69.8 million 
(2009 – $7.7 million) were included in the depletion calculation. 

During  the  twelve  months  ended  December  31,  2010,  the  company  capitalized  $3.3  million  (2009  -  $0.1  million)   
of administrative costs directly relating to exploration and development activities which includes $2.2 million (2009 - $nil) 
of stock-based compensation.

The  company  performed  a  ceiling  test  calculation  at  December  31,  2010.  no  impairment  was  recorded  as  a  result  of  
the calculation.

The forecasted future prices used in the ceiling test evaluation of the company’s reserves as at December 31, 2010 were  
as follows:

2011 
2012 
2013 
2014 
2015 
2016 
2017 
2018 
2019 
2020 
2021 
2022 
2023 
2024 
2025 
Remainder(1) 

WTI Oil 
(US$/bbl) 
85.00 
87.70 
90.50 
93.40 
96.30 
99.40 
101.40 
103.40 
105.40 
107.60 
109.70 
111.90 
114.10 
116.40 
118.80 
2.0% 

AEcO-c 

cdn$/US$
(cdn$/MMbtu)  Exchange rates
0.975
0.975
0.975
0.975
0.975
0.975
0.975
0.975
0.975
0.975
0.975
0.975
0.975
0.975
0.975
0.975

4.25 
4.90 
5.40 
5.90 
6.35 
6.75 
7.10 
7.40 
7.60 
7.75 
7.85 
8.05 
8.20 
8.40 
8.50 
2.0% 

(1) The prices increase at an average inflation rate of 2 percent every year thereafter.

6. FINANCIAL LIAbILITIES AND LIqUIDITY RISK
Liquidity risk is the risk that Whitecap will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they become due. Whitecap actively 
manages its liquidity through cash, debt and equity management strategies. Such strategies include continuously monitoring 
forecasted  and  actual  cash  flows  from  operating,  financing  and  investing  activities,  available  credit  under  existing  banking 
arrangements and opportunities to issue additional common shares. Management believes that future cash flows generated 
from these sources will be adequate to settle Whitecap’s financial liabilities.

The following table details Whitecap’s financial liabilities as at December 31, 2010:

($000s) 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 
Bank debt 
Risk management contracts 
Total financial liabilities 

<1 year 
22,941 
17,553 
1,977 
42,471 

2 to 3 years 
– 
– 
– 
– 

Total
22,941
17,553
1,977
42,471

Whitecap  actively  maintains  credit  and  working  capital  facilities  to  ensure  that  it  has  sufficient  available  funds  to  meet  its 
financial requirements at a reasonable cost. Refer to note 7 for further details on available amounts under existing banking 
arrangements, note 12 for further details on capital management.

36

Whitecap Resources

 
 
7. CREDIT FACILITIES
At December 31, 2010, the company had a $65.0 million operating loan facility with a canadian Financial Institution. Borrowings 
under the facility bear interest at the lender’s prime rate plus 1.25 percent or, at the company’s option, guaranteed notes at 
the lender’s base rate plus 2.75 percent. The loan is payable on demand and is secured by a $200 million debenture over the 
company’s real properties, a floating charge over all present and after acquired real property interests, and a security interest 
over all present and after acquired personal property. The company must maintain a working capital ratio of not less than 1:1. 
The financial ratio is calculated as current assets plus undrawn amounts under the facility divided by current liabilities less 
amounts drawn under the facility. At December 31, 2010, Whitecap is in compliance with all covenants under the credit facility. 

8. CONVERTIbLE DEbENTURES
On August 10, 2009, the company issued $10 million principal amount of 8 percent secured convertible debentures. Interest 
is paid quarterly in arrears and the conversion price for the debentures is $2.88 per share. On December 7, 2010, the holders 
of the convertible debenture elected to convert the entire principal amount outstanding into approximately 3.5 million common 
shares. The outstanding debt and equity portion of the convertible debentures were transferred to share capital on conversion, 
while the remaining financing costs were expensed.

($000s) 
Balance, December 31, 2008 
non-cash interest expense 
Balance, December 31, 2009 
non-cash interest expense 
conversion into common shares 
Balance, December 31, 2010 

Debt 
portion 
9,575 
56 
9,631 
132 
(9,763) 
– 

Financing 
cost 
(42) 
5 
(37) 
37 

– 

Total 
Debt 
9,533 
61 
9,594 
169 
(9,763) 
– 

Equity 
portion 
425 
– 
425 
– 
(425) 
– 

principal
Outstanding
10,000
–
10,000
–
(10,000)
–

9. ASSET RETIREMENT ObLIGATION

($000s) 
Asset retirement obligation, December 31, 2009 
    Liabilities incurred 
    Liabilities acquired 
    Revision in estimates 
    Accretion expense 
Asset retirement obligation, December 31, 2010 

2010 
1,309 
217 
1,720 
753 
181 
4,180 

2009
–
– 
1,279
– 
30
1,309

The  key  assumptions,  on  which  the  carrying  amount  of  the  asset  retirement  obligation  is  based,  include  a  credit  adjusted  
risk-free rate of 8 percent and inflation rate of 2 percent. The total undiscounted amount of the estimated cash flows required 
to settle the obligations was $11.6 million (2009 – $6.1 million). The expected timing of payment of the cash flows required for 
settling the obligations ranges from 2 to 48 years.

Annual Report 2010

37

 
 
10. SHARE CAPITAL
On June 25, 2010, as a result of the reverse takeover of Spitfire, one Whitecap share was exchanged for 8.33 Spitfire shares. 
On July 1, 2010, Spitfire amalgamated with its wholly-owned subsidiary Whitecap and changed its name to Whitecap Resources 
Inc. On October 18, 2010, Whitecap consolidated its common shares on a 10 to 1 basis. All figures have been presented as  
if the 8.33 exchange ratio and 10 to 1 share consolidation occurred on January 1, 2009.

a) Authorized

Unlimited number of common shares without nominal or par value.

b) Issued and outstanding

2010 

2009

(000s) 
Balance, beginning of period 
    Issued for cash through private offering 
    Reverse takeover bid of Spitfire(1) 
    Issued for cash through private offering(1) 
    Stock option exercises  
    contributed surplus adjustment on exercise of stock options 
    Issued for cash through public prospectus offering(2) 
    convertible debenture(3) 
    Share issue costs, net of future income tax 
Balance, end of period 

shares 
15,312 
21 
3,792 
3,100 
329 
– 
15,800 
3,472 
– 
41,826 

$ 
36,104 
50 
20,002 
7,750 
881 
235 
80,415 
10,188 
(3,631) 
151,994 

Shares 
– 
15,312 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
15,312 

$
–
36,764
–
– 
– 
–
–
–
(660)
36,104

(1)   Reverse takeover bid 

On June 25, 2010, the company completed the reverse takeover of Spitfire whereby each shareholder of Whitecap received 
8.33  common  shares  of  Spitfire  in  exchange  for  each Whitecap  share  totaling  15.3  million  shares. As  part  of  the  reverse 
takeover, Spitfire also completed a $7.75 million non-brokered private placement (the “private placement”) of 1.6 million units 
of Spitfire at a price of $2.50 per unit, with each unit comprised of one common share and one common share purchase warrant 
entitling the holder to purchase one common share at a price of $2.50 for a period of five years and 1.5 million common shares 
at a price of $2.50 per common share. The private placement units and common shares are subject to an 18 month escrow, 
pursuant to which 25 percent of such security was released from escrow on July 12, 2010 and 25 percent released every 
six months thereafter. On July 1, 2010, Spitfire amalgamated with its wholly-owned subsidiary Whitecap Resources Inc. and 
changed its name to Whitecap Resources Inc.

(2)  Share subscription

On  July  30,  2010,  the  company  completed  a  bought  deal  finance  offering  of  8.9  million  subscription  receipts  of Whitecap 
common shares at a price of $4.50 per subscription receipt for total gross proceeds of $40.1 million. concurrent with the closing 
of the Onyx acquisition, the outstanding subscription receipts of Whitecap were exchanged for common shares of Whitecap 
effective July 30, 2010.

On December 22, 2010, the company completed a bought deal finance offering of 6.9 million subscription receipts of Whitecap 
common shares at a price of $5.85 per subscription receipt for total gross proceeds of $40.4 million.

(3)  Conversion of convertible debenture

On December 7, 2010, the holders of the convertible debenture elected to convert the entire principal amount outstanding into 
approximately 3.5 million common shares. Refer to note 8 for further details.

38

Whitecap Resources

 
c) Stock options

Under  the  Stock  Option  plan,  the  Board  of  Directors  may  grant  to  any  director,  officer,  employee  or  consultant,  options  
to acquire common shares of the company. Stock options granted under the stock option plan have a term of four years to expiry.  
Vesting is determined by the company’s board of directors. currently, all of the options granted vest equally over a three year 
period commencing on the first anniversary date of the grant. Each stock option granted permits the holder to purchase one 
common share of the company at the stated exercise price.

(000s except per share amounts) 
Balance, December 31, 2008 
granted 
Balance, December 31, 2009 
granted  
Acquired(1) 
Exercised 
Expired 
Forfeited 
Balance, December 31, 2010 

number of Options 
– 
1,393 
1,393 
760 
276 
(329) 
(3) 
(83) 
2,014 

  Weighted Average  
Exercise price ($)
–
2.40
2.40
3.55
2.75
2.68
5.58
2.40
2.82

(1)  pursuant  to  the  reverse  takeover  transaction,  all  outstanding  Spitfire  options  vested  upon  the  close  of  the  transaction  and  all  unexercised  options  in  the  period  expired  on 

September 24, 2010 in accordance with the Spitfire option agreement.

Exercise 
price ($) 
2.40 - 2.99 
3.00 - 4.49 
4.50 - 6.50 
2.40 - 6.50 

number 
Outstanding 
1,325 
417 
272 
2,014 

Weighted 
Average 
Remaining 
contractual 
Life (years) 
2.7 
3.4 
3.6 
3.0 

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise 
price 
($/share) 
2.40 
3.00 
4.61 
2.82 

number  
Exercisable 
423 
– 
– 
423 

Weighted
Average
Exercise 
price
($/share)
2.40
–
–
2.40

The fair value of each option granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with 
weighted average assumptions for grants in the period is as follows:

Risk-free interest rate 
Expected life (year) 
Expected volatility 
Expected dividend yield 
Weighted average fair value ($/option) 

2010 
2.15% 
4 
65% 
– 
$1.79 

2009
2.31%
4
65%
–
$1.22

Included  in  general  and  administrative  expenses  is  non-cash  stock-based  compensation  expense  of  $5.8  million   
(2009 – $0.3 million).

Annual Report 2010

39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
d) Warrants

On  June  25,  2010,  performance  warrants  were  granted  to  certain  employees  in  conjunction  with  the  recapitalization 
transaction.  A  total  of  1.6  million  performance  warrants  were  issued,  entitling  the  holders  thereof  to  purchase  one 
common share at a price of $2.50 for a period of 5 years following the date of issuance. The performance warrants will 
vest  and  become  exercisable  as  to  one-third  upon  the  20  day  weighted  average  trading  price  of  the  common  shares  
(the “Trading price”) equaling or exceeding $4.00, an additional one-third upon the Trading price equaling or exceeding 
$5.00 and a final one-third upon the Trading price equaling or exceeding $6.00. The performance warrants are measured at 
their fair value on the date of grant and recognized as an expense over a two year vesting period. As at December 31, 2010, 
all performance warrants met the vesting requirements and the remaining unamortized non-cash compensation expense 
was recognized in the period.

pursuant  to  the  recapitalization  of  Spitfire,  Whitecap  assumed  130,000  warrants  outstanding  for  Spitfire  shares  which 
entitled each holder to purchase one Spitfire common share at a price of $11.50 per Spitfire share. These warrants expired 
August 1, 2010 in accordance with the warrant agreement.

(000s except per share amounts) 
Balance, December 31, 2009 
granted 
Acquired 
Expired 
Balance, December 31, 2010 

Exercise 
price ($) 

2.50 

Weighted 
Outstanding 

1,600 

number of Warrants 
– 
1,600 
130 
(130) 
1,600 

  Weighted Average  
Exercise price ($)
–
2.50
11.50
(11.50)
2.50

Weighted 
Average 
Remaining 
contractual 
Life (years) 

4.5 

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise 
price 
($/share) 

2.50 

number  
Exercisable 

1,600 

Weighted
Average
Exercise 
price
($/share)

2.50

The fair value of each warrant granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with 
weighted average assumptions for grants as follows:

2010
2.20%
5
65%
$4.08

2009
–
341
–
–
341

2010 
341 
1,407 
6,523 
(235) 
8,036 

Risk-free interest rate 
Expected life (years) 
Expected volatility 
Weighted average fair value ($/warrant) 

e) Contributed Surplus

($000s)  
Balance, beginning of period  
    Stock-based compensation – Options 
    Stock-based compensation – Warrants 
    Option exercises 
Balance, end of period 

40

Whitecap Resources

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11. PER SHARE RESULTS

(000s except per share amounts)  
per share income (loss), basic and diluted 
Weighted average shares outstanding 
    Basic 
    Diluted 

2010 
(0.42) 

23,162 
23,389 

 (1)

2009
(0.26)

4,721
4,721

(1) prior period comparatives have been restated to reflect the 8.33 exchange ratio and 10 to 1 share consolidation.

12. CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
The company’s policy is to maintain a strong capital base for the objectives of maintaining financial flexibility, creditor and 
market confidence and to sustain the future development of the business. The company manages its capital structure and 
makes adjustments to it in light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying petroleum and 
natural gas assets. The company considers its capital structure to include shareholders’ equity, bank debt and working capital. 
In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the company may from time to time issue new shares, seek debt financing 
and adjust its capital spending to manage current and projected debt levels.

The following is a breakdown of the company’s capital structure:

($000s) 
current assets 
current liabilities, excluding bank debt 
Working capital surplus (deficit) 
Bank debt 
convertible Debentures – liability portion 
Shareholders’ equity 

2010 
10,949 
24,918 
(13,969) 
17,553 
– 
149,054 

2009
2,349
2,060
289
10,580
9,594
35,517

13. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT

Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities

Financial instruments of the company consist mainly of cash, receivables, risk management contracts, payables and bank debt, 
all of which are included in these financial statements. At December 31, 2010, the classification of financial instruments and 
the carrying amounts reported on the balance sheet and their estimated fair values are as follows:

($000s) 
Receivables 
Held for trading instruments (cash and risk management contracts)(1) 
Other financial liabilities (accounts payable and bank debt) 

(1) The fair value measurement of the risk management contracts has a fair value hierarchy of Level 2.

carrying Amount 
10,212 
(1,967) 
(40,494) 

Fair Value
10,212
(1,967)
(40,494)

The company’s financial instruments recorded at fair value require disclosure about how the fair value was determined based 
on significant levels of inputs described in the following hierarchy: 

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 value 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 
market place. 

Level 3 - Valuations in this level are those with inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data. 

Annual Report 2010

41

 
Market Risk Management

Commodity Price Risk

The company’s operational results and financial condition are largely dependent on the commodity price received for its oil and 
natural gas production. commodity prices have fluctuated widely in recent years due to global and regional factors including 
supply and demand fundamentals, inventory levels, weather, economic and geopolitical factors.

Whitecap  manages  the  risks  associated  with  changes  in  commodity  prices  by  entering  into  a  variety  of  risk  management 
contracts (see risk management contracts below). The following table illustrates the effects of movement in commodity prices 
on net income before tax due to changes in the fair value of risk management contracts in place at December 31, 2010, with all 
other variables held constant. When assessing the potential impact of these commodity price changes, the company believes 
10 percent volatility is a reasonable measure.

($000s impact on net income before tax) 
crude oil price 

10% increase 
(285) 

10% decrease
285

At December 31, 2010 the following risk management contracts were outstanding with a mark-to-market liability value of  
$2.0 million:

TypE 
Swap 
Swap 
collar 

VOLUME 
500 bbls/d 
500 bbls/d 
300 bbls/d 

pRIcE 
c$86.85/bbl 
c$87.60/bbl 
c$75.00/bbl floor/ 
c$100.00/bbl ceiling 

InDEX 
c$WTI 
c$WTI 
c$WTI 

TERM
Jan to Jun 2011
Jan to Dec 2011
Jul to Dec 2011

Subsequent to December 31, 2010, the company entered into the following risk management contracts:

TypE 
Swap 

VOLUME 
1,000 gJ/d 

pRIcE 
$3.85/gJ 

InDEX 
AEcO 

TERM
Feb to Dec 2011

At December 31, 2010, the following financial power contracts were outstanding:

TypE 
Swap 
Swap 

Interest Rate Risk

VOLUME 
3,506 MWh 
1,139 MWh 

pRIcE 
$49.60/MWh 
$46.06/MWh 

TERM
Jan 2011 to Dec 2011
Jan 2011 to Dec 2011

The company is exposed to fluctuations in interest rates on its bank debt. Interest rate risk is mitigated through short-term fixed 
rate borrowings using guaranteed notes. 

If interest rates applicable to floating rate debt at December 31, 2010 were to have increased by 25 basis points (0.25 percent) 
it is estimated that the company’s annual cash flows would decrease less than $0.1 million (2009 – nil). The company does 
not expect interest rates to decrease.

Foreign Exchange Risk

The company is exposed to the risk of changes in the canadian/U.S. dollar exchange rate on sales of commodities that are 
denominated in U.S. dollars or directly influenced by U.S. dollar benchmark prices.

42

Whitecap Resources

 
 
14. INCOME TAxES
The company’s provision for income taxes differs from the result that would be obtained by applying the combined canadian 
Federal and provincial statutory income tax rate of 28 percent (2009 - 29 percent) to income before taxes. This difference 
results from the following:

($000s) 
computed expected provision for income taxes 
Increase (decrease) resulting from 
    change in statutory rate and other 
    Valuation allowance (reversal) 
    non-deductible stock-based compensation 
Income tax recovery 

The significant components of the future income tax liability and assets are as follows:

($000s) 
capital assets in excess of tax value 
Risk management asset 
Asset retirement obligation 
non-capital loss carry forward 
Share issue costs 
Future income tax liability (asset) 

The following gross deductions are available for future income tax purposes:

($000s) 
Undepreciated capital cost  
canadian development expense 
canadian exploration expense 
canadian oil and gas property expense 
non-capital loss carry forward 
Share issue costs 
Total 

2010 
(3,276) 

(376) 
5 
1,621 
(2,026) 

2010 
21,051 
(526) 
(1,050) 
(6,460) 
(1,296) 
11,719 

2010 
26,288 
30,824 
6,062 
49,510 
25,687 
5,056 
143,427 

2009
(477)

(11)
(32)
99
(421)

2009
1,339
6
(327)
(1,492)
(188)
(662)

2009
13,788
111
90
36,766
5,570
754
57,079

At December 31, 2010, the company has recognized the benefit of unused tax loss carry forwards of $25.7 million. Unused tax 
loss carry forwards of $0.1 million expire in 2028, $5.4 million expire in 2029 and $20.2 million expire in 2030.

COMMITMENTS

The company is committed to future payments under the following agreements:

($000s) 
Operating lease -office buildings  

2011 
1,008 

2012 
947 

2013 
913 

2014+ 
3,187 

Total
6,055

Annual Report 2010

43

 
15. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In  the  prior  period,  the  company  received  loans  from  certain  officers  of  Whitecap  for  general  working  capital  purposes.   
These amounts bear interest at 6 percent per annum and were repayable on demand. At December 31, 2009 the loans were 
fully repaid and no balances were outstanding. All amounts were recorded at the exchange amount.

The company has retained the law firm of Burnet, Duckworth and palmer LLp (“BDp”) to provide Whitecap with legal services. 
grant zawalsky, a director of Whitecap, is a partner of this firm. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the company 
incurred $0.4 million to BDp for legal fees and disbursements. These amounts have been recorded at the exchange amount. 
The  company  expects  to  retain  the  services  of  BDp  from  time  to  time.  As  of  December  31,  2010  a  payable  balance  of  
$0.1 million was outstanding.

16. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
changes in non-cash working capital, excluding bank debt:

Accounts receivable 
prepaid and deposits 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 
change in non-cash working capital 
Relating to: 
    Operating activities 
    Investing activities 

2010 
(5,798) 
(22) 
14,065 
8,245 

(5,623) 
13,868 

2009 
(1,909)
(326)
2,041
(194)

(394)
200

17. SUbSEqUENT EVENTS
In December, the company announced that it had entered into an agreement to purchase a partner’s working interest in the 
peace River Arch. The transaction closed on January 14, 2011 for a total consideration of $25.0 million. 

On March 8, 2011 the company announced that it had entered into an agreement with respect to a business combination 
with Spry Energy Ltd. (“Spry”). The arrangement provides for a total consideration of $223.0 million payable by Whitecap 
including the assumption of Spry’s net debt of approximately $36.0 million. The transaction will be funded in part through  
a $136 million bought deal financing of subscription receipts in the capital of the company at $6.80 per subscription receipt  
(the “Offering”). Spry shareholders will receive, for each Spry share held: i) 1.17647 Whitecap common shares; or $8.00 in 
cash, subject to an aggregate cash maximum of $130.9 million and a maximum distribution of 8.2 million Whitecap common 
shares. The  acquisition  is  expected  to  close  on  or  before  May  11,  2011. Whitecap  has  also  granted  to  the  underwriters 
an  option  to  purchase  up  to  an  additional  2,000,000  subscription  receipts,  or  common  shares,  at  a  price  of  $6.80  per 
subscription receipt or common share, as applicable, in whole or in part, on or within 30 days following closing of the Offering.

The  company  syndicated  its  credit  facility,  which  increased  Whitecap’s  credit  limit  to  $85  million  from  the  previous  limit   
of $65 million. The new facility consists of a $10 million operating line and a $75 million syndicated facility. The facility is  
a borrowing base facility subject to semi-annual review by the bank, with the next review scheduled for the fall of 2011. 

44

Whitecap Resources

 
 
OFFICERS

Grant B. Fagerheim 
President & CEO 

Joel Armstrong 
Vice President Production & Operations 

Dan Christensen
Vice President Exploration

Darin Dunlop
Vice President Engineering

Thanh Kang
Vice President Finance & CFO

Gary Lebsack
Vice President Land

David Mombourquette
Vice President Business Development

DIRECTORS

Grant B. Fagerheim 
Gregory S. Fletcher 
Glenn A. McNamara 
Stephen C. Nikiforuk 
Robert G. Welty 
Grant A. Zawalsky

AUDITORS

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants 
Calgary, Alberta

BANKERS

National Bank Financial 
Alberta Treasury Branch 
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 
The Bank of Nova Scotia
Calgary, Alberta

ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

McDaniels Engineering Consultants Ltd.
Calgary, Alberta

LEGAL COUNSEL

Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP
Calgary, Alberta

REGISTRAR & TRANSFER AGENT

Olympia Trust Company
Calgary, Alberta

STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING

The Toronto Stock Exchange
Trading Symbol “WCP”

HEAD OFFICE

500, 222 – 3rd Avenue SW 
Calgary, AB T2P 0B4

Telephone: 
Facsimile: 
Email: 
Website: 

(403) 266-0767 
(403) 266-6975 
info@wcap.ca 
www.wcap.ca

FOR FURTHER INFORmATION CONTACT: 

Grant B. Fagerheim or
Thanh Kang at (403) 266-0767
Calgary, Alberta

ANNUAL GENERAL mEETING

The Annual and General Meeting of Shareholders will 
be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 17, 2011, in the 
Strand/Tivoli Room of the Metropolitan Conference Centre, 
333 – 4th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta. All shareholders are 
cordially invited and encouraged to attend.

ABBREVIATIONS

AECO 
bbls 
bbls/d 
boe 
boe/d 
bp/d 
bop/d 
DPIIP 
FD&A 
*Natural gas is equated to oil on the basis of 6 Mcf of natural gas =1 barrel of oil equivalent (boe)

Alberta Energy Company 
barrels 
barrels per day 
barrels of oil equivalent 
barrels of oil equivalent per day 
barrels per day 
barrels of oil per day 
Discovered petroleum initially in place 
Finding, development & acquisition 

FDC 
GJ 
Mbbl 
Mcf 
Mcf/d 
MMcf 
Mstb 
NGLs  
WTI 

Future development costs 
gigajoule
thousand barrels
thousand cubic feet 
thousand cubic feet per day 
million cubic feet
1000 stock tank barrels 
natural gas liquids
West Texas Intermediate

CORPORATE HISTORY

Announced acquisition of Spry Energy Ltd. for $223 million 

Significantly expands presence in the Cardium oil resource play

Acquired partner interest in Valhalla North asset for $25 million 

Provides for oil production and reserve growth in core asset

Graduated to the Toronto Stock Exchange

Acquisition of Onyx 2006 Inc. for $52 million 

Entrance into Pembina horizontal Cardium play

Going public transaction through reverse takeover of Spitfire Energy Ltd. 

Acquired Fosterton pool in southwest Saskatchewan

Acquired Valhalla North asset for $58 million 

Sets stage for Whitecap with light oil focus

Whitecap Resources Inc
500, 222 – 3rd Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta
T2P 0B4

www.wcap.ca