TMX Group (TSX/TSXV)

Bonterra Energy CEO Talks Near-Term Outlook, Leverage Targets, and 2025 Refinancing

Bonterra Energy’s CEO outlined the company’s near‑term strategy, emphasizing a shift from its legacy Cardium focus to the higher‑return Charlie Lake and Montney formations. He highlighted a disciplined growth model that prioritizes capital efficiency, repeatable well results, and leveraging existing infrastructure to boost free cash flow. The firm has trimmed roughly $50 million of capital spending while consistently posting quarterly production records, now deriving 35‑40% of output from the new plays. In January 2025, Bonterra issued $135 million of senior secured notes at 10.5% interest, subsequently expanding its revolving credit line to $150 million, unlocking over $100 million of liquidity for potential acquisitions. Production is projected at 16,200‑16,400 boe/d for 2026, an 8% year‑over‑year increase, supported by more than 450 drilling locations across its three core assets. A standout achievement was drilling one of the industry’s top‑20 new oil wells at Charlie Lake, underscoring the technical upside of the new acreage. The company repurchased 750,000 shares in 2025 at an average $35 price, a roughly 2% reduction of outstanding equity, and has hedged about 35% of its output into the second half of 2026 at higher price points. Management tied its capital‑return framework to leverage, aiming for net debt below 1.5× EBITDA before considering further share buybacks. These moves position Bonterra with a stronger balance sheet, greater financial flexibility, and an undervalued market valuation—estimated at $21 per share versus current pricing. The combination of organic growth, disciplined capital allocation, and a sizable liquidity cushion sets the stage for opportunistic M&A and enhanced shareholder returns.