National Fuel announces Marcellus shale drilling joint development agreement

National Fuel Gas Company has announced that Seneca Resources Corp., its wholly owned exploration and production subsidiary, has entered into an asset-level joint development agreement with IOG CRV - Marcellus LLC an affiliate of IOG Capital LP, and funds managed by affiliates of Fortress Investment Group LLC, to jointly develop Marcellus Shale natural gas assets located in Elk, McKean and Cameron counties in north-central Pennsylvania.

Under the terms of the agreement, Seneca and IOG will participate in a programme that will develop up to 80 Marcellus wells. The wells will be located on approximately 10 500 acres in the Clermont/Rich Valley area in Pennsylvania. IOG will hold an 80% working interest and is obligated to participate in the first 42 wells, and has a one-time option to participate in the remaining 38 wells that can be exercised on or before 1 July 2016. At current well costs, IOG's obligation on the first 42 wells is expected to reduce Seneca's net capital expenditures by approximately US$200 million in fiscal 2016, with a further US$180 million reduction spread across fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2017 if IOG elects to participate in the remaining 38 wells.

As the fee-owner of the property's mineral rights, Seneca retains a 7.5% royalty interest and the remaining 20% working interest (26% net revenue interest) in the first 42 wells. If IOG exercises its option to participate in the 38 wells, Seneca will retain a 10% royalty and the remaining 20% working interest (28% net revenue interest) in those wells. Seneca's working interest will increase to 85 percent after IOG achieves a 15% internal rate of return.

Seneca will be the program operator, allowing it to maintain planned activity levels and further optimize Marcellus drilling and completion efficiencies. Production from all joint development wells will be gathered by National Fuel Gas Midstream Corporation's Clermont Gathering System. IOG will share in Seneca's contracted firm sales and firm transportation capacity, including 660 thousand dekatherms per day on the Niagara Expansion/Northern Access 2015 and Northern Access 2016 pipeline expansion projects built by National Fuel's Pipeline & Storage segment and designed to move Clermont/Rich Valley area production to premium Northeast U.S. and Canadian markets.

A portion of the initial 42 joint development wells were either drilled, or drilled and completed, prior to the execution of the joint development agreement, with the remainder to be developed over the course of fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2017. In fiscal 2016, Seneca expects to transfer approximately 150 billion ft³ equivalent of existing proved undeveloped natural gas reserves as its interests in the joint development wells are conveyed to IOG.

Ronald J. Tanski, President and Chief Executive Officer of National Fuel, commented: "Our integrated growth strategy includes the continued development of our mineral acreage in Appalachia and the construction of new gathering and transmission pipelines to move Appalachian production to market. During this period of lower commodity prices, where we are experiencing decreased cash flow in the upstream portion of our business, the drilling joint development agreement we announced today helps us move forward with our strategy. The joint development agreement significantly reduces our upstream capital requirements, yet still allows us to increase production from our acreage that will support the continued growth in our pipeline and storage and gathering segments.”

"The continued growth of our Company in a responsible manner requires us to maintain adequate liquidity and a strong balance sheet. We believe this transaction helps meet those objectives and is yet another example of how National Fuel's unique integrated model and quality asset base gives us the flexibility to allocate capital in a manner that maximizes value creation for our shareholders in most all market environments,” Tanski continued.

Marc Rowland, Founder and Senior Managing Director of IOG Capital, added: “IOG is delighted to be partnering with a high quality operator such as Seneca Resources by providing flexible and targeted capital solution to meet Seneca and National Fuel’s corporate goals. We look forward to a long-lasting and productive partnership with Seneca for years to come.”

Edited from press release by Angharad Lock

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/drilling-and-production/03122015/national-fuel-announces-shale-drilling-agreement-1731/