“In 2021, with a total capital investment scenario of approximately $1.5 billion, we are confident that we could deliver free cash flow at $35 per barrel WTI and $2.75 per MMBtu NYMEX natural gas while holding crude and condensate flat at 200,000 bbls/d,” said Suttles.
Ovintiv delivered strong first quarter results driven by higher than budgeted production and a continued focus on cost reductions. Total average production was 571,300 BOE/d, or three percent higher than expectations. Crude and condensate production averaged 215,200 BOE/d. Total Costs of $12.17 per BOE were below expectations. First quarter capital investments were $790 million, below budget and consistent with previous expectations for afront-end weighted investment profile.
Net earnings in the first quarter were $421 million and were impacted bynon-cash unrealized hedging gains of $904 million,before-tax, as well as anon-cash ceiling test impairment of $277 million,before-tax. Thenon-cash impairment primarily related to the decline in the12-month average trailing prices for NGLs and natural gas which reduced the Company’s SEC proved reserves values.
Cash from operating activities was $566 million andnon-GAAP cash flow was $535 million.
Second Quarter 2020
Second quarter activity levels have been significantly reduced to ensure continued financial strength. Second quarter capital investments are expected to be $250 to $300 million, a $500 million reduction (60%) compared to original plans. Bymid-May, the Company will have droppedtwo-thirds of its operated rig fleet and expects to run seven rigs (three Permian, two Anadarko, two Montney) and no frac spreads. The Company has deferred completions activity in the second quarter. Ovintiv has no long-term service commitments and is prepared to further adjust its investment and activity levels based on market conditions.
Ovintiv today doubled its full-year cash cost savings estimate to $200 million, with most of these savings projected into 2021 and beyond. Well costs in its core assets are expected to be 20% less in the remainder of 2020 and 2021 when compared to 2019 average results.
In response to low oil prices, a dynamicshut-in strategy has been developed and is based on variable costs/margins and price factors. Shutting in wells with higher variable costs allows volumes to be deferred into higher-priced periods in the future. Current netshut-in volumes are approximately 65 MBOE/d, including 35 Mbbls/d of crude and condensate.
Near-term scenarios for 2020 and 2021 have been provided within this release and the accompanying slide deck.
Strong Hedge Position Protects Cash Flow
Ovintiv is fully-hedged on near-term, benchmark oil price risk. For the second quarter, 203,000 bbls/d are hedged at an average of $42.09 per barrel. Of these positions, 188,000 bbls/d are in a fixed price swap at $41.47 per barrel and 15,000 bbls/d are covered by costless collars between $50.00 and $68.71 per barrel. “Benchmark” refers to NYMEX WTI. Natural gas hedges are also in place on approximately 1.2 Bcf/d.
Based on the forward strip as of April 30, second quarter realized risk management gains on benchmark oil and natural gas are expected to total approximately $500 million, and total $1.1 billion for thebalance-of-year-2020. Settlements for various other oil differential and natural gas basis positions in 2020 serve to further reduce risk.See the Hedge Volume and Hedging Price Sensitivity tables below.
Balance Sheet and Liquidity
Ovintiv’s $4 billion committed, unsecured credit facilities were recently renewed and extended through July 2024. The facilities have no reserve-based, cash flow, or EBITDA lending covenants or minimum credit rating requirements. The facilities’ primary financial covenant is debt to adjusted capitalization, which is not to exceed 60%. This ratio is based on book value only, not market capitalization. At March 31, 2020, the debt to adjusted capitalization ratio was 28%. The capitalization calculation adjustment includes a fixed $7.7 billion add back to capitalization.Full terms can be found as an exhibit to the Company’s 2019 Annual Report on Form10-K.
Current liquidity is approximately $3.4 billion, which represents the $4 billion credit facilities, available capacity on uncommitted demand lines andcash-on-hand, less the current commercial paper outstanding and the amount drawn on the facilities.