EXHIBIT 1
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HARVEST ENERGY TRUST - NEWS RELEASE
(HTE.UN - TSX; HTE - NYSE)
HARVEST ENERGY TRUST ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER 2005
FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESULTS
CALGARY, NOVEMBER 9, 2005 (TSX: HTE.UN; NYSE: HTE) - Harvest Energy Trust
("Harvest") today announces its operating and financial results for the three
and nine month periods ended September 30, 2005. All figures quoted in this
release are Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.
THIRD QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS:
o Highest quarterly funds flow from operations in the Trust's history of
$103.5 million or $2.14 per trust unit (basic), representing a 62%
increase over the second quarter of 2005 and a 51% increase over the same
period in 2004;
o Hay River acquisition completed on August 2, 2005, complementing Harvest's
existing Northern core area with 5,200 BOE/d of medium gravity crude oil;
o Payout ratio of 45% based on declared distributions of C$0.95 during the
quarter. Our low payout ratio affords us the financial strength to fund
our distributions and capital program as well as reduce debt in future
periods;
o $33.6 million invested in our capital development program during the
quarter, with approximately 64% allocated to drilling. Harvest drilled 20
net wells during the quarter and achieved a 98% success rate;
o Debt to third quarter annualized funds flow ratio is 1.0 times;
o Operating netbacks improved 53% over the second quarter of 2005 and 53%
over the third quarter of 2004 as a result of higher commodity prices,
narrowing heavy oil differentials, and the higher priced medium oil
production from Hay River;
o Production volumes averaged 37,549 barrels of oil equivalent per day
(BOE/d), 52% higher than the same period in the previous year and 9%
higher than the second quarter of 2005;
o Operating expenses were $8.96/BOE in the third quarter of 2005, which are
lower than our second quarter 2005 expenses ($9.08/BOE), but do not yet
fully reflect the asset optimization anticipated with Hay River;
o Extended our 10,000 bbl/day heavy oil differential hedge through the end
of 2006 at an effective 28.7% differential to the benchmark West Texas
Intermediate (WTI) price. Our differential hedges should allow us to
continue to realize similar differentials as those experienced in the
third quarter on our heavy oil sales;
o Realized hedge losses per BOE were lower than the previous quarter and
prior periods, despite WTI increasing more than U.S.$10 per barrel in the
quarter. Third quarter realized hedge losses were $6.85/BOE, compared to
$7.49/BOE in the second quarter of 2005 and $7.22/BOE in the third quarter
of 2004, which reflects the participating nature of our oil price hedges;
o NYSE listing completed in July, resulting in a three-fold increase to
liquidity and improved access to U.S. financial markets;
o Secured additional power hedges in 2007 and 2008 at a price of $55 per
megawatt hour (MWh) on approximately 60% of our anticipated power
consumption (2006 - 83%). This provides further protection as power costs
increase due to rising natural gas prices.
PRESS RELEASE NOVEMBER 9, 2005
HARVEST ENERGY TRUST PAGE 2 OF 5
THIRD QUARTER FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL SUMMARY
The table below provides a summary of Harvest's financial and operating results
for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004. Our
complete consolidated financial statements with accompanying notes and our
Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) will be available tonight on the
"Financial Information - Quarterly Reports" section of Harvest's website
(www.harvestenergy.ca) and filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).
($000'S, EXCEPT WHERE NOTED) Three months ended September 30 Nine months ended September 30
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FINANCIAL 2005 2004 Change 2005 2004 Change
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Revenue, net of royalties 169,654 85,096 99% 399,848 168,856 137%
Net income (loss)(5) 52,862 1,740 2938% 29,308 (359) --
Per Trust Unit, basic(5) $ 1.09 $ 0.06 1724% $ 0.66 $ (0.02) --
Per Trust Unit, diluted(5) $ 1.08 $ 0.06 1700% $ 0.64 $ (0.02) --
Funds flow from operations(4,5) 103,508 41,267 151% 213,412 72,372 195%
Per Trust Unit, basic(4,5) $ 2.14 $ 1.42 51% $ 4.78 $ 3.46 38%
Per Trust Unit, diluted(4,5) $ 2.09 $ 1.12 87% $ 4.55 $ 2.59 76%
Distributions per Trust Unit, declared(6) $ 0.95 $ 0.60 58% $ 2.15 $ 1.80 19%
Distributions declared 46,691 18,434 153% 108,957 39,740 174%
Payout ratio(2,4) 45% 45% 0% 46% 55% (9%)
Capital asset additions (excluding acquisitions) 33,594 13,182 155% 84,007 31,695 165%
Net acquisitions 209,666 513,815 100% 239,296 590,942 (60%)
Net debt(3,4) 418,169 403,372 4% 418,169 403,372 4%
Weighted average Trust Units outstanding, basic 48,306 29,058 66% 44,612 20,938 113%
Weighted average Trust Units outstanding, diluted 49,365 29,700 66% 45,719 20,938 118%
Trust Units outstanding, end of period 51,558 36,875 40% 51,558 36,875 40%
Trust Units fully diluted(7), end of period 55,680 44,851 24% 55,680 44,851 24%
OPERATING
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Daily sales volumes
Light oil (bbl/d) 10,076 9,087 11% 9,949 6,461 54%
Medium oil (bbl/d) 8,792 5,416 62% 6,669 4,553 46%
Heavy oil (bbl/d) 13,735 7,894 74% 13,906 6,271 122%
Natural gas liquids (bbl/d) 850 377 125% 810 190 326%
Natural gas (mcf/d) 24,574 11,909 106% 26,839 5,049 432%
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Total (BOE/d)(1) 37,549 24,759 52% 35,807 18,317 95%
OPERATING NETBACK(4) ($/BOE)(1)
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Revenues 60.39 44.83 35% 49.27 40.43 22%
Realized loss on derivative contracts (6.85) (7.22) (5%) (6.76) (7.52) (10%)
Royalties (11.28) (7.47) 51% (8.37) (6.78) 23%
As a percent of revenue (%) 18.7% 16.7% 2% 17.0% 16.8% 0%
Operating expense(8) (8.96) (8.34) 7% (8.87) (9.22) (4%)
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Operating netback(4) 33.30 21.80 53% 25.27 16.90 50%
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NOTE 1 NATURAL GAS CONVERTED TO BARREL OF OIL EQUIVALENT (BOE) ON A 6:1 BASIS.
NOTE 2 RATIO OF DISTRIBUTIONS, EXCLUDING SPECIAL DISTRIBUTION, TO FUNDS FLOW
FROM OPERATIONS. IN THE THIRD QUARTER, REFLECTS DISTRIBUTIONS DECLARED
OF $0.25 (JULY) AND $0.35 (AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER) PER UNIT.
NOTE 3 NET DEBT IS BANK DEBT, SENIOR NOTES, EQUITY BRIDGE NOTES, CONVERTIBLE
DEBENTURES AND ANY WORKING CAPITAL DEFICIT EXCLUDING THE CURRENT
PORTION OF DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS, FUTURE INCOME TAX AND THE ACCOUNTING
LIABILITY RELATED TO OUR TRUST UNIT INCENTIVE PLAN..
NOTE 4 THESE ARE NON-GAAP MEASURES; PLEASE REFER TO "CERTAIN FINANCIAL
REPORTING MEASURES" INCLUDED IN OUR MD&A.
NOTE 5 PRIOR YEAR RESTATED TO REFLECT ADOPTION OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
WITH RESPECT TO EXCHANGEABLE SHARES AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS. SEE NOTE
2 TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
NOTE 6 AS IF THE TRUST UNIT WAS HELD THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD.
NOTE 7 FULLY DILUTED UNITS DIFFER FROM DILUTED UNITS FOR PURPOSES OF
CALCULATING EARNINGS PER UNIT AND FUNDS FLOW PER UNIT, AND IS MEANT TO
REFLECT THE NUMBER OF UNITS WHICH WOULD BE OUTSTANDING IF ALL
POTENTIALLY DILUTIVE ELEMENTS WERE EXERCISED. FULLY DILUTED INCLUDES
TRUST UNITS OUTSTANDING AS AT SEPTEMBER 30 PLUS THE IMPACT OF THE
CONVERSION OR EXERCISE OF EXCHANGEABLE SHARES, TRUST UNIT RIGHTS AND
CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES IF CONVERTED AT SEPTEMBER 30.
NOTE 8 INCLUDES REALIZED GAIN ON ELECTRICITY DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS OF $0.43
($0.24 - 2004) AND $0.18 ($0.29 - 2004) FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTH
PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 AND 2004, RESPECTIVELY.
PRESS RELEASE NOVEMBER 9, 2005
HARVEST ENERGY TRUST PAGE 3 OF 5
THIRD QUARTER MESSAGE TO UNITHOLDERS
During the third quarter, we enjoyed another successful period of growth and
development as we increased distributions and continued to build the Trust's
assets for future performance. We achieved significant per unit distribution
increases, strengthened our asset base and financial structure and achieved the
highest quarterly funds flow from operations in Harvest's history at $2.14 per
basic trust unit (an increase of 62% over the second quarter of 2005).
Specific highlights during the quarter include increasing our monthly
distribution by 75% while still retaining a low payout ratio of 45%; investing
$33.6 million in property enhancement activities, which included drilling 20
wells with a 98% success rate; closing the Hay River property acquisition and
concurrent financing; listing our trust units for trading on the New York Stock
Exchange (NYSE); and implementing an enhanced Distribution Reinvestment, Premium
Distribution(TM), and Optional Trust Unit Purchase Plan for our Canadian
resideNT unitholders. Each of these initiatives contributed to the long-term
sustainability of Harvest.
On August 2, we added approximately 5,200 barrels of oil equivalent per day
(BOE/day) of crude oil from the Hay River, B.C. property acquisition. A full
quarter's impact from Hay River will be reflected in Harvest's fourth quarter
results. Hay River is an excellent fit with our existing portfolio, and enhances
our already significant development inventory. Furthermore, Hay River's lower
operating costs and premium price realizations relative to the benchmark for
medium gravity crude oil help to strengthen our overall corporate netbacks. We
anticipate significant drilling activity (approximately 30 wells) in the area
during this winter drilling season.
Our commitment to sustainability is supported by our strong financial position.
We believe that we can maintain our C$0.35 per trust unit monthly distribution
level through a downturn in oil prices due to our low payout ratio and our
hedging program. Our hedging strategy underpins our cash flow and provides
stability during volatile crude oil price environments by providing downside
protection while allowing for upside participation. For example, Harvest's 2006
hedging program would enable us to sustain the current monthly distribution
level of $0.35 per unit, finance a significant capital program, and generate an
annual payout ratio of approximately 75% even if crude oil prices should drop to
U.S.$40 per barrel for all of 2006. We have not hedged any of our natural gas
production, and therefore have fully benefited from rising natural gas spot
prices in Alberta.
Our capital development program, which is designed to replace naturally
declining production and reserves by making prudent investments in low-risk
property enhancement projects, further demonstrates our commitment to
sustainability. During the third quarter, Harvest invested approximately $33.6
million in our capital development program, with 64% of that amount allocated to
drilling. Our third quarter drilling activities were focused in Southern Alberta
and Saskatchewan, where we drilled 7 and 11 net wells, respectively. We also
drilled one well in each of East Central and North Central Alberta, for a total
of 20 net wells in the quarter, and achieved an overall success rate of 98%. We
expect to drill approximately 90 net wells in 2005, while continuing to dedicate
resources to our ongoing optimization and efficiency projects. We will continue
to focus on operating efficiency measures in our capital program, and remain
committed to operating cost reductions. Operating costs have increased due to
very significant power price increases impacting our small unhedged power volume
requirement.
During the quarter, we invested in optimization projects such as a water
handling expansion at Chauvin to add pumping capacity, and the deepening of
injection wells at Hayter, Big Marsh and Moose Valley to improve the efficiency
of water reinjection at these properties. Infrastructure additions were also
completed during the quarter, with a satellite field treating facility added in
Hazelwood, and a fluid processing facility installed in West Provost. Subsequent
to the end of the quarter, we expanded our 2005 capital budget to approximately
$130 million to pursue additional value adding projects identified by our
operational teams. This reflects the second supplement to our 2005 capital
program as our technical teams were able to identify and support solid economic
investment opportunities as their knowledge of our properties has matured. The
full impact of this optimization capital is expected to be realized as the
majority of the new production comes on-line during the first quarter of 2006.
We are also finalizing our operating budget for 2006, which is expected to be
complete by early December, after which time we will be providing our guidance
for 2006.
Third quarter production volumes averaged 37,549 BOE/d, and include the addition
of the Hay River production from August 2 through September 30. Several factors
combined during the quarter to result in lower realized oil production relative
to capacity. An unscheduled outage and subsequent repairs at our Suffield
property impacted production for 6 days, and production was further impacted by
wet ground conditions in Alberta and Saskatchewan delaying completion of
scheduled workovers and other projects. However, the impact of these items was
partially mitigated by new drilling activity in our Hazelwood and East Hayter
areas where production was initiated sooner than expected. Our third quarter
operating expenses were $8.96 per BOE and reflect the rising cost environment
and short-term production outages. This is slightly less than the second quarter
($9.08/BOE), but still higher than we believe is achievable with our asset base.
PRESS RELEASE NOVEMBER 9, 2005
HARVEST ENERGY TRUST PAGE 4 OF 5
We also strengthened our capital structure during the quarter by concluding a
financing of 6.5 million trust units at $26.90 for $175 million, and $75 million
of 6.5% convertible debentures with a conversion price of $31.00. The proceeds
from this offering were primarily used to repay bank debt incurred in acquiring
the Hay River property. By the end of the quarter our net debt was reduced to
approximately $418 million from $437 million at the end of the second quarter,
and we increased annualized funds flow from operations by $183 million. This has
resulted in quarter end net debt to annualized funds flow of 1.0 times - a
figure that reinforces our strong capital structure and is in line with our
peers. Harvest units also realized a dramatic improvement in trading liquidity
with a listing on the NYSE. Total trading volumes increased by 194% relative to
the second quarter.
With our current capital structure and approximately $350 million of undrawn
borrowing capacity, we are well positioned to take advantage of any acquisition
opportunities that may arise. Our criteria for acquisition opportunities include
return on equity and upside potential. We are not limited to a narrow range of
property types, commodity types or RLI. We have the advantage of remaining
opportunistic toward the acquisition marketplace due to our deep portfolio of
future development opportunities that currently offers several years of drilling
locations.
For 2005, we anticipate production volumes to average between 36,250 and 36,750
BOE per day, operating expenses of $8.75 to $9.00 per BOE, development capital
expenditures of approximately $130 million, and cash G&A (before unit right
compensation expenses) between $1.00 and $1.10 per BOE.
Harvest has positioned itself with a strong balance sheet, significant commodity
price protection and a large undrawn debt facility to allow us to be
opportunistic. We have a solid asset base, a prudent risk management program, a
strong capital structure, and a dedicated team. With these fundamentals, Harvest
will continue to focus on long-term sustainability and our goal of maintaining
or increasing funds flow per unit.
GOVERNMENT POLICY INITIATIVES
In a consultation paper issued on September 8, 2005, the Canadian Federal
Government expressed concerns about several economic policy issues arising from
the recent proliferation of income trusts in Canada. These concerns included the
impact on the Canadian economy and possible reductions to overall federal tax
revenues. The Government has requested comments and feedback from interested
stakeholders regarding the tax treatment of income trusts by December 31, 2005.
The government of Alberta has expressed similar concerns regarding the impact of
energy trusts on tax revenues, although it has acknowledged the benefits to
Alberta and the energy industry in general arising from energy trust investment
activity.
Energy income trusts fill a vital and active role in the Canadian energy sector.
The current tax treatment of energy trusts is crucial to enable the Canadian
energy industry to attract the capital necessary to meet Canada's current and
future energy needs. Energy trusts also provide a ready source of capital to
more conventional exploration focused oil and natural gas corporations through
acquisitions and further development of their mature properties. Harvest is
working to ensure that its views and the views of its unitholders are
represented to both the provincial and federal governments, through support
given to industry associations.
We encourage existing or potential unitholders and other stakeholders who wish
to voice their support for the preservation of the current income trust taxation
structure to contact the Department of Finance via the following Web site:
www.fin.gc.ca/admin/contact-e.html. Alberta resident unitholders can contact
their Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) via the following website
http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_home to provide feedback on the
Alberta government's concerns with respect to trusts. Harvest's website at
www.harvestenergy.ca includes a list of contact information for all Canadian
Members of Parliament (MP) and we encourage all Canadian resident unitholders to
contact their MP to express their views.
THIRD QUARTER 2005 CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST
Harvest will be conducting a conference call for interested analysts, brokers
and investors regarding our third quarter 2005 results at 9:00 a.m. Mountain
time (11:00 a.m. Eastern time) on November 10th, 2005.
Callers may dial 1-877-888-3855 (international callers or Toronto local dial
416-695-6622) a few minutes prior to start and request the Harvest conference
call. The call will also be available for replay by dialing 1-866-518-1010
(international callers or Toronto local dial 416-695-5275). No passcode is
required.
Webcast listeners are invited to go to the Investor Relations - Presentations &
Events page of the Harvest Energy website at www.harvestenergy.ca for the live
Webcast and/or a replay of the Webcast.
Harvest Energy Trust is a Calgary based energy trust actively managed to
maintain or increase cash flow per unit through its strategy of acquiring,
enhancing and producing crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids. Harvest
PRESS RELEASE NOVEMBER 9, 2005
HARVEST ENERGY TRUST PAGE 5 OF 5
trust units are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol
"HTE.UN" and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol "HTE". The
outstanding Trust Units of Harvest Energy Trust more likely than not will be
properly classified as equity rather than as debt for U.S. federal income tax
purposes. Please visit Harvest's website at www.harvestenergy.ca for additional
corporate information and a recent corporate presentation.
INVESTOR & MEDIA CONTACTS:
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JACOB ROORDA
President CORPORATE HEAD OFFICE:
Harvest Energy Trust
- -------------------------- 2100, 330 - 5th Avenue S.W.
DAVID RAIN Calgary, AB Canada T2P 0L4
Vice President & CFO
PHONE: (403) 265-1178
- -------------------------- TOLL FREE: (866) 666-1178
CINDY GRAY Fax: (403) 265-3490
Investor Relations & EMAIL: information@harvestenergy.ca
Communications Advisor WEBSITE: www.harvestenergy.ca
gray@harvestenergy.ca
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ADVISORY: Certain information regarding Harvest Energy Trust and its
subsidiaries including management's assessment of future plans and operations,
may constitute forward-looking statements under applicable securities law and
necessarily involve risks associated with oil and natural gas development,
production, marketing and transportation such as loss of market, volatility of
prices, currency fluctuations, imprecision of reserve estimates, environmental
risks, competition from other producers and ability to access sufficient capital
from internal and external sources; as a consequence, actual results may differ
materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements.