In a recent thought-provoking interview with Equity.Guru’s Chris Parry, Brian Williamson, Jericho Oil’s (JCO.V) CEO, reminded us that oil is probably the most geopolitically sensitive commodity there is. He also reminded us that we haven’t experienced a serious geopolitical shock in over a decade.
If conflict breaks out and threatens any one of our major shipping channels, now that the US has achieved energy self-sufficiency and isn’t patrolling foreigns waters with its usual gusto, the price of oil could go on a serious tear.
Currently, the price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) is building on recent strength, testing the $60.00 level in a chart pattern that’s looking pretty damn fine – a series of higher highs and higher lows:
Oil’s next stop is anyone’s guess. We could see some consolidation in and around the $61.50 level according to the trendline I drew above.
An opportunity in our stable of undervalued O&G micro-caps
Renaissance Oil (ROE.V) – a first mover in Mexico’s recently reformed energy sector – is all about developing that country’s untapped world-class shale potential.
After PEMEX, ROE is the third largest O&G producer in the country having been contracted to operate more on-shore blocks than any other independent company.
Amatitlán’s Upper Jurassic Shales, Tampico-Misantla Super Basin
Slide number five from the company’s investor deck outlines the potential of this prolific onshore block:
These Upper Jurassic Shales are the major source-rock for the worlds largest offshore oil field, not to mention THE most prolific oil well – Cerro Azul-4 – ever put into production.
- The Cantarell oil field peaked in 2003 producing 2.1 million barrels of oil per day.
- The Cerro Azul-4 well topped out at an astounding 260,000 barrels of oil per day.
Re Cerro Azul-4:
On Feb. 9, the well took a gas kick and water forced its way out of the hole. The next day, crews heard a deep rumbling and the ground began to shake. Suddenly, the drill line shot out of the hole, smashing the top of the derrick. Seven hours later, oil spouted out and formed a geyser nearly 600 feet into the air. By Feb. 15, flow was estimated at 152,000 barrels of oil per day. Workers capped the well on Feb. 19.
Renaissance’s 60,000 acres at Amatitlán, positioned in the heart of Tampico-Misanlta, shares the same geology as Cerro Azul-4. Its proximity to these geological marvels is reason enough to shortlist the company.
The latent potential of this onshore block – estimated to hold over six billion barrels of oil – was enough to attract and reassemble an oil sector dream team: Mitchell Energy’s core group who commercialized the 1st successful shale play in the US – ‘the Barnett Shale’ (Mitchell Energy was acquired by Devon Energy in 2002 for US$3.1 billion).
Renaissance’s partner in Mexico is Russian oil giant LUKOIL, a monster in the oil sector boasting production of 1.7 million b/d in operations and subsidiaries in over 40 countries around the world. (Mexico’s PEMEX is also along for the ride).
It’s important to note that Renaissance holds an option to increase its position in Amatitlán to 62.5%. It also holds a right of first refusal to acquire an interest in a 61,000-acre block adjacent and to the north of Amatitlán.
It’s not often a junior company wields this much control over a world-class asset with an industry giant as a partner. It says a lot about management, the skillsets they bring to the table, and the confidence they inspire.
Looking at the company’s current share price, I don’t believe it adequately reflects the value of this technical team – not even remotely.
Amatitlán, a closer look
Amatitlán is a multi-zone oil-rich onshore block with shallow conventional reservoirs and deeper unconventional development potential.
The blocks Upper Jurassic shales share many geological similarities to the Eagle Ford Shale in the US but are much thicker – 3.3 times thicker – giving Amatitlán heaps of economic potential.
Renaissance drilled eighteen wells last year accounting for roughly 11% of all the wells drilled in Mexico. Seventeen of these wells were brought into production. Number eighteen tested the deeper Upper Jurassic shales at Amatitlán.
Dan Jarvie, Renaissance’s Chief Geochemist, has been busy analyzing Tampico-Misantla’s source rock – he’s currently analyzing the cores and logs retrieved from this deep well.
Jarvie’s analysis shows the Upper Jurassic Formation at Amatitlán is well positioned in the volatile oil zone and rich wet gas zone – the sweet spot if you will. His analysis also suggests that this prolific formation is continuous as it thickens from east to west. The findings from this detailed analysis will set the stage for an aggressive drilling campaign scheduled to begin in 2H of this year.
Renaissance has plans to drill four horizontal wells in 2019 and 12 horizontal wells in 2020. Though the costs are steep, they’re shared by partner, LUKOIL.
The potential
Slide number 14 from the company’s investor deck demonstrates the shale play valuation lifecycle which could apply to the Amatitlán block:
In a well researched report tabled last October, Makalu International Equity Fund arrived at the following projections:
By 2021, we expect the project to be free cash flow positive and therefore able to self-finance all remaining capital expenditures.
Further:
Do note that we are being very conservative in our projections. By our estimates, Renaissance Oil’s block will be generating 30,000 barrels of oil equivalent/day in a few years. At a $27/boe margin, that works out to $300 million in profits, with half going to Renaissance. Putting a multiple of 10 times on it, would impute a value of $1.5 billion to Renaissance; which in turn works out to $3 a share fully diluted.
Clearly, Renaissance has the potential to move further up the foodchain; to become a big player in the O&G arena over the next few years.
Recent news
Those who know the O&G sector understand that drilling is a capital intensive game:
Renaissance Closes C$5 Million Private Placement of Convertible Debentures
These debentures have a term of five years, maturing on March 6, 2024, and bear interest at a rate of 8% per annum (cash), or 10% per annum (common shares of the company). Cash or shares – it’s the company’s option.
The debentures are convertible into ROE common at a price of C$0.25 per share at a ratio of 4,000 shares per C$1,000 principal amount. This one is at the holder’s option.
The net proceeds of the Offering will be used to aid in the Company’s ongoing efforts in securing oil and gas rights in Mexico, to fund capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes.
Elsewhere in the company’s Mexican project portfolio, and not to be dismissed, the Chiapas Blocks:
Renaissance won the three Chiapas blocks by very small differentials of less than 2.5% above each of the second place bid values. Well-attended auction processes saw over 40 companies vying to be the first onshore operators in Mexico’s historic privatization of the energy sector.
Damn, less than a 2.5% differential with 40 bidders all wanting in on the same projects. Nice shootin there Tex. Seriously, nice shottin!
Final thoughts
With 278.26 million shares outstanding, Renaissance has a current market cap of $40.35M. Based on the company’s potential to grow its production substantially over the medium term, its current share price/valuation is extremely attractive.
I’m told we’re roughly one month away from news.
END
~ ~ Dirk Diggler
Full disclosure: Renaissance Oil is an Equity Guru client. We own stock.