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Serinus Q2 2015 Financial and Operating Results

August 13, 2015 6:15 PM EDT

CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 08/13/15 -- Serinus Energy Inc. ("Serinus", "SEN" or the "Company") (TSX: SEN) (WARSAW: SEN), is pleased to report its financial and operating results for the quarter ended June 30, 2015.

Second Quarter Highlights


--  Total working interest production (consisting of the Company's
    production in Tunisia plus its 70% interest in Ukraine) in the second
    quarter was 3,993 boe/d, down 20% vs. Q2 2014, and 9% lower than the
    4,406 boe/d in Q1 2015. The major cause of the decline was the shut-in
    of the Sabria Field due to protests in the area. Production resumed in
    late July and rates are approaching the pre-shut in levels of
    approximately 700 boe/d (SEN WI, 1,550 boe/d gross).
--  Gross revenues for the quarter were $22.3 million, down 12% vs. Q1 2015
    and 46% from Q2 2014. The shut-in of the Sabria field was the primary
    factor for the drop relative to Q1 2015. Lower world commodity prices
    and lower production in Ukraine due to government interference in the
    gas market also contributed to the shortfall relative to Q2 2014. The
    portion allocable to SEN shareholders was $17.7 million vs. $32.8
    million last year. The balance is attributable to the owner of the
    remaining 30% of KUBGAS Holdings Limited not held by Serinus. KUBGAS
    Holdings owns 100% of KUB-Gas LLC ("KUB-Gas"), which owns 100% of and
    operates the Ukraine Licences.
--  Netbacks in Ukraine were substantially unchanged at $11.50/boe
    (1.92/Mcfe) in Q2 vs. $11.53/boe ($1.92/Mcfe) in Q1 2015. The average
    gas price decreased by 9% vs. the first quarter and operating costs
    increased by 26%, but these were offset by an 18% reduction in the
    effective royalties as the two year relief period for wells drilled
    after August 1, 2014 was reinstated, thereby reducing the royalties paid
    on gas from the M-17 well.
--  Tunisian netbacks fell from $30.53/boe in Q1 2015 to $24.32/boe in Q2.
    The Sabria Field shut-in caused a 51% increase in per boe operating
    expenses as many of those costs are fixed. This was partially offset by
    slightly higher commodity prices.
--  Funds from Operations in the second quarter were $5.2 million, up 21%
    compared to $4.3 million in Q1 2015 and down 77% to vs. $22.2 million in
    Q2 2014. The amount allocable to SEN shareholders was $4.5 million.
    Lower production and netbacks were more than offset by realized foreign
    exchange gains, primarily due to a partial recovery in the UAH/USD rate.
--  The net income for the quarter, before currency charges, was $0.5
    million ($0.05 million attributable to SEN shareholders), as compared to
    an $8.7 million profit in Q2 2014 ($5.3 million attributable to SEN
    shareholders). The major contributing factors were the lower production
    rates and commodity prices and higher royalties.
--  Capital expenditures for the quarter were $3.7 million vs. $16.1 million
    for the same period in 2014.

Notes: Serinus prepares its financial results on a consolidated basis, which includes 100% of its indirectly 70% owned subsidiary, KUB-Gas LLC ("KUB-Gas"). Unless otherwise noted by the phrases "allocable to Serinus", "net to Serinus", "attributable to SEN shareholders" or "net to SEN WI", all values and volumes refer to the consolidated figures. Serinus reports in US dollars; all dollar values referred to herein, whether in dollars or per share values are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.


Summary Financial Results (US$ 000's unless otherwise noted)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Three Months Ending June 30
                                          ----------------------------------
                                          ----------------------------------
                                                 2015        2014   Change
                                          ----------------------------------
Oil and Gas Revenue                            22,343      41,635      (46%)

Net Income (as reported)                          549       8,733      (94%)
            per share, basic and diluted        $0.01       $0.11

Net Income (allocable to SEN)                      49       5,344      (99%)
            per share, basic and diluted        $0.00       $0.07

Comprehensive Net Income                        3,483       6,737      (48%)
            per share, basic and diluted        $0.04       $0.09

Funds from Operations (as reported)             5,168      20,840      (75%)
            per share, basic and diluted        $0.07       $0.27

Funds from Operations (allocable to SEN)       $4,489     $15,778      (72%)
            per share, basic and diluted         0.06       $0.20

Capital Expenditures                            3,686      16,059      (77%)

Average Production (net to Serinus)
  Oil         (Bbl/d)                             951         982       (3%)
  Gas         (Mcf/d)                          17,870      23,293      (23%)
  Liquids     (Bbl/d)                              64         101      (37%)
                                          ------------------------
                                          ------------------------
  BOE         (boe/d)                           3,993       4,965      (20%)

Average Sales Price
  Oil         ($/Bbl)                           63.48     $108.13
  Gas         ($Mcf)                            $7.34      $10.56
  Liquids     ($Bbl)                            43.59      $77.79
                                          ------------------------
                                          ------------------------
  BOE         ($/boe)                          $48.67      $76.72

                                                          June 30
                                          ------------------------
                                                 2015        2014
                                          ------------------------
Cash & Equivalents                             12,484      15,719
Working Capital                                (7,865)    (11,727)
Long Term Debt                                 44,947      15,413

Shares
            Outstanding, period end        78,629,941  78,629,941
            Average for period (basic)     78,629,941  78,629,941
            Average for period (FD)        78,629,941  78,629,941
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) Funds from Operations is not a recognized measure under IFRS. See
    Management's Discussion and Analysis for further information on non-IFRS
    measures.

Operational Highlights & Update

Second quarter production and prices are broken down as follows:


                   Q2 2015 Production(1)           Q2 2015 Commodity Prices
                --------------------------        --------------------------
                 Ukraine(2) Tunisia  Total            Ukraine Tunisia  Total
                --------------------------        --------------------------
                --------------------------        --------------------------

Oil      (bbl/d)          -     951    951 ($/bbl)          -  $63.48 $63.48
Gas      (Mcf/d)     16,339   1,531 17,870 ($/Mcf)      $7.14   $9.50  $7.34
Liquids  (bbl/d)         64       -     64 ($/bbl)     $43.59       - $43.77
                --------------------------        --------------------------
Boe      (boe/d)      2,787   1,206  3,993 ($/boe)     $42.86  $62.12 $48.67
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.  Numbers may not add due to rounding
2.  Ukraine volumes are Serinus 70% interest

Note on nomenclature: Wells in the Company's Ukraine properties are named by the initial of the field followed by a well number. Wells in Olgovskoye, Makeevskoye, Vergunskoye, Krutogorovskoye, North Makeevskoye and West Olgovskoye fields use the prefixes "O", "M", "V", "K", "NM" and "WO" respectively. For example, the Makeevskoye-17 well is referred to herein as M-17.


--  Production for the second quarter of 3,993 boe/d decreased by 9% vs. Q1
    2015 (4,406 boe/d). Production in Tunisia was negatively affected by the
    shut-in of the Sabria Field at the end of May. Gas production in Ukraine
    remains comparable to Q1 2015 and continues to suffer from lingering
    effects of legislation that reserved a large portion of the natural gas
    market for the state owned National Joint Stock Company Naftogaz
    ("Naftogaz"). These laws were challenged in the Ukrainian courts, and
    after two appeals, the High Administrative Court of Ukraine dismissed
    the government's claims in their entirety on March 31, 2015, but the
    market continues to be slow to re-adjust. Management estimates that
    sales volumes in Ukraine were approximately 2 MMcf/d (1.4 MMcf/d SEN WI)
    below productive capacity.
--  Overall production from Tunisia for Q2 was 1,206 boe/d, 24% lower than
    the 1,579 boe/d in Q1 2015. Oil averaged 951 bbl/d, and gas was 1.5
    MMcf/d. The major cause of this decrease was shut-in of the Sabria
    Field.
--  Winstar Satu Mare S.A. ("Winstar"), a wholly owned subsidiary of
    Serinus, received a 3 year extension to the exploration period for the
    Satu Mare Concession ("Satu Mare") in northwest Romania. Work
    obligations pursuant to the extension include the drilling of two wells,
    and, at the Company's option, either the acquisition of 120 km2of new 3D
    seismic data or to drill a third well. The two firm wells must be
    drilled to minimum depths of 1,500 and 2,000 metres respectively, and if
    so elected, the third well to a depth of 2,500 metres. The extension was
    approved by the National Agency for Mineral Resources ("NAMR") and is
    subject to ratification by several government ministries.
--  Winstar currently holds a 60% interest in Satu Mare. The holder of the
    remaining 40% has given notice pursuant to the operating agreement that
    it intends to withdraw from Satu Mare, and assign its interest in the
    concession agreement to the Company. In accordance with the provisions
    of the joint operating agreement, the other interest holder has executed
    an agreement that among other things, provides that it will hold the 40%
    interest in trust for Winstar until such time as it could formally
    transfer that interest to WInstar, giving the Company an effective 100%
    working interest.
--  In April, the Moftinu-1001 well in Romania achieved a maximum test rate
    of 7.4 MMcf/d and 19 bbl/d of condensate with only trace amounts of
    water. Management estimates that the P50 recoverable resources from this
    discovery are 18 Bcf.
--  Test results from the Moftinu-1002bis well indicated a tight formation
    with formation damage, consistent with apparent porosities observed on
    logs and the use of heavy fluids to control washout and hole collapse
    during drilling. The well produced an average of 2.8 MMcf/d for 30
    minutes, then declined to 245 Mcf/d over the following two hours. Data
    quality was poor, but Moftinu-1002bis does prove the existence of
    movable hydrocarbons in the four Miocene sands tested. The Company
    estimates that the tested zones contain 27 Bcf (P50) of original gas in
    place, although eventual recovery factors will be contingent upon
    identifying suitable drilling and completion techniques to allow
    commercial production rates.
--  Production from the Winstar-13 ("WIN-13") well commenced on April 28.
    Rates varied between 170 - 235 boe/d until the Sabria Field was shut-in
    in late May. The Company plans to collect additional production and
    pressure data on WIN-13 now that is has resumed production and, if the
    results so indicate, initiate a remedial program.
--  The M-22 well in Ukraine has been suspended and added to the list of
    wells being considered for fracture stimulation (see Outlook - Ukraine
    below). The S13, S13a and S13b zones were all non-commercial despite
    initially appearing promising on logs. The S6 zone did build up pressure
    after perforating and produced gas at rates too small to measure. The
    well has been suspended with a wellhead and tubulars appropriate for
    frac'ing. If successful, M-22 will qualify for the reduced royalty rate
    of 30.25% for its first two years of production under the current
    royalty regime (see also Ukraine Legislative Developments below).
--  In July, a workover rig moved on to the NM-3 well, originally drilled in
    2013, which found small amounts of oil in the Visean formation.
    Additional perforations were shot in a higher interval, but there were
    no signs of hydrocarbons. The Company understands that this operation
    will fulfill the work obligations required to retain the North
    Makeevskoye licence and KUB-Gas staff have commenced the extension
    application process.

Ukraine Legislative Developments

Although subsequently overturned by the Ukrainian courts, three bills passed in November 2014, which cumulatively required 170 of the largest gas consumers in Ukraine to purchase their gas solely from Naftogaz, continue to affect the market. With a large portion of the natural gas market unavailable, competition intensified between private producers for the few remaining creditworthy customers, inhibiting both prices and volumes. Management estimates that KUB-Gas' total sales volumes were approximately 2 MMcf/d below its productive capacity for the second quarter. The Limit Price (the maximum price set by regulators each month that can be charged to industrial customers) averaged 6,870 UAH/Mcm (approximately $8.92/Mcf) during the second quarter, but the increased competition resulted in a realized price of $7.14/Mcf. As royalties are calculated on the Limit Price rather than the actual received, effective royalty rates were higher than the nominal published rates.

On January 1, 2015, the government made permanent the royalty rates of 55% and 45% for gas and oil respectively, and eliminated the provision for the "lowering coefficient" for wells commencing production after August 1, 2014, under which the royalty rate for gas from new wells was reduced to 30.25% for the first two years of production. On March 3, 2015, a bill was enacted reinstating that relief period effective April 1, 2015, making KUB-Gas' M-17 well eligible for the lower rate. With the requalification of M-17 plus given the disparity between the Limit Price and realized prices as mentioned above, the effective aggregate royalty rate in Q2 was 57.4%, down from 63.9% in Q1.

On June 4, 2015, the National Bank of Ukraine announced that the restrictions on foreign currency transactions first imposed in September 2014. (and later expanded) have been extended until September 3, 2015.

Outlook

Average daily production (SEN WI) for the third quarter to date was approximately 3,970 boe/d (966 bbl/d of oil, 17.7 MMcf/d of gas, 55 bbl/d of liquids). Since the re-start of the Sabria Field in late July, production has averaged 4,392 boe/d (1,240 bbl/d of oil, 18.6 MMcf/d of gas, 57 bbl/d of liquids).

Ukraine

The Limit Price for August at which gas can be sold to industrial customers in Ukraine is 6,600 UAH per Mcm. At the current exchange rate of 21.45 UAH/USD, that is equivalent to $8.67/Mcf. The price that KUB-Gas receives has been 15% - 20% lower, reflecting the margins of the traders through whom the gas is sold, and lingering effects of the erstwhile gas market restrictions.

The Company is considering hydraulic stimulations for the O-11, O-15 and M-22 wells. If approved, the campaign will take place during the fall of 2015.

A compression unit has been installed at the Olgovskoye Field facilities to address sales gas dew point issues, and is now in operation. Production rates remain limited by market conditions, but as and when demand recovers, management estimates that the compressor will add approximately 2 MMcf/d (gross) of capacity.

Tunisia

All wells in Sabria have been returned to production after the shut-in.

Romania

The Company is currently refining the development drilling program and has commenced preliminary design of the required surface facilities for the Moftinu-1001 gas discovery. Pending the various permits and approvals required and obtaining financing for the project, drilling and construction could commence in mid-2016, with commercial production in early 2017. Development of this discovery will include up to three additional wells plus surface facilities, costing approximately $16 million.

Given the success in Moftinu, the Company is also proceeding to refine and expand the exploration inventory within the concession. Based on older vintage 2D seismic data and existing wells, management has identified over 25 leads and prospects with risked, Pmean prospective resources of 59.7 MMboe (Company estimate). These prospective resources are in addition to the above mentioned discoveries at Moftinu. The exploration program will include shooting 3D seismic over the Berveni and Madaras areas, both of which are identified in Serinus' latest corporate presentation, available at www.serinusenergy.com. Pending those seismic results, further technical analysis and availability of financing, Serinus anticipates testing these prospects over the next several years.

Supporting Documents

The full Management Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") and Financial Statements have been filed in English on www.sedar.com and in Polish and English via the ESPI system, and will also be available on www.serinusenergy.com.


Abbreviations

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
bbl     Barrel(s)                      bbl/d   Barrels per day
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
boe     Barrels of Oil Equivalent      boe/d   Barrels of Oil Equivalent per
                                               day
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mcf     Thousand Cubic Feet            Mcf/d   Thousand Cubic Feet per day
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
MMcf    Million Cubic Feet             MMcf/d  Million Cubic Feet per day
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mcfe    Thousand Cubic Feet Equivalent Mcfe/d  Thousand Cubic Feet
                                               Equivalent per day
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
MMcfe   Million Cubic Feet Equivalent  MMcfe/d Million Cubic Feet Equivalent
                                               per day
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mboe    Thousand boe                   Bcf     Billion Cubic Feet
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
MMboe   Million boe                    Mcm     Thousand Cubic Metres
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
UAH     Ukrainian Hryvnia              USD     U.S. Dollar
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAD     Canadian Dollar
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cautionary Statement:

BOEs may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A BOE conversion ratio of 6 Mcf:1 bbl is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.

Test results are not necessarily indicative of long-term performance or of ultimate recovery. Test data contained herein is considered preliminary until full pressure transient analysis is complete.

About Serinus

Serinus is an international upstream oil and gas exploration and production company that owns and operates projects in Ukraine, Tunisia, and Romania.

Translation: This news release has been translated into Polish from the English original.

Forward-looking Statements This release may contain forward-looking statements made as of the date of this announcement with respect to future activities that either are not or may not be historical facts. Although the Company believes that its expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date hereof, any potential results suggested by such statements involve risk and uncertainties and no assurance can be given that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Various factors that could impair or prevent the Company from completing the expected activities on its projects include that the Company's projects experience technical and mechanical problems, there are changes in product prices, failure to obtain regulatory approvals, the state of the national or international monetary, oil and gas, financial, political and economic markets in the jurisdictions where the Company operates and other risks not anticipated by the Company or disclosed in the Company's published material. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties and actual results may vary materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statement. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements in this announcement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this announcement, unless required by law.

Contacts:
Serinus Energy Inc. - Canada
Norman W. Holton
Vice Chairman
+1-403-264-8877
[email protected]

Serinus Energy Inc. - Canada
Gregory M. Chornoboy
Director - Capital Markets & Corporate Development
+1-403-264-8877
[email protected]

Serinus Energy Inc. - Poland
Jakub J. Korczak
Vice President Investor Relations & Managing Director CEE
+48 22 414 21 00
[email protected]
www.serinusenergy.com

Source: Serinus Energy Inc.



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