NWTR ~ New Western Energy Corp

NWTR Going International With 9 Acquisitions In 5 Years


Over the past year I have published several articles suggesting oil and gas companies of all sizes that investors should consider when trying to capitalize on the U.S. oil boom. As many of you already know, the United States is on pace to become the largest producer of oil in the world by 2015. Every single one of my oil and gas recommendations from 2013 are up nicely with two having gained as much as 40% and 50%. With that being said, I want to provide an in-depth look into perhaps the most unknown oil and gas company that I've mentioned that has the potential for a big year.

New Western Energy (OTCBB: OTCQB:NWTR) has projects in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Pennsylvania totaling 195 wells holding potential reserves over 20 million BOE. A method of valuing oil and gas companies is the ratio of market capitalization to proven reserves. In a report conducted by Zacks Investment Research, they chose to value New Western Energy at the median value $6.0 per barrel of oil equivalent when comparing similar small oil companies' valuation ratios and figures. Given an estimated reserve of 20.2 million barrels of oil, this implies a market capitalization of $125 million, nearly nine times greater than currently listed. In concluding their research report, Zacks Investment Research determined that a fair equity value for New Western Energy based on this ratio would be about 809% higher than its current share price and has an Outperform rating on the stock.

Too few investors are familiar with the name New Western Energy . You would think that a company with 8 successful acquisitions since 2009 that continues to increase production revenue and expand their lease portfolio would be getting more attention. Perhaps the company is undiscovered because there has been a history of losses that negatively impacted the ability to achieve business objectives. New Western needed additional funding to expand its drilling program which it received through a positive private placement in November, 2013. Without such additional capital the company will not be able to meet its objectives on a sustainable positive net free cash flow. However, things are quickly changing as the company continues to push forward expanding its portfolio. In fact, New Western Energy just announced a Letter of Intent to acquire Legend Oil and Gas Ltd. for what would be their 9th acquisition in the past five years. The acquisition would immediately add about 135 BOE/d or about $1.06 million per quarter with the potential to play in on about 110-150 BOE/d from shut properties with proven reserves. A deal would also expand New Western's lease portfolio into the exploding oil and gas area of Alberta, Canada as well as British Columbia. The northern Alberta reserve is the 3rd largest deposit in the world.

According to Javan Khazali, President of New Western Energy, "The strategic acquisition of Legend Oil not only increases our holdings in Kansas but also allows us to diversify our geographic portfolio outside of the U.S. and into the diverse energy region of Western Canada. From an operating strategy point of view, we will immediately accelerate revenue growth through our combined production rate while having opportunities to aggressively develop oil & gas properties in historically proven zones in the near term. We are extremely excited to join forces with the Legend Oil management team that has shown in-depth technical expertise and tremendous exploration and operation capabilities. We expect this value creation to reflect on our strong post -- transaction balance sheet with substantial increase in pro forma liquidity that will further enable us to continue organic growth and fund future acquisitions."

"The acquisition of Legend Oil by New Western creates a combined entity which substantially benefits the shareholders of both companies. The significant access to capital by New Western led by its President and CEO; Javan Khazali and the production assets and technical strengths of the Legend management team will create a larger production and revenue base as well as enhancing the management of the combined entities. We are excited about the potential for growth this business combination will afford in 2014 and beyond," said Marshall Diamond-Goldberg President/CEO of Legend Oil and Gas Ltd.

Completion of the acquisition will be subject to the negotiation and execution of a binding agreement and the satisfaction of a number of conditions, including, but not limited to each of New Western Energy and Legend Oil being satisfied with the results of their respective due diligence investigations.

This deal makes perfect sense for New Western Energy as risk is low with a potential high reward. Not only does it increase the company's lease holdings in Kansas, their core lease area, but it expands their portfolio into the oil and gas-rich lands of Canada. Legend Oil's 100% interest in the Piqua Project in Kansas will add 1,040 acres with 44 wells currently producing 18 BOPD to New Western's already 3,050 acre Kansas holdings. In 2011, an engineering evaluation of the Piqua Project determined there to be 97,461 barrels of proven reserves for a $2.6 million value when using a 10% discount for price volatility. Legend's maintained a 100% drill success rate here while managing a $25/barrel operating expense.

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Still, the most attractive part of this deal for New Western is establishing a footprint in Canada. Legend's 100% interest in the Berwyn/Grimshaw Project produces about 17 BOE/d while varying interests in locations of the 3,046 acre Medicine River Project yield about 45 BOE/d currently for the company. Legend Oil and Gas also owns a horizontal well completed in the Pekisko formation that, although has been shut, could still potentially produce 20-30 BOE/d once reactivated. Additional percent interests are also owned in the Leduc formation gas well. The well tested at 3.0 MMCF/d (million cubic feet per day) with 30-40 BOE/d per 1 MMCF for total potential of 90-120 BOE/d.

Along with its joint venture partner, Legend Oil and Gas owns a 40% interest in the 6,400 acre Joarcam property. This area has produced 55 million barrels of light oil to date and would enable New Western Energy to make its mark in eastern Alberta, Canada. This property currently produces about 1,000 BOE/d. Legend Oil and Gas also produces approximately 50 BOE/d of mainly oil from four minor properties in Alberta and B.C. Some are small interest properties, such as Fort St. John and Boundary Lake. Others, such as Inga B.C., are high interest properties with development potential. Inga carries a 90% working interest in ? section of land currently developed with one well producing over 11 BOPD.

New Western Gas Corporation Announces Commencement of Recompletion Operations for the Opening of Additional Payzones on Two of Its Existing Fredonia Gas Wells
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/wester...130000924.html