InPlay Oil Corp.: Q3 2024 Results and Strategic Moves

InPlay Oil Corp. (TSX: IPO) (OTCQX: IPOOF) recently announced its financial and operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, highlighting the company's resilience and strategic initiatives. This article delves into the key aspects of InPlay's Q3 2024 performance, focusing on its hedging strategy, operational enhancements, and the significance of the Pembina Cardium Unit 7 (PCU7) development.

InPlay's hedging strategy has played a pivotal role in maintaining its financial stability. The company has hedged approximately 50% of its natural gas and light crude oil production for the fourth quarter of 2024, as well as around 45% and 30% of natural gas and light crude oil production, respectively, for the first quarter of 2025. These hedges, implemented at favorable pricing levels, are currently in the money, mitigating risk and safeguarding the company's capital program. This strategy has allowed InPlay to maintain a strong balance sheet, with forecasted net debt to EBITDA of 0.7x to 0.8x for 2024, among the lowest in its peer group.

Operational enhancements in drilling and completions have led to significant cost reductions for InPlay. The all-in cost of the latest three-well pad in the PCU7 area was approximately 25% lower than forecast, demonstrating the effectiveness of these improvements. This reduction in costs is attributed to advancements in drilling and completion techniques since the last wells were drilled in the area in spring 2022. The Company is confident that these cost savings will continue to be achieved in the area, with a significant portion of the 2025 capital budget allocated to PCU7. This will enable InPlay to benefit from continued enhanced capital efficiencies, further strengthening the Company's financial position.

The resumption of operations and development in the PCU7 area has significantly boosted InPlay's production and financial performance. The company drilled four extended reach horizontal (ERH) wells in PCU7 during the third quarter, with one well on production in September and a three-well pad coming on production in October. The three-well pad outperformed internal expectations with average initial production (IP) rates per well of 480 boe/d (66% light crude oil and NGLs) over the first 22 days. Operational enhancements in drilling and completions since the last wells drilled in PCU7 (spring 2022) led to significant cost reductions, with the all-in cost of the latest three-well pad coming in approximately 25% lower than forecast. As a result, InPlay's current production, based on field estimates, is approximately 9,740 boe/d (58% light crude oil and NGLs), and the annual production forecast remains unchanged at 8,700 – 9,000 boe/d (58% – 60% light crude oil and NGLs). The Company's leverage metrics are expected to remain among the lowest in its peer group, with a forecasted net debt to EBITDA of 0.7x – 0.8x for 2024.



In conclusion, InPlay Oil Corp.'s Q3 2024 results demonstrate the company's commitment to strategic decision-making and operational excellence. Through its hedging strategy, operational enhancements, and the successful development of the PCU7 area, InPlay has positioned itself for continued growth and financial stability. As the company continues to allocate a significant portion of its capital budget to PCU7, investors can expect InPlay to maintain its competitive edge in the oil and gas industry.

Word count: 598