Filed by Hammerhead Energy Inc.
Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933
and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Subject Company: Decarbonization Plus Acquisition Corporation IV
Commission File No.: 001-40731
Hammerhead Resources Inc. Announces Production Results for 2022,
Expanded Credit Facility, Operational Update and Business Combination Update
CALGARY, ALBERTA – January 17, 2023 – Hammerhead Resources Inc. (“Hammerhead” or the “Company”) announces record operating results in 2022 with annual average production of 32,100 boe/d (approx. 43% liquids), representing 15% growth over 2021.
In the month of January, 2023, the Company reported a realized record peak production rate of over 41,000 boe/d (49% liquids) and average production for the first 10 days of January of 39,050 boe/d (50% liquids), following the recent start-up of a 9-well pad at North Karr. Average production rates for the 9-well pad for the first 10 days of January are in excess of 13,100 boe/d (68% liquids) flowing through the recently expanded infrastructure completed in Q4 2022. This pad follows up a 3-well pad in North Karr, which since being brought on stream in December 2021, has established an IP365 of 3,400 boe/d (53% liquids). Additional infrastructure expansion in the area is expected to be completed in Q1-23 as the Company continues development within this high-performing asset, with 7 additional North Karr wells expected to be brought on-stream in April 2023.
Hammerhead intends to deliver substantial production and cash flow growth over the next several years with a development-focused program across its top-tier asset base. It is expected that a continuous 2-rig program will be utilized in 2023 to drill approximately 40 wells, with 75% of drilling planned within the North and South Karr assets, directly offsetting recent strong well results. The Company continues to realize significant operational efficiency gains while maintaining key services, recently delivering a 12-day drill (3000m lateral length) in North Karr. Hammerhead expects significant growth while targeting free cash flow neutrality in 2023, inclusive of completing facility expansions in North and South Karr. In-field infrastructure capability by the end of 2023 is expected to be over 80,000 boe/d, and the Company expects to have ample egress capacity to support this infrastructure.
Throughout 2022, the Company entered into natural gas hedges to take advantage of what it viewed as opportunistic risk mitigation decisions given the movement in the natural gas markets. As a result of those decisions made prior to the recent correction in natural gas prices, the Company has hedged approximately 43% of its estimated AECO-exposed gas in 2023 with a collar that ranges from $4.51/GJ to $10.65/GJ for all of calendar year 2023. In addition, the Company has financially swapped approximately 41% of its AECO-exposed gas for April to September 2023 for $4.96/GJ. Approximately 51% of Hammerhead gas sales are physically diversified with firm egress contracts to Chicago, Dawn, Malin and Stanfield. The Company has hedged approximately 12% of estimated light oil production and no natural gas liquids production, providing upside exposure to expected potential strength in liquids pricing.
Hammerhead has also completed the semi-annual redetermination of its credit facilities with its syndicate of lenders effective December 15, 2022, which resulted in an increase in its borrowing base to $350 million from $300 million, and the addition of the Royal Bank of Canada (“RBC”) to the lending syndicate. The addition of RBC bolsters an already strong lending syndicate and has the potential to increase Hammerhead’s capital markets presence globally. Hammerhead’s leverage of 0.6x LQA EBITDA as at September 30, 2022 and continued balance sheet strength are expected to provide the liquidity necessary to execute on Hammerhead’s growth plans.