Bellatrix Exploration Ltd. (NYSE: BXE) has announced that Grafton Energy Co. I Ltd. has elected to exercise their option to increase their committed capital investment by an additional $50 million, for a total commitment of $250 million, on the same terms and conditions as the previously announced joint venture. Grafton's increased capital investment will continue to support the accelerated development of a portion of Bellatrix's extensive undeveloped land holdings.
The Grafton JV is located in the Willesden Green and Brazeau areas of West-Central Alberta. Under the terms of the amended agreement prior to the exercise of this option, Grafton was committed to contributing 82%, or $200 million, to the $244 million JV to participate in an expected 58 net Notikewin/Falher and Cardium well program. Under the agreement, Grafton will earn 54% of Bellatrix's working interest in each well drilled in the development program until payout (being recovery of Grafton's capital investment plus an 8% return) on the total program, reverting to 33% of Bellatrix's working interest (WI) after payout. At any time after payout of the entire program, Grafton shall have the option to elect to convert all wells from the 33% WI to a 17.5% Gross Overriding Royalty on Bellatrix's pre-JV working interest. The effective date of the initial agreement for the JV is July 1, 2013 and had an initial term of two years. With the exercise of the $50 million option, Bellatrix shall have until the end of the third anniversary of the effective date to spend the additional capital.
Calgary-based Bellatrix continues to focus on growth by development of its core Cardium and Notikewin/Falher assets utilizing its large inventory of geological prospects. The company has developed an inventory of 742 net remaining Cardium locations, 381 net Notikewin/Falher and 128 Mannville locations representing a net remaining investment of $4.97 billion (based on current costs). Bellatrix has approximately 416,631 net undeveloped acres and including all opportunities of approximately 2,000 net exploitation drilling opportunities identified, with capital requirements of $10.1 billion representing over 30 years of drilling inventory based on current annual cash flow and costs.
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