Mr. Rob Colcleugh reports
IRON BRIDGE HIGHLIGHTS FLAWED AND UNDERVALUED NATURE OF VELVET ENERGY PROPOSAL
Iron Bridge Resources Inc. responded today to the announcement by Velvet Energy Ltd. that it intends to make an unsolicited offer to acquire all
of the issued and outstanding common shares of Iron Bridge.
Iron Bridge believes that Velvet Energy's proposal is flawed,
significantly undervalues the company and is an attempt to deny Iron
Bridge shareholders of the significant upside value potential of the
company's portfolio. The proposal also ignores the successful
restructuring of the company and was made prior to the company's May 17,
2018, disclosure of enhanced well production rates at its Gold Creek
Montney asset. At Gold Creek, Iron Bridge holds a large acreage position
of 49,600 net acres with substantial resource potential.
Rob Colcleugh, chief executive officer, said: "The Velvet Energy
proposal dramatically undervalues this company. In addition, it is
fundamentally flawed from a value perspective given it does not take
into account recently disclosed well results, resource updates and the
related value creation potential reflected in our development plan. At
its core, the proposal removes our shareholders' ability to maintain
exposure to the immense growth potential of our Montney assets. This is
nothing more than a transaction that transfers all the upside to Velvet
Energy at the expense of Iron Bridge's shareholders."
Added Mr. Colcleugh: "Iron Bridge is an early-stage company that is
supported by a world-class technical team experienced in the exploration
and exploitation of all areas of the Montney resource play. We are
embarking on a significant value creation cycle that is supported by the
overall uplift in the sector and the increasing opportunities to finance
our development plan. It makes it all too obvious why Velvet Energy is
attempting to bring forward a flawed and self-serving proposal.
"Importantly, Iron Bridge has the support of shareholders, who, combined,
hold nearly 30 per cent of the total shares outstanding, including our insiders
and our two largest institutional shareholders. They are aligned in
management's view that Iron Bridge is well positioned to realize its
development plan and deliver considerable value appreciation and have
advised that they would not tender to the proposed offer from Velvet
Energy as it does not come close to recognizing the fundamental value of
the company," concluded Mr. Colcleugh.
The company urges shareholders not to take any action or make any
decision with respect to the Velvet Energy offer until such an offer is
commenced and the company's board of directors has the opportunity to
review all relevant aspects of such a proposal in consultation with its
independent financial and legal advisers and provides a recommendation
to shareholders.
Advisers
Cormark Securities Inc. is acting as financial adviser to the company,
Torys LLP is acting as legal adviser and Gagnier Communications as
strategic communications adviser.
For additional information on risks and uncertainties, see the company's
annual information form for the year ended Dec. 31, 2017, and most recently filed quarterly management's discussion and analysis,
which are available on SEDAR.
The risk factors identified in the AIF and MD&A are not intended to
represent a complete list of factors that could affect the company.
We seek Safe Harbor.
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