TWST: Could you provide us with a brief overview of the company?Mr. Reaves: FieldPoint Petroleum Corporation is an independent oil and
gas company with production in Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming. Our
operating strategy is centered around a program of acquisition and
development of low-risk producing oil and gas properties which offer the
opportunity for moderate to high returns on investment, even in a low
price energy environment.TWST: What is the drilling program from here?Mr. Reaves: Historically, FieldPoint has grown its business through the
acquisition of existing production, however we plan to increase our
drilling activities considering that energy prices are at high levels.
Our present drilling program consists of relatively low-risk activities
on our existing leases. During the next 30 days, we anticipate the
completion of one additional vertical well on our Grady County, Oklahoma
property. In Fayette County, Texas we have an excellent horizontal
drilling opportunity and in Converse County, Wyoming we are examining
the potential of additional wells at depths of 3,500 to 4,000 feet.
Recently we have leased additional acreage in Terrell County, Texas for
potential drilling; however, since this project would be deemed a
'wildcat,' we would partner to offset the risk.TWST: Where are you drilling at the moment and what increase do you
have?Mr. Reaves: We've already successfully participated in the drilling and
completion of one well this year in Grady County, Oklahoma and are
presently drilling one additional well in the same area. The first well
was started on the first of this year. We completed that well the last
week of January and brought it online the first part of February.TWST: Is that a good producer?Mr. Reaves: Yes, it came in doing approximately 70 barrels a day and is
currently producing between 50 to 70 barrels a day gross production.TWST: As you look down the road, where else are you going to be
drilling?Mr. Reaves: Primarily right now our strategy calls for us to focus on
Oklahoma, however we hold acreage in Wyoming and Texas that we will
probably begin evaluating some time this year. Near term we desire to
focus on the geographic areas where we have the experience and
leaseholds. As we continue to grow, we will likely bring on a staff
engineer and geologist who will help evaluate opportunities in both our
current as well as other geographic areas. Although a slight divergence
from our conservative strategy, our recently acquired Terrell County
leases provide an opportunity to go after shallow oil and gas sands in
the 2,700 to 3,000 foot range. Several wells were drilled in this area
prior to the general use of fracturing techniques to stimulate wells. We
are presently reviewing historical drilling logs to determine the
feasibility of an aggressive drilling program.TWST: Why pick that kind of drilling? What's the appeal?Mr. Reaves: The appeal of Terrell County is the low cost to drill each
well. We are looking at bringing wells online for less than $100,000 per
well and if successful, production could be as high as 50 to 100 barrels
a day which provides a phenomenal return on investment. Subject to
spacing and other circumstances, potentially 200 plus wells could be
drilled on these leases. However, keep in mind, these wells are
considered 'wildcats' and the odds of success are significantly reduced.
This is why we would partner on such projects to offset the financial
exposure. We have selected this type of drilling because we believe it
presents an interesting mix to our more conservative acquisition
strategy. For instance, it provides possible significant upside with
relatively modest financial risk.TWST: Why are these available to you?Mr. Reaves: We have acquired and developed each of our existing
properties based upon persistence. For a small company, we evaluate a
large number of potential acquisition and drilling opportunities each
year. Of the few that meet our 'low-risk, long-life, multiple payback'
criteria, we have to look at a large number of opportunities. These
opportunities are derived from existing long-term relationships,
referrals, and the oil and gas auctions. Friendships also play a role. A
few years ago, I was fortunate enough to meet Frank Bracken, an E&P
analyst at Jefferies & Co. He has provided a lot of industry insight,
guidance and occasionally a lead or two on an opportunity.TWST: Is that the expertise that you bring to the party ' those
relationships?Mr. Reaves: That is a big part of it. Our persistence is also a
significant key factor in locating good opportunities. Finally,
maintaining stringent criteria as they relate to specific opportunities
is vitally important. The adage that 'success is often measured by the
deals that one does not do' definitely has an impact at our company.TWST: Who are you competing with for this acreage?Mr. Reaves: Our competitors range across the entire spectrum of oil and
gas, including companies, institutional investors and on occasion,
individual investors. In some cases we're competing with entities that
have substantially more resources than we do. In other situations we're
competing with much smaller entities as well as entities that are
equivalent to FieldPoint in size. I think the biggest advantage that
anyone has in this industry is getting there first and we've been able
to do that. We've been able to do our homework and we've been able to
find some very good deals over the last three to five years in
particular.TWST: As you look out, when you talk about acquisitions, are these going
to be property or could they be companies?Mr. Reaves: We focus primarily on oil and gas properties and leaseholds.
We have looked at a few companies that would have made strategic sense
however, we have not consummated such an acquisition as of yet and near
term, I don't anticipate any such activity.TWST: Why take that route instead of acquiring companies if they're
available?Mr. Reaves: Although I don't anticipate a near-term acquisition of
another oil and gas company, I'm not going to say that we wouldn't
acquire a company if the right opportunity came along. We consider
FieldPoint to be an opportunity'driven company. If an appropriate
opportunity presented itself, we would definitely evaluate it and if it
made sense, we would attempt to consummate the transaction. Generally,
the acquisition of properties and leaseholds are simpler relative to
acquiring companies. When acquiring another company, not only must one
consider the individual properties and leaseholds but one must also
review issues surrounding the corporation itself and its business
methods and strategies. Presuming that the corporate acquisition was
consummated, one must then integrate the acquired corporation into the
current business model, which is often a complex task.TWST: Is that where you're focusing your attention?Mr. Reaves: As it relates to our acquisition strategy, we are focused on
properties and leaseholds because the transactions are less complex.
However we would not rule out acquiring a company if we could do it at
the right price.TWST: Are the kinds of acquisitions you want available?Mr. Reaves: Yes, but it is a difficult environment for a financial
buyer. When energy prices are high, properties, leaseholds and companies
are generally valued at a premium. Therefore, it is difficult to find
opportunities at reasonable prices. However, it is not impossible. For
instance, in December we added approximately 90 barrels a day for $1
million, with similar properties being offered at $1.5 million.
Persistence played a significant role in this acquisition. We had to
look at a lot of properties to find this opportunity. As it relates to
what we are looking for in our acquisitions, I think I should explain
our strategy. One of our criteria is to buy long-life oil and gas
reserves. Our ability to go in as a low-cost operator affords us some
protection in a lower price energy environment. At the same time, we
prefer to acquire properties that have existing production as well as
additional acreage for further development. For instance, we often
acquire properties that are currently producing oil and gas and this
provides immediate cash flow. We then attempt to exploit the offset
acreage through drilling activity. Additionally, we may seek to
potentially bring more wells online or enhance the production of the
existing wells through redevelopment and reworking of existing wells
that are already producing. This strategy, over the last four or five
years, has provided FieldPoint some phenomenal returns on investment.
For example, in 1996, we purchased our Converse County, Wyoming
property. Since the date of acquisition, we have experienced zero
declines in production. As a result, Converse County has not only paid
for itself in excess of 4 times but there is clearly more oil and gas to
recover.TWST: How much more drilling can you do there?Mr. Reaves: I anticipate that we would likely drill five to eight wells,
maybe more. We've got the existing production in line and at some point
we will evaluate and decide how we're going to go about further
developing these reserves.TWST: Why wait?Mr. Reaves: Ideally, I would prefer to begin development on Converse
County soon, however we are now evaluating the upside potential. With
this in place, I would be comfortable initiating a five'to eight well
development effort on this property. Furthermore, our principal current
area of drilling activity is Grady County, Oklahoma. As I previously
mentioned, we have completed one successful well and are participating
in a second well at this time. Upon completion of the second well, and
contingent upon its production rates, we will, at that time, determine
our next course of drilling activity.TWST: When will that well be completed?Mr. Reaves: Within the next 30 days.TWST: Do investors have some benchmark to look out at as that comes
along?Mr. Reaves: Yes. The first Grady County well that we participated in
came in producing approximately 70 barrels a day. I would feel
comfortable utilizing these results as a benchmark for well number two.
Also, as it relates to benchmarks for investors to utilize in an effort
to measure FieldPoint's success, I believe we are a little unique.
Corporately, we measure our daily success based upon our daily
production numbers. As a small company, it is imperative, on a daily
basis, that we sell as much product as possible in an effort to expand
our revenues and earnings. We are dedicated to rapidly increasing our
reserves and daily production at a rate sufficient to offset declines in
energy prices thereby maintaining strong annualized financial
performance. During 1999 we averaged 143 barrels of equivalents a day,
during 2000 we averaged about 170. For the first three months of 2001,
our average now exceeds 300 barrels of equivalents a day and we are
determined to achieve 600 barrels as an exit rate number for 2001.TWST: What should investors expect from you in terms of growth over the
next two or three years?Mr. Reaves: We completed 1999 with revenues of $917,000 and earnings of
$65,000 or $0.01 per share. For 2000, our revenues reached $1.6 million
and our earnings grew to $400,000 or $0.06 per share. Our current daily
production for 2001 is approximately 80% greater than it was for 2000,
so I anticipate the current year to represent a significant financial
improvement over 2000, which was our strongest year in the company's
history. I reasonably expect over the next two or three years investors
can anticipate FieldPoint having asset values between $40 and $50
million.TWST: Where are they today?Mr. Reaves: Our independent petroleum consultants have estimated the
present worth of our reserves, discounted at 10%, at approximately $17
million as compared to approximately $9.7 million in 1999.TWST: Where do oil and gas prices have to be for that to occur?Mr. Reaves: We have utilized $26 a barrel of oil and $3.50 per thousand
cubic feet of gas in our calculation of $17 million. I will go out on a
limb with this projection, but I don't expect oil and gas prices to
decline precipitously during the next two to three years. However, even
at $20 on a barrel of equivalent basis we should still be able to
achieve $40 to $50 million in asset values within two or three years.
Declining energy prices actually present an interesting opportunity for
FieldPoint. Whereas lower energy prices contribute to declining
financial performance, we strive to increase production at a rate
sufficient to offset declines in energy prices. The lower oil and gas
prices go, it works to our advantage because we're a small company,
efficiently managed, and our cash position is very strong. Our debt
levels are reasonable and we're constantly reducing debt. Lower oil and
gas prices work to our favor in terms of being able to go out and take
advantage of purchases of distressed opportunities, which, over time,
adds to our critical mass.TWST: What do you think the pricing environment is going to be over the
next year or two?Mr. Reaves: I believe over the next two years oil prices will probably
fluctuate between $20 and $26 a barrel and gas may range from $3.00 to
$6.00 per mcf. This bodes well for the oil and gas industry as a whole.TWST: Is it true that you don't have to have that price to have it make
sense?Mr. Reaves: That is correct. Our current breakeven point is
approximately $14 per barrel of equivalent. Even at the low end of my
projection of pricing over the next two years of $20 a barrel, we are
comfortable. As it relates to our acquisition strategy and pricing, the
highest we would pay for existing production today is about $22-$24 a
barrel and $3.50 per mcf.TWST: How much cash do you have?Mr. Reaves: We're sitting on approximately $600,000 in cash and our
assets are approximately $4.5 million. That compares favorably to 1999
when we had about $100,000 in cash and assets of approximately $2.5.
Presently, our shareholders, equity is $2.7 million verses $1.4 million
in 1999. One of our goals this year, from a balance sheet prospective,
is to meet the criteria for a NASDAQ Small Cap listing and I think we
will achieve that.TWST: Do you think the market is fairly valuing the company today?Mr. Reaves: I believe if you used a simple reserve valuation minus our
debt, I would say FieldPoint is undervalued by about 25%. This formula
presumes oil prices of $26 a barrel and $3.50 per mcf with 7 million
shares outstanding. Under this equation we should be trading around
$2.40 a share and are presently trading below $2.00. Based upon a pro
forma price-to-earnings ratio, I anticipate FieldPoint will earn 12
cents a share for 2001. This would give us a p/e ratio of 20 times
earnings if the stock were trading at $2.40. I believe my estimates are
fairly conservative since they are based upon our current daily
production rates of 300 barrels. As I have mentioned earlier, we are
targeting exit rate 2001 production of 600 barrels, which is double our
current production rate.TWST: Does under valuation reflect a lack of knowledge of what you do?Mr. Reaves: I believe the fact that our stock is undervalued is
representative of a number of factors. Foremost, the correction in US
equity markets has had a negative impact upon investor sentiment for
micro-cap stocks in particular. Unfortunately, many investors have
experienced a significant decline in the values of their portfolios and
as such, are not as inclined as they previously were to invest in
smaller companies. The lack of knowledge of FieldPoint's business model
is also an obstacle. It is important for investors to understand that
FieldPoint, although involved in the natural resource sector, is a
company that is very conservatively managed. We are dedicated to
increasing shareholder value at a rapid rate without exposing the
business to major financial risks. Finally, we lack a broad investor
audience. We're a small company and have not, as of yet, established any
real public relations efforts, although it's something that we're
presently in the process of implementing.TWST: Why haven't you done that today?Mr. Reaves: As a small company, our focus has been directed toward
achieving an initial level of critical mass and establishing a viable
business model. We now believe that we have established enough critical
mass to begin to build an audience that will not only appreciate what we
have achieved in the previous two years, but place confidence in what we
believe we can accomplish during the next two years.TWST: If you were sitting down with investors as you have and will
again, what two or three summary reasons would you give them to invest
in the company?Mr. Reaves: I would first ask prospective shareholders to look at our
track record. Go back to 1997 and look at what FieldPoint has
accomplished since then in terms of asset growth, profitability and our
production rates. Although we have implemented a very conservative
growth strategy, we were able to create significant increases in assets,
revenues and earnings. Secondly, we have demonstrated proficiency in
acquiring properties on reasonable terms even in a higher priced energy
environment. In December of last year, we consummated our Grady County
acquisition for $1 million and this property now produces over 100
barrels a day net to FieldPoint. Also during the 4th quarter of 2000 we
consummated our Hutt (Wilcox) acquisition and through our redevelopment
program, our production, net to FieldPoint, is approaching 40 barrels a
day. Both of these acquisitions occurred with oil and gas prices at
lofty levels and our investment should be fully recouped in
approximately two years. We are aggressively pursuing, at this moment,
other acquisitions of this type, which we expect will have a further
positive impact on our assets, revenues and earnings. The third reason I
would ask investors to consider FieldPoint as a core holding in their
portfolios is that as a smaller company it is very likely, based upon
our track record, that we will be able to consistently double and triple
the size of our business within very short time horizons. I firmly
believe FieldPoint is in a position right now where it will be able to
rapidly accelerate its production growth.TWST: Is it kind of the right place/right time?Mr. Reaves: Right place/right time and we are undiscovered within the
financial community. We are in this for the long haul and we are
thinking long term. When you are a long-term thinker, you know that the
markets will eventually reward you for your hard work and that's our
attitude. We've got one of the finest boards in the country for a small
company of our size. They play a role in setting strategy. They're very
informed about what the company is doing and everyone is very pleased
with our accomplishments today but no one's satisfied. We could and we
will do much more.TWST: Thank you. (TM)RAY D. REAVES
Chairman, President & CEO
FieldPoint Petroleum
1703 Edelweiss Drive
Cedar Park, TX 78613
(512) 250-8692
(512) 335-1294 - FAX
www.fppcorp.com
e-mail: tppc@ix.netcom.comEach Executive who is the featured subject of a TWST Interview is
offered the opportunity to include an Investors Brief or other highlight
material to be provided and sponsored by and for the company.Copyright 2001 The Wall Street Transcript Corporation
All Rights Reserved
Independent Oil & Gas >> CEO Interview >> April 30, 2001
Ray Reaves
RAY D. REAVES, the President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of
FieldPoint Petroleum Corp. since 1989, has 15 years of experience in the
oil and gas industry. He began his career in 1986, with North American
Oil and Gas. Subsequently, in 1989 he purchased an interest in 10 of
their wells and formed Bass Petroleum, Inc... More










