EX-99 14 dvn-ex99.htm EX-99 EX-99

DeGolyer and MacNaughton

5001 Spring Valley Road

Suite 800 East

Dallas, Texas 75244

Exhibit 99

January 19, 2024

Devon Energy Corporation

333 West Sheridan Avenue

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Pursuant to your request, this report of third party presents an independent evaluation, as of December 31, 2023, of the estimated net proved oil, condensate, natural gas liquids (NGL), and gas reserves of certain properties in which Devon Energy Corporation (Devon) has represented it holds an interest. This evaluation was completed on January 19, 2024. The properties evaluated consist of working and royalty interests located in New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming. Devon has represented that these properties account for 90 percent on a net equivalent barrel basis of Devon’s net proved reserves as of December 31, 2023, and that the net proved reserves estimates have been prepared in accordance with the reserves definitions of Rules 4–10(a) (1)–(32) of Regulation S–X of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). It is our opinion that the procedures and methodologies employed by Devon for the preparation of its proved reserves estimates as of December 31, 2023, comply with the current requirements of the SEC. We have reviewed information provided by Devon that it represents to be Devon’s estimates of the net reserves, as of December 31, 2023, for the same properties as those which we evaluated. This report was prepared in accordance with guidelines specified in Item 1202 (a)(8) of Regulation S–K and is to be used for inclusion in certain SEC filings by Devon.

 

Reserves estimates included herein are expressed as net reserves as represented by Devon. Gross reserves are defined as the total estimated petroleum remaining to be produced from these properties after December 31, 2023. Net reserves are defined as that portion of the gross reserves attributable to the interests held by Devon after deducting all interests held by others.

 

Estimates of reserves should be regarded only as estimates that may change as further production history and additional information become available. Not only are such estimates based on that information which is currently available, but such estimates are also subject to the uncertainties inherent in the application of judgmental factors in interpreting such information.

 

 


DeGolyer and MacNaughton

5001 Spring Valley Road

Suite 800 East

Dallas, Texas 75244

Information used in the preparation of this report was obtained from Devon and from public sources. In the preparation of this report we have relied, without independent verification, upon information furnished by Devon with respect to the property interests being evaluated, production from such properties, current costs of operation and development, current prices for production, agreements relating to current and future operations and sale of production, and various other information and data that were accepted as represented. A field examination was not considered necessary for the purposes of this report.

Definition of Reserves

Petroleum reserves included in this report are classified as proved. Only proved reserves have been evaluated for this report. Reserves classifications used in this report are in accordance with the reserves definitions of Rules 4–10(a) (1)–(32) of Regulation S–X of the SEC. Reserves are judged to be economically producible in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions and assuming continuation of current regulatory practices using conventional production methods and equipment. In the analyses of production-decline curves, reserves were estimated only to the limit of economic rates of production under existing economic and operating conditions using prices and costs consistent with the effective date of this report, including consideration of changes in existing prices provided only by contractual arrangements but not including escalations based upon future conditions. The petroleum reserves are classified as follows:

 

Proved oil and gas reserves – Proved oil and gas reserves are those quantities of oil and gas, which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible—from a given date forward, from known reservoirs, and under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulations—prior to the time at which contracts providing the right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain, regardless of whether deterministic or probabilistic methods are used for the estimation. The project to extract the hydrocarbons must have commenced or the operator must be reasonably certain that it will commence the project within a reasonable time.

 

(i) The area of the reservoir considered as proved includes:

(A) The area identified by drilling and limited by fluid contacts, if any, and (B) Adjacent undrilled portions of the reservoir that can, with

 


DeGolyer and MacNaughton

5001 Spring Valley Road

Suite 800 East

Dallas, Texas 75244

reasonable certainty, be judged to be continuous with it and to contain economically producible oil or gas on the basis of available geoscience and engineering data.

 

(ii) In the absence of data on fluid contacts, proved quantities in a reservoir are limited by the lowest known hydrocarbons (LKH) as seen in a well penetration unless geoscience, engineering, or performance data and reliable technology establishes a lower contact with reasonable certainty.

 

(iii) Where direct observation from well penetrations has defined a highest known oil (HKO) elevation and the potential exists for an associated gas cap, proved oil reserves may be assigned in the structurally higher portions of the reservoir only if geoscience, engineering, or performance data and reliable technology establish the higher contact with reasonable certainty.

 

(iv) Reserves which can be produced economically through application of improved recovery techniques (including, but not limited to, fluid injection) are included in the proved classification when:

(A) Successful testing by a pilot project in an area of the reservoir with properties no more favorable than in the reservoir as a whole, the operation of an installed program in the reservoir or an analogous reservoir, or other evidence using reliable technology establishes the reasonable certainty of the engineering analysis on which the project or program was based; and (B) The project has been approved for development by all necessary parties and entities, including governmental entities.

 

(v) Existing economic conditions include prices and costs at which economic producibility from a reservoir is to be determined. The price shall be the average price during the 12‑month period prior to the ending date of the period covered by the report, determined as an unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within such period, unless prices are defined by contractual arrangements, excluding escalations based upon future conditions.

 


DeGolyer and MacNaughton

5001 Spring Valley Road

Suite 800 East

Dallas, Texas 75244

 

Developed oil and gas reserves – Developed oil and gas reserves are reserves of any category that can be expected to be recovered:

 

(i) Through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods or in which the cost of the required equipment is relatively minor compared to the cost of a new well; and

 

(ii) Through installed extraction equipment and infrastructure operational at the time of the reserves estimate if the extraction is by means not involving a well.

 

Undeveloped oil and gas reserves – Undeveloped oil and gas reserves are reserves of any category that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion.

 

(i) Reserves on undrilled acreage shall be limited to those directly offsetting development spacing areas that are reasonably certain of production when drilled, unless evidence using reliable technology exists that establishes reasonable certainty of economic producibility at greater distances.

 

(ii) Undrilled locations can be classified as having undeveloped reserves only if a development plan has been adopted indicating that they are scheduled to be drilled within five years, unless the specific circumstances justify a longer time.

 

(iii) Under no circumstances shall estimates for undeveloped reserves be attributable to any acreage for which an application of fluid injection or other improved recovery technique is contemplated, unless such techniques have been proved effective by actual projects in the same reservoir or an analogous reservoir, as defined in [section 210.4–10 (a) Definitions], or by other evidence using reliable technology establishing reasonable certainty.

 


DeGolyer and MacNaughton

5001 Spring Valley Road

Suite 800 East

Dallas, Texas 75244

Methodology and Procedures

Estimates of reserves were prepared by the use of appropriate geologic, petroleum engineering, and evaluation principles and techniques that are in accordance with the reserves definitions of Rules 4–10(a) (1)–(32) of Regulation S–X of the SEC and with practices generally recognized by the petroleum industry as presented in the publication of the Society of Petroleum Engineers entitled “Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information (revised June 2019) Approved by the SPE Board on 25 June 2019” and in Monograph 3 and Monograph 4 published by the Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers. The method or combination of methods used in the analysis of each reservoir was tempered by experience with similar reservoirs, stage of development, quality and completeness of basic data, and production history.

 

Based on the current stage of field development, production performance, the development plans provided by Devon, and the analyses of areas offsetting existing wells with test or production data, reserves were classified as proved. The proved undeveloped reserves were based on opportunities identified in the plan of development provided by Devon.

 

Devon has represented that its senior management is committed to the development plan provided by Devon and that Devon has the financial capability to execute the development plan, including the drilling and completion of wells and the installation of equipment and facilities.

 

For the evaluation of unconventional reservoirs, a performance-based methodology integrating the appropriate geology and petroleum engineering data was utilized for this report. Performance-based methodology primarily includes (1) production diagnostics, (2) decline-curve analysis, and (3) model-based analysis (if necessary, based on availability of data). Production diagnostics include data quality control, identification of flow regimes, and characteristic well performance behavior. These analyses were performed for all well groupings (or type-curve areas).

 

Characteristic rate-decline profiles from diagnostic interpretation were translated to modified hyperbolic rate profiles, including one or multiple b-exponent values followed by an exponential decline. Based on the availability of data, model-based analysis may be integrated to evaluate long-term decline behavior, the effect of dynamic reservoir and fracture parameters on well performance, and complex situations sourced by the nature of unconventional reservoirs.

 

 


DeGolyer and MacNaughton

5001 Spring Valley Road

Suite 800 East

Dallas, Texas 75244

In the evaluation of undeveloped reserves, type-well analysis was performed using well data from analogous reservoirs for which more complete historical performance data were available.

 

Data provided by Devon from wells drilled through December 31, 2023, and made available for this evaluation were used to prepare the reserves estimates herein. These reserves estimates were based on consideration of daily and monthly production data available through December 2023. Cumulative production, as of December 31, 2023, was deducted from the estimated gross ultimate recovery to estimate gross reserves.

 

Oil and condensate reserves estimated herein are those to be recovered by normal field separation. NGL reserves estimated herein include pentanes and heavier fractions (C5+) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which consists primarily of propane and butane fractions, and are the result of low-temperature plant processing. Oil, condensate, and NGL reserves included in this report are expressed in thousands of barrels (Mbbl). In these estimates, 1 barrel equals 42 United States gallons. For reporting purposes, oil and condensate reserves have been estimated separately and are presented herein as a summed quantity.

 

Gas quantities estimated herein are expressed as sales gas. Sales gas is defined as the total gas to be produced from the reservoirs, measured at the point of delivery, after reduction for fuel usage, flare, and shrinkage resulting from field separation and processing. Gas reserves estimated herein are reported as sales gas. Gas quantities are expressed at a temperature base of 60 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) and at the pressure base of the state in which the quantities are located. Gas quantities included in this report are expressed in millions of cubic feet (MMcf).

 

Gas quantities are identified by the type of reservoir from which the gas will be produced. Nonassociated gas is gas at initial reservoir conditions with no oil present in the reservoir. Associated gas is both gas-cap gas and solution gas. Gas-cap gas is gas at initial reservoir conditions and is in communication with an underlying oil zone. Solution gas is gas dissolved in oil at initial reservoir conditions. Gas quantities estimated herein include both associated and nonassociated gas.

 

At the request of Devon, liquid reserves estimated herein were converted to gas equivalent using an energy equivalent factor of 1 barrel of liquids per 6,000 cubic feet of gas equivalent.

 


DeGolyer and MacNaughton

5001 Spring Valley Road

Suite 800 East

Dallas, Texas 75244

Primary Economic Assumptions

This report has been prepared using initial prices, expenses, and costs provided by Devon. Future prices were estimated using guidelines established by the SEC and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). The following economic assumptions were used for estimating the reserves reported herein:

Oil, Condensate, and NGL Prices

Devon has represented that the oil, condensate, and NGL prices were based on a reference price, calculated as the unweighted arithmetic average of the first‑day-of-the-month price for each month within the 12‑month period prior to the end of the reporting period, unless prices are defined by contractual agreements. Devon supplied differentials to the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) reference price of $78.22 per barrel and the prices were held constant thereafter. The volume-weighted average price attributable to the estimated proved reserves over the lives of the properties was $76.13 per barrel of oil and condensate and $20.36 per barrel of NGL.

Gas Prices

Devon has represented that the gas prices were based on a reference price, calculated as the unweighted arithmetic average of the first‑day-of-the-month price for each month within the 12‑month period prior to the end of the reporting period, unless prices are defined by contractual agreements. Devon supplied differentials to the Henry Hub reference price of $2.64 per million Btu ($/MMBtu) and the prices were held constant thereafter. Btu factors provided by Devon were used to convert prices from dollars per million Btu to dollars per thousand cubic feet of gas. The volume-weighted average price attributable to the estimated proved reserves over the lives of the properties was $1.78 per thousand cubic feet of gas.

 


DeGolyer and MacNaughton

5001 Spring Valley Road

Suite 800 East

Dallas, Texas 75244

Production and Ad Valorem Taxes

Production taxes were calculated using the tax rates for each state in which the reserves are located, including, where appropriate. Ad valorem taxes were calculated using rates provided by Devon based on recent payments.

Operating Expenses, Capital Costs, and Abandonment Costs

Estimates of operating expenses and future capital expenditures, provided by Devon and based on existing economic conditions, were held constant for the lives of the properties. In certain cases, future expenditures, either higher or lower than current expenditures, may have been used because of anticipated changes in operating conditions, but no general escalation that might result from inflation was applied. Abandonment costs, which are those costs associated with the removal of equipment, plugging of the wells, and reclamation and restoration associated with the abandonment, were provided by Devon for all properties and were not adjusted for inflation. Operating expenses, capital costs, and abandonment costs were considered, as appropriate, in determining the economic viability of undeveloped reserves estimated herein.

 

In our opinion, the information relating to estimated proved reserves of oil, condensate, NGL, and gas contained in this report has been prepared in accordance with Paragraphs 932-235-50-4, 932‑235-50-6, 932-235-50-7, and 932-235-50-9 of the Accounting Standards Update 932-235-50, Extractive Industries – Oil and Gas (Topic 932): Oil and Gas Reserve Estimation and Disclosures (January 2010) of the FASB and Rules 4–10(a) (1)–(32) of Regulation S–X and Rules 302(b), 1201, 1202(a) (1), (2), (3), (4), (8), and 1203(a) of Regulation S–K of the SEC; provided, however, that estimates of the proved developed and proved undeveloped reserves are not presented at the beginning of the year.

 

To the extent the above-enumerated rules, regulations, and statements require determinations of an accounting or legal nature, we, as engineers, are necessarily unable to express an opinion as to whether the above-described information is in accordance therewith or sufficient therefor.

 


DeGolyer and MacNaughton

5001 Spring Valley Road

Suite 800 East

Dallas, Texas 75244

Summary of Conclusions

DeGolyer and MacNaughton has performed an independent evaluation of the extent of the estimated net proved oil, condensate, NGL, and gas reserves of certain properties in which Devon has represented it holds an interest. Devon has represented that its estimated net proved reserves attributable to the evaluated properties were based on the definition of proved reserves of the SEC. Devon’s estimates of the net proved reserves, as of December 31, 2023, attributable to these properties, which represent 90 percent of Devon’s total proved reserves on a net equivalent basis, are summarized as follows, expressed in thousands of barrels (Mbbl), millions of cubic feet (MMcf), and thousands of barrels of oil equivalent (Mboe):

 

 

Estimated by Devon

Net Proved Reserves

as of December 31, 2023

Properties Evaluated by

DeGolyer and MacNaughton

 

Oil and

Condensate

(Mbbl)

 

NGL

(Mbbl)

 

Sales

Gas

(MMcf)

 

Oil Equivalent

(Mboe)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proved Developed

 

533,519

 

358,311

 

2,388,672

 

1,289,942

 

Proved Undeveloped

 

163,123

 

93,443

 

551,643

 

348,507

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Proved

 

696,642

 

451,754

 

2,940,315

 

1,638,449

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: Sales gas reserves estimated herein were converted to oil equivalent using an energy

          equivalent factor of 6,000 cubic feet of gas per 1 barrel of oil equivalent.

 

 

In comparing the detailed net proved reserves estimates prepared by DeGolyer and MacNaughton and by Devon of the properties evaluated, differences have been found, both positive and negative, resulting in an aggregate difference of less than 10 percent for the evaluated properties when compared on the basis of net oil equivalent. It is DeGolyer and MacNaughton’s opinion, based on the differences in aggregate, that the Devon’s estimates of proved reserves are reasonable. It is DeGolyer and MacNaughton’s opinion that Devon’s estimates of proved reserves for the properties reviewed were prepared with practices generally recognized by the petroleum industry as presented in the publication of the Society of Petroleum Engineers entitled “Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information (revised June 2019) Approved by the SPE Board on 25 June 2019”. The method or combination of methods used in the analysis of each reservoir was tempered by Devon’s experience with similar reservoirs, stage of development, quality and completeness of basic data, and production history.

 

 


DeGolyer and MacNaughton

5001 Spring Valley Road

Suite 800 East

Dallas, Texas 75244

While the oil and gas industry may be subject to regulatory changes from time to time that could affect an industry participant’s ability to recover its reserves, we are not aware of any such governmental actions which would restrict the recovery of the December 31, 2023, estimated reserves.

 

DeGolyer and MacNaughton is an independent petroleum engineering consulting firm that has been providing petroleum consulting services throughout the world since 1936. DeGolyer and MacNaughton does not have any financial interest, including stock ownership, in Devon. Our fees were not contingent on the results of our evaluation. This report has been prepared at the request of Devon. DeGolyer and MacNaughton has used all data, assumptions, procedures, and methods that it considers necessary to prepare this report.

 

Submitted,

 

Submitted,

 

 

DeGOLYER and MacNAUGHTON

Texas Registered Engineering Firm F-716

 

 


DeGolyer and MacNaughton

5001 Spring Valley Road

Suite 800 East

Dallas, Texas 75244

CERTIFICATE of QUALIFICATION

I, Dilhan Ilk, Petroleum Engineer with DeGolyer and MacNaughton, 5001 Spring Valley Road, Suite 800 East, Dallas, Texas, 75244 U.S.A., hereby certify:

 

1.
That I am an Executive Vice President with DeGolyer and MacNaughton, which firm did prepare the report of third party addressed to Devon dated January 19, 2024, and that I, as Executive Vice President, was responsible for the preparation of this report of third party.
2.
That I attended Istanbul Technical University, and that I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering in the year 2003, a Master of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University in 2005, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University in 2010; that I am a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas; that I am a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers; and that I have in excess of 13 years of experience in oil and gas reservoir studies and reserves evaluations.