CALGARY, May 31, 2017 – Crown Capital Partners Inc. (“Crown” or “the Corporation”) (TSX: CRWN), which provides growth capital to successful mid-market companies, today announced the closing of a $30 million special situations term loan (the “Agreement”) with Marquee Energy Ltd. (“Marquee”) (TSXV: MQX).
Marquee is a Calgary-based company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of petroleum and natural gas reserves focused in western Canada. Marquee’s primary assets are located in the Michichi area of southern Alberta. The company has current production of approximately 2,800 barrels of oil equivalent production per day (“boepd”), of which approximately 57% is natural gas and 43% is oil and natural gas liquids. The company’s land base includes approximately 386,000 net acres of total land, with 172,000 net acres of undeveloped land. Marquee is focused on growing through exploitation of existing opportunities and continued consolidation within its core area. Crown’s capital will be used to repay the existing senior debt facility and to fund Marquee’s capital program.
“We are pleased to support Marquee as it executes on a low-risk development plan in a proven region,” said Chris Johnson, Crown’s President & CEO. “Marquee has a significant asset base and is led by a highly experienced team. This additional capital will enable them to increase production, cash flow and create substantial value.”
“Closing the Crown facility is another significant milestone for Marquee. The additional funds will enable us to accelerate our drilling program in the highly attractive Michichi area and unlock tremendous value for our shareholders. Crown’s growth-orientated loan structure is an ideal capital solution for Marquee in the current financial environment,” said Richard Thompson, President & CEO of Marquee.
The Agreement provides for a $30 million term loan to Marquee by Crown Capital Fund IV, LP, an investment fund managed by Crown and in which Crown holds a 35% interest. The term loan bears a fixed interest rate of 10% per annum, matures in 60 months, and includes warrants to acquire 37.5 million common shares of Marquee, exercisable at $0.11 per share.
ABOUT CROWN
Crown (TSX: CRWN) is a specialty finance company focused on providing capital to successful Canadian and select U.S. companies that are unwilling or unable to obtain suitable financing from traditional capital providers such as banks and private equity funds. Crown also manages capital pools, including some in which Crown has a direct ownership interest. Crown originates, structures and provides tailored special situation and long-term financing solutions to a diversified group of private and public mid-market companies in the form of loans, royalties and other structures with minimal or no ownership dilution.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains certain “forward looking statements” and certain “forward looking information” as defined under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “plans” or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements, management’s beliefs, expectations or intentions regarding the outlook for Petrowest. Forward-looking statements are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions that while believed by management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors identified in the Crown’s periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. See Crown’s most recent annual information form for a detailed discussion of the risk factors affecting Crown. In addition, Crown’s dividend policy will be reviewed from time to time in the context of the Corporation’s earnings, financial requirements for its operations, and other relevant factors and the declaration of a dividend will always be at the discretion of the board of directors of the Corporation. Crown undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents management’s best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.