UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
(Rule 13d-101)
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
TO § 240.13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO
§ 240.13d-2(a)
(Amendment No. 2)1
Obsidian Energy Ltd.
(Name of Issuer)
Common Shares
(Title of Class of Securities)
674482 10 4
(CUSIP Number)
David A. lorber
FRONTFOUR CAPITAL GROUP LLC
35 Mason Street, 4th Floor
Greenwich, Connecticut 06830
(203) 274-9050
STEVE WOLOSKY, ESQ.
OLSHAN FROME WOLOSKY LLP
1325 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10019
(212) 451-2300
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)
January 17, 2018
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box ¨.
Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See § 240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.
1 The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
CUSIP No. 674482 10 4
1 | NAME OF REPORTING PERSON | ||||||||||||||||||
FRONTFOUR CAPITAL GROUP LLC | |||||||||||||||||||
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP | (a) ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
(b) ☐ | |||||||||||||||||||
3 | SEC USE ONLY | ||||||||||||||||||
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS | ||||||||||||||||||
AF | |||||||||||||||||||
5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e) | ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION | ||||||||||||||||||
DELAWARE | |||||||||||||||||||
NUMBER OF | 7 | SOLE VOTING POWER | |||||||||||||||||
SHARES | |||||||||||||||||||
BENEFICIALLY | - 0 - | ||||||||||||||||||
OWNED BY | 8 | SHARED VOTING POWER | |||||||||||||||||
EACH | |||||||||||||||||||
REPORTING | 27,310,746 | ||||||||||||||||||
PERSON WITH | 9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER | |||||||||||||||||
- 0 - | |||||||||||||||||||
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER | ||||||||||||||||||
27,310,746 | |||||||||||||||||||
11 | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON | ||||||||||||||||||
27,310,746 | |||||||||||||||||||
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES | ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) | ||||||||||||||||||
5.4% | |||||||||||||||||||
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON | ||||||||||||||||||
IA |
2 |
CUSIP No. 674482 10 4
1 | NAME OF REPORTING PERSON | ||||||||||||||||||
FRONTFOUR MASTER FUND, LTD. | |||||||||||||||||||
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP | (a) ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
(b) ☐ | |||||||||||||||||||
3 | SEC USE ONLY | ||||||||||||||||||
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS | ||||||||||||||||||
WC | |||||||||||||||||||
5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e) | ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION | ||||||||||||||||||
CAYMAN ISLANDS | |||||||||||||||||||
NUMBER OF | 7 | SOLE VOTING POWER | |||||||||||||||||
SHARES | |||||||||||||||||||
BENEFICIALLY | - 0 - | ||||||||||||||||||
OWNED BY | 8 | SHARED VOTING POWER | |||||||||||||||||
EACH | |||||||||||||||||||
REPORTING | 22,053,257 | ||||||||||||||||||
PERSON WITH | 9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER | |||||||||||||||||
- 0 - | |||||||||||||||||||
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER | ||||||||||||||||||
22,053,257 | |||||||||||||||||||
11 | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON | ||||||||||||||||||
22,053,257 | |||||||||||||||||||
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES | ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) | ||||||||||||||||||
4.4% | |||||||||||||||||||
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON | ||||||||||||||||||
CO |
3 |
CUSIP No. 674482 10 4
1 | NAME OF REPORTING PERSON | ||||||||||||||||||
FRONTFOUR OPPORTUNITY FUND | |||||||||||||||||||
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP | (a) ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
(b) ☐ | |||||||||||||||||||
3 | SEC USE ONLY | ||||||||||||||||||
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS | ||||||||||||||||||
WC | |||||||||||||||||||
5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e) | ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION | ||||||||||||||||||
BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA | |||||||||||||||||||
NUMBER OF | 7 | SOLE VOTING POWER | |||||||||||||||||
SHARES | |||||||||||||||||||
BENEFICIALLY | - 0 - | ||||||||||||||||||
OWNED BY | 8 | SHARED VOTING POWER | |||||||||||||||||
EACH | |||||||||||||||||||
REPORTING | 518,900 | ||||||||||||||||||
PERSON WITH | 9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER | |||||||||||||||||
- 0 - | |||||||||||||||||||
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER | ||||||||||||||||||
518,900 | |||||||||||||||||||
11 | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON | ||||||||||||||||||
518,900 | |||||||||||||||||||
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES | ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) | ||||||||||||||||||
LESS THAN 1% | |||||||||||||||||||
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON | ||||||||||||||||||
OO |
4 |
CUSIP No. 674482 10 4
1 | NAME OF REPORTING PERSON | ||||||||||||||||||
FRONTFOUR CAPITAL CORP. | |||||||||||||||||||
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP | (a) ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
(b) ☐ | |||||||||||||||||||
3 | SEC USE ONLY | ||||||||||||||||||
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS | ||||||||||||||||||
AF | |||||||||||||||||||
5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e) | ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION | ||||||||||||||||||
BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA | |||||||||||||||||||
NUMBER OF | 7 | SOLE VOTING POWER | |||||||||||||||||
SHARES | |||||||||||||||||||
BENEFICIALLY | - 0 - | ||||||||||||||||||
OWNED BY | 8 | SHARED VOTING POWER | |||||||||||||||||
EACH | |||||||||||||||||||
REPORTING | 518,900 | ||||||||||||||||||
PERSON WITH | 9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER | |||||||||||||||||
- 0 - | |||||||||||||||||||
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER | ||||||||||||||||||
518,900 | |||||||||||||||||||
11 | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON | ||||||||||||||||||
518,900 | |||||||||||||||||||
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES | ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) | ||||||||||||||||||
LESS THAN 1% | |||||||||||||||||||
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON | ||||||||||||||||||
CO |
5 |
CUSIP No. 674482 10 4
1 | NAME OF REPORTING PERSON | ||||||||||||||||||
FRONTFOUR ENERGY FUND | |||||||||||||||||||
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP | (a) ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
(b) ☐ | |||||||||||||||||||
3 | SEC USE ONLY | ||||||||||||||||||
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS | ||||||||||||||||||
WC | |||||||||||||||||||
5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e) | ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION | ||||||||||||||||||
ONTARIO, CANADA | |||||||||||||||||||
NUMBER OF | 7 | SOLE VOTING POWER | |||||||||||||||||
SHARES | |||||||||||||||||||
BENEFICIALLY | - 0 - | ||||||||||||||||||
OWNED BY | 8 | SHARED VOTING POWER | |||||||||||||||||
EACH | |||||||||||||||||||
REPORTING | 588,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
PERSON WITH | 9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER | |||||||||||||||||
- 0 - | |||||||||||||||||||
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER | ||||||||||||||||||
588,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
11 | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON | ||||||||||||||||||
588,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES | ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) | ||||||||||||||||||
LESS THAN 1% | |||||||||||||||||||
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON | ||||||||||||||||||
PN |
6 |
CUSIP No. 674482 10 4
1 | NAME OF REPORTING PERSON | ||||||||||||||||||
FRONTFOUR ENERGY GP INC. | |||||||||||||||||||
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP | (a) ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
(b) ☐ | |||||||||||||||||||
3 | SEC USE ONLY | ||||||||||||||||||
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS | ||||||||||||||||||
AF | |||||||||||||||||||
5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e) | ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION | ||||||||||||||||||
ONTARIO, CANADA | |||||||||||||||||||
NUMBER OF | 7 | SOLE VOTING POWER | |||||||||||||||||
SHARES | |||||||||||||||||||
BENEFICIALLY | - 0 - | ||||||||||||||||||
OWNED BY | 8 | SHARED VOTING POWER | |||||||||||||||||
EACH | |||||||||||||||||||
REPORTING | 588,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
PERSON WITH | 9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER | |||||||||||||||||
- 0 - | |||||||||||||||||||
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER | ||||||||||||||||||
588,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
11 | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON | ||||||||||||||||||
588,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES | ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) | ||||||||||||||||||
LESS THAN 1% | |||||||||||||||||||
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON | ||||||||||||||||||
CO |
7 |
CUSIP No. 674482 10 4
1 | NAME OF REPORTING PERSON | ||||||||||||||||||
STEPHEN LOUKAS | |||||||||||||||||||
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP | (a) ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
(b) ☐ | |||||||||||||||||||
3 | SEC USE ONLY | ||||||||||||||||||
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS | ||||||||||||||||||
PF, AF | |||||||||||||||||||
5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e) | ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION | ||||||||||||||||||
USA | |||||||||||||||||||
NUMBER OF | 7 | SOLE VOTING POWER | |||||||||||||||||
SHARES | |||||||||||||||||||
BENEFICIALLY | 210,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
OWNED BY | 8 | SHARED VOTING POWER | |||||||||||||||||
EACH | |||||||||||||||||||
REPORTING | 28,417,646 | ||||||||||||||||||
PERSON WITH | 9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER | |||||||||||||||||
210,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER | ||||||||||||||||||
28,417,646 | |||||||||||||||||||
11 | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON | ||||||||||||||||||
28,627,646 | |||||||||||||||||||
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES | ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) | ||||||||||||||||||
5.7% | |||||||||||||||||||
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON | ||||||||||||||||||
IN |
8 |
CUSIP No. 674482 10 4
1 | NAME OF REPORTING PERSON | ||||||||||||||||||
DAVID A. LORBER | |||||||||||||||||||
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP | (a) ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
(b) ☐ | |||||||||||||||||||
3 | SEC USE ONLY | ||||||||||||||||||
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS | ||||||||||||||||||
PF, AF | |||||||||||||||||||
5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e) | ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION | ||||||||||||||||||
USA | |||||||||||||||||||
NUMBER OF | 7 | SOLE VOTING POWER | |||||||||||||||||
SHARES | |||||||||||||||||||
BENEFICIALLY | 450,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
OWNED BY | 8 | SHARED VOTING POWER | |||||||||||||||||
EACH | |||||||||||||||||||
REPORTING | 28,417,646 | ||||||||||||||||||
PERSON WITH | 9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER | |||||||||||||||||
450,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER | ||||||||||||||||||
28,417,646 | |||||||||||||||||||
11 | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON | ||||||||||||||||||
28,867,646 | |||||||||||||||||||
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES | ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) | ||||||||||||||||||
5.7% | |||||||||||||||||||
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON | ||||||||||||||||||
IN |
9 |
CUSIP No. 674482 10 4
1 | NAME OF REPORTING PERSON | ||||||||||||||||||
ZACHARY GEORGE | |||||||||||||||||||
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP | (a) ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
(b) ☐ | |||||||||||||||||||
3 | SEC USE ONLY | ||||||||||||||||||
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS | ||||||||||||||||||
AF | |||||||||||||||||||
5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e) | ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION | ||||||||||||||||||
USA | |||||||||||||||||||
NUMBER OF | 7 | SOLE VOTING POWER | |||||||||||||||||
SHARES | |||||||||||||||||||
BENEFICIALLY | - 0 - | ||||||||||||||||||
OWNED BY | 8 | SHARED VOTING POWER | |||||||||||||||||
EACH | |||||||||||||||||||
REPORTING | 28,417,646 | ||||||||||||||||||
PERSON WITH | 9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER | |||||||||||||||||
- 0 - | |||||||||||||||||||
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER | ||||||||||||||||||
28,417,646 | |||||||||||||||||||
11 | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON | ||||||||||||||||||
28,417,646 | |||||||||||||||||||
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES | ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) | ||||||||||||||||||
5.6% | |||||||||||||||||||
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON | ||||||||||||||||||
IN |
10 |
CUSIP No. 674482 10 4
The following constitutes Amendment No. 2 to the Schedule 13D filed by the undersigned (“Amendment No. 2”). This Amendment No. 2 amends Amendment No. 1 to the Schedule 13D filed on January 17, 2018 solely to include as an exhibit the press release referenced below and attached hereto.
Item 7. | Material to be Filed as Exhibits. |
Item 7 is hereby amended to add the following exhibit:
Exhibit No. Description
99.1 | Press Release, dated January 17, 2018 |
11 |
CUSIP No. 674482 10 4
SIGNATURES
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
Dated: January 18, 2018 | FrontFour Master Fund, Ltd. | ||
By: | FrontFour Capital Group LLC as Investment Manager | ||
By: |
/s/ David A. Lorber | ||
Name: | David A. Lorber | ||
Title: | Managing Member |
FrontFour Capital Group LLC | |||
By: |
/s/ David A. Lorber | ||
Name: | David A. Lorber | ||
Title: | Managing Member |
FrontFour Opportunity Fund | |||
By: | FrontFour Capital Corp. as Investment Manager | ||
By: |
/s/ David A. Lorber | ||
Name: | David A. Lorber | ||
Title: | Authorized Signatory |
FrontFour Capital Corp. | |||
By: |
/s/ David A. Lorber | ||
Name: | David A. Lorber | ||
Title: | Authorized Signatory |
FrontFour Energy Fund | |||
By: | FrontFour Energy GP Inc. as General Partner | ||
By: |
/s/ David A. Lorber | ||
Name: | David A. Lorber | ||
Title: | Authorized Signatory |
12 |
CUSIP No. 674482 10 4
FrontFour Energy GP Inc. | |||
By: |
/s/ David A. Lorber | ||
Name: | David A. Lorber | ||
Title: | Authorized Signatory |
/s/ Stephen Loukas | |
Stephen Loukas |
/s/ David A. Lorber | |
David A. Lorber |
/s/ Zachary George | |
Zachary George |
13 |
Exhibit 99.1
LONG-TERM SHAREHOLDER FRONTFOUR CAPITAL EXPRESSES CONCERNS REGARDING OBSIDIAN ENERGY LTD.
Questions Recent Corporate Decisions
Views Company As A Potential Cardium Champion
GREENWICH, Conn., Jan. 17, 2018/PRNewswire/ -- FrontFour Capital Group LLC together with its affiliates (“FrontFour”) today commented on recent developments related to Obsidian Energy Ltd. (“Obsidian” or the “Company”) (TSX/NYSE: OBE). FrontFour and its principals are significant long-term shareholders of Obsidian, collectively beneficially owning over 28 million outstanding shares, representing approximately 5.7% of Obsidian’s outstanding capital.
As previously disclosed in its Schedule 13D filing of November 20, 2017, on October 5, 2017, after significant dialogue with Obsidian CEO David French on the Company’s development plan within the Willesden Green Cardium, as well as with numerous Obsidian directors in reaction to Obsidian’s analyst day presentation and SEC lawsuit, FrontFour sent to the board of directors (the “Board”) of Obsidian a letter outlining its significant concerns with Obsidian’s capital plan, strategic direction and value proposition to investors. FrontFour’s specific concerns included but were not limited to:
(i) | the belief that Obsidian’s capital program was highly flawed and has negatively impacted Obsidian’s current valuation due to an emphasis on an integrated waterflood approach to developing the Cardium as opposed to a shorter cycle strategy focused on more rapidly growing Obsidian’s light oil production; |
(ii) | the decision to spend minimal capital on drilling and completing new wells in the Cardium and Viking during the first half of 2017, resulting in sequential declines in light oil production throughout the year; |
(iii) | Obsidian’s positioning of the Peace River joint venture as a continued core focus of capital deployment post expiry of the remaining capital carry in lieu of spending capital to grow its light oil and liquids production; and |
(iv) | Obsidian’s inability to dispose of or improve the operations within its non-core legacy gas-weighted production. |
Due to these concerns and in light of our significant long-term shareholdings in Obsidian, FrontFour also requested board representation. Despite FrontFour’s tireless efforts over the last three months to come to an amicable agreement with Obsidian’s management team and Board on the addition to the Board of ONE mutually agreed upon independent nominee proposed by FrontFour, we have been unable to come to an agreement that would avoid a needlessly costly and distracting proxy fight. It became apparent to FrontFour during our negotiations that the Board is divided on strategy and that certain directors are entrenched, which is surprising given their aversion to share ownership and long-term track record of underperformance.
We welcomed Obsidian’s January 15, 2018 press release, which featured strong primary well performance out of the bioturbated interval within the Willesden Green Cardium and an accelerated 2018 Cardium program via the reallocation of capital from vertical waterflood injectors. Both initiatives are consistent with our private suggestions to management and our dialogue with the Board. We note that the Company made no mention of this approach in their recently released 5-year capital plan, which is less than seven months old. We believe that continued shareholder engagement is necessary, especially in light of Obsidian’s ill-timed hedging strategy of selling essentially ALL of its 2018 light oil production via fixed price swaps at prices of ~$52 per barrel, which has led to material mark to market losses. This decision has created additional headwinds to equity performance as Obsidian has continued to underperform its peers, who are benefitting from the recent increase in crude prices. Despite Obsidian’s vast resource base, it is clear that investors are struggling to find the equity compelling relative to its peers given the Company’s below average growth rate, underwater hedge program, muddled capital plan, and lack of dividend.
FrontFour believes that a significant overhaul of Obsidian is necessary, including the streamlining of the portfolio via dispositions, and the high grading of the capital program to drive robust light oil and liquids growth within Obsidian’s dominant Cardium position and vast Mannville footprint. Obsidian has the potential to be a standout light oil growth player and Cardium champion through a dramatic transformation that we believe will unlock significant value for all shareholders. To this end, FrontFour is currently considering all available options, including seeking changes to the composition of the Board at Obsidian’s 2018 Annual Meeting.
FRONTFOUR CAPITAL GROUP LLC
FrontFour Capital Group LLC, located in the United States at 35 Mason Street, Greenwich, CT 06830, was formed in December 2006. FrontFour Capital Group LLC is registered with the Securities & Exchange Commission as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.
The information contained in this news release does not and is not meant to constitute a solicitation of a proxy within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Obsidian shareholders are not being asked at this time to execute a proxy in favour of any matter. Notwithstanding the foregoing, FrontFour is voluntarily providing the disclosure required under section 9.2(4) of National Instrument 51-102 – Continuous Disclosure Obligations in accordance with securities laws applicable to public broadcast solicitations. Any solicitation made by FrontFour will be made by it and not by or on behalf of the management of Obsidian. All costs incurred for any solicitation will be borne by FrontFour, provided that, subject to applicable law, FrontFour may seek reimbursement from Obsidian of FrontFour’s out-of-pocket expenses, including proxy solicitation expenses and legal fees, incurred in connection with any successful result at a meeting of Obsidian shareholders. Proxies may be solicited by FrontFour pursuant to an information circular sent to shareholders after which solicitations may be made by or on behalf of FrontFour by mail, telephone, fax, email or other electronic means as well as by newspaper or other media advertising, and in person by directors, officers and employees of FrontFour, who will not be specifically remunerated therefor. FrontFour may also solicit proxies in reliance upon the public broadcast exemption to the solicitation requirements under applicable Canadian corporate and securities laws, including through press releases, speeches or publications, and by any other manner permitted under applicable Canadian laws. FrontFour may engage the services of one or more agents and authorize other persons to assist in soliciting proxies on its behalf, which agents would receive customary fees for such services. Once FrontFour has commenced any solicitation of proxies, proxies may be revoked by instrument in writing by a shareholder giving the proxy or by its duly authorized officer or attorney, or in any other manner permitted by law and the articles or by-laws of Obsidian. None of FrontFour nor, to its knowledge, any of its associates or affiliates, has any material interest, direct or indirect: (i) in any transaction since the beginning of Obsidian’s most recently completed financial year or in any proposed transaction that has materially affected or would materially affect Obsidian or any of its subsidiaries; or (ii) by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in any matter proposed to be acted on by Obsidian, other than the election of directors to the board of Obsidian. Obsidian’s principal office address is 200, 207 - 9th Avenue SW Calgary, Alberta T2P 1K3.
CONTACT
Investor Contact:
Stephen
Loukas/David Lorber
FrontFour Capital Group LLC
35 Mason Street, 4th Floor
Greenwich, CT 06830
203-274-9050