New drilling programs boost their outlook

Article Excerpt

PENN WEST ENERGY TRUST $19.68 (Toronto symbol PWT.UN; Units outstanding: 452.7 million; Market cap: $8.9 billion; SI Rating: Extra Risk; Dividend yield: 9.1%) is the largest oil and gas trust in North America. It produces an average of 163,700 barrels of oil equivalent per day (weighted 59% to oil and 41% to natural gas). In the three months ended June 30, 2010, cash flow per unit fell 41%, to $0.62 from $1.05. That’s because wet weather lowered Penn West’s oil and gas production. Penn West recently formed a 50/50 joint venture with Japan’s Mitsubishi Corp. to develop Penn West’s shale-gas properties in B.C.’s Cordova Embayment area. The joint venture will also develop some of Penn West’s conventional-gas properties in the Wildboy area of northeastern B.C. Mitsubishi will spend $850 million to earn its 50% interest. The trust pays a $0.15 monthly distribution, for an annualized yield of 9.2%. Penn West plans to convert to a conventional corporation before the end of 2011…