Baytex to Sale North Dakota Assets

Baytex Energy Corp. has entered into an agreement to sell its North Dakota assets (the “Assets”) to SM Energy Company, effective July 1, 2014, for gross proceeds of approximately $357 million (US$330.5 million). The transaction is expected to close toward the end of the third quarter with after tax net proceeds from the sale, estimated at $275 million, to be applied against outstanding bank indebtedness.

Production from the Assets averaged approximately 3,200 boe/d in the second quarter of 2014. As of December 31, 2013, the Assets were estimated to have proved plus probable reserves of 53.5 million boe (81% oil and NGL). The disposition proceeds represent attractive metrics of $111,600 per flowing boe (based on second quarter 2014 production) and $20.09 per boe of proved plus probable reserves (including future development costs of $718 million).

This divestiture follows a portfolio review of our assets that was initiated late in the second quarter, in anticipation of the Eagle Ford transaction. During this review, we identified assets representing 5% to 10% of our production that are not likely to command capital going forward given our plans to direct capital to the highest rate of return projects in our portfolio. We will continue to assess the market for any future divestitures.

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