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OPERATIONS UPDATE

Greater Figure Lake (Figure Lake and Edwand)

Heavy oil production from the Greater Figure Lake area averaged 5,426 bbl/d (100% heavy oil) in March 2025 and 5,325 bbl/d (100% heavy oil) for the first quarter. Solution gas sales through the newly constructed gas plant and gas gathering system ramped up during the quarter, contributing 3.0 MMcf/d to total production at Figure Lake in March 2025 of 5,922 boe/d (92% liquids).

In the first quarter of 2025, Rubellite drilled and rig released a total of four (4.0 net) horizontal wells in the Greater Figure Lake area, all targeting the Wabiskaw Member of the Clearwater Formation with the 33 meter inter-leg spacing well design adopted in the latter half of 2024. Results from the Q1 2025 capital program across the Greater Figure Lake field achieved an average IP30 of 286 bbl/d (3 wells) and IP60 of 260 bbl/d (2 wells), as compared to the McDaniel Tier 1 Type Curve⁽²⁾ for the 33 meter spacing well design of IP30 177 bbl/d and IP60 169 bbl/d⁽¹⁾.

Consistent production results continue to support the geologic model and affirm the 243.0 net development drilling inventory locations⁽³⁾, including 96.2 net proven and probable undeveloped⁽²⁾⁽³⁾ booked locations. Under a one-rig program, which would provide for the drilling of 18 wells per year, the location count at Figure Lake represents over 13 years of low-risk development drilling inventory.

With expected ongoing growth in heavy oil volumes, Rubellite is evaluating options to manage additional gas volumes, including expansion of the gas plant for increased sales volumes as well as temporary gas storage into a depleted reservoir. The Company is also advancing a novel natural gas re-injection pilot at Figure Lake for enhanced oil recovery with an experimental well now configured on the 1-13 plant site.

In addition, during the first quarter Rubellite acquired 3D seismic to advance the evaluation of an exploratory prospect in the Sparky formation to be drill ready later in 2025 or early 2026.

Frog Lake

Production at the Frog Lake property averaged 2,471 bbl/d (100% heavy oil) net to Rubellite in March 2025 and 2,423 bbl/d (100% heavy oil) for the first quarter.

The Company switched its drilling operations at Frog Lake in December 2024 to utilize Oil-Based Mud ("OBM"), and subsequently drilled and rig released six (4.5 net) horizontal wells in the first quarter of 2025 at North Frog Lake, targeting the Waseca Sand of the Mannville Stack. The OBM trial at Frog Lake is expected to confirm the benefits of using OBM fluid consistent with Rubellite's operations at Figure Lake, where the use of OBM has improved hole cleaning and stability, accelerated the time to stabilized reservoir production, and reduced drill pipe wear, water handling and disposal costs as compared to conventional water-based mud systems.

Results from the Q1 2025 capital program at Frog Lake achieved an average IP30 and IP60 of 154 bbl/d (4 wells⁽¹⁾) and 140 bbl/d (3 wells) respectively, as compared to the McDaniel Waseca North Type Curve⁽²⁾ IP30 and IP60 of 107 bbl/d and 104 bbl/d established using historical data obtained from wells drilled with water-based mud systems. Alongside the preliminary production results, drilling costs, fluid losses, and OBM recovery rates for re-use in the drilling of subsequent wells have all been encouraging, and the Company is continuing to utilize OBM in its ongoing drilling operations at Frog Lake.

In addition to continued drilling of the Waseca sand as the primary development zone at Frog Lake, the Company is planning several exploratory evaluation wells in 2025 and 2026 using an alternative well design to test the less consolidated General Petroleum and Sparky sands. Learnings from these wells will confirm type curve assumptions, and inform mapping parameters and appropriate geological cutoffs for future economic development of these additional zones in the Mannville Stack.

Marten Hills

The Company rig released its first water injection well at Marten Hills in late February, and pending routine regulatory approvals, expects to commence waterflood operations during the second quarter. Value is expected to be realized through reduced water handling costs, reduced production declines and enhanced reserve recoveries.

Other Exploration

In addition to exploration activities in the General Petroleum and Sparky zone at Frog Lake and the Sparky prospect at Figure Lake, the Company is continuing to advance multiple additional new venture exploration prospects, pursuing both land capture and play concept de-risking activities while minimizing its risked capital exposure.

 

OUTLOOK AND GUIDANCE

For the remaining three quarters of 2025, Rubellite has budgeted to spend a total of $73 to $88 million primarily on the exploration and development drilling program, excluding expenditures on land and abandonment and reclamation activities, which is unchanged from previous guidance. Planned capital activity at the low end of the spending guidance range includes: drilling an additional fifteen (15.0 net) multi-lateral development / step-out wells in the Greater Figure Lake area; drilling an additional eighteen (9.5 net) multi-lateral wells in the Frog Lake area, including at least one (0.5 net) well to evaluate the General Petroleum zone in the Mannville Stack; capital to expand the Figure Lake gas conservation project including additional plant optimization and pipeline tie-ins; participation in the drilling of four (2.0 net) wells at East Edson; spending to continue to evaluate additional heavy oil exploration prospects and advance enhanced oil recovery.

If market conditions warrant, the Company will consider expanding its planned activity levels to the high end of the spending guidance range which would further grow production levels into 2026. However, with the recent significant decline in oil prices, the Company is monitoring its capital spending plans and evaluating reducing its second half 2025 capital program. The Company will continue to strive for meaningful per well capital cost reductions to drive attractive rates of return and payout periods, and will manage its capital spending to prioritize free funds flow generation over production growth in a weak oil price environment.

Heavy oil sales volumes based on the current budget are expected to grow 44% to 48% year-over-year to average between 8,200 - 8,400 bbl/d in 2025. Total production sales volumes, including natural gas and NGL volumes at East Edson and solution gas sales at Figure Lake, are forecast to average 12,200 - 12,400 boe/d in 2025.

Forecasted activity will be funded from adjusted funds flow⁽¹⁾, with excess free funds flow⁽¹⁾ applied to reduce net debt⁽¹⁾ and other balance sheet obligations. Aided by Rubellite's extensive commodity price risk management positions, the Company continues to forecast strong adjusted funds flow and free funds flow through the second and third quarters of 2025 based on the forward market for commodity prices as at May 7, 2025.

Rubellite will continue to address end of life ARO, with total abandonment and reclamation expenditures of approximately $1.1 million planned for the final three quarters of 2025. In combination with the $0.8 million of asset retirement obligation spending in the first quarter, the Company is on track to exceed its area-based mandatory spending requirement for 2025 of $1.7 million, as calculated by the Alberta Energy Regulator ("AER").

Capital spending and drilling activity for 2025 is summarized in the table below:

Rubellite's capital spending, drilling and operational guidance for the second quarter and full year 2025 are presented in the table below:

SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS

ABOUT RUBELLITE

The Company is a Canadian energy company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta which, through its operating subsidiary, Rubellite Energy Inc. is engaged in the exploration, development, production and marketing of its diversified asset portfolio which includes heavy crude oil from the Clearwater and Mannville Stack Formations in Eastern Alberta utilizing multi-lateral drilling technology, liquids-rich conventional natural gas assets in the deep basin of West Central Alberta, and undeveloped bitumen leases in Northern Alberta. The Company is pursuing a robust organic growth plan focused on superior corporate returns and funds flow generation while maintaining a conservative capital structure and prioritizing operational excellence. Additional information on the Company can be accessed on the Company's website at www.rubelliteenergy.com or on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained herein.

ADVISORIES

BOE VOLUME CONVERSIONS

Barrel of oil equivalent ("boe") may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. In accordance with NI 51-101, a conversion ratio for conventional natural gas of 6 Mcf:1 bbl has been used, which is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. In addition, utilizing a conversion on a 6 Mcf:1 bbl basis may be misleading as an indicator of value as the value ratio between conventional natural gas and heavy crude oil, based on the current prices of natural gas and crude oil, differ significantly from the energy equivalency of 6 Mcf:1 bbl.

ABBREVIATIONS

The following abbreviations used in this news release have the meanings set forth below:

INDUSTRY METRICS

This news release contains certain industry metrics which do not have standardized meanings or standard methods of calculation and therefore such measures may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies and should not be used to make comparisons. Such metrics have been included in this document to provide readers with additional measures to evaluate Rubellite's performance; however, such measures are not reliable indicators of Rubellite's future performance and future performance may not compare to Rubellite's performance in previous periods and therefore such metrics should not be unduly relied upon.

INITIAL PRODUCTION RATES

Any references in this news release to initial production rates are useful in confirming the presence of hydrocarbons; however, such rates are not determinate of the rates at which such wells will continue production and decline thereafter and are not necessarily indicative of long-term performance or ultimate recovery. Readers are cautioned not to place reliance on such rates in calculating the aggregate production for the Company. Such rates are based on field estimates and may be based on limited data available at this time.

ESTIMATED DRILLING LOCATIONS

Of the 316.2 net heavy oil drilling development locations disclosed in this news release, 93.1 net are proved and 45.6 net are probable undeveloped locations in the McDaniel year-end 2024 reserve report. There are 9.5 net proven natural gas locations and 4.4 net probable natural gas locations in the McDaniel year-end reserve report. Unbooked drilling locations are the internal estimates of Rubellite based on Rubellite's or the acquired assets prospective acreage and an assumption as to the number of wells that can be drilled per section based on industry practice and internal review. Unbooked locations do not have attributed reserves or resources (including contingent and prospective). Unbooked locations have been identified by Rubellite's management as an estimation of Rubellite's multi-year drilling activities based on evaluation of applicable geologic, seismic, engineering, production and reserves information. There is no certainty that Rubellite will drill all unbooked drilling locations and if drilled there is no certainty that such locations will result in additional oil and natural gas reserves, resources or production. The drilling locations on which Rubellite will actually drill wells, including the number and timing thereof is ultimately dependent upon the availability of funding, regulatory approvals, seasonal restrictions, oil and natural gas prices, costs, actual drilling results, additional reservoir information that is obtained and other factors. While a certain number of the unbooked drilling locations have been de-risked by Rubellite drilling existing wells in relative close proximity to such unbooked drilling locations, the majority of other unbooked drilling locations are farther away from existing wells where management of Rubellite has less information about the characteristics of the reservoir and therefore there is more uncertainty whether wells will be drilled in such locations and if drilled there is more uncertainty that such wells will result in additional oil and gas reserves, resources or production.

NON-GAAP AND OTHER FINANCIAL MEASURES

Throughout this news release and in other materials disclosed by the Company, Rubellite employs certain measures to analyze financial performance, financial position and cash flow. These non-GAAP and other financial measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities. The non-GAAP and other financial measures should not be considered to be more meaningful than GAAP measures which are determined in accordance with IFRS, such as net income (loss), cash flow from (used in) operating activities, and cash flow from (used in) investing activities, as indicators of Rubellite's performance.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Capital Expenditures: Rubellite uses capital expenditures related to exploration and development to measure its capital investments compared to the Company's annual capital budgeted expenditures. Rubellite's capital budget excludes acquisition and disposition activities.

The most directly comparable GAAP measure for capital expenditures is cash flow used in investing activities. A summary of the reconciliation of cash flow used in investing activities to capital expenditures, is set forth below:

Cash costs: Cash costs are comprised of net operating costs, transportation, general and administrative, and cash finance expense as detailed below. Cash costs per boe is calculated by dividing cash costs by total production sold in the period. Management believes that cash costs assist management and investors in assessing Rubellite's efficiency and overall cost structure.

Operating netbacks and total operating netbacks, after risk management contracts: Operating netback is calculated by deducting royalties, net operating expenses, and transportation costs from oil and natural gas revenue. Operating netback is also calculated on a per boe basis using total production sold in the period. Total operating netbacks, after risk management contracts, is presented after adjusting for realized gains or losses from risk management contracts. Rubellite considers operating netback and operating netback after risk management contracts to be key industry performance indicators that provides investors with information that is also commonly presented by other oil and natural gas producers. Rubellite presents the operating netback at a CGU level as it provides investors with key information related to the heavy oil CGU which is the area where growth capital investment is focused. Operating netback and operating netback, after risk management contracts, evaluate operational performance as it demonstrates its profitability relative to realized and current commodity prices.

Net operating costs: Net operating costs equals operating expenses net of other income, which is made up of processing revenue and other one time items from time to time. Management views net operating costs as an important measure to evaluate its operational performance. The most directly comparable IFRS measure for net operating costs is production and operating expenses.

The following table reconciles net operating costs from production and operating expenses and other income in the Company's consolidated statement of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss).

Net Debt and Adjusted Working Capital Deficit: Rubellite uses net debt as an alternative measure of outstanding debt and is calculated by adding borrowings under the credit facility and term loan debt less adjusted working capital. Adjusted working capital is calculated by adding cash, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and deposits and product inventory less accounts payable and accrued liabilities. Management considers net debt as an important measure in assessing the liquidity of the Company. Net debt is used by management to assess the Company's overall debt position and borrowing capacity. Net debt is not a standardized measure and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities.

The following table reconciles working capital and net debt as reported in the Company's statements of financial position:

Adjusted funds flow: Adjusted funds flow is calculated based on net cash flows from operating activities, excluding changes in non-cash working capital and expenditures on decommissioning obligations, other provisions and share-based compensation since the Company believes the timing of collection, payment or incurrence of these items is variable. Expenditures on decommissioning and share based compensation obligations may vary from period to period and are managed as expenditures through the corporate budgeting process which considers available adjusted funds flow. Management uses adjusted funds flow and adjusted funds flow per boe as key measures to assess the ability of the Company to generate the funds necessary to finance capital expenditures, expenditures on decommissioning obligations, expenditures on share based compensation and meet its financial obligations.

Adjusted funds flow is not intended to represent net cash flows from operating activities calculated in accordance with IFRS.

The following table reconciles net cash flows from operating activities, as reported in the Company's statements of cash flows, to adjusted funds flow:

Free funds flow: Free funds flow is an important measure that informs efficiency of capital spent and liquidity. Free funds flow is calculated as adjusted funds flow generated during the period less capital expenditures. Rubellite's capital expenditures excluded non cash items and acquisitions and dispositions. Adjusted funds flow and capital expenditures are non-GAAP financial measures which have been reconciled to its most directly comparable GAAP measure previously in this document. By removing the impact of current period capital expenditures from adjusted funds flow, Rubellite monitors its free funds flow to inform decisions such as capital allocation and debt repayment.

The following table shows the calculation of the removal of capital expenditures from adjusted funds flows pre transaction costs:

Available Liquidity: Available liquidity is defined as the borrowing limit under the Company's credit facility, plus any cash and cash equivalents, less any borrowings and letters of credit issued under the credit facility. Management uses available liquidity to assess the ability of the Company to finance capital expenditures, expenditures on decommissioning obligations and to meet its financial obligations.

Non-GAAP Financial Ratios

Rubellite calculates certain non-GAAP measures per boe as the measure divided by weighted average daily production. Management believes that per boe ratios are a key industry performance measure of operational efficiency and one that provides investors with information that is also commonly presented by other crude oil and natural gas producers. Rubellite also calculates certain non-GAAP measures per share as the measure divided by outstanding common shares.

Average realized oil price after risk management contracts: are calculated as the average realized price less the realized gain or loss on risk management contracts.

Adjusted funds flow per share: adjusted funds flow per share is calculated using the weighted average number of basic and diluted shares outstanding used in calculating net income (loss) per share.

Adjusted funds flow per boe: Adjusted funds flow per boe is calculated as adjusted funds flow divided by total production sold in the period.

Net debt to adjusted funds flow ratio: Net debt to adjusted funds flow ratios are calculated on a trailing twelve-month basis.

Net debt to annualized adjusted funds flow ratio: Net debt to annualized adjusted funds flow ratios are calculated by annualizing the current quarter adjusted funds flow after transaction costs.

Supplementary Financial Measures 

"Realized oil price" is comprised of total oil revenue, as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by the Company's total sales oil production on a per barrel basis.

"Realized natural gas price" is comprised of natural gas commodity sales from production, as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by the Company's natural gas sales production.

"Realized NGL price" is comprised of NGL commodity sales from production, as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by the Company's NGL sales production.

"Royalties as a percentage of revenue" is comprised of royalties, as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by oil revenue from sales oil production as determined in accordance with IFRS.

"Net operating expense per boe" is comprised of net operating expense, divided by the Company's total sales production.

"Transportation cost ($/boe)" is comprised of transportation cost, as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by the Company's total sales oil production.

"General & administrative costs ($/boe)" is comprised of G&A expense, as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by the Company's total sales oil production.

"Heavy oil wellhead differential ($/bbl)" represents the differential the Company receives for selling its heavy crude oil production relative to the Western Canadian Select reference price (Cdn$/bbl) prior to any price or risk management activities.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION 

Certain information in this news release including management's assessment of future plans and operations, and including the information contained under the headings "Operations Update" and "Outlook and Guidance" may constitute forward-looking information or statements (together "forward-looking information") under applicable securities laws. The forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements with respect to: future capital expenditures, production and various cost forecasts; the anticipated sources of funds to be used for capital spending; expectations as to future exploration, development and drilling activity, and the benefits to be derived from such drilling including drilling techniques and production growth; Rubellite's business plan; and including the forward-looking information contained under the heading "Outlook and Guidance" and "About Rubellite".

Forward-looking information is based on current expectations, estimates and projections that involve a number of known and unknown risks, which could cause actual results to vary and in some instances to differ materially from those anticipated by Rubellite and described in the forward-looking information contained in this news release. In particular and without limitation of the foregoing, material factors or assumptions on which the forward-looking information in this news release is based include: the successful operation of the Company's assets, forecast commodity prices and other pricing assumptions; forecast production volumes based on business and market conditions; foreign exchange and interest rates; near-term pricing and continued volatility of the market; accounting estimates and judgments; future use and development of technology and associated expected future results; the ability to obtain regulatory approvals; the successful and timely implementation of capital projects; ability to generate sufficient cash flow to meet current and future obligations and future capital funding requirements (equity or debt); the ability of Rubellite to obtain and retain qualified staff and equipment in a timely and cost-efficient manner, as applicable; the retention of key properties; forecast inflation, supply chain access and other assumptions inherent in Rubellite's current guidance and estimates; climate change; severe weather events (including wildfires and drought); the continuance of existing tax, royalty, and regulatory regimes; the accuracy of the estimates of reserves volumes; ability to access and implement technology necessary to efficiently and effectively operate assets; risk of wars or other hostilities or geopolitical events (including the ongoing war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East), civil insurrection and pandemics; risks relating to Indigenous land claims and duty to consult; data breaches and cyber attacks; risks relating to the use of artificial intelligence; changes in laws and regulations, including but not limited to tax laws, royalties and environmental regulations (including greenhouse gas emission reduction requirements and other decarbonization or social policies) and including uncertainty with respect to the interpretation of omnibus Bill C-59 and the related amendments to the Competition Act (Canada), and the interpretation of such changes to the Company's business); political, geopolitical and economic instability; trade policy, barriers, disputes or wars (including new tariffs or changes to existing international trade requirements and general economic and business conditions and markets, among others.

Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of performance and is subject to a number of risks or uncertainties, including without limitation those described herein and under "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form and MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2023 (and once filed under "Risk Factors" in Rubellite's Annual Information Form and MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2024) and in other reports on file with Canadian securities regulatory authorities which may be accessed through the SEDAR+ website www.sedarplus.ca and at Rubellite's website www.rubelliteenergy.com. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of risk factors is not exhaustive. Forward-looking information is based on the estimates and opinions of Rubellite's management at the time the information is released, and Rubellite disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as expressly required by applicable securities law.

SOURCE Rubellite Energy Corp.

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