Category: Justice

  • MIL-OSI: Byrna Technologies Announces Preliminary Fiscal First Quarter 2025 Record Revenue of $26.2 Million

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ANDOVER, Mass., March 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Byrna Technologies Inc. (“Byrna” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: BYRN), a technology company, specializing in the development, manufacture, and sale of innovative less-lethal personal security solutions, today announced select preliminary financial results for the fiscal first quarter ended February 28, 2025.

    Preliminary First Quarter Results
    Based on preliminary unaudited results, the Company expects total revenue for the fiscal first quarter of 2025 to be $26.2 million, representing a 57% increase compared to $16.7 million in the fiscal first quarter of 2024. The significant year-over-year growth in first quarter revenue is primarily attributable to the continued success of Byrna’s marketing strategies and increased production levels at Byrna’s Fort Wayne, Indiana factory.

    As a result, Byrna’s e-commerce channels were up $6.7 million over last year, representing 74% of Byrna’s total sales for the quarter. To meet heightened demand and support its growth initiatives for 2025, Byrna produced a record 68,916 launchers in the first quarter, a 26% increase from the fourth quarter of 2024 and a 219% increase year-over-year. Dealer sales also experienced strong growth, rising $1.9 million year-over-year.

    Management Commentary
    “We are gratified to see the growth in Q1, as this is the first year-over-year quarterly comparison where we were comparing our performance against a prior year quarter where we had implemented our celebrity endorsement strategy,” said Byrna CEO Bryan Ganz. “Historically, Q1 has been our slowest quarter, yet sales decreased only 6% sequentially from what is our seasonally strongest quarter of the fiscal year. This success is a testament to the growing brand awareness that we have built since pivoting our marketing strategy in 2023.

    “To support our ambitious growth targets, we produced a record 68,916 launchers in the quarter. With new celebrity influencers including Megyn Kelly, Lara Trump, and Donald Trump Jr., an expanding retail store presence, the kickoff of our store-within-a-store partnership with Sportsman’s Warehouse, and the launch of the Compact Launcher, we are well-positioned to continue our strong growth trajectory throughout 2025.”

    Preliminary Fiscal First Quarter 2025 Sales Breakdown:      
    Sales Channel ($ in millions) Q1 2025 Q1 2024 % Change
    Web 19.4  12.7  53 %
    Byrna Dedicated Dealers 4.4  2.5  76 %
    Law Enforcement / Schools / Pvt Security 0.0  0.0  0 %
    Retail Stores 0.3  0.2  53 %
    International 2.0  1.3  56 %
    Total Sales 26.2  16.7  57 %


    Tariff Exposure Update

    Byrna remains well-positioned to navigate evolving trade policies with minimal impact on its cost structure. As previously stated, Byrna sources no critical components from Mexico or Canada, and its limited exposure to China is mitigated by a dual-sourcing strategy. The Company is on track to move most, if not all of the current supply chain to the United States in 2025, reinforcing its commitment to domestic manufacturing. Additionally, higher tariffs on Chinese goods could benefit Byrna by raising costs for competitors that rely on China for production.

    Conference Call
    Byrna plans to report its full financial results for the fiscal first quarter in April, which will be accompanied by a conference call to discuss the results and address questions from investors and analysts. The conference call details will be announced prior to the event.

    About Byrna Technologies Inc.
    Byrna is a technology company specializing in the development, manufacture, and sale of innovative non-lethal personal security solutions. For more information on the Company, please visit the corporate website here or the Company’s investor relations site here. The Company is the manufacturer of the Byrna® SD personal security device, a state-of-the-art handheld CO2 powered launcher designed to provide a non-lethal alternative to a firearm for the consumer, private security, and law enforcement markets. To purchase Byrna products, visit the Company’s e-commerce store.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the securities laws. All statements contained in this news release, other than statements of current and historical fact, are forward-looking. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” and “believes” and statements that certain actions, events or results “may,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “might,” “occur,” “be achieved,” or “will be taken.” Forward-looking statements include descriptions of currently occurring matters which may continue in the future. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, our statements related to preliminary revenue results for the first fiscal quarter 2025, the timing of the release of full financial results for the quarter, expectations for future sales growth and demand trends, the impact of marketing strategies, the anticipated performance of new products and retail store expansion, and the Company’s ability to sustain momentum throughout 2025.Forward-looking statements are not, and cannot be, a guarantee of future results or events. Forward-looking statements are based on, among other things, opinions, assumptions, estimates, and analyses that, while considered reasonable by the Company at the date the forward-looking information is provided, inherently are subject to significant risks, uncertainties, contingencies, and other factors that may cause actual results and events to be materially different from those expressed or implied.

    Any number of risk factors could affect our actual results and cause them to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this news release, including, but not limited to, disappointing market responses to current or future products or services; prolonged, new, or exacerbated disruption of the Company’s supply chain; the further or prolonged disruption of new product development; production or distribution or delays in entry or penetration of sales channels due to inventory constraints, competitive factors, increased shipping costs or freight interruptions; prototype, parts and material shortages, particularly of parts sourced from limited or sole source providers; determinations by third party controlled distribution channels not to carry or reduce inventory of the Company’s products; determinations by advertisers to prohibit marketing of some or all Byrna products; the loss of marketing partners or endorsers; potential cancellations of existing or future orders including as a result of any fulfillment delays, introduction of competing products, negative publicity, or other factors; product design defects or recalls; litigation, enforcement proceedings or other regulatory or legal developments; changes in consumer or political sentiment affecting product demand; regulatory factors including the impact of commerce and trade laws and regulations; import-export related matters or tariffs, sanctions or embargos that could affect the Company’s supply chain or markets; delays in planned operations related to licensing, registration or permit requirements; and future restrictions on the Company’s cash resources, increased costs and other events that could potentially reduce demand for the Company’s products or result in order cancellations. The order in which these factors appear should not be construed to indicate their relative importance or priority. We caution that these factors may not be exhaustive; accordingly, any forward-looking statements contained herein should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual results. Investors should carefully consider these and other relevant factors, including those risk factors in Part I, Item 1A, (“Risk Factors”) in the Company’s most recent Form 10-K, should understand it is impossible to predict or identify all such factors or risks, should not consider the foregoing list, or the risks identified in the Company’s SEC filings, to be a complete discussion of all potential risks or uncertainties, and should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

    Investor Contact:
    Tom Colton and Alec Wilson
    Gateway Group, Inc.
    949-574-3860
    BYRN@gateway-grp.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Operation Protego

    Source: Australian Department of Revenue

    About Operation Protego

    Operation Protego is an ATO-led investigation into large-scale GST fraud that was promoted particularly on social media. The attempted fraud involves an individual:

    • inventing a fake business
    • lodging a fraudulent Australian business number (ABN) application, and
    • submitting fictitious business activity statements (BAS) to attempt to gain a false GST refund.

    In May 2022 we issued warnings to the community to be on the lookout for fraud schemes being promoted through social media and other channels. We advised those who were involved to come forward.

    The most serious offenders of financial crime are referred to the ATO-led Serious Financial Crime Taskforce (SFCT), including individuals involved in Operation Protego. The SFCT is taking firm action against individuals, facilitators and promoters suspected of defrauding the community by inventing fake businesses to claim false GST refunds.

    You need to check the facts – nobody is giving money away for free or offering loans that don’t need to be paid back. Simply speaking, if you don’t operate a business, you don’t need an ABN, and you shouldn’t lodge a BAS. This is fraud.

    For those who may be tempted by the promise of big gains, the ATO has sophisticated risk models. We work with banks, law enforcement agencies and other organisations to share information and detect fraud. We also have access to intelligence through community tip offs, and other information sources. The SFCT brings together the knowledge, resources and experience of relevant law enforcement and regulatory agencies to identify and address the most serious and complex forms of financial crime.

    Latest news

    25 February 2025 – Benjamin West sentenced to 2 years jail

    Benjamin West has been sentenced to 2 years jail. He is to be released after serving 6 months in custody, on a recognisance release order of $500, and to be of good behaviour for 2 years. Mr West was also ordered to pay reparation of $49,226.

    In February 2022, Mr West applied for an Australian Business Number claiming he was providing garden and lawn maintenance services. He then knowingly provided his myGov login details to a third party who lodged 6 business activity statements, allowing Mr West to fraudulently obtain $49,226 in GST refunds before attempting to obtain a further $25,060 which was stopped by the ATO.

    An audit by the ATO determined that he was not operating a legitimate business, and therefore not entitled to the GST refunds he had claimed.

    17 February 2025 – Adam Hohenberger sentenced to 2 years and 3 months jail

    Adam Hohenberger was sentenced to 2 years and 3 months in jail for committing GST fraud. He is to be released after serving 8 months in custody, on a recognisance release order. He must be of good behaviour and be supervised by a probation officer for 19 months.

    Mr Hohenberger was charged with 22 counts of obtaining a financial advantage by deception and 16 counts of attempting to obtain a financial advantage by deception.

    In May 2020, an Australian business number (ABN) was created for a construction repair business in Mr Hohenberger’s name. In 2022, he lodged 98 business activity statements (BAS) receiving over $108,000 he was not entitled to.

    During the audit process it was discovered that Mr Hohenberger did not have the skills required to repair construction machinery and therefore he was not operating a legitimate business.

    Mr Hohenberger was also ordered to repay $108,451 to the ATO.

    29 November 2024 – Thitikorn Thanawong sentenced to 2 years and 8 months jail

    Thitikorn Thanawong recklessly dealt with $296,212 that was the proceeds of indictable crime. She spent the entire amount on holiday expenses, transfers to associates and luxury retail purchases.

    She was sentenced to 2 years and 8 months in jail, to be released on a recognisance release order after serving 10 months, upon entering recognisance of $2,000 and to be of good behaviour for 2 years.

    For more information, see Luxury spender jailed through Operation Protego.

    28 October 2024 – Craig Hamilton sentenced to 2 months and 2 weeks jail

    Craig Hamilton was sentenced to 2 months and 2 weeks jail, released immediately on a security of $500 and to be of good behaviour for 2 years for dealing with the proceeds of indictable crime. Mr Hamilton obtained and dealt with $80,000 of fraudulent funds.

    Mr Hamilton reactivated a past Australian business number (ABN) operating as a construction project manager. In February 2022, 4 business activity statements (BAS) were lodged for the business and he claimed GST refunds that he was not entitled to.

    During the audit process, several red flags were identified:

    • No website or social media presence existed for the business.
    • Reported expenses exceeded his actual earnings.
    • Identical expense amounts were reported every quarter.
    • 80% of his income came from government benefits.

    Mr Hamilton’s bank records also didn’t indicate any business expenses or wages being paid. Instead, his expenses were largely spent on fines and fees, takeout, and supermarket purchases.

    Of the $80,000 obtained, $72,905 was recovered from the bank after Mr Hamilton’s account was frozen. This left a balance of $7,094 which he was ordered to repay.

    16 October 2024 – Tahra Wyntjes sentenced to 4 years jail

    Tahra Wyntjes was sentenced to 4 years jail with a non-parole period of 2 years and 4 months. She was charged with one count of obtaining a financial advantage by deception and one count of attempting to obtain a financial advantage by deception.

    Ms Wyntjes obtained $599,349 in fraudulent GST refunds she was not entitled to and attempted to obtain a further $259,976, which was stopped by ATO officers.

    Ms Wyntjes registered for both an ABN and for GST in November 2021 for a residential cleaning business. Between November 2021 and March 2022, she lodged fraudulent BAS, which ATO officers quickly noticed and began investigating.

    Ms Wyntjes was ordered to repay $599,349 by the court.

    For more information, see Victorian woman sentenced over GST fraud.

    9 October 2024 – Aman Akol sentenced to 6 months jail

    Aman Akol was sentenced to 6 months jail, released on a security of $1,000 and good behaviour for one year. She was charged with one offence of obtaining a financial advantage by deception, and one offence of attempting to obtain a financial advantage by deception.

    Between 20 October 2021 and 2 March 2022, Ms Akol conspired with an online associate to dishonestly lodge 7 BAS for a cleaning business that did not exist. These lodgments resulted in Ms Akol fraudulently obtaining $85,759 in GST refunds she was not entitled to and attempting to obtain a further $27,960.

    Aman Akol is the sister of Arec Akol who was charged and sentenced with similar offences in January 2024.

    6 September 2024 – Lee Sheridan sentenced to 2 years jail

    On 6 September 2024, Lee Sheridan was sentenced to 2 years in jail, to be released after having served 6 months, for dealing with the proceeds of crime (GST fraud).

    Mr Sheridan received and spent fraudulent GST refunds totalling $377,820 after he provided his personal details to an individual who lodged 38 original and revised monthly BAS on his behalf.

    For more information, see Operation Protego holds Perth offender to account.

    31 May 2024 – Joshua Mitchell sentenced to 18 months in jail

    On 31 May 2024, 33-year-old Joshua Mitchell was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, partially suspended with a $2,000 recognisance, under supervision and good behaviour. Mr Mitchell was also ordered to pay reparation of $24,200.

    Between 11 March 2022 and 2 April 2022, Mr Mitchell dishonestly lodged one original and one revised BAS, for a business that did not exist. He fraudulently obtained a total of $24,200.

    During the same period, he disposed of almost all the proceeds he had fraudulently obtained through payments to associates, streaming services and restaurants.

    26 March 2024 – Lisa McCormick sentenced to 2 years 6 months jail

    Lisa McCormick was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months jail and ordered to repay $39,600 in fraudulent funds. After serving 12 months, she will be released on a security of $5,000 and good behaviour for 18 months.

    Between 3 March 2022 and 30 April 2022, Mrs McCormick lodged 3 fraudulent BAS and as a result, received a GST refund of $39,600 which she was not entitled to. She also tried to obtain a further $9,820.

    While undergoing investigation, Mrs McCormick sent 8 false documents to the ATO which she was later charged over.

    She was charged with 2 counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception, one count of attempt to obtain financial advantage by deception, and one count of using a false document with the intention of dishonestly inducing a Commonwealth public official.

    22 January 2024 – Arec Akol sentenced to 3 months jail

    Arec Akol was sentenced to 3 months jail, released on a security of $5,000 and good behaviour for a year. She was charged with one count of obtaining financial advantage by deception.

    Ms Akol had registered an ABN for a cleaning business which didn’t exist. Seven fraudulent BAS were then lodged between 1 April 2021 and 28 February 2022.

    In total, Ms Akol claimed a GST refund of $69,461 which she was not entitled to. She was ordered to repay this amount in full.

    12 January 2024 – Adam Mitchell sentenced to a community corrections order of 15 months

    Adam Mitchell was sentenced to a community corrections order of 15 months after being charged with one offence of dealing in money or property that was the proceeds of crime worth $10,000 or more.

    Mr Mitchell had registered an ABN in 2017 and registered for GST reporting on 8 April 2022. On 22 April 2022, he lodged a fraudulent BAS claiming a GST refund of $18,000.

    In addition to the community corrections order, Mr Mitchell was ordered to repay the Commonwealth the full amount he had fraudulently claimed.

    17 November 2023 – Wayne Garrett sentenced to 3 years and 4 months jail

    Wayne Garrett was sentenced to 3 years and 4 months in jail with a non-parole period of 1 year and 9 months and ordered to repay $180,095 for GST fraud. He was charged with one count of obtaining a financial advantage by deception, one count of attempting to obtain a financial advantage by deception and one count of joint commission with a person of interest.

    Mr Garrett received $180,095 in GST refunds he was not entitled to. He also attempted to obtain a further $50,644.

    23 October 2023 – Rachel Saville sentenced to 1 year and 8 months jail

    Rachel Saville was sentenced to 1 year and 8 months jail after being charged with 4 counts of obtaining benefit by deception.

    Ms Saville reactivated an ABN for a jewellery and silver manufacturing business on 7 February 2022. Between 21 February 2022 and 26 July 2023, she lodged 63 fraudulent BAS obtaining $73,650 that she was not entitled to.

    Ms Saville also attempted to claim a further $192,983 in fraudulent GST refunds.

    For more information, see Wollongong woman jailed for GST fraud.

    30 August 2023 – Linden Phillips sentenced to 7 and a half years jail

    Linden Phillips was sentenced to 7 years and 6 months in prison with a non-parole period of 5 years. He was changed with obtaining financial advantage by deception, attempt to obtain financial advantage by deception, and deal with the proceeds of crime.

    Mr Phillips lodged false BAS which saw him fraudulently receive more than $830,000.

    For more information, see Mildura man jailed for 7 years for GST fraud.

    Update: Upon appeal, the sentence was reduced on 13 June 2024 to 6 years and 3 months with a non-parole period of 4 years.

    29 August 2023 – Justin McCormick sentenced to 2 years jail

    Justin McCormick was sentenced to 2 years jail with a 12-month non-parole period and ordered to repay almost $110,000 of funds fraudulently obtained. He was charged with 5 offences of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception from the Commissioner of Taxation.

    Mr McCormick had an ABN which had been registered between 28 March 2009 and 13 February 2015. He then re-registered this ABN on 11 February 2022 with the intent to lodge BAS for a business that did not exist and to claim GST on purchases that were never made.

    As a result of the false information reported in each BAS, McCormick obtained $109,278 in GST refunds, an amount to which he was not entitled.

    For more information, see Perth man jailed as Protego enforcement action continues.

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Phillips 66 Issues Letter to Shareholders

    Source: Phillips

    Confirms Elliott Investment Management’s Nomination of Director Candidates

    HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX) (the “Company”) today issued the following letter to its shareholders. The Company values shareholder feedback and is fully committed to continuing open engagement with all shareholders. This has been consistently demonstrated and expressed over the course of nearly two dozen meetings with Elliott Investment Management (“Elliott”) since October 2023, including the most recent meeting on March 3, 2025.
    The Company also confirmed Elliott has nominated seven directors for election to Phillips 66’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) at the Company’s 2025 Annual Meeting. As the Company disclosed on February 19, the Board will present its recommendation regarding the director nominations with its definitive proxy statement to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and made available to all shareholders eligible to vote at the 2025 Annual Meeting.
    Following the proper procedures and in accordance with the Company’s By-Laws, the Board intends to put forward another management proposal to declassify the Board at our 2025 Annual Meeting and notes that it has done so five times since its 2015 Annual Meeting.
    Fellow Shareholders:
    At Phillips 66, we are committed to maximizing value for our shareholders through operational excellence and disciplined capital allocation.
    We have a strong track record since our formation in 2012. We have built out a large-scale, competitive, high return Midstream platform, enhanced our chemicals position through Chevron Phillips Chemical Company (CPChem) and have made sustainable improvement to refining operations. These actions have positioned Phillips 66 as the leading energy business it is today.
    Moreover, these actions have delivered substantial value for our shareholders. This includes total shareholder returns of 474%1 and returning $43 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. Most importantly, we have done all this while sustaining industry-leading safety performance.
    We Have Made Significant Progress on our Strategic Priorities
    Phillips 66 has taken substantial action to deliver on our objectives that we laid out in 2022, and further enhanced in 2023. Our actions have led to significant progress and achievements, enhancing shareholder returns and operational efficiency. We are a business that will always act decisively when we can realize sustainable long-term growth to the benefit of our shareholders and all stakeholders.
    Delivering strong total shareholder returns of 65%2since Mark Lashier became President and CEO of Phillips 66 on July 1, 2022, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 Energy Index (33%2) and our proxy peer group median (22%2)
    Returning significant capital to shareholders with $13.6 billion in share repurchases and dividends from July 2022 through year-end 2024, exceeding our shareholder distribution target
    Reducing refining costs by $1 per barrelsince 2022 and committing to continued improvement
    Maximizing value from our wellhead-to-market strategyby capturing $500 million of run rate synergies from our DCP Midstream acquisition (above our initial target of $300 million) and increasing our Midstream segment’s adjusted EBITDA by $1.5 billion since 2022
    Maintaining our financial resiliencewith strong investment grade credit ratings (A3 / BBB+), engaging in a business optimization that has resulted in over $3 billion in non-core asset divestitures to date and capturing significant cost reductions since 2022 totaling $1.2 billion on a run-rate basis
    Earning industry recognition for our exemplary safety performancein Midstream, Refining and Chemicals in 2022 and 2023
    We Continue to Strengthen Our Business and Our Board
    Below is an update on a number of our key strategic objectives and the actions underway:
    Optimizing Our Business We have demonstrated a commitment to evolving the business over time. We continue to high-grade our assets and capitalize on our growth platform to generate strong returns and significant free cash flow. We have simplified our business with over $3 billion in divestitures in the past year and returned over $5 billion to shareholders through a combination of share repurchases and dividends. We anticipate that our integrated NGL value chain growth strategy will be significantly strengthened with the pending EPIC acquisition.
    Maintaining a Culture of Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence and Cost Discipline Our culture of continuous improvement demands, and will continue to demand, that we consistently and rigorously evaluate opportunities to optimize our cost structure and operational efficiency to maximize value for shareholders. While we have successfully reduced refining costs per barrel since 2022, as noted above, we recognize that we have more work to do in operations and costs. We are prioritizing our most competitive refineries and continuing to identify and execute cost-savings opportunities. Recently, we announced that we would cease operations at our Los Angeles Refinery in the fourth quarter of 2025, which will allow us to further high-grade our business. We continue to evaluate additional opportunities for efficiency enhancements.
    Returning Cash to Our Shareholders As previously outlined, our 2025–2027 strategic targets include returning over 50% of net operating cash flow to shareholders while driving strong operational performance, implementing further cost reductions and continuing our focus on disciplined capital allocation.
    Ensuring Strong Corporate Governance and Board Oversight We recognize the importance of strong corporate governance and have taken proactive steps to ensure that our Board remains aligned with shareholder interests and is best positioned to oversee the Company’s strategy. Over the past four years, we have welcomed five new independent directors to the Board, including two in 2024. Bob Pease, a director we identified in partnership with Elliott Investment Management (“Elliott”), brings extensive experience in refining and the energy industry broadly. Grace Puma, our most recent addition to the Board, brings strong supply chain experience. Additionally, as we have many times before in 2015, 2016, 2018, 2021 and 2023, we will be seeking shareholder approval of a management proposal to declassify the Board at our 2025 Annual Meeting. Our Board is committed to an evolution that will be responsive to shareholders and beneficial to the business for the long-term.
    We are Listening to Our Shareholders
    We regularly engage with our shareholders through our cross-functional shareholder engagement program to obtain feedback and respond to investor input. In 2024, we engaged with shareholders representing over 60% of our outstanding shares and we will continue to build on that momentum in 2025. It was in this spirit that we first engaged with Elliott in October 2023, to hear their ideas and work together collaboratively. Constructive discussions led to the realization of a common focus on our ambitious goals to maximize shareholder value. We continued constructive dialogue with Elliott throughout 2024, including adding Bob Pease to our Board in February 2024 with Elliott’s support.
    Despite several attempts to reach agreement on adding another director to Phillips 66’s Board, Elliott has chosen to forego constructive dialogue with us and launch their activist playbook. This included a series of attacks and proposals regarding the monetization of certain business units and, for the first time in our discussions, floating the idea of a separation.
    Nevertheless, we remain fully committed to constructive engagement and finding a path forward with Elliott that will benefit all shareholders.
    On Monday, March 3, our team travelled to New York and met with Elliott to express our continued commitment to finding a constructive path forward and offering to interview their director nominees. The meeting ended with Elliott representatives stating there were no immediate next steps. The next day, Elliott leaked their slate of director nominees to the media, issued a press release and filed a preliminary proxy statement. Our leadership team and Board stand ready to engage constructively when Elliott is ready despite these actions, which showed no genuine interest in engagement with Phillips 66.
    The Board continuously and aggressively evaluates the portfolio and other alternatives with a view to maximizing long-term shareholder value – and is willing to take decisive action to achieve this goal. As always, we seriously and comprehensively review shareholder feedback with a focus on creating long-term value.
    The Bottom Line
    Phillips 66 is dedicated to transparency, accountability, and sustainable value creation for shareholders.
    We have made substantial progress and realize there is more work to be done. We will continue to pursue opportunities that strengthen our position to the benefit of our shareholders. We look forward to your input and to provide further updates on our progress.
    Sincerely,
    Mark E. Lashier Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
    Glenn F. Tilton Lead Independent Director

    1 Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) from May 1, 2012 to March 4, 2025.

    2 Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) from June 30, 2022 to March 4, 2025.

    About Phillips 66
    Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX) is a leading integrated downstream energy provider that manufactures, transports and markets products that drive the global economy. The company’s portfolio includes Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, Marketing and Specialties, and Renewable Fuels businesses. Headquartered in Houston, Phillips 66 has employees around the globe who are committed to safely and reliably providing energy and improving lives while pursuing a lower-carbon future. For more information, visit phillips66.com or follow @Phillips66Co on LinkedIn.
    Forward-Looking Statements
    This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws relating to Phillips 66’s operations, strategy and performance. Words such as “anticipated,” “commitments,” “estimated,” “expected,” “planned,” “scheduled,” “targeted,” “believe,” “continue,” “intend,” “will,” “would,” “objective,” “goal,” “project,” “efforts,” “strategies” and similar expressions that convey the prospective nature of events or outcomes generally indicate forward-looking statements. However, the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements included in this news release are based on management’s expectations, estimates and projections as of the date they are made. These statements are not guarantees of future events or performance, and you should not unduly rely on them as they involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecast in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements include: changes in governmental policies or laws that relate to our operations, including regulations that seek to limit or restrict refining, marketing and midstream operations or regulate profits, pricing, or taxation of our products or feedstocks, or other regulations that restrict feedstock imports or product exports; our ability to timely obtain or maintain permits necessary for projects; fluctuations in NGL, crude oil, refined petroleum, renewable fuels and natural gas prices, and refining, marketing and petrochemical margins; the effects of any widespread public health crisis and its negative impact on commercial activity and demand for refined petroleum or renewable fuels products; changes to worldwide government policies relating to renewable fuels and greenhouse gas emissions that adversely affect programs including the renewable fuel standards program, low carbon fuel standards and tax credits for renewable fuels; potential liability from pending or future litigation; liability for remedial actions, including removal and reclamation obligations under existing or future environmental regulations; unexpected changes in costs for constructing, modifying or operating our facilities; our ability to successfully complete, or any material delay in the completion of, any asset disposition, acquisition, shutdown or conversion that we have announced or may pursue, including receipt of any necessary regulatory approvals or permits related thereto; unexpected difficulties in manufacturing, refining or transporting our products; the level and success of drilling and production volumes around our midstream assets; risks and uncertainties with respect to the actions of actual or potential competitive suppliers and transporters of refined petroleum products, renewable fuels or specialty products; lack of, or disruptions in, adequate and reliable transportation for our products; failure to complete construction of capital projects on time or within budget; our ability to comply with governmental regulations or make capital expenditures to maintain compliance with laws; limited access to capital or significantly higher cost of capital related to illiquidity or uncertainty in the domestic or international financial markets, which may also impact our ability to repurchase shares and declare and pay dividends; potential disruption of our operations due to accidents, weather events, including as a result of climate change, acts of terrorism or cyberattacks; general domestic and international economic and political developments, including armed hostilities (such as the Russia-Ukraine war), expropriation of assets, and other diplomatic developments; international monetary conditions and exchange controls; changes in estimates or projections used to assess fair value of intangible assets, goodwill and property and equipment and/or strategic decisions with respect to our asset portfolio that cause impairment charges; investments required, or reduced demand for products, as a result of environmental rules and regulations; changes in tax, environmental and other laws and regulations (including alternative energy mandates); political and societal concerns about climate change that could result in changes to our business or increase expenditures, including litigation-related expenses; the operation, financing and distribution decisions of equity affiliates we do not control; and other economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors affecting Phillips 66’s businesses generally as set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Phillips 66 is under no obligation (and expressly disclaims any such obligation) to update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
    Additional Information
    Phillips 66 plans to file a proxy statement and accompanying WHITE proxy card with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “2025 Annual Meeting”) and its solicitation of proxies for Phillips 66’s director nominees and for other matters to be voted on. Phillips 66 may also file other relevant documents with the SEC regarding its solicitation of proxies for the 2025 Annual Meeting. PHILLIPS 66 SHAREHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT (AND ANY AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ACCOMPANYING WHITE PROXY CARD AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT SOLICITATION MATERIALS WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Shareholders may obtain copies of the proxy statement, any amendments or supplements to the proxy statement and other documents (including the WHITE proxy card) as and when filed by Phillips 66 with the SEC without charge from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed by Phillips 66 with the SEC also may be obtained free of charge at Phillips 66’s investor relations website at https://investor.phillips66.com or upon written request sent to Phillips 66, 2331 CityWest Boulevard, Houston, TX 77042, Attention: Investor Relations.
    Certain Information Regarding Participants
    Phillips 66, its directors, certain of its executive officers and employees may be deemed to be participants in connection with the solicitation of proxies from Phillips 66 shareholders in connection with the matters to be considered at the 2025 Annual Meeting. Information regarding the names of such directors and executive officers and their respective interests in Phillips 66, by securities holdings or otherwise, is available in Phillips 66’s proxy statement for the 2024 annual meeting of shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 3, 2024 (the “2024 Proxy Statement”), including in the sections captioned “Executive Compensation Program Overview,” “Director Compensation,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Executive Compensation Tables” and “Beneficial Ownership of Phillips 66 Securities.” To the extent that Phillips 66’s directors and executive officers have acquired or disposed of securities holdings since the applicable “as of” date disclosed in the 2024 Proxy Statement, such transactions have been or will be reflected on Statements of Changes in Ownership of Securities on Form 4 or Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership of Securities on Form 3 filed with the SEC, including: Form 4s filed by Gregory Hayes on April 2, 2024, May 2, 2024, June 4, 2024, July 2, 2024, August 2, 2024, September 4, 2024, October 2, 2024, November 4, 2024, December 4, 2024, January 3, 2025, January 17, 2025, February 4, 2025 and March 4, 2025 ; Form 4s filed by Richard G. Harbison on December 9, 2024, February 11, 2025 and February 13, 2025 ; Form 4s filed by Mark E. Lashier on April 2, 2024, May 16, 2024, December 9, 2024, February 11, 2025 and February 13, 2025 ; Form 4 filed by Glenn F. Tilton on January 17, 2025 ; Form 4s filed by Brian Mandell on December 9, 2024, February 11, 2025 and February 13, 2025 ; Form 4s filed by Kevin J. Mitchell on August 19, 2024, December 9, 2024, February 11, 2025 and February 13, 2025 ; Form 4s filed by Zhanna Golodryga on December 9, 2024, February 11, 2025 and February 13, 2025 ; Form 4 filed by Marna C. Whittington on January 17, 2025 ; Form 4s filed by Vanessa A. Sutherland on January 21, 2025, February 11, 2025 and February 13, 2025 ; Form 4 filed by Douglas T. Terreson on January 17, 2025 ; Form 4 filed by Denise R. Singleton on January 17, 2025 ; Form 4 filed by Denise L. Ramos on January 17, 2025 ; Form 4 filed by Julie L. Bushman on January 17, 2025 ; Form 4 filed by Lisa A. Davis on January 17, 2025 ; Form 4 filed by John E. Lowe on January 17, 2025 ; Form 4/A filed by Gary K. Adams on March 20, 2024 and Form 4 filed by Gary K. Adams on January 17, 2025 ; Form 4 filed by Charles M. Holley on January 17, 2025 ; Form 4 filed by Robert W. Pease on January 17, 2025 ; Form 3 filed by Ann M. Kluppel on May 16, 2024 and Form 4s filed by Ann M. Kluppel on December 9, 2024, February 11, 2025 and February 13, 2025 ; Form 3 filed by Don Baldridge on June 5, 2024 and Form 4s filed by Don Baldridge on December 9, 2024, January 3, 2025, February 13, 2025 and March 3, 2025 ; Form 3 filed by Grace Puma on October 11, 2024 and Form 4s filed by Grace Puma on October 11, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Additional information can also be found in Phillips 66’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 21, 2024.

    Source: Phillips 66

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Global: Supreme Court sides with San Francisco, requiring EPA to set specific targets in water pollution permits

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Robin Kundis Craig, Professor of Law, University of Kansas

    Swimmers gather at San Francisco’s Ocean Beach for a Polar Plunge to start the new year, Jan. 1, 2025. Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images

    The U.S. Supreme Court has limited how flexible the Environmental Protection Agency and states can be in regulating water pollution under the Clean Water Act in a ruling issued March 4, 2025. However, the justices kept the decision relatively narrow.

    The ruling only prohibits federal and state permitting agencies from issuing permits that are effectively broad orders not to violate water quality standards. In this case, the city and county of San Francisco argued successfully that the EPA’s requirements were not clear enough.

    My research focuses on water issues, including the Clean Water Act and the Supreme Court’s interpretations of it. In my view, regulators still will have multiple options for limiting the pollutants that factories, sewage treatment plants and other sources can release into protected water bodies.

    While this court has not been friendly to regulation in recent years, I believe the practical impact of this decision remains to be seen, and that it is not the major blow to clean water protection that some observers feared the court would inflict. In particular, the court affirmed that permitting agencies can still impose nonnumeric requirements, such as prohibitions on polluting at a certain time or under certain weather conditions like rain or high heat.

    Standards for treating sewage

    The 1972 Clean Water Act prohibits any “discharge of a pollutant” without a permit into bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes and bays, that are subject to federal regulation. San Francisco has a combined sewage treatment plant and stormwater control system, the Oceanside plant, which discharges treated sewage and stormwater into the Pacific Ocean through eight pipes, or outfalls.

    San Francisco’s Oceanside water treatment plant is built into a hollowed-out hill in the southwest corner of the city and discharges to the Pacific Ocean.
    Pi.1415926535/Wikimedia, CC BY-SA

    The California State Water Resources Control Board is in charge of seven outfalls that release treated water close to shore, in state waters. But the facility’s main pipe discharges into federal waters more than 3 miles out to sea, so it is regulated by the EPA.

    To comply with the law, polluters must obtain permits through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. The city and county of San Francisco have held a permit for the Oceanside facility since 1997.

    Discharge permit requirements can be both quantitative and qualitative. For example, the EPA establishes standard effluent limitations that dictate how clean the discharger’s waste stream must be. The agency sets these technology-based limitations according to the methods available in the relevant industry to clean up polluted wastewater.

    Numeric targets tell the discharger clearly how to comply with the law. For example, sewage treatment plants must keep the pH value of their wastewater discharges between 6.0 and 9.0. As long as the plant meets that standard and other effluent limitations, it is in compliance.

    San Francisco monitors beach water quality year-round and issues alerts when bacteria levels make water contact unsafe. This can happen after the city’s water treatment system is overwhelmed during major storms.
    San Francisco Public Utilities Commission

    What counts as ‘clean’?

    A second approach focuses not on the specific content of the discharge but rather on setting standards for what counts as a “clean” water body.

    Under the Clean Water Act, Congress gives states authority to establish water quality standards for each water body within their territory. First, the state identifies the uses it wants the ocean, river, lake or bay to support, such as swimming, providing habitat for fish or supplying drinking water.

    Next, state regulators determine what characteristics the water has to have to support those uses. For example, to support cold-water fish such as perch and pike, the water may need to remain below a certain temperature. These characteristics become the water quality criteria for that water body.

    Sometimes technology-based effluent limitations in a polluter’s permit aren’t stringent enough to ensure that a water body meets its water quality standards. When that happens, the Clean Water Act requires the permitting agency to adjust its permit requirements to ensure that water quality standards are met.

    That’s what happened with the Oceanside plant. During rainstorms, runoff sometimes overwhelms the plant’s sewage treatment system, dumping a mixture of sewage and storm runoff directly into the Pacific Ocean – an event known as a combined sewer overflow. These episodes can cause violations of water quality standards. Area beaches sometimes are closed to swimming when bacterial counts in the water are high.

    In combined sewer systems, during dry weather and small storms, all flows are handled by the publicly owned treatment works. During large storms, the relief structure allows some of the combined stormwater and sewage to be discharged untreated to an adjacent water body.
    USEPA

    These aren’t small-scale releases. In a separate legal action, the federal government and the state of California are suing San Francisco for discharging more than 1.8 billion gallons of sewage on average every year since 2016 into creeks, San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

    Can regulators say ‘Don’t violate water quality standards’?

    When the EPA and California issued the Oceanside plant’s current permit in 2019, they included two general standards. The first requires that Oceanside’s “[d]ischarge shall not cause or contribute to a violation of any applicable water quality standard.” The second states that “[n]either the treatment nor the discharge of pollutants shall create pollution, contamination, or nuisance” as defined under California law.

    The city and county of San Francisco argued that their permit terms weren’t fair because they couldn’t tell how to comply. For its part, the EPA invoked Section 1311(b)(1)(C) of the Clean Water Act, which allows permit writers to insert “any more stringent limitation, including those necessary to meet water quality standards,” into the permit. The agency argued that this phrase allows for narrative permit terms – a position that was upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.

    In a 5-4 decision, Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh and Chief Justice John Roberts, with Justice Neil Gorsuch concurring, agreed with San Francisco that the EPA did not have the authority to issue permits that made the city and county responsible for overall water quality. Rather, they held, EPA should set limits on the quantities of various pollutants that San Francisco was allowed to discharge.

    “Determining what steps a permittee must take to ensure that water quality standards are met is the EPA’s responsibility, and Congress has given it the tools needed to make that determination,” the majority stated.

    Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented. “When the technology-based effluent limitations are insufficient to ensure that the water quality standards are met, EPA has supplemental authority to impose further limitations,” they argued in an opinion authored by Barrett.

    There’s an important angle that neither the majority opinion nor the dissent addressed. Under Section 1312 of the Clean Water Act, when standard industry-wide effluent limitations are not stringent enough to protect the quality of a particular water body, regulatory agencies are required to come up with more stringent limits, which are known as water quality-based effluent limitations. For example, if a sewage treatment plant is discharging into a pristine mountain lake, it might be subject to these more stringent limitations to keep the lake pristine.

    Going forward, the EPA and states to which it has delegated authority will have to revise all Clean Water Act permits that contain the offending “don’t violate water quality standards” directive. These fixes will probably happen as those permits are renewed, which the law requires every five years.

    What if water pollution remains a serious problem, as it has in San Francisco? Regulators could choose to generate water quality-based effluent limitations, impose more stringent numeric requirements, or simply ignore potential violations of water quality standards. Their actions will likely vary depending on each agency’s resources and on how seriously pollution discharges threaten relevant water bodies and the humans and wildlife that use them.

    This is an updated version of an article originally published Oct. 11, 2024.

    Robin Kundis Craig has been a member of three National Research Council committees on the Clean Water Act and is a member of the American College of Environmental Law and the Environmental Law Institute, for whom she occasionally provides Clean Water Act analyses.

    ref. Supreme Court sides with San Francisco, requiring EPA to set specific targets in water pollution permits – https://theconversation.com/supreme-court-sides-with-san-francisco-requiring-epa-to-set-specific-targets-in-water-pollution-permits-251441

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI: Parex Resources Announces 2024 Full-Year Results & Reserves, Declaration of Q1 2025 Dividend, and Appointment of Chief Financial Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, March 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Parex Resources Inc. (“Parex” or the “Company”) (TSX: PXT) is pleased to announce its financial and operating results for the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2024, as well as the results of its independent reserves assessment as at December 31, 2024. Additionally, the Company declares its Q1 2025 regular dividend of C$0.385 per share and provides a corporate update. All amounts herein are in United States dollars (“USD”) unless otherwise stated.

    Key Highlights

    • Generated annual funds flow provided by operations of $622 million(1) and free funds flow of $275 million(2) in 2024.
    • Evaluated PDP after-tax net asset value per share of C$22.02(3).
    • Added 10 mmboe 1P reserves and 7 mmboe 2P reserves at LLA-34 and Cabrestero through positive technical revisions as well as extensions & improved recovery; 2024 reserves evaluation supported by technology, including waterflood and polymer injection results(8).
    • Tracking to deliver FY 2025 average production guidance of 43,000 to 47,000 boe/d (45,000 boe/d midpoint); YTD average production is 44,500 boe/d(4).
    • Declared a Q1 2025 regular dividend of C$0.385 per share(5) (C$1.54 per share annualized).
    • Commenced a normal course issuer bid (“NCIB”) on January 22, 2025; in 2024, the Company repurchased roughly 5% of its outstanding shares through its prior NCIB.
    • Appointed Cameron Grainger as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately.
    • Retiring from the Board of Directors are Lisa Colnett and Robert Engbloom as part of standard Board renewal process; in preparation, the Company has approved Mona Jasinski and Jeff Lawson as director nominees for the upcoming Annual General Meeting of Shareholders.

    Imad Mohsen, President & Chief Executive Officer, commented: “In 2024, Parex generated strong financial results from its underlying asset base while achieving its best annual safety performance. Despite challenges, we accomplished multiple strategic milestones throughout the year that reinforce Parex’s long-term sustainability. Building on a strong foundation, as reflected in today’s reserve report, we remain focused on executing our 2025 plan, which is characterized by lower-risk activities and a high-graded set of opportunities. The team at Parex is dedicated to rebuilding market confidence, by delivering steady results, evolving our Colombian portfolio, and strengthening our track record of shareholder returns — while also progressing towards Llanos Foothills exploration in 2026.”

    2024 Full-Year Achievements & Results

    • Achieved multiple strategic milestones throughout the year, in addition to delivering returns to shareholders:
      • Signed definitive agreements in the Llanos Foothills to consolidate Parex’s position, advancing gas and exploration strategies;
      • Implemented waterflood at Cabrestero successfully and continued waterflood progression at LLA-34;
      • Completed polymer injection pilot at Cabrestero with positive results, advancing enhanced oil recovery initiatives;
      • Executed Putumayo business collaboration agreements to add a new core area for the Company; and
      • Returned $186 million to shareholders during the year, which cumulatively results in C$1.5 billion returned to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases over the past five years.
    • Average production of 49,924(6) boe/d, meeting revised FY 2024 guidance range of 49,000 to 50,000 boe/d.
    • Realized net income of $61 million or $0.60 per share basic(7).
    • Generated funds flow provided by operations (“FFO”) of $622 million(1) and FFO per share of $6.14(3)(7).
    • Produced an operating netback of $41.30/boe(3) and an FFO netback of $33.95/boe(3) from an average Brent price of $79.86/bbl.
    • Incurred $348 million(2) of capital expenditures, primarily from activities at LLA-34, Arauca, LLA-32, LLA-122, and Capachos.
    • Delivered the Company’s best safety performance on record, with strong results across all safety metrics, including lagging and leading indicators.

    2024 Fourth Quarter Results

    • Average production was 45,297 boe/d(6).
    • Realized net loss of $69 million or $0.70 per share basic(7), largely a result of non-cash impairments recorded in the period.
    • Generated FFO of $141 million(1) and FFO per share of $1.43(3)(7).
    • Produced an operating netback of $34.90/boe(3) and an FFO netback of $32.39/boe(3) from an average Brent price of $74.01/bbl.
    • Recovered current tax of $6 million in the quarter; for 2025 the Company expects its FFO netback to be supported by lower current tax expenses compared to prior periods due to the Company’s before tax cash flow profile, previous capital expenditures, and certain tax strategies that have been deployed over recent years.
    • Incurred $82 million(2) of capital expenditures, primarily from activities at LLA-34, LLA-32, and Capachos.
    • Generated $59 million of free funds flow(2); working capital surplus was $59 million(1) and cash was $98 million at quarter end.

    2024 Year-End Corporate Reserves Report: Highlights(8)

    For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company:

    • Increased both proved (“1P”) reserves per share and proved plus probable (“2P”) reserves per share by 6%, while proved developed producing (“PDP”) reserves per share was down 9%, compared to 2023.
      • LLA-34: realized positive technical revisions of 6 mmboe 1P related to waterflood implementation and increased recovery factor.
      • Cabrestero: added 3 mmboe 2P related to improved recovery through implementation of polymer injection.
      • LLA-32: more than doubled 1P and 2P through extensions to 2 mmboe and 4 mmboe, respectively, compared to 2023.
      • Putumayo: added inventory runway and acquired 10 mmboe and 18 mmboe of 1P and 2P, respectively, from Parex earning 50% working interest in four blocks through an enhanced strategic partnership with Ecopetrol S.A(9).
    • Increases in 1P and 2P reserves per share were partially offset by negative technical revisions associated with portfolio management at Arauca as well as a non-core block in the Magdalena basin.
      • Arauca negative technical revisions were 3 mmboe and 6 mmboe of 1P and 2P, respectively.
      • Aguas Blancas negative technical revisions were 2 mmboe and 2 mmboe of 1P and 2P, respectively.
    • Realized PDP reserves replacement ratio of 41%; three-year average PDP reserves replacement ratio was 85%.
      • Lower-than-expected Arauca and corporate exploration results were in-year PDP replacement factors.
    • Improved PDP, 1P and 2P reserve life index by 10%, 26% and 27%, respectively, compared to 2023.
      • Improved metrics supported by a lower absolute production profile that benefited PDP, 1P and 2P metrics, as well as achieving approximately 100% year-over-year reserve replacement in 1P and 2P.
    • Evaluated after-tax PDP, 1P and 2P net asset value per share(3) of C$22.02, C$26.60, and C$35.55, respectively.

    (1) Capital management measure. See “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Advisory.”
    (2) Non-GAAP financial measure. See “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Advisory.”
    (3) Non-GAAP ratio. See “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Advisory.”
    (4) Estimated average production for January 1, 2025 to February 28, 2025; light & medium crude oil: ~9,382 bbl/d, heavy crude oil: ~34,268 bbl/d, conventional natural gas: ~5,100 mcf/d; rounded for presentation purposes.
    (5) Supplementary financial measure. See “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Advisory.”
    (6) See “Operational and Financial Highlights” for a breakdown of production by product type.
    (7) Based on weighted-average basic shares for the period.
    (8) See “2024 Year-End Corporate Reserves Report” sections and “Reserves Advisory” for additional information.
    (9) As previously announced December 11, 2024.

    Operational and Financial Highlights Three Months Ended Year Ended
      Dec. 31,   Dec. 31,   Sep. 30,   December 31,
      2024   2023   2024   2024   2023   2022  
    Operational            
    Average daily production            
    Light Crude Oil and Medium Crude Oil (bbl/d) 9,550   9,700   9,064   8,850   8,417   7,471  
    Heavy Crude Oil (bbl/d) 34,882   46,760   37,777   40,336   45,163   43,008  
    Crude oil (bbl/d) 44,432   56,460   46,841   49,186   53,580   50,479  
    Conventional Natural Gas (mcf/d) 5,190   5,214   4,368   4,428   4,656   9,420  
    Oil & Gas (boe/d)(1) 45,297   57,329   47,569   49,924   54,356   52,049  
                 
    Operating netback ($/boe)            
    Reference price – Brent ($/bbl) 74.01   82.90   78.71   79.86   82.18   99.04  
    Oil & gas sales(4) 63.73   70.55   68.75   69.80   70.71   86.55  
    Royalties(4) (9.43 ) (12.12 ) (10.59 ) (10.99 ) (12.31 ) (17.61 )
    Net revenue(4) 54.30   58.43   58.16   58.81   58.40   68.94  
    Production expense(4) (15.53 ) (13.67 ) (14.81 ) (13.93 ) (10.42 ) (6.88 )
    Transportation expense(4) (3.87 ) (3.54 ) (3.71 ) (3.58 ) (3.43 ) (3.22 )
    Operating netback ($/boe)(2) 34.90   41.22   39.64   41.30   44.55   58.84  
                 
    Funds flow provided by operations netback ($/boe)(2) 32.39   36.81   34.58   33.95   33.59   38.35  
                 
    Financial ($000s except per share amounts)            
                 
    Net income (loss) (69,051 ) 133,783   65,793   60,680   459,309   611,368  
    Per share – basic(6) (0.70 ) 1.28   0.65   0.60   4.32   5.38  
                 
    Funds flow provided by operations(5) 141,201   193,377   151,773   622,233   667,782   724,890  
    Per share – basic(2)(6) 1.43   1.85   1.50   6.14   6.29   6.38  
                 
    Capital expenditures(3) 82,110   91,419   82,367   347,695   483,343   512,252  
                 
    Free funds flow(3) 59,091   101,958   69,406   274,538   184,439   212,638  
                 
    EBITDA(3) (10,419 ) 110,860   167,763   545,362   650,829   953,210  
    Adjusted EBITDA(3) 137,312   201,552   164,002   720,089   817,280   1,066,040  
                 
    Long-term inventory expenditures (2,569 ) (866 ) (6,318 ) 4,773   39,430   140,266  
                 
    Dividends paid 26,658   29,505   28,467   112,184   118,676   75,491  
    Per share – Cdn$(4)(6) 0.385   0.375   0.385   1.53   1.50   0.89  
                 
    Shares repurchased 16,408   22,453   20,723   73,789   105,068   221,464  
    Number of shares repurchased (000s) 1,692   1,220   1,585   5,495   5,628   11,821  
                 
    Outstanding shares (end of period) (000s)            
    Basic 98,339   103,812   100,031   98,339   103,812   109,112  
    Weighted average basic 99,063   104,394   100,891   101,414   106,247   113,572  
    Diluted(8) 99,238   104,502   100,933   99,238   104,502   109,939  
                 
    Working capital surplus(5) 59,397   79,027   37,509   59,397   79,027   84,988  
    Bank debt(7) 60,000   90,000   30,000   60,000   90,000    
    Cash 98,022   140,352   147,454   98,022   140,352   419,002  

    (1)  Reference to crude oil or natural gas in the above table and elsewhere in this press release refer to the light and medium crude oil and heavy crude oil and conventional natural gas, respectively, product types as defined in National Instrument 51-101 – Standard of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities.
    (2)  Non-GAAP ratio. See “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Advisory”.
    (3)  Non-GAAP financial measure. See “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Advisory”.
    (4)  Supplementary financial measure. See “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Advisory”.
    (5)  Capital management measure. See “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Advisory”.
    (6)  Per share amounts (with the exception of dividends) are based on weighted average common shares.
    (7)  Borrowing limit of $240.0 million as of December 31, 2024.
    (8)  Diluted shares as stated include the effects of common shares and stock options outstanding at the period-end. The December 31, 2024 closing stock price was C$14.58 per share.

    Operational Update

    For the period of January 1, 2025, to February 28, 2025, estimated average production was 44,500 boe/d(5).

    Parex currently has two drilling rigs operating (one operated and one non-operated), with expectations to ramp-up to four drilling rigs in Q2 2025 (three operated and one non-operated).

    The Company’s operations are supportive of a growing H2 2025 production profile, with the following activities:

    • Progressing waterflood and polymer injection programs at LLA-34 and Cabrestero.
      • Cabrestero is fully on waterflood, with plans for a full polymer injection scheme that is supported by pilot results to date.
      • LLA-34 continues to ramp-up waterflood activity and is planning to commence a polymer injection pilot in 2025.
    • Planning to begin LLA-32 drilling campaign in Q2 2025.
      • LLA-32 is located to the north and adjacent to LLA-34 and Cabrestero; Parex drilled three successful wells at LLA-32 in 2024.
    • Advancing near-field exploration program, with the expectation to drill 3-4 prospects in H1 2025.
      • Prospects are generally focused in the Southern Llanos where Parex has had previous basin success.
    • Gaining momentum to achieve initial access in the Putumayo in Q2 2025 as originally anticipated.
      • Per budgeted plans, activity is expected to begin with a workover rig, with a drilling rig added approximately mid-year.

    Operations so far this year are progressing within Management expectations and Parex’s 2025 corporate guidance remains as previously released January 14, 2025, and as set out below:

    Category 2025 Guidance
    Brent Crude Oil Average Price $70/bbl
    Average Production(1) 43,000-47,000 boe/d
    Funds Flow Provided by Operations Netback(1)(2) $26-28/boe
    Funds Flow Provided by Operations(1)(3) $425-465 million
    Capital Expenditures(4) $285-315 million
    Free Funds Flow(4) $145 million (midpoint)

    (1) 2025 assumptions: operational downtime: ~5%; Vasconia differential: ~$5/bbl; production expense: $15-16/bbl; transportation expense: ~$3.50/bbl; G&A expense: ~$4.50/bbl; effective tax rate: 3-6%; see “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Advisory”.
    (2) Non-GAAP ratio. See “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Advisory”.
    (3) Capital management measure. See “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Advisory”.
    (4) Non-GAAP financial measure. See “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Advisory”.
    (5) Estimated average production for January 1, 2025 to February 28, 2025; light & medium crude oil: ~9,382 bbl/d, heavy crude oil: ~34,268 bbl/d, conventional natural gas: ~5,100 mcf/d; rounded for presentation purposes.

    Return of Capital

    Q1 2025 Dividend

    Parex’s Board of Directors has approved a Q1 2025 regular dividend of C$0.385 per share to shareholders of record on March 11, 2025, to be paid on March 18, 2025.

    This quarterly dividend payment to shareholders is designated as an “eligible dividend” for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

    Normal Course Issuer Bid Update

    As at February 28, 2025, Parex has repurchased approximately 0.3 million shares under its current NCIB at an average price of C$14.30 per share, for a total consideration of roughly C$4 million.

    In 2024, Parex repurchased 5.5 million shares under a prior NCIB, representing approximately 5% of the public float and a return of C$99 million to shareholders.

    2024 Year-End Corporate Reserves Report: Discussion

    The following tables summarize information contained in the independent reserves report prepared by GLJ Ltd. (“GLJ”) dated March 4, 2025 with an effective date of December 31, 2024 (the “GLJ 2024 Report”). All December 31, 2024 reserves presented are based on GLJ’s forecast pricing effective January 1, 2025; all December 31, 2023 reserves presented are based on GLJ’s forecast pricing effective January 1, 2024 and all December 31, 2022 reserves presented are based on GLJ’s forecast pricing effective January 1, 2023. GLJ pricing is available on their website at www.gljpc.com.

    All reserves are presented as Parex’s working interest before royalties and in certain tables set forth below, the columns may not add due to rounding. Additional reserve information as required under NI 51-101 will be included in the Company’s Annual Information Form for the 2024 fiscal year, which is available on SEDAR+.

    Gross Reserves Volumes

                Dec. 31   Change over Dec.
    31,
        2022   2023   2024  
    Reserve Category   Mboe   Mboe   Mboe(1)   2023
    Proved Developed Producing (PDP)   82,788   82,628   71,908   (13 %)
    Proved Developed Non-Producing   11,767   7,252   5,534   (24 %)
    Proved Undeveloped   36,100   22,647   34,678   53 %
    Proved (1P)   130,655   112,528   112,119   %
    Proved + Probable (2P)   200,704   168,625   169,633   1 %
    Proved + Probable + Possible (3P)   281,595   231,299   245,383   6 %

    (1) 2024 net reserves after royalties are: PDP 62,128 Mboe, proved developed non-producing 4,939 Mboe, proved undeveloped 29,644 Mboe, 1P 96,711 Mboe, 2P 146,645 Mboe and 3P 211,882 Mboe.

    Gross Reserves Reconciliation

        Total 1P   Total 2P   Total 3P 
        Mboe   Mboe   Mboe 
    December 31, 2023   112,528   168,625   231,299  
    Technical Revisions(1)   2,777   (5,434 ) (10,870 )
    Extensions & Improved Recovery(2)   4,760   6,636   9,133  
    Discoveries(3)   160   200   240  
    Acquisitions(4)   10,166   17,877   33,853  
    Production   (18,272 ) (18,272 ) (18,272 )
    December 31, 2024(5)   112,119   169,633   245,383  

    (1) Reserves technical revisions are associated with positive evaluations of LLA-34 and Cabrestero, offset by negative revisions of Arauca, Aguas Blancas, and Capachos.
    (2) Extensions & improved recovery are associated with positive evaluations of Cabrestero, LLA-32, and LLA-34.
    (3) Discoveries are associated with the positive evaluation of LLA-30.
    (4) Acquisitions are associated with the positive evaluations of Occidente, Nororiente and Area Sur.
    (5) The estimates of reserves and future net revenue for individual properties may not reflect the same confidence level as estimates of reserves and future net revenue for all properties, due to the effects of aggregation.

    Reserves Net Present Value After Tax Summary – GLJ Brent Forecast(1)(2)

        NPV15     NPV15     NAV   CAD/sh Change
    over

        December 31,     December 31,     December 31,  
          2023     2024     2024   Dec. 31,
    Reserve Category   (000s)(2)     (000s)(2)     (CAD/sh)(3)   2023(4)
    PDP   $ 1,679,078   $ 1,505,386   $ 22.02   4 %
    Proved Developed Non-Producing     112,298     83,310   $ 1.21   (6 %)
    Proved Undeveloped     201,380     230,174   $ 3.36   38 %
    1P   $ 1,992,757   $ 1,818,870   $ 26.60   5 %
    2P   $ 2,556,169   $ 2,430,060   $ 35.55   10 %
    3P   $ 3,191,329   $ 3,102,864   $ 45.39   12 %

    (1) Net present values (“NPV”) are stated in USD and are discounted at 15 percent. The forecast prices used in the calculation of the present value of future net revenue are based on the GLJ January 1, 2024 and GLJ January 1, 2025 price forecasts, respectively. The GLJ January 1, 2025 price forecast is in the Company’s Annual Information Form for the 2024 fiscal year.
    (2) Includes future development capital (“FDC”) as at December 31, 2023 of $27 million for PDP, $346 million for 1P, $537 million for 2P and $707 million for 3P and FDC as at December 31, 2024 of $23 million for PDP, $440 million for 1P, $595 million for 2P and $740 million for 3P.
    (3) 2024 NAV calculated, as at December 31, 2024, as after tax NPV15 plus working capital of USD$59 million (converted at USDCAD=1.4389), less bank debt of USD$60 million, divided by 98 million basic shares outstanding as at December 31, 2024. Non-GAAP ratio. See “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Advisory”.
    (4) 2023 NAV calculated, as at December 31, 2023, as after tax NPV15 plus working capital of USD$79 million (converted at USDCAD=1.3226), less bank debt of USD$90 million, divided by 104 million basic shares outstanding as at December 31, 2023. Non-GAAP ratio. See “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Advisory”.

    Appointment of Chief Financial Officer

    Following a thorough executive search, Cameron Grainger has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), effective immediately.

    “We are very pleased to announce Cam as CFO. He is a trusted leader, who has developed an exceptional understanding of our portfolio while providing over 15 years of financial leadership at Parex. I look forward to continuing to work with Cam as he plays an integral role on our leadership team and am confident that he will continue to make significant contributions in support of our strategy,” said Imad Mohsen, President & Chief Executive Officer.

    Mr. Grainger has served as the Company’s interim CFO since September 21, 2024, and prior to, was the Vice President, Finance, as well as Controller. Mr. Grainger has held roles with increasing levels of responsibility at Parex since 2011, and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.

    Board of Directors Update

    The Company announces that Lisa Colnett as well as Robert Engbloom are retiring from the Board of Directors and will not stand for re-election at the upcoming Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (“Meeting”).

    “We want to thank Lisa and Bob for their contributions that have supported Parex’s growth in Colombia and wish them all the best,” commented Wayne Foo, Chair of the Board of Parex.

    In preparation for the upcoming retirements, the Company has approved Mona Jasinski and Jeff Lawson as director nominees at the upcoming Meeting.

    “We are excited to recommend Mona and Jeff to Parex’s Board of Directors, both of whom have a wealth of experience across the energy sector and bring refreshed perspectives,” commented Mr. Foo.

    Ms. Jasinski has over 20 years of human resources, corporate strategy and leadership expertise with experience spanning the energy and chemicals sectors as well as philanthropic boards. She is currently the Senior Vice President, HR & Communications at NOVA Chemicals. Prior to NOVA Chemicals, she built a depth of energy-specific experience, serving as Executive Vice President, People and Culture, at Vermilion Energy for 12 years, and previously held leadership roles at Royal Dutch Shell and TransCanada Pipelines. Ms. Jasinski holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Calgary and an ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.

    Mr. Lawson has extensive experience in corporate strategy, mergers & acquisitions as well as investments and corporate restructurings across the energy and legal sectors. He is currently the Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and Chief Sustainability Officer at Cenovus Energy. Prior to Cenovus, he spent 15 years at Peters & Co. in a variety of senior finance roles and he was also a securities lawyer at Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer for 14 years where he co-led the securities group and served on the firm’s executive committee. Mr. Lawson holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Alberta.

    Q4 2024 and FY 2024 Results – Conference Call & Webcast

    Parex will host a conference call and webcast to discuss its Q4 2024 and FY 2024 results on Thursday, March 6, 2025, beginning at 9:30 am MT (11:30 am ET). To participate in the conference call or webcast, please see the access information below:

    Conference ID: 2908137
    Participant Toll-Free Dial-In Number: 1-646-307-1963
    Participant International Dial-In Number: 1-647-932-3411
    Webcast: https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/690785926


    Annual General Meeting

    Parex anticipates holding its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on Thursday, May 8, 2025.

    The Notice of Annual General Meeting & Management Proxy Circular is expected to be available on or about March 26, 2025, at www.parexresources.com and SEDAR+.

    About Parex Resources Inc.

    Parex is one of the largest independent oil and gas companies in Colombia, focusing on sustainable conventional production. The Company’s corporate headquarters are in Calgary, Canada, with an operating office in Bogotá, Colombia. Parex shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol PXT.

    For more information, please contact:

    Mike Kruchten
    Senior Vice President, Capital Markets & Corporate Planning
    Parex Resources Inc.
    403-517-1733
    investor.relations@parexresources.com

    Steven Eirich
    Investor Relations & Communications Advisor
    Parex Resources Inc.
    587-293-3286
    investor.relations@parexresources.com

    NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

    Reserves Advisory

    The recovery and reserve estimates of crude oil reserves provided in this news release are estimates only, and there is no guarantee that the estimated reserves will be recovered. Actual crude oil reserves may eventually prove to be greater than, or less than, the estimates provided herein. All December 31, 2024 reserves presented are based on GLJ’s forecast pricing effective January 1, 2025. All December 31, 2023 reserves presented are based on GLJ’s forecast pricing effective January 1, 2024. All December 31, 2022 reserves presented are based on GLJ’s forecast pricing effective January 1, 2023.

    Comparatives to the independent reserves report prepared by GLJ dated February 29, 2024 with an effective date of December 31, 2023 (the “GLJ 2023 Report”), and the independent reserves report prepared by GLJ dated February 2, 2023 with an effective date of December 31, 2022 (“GLJ 2022 Report”, and collectively with the GLJ 2024 Report and the GLJ 2023 Report, the “GLJ Reports”). Each GLJ Report was prepared in accordance with definitions, standards and procedures contained in the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook (“COGE Handbook”) and National Instrument 51-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities (“NI 51-101”).

    It should not be assumed that the estimates of future net revenues presented herein represent the fair market value of the reserves. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of crude oil, reserves and the future cash flows attributed to such reserves.

    “Proved Developed Producing Reserves” are those reserves that are expected to be recovered from completion intervals open at the time of the estimate. These reserves may be currently producing or, if shut-in, they must have previously been on production, and the date of resumption of production must be known with reasonable certainty.

    “Proved Developed Non-Producing Reserves” are those reserves that either have not been on production or have previously been on production but are shut-in and the date of resumption of production is unknown.

    “Proved Undeveloped Reserves” are those reserves expected to be recovered from known accumulations where a significant expenditure (e.g. when compared to the cost of drilling a well) is required to render them capable of production. They must fully meet the requirements of the reserves category (proved, probable, possible) to which they are assigned.

    “Proved” reserves are those reserves that can be estimated with a high degree of certainty to be recoverable. It is likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the estimated proved reserves.

    “Probable” reserves are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than proved reserves. It is equally likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will be greater or less than the sum of the estimated proved plus probable reserves.

    “Possible” reserves are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than probable reserves. There is a 10 percent probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the sum of proved plus probable plus possible reserves. It is unlikely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the sum of the estimated proved plus probable plus possible reserves.

    The term “Boe” means a barrel of oil equivalent on the basis of 6 Mcf of natural gas to 1 barrel of oil (“bbl”). Boe’s may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversation ratio of 6 Mcf: 1 bbl is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. Given the value ratio based on the current price of crude oil as compared to natural gas is significantly different from the energy equivalency of 6:1, utilizing a conversion ratio at 6:1 may be misleading as an indication of value.

    Light crude oil is crude oil with a relative density greater than 31.1 degrees API gravity, medium crude oil is crude oil with a relative density greater than 22.3 degrees API gravity and less than or equal to 31.1 degrees API gravity, and heavy crude oil is crude oil with a relative density greater than 10 degrees API gravity and less than or equal to 22.3 degrees API gravity.

    With respect to F&D costs, the aggregate of the exploration and development costs incurred in the most recent financial year and the change during that year in estimated future development costs generally will not reflect total F&D costs related to reserve additions for that year. The estimates of reserves and future net revenue for individual properties may not reflect the same confidence level as estimates of reserves and future net revenue for all properties, due to the effects of aggregation.

    This press release contains several oil and gas metrics, including reserve replacement, reserve additions including acquisitions, and reserve life index. In addition, the following non-GAAP financial measures and non-GAAP ratios, as described below under “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures”, can be considered to be oil and gas metrics: F&D costs, FD&A costs, F&D recycle ratio, FD&A recycle ratio, operating netback, funds flow provided by operations, funds flow provided by operations netback, reserve replacement and NAV.   Such oil and gas metrics have been prepared by management and 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 herein to provide readers with additional measures to evaluate the Company’s performance; however, such measures are not reliable indicators of the future performance of the Company and future performance may not compare to the performance in previous periods and therefore such metric should not be unduly relied upon. Management uses these oil and gas metrics for its own performance measurements and to provide security holders with measures to compare the Company’s operations over time. Readers are cautioned that the information provided by these metrics, or that can be derived from the metrics presented in this news release, should not be relied upon for investment or other purposes. A summary of the calculations of reserve replacement and RLI are as follows, with the other oil and gas metrics referred to above being described herein under “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures”:

    • Reserve additions including acquisitions is calculated by the change in reserves category and adding current year annual production.
    • Reserve replacement is calculated by dividing the annual reserve additions by the annual production.
    • Reserve life index is calculated by dividing the applicable reserves category by the annualized fourth quarter average production.

    2024 Year-End Corporate Reserves Report: Supplemental Reserves Tables

    All reserves are presented as Parex working interest before royalties and in certain tables set forth below, the columns may not add due to rounding.

    Gross Reserves by Area(1)

        1P 2P 3P
    Area   Mboe(1) Mboe(1) Mboe(1)
    LLA-34   63,320 88,823 120,283
    Southern Llanos   20,634 30,487 37,749
    Northern Llanos   12,246 18,007 24,113
    Magdalena   5,754 14,439 29,384
    Putumayo   10,166 17,877 33,853
    Total   112,119 169,633 245,383

    (1) The estimates of reserves and future net revenue for individual properties may not reflect the same confidence level as estimates of reserves and future net revenue for all properties, due to the effects of aggregation.

    Gross Reserves Volumes by Product Type

    Product Type   PDP 1P 2P 3P
    Light & Medium Crude Oil (Mbbl)   10,084 30,138 51,422 84,901
    Heavy Crude Oil (Mbbl)   58,654 76,788 107,161 140,348
    Natural Gas Liquids (Mbbl)   480 1,207 1,643 2,108
    Conventional Natural Gas (MMcf)   16,139 23,915 56,441 108,155
    Oil Equivalent (Mboe)   71,908 112,119 169,633 245,383


    Gross Reserves Volumes Per Share
    (1)

        Dec. 31 Change over
    Dec. 31, 2022
        2022 2023 2024(1)
    Year-End Basic Outstanding Shares (000s)   109.1 103.8 98.3 (5 %)
    PDP (boe/share)   0.76 0.80 0.73 (9 %)
    1P (boe/share)   1.20 1.08 1.14 6 %
    2P (boe/share)   1.84 1.62 1.72 6 %
    3P (boe/share)   2.58 2.23 2.50 12 %

    (1) 2024 net reserves after royalties are: PDP 62,128 Mboe, proved developed non-producing 4,939 Mboe, proved undeveloped 29,644 Mboe, 1P 96,711 Mboe, 2P 146,645 Mboe and 3P 211,882 Mboe.

    Reserve Replacement Ratio and Reserve Life Index

        Dec. 31, 2022(1) Dec. 31, 2023(2) Dec. 31, 2024(3) 3-Year
    PDP          
    Reserve Replacement Ratio   112 % 99 % 41 % 85 %
    Reserve Life Index   4.2 years 3.9 years 4.3 years 4.1 years
    1P          
    Reserve Replacement Ratio   128 % 9 % 98 % 77 %
    Reserve Life Index   6.6 years 5.4 years 6.8 years 6.2 years
    2P          
    Reserve Replacement Ratio   110 % (62 %) 106 % 49 %
    Reserve Life Index   10.1 years 8.1 years 10.3 years 9.4 years

    (1) Calculated by dividing the amount of the relevant reserves category by average Q4 2022 production of 54,257 boe/d annualized (consisting of 10,511 bbl/d of light crude oil and medium crude oil, 42,746 bbl/d of heavy crude oil and 6,000 mcf/d of conventional natural gas).
    (2) Calculated by dividing the amount of the relevant reserves category by average Q4 2023 production of 57,329 boe/d annualized (consisting of 9,700 bbl/d of light crude oil and medium crude oil, 46,760 bbl/d of heavy crude oil and 5,214 mcf/d of conventional natural gas).
    (3) Calculated by dividing the amount of the relevant reserves category by estimated average Q4 2024 production of 45,297 boe/d annualized (consisting of 9,550 bbl/d of light crude oil and medium crude oil, 34,882 bbl/d of heavy crude oil and 5,190 mcf/d of conventional natural gas).

    Future Development Capital (“FDC”) (000s)(1)

    Reserve Category 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029+ Total FDC Total
    FDC/boe
    PDP $ 23,467 $ $ $ $ $ 23,467 $ 0.33
    1P $ 239,609 $ 113,210 $ 73,861 $ 13,000 $ 622 $ 440,302 $ 3.93
    2P $ 241,934 $ 157,800 $ 157,181 $ 17,166 $ 21,317 $ 595,398 $ 3.51

    (1) FDC are stated in USD, undiscounted and based on GLJ January 1, 2025 price forecasts.

    Summary of Reserve Metrics – Company Gross

        2024 3-Year
      PDP 1P 2P PDP 1P 2P
    F&D Costs ($/boe)(1) 45.60 36.11 169.52 27.90 36.91 122.51
    FD&A Costs ($/boe)(1) 45.60 24.75 21.09 27.90 32.21 49.94
    Recycle Ratio – F&D(1) 0.9 x 1.1 x 0.2 x 1.7 x 1.3 x 0.4 x
    Recycle Ratio – FD&A(1) 0.9 x 1.7 x 2.0 x 1.7 x 1.5 x 1.0 x

    (1) Non-GAAP ratio. See “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Advisory”.

    Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Advisory

    This press release uses various “non-GAAP financial measures”, “non-GAAP ratios”, “supplementary financial measures” and “capital management measures” (as such terms are defined in NI 52-112), which are described in further detail below. Such measures are not standardized financial measures under IFRS and might not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. Investors are cautioned that non-GAAP financial measures should not be construed as alternatives to or more meaningful than the most directly comparable GAAP measures as indicators of Parex’s performance.

    These measures facilitate management’s comparisons to the Company’s historical operating results in assessing its results and strategic and operational decision-making and may be used by financial analysts and others in the oil and natural gas industry to evaluate the Company’s performance. Further, management believes that such financial measures are useful supplemental information to analyze operating performance and provide an indication of the results generated by the Company’s principal business activities.

    Set forth below is a description of the non-GAAP financial measures, non-GAAP ratios, supplementary financial measures and capital management measures used in this press release.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    Capital expenditures, is a non-GAAP financial measure which the Company uses to describe its capital costs associated with oil and gas expenditures. The measure considers both property, plant and equipment expenditures and exploration and evaluation asset expenditures which are items in the Company’s statement of cash flows for the period and is calculated as follows:

      For the three months ended   For the year ended
      December 31,   September 30,   December 31,
    ($000s)   2024     2023     2024     2024     2023     2022
    Property, plant and equipment expenditures $ 62,799   $ 50,753   $ 68,406   $ 221,250   $ 310,933   $ 389,979
    Exploration and evaluation expenditures   19,311     40,666     13,961     126,445     172,410     122,273
    Capital expenditures $ 82,110   $ 91,419   $ 82,367   $ 347,695   $ 483,343   $ 512,252


    Free funds flow,
    is a non-GAAP financial measure that is determined by funds flow provided by operations less capital expenditures. The Company considers free funds flow to be a key measure as it demonstrates Parex’s ability to fund returns of capital, such as the normal course issuer bid and dividends, without accessing outside funds and is calculated as follows:

      For the three months ended     For the year ended
     
      December 31,   September 30,     December 31,
     
    ($000s)   2024     2023     2024       2024     2023     2022  
    Cash provided by operating activities $ 67,847   $ 194,242     $ 181,874     $ 569,915   $ 376,471   $ 983,602  
    Net change in non-cash assets and liabilities   73,354     (865 )     (30,101 )     52,318     291,311     (258,712 )
    Funds flow provided by operations   141,201     193,377       151,773       622,233     667,782     724,890  
    Capital expenditures   82,110     91,419       82,367       347,695     483,343     512,252  
    Free funds flow $ 59,091   $ 101,958     $ 69,406     $ 274,538   $ 184,439   $ 212,638  


    EBITDA,
    is a non-GAAP financial measure that is defined as net income (loss) adjusted for finance income and expense, other expenses, income tax expense (recovery) and depletion, depreciation and amortization.

    Adjusted EBITDA, is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as EBITDA adjusted for non-cash impairment charges, share-based compensation expense (recovery), unrealized foreign exchange gains (losses), and unrealized gains (losses) on risk management contracts.

    The Company considers EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to be key measures as they demonstrate Parex’s profitability before finance income and expenses, taxes, depletion, depreciation and amortization and other non-cash items. A reconciliation from net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA is as follows:

      For the three months ended
        For the year ended
     
      December 31,   September 30,     December 31,
     
    ($000s)   2024       2023       2024       2024       2023       2022  
    Net income (loss) $ (69,051 )   $ 133,783     $ 65,793     $ 60,680     $ 459,309     $ 611,368  
    Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to EBITDA:                      
    Finance income   (998 )     (2,067 )     (963 )     (4,315 )     (14,055 )     (9,015 )
    Finance expenses   4,318       2,878       5,676       18,408       13,834       8,393  
    Other expense   2,208       362       1,818       6,227       2,582       1,315  
    Income tax expense (recovery)   (880 )     (81,929 )     42,767       248,592       (5,070 )     191,798  
    Depletion, depreciation and amortization   53,984       57,833       52,672       215,770       194,229       149,351  
    EBITDA $ (10,419 )   $ 110,860     $ 167,763     $ 545,362     $ 650,829     $ 953,210  
    Non-cash impairment charges   137,841       85,330             142,502       142,540       103,394  
    Share-based compensation expense (recovery)   6,149       7,674       (7,994 )     1,462       30,364       19,128  
    Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain)   2,581       (2,312 )     4,233       29,603       (6,453 )     (9,692 )
    Unrealized loss on risk management contracts   1,160                   1,160              
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 137,312     $ 201,552     $ 164,002     $ 720,089     $ 817,280     $ 1,066,040  


    Non-GAAP Ratios

    Operating netback per boe, is a non-GAAP ratio the Company considers operating netback per boe to be a key measure as it demonstrates Parex’s profitability relative to current commodity prices. Parex calculates operating netback per boe as operating netback divided by the total equivalent sales volume including purchased oil volumes for oil and natural gas sales price and transportation expense per boe and by the total equivalent sales volume and excludes purchased oil volumes for royalties and operating expense per boe.

    Funds flow provided by operations netback per boe, is a non-GAAP ratio that includes all cash generated from operating activities and is calculated before changes in non-cash working capital, divided by produced oil and natural gas sales volumes. The Company considers funds flow provided by operations netback per boe to be a key measure as it demonstrates Parex’s profitability after all cash costs relative to current commodity prices.

    Finding & Development Costs (F&D costs) per boe and Finding, Development and Acquisition Costs (FD&A costs) per boe, is a non-GAAP ratio that helps to explain the cost of finding and developing additional oil and gas reserves. F&D costs are determined by dividing capital expenditures plus the change in FDC in the period divided by BOE reserve additions in the period. FD&A costs per boe are determined by dividing capital expenditures in the period plus the change in FDC plus acquisition costs divided by BOE reserve additions in the period.

    F&D and FD&A Costs(1)   2024   3-Year
     
    ($000s) PDP   1P   2P   PDP 1P   2P  
                 
    Capital Expenditures(2) 347,695   347,695   347,695   1,343,290 1,343,290   1,343,290  
    Capital Expenditures – change in FDC (3,321 ) (69,775 ) (109,856 ) 8,730 (95,935 ) (113,170 )
    Total Capital 344,374   277,920   237,839   1,352,020 1,247,355   1,230,120  
                 
    Net Acquisitions          
    Net Acquisitions – change in FDC   164,207   168,739   168,739   164,207  
    Total Net Acquisitions   164,207   168,739   168,739   164,207  
                 
    Total Capital including Acquisitions 344,374   442,127   406,578   1,352,020 1,416,094   1,394,327  
                 
    Reserve Additions 7,552   7,697   1,403   48,459 33,797   10,041  
    Net Acquisitions Reserve Additions   10,166   17,877   10,166   17,877  
    Reserve Additions including Acquisitions (Mboe) 7,552   17,863   19,280   48,459 43,963   27,918  
                 
    F&D Costs ($/boe) 45.60   36.11   169.52   27.90 36.91   122.51  
    FD&A Costs ($/boe) 45.60   24.75   21.09   27.90 32.21   49.94  

    (1) All reserves are presented as Parex working interest before royalties.
    (2) Calculated using capital expenditures for the period ended December 31, 2024.

    Recycle ratio, is a non-GAAP ratio that measures the profit per barrel of oil to the cost of finding and developing that barrel of oil. The recycle ratio is determined by dividing the annual operating netback per boe by the F&D costs and FD&A costs in the period.

        2024   3-Year
     
      PDP 1P 2P   PDP 1P 2P  
                     
    Operating netback ($/boe) 41.30 41.30 41.30   48.43 48.43 48.43  
                     
    F&D Costs(2) ($/boe) 45.60 36.11 169.52   27.90 36.91 122.51  
    FD&A Costs(2) ($/boe) 45.60 24.75 21.09   27.90 32.21 49.94  
                     
    Recycle Ratio – F&D(1) 0.9 x 1.1 x 0.2 x   1.7 x 1.3 x 0.4 x  
    Recycle Ratio – FD&A(1) 0.9 x 1.7 x 2.0 x   1.7 x 1.5 x 1.0 x  

    (1) Recycle ratio is calculated as operating netback per boe divided by F&D or FD&A as applicable. Three-year operating netback on a per boe basis is calculated using weighted average sales volumes.

    Net Asset Value (“NAV”) per share, is a non-GAAP ratio that combines the 51-101 NPV15 value after tax with the Company’s estimated working capital at the period end date, less bank debt at the period end date, divided by common shares outstanding at the period end date. The Company uses the NAV per share as a way to reflect the Company’s value considering existing working capital on hand, less bank debt, plus the NPV15 after tax value on Oil and Gas Reserves. NAV per share is stated in CAD dollars using an exchange rate of USDCAD=1.4389. NAV is defined as total assets less total liabilities.

    Net Asset Value (“NAV”) per boe, is a non-GAAP ratio that combines the 51-101 NPV15 value after tax with the Company’s estimated working capital at the period end date, less bank debt at the period end date, divided by reserve volumes at the period end date. The Company uses the NAV per boe as a way to reflect the Company’s value considering existing working capital on hand, less bank debt, plus the NPV15 after tax value on Oil and Gas Reserves. Net asset value is defined as total assets less total liabilities.

    Basic funds flow provided by operations per share is a non-GAAP ratio that is calculated by dividing funds flow provided by operations by the weighted average number of basic shares outstanding. Parex presents basic funds flow provided by operations per share whereby per share amounts are calculated using weighted-average shares outstanding, consistent with the calculation of earnings per share.

    Capital Management Measures

    Funds flow provided by operations, is a capital management measure that includes all cash generated from operating activities and is calculated before changes in non-cash assets and liabilities. The Company considers funds flow provided by operations to be a key measure as it demonstrates Parex’s profitability after all cash costs. A reconciliation from cash provided by operating activities to funds flow provided by operations is as follows:

      For the three months ended
        For the year ended
     
      December 31,   September 30,     December 31,
     
    ($000s)   2024     2023       2024       2024     2023     2022  
    Cash provided by operating activities $ 67,847   $ 194,242     $ 181,874     $ 569,915   $ 376,471   $ 983,602  
    Net change in non-cash assets and liabilities   73,354     (865 )     (30,101 )     52,318     291,311     (258,712 )
    Funds flow provided by operations $ 141,201   $ 193,377     $ 151,773     $ 622,233   $ 667,782   $ 724,890  


    Working capital surplus,
    is a capital management measure which the Company uses to describe its liquidity position and ability to meet its short-term liabilities. Working capital surplus is defined as current assets less current liabilities.

      For the three months ended   For the year ended
      December 31,   September 30,   December 31,
    ($000s)   2024     2023     2024     2024     2023     2022
    Current assets $ 245,943   $ 337,175   $ 248,208   $ 245,943   $ 337,175   $ 593,602
    Current liabilities   186,546     258,148     210,699     186,546     258,148     508,614
    Working capital surplus $ 59,397   $ 79,027   $ 37,509   $ 59,397   $ 79,027   $ 84,988

    Supplementary Financial Measures

    “Oil and natural gas sales per boe” is determined by sales revenue excluding risk management contracts, as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by total equivalent sales volume including purchased oil volumes.

    “Royalties per boe” is comprised of royalties, as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by the total equivalent sales volume and excludes purchased oil volumes.

    “Net revenue per boe” is comprised of net revenue, as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by the total equivalent sales volume and includes purchased oil volumes.

    “Production expense per boe” is comprised of production expense, as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by the total equivalent sales volume and excludes purchased oil volumes.

    “Transportation expense per boe” is comprised of transportation expense, as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by the total equivalent sales volumes including purchased oil volumes.

    “Dividends paid per share” is comprised of dividends declared, as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by the number of shares outstanding at the dividend record date.

    Dividend Advisory

    The Company’s future shareholder distributions, including but not limited to the payment of dividends and the acquisition by the Company of its shares pursuant to an NCIB, if any, and the level thereof is uncertain. Any decision to pay further dividends on the common shares (including the actual amount, the declaration date, the record date and the payment date in connection therewith and any special dividends) or acquire shares of the Company will be subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors of Parex and may depend on a variety of factors, including, without limitation the Company’s business performance, financial condition, financial requirements, growth plans, expected capital requirements and other conditions existing at such future time including, without limitation, contractual restrictions and satisfaction of the solvency tests imposed on the Company under applicable corporate law. Further, the actual amount, the declaration date, the record date and the payment date of any dividend are subject to the discretion of the Board. There can be no assurance that the Company will pay dividends or repurchase any shares of the Company in the future.

    Advisory on Forward-Looking Statements

    In particular, forward-looking statements contained in this document include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Company’s operational and financial position; the Company’s plan, strategy and focus; the focus of the Company’s 2025 operational plan; Parex’s plan of rebuilding market confidence by delivering steady results, evolving its Colombian portfolio and strengthening its track record of shareholder returns, while also progressing towards Llanos Foothills exploration in 2026; Parex’s FY 2025 average production guidance; the anticipated Board nominees at Parex’s upcoming Meeting; the anticipated number of operating and non-operating drilling rigs that Parex will have in Q2 2025; expectations that the Company’s operations are supportive of a growing H2 2025 production profile and the Company’s anticipated activities at certain of its locations, including the anticipated timing thereof; the Company’s 2025 guidance, including anticipated Brent crude oil average price, average production, funds flow provided by operations netback, funds flow provided by operations, capital expenditures and free funds flow; the anticipated terms of the Company’s Q1 2025 regular quarterly dividend including its expectation that it will be designated as an “eligible dividend”; the anticipated date and time of Parex’s 2025 Meeting and the release of its 2024 Annual Information Form; and the anticipated date of Parex’s conference call. In addition, statements relating to “reserves” are by their nature forward-looking statements, as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions that the reserves described can be profitably produced in the future. The recovery and reserve estimates of Parex’s reserves provided herein are estimates only and there is no guarantee that the estimated reserves will be recovered.

    These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions in Canada and Colombia; determinations by OPEC and other countries as to production levels; volatility in commodity prices; industry conditions including changes in laws and regulations including adoption of new environmental laws and regulations, and changes in how they are interpreted and enforced, in Canada and Colombia; competition; lack of availability of qualified personnel; the results and timelines of exploration and development drilling, test, monitoring and work programs and related activities; obtaining required approvals of regulatory authorities, in Canada and Colombia; risks associated with negotiating with foreign governments as well as country risk associated with conducting international activities; volatility in market prices for oil; fluctuations in foreign exchange or interest rates; environmental risks; changes in income tax laws or changes in tax laws and incentive programs relating to the oil industry; changes to pipeline capacity; ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources; risk that Parex’s evaluation of its existing portfolio of development and exploration opportunities is not consistent with its expectations; that production test results may not necessarily be indicative of long term performance or of ultimate recovery; the risk that Parex may not commence exploration activities in the Llanos Foothills area when anticipated, or at all; the risk that Parex’s FY 2025 average production may be less than anticipated; the risk that Parex may have less operating and non-operating drilling rigs in Q2 2025 than anticipated; the risk that Parex’s financial and operating results may not be consistent with its expectations; the risk that the Company may not release its Annual Information Form or hold its 2025 Meeting when anticipated; the risk that Parex may not have sufficient financial resources in the future to provide distributions to its shareholders; the risk that the Board may not declare dividends in the future or that Parex’s dividend policy changes;and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Additional information on these and other factors that could affect Parex’s operations and financial results are included in reports on file with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and may be accessed through the SEDAR+ website (www.sedarplus.ca).

    Although the forward-looking statements contained in this document are based upon assumptions which Management believes to be reasonable, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this document, Parex has made assumptions regarding, among other things: current and anticipated commodity prices and royalty regimes; availability of skilled labour; timing and amount of capital expenditures; future exchange rates; the price of oil, including the anticipated Brent oil prices; the impact of increasing competition; conditions in general economic and financial markets; availability of drilling and related equipment; effects of regulation by governmental agencies; receipt of partner, regulatory and community approvals; royalty rates; future operating costs; uninterrupted access to areas of Parex’s operations and infrastructure; recoverability of reserves and future production rates; the status of litigation; timing of drilling and completion of wells; on-stream timing of production from successful exploration wells; operational performance of non-operated producing fields; pipeline capacity; that Parex will have sufficient cash flow, debt or equity sources or other financial resources required to fund its capital and operating expenditures and requirements as needed; that Parex’s conduct and results of operations will be consistent with its expectations; that Parex will have the ability to develop its oil and gas properties in the manner currently contemplated; that Parex’s evaluation of its existing portfolio of development and exploration opportunities is consistent with its expectations; current or, where applicable, proposed industry conditions, laws and regulations will continue in effect or as anticipated as described herein; that the estimates of Parex’s production and reserves volumes and the assumptions related thereto (including commodity prices and development costs) are accurate in all material respects; that Parex will be able to obtain contract extensions or fulfill the contractual obligations required to retain its rights to explore, develop and exploit any of its undeveloped properties; that Parex will have sufficient financial resources in the future to pay a dividend and repurchase its shares in the future; that the Board will declare dividends in the future; and other matters.

    Management has included the above summary of assumptions and risks related to forward-looking information provided in this document in order to provide shareholders with a more complete perspective on Parex’s current and future operations and such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Parex’s actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what benefits Parex will derive. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this document and Parex disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

    This press release contains information that may be considered a financial outlook under applicable securities laws about the Company potential financial position, including, but not limited to: the Company’s 2025 guidance, including anticipated funds flow provided by operations netback, funds flow provided by operations, capital expenditures and free funds flow; and the anticipated terms of the Company’s Q1 2025 regular quarterly dividend including its expectation that it will be designated as an “eligible dividend”. Such financial outlook has been prepared by Parex’s management to provide an outlook of the Company’s activities and results. The financial outlook has been prepared based on a number of assumptions including the assumptions discussed above and assumptions with respect to the costs and expenditures to be incurred by the Company, including capital equipment and operating costs, foreign exchange rates, taxation rates for the Company, general and administrative expenses and the prices to be paid for the Company’s production.

    Management does not have firm commitments for all of the costs, expenditures, prices or other financial assumptions used to prepare the financial outlook or assurance that such operating results will be achieved and, accordingly, the complete financial effects of all of those costs, expenditures, prices and operating results are not objectively determinable. The actual results of operations of the Company and the resulting financial results will likely vary from the amounts set forth in the analysis presented in this press release, and such variations may be material. The Company and Management believe that the financial outlook has been prepared on a reasonable basis, reflecting the best estimates and judgments, and represent, to the best of Management’s knowledge, Parex’s expected expenditures and results of operations. However, because this information is highly subjective and subject to numerous risks including the risks discussed above, it should not be relied on as necessarily indicative of future results. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update such financial outlook. The financial outlook contained in this press release was made as of the date of this press release and was provided for the purpose of providing further information about the Company’s potential future business operations. Readers are cautioned that the financial outlook contained in this press release is not conclusive and is subject to change.

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

    PDP proved developed producing
    1P proved
    2P proved plus probable
    3P proved plus probable plus possible
    bbl one barrel
    bbls barrels
    bbl/d barrels per day
    boe barrels of oil equivalent; one barrel of oil or natural gas liquids for six thousand cubic feet of natural gas
    boe/d barrels of oil equivalent per day
    mbbl thousands of barrels
    mboe thousand barrels of oil equivalent
    mcf thousand cubic feet
    mcf/d thousand cubic feet per day
    mmboe one million barrels of oil equivalent
    mmcf one million cubic feet
    W.I. working interest

    PDF available: 

    http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/dc94d190-6b5f-48f2-9d09-33ac94624887

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: For UConn Students, the Future is Green

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Environmental consciousness, sustainability, and related subjects are crucial topics that touch on countless aspects of life – and, as UConn students recently learned, they can be fruitful and rewarding career paths as well.

    “Green Careers: Engage and Explore,” held on campus on Feb. 25, allowed students to meet potential employers, network with peers with similar interests, and hear from an alumni panel about careers based on sustainability.

    “Sustainability is here to stay, globally,” said Betsy Mortensen, communication, outreach, and education coordinator for the Office of Sustainability. “Looking at a future in a green career is a smart thing to do.”

    The event had a mix of off-campus employers and on-campus organizations. Student-run groups such as Ecohusky, Spring Valley Student Farm, Climate and Mind Network, the Beekeeping Club, and more set up tables and shared information about their clubs.

    Employers including Eversource, Bartlett Tree Experts, CT Green Bank, Sustainable CT, and Greenskies had representatives in attendance.

    “This panel is different in a sense that it’s a little bit untraditional,” said student intern Andy Zhang ’26 (CAHNR & CLAS). “We have different niches here. There is a thrift stand and social responsibility and businesspeople. We have a lot of different perspectives.”

    “Sustainability and energy are becoming such a big topic of discussion,” said Gabrielle Comella, assistant director of corporate partner relations for the Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills. “You can have a green career in so many different industries that students don’t realize.”

    “Part of UConn’s strategic plan is preparing students for careers outside of UConn, and this clearly aligns by showing the diversity of sustainability career pathways,” said Mortensen. “Another tenet of the strategic plan is to power Connecticut in terms of a strong workforce, and pretty much all of the employers here have Connecticut roots.”

    ‘Every job is a climate job’ 

    The first speaking panel featured industry leaders. Representatives from Uber, Eversource, Bartlett Tree Experts, and Connecticut Roundtable on Climate and Jobs answered students’ questions about how their companies take sustainability initiatives and how the industry is changing.

    “From our perspective, every job is a climate job,” said Alison Pilcher, the policy director at the CT Roundtable. “Every industry should be thinking about how climate change is going to impact their industry.”

    April Regan, an attorney for Eversource, explained that the company is launching a clean energy innovation program with UConn. Students will have a chance to submit business ideas for “clean innovation.” Stakeholders from UConn and Eversource will review the proposed projects, and “The top five teams will get a little bit of money to explore their idea, and one winning team will get funding for a year,” said Regan. “We’re always trying to innovate, we’re always trying to push the envelope, to push energy policy and environmental policy over these projects.”

    Five alumni took the stage for the second speaking panel, offering advice on how to navigate a career in sustainability after graduation.

    Andy Zhang ’26, an intern in the Office of Sustainability, asks panelists a question (George Velky / UConn Photo)

    “There are so many different avenues you can take,” said Margaret Sanders ’22 (CAHNR), sustainability platform manager for Position Green. “Whether that be through further education or in the professional field, I think it’s really important to be open to trying new things.”

    Panelists discussed how to stay motivated in the field when federal administration is not overtly supportive of sustainability efforts. “Government is an interesting place. It’s a big battleship, it’s hard to turn,” said Brendan Schain, legal director for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Environmental Quality Branch and a graduate of the UConn School of Law. “The pace of change is the change. New people with new perspectives are doing interesting things and bringing an interesting new perspective, and it takes time to institutionalize that.”

    The alumni discussed how their time at UConn helped guide them into their careers as well. Megan Coleman ’17 (ENG), an engineer for JKMuir talked about how any involvement on campus was a good experience. “I was part of a lot of the different clubs here. Being engaged in those and exposing myself to different people, different perspectives, was something that what really important to me.”

    “I got the opportunity to do a study abroad program for the UConn Earth Sciences Department,” said Emily Bigl ’23 (CLAS), an environmental planner for the Southeastern CT Council of Governments. Bigl studied geoscience and geohazards in Taiwan thanks to the UConn program. “It’s a great experience. If you can find a program relating to sustainability in the environment, that’s awesome. But if you find one outside of your realm of study, that’s awesome too. Broaden your horizons.”

    Sanders worked at the National Resources Conservation Academy while at UConn. She mentored Connecticut students and helped them execute environmental programs in their own communities. “It was fun to both see how we could take action in Connecticut and also mentor younger students on the point of intergenerational relationships,” Sanders said.

    Office of Sustainability helps UConn chart a green course

    The Office of Sustainability partnered with the Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills for the event. Student interns at the Office of Sustainability contributed heavily to the preparation of the event.

    Zhang attributed a strong student network to building the mix of clubs, employers, and alumni coming to the event. Will Gabelman, senior manager for global strategies and operations at Uber, spoke on the first panel. Zhang was able to recruit him for the event because Gabelman was his mentor in a fellowship program.

    “We are the tenth most sustainable university in the world, and the second most sustainable university in the United States,” said Zhang, citing rankings from GreenMetric UI.

    UConn earned that title thanks to efforts from the Office of Sustainability and its interns, Zhang said, and added that there are 40 to 50 student interns this semester.

    The office puts together an Earth Day event annually, and is trying to pilot an environmental justice program, according to Kanika Chaturvedi ’26 (CLAS), an intern in the office.

    The give-and-go program is another initiative where the Office of Sustainability collects donations from students who are moving out. Things like clothing, furniture, and appliances are reused rather than discarded. Last year, the program diverted 8,000 pounds of waste from landfills, and “this year they are looking to double that,” said Chaturvedi. The group also collaborates with the town of Mansfield to organize litter cleanup events.

    A project Zhang has been working on is an E-collaboration sustainability network. “It’s kind of like a virtual platform that I think it helps break down a lot of the academic barriers that you see,” said Zhang. It has grown to 240 members and contains things like weekly internship postings and relevant studies posted by professors.

    “We’re able to see sustainability manifest in a lot of different facets,” said Zhang. “Even at the business school or the engineering school, regardless of what your major is, it’s becoming commonplace to have environmental opportunities.”

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Policing Minister Celebrates the Role of Police Staff

    Source: United Kingdom National Police Chiefs Council

    “Regardless of the role, there is no force in the country that can do what it needs to do to keep the public safe without police staff.” 

    Those are the words of the Home Office Minister of State (Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire) the Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson, with respect to the Police Staff Week of Celebration and Recognition.

    We’re extremely grateful that the Minister took the time to record this video, and thankful for her kind words about the important role that police staff play. 

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Greater protection for domestic abuse victims in Cleveland

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Press release

    Greater protection for domestic abuse victims in Cleveland

    Victims in Cleveland will be better protected from domestic abusers following the expansion of Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs).

    • Clamp down on domestic abuse extended to Cleveland
    • Hundreds more victims to benefit from stronger protections from cowardly abusers
    • Government reiterates mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade

    Victims and their friends, families or support workers in the area can apply for a DAPO at Teesside Combined Court Centre from today (5 March). Police can also apply on their behalf for protection against abusers.

    DAPOs can provide stronger protection for victims as they can impose exclusion zones through tagging and mandate attendance at behaviour change programmes.

    These orders cover all types of domestic abuse – including physical, controlling or coercive behaviour, economic abuse and stalking – and can be issued by all courts.

    Today’s news comes during National Domestic Abuse Awareness Week, and after the successful launch in Greater Manchester and London in November.

    Since then, there have been multiple convictions for breach of an order with some perpetrators already behind bars – with a maximum sentence of up to five years.

    Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls, Alex Davies-Jones, said:

    This is a positive step forward in better protecting victims of domestic abuse and in our mission to halve violence against women and girls.

    The evidence from Manchester and London is that DAPOs are working, and the rollout in Cleveland will provide more victims and families with the immediate protection they deserve from the vile abusers controlling their lives.

    Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Jess Phillips, said:

    We know that the current protective order regime isn’t working – any victim will tell you that. But seeing the results of these new orders so far has shown they can properly safeguard and protect victims.

    Making sure that this new system works safety, initially on a smaller scale, is paramount to delivering real change for victims as part of our mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.

    Rolling out these orders to Cleveland will help more victims and provide valuable insight to inform a wider expansion to other areas in the country. This is a welcome and important next step as we work to deliver what we promised.

    Already implemented in Greater Manchester and three London boroughs, the orders will be introduced across North Wales in April ahead of an expected national rollout.

    Jim Hope, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North East, said:

    No victim or family should live in fear of their abuser.

    I welcome the introduction of Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) in Cleveland to enable the Crown Prosecution Service, alongside the police and courts, to better safeguard victims and their families from this horrific offending.

    Our prosecutors can apply for an order on acquittal or conviction and, as other pilot areas have already done, stand ready to prosecute anyone who breaches an order.

    This National Domestic Abuse Awareness week, the Government urges all victims to seek the help they deserve.

    Today’s expansion is the next step in the Government’s unpreceded pledge to halve violence against women and girls in the next decade.

    Background information

    • Domestic Abuse Protection Orders were launched in November 2024 across Greater Manchester, three London boroughs and with the British Transport Police.
    • The DAPO is a joint policy shared between the Ministry of Justice and the Home Office and was legislated for in Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
    • Tagging can be imposed for up to 12 months at a time.

    Updates to this page

    Published 5 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Swifter justice for victims as courts sit at record level

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Swifter justice for victims as courts sit at record level

    Victims will receive swifter justice as the Government announces record funding for the Crown Court. New investment will see the courts sitting at the highest allocation since records began as part of its Plan for Change to make streets safer.

    • Highest level allocated ever which means more cases heard to keep our streets safe
    • Crown Court judges to oversee 110,000 days’ worth of cases in next financial year
    • Funding boost for court maintenance and new court buildings

    The Lord Chancellor, Shabana Mahmood, confirmed today (Wednesday, 5 March) that Crown Court judges will sit for a collective 110,000 days in the next financial year – 4,000 more than was initially allocated the previous year.  

    The increase will mean more hearings at the Crown Court in the coming year, helping victims see justice faster than they otherwise would have done, and is part of the Government’s decisive action to repair the justice system it inherited and improve the experience of victims. However, more radical change is needed to stop the backlog of cases continuing to increase.

    Sir Brian Leveson is midway through a review commissioned by the Lord Chancellor to consider bold and ambitious reforms to address the ongoing crisis in the courts.  The court backlog has grown significantly since the pandemic and reached a record high of 73,000 in the year ending September 2024.

    Only reform to how the criminal courts operate can bring that number down. This is part of the Government’s wider work, including the Independent Sentencing Review, to restore confidence in the justice system and put it on a more sustainable footing after inheriting a prison estate on the point of collapse. 

    The increase comes as the Government also boosts court maintenance and building funding from £120 million last year to £148.5 million this year. The increase will fund vital repairs across the court and tribunal estate. 

    The announcement will also boost the number of days the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal will be sitting to near maximum capacity, helping to speed up asylum claims. The builds on the Government’s work to restore order to the immigration system so that every part – border security, case processing, appeals and returns – operates efficiently.

    Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Shabana Mahmood, said: 

    This Government inherited a record and rising courts backlog, with justice delayed and denied for far too many victims. Bearing down on that backlog is an essential element of our Plan for Change, bringing offenders to justice to keep our streets safe. 

    Funding a record number of sitting days is a critical first step. But there is more that we must and we will do. I have asked Sir Brian Leveson to consider radical reforms to deliver the swifter justice that victims deserve. 

    The investment in court maintenance and capital projects will help fund security improvements and fix leaking roofs and out-of-order lifts. Repairs includes the RAAC remedial works at Harrow Crown Court – bringing back into operation an entire court, with eight courtrooms, that has been closed since August 2023.  

    The boost in capital funding will also help fund the next generation of court buildings across the country. Some of the projects which will receive funding as a result include the new 30-hearing room tribunal centre being built at Newgate Street in London, the 18-hearing rooms at the City of London Courts, and a County and Family Court in Reading.

    Minister for Courts and Legal Services, Sarah Sackman KC, said:

    The crumbling state of the courtrooms we inherited illustrate why public confidence in our justice system has ebbed away. That is why we’re boosting funding for vital repair work so our courts are, once again, fit for purpose, safe and welcoming places.

    This money will also help ensure we maintain and increase court capacity so more trials and tribunals can take place.

    At the end of last year, the Government launched a review of potential once-in-a-generation reform of the criminal court system to tackle the backlog. Sir Brian Leveson is conducting a review to identify major reforms which can help bring swifter justice for victims and reduce the backlog. 

    The plans form part of the Government’s commitment to safer streets by reducing the court backlog, speeding up hearings for victims and defendants, and rebuilding public confidence in the criminal justice system.

    Updates to this page

    Published 5 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI USA: 2025-33 WALGREENS AGREES TO NEARLY $98 MILLION SETTLEMENT TO RESOLVE ALLEGATIONS IT BILLED THE GOVERNMENT FOR UNCOLLECTED PRESCRIPTIONS

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    2025-33 WALGREENS AGREES TO NEARLY $98 MILLION SETTLEMENT TO RESOLVE ALLEGATIONS IT BILLED THE GOVERNMENT FOR UNCOLLECTED PRESCRIPTIONS

    Posted on Mar 4, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

     

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

    KA ʻOIHANA O KA LOIO KUHINA

     

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR

    KE KIAʻĀINA

     

    ANNE LOPEZ

    ATTORNEY GENERAL

    LOIO KUHINA

     

    WALGREENS AGREES TO PAY NEARLY $98 MILLION TO RESOLVE ALLEGATIONS IT BILLED THE GOVERNMENT FOR UNCOLLECTED PRESCRIPTIONS

     

    News Release 2025-33

     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                       

    March 4, 2025

     

    HONOLULU – Attorney General Anne Lopez announced today that the state of Hawai‘i has joined the 49 other attorneys general in a settlement against Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. and Walgreen Co. (together, Walgreens). Under the terms of the agreement, Walgreens — which operates one of the largest retail pharmacy chains in the country from its headquarters in Deerfield, Illinois — will pay $97.8 million to resolve allegations that it unlawfully billed government health care programs for prescriptions that were never collected or otherwise received by patients.

     

    The settlement agreement will resolve allegations set forth in two qui tam lawsuits: the Turck Civil Action (United States ex rel. Turck, et al. v. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., et al., No. 4:19-cv-315 (E.D. Tex. filed Apr. 26, 2019)); and the Jacob Civil Action(United States, et al. ex rel. Jacob v. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., No. 8:20-cv-858-T-60TGW (M.D. Fla. filed Apr. 23, 2020)). These lawsuits specifically allege that between 2009 and 2020, Walgreens unlawfully billed Medicare, Medicaid, and other government health care programs for prescriptions drugs that were never picked up by beneficiaries.  As a result of this unlawful conduct, Walgreens received tens of millions of dollars for uncollected prescriptions that it never actually provided to patients.

     

    After the suits were filed, Walgreens implemented enhancements to its billing systems designed to prevent any future unlawful billing for uncollected prescriptions. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Walgreens received credit for self-disclosing certain claims, and for previously refunding $66.3 million in connection with the settled claims. The total recovery for all Medicaid programs under the settlement is $9.6 million. Of that amount, Hawai‘i will receive $3,524.83 in recoveries.

     

    A National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units (NAMFCU) Team investigated the allegations in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice and United States Attorneys’ Offices in Texas and Florida. The NAMFCU Team included representatives from the respective Office of the Attorney General for the states of Wisconsin, California, Texas, Maine, Oregon and Massachusetts.

     

    Landon M.M. Murata, the Director of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (Hawai‘i MFCU), under the Department of the Attorney General, and Judy Mohr Peterson, Ph.D., Med-QUEST Division Administrator at the Department of Human Services, entered into the settlement agreement on behalf of the state of Hawai‘i.

     

    “This is a significant win in the fight against healthcare fraud in our country. We appreciate all the hard work and dedication of our federal and state partners who made this settlement possible. It is important that remain vigilant to ensure that taxpayer dollars dedicated to supporting our critical healthcare programs like Medicaid, are not being squandered.” said Hawaiʻi MFCU Director Murata.

     

    The Hawai‘i MFCU is a specialized unit within the Department of the Attorney General that is charged with conducting criminal and civil investigations and prosecutions of (1) provider fraud against the Medicaid Program, (2) fraud in the administration of the Medicaid Program, and (3) abuse and neglect of Medicaid beneficiaries and residents of board and care facilities throughout the state of Hawai‘i.

     

    The Walgreens settlement agreement with Hawaiʻi can be found here.

     

    # # #

     

    Media contacts:

    Dave Day

    Special Assistant to the Attorney General

    Office: 808-586-1284                                                  

    Email: [email protected]        

    Web: http://ag.hawaii.gov

     

    Toni Schwartz
    Public Information Officer
    Hawai‘i Department of the Attorney General
    Office:
    808-586-1252
    Cell: 808-379-9249
    Email:
    [email protected] 

    Web: http://ag.hawaii.gov

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: NuVista Energy Ltd. Announces Record Year End 2024 Reserves, Financial and Operating Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, March 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NuVista Energy Ltd. (“NuVista” or the “Company“) (TSX: NVA) is pleased to announce record-setting reserves and strong financial and operating results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024. The repeatable, predictable and profitable nature of our assets have once again underpinned significant growth in our reserves. Continued success in the Lower Montney and sanctioning of our Gold Creek area expansion have set the stage for continued growth toward 125,000 Boe/d. We are entering 2025 in a strong financial position with operational momentum and a commitment to shareholder returns. We are pleased to reaffirm our annual capital and production guidance for the year.

    Operational and Financial Highlights

    During the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024, NuVista:

    • Produced an average of 85,635 Boe/d in the fourth quarter, exceeding our guidance range of 83,000 – 84,000 Boe/d. We achieved our highest-ever annual average production of 83,084 Boe/d, an 8% increase from 2023. Annual production composition aligned with guidance, with a volume weighting of 30% condensate, 9% NGLs and 61% natural gas;
    • Successfully executed a capital expenditure(2) program, investing $498.9 million in well and facility activities, including the drilling of 43 wells and the completion of 38 wells throughout the year. Fourth quarter, capital expenditures totaled $71.1 million, with 9 wells drilled;
    • Delivered annual adjusted funds flow(1) of $552.2 million ($2.68/share, basic(3)), with adjusted funds flow from the fourth quarter contributing $137.1 million ($0.67/share, basic);
    • Generated free adjusted funds flow(2) of $39.6 million for the year ($0.19/share, basic(3));
    • Repurchased and cancelled 5.9 million common shares in 2024 at an average price of $12.52 per common share, for a total cost of $74.4 million. Since the inception of the Company’s normal course issuer bid (“NCIB”) in 2022, we have repurchased and cancelled 36.5 million common shares for an aggregate cost of $438.3 million or $12.01 per share;
    • Exited the year with $5.4 million drawn on our $450 million credit facility and net debt(1) of $232.5 million, maintaining a favorable net debt to annualized fourth quarter adjusted funds flow(1) ratio of 0.4x;
    • Achieved annual net earnings of $305.7 million ($1.48/share, basic), including $99.2 million ($0.48/share, basic) in the fourth quarter;
    • Added LNG sales to our natural gas diversification portfolio by gaining exposure to the Japan/Korea marker (“JKM”) through a netback agreement with Trafigura based on 21,000 MMbtu/d of LNG for a period of up to thirteen years commencing January 1, 2027; and
    • Recognized as part of the TSX30 for the third consecutive year. The TSX30 recognizes the thirty top-performing companies on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) over the prior three-year period (see www.tsx.com/tsx30). We ranked a notable sixth place overall.

    Notes:

    (1) Each of “adjusted funds flow”, “net debt” and “net debt to annualized fourth quarter adjusted funds flow” are capital management measures. Reference should be made to the section entitled “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures” in this press release.
    (2) Each of “free adjusted funds flow” and “capital expenditures” are non-GAAP financial measures that do not have any standardized meanings under IFRS Accounting Standards and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies where similar terminology is used. Reference should be made to the section entitled “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures” in this press release.
    (3) Each of “adjusted funds flow per share” and “free adjusted funds flow per share” are supplementary financial measures. Reference should be made to the section entitled “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures” in this press release.
       

    Significant Profitable and Repeatable Reserves Growth

    NuVista is pleased to announce the results of our year end 2024 independent reserves evaluation conducted by GLJ Ltd. (“GLJ”) effective as at December 31, 2024 (the “GLJ Report”). NuVista’s proven track record of continuous improvement, along with the substantial depth and quality of our undeveloped resources, reinforces our ability to deliver sustained shareholder returns in our journey to 125,000 Boe/d.

    Our GLJ Report includes the following key accomplishments:

    • Reported Proved Developed Producing (“PDP”) reserves of 177.3 MMBoe, a year-over-year increase of 9%, or a 12% increase on a per share basis, driven by a successful 2024 development program and 2% positive technical revisions due to new well outperformance;
    • Recorded Total Proved plus Probable (“TP+PA”) reserves of 779.7 MMBoe, a year-over-year increase of 21%, or a 24% increase on a per share basis, attributed to the continued success in NuVista’s multi-layer Montney development in Pipestone and successful Lower and Upper Montney delineation in Wapiti;
    • Replaced 150% and 550% of 2024 production on a PDP and TP+PA basis(1), respectively, reflecting the success of our 2024 capital program and continued expansion of our undeveloped location inventory;
    • Delivered PDP Finding, Development and Acquisition Cost (“FD&A”)(1) of $11.13/Boe that exceeded our expectations due to well outperformance and cost reductions;
    • Achieved a PDP recycle ratio(1) of 1.8x based on our 2024 operating netback(1);
    • TP+PA FD&A was $6.97/Boe, driven by the planned expansion of our infrastructure to 125,000 Boe/d and a 26% increase in undeveloped TP+PA drilling locations;
    • Total developed wells increased by 42 to 395, while the total undeveloped drilling locations increased by 9 to 1,189, which reflects over 25 years of development at the current pace(3); and
    • PDP, TP, and TP+PA before-tax net present value, discounted at 10% (NPV10)(2), are $10.01, $20.56, and $30.11 per share, respectively, at December 31, 2024, reflecting the underlying value of our assets.

    Notes:

    (1) Each of “reserve replacement”, “FD&A costs”, “recycle ratio” and “operating netback” are non-GAAP financial ratios. See “Oil and Gas Advisories” and “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures” in this press release for information relating to these specified financial measures.
    (2) Reference to “net present value per share” is a supplementary financial measure. Reference should be made to the section entitled “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures” in this press release.
    (3) Total undeveloped locations include 422 undeveloped proved plus probable drilling locations and 767 undeveloped contingent resource drilling locations. See “Oil and Gas Advisories”.
       

    The detailed summary of our year end 2024 reserves disclosure and other oil and gas information is included below, and further information will be included in our Annual Information Form which will be filed on or before March 28, 2025 on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

    Return of Capital to Shareholders and Balance Sheet Strength

    NuVista’s approach to capital allocation is focused on the compounding effect of absolute growth and a reduction in our outstanding common shares to produce industry leading total returns. We intend to allocate a minimum of $100 million in 2025, to the repurchase of the Company’s common shares pursuant to our NCIB and will allocate at least 75% of any incremental free adjusted funds flow towards additional share repurchases.

    We ended the year in a position of low debt and significant financial flexibility. As at December 31, 2024, our net debt was $232.5 million, well below our soft ceiling of approximately $350 million. We were minimally drawn on our $450 million covenant-based credit facility, at $5.4 million, with a net debt to annualized fourth quarter adjusted funds flow ratio of 0.4x. The net debt soft ceiling ensures that based on current production levels, our net debt to adjusted funds flow ratio remains at or below 1.0x in a stress test price environment of US$45/Bbl WTI and US$2.00/MMBtu NYMEX.

    We remain focused on our disciplined and value-adding growth strategy, and providing significant shareholder returns. We continue to view share repurchases as the most effective initial method of returning capital to shareholders and will reassess this approach as our growth plan progresses.

    Operations and 2025 Guidance

    Operations through the end of the year and into the first quarter of 2025 have progressed well. Consistent utilization of our two drilling rigs continues to pay dividends with new spud to rig release records being set. Completion operations kicked off again in January and despite extremely frigid temperatures, pumping efficiency has come in better than planned. With strong execution thus far in 2025 capital costs are trending below budget and we are forecasting a well cost reduction of 3% year-over-year.

    In Wapiti, we brought on a 5-well pad in Bilbo in January, which targeted three benches, including a Lower Montney, initial results from the pad are encouraging and in-line with expectations. We have finished drilling a 5-well pad in Elmworth, which is slated to come on-stream during the second quarter. In Gold Creek we are drilling a 4-well pad, including two Lower Montney wells, which is expected to come on-stream later in the second quarter. Notably, the 6-well pad between Gold Creek and Elmworth, which was co-developed across the entire stack of 4 zones, has reached its IP90 milestone producing on average 1,500 Boe/d per well, including 33% condensate. Importantly, the Lower Montney has performed in-line with the other benches. In Pipestone, we are completing a 14-well pad that is expected to come on-stream in the second quarter. Additionally, we are drilling an 8-well pad that is expected to come on-stream in the third quarter.

    Production in January and February has been trending favorably, we forecast first quarter production to average 87,000 – 88,000 Boe/d. As exhibited above we have material production additions slated to come on-line in the coming months. As previously communicated, the majority of our 2025 growth will come from the Pipestone area with the start-up of a third-party gas plant (“Pipestone Plant”), which is expected to be online during the second quarter. The Pipestone Plant will unlock approximately 8,000 – 10,000 Boe/d of additional productive capacity for NuVista. Given the performance of our base assets and current outlook, we anticipate our annual production to average approximately 92,000 Boe/d, assuming a second quarter start-up of the Pipestone Plant. If this start-up is delayed into the fourth quarter of the year, our expected annual average production will be approximately 88,000 Boe/d. Consequently, this range allows us to reiterate our annual production guidance of approximately 90,000 Boe/d.

    Further we reaffirm our annual capital expenditure guidance target of approximately $450 million, which will allow us to continue to prioritize at least a triple-digit return of capital to shareholders through the repurchase of our outstanding common shares.

    We are fortunate that our business has the flexibility, superior asset quality and underlying balance sheet strength to afford this. We intend to continue our track record of carefully directing free adjusted funds flow towards a prudent balance of capital return to shareholders and debt reduction, while investing in high return growth projects. NuVista’s top quality asset base, deep inventory, and management’s relentless focus on value maximization supports our medium-term plans for value-adding growth to the plateau level of 125,000 Boe/d. We will continue to closely monitor and adjust to the environment to maximize the value of our asset base and ensure the long-term sustainability of our business. We would like to thank our staff, contractors, and suppliers for their continued dedication and delivery, and we thank our Board of Directors and our shareholders for their continued guidance and support.

    The 2025 guidance does not include any potential impact of tariffs or trade-related regulations that have been announced by the U.S. and Canada, including the tariffs imposed by the U.S. on Canada effective March 4, 2025. See “Advisory regarding forward-looking information and statements”. Please note that our corporate presentation will be available at www.nuvistaenergy.com on March 5, 2025. NuVista’s audited financial statements, notes to the financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2024, will be filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) on March 5, 2025 and can also be obtained at www.nuvistaenergy.com.

                             
    FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
      Three months ended December 31 Year ended December 31
    ($ thousands, except otherwise stated) 2024 2023 % Change 2024 2023 % Change
    FINANCIAL            
    Petroleum and natural gas revenues 281,454   365,497   (23 ) 1,215,234   1,398,097   (13 )
    Cash provided by operating activities 135,831   211,761   (36 ) 600,253   721,342   (17 )
    Adjusted funds flow (3)(7) 137,059   201,987   (32 ) 552,196   756,943   (27 )
    Per share, basic (6) 0.67   0.95   (29 ) 2.68   3.50   (23 )
    Per share, diluted (6) 0.66   0.93   (29 ) 2.64   3.40   (22 )
    Net earnings 99,152   89,513   11   305,718   367,678   (17 )
    Per share, basic 0.48   0.42   14   1.48   1.70   (13 )
    Per share, diluted 0.48   0.41   17   1.46   1.65   (12 )
    Total assets       3,450,419   3,058,053   13  
    Net capital expenditures (1) 71,090   113,258   (37 ) 498,876   518,294   (4 )
    Net debt (3)       232,503   183,551   27  
    OPERATING            
    Daily Production            
    Natural gas (MMcf/d) 327.1   310.5   5   304.3   276.0   10  
    Condensate (Bbls/d) 22,657   26,889   (16 ) 24,709   24,633    
    NGLs (Bbls/d) 8,455   7,287   16   7,661   6,545   17  
    Total (Boe/d) 85,635   85,924     83,084   77,185   8  
    Condensate & NGLs weighting 36 % 40 %   39 % 40 %  
    Condensate weighting (8) 26 % 31 %   30 % 32 %  
    Average realized selling prices (5)            
    Natural gas ($/Mcf) 2.78   3.45   (19 ) 2.51   4.19   (40 )
    Condensate ($/Bbl) 83.58   99.20   (16 ) 94.83   100.02   (5 )
    NGLs ($/Bbl) (4) 30.38   32.46   (6 ) 27.86   31.80   (12 )
    Netbacks ($/Boe)            
    Petroleum and natural gas revenues (7) 35.72   46.24   (23 ) 39.96   49.62   (19 )
    Realized gain on financial derivatives 1.75   0.46   280   0.86   0.41   110  
    Other income 0.01       0.11      
    Royalties (7) (3.13 ) (4.50 ) (30 ) (4.30 ) (4.80 ) (10 )
    Transportation expense (4.57 ) (4.54 ) 1   (4.78 ) (4.77 )  
    Net operating expense (2) (11.07 ) (10.65 ) 4   (11.37 ) (11.40 )  
    Operating netback (2) 18.71   27.01   (31 ) 20.48   29.06   (30 )
    Corporate netback (2) 17.40   25.55   (32 ) 18.15   26.86   (32 )
    SHARE TRADING STATISTICS            
    High ($/share) 14.18   13.72   3   14.86   13.72   8  
    Low ($/share) 10.34   10.40   (1 ) 9.59   9.93   (3 )
    Close ($/share) 13.82   11.04   25   13.82   11.04   25  
    Common shares outstanding (thousands of shares)       203,701   207,584   (2 )
                       

    NOTES:

    (1) Non-GAAP financial measure that does not have any standardized meaning under IFRS Accounting Standards and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies where similar terminology is used. Reference should be made to the section entitled “Specified Financial Measures”.
    (2) Non-GAAP ratio that does not have any standardized meaning under IFRS Accounting Standards and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies where similar terminology is used. Reference should be made to the section entitled “Specified Financial Measures”.
    (3) Capital management measure. Reference should be made to the section entitled “Specified Financial Measures”.
    (4) Natural gas liquids (“NGLs”) includes butane, propane and ethane revenue and sales volumes, and sulphur revenue.
    (5) Product prices exclude realized gains/losses on financial derivatives.
    (6) Supplementary financial measure. Reference should be made to the section entitled “Specified Financial Measures”.
    (7) Includes the impact of a facility allocation adjustment, which impacted condensate revenues, royalties and transportation expense, reducing adjusted funds flow by $23.1 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024.
    (8) Includes the impact of a facility allocation adjustment. Excluding this adjustment, NuVista’s condensate weighting for the three months ended December 31, 2024 was 28%.
       

    DETAILED SUMMARY OF CORPORATE RESERVES DATA

    The following table provides summary reserve information based upon the GLJ Report using the published 3 Consultants’ Average January 1, 2025 price forecast:

      Natural Gas(2)   Natural Gas
    Liquids(4)
      Oil(3)   Total  
    Reserves category(1)(5) Company
    Gross
      Company
    Gross
      Company
    Gross
      Company
    Gross
     
      (MMcf)   (MBbls)   (MBbls)   (MBoe)  
    Proved                
    Developed producing 680,168   63,913     177,275  
    Developed non‑producing 93,825   10,140     25,777  
    Undeveloped 938,058   86,693     243,036  
    Total proved 1,712,051   160,747     446,088  
    Total probable 1,313,477   114,729     333,642  
    Total proved plus probable 3,025,528   275,475     779,730  
                     

    NOTES:

    (1) Numbers may not add due to rounding.
    (2) Includes conventional natural gas and shale gas.
    (3) Includes light and medium crude oil.
    (4) NGLs includes ethane, propane, butane, condensate and pentane plus.
    (5) Reserves have been presented on gross basis which are the Company’s total working interest share before the deduction of any royalties and without including any royalty interests of the Company.
       

    The following table is a summary reconciliation of the year end working interest reserves for 2024, with the year end working interest reserves for 2023:

    Company Gross Natural Gas(1)(3)
    (MMcf)
    Natural Gas
    Liquids(1)(5)
    (MBbls)
    Oil(1)(4)
    (MBbls)
    Total Oil Equivalent(1)
    (MBoe)
    Total proved        
    Balance, December 31, 2023 1,546,471   144,132     401,877  
    Exploration and development(2) 234,672   24,335     63,447  
    Technical revisions 30,118   2,912   11   7,942  
    Acquisitions 18,123   1,720     4,741  
    Dispositions (156 ) (18 )   (44 )
    Economic Factors (5,809 ) (498 )   (1,466 )
    Production (111,368 ) (11,837 ) (11 ) (30,409 )
    Balance, December 31, 2024 1,712,051   160,747     446,088  
    Total proved plus probable        
    Balance, December 31, 2023 2,505,894   225,374     643,023  
    Exploration and development(2) 597,808   57,452     157,087  
    Technical revisions 12,434   2,496   11   4,579  
    Acquisitions 22,817   2,161     5,964  
    Dispositions (201 ) (22 )   (56 )
    Economic Factors (1,857 ) (148 )   (458 )
    Production (111,368 ) (11,837 ) (11 ) (30,409 )
    Balance, December 31, 2024 3,025,528   275,475     779,730  

    NOTES:

    (1) Numbers may not add due to rounding.
    (2) Reserve additions for drilling extensions, infill drilling and improved recovery.
    (3) Includes conventional natural gas and shale gas.
    (4) Includes light and medium crude oil.
    (5) NGLs includes ethane, propane, butane, condensate and pentane plus.
       

    The following table summarizes the future development capital required to bring undeveloped reserves and proved plus probable undeveloped reserves on production:

    ($ thousands, undiscounted) Proved
    Producing(1)
    Proved(1) Proved plus
    Probable(1)
     
    2025 10,000   270,190   283,615  
    2026   441,337   441,337  
    2027   378,915   378,915  
    2028   582,820   623,529  
    2029   210,425   385,690  
    Remaining     1,205,057  
    Total (undiscounted) 10,000   1,883,686   3,318,141  
                 

    NOTE:

    (1) Numbers may not add due to rounding.
       

    The following table outlines NuVista’s corporate finding, development and acquisition (“FD&A”) costs in more detail:

      3 Year-Average (1)   2024 (1)   2023 (1)  
        Proved plus       Proved plus       Proved plus  
      Proved   probable   Proved   probable   Proved   probable  
    Finding and development costs ($/Boe) $ 10.06   $ 8.69   $ 9.28   $ 7.18   $ 10.92   $ 12.59  
    Finding, development and acquisition costs ($/Boe) $ 9.95   $ 8.60   $ 8.79   $ 6.97   $ 11.12   $ 12.86  
                                         

    NOTE:

    (1) F&D costs and FD&A are used as a measure of capital efficiency. The calculation for F&D costs includes all exploration and development capital for that period as outlined in the Company’s year-end financial statements plus the change in future development capital for that period. This total capital including the change in the future development capital is then divided by the change in reserves for that period including revisions for that same period. The aggregate of the exploration and development costs incurred in the most recent financial year and the change during the year in estimated future development costs generally will not reflect total finding and development costs related to reserve additions for the year. FD&A costs are calculated in the same manner except in addition to exploration and development capital and the change in future development capital, acquisition capital (net of any disposition proceeds) is also included in the calculation.
       

    Summary of Corporate Net Present Value Data of Future Net Revenue

    The estimated net present values of future net revenue before income taxes associated with NuVista’s reserves effective December 31, 2024 and based on the published 3 Consultants’ Average price forecast as at January 1, 2025 as set forth below, are summarized in the following table:

      Before Income Taxes
      Discount Factor (%/year)
    Reserves category (1)(2) ($ thousands) 0%   5%   10%   15%   20%  
    Proved          
    Developed producing 3,311,450   2,531,022   2,038,337   1,715,462   1,491,640  
    Developed non‑producing 589,610   437,020   350,631   295,990   258,256  
    Undeveloped 4,450,580   2,705,801   1,798,236   1,270,234   934,810  
    Total proved 8,351,651   5,673,843   4,187,204   3,281,686   2,684,706  
    Probable 7,457,152   3,482,560   1,946,864   1,232,453   849,096  
    Total proved plus probable 15,808,803   9,156,404   6,134,068   4,514,138   3,533,801  
                         

    NOTES:

    (1) Numbers may not add due to rounding.
    (2) All future net revenues are stated prior to the provision for interest income and other general and administrative expenses and after deduction of royalties, operating costs, estimated well and facility abandonment and reclamation costs and estimated future capital expenditures.
    (3) The estimated future net revenue contained in this press release does not necessarily represent the fair market value of the reserves.
       

    The following table is a summary of pricing and inflation rate assumptions based on published 3 Consultants’ Average forecast prices and costs as at January 1, 2025:

    Year   AECO Gas
    ($Cdn/
    MMBtu)
      NYMEX
    Gas
    ($US/
    MMBtu)
      Midwest
    Gas at
    Chicago
    ($US/
    MMBtu)
      Edmonton
    C5+
    ($Cdn/Bbl)
      Edmonton
    Propane
    ($Cdn/Bbl)
      Edmonton
    Butane
    ($Cdn/Bbl)
      WTI
    Cushing
    Oklahoma
    ($US/Bbl)
      Edmonton
    Par Price
    40 API
    ($Cdn/Bbl)
      Exchange
    Rate(2)
    ($US/$Cdn)
     
    Forecast                                      
    2025   2.36   3.31   3.05   100.14   33.56   51.15   71.58   94.79   0.712  
    2026   3.33   3.73   3.53   100.72   32.78   49.98   74.48   97.04   0.728  
    2027   3.48   3.85   3.66   100.24   32.81   50.16   75.81   97.37   0.743  
    2028   3.69   3.93   3.73   102.73   33.63   51.41   77.66   99.80   0.743  
    2029   3.76   4.01   3.82   104.79   34.30   52.44   79.22   101.79   0.743  
    2030   3.83   4.09   3.89   106.86   34.99   53.49   80.80   103.83   0.743  
    2031   3.91   4.17   3.97   109.00   35.69   54.56   82.42   105.91   0.743  
    2032   3.99   4.26   4.05   111.19   36.40   55.65   84.06   108.02   0.743  
    2033   4.07   4.34   4.13   113.41   37.13   56.76   85.75   110.19   0.743  
    2034   4.15   4.43   4.21   115.69   37.87   57.90   87.46   112.39   0.743  
    2035   4.24   4.52   4.30   118.01   38.63   59.05   89.21   114.64   0.743  
    2036   4.32   4.61   4.39   120.37   39.40   60.24   90.99   116.93   0.743  
    2037   4.41   4.70   4.48   122.77   40.19   61.44   92.82   119.27   0.743  
    2038   4.49   4.79   4.56   125.23   41.00   62.67   94.67   121.65   0.743  
    2039   4.58   4.89   4.65   127.73   41.82   63.92   96.57   124.09   0.743  
    2040+   +2.0%/yr   +2.0%/yr   +2.0%/yr   +2.0%/yr   +2.0%/yr   +2.0%/yr   +2.0%/yr   +2.0%/yr   0.743  
                                           

    NOTES:

    (1) Costs were not inflated in 2025 and inflated at 2% per annum thereafter.
    (2) Exchange rate used to generate the benchmark reference prices in this table.
    (3) NuVista’s future realized gas prices are forecasted based on a combination of various benchmark prices in addition to the AECO benchmark in order to reflect the favorable price diversification to other markets which NuVista has undertaken. Pricing at these markets has been accounted for in the GLJ Report. Additional information on NuVista’s gas marketing diversification will be available in our corporate presentation.
       

    Advisories Regarding Oil and Gas Information

    The reserve data provided in this press release presents only a portion of the disclosure required under National Instrument 51-101. All required information will be contained in the Company’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2024, on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca).

    There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of crude oil, natural gas and NGL reserves and the future cash flows attributed to such reserves. The reserve and associated cash flow information set forth above are estimates only. In general, estimates of economically recoverable crude oil, natural gas and NGL reserves and the future net cash flows therefrom are based upon a number of variable factors and assumptions, such as historical production from the properties, production rates, ultimate reserve recovery, timing and amount of capital expenditures, marketability of oil and natural gas, royalty rates, the assumed effects of regulation by governmental agencies and future operating costs, all of which may vary materially. For these reasons, estimates of the economically recoverable crude oil, NGL and natural gas reserves attributable to any particular group of properties, classification of such reserves based on risk of recovery and estimates of future net revenues associated with reserves prepared by different engineers, or by the same engineers at different times, may vary. The Company’s actual production, revenues, taxes and development and operating expenditures with respect to its reserves will vary from estimates thereof and such variations could be material.

    BOEs may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A BOE conversion ratio of 6 Mcf: 1 Bbl is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. As the value ratio between natural gas and crude oil based on the current prices of natural gas and crude oil is significantly different from the energy equivalency of 6:1, utilizing a conversion on a 6:1 basis may be misleading as an indication of value.

    This press release contains a number of oil and gas metrics prepared by management, including F&D costs, FD&A costs, PDP per share, TP+PA per share, recycle ratio, operating netback, corporate netback and reserves replacement costs, 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. Such metrics have been included herein to provide readers with additional measures to evaluate NuVista’s performance on a comparable basis with prior periods; however, such measures are not reliable indicators of the future performance of NuVista, and future performance may not compare to the performance in previous periods. Details of how F&D costs, FD&A costs, operating netback, corporate netback and recycle ratios are calculated are set forth under the heading “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures – Non-GAAP Ratios”. Reserves replacement is calculated as the reserves category divided by estimated production.

    Any references in this press release to initial production rates are useful in confirming the presence of hydrocarbons, however, such rates are not determinative of the rates at which such wells will continue production and decline thereafter. While encouraging, readers are cautioned not to place reliance on such rates in calculating the aggregate production for NuVista.

    Any reference to capital efficiency has been prepared by management and is used to measure performance. NuVista calculates capital efficiency as the sum of the capital expenditures divided by average first year production rate for the applicable well(s). This term does not have a standardized meaning or standard calculation and is not comparable to similar measures used by other entities.

    This press release discloses NuVista’s potential drilling locations in two categories: (i) undeveloped proved plus probable (TP+PA) drilling locations; and (ii) undeveloped contingent resources (2C) drilling locations. Undeveloped TP+PA drilling locations are derived the GLJ Report, and account for undeveloped drilling locations that have associated proved and/or probable reserves, as applicable. Undeveloped 2C drilling locations are derived from a report prepared by GLJ evaluating NuVista’s contingent resources as of December 31, 2024 (“GLJ Contingent Resource Report”), and account for undeveloped drilling locations that have associated contingent resources based on a best estimate of such contingent resources. There is no certainty that we will drill all drilling locations and if drilled, there is no certainty that such locations will result in additional oil and gas production. The drilling locations on which we actually drill wells will ultimately depend upon the availability of capital, regulatory approvals, seasonal restrictions, oil and natural gas prices, costs, actual drilling results, additional reservoir information that is obtained and other factors. Contingent resources are those quantities of petroleum estimated, as of a given date, to be potentially recoverable from known accumulations using established technology or technology under development, but which are not currently considered to be commercially recoverable due to one or more contingencies. Economic contingent resources are those contingent resources that are currently economically recoverable. The sub-classes included under economic contingent resources are Development Pending CR, Development on Hold CR, and Development Unclarified CR. Development Pending are resources where resolution of the final conditions for development is being actively pursued (high chance of development). Development on Hold are resources where there is a reasonable chance of development but there are major non-technical contingencies to be resolved that are usually beyond the control of the operator. Development Unclarified are resources where the evaluation is incomplete and there is ongoing activity to resolve any risks or uncertainties. Development Not Viable are resources that are not viable in the conditions prevailing at the effective date of the evaluation, and where no further data acquisition or evaluation is currently planned and hence there is a low chance of development. In the case of the contingent resources estimated in the GLJ Contingent Resource Report, contingencies include: (i) further delineation of interest lands; (ii) corporate commitment, and; (iii) final development plan. To further delineate interest lands additional wells must be drilled and tested to demonstrate commercial rates on the resource lands. Reserves are only assigned in close proximity to demonstrated productivity. As continued delineation drilling occurs, a portion of the contingent resources are expected to be reclassified as reserves. Confirmation of corporate intent to proceed with remaining capital expenditures within a reasonable timeframe is a requirement for the assessment of reserves. Finalization of a development plan includes timing, infrastructure spending and the commitment of capital.

    Definitions of Oil and Gas Reserves

    Reserves are estimated remaining quantities of crude oil and natural gas and related substances anticipated to be recoverable from known accumulations, as of a given date, based on the analysis of drilling, geological, geophysical, and engineering data; the use of established technology; and specified economic conditions, which are generally accepted as being reasonable. Reserves are classified according to the degree of certainty associated with the estimates as follows:

    Proved Reserves are those reserves that can be estimated with a high degree of certainty to be recoverable. It is likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the estimated proved reserves.

    Probable Reserves are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than proved reserves. It is equally likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will be greater or less than the sum of the estimated proved plus probable reserves.

    PDP or Proved Developed Producing Reserves are those reserves that are expected to be recovered from completion intervals open at the time of the estimate. These reserves may be currently producing or, if shut-in, they must have previously been on production, and the date of resumption of production must be known with reasonable certainty.

    Basis of presentation

    Unless otherwise noted, the financial data presented in this press release has been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) also known as International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).

    Natural gas liquids are defined by National Instrument 51-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities” to include ethane, butane, propane, pentanes plus and condensate. Unless explicitly stated in this press release, references to “NGL” refers only to ethane, butane and propane and references to “condensate” refers to only to condensate and pentanes plus. NuVista has disclosed condensate and pentanes plus values separately from ethane, butane and propane values as NuVista believes it provides a more accurate description of NuVista’s operations and results therefrom.

    Production split for Boe/d amounts referenced in the press release are as follows:

    Reference Total Boe/d
    Natural Gas
    %
    Condensate
    %
    NGLs
    %
               
    Q4 2024 production – actual 85,635   64 % 26 % 10 %
    Q4 2024 production – guidance 83,000 – 84,000   61 % 30 % 9 %
    2024 annual production – actual 83,084   61 % 30 % 9 %
    2024 annual production – guidance 83,500 – 86,000   61 % 30 % 9 %
    Q1 2025 production – guidance 87,000 – 88,000   63 % 28 % 9 %
    2025 annual production – guidance ~90,000   61 % 30 % 9 %
                     

    Reserves advisories

    The GLJ Report was prepared in accordance with National Instrument 51-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities and the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook (“COGE Handbook”) and is dated effective as of December 31, 2024. The GLJ Report was based on 3 Consultants’ Average January 1, 2025 forecast pricing and foreign exchange rates at January 1, 2025. All reserves information has been presented on a gross basis, which is the Company’s working interest share before deduction of royalties and without including any royalty interests of the Company. The reserves have been categorized accordance with the reserves definitions as set out in the COGE Handbook. The recovery and reserve estimates contained herein are estimates only and there is no guarantee that the estimated reserves will be recovered. Also, estimates of reserves and future net revenue for individual properties may not reflect the same confidence level as estimates and future net revenue for all properties due to the effect of aggregation. All required reserve information for the Company will be contained in its Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2024, which will be accessible at www.sedarplus.ca.

    With respect to disclosure contained herein regarding resources other than reserves, there is uncertainty that it will be commercially viable to produce any portion of the resources and there is significant uncertainty regarding the ultimate recoverability of such resources.

    Advisory regarding forward-looking information and statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words “will”, “expects”, “believe”, “plans”, “potential” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. More particularly and without limitation, this press release contains forward looking statements, including but not limited to:

    • our intention to allocate $100 million to repurchase our common shares in 2025, with at least 75% of any incremental free adjusted funds flow also allocated to the repurchase of our common share pursuant to our NCIB;
    • that our soft ceiling net debt will allow our current production levels to be sustainable and maintain an adjusted funds flow ratio below 1.0x in a stress test price environment of US$45/Bbl WTI and US$2.00/MMBtu NYMEX;
    • NuVista’s ability to continue directing free adjusted funds flow towards a prudent balance of return of capital to shareholders and debt reduction, while investing in high return growth projects;
    • the anticipated allocation of free adjusted funds flow;
    • our expectation that our capital efficiency will continue to be strong in 2025, allowing us to realize a well cost reduction of 3% year-over-year;
    • our expectation that a 5-well pad in Elmworth, a 4-well pad in Gold Creek, and a 14-well pad in Pipestone will be brought on-stream during the second quarter;
    • our expectation that an 8-welll pad in Pipestone will be brought on-stream in the third quarter;
    • our expectations regarding the consistency in deliverability of inventory in the Elmworth and Gold Creek areas;
    • guidance with respect to first quarter 2025 production and production mix;
    • our expectation that growth in 2025 will be largely supported by the Pipestone area;
    • the expected timing of start-up of a third-party gas plant in the Pipestone area and the anticipated benefits thereof;
    • our 2025 full year production, full year production mix and capital expenditures guidance ranges;
    • our plan to continue to maintain an efficient drilling program by employing 2-drill-rig execution;
    • our expectation that our value-adding growth plateau level will be approximately 125,000 Boe/d;
    • our future focus, strategy, plans, opportunities and operations; and
    • other such similar statements.

    Statements relating to “reserves” are also deemed to be forward-looking statements, as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, that the reserves described exist in the quantities predicted or estimated and that the reserves can be profitably produced in the future.

    The future acquisition of our common shares pursuant to a share buyback (including through our normal course issuer bid), if any, and the level thereof is uncertain. Any decision to acquire common shares pursuant to a share buyback will be subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors and may depend on a variety of factors, including, without limitation, the Company’s business performance, financial condition, financial requirements, growth plans, expected capital requirements and other conditions existing at such future time including, without limitation, contractual restrictions and satisfaction of the solvency tests imposed on the Company under applicable corporate law. There can be no assurance of the number of common shares that the Company will acquire pursuant to a share buyback, if any, in the future.

    By their nature, forward-looking statements are based upon certain assumptions and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond NuVista’s control, including the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, current and future commodity prices and inflation rates; that other than the tariffs that have been announced and implemented by the U.S. and Canadian governments on March 4, 2025, neither the U.S. nor Canada (i) increases the rate or scope of such tariffs, or imposes new tariffs, on the import of goods from one country to the other, and/or (ii) imposes any other form of tax, restriction or prohibition on the import or export of products from one country to the other, the impact of ongoing global events, including Middle East and European tensions, with respect to commodity prices, currency and interest rates, anticipated production rates, borrowing, operating and other costs and adjusted funds flow; the timing, allocation and amount of capital expenditures and the results therefrom; anticipated reserves and the imprecision of reserve estimates; the performance of existing wells; the success obtained in drilling new wells; the sufficiency of budgeted capital expenditures in carrying out planned activities; access to infrastructure and markets; competition from other industry participants; availability of qualified personnel or services and drilling and related equipment; stock market volatility; effects of regulation by governmental agencies including changes in environmental regulations, tax laws and royalties; the ability to access sufficient capital from internal sources and bank and equity markets; that we will be able to execute our 2025 drilling plans as expected; our ability to carry out our 2025 production and capital guidance as expected; the risk that (i) the U.S. or Canadian governments increases the rate or scope of the currently implemented tariffs, or imposes new tariffs on the import of goods from on the import or export of products from one country to the other, and (ii) the tariffs imposed by the U.S. on other countries and responses thereto could have a material adverse effect on the Canadian, U.S. and global economies, and by extension the oil and gas industry; and including, without limitation, those risks considered under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Information Form.

    Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. NuVista’s actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements, or if any of them do so, what benefits NuVista will derive therefrom. NuVista has included the forward-looking statements in this press release in order to provide readers with a more complete perspective on NuVista’s future operations and such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. NuVista disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

    This press release also contains financial outlook and future oriented financial information (together, “FOFI”) relating to NuVista including, without limitation, capital expenditures in 2025 and production which are based on, among other things, the various assumptions disclosed in this press release including under “Advisory regarding forward-looking information and statements” and including assumptions regarding benchmark pricing as it relates to the 2025 capital allocation framework. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the FOFI contained in this press release does not include the potential impact of tariff or trade-related regulation that have been announced by the U.S. and Canada, including the tariffs imposed by the U.S. on Canada effective March 4, 2025. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and the impact of the tariffs on NuVista’s business operations and financial condition, while currently unknown, may be material and adverse and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on FOFI. NuVista’s actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these FOFI, or if any of them do so, what benefits NuVista will derive therefrom. NuVista has included the FOFI in order to provide readers with a more complete perspective on NuVista’s future operations and such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.

    These forward-looking statements and FOFI are made as of the date of this press release and NuVista disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements and FOFI, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities law.

    Non-GAAP and other financial measures

    This press release uses various specified financial measures (as such terms are defined in National Instrument 52-112 – Non-GAAP Disclosure and Other Financial Measures Disclosure (“NI 51-112”)) including “non-GAAP financial measures”, “non-GAAP ratios”, “capital management measures” and “supplementary financial measures” (as such terms are defined in NI 51-112), which are described in further detail below. Management believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP measures provides useful information to investors and shareholders as the measures provide increased transparency and the ability to better analyze performance against prior periods on a comparable basis.

    (1) Non-GAAP financial measures

    NI 52-112 defines a non-GAAP financial measure as a financial measure that: (i) depicts the historical or expected future financial performance, financial position or cash flow of an entity; (ii) with respect to its composition, excludes an amount that is included in, or includes an amount that is excluded from, the composition of the most directly comparable financial measure disclosed in the primary financial statements of the entity; (iii) is not disclosed in the financial statements of the entity; and (iv) is not a ratio, fraction, percentage or similar representation.

    These non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized financial measures under IFRS Accounting Standards and might not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies where similar terminology is used. Investors are cautioned that these measures should not be construed as alternatives to or more meaningful than the most directly comparable GAAP measures as indicators of NuVista’s performance. Set forth below are descriptions of the non-GAAP financial measures used in this press release.

    • Free adjusted funds flow

    Free adjusted funds flow is adjusted funds flow less net capital expenditures, power generation expenditures, and asset retirement expenditures. Each of the components of free adjusted funds flow are non-GAAP financial measures. Please refer to disclosures under the headings “Capital management measures” and “Capital expenditures” for a description of each component of free adjusted funds flow. Management uses free adjusted funds flow as a measure of the efficiency and liquidity of its business, measuring its funds available for additional capital allocation to manage debt levels and return capital to shareholders through its NCIB program and/or dividend payments. By removing the impact of current period net capital and asset retirement expenditures, management believes this measure provides an indication of the funds NuVista has available for future capital allocation decisions.

    The following table sets out our free adjusted funds flow compared to the most directly comparable GAAP measure of cash provided by operating activities less cash used in investing activities for the applicable periods:

      Three months ended December 31 Year ended December 31
    ($ thousands) 2024 2023 2024 2023
    Cash provided by operating activities 135,831   211,761   600,253   721,342  
    Cash used in investing activities (71,090 ) (132,646 ) (499,579 ) (531,586 )
    Excess (deficit) cash provided by operating activities over cash used in investing activities 64,741   79,115   100,674   189,756  
             
    Adjusted funds flow 137,059   201,987   552,196   756,943  
    Net capital expenditures (71,090 ) (113,258 ) (498,876 ) (518,294 )
    Power generation expenditures   (16,904 ) (1,680 ) (16,904 )
    Asset retirement expenditures (3,551 ) (1,208 ) (12,029 ) (11,195 )
    Free adjusted funds flow 62,418   70,617   39,611   210,550  
                     
    • Capital expenditures

    Capital expenditures are equal to cash used in investing activities, excluding changes in non-cash working capital, other asset expenditures, power generation expenditures, proceeds on property dispositions and costs of acquisitions. NuVista considers capital expenditures to represent its organic capital program and a useful measure of cash flow used for capital reinvestment.

    The following table provides a reconciliation between the non-GAAP measure of capital expenditures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure of cash used in investing activities for the applicable periods:

      Three months ended December 31 Year ended December 31
    ($ thousands) 2024 2023 2024 2023
    Cash used in investing activities (71,090 ) (132,646 ) (499,579 ) (531,586 )
    Changes in non-cash working capital   2,484   (977 ) (13,112 )
    Other asset expenditures       9,500  
    Power generation expenditures   16,904   1,680   16,904  
    Property acquisition   44,000     44,000  
    Proceeds on property disposition       (26,000 )
    Capital expenditures (71,090 ) (69,258 ) (498,876 ) (500,294 )
                     
    • Net capital expenditures

    Net capital expenditures are equal to cash used in investing activities, excluding changes in non-cash working capital, other asset expenditures, and power generation expenditures. The Company includes funds used for property acquisitions or proceeds from property dispositions within net capital expenditures as these transactions are part of its development plans. NuVista considers net capital expenditures to represent its organic capital program inclusive of capital spending for acquisition and disposition proposes and a useful measure of cash flow used for capital reinvestment.

    The following table provides a reconciliation between the non-GAAP measure of net capital expenditures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure of cash used in investing activities for the applicable periods:

      Three months ended December 31 Year ended December 31
    ($ thousands) 2024  2023  2024  2023 
    Cash used in investing activities (71,090 ) (132,646 ) (499,579 ) (531,586 )
    Changes in non-cash working capital   2,484   (977 ) (13,112 )
    Other asset expenditures       9,500  
    Power generation expenditures   16,904   1,680   16,904  
    Net capital expenditures (71,090 ) (113,258 ) (498,876 ) (518,294 )
                     

    The following table provides a breakdown of capital expenditures, net capital expenditures and power generation expenditures by category for the applicable periods:

      Three months ended December 31   Year ended December 31  
    ($ thousands, except % amounts) 2024   % of total   2023   % of total   2024   % of total   2023   % of total  
    Land and retention costs     15     6,968   1   7,507   2  
    Geological and geophysical 38     249     1,164     691    
    Drilling and completion 43,915   62   51,413   74   353,583   72   392,663   78  
    Facilities and equipment 25,508   36   16,193   24   130,628   26   93,252   19  
    Corporate and other 1,629   2   1,388   2   6,533   1   6,181   1  
    Capital expenditures 71,090       69,258       498,876       500,294      
    Property acquisitions       44,000             44,000      
    Proceeds on property disposition                   (26,000 )    
    Net capital expenditures 71,090       113,258       498,876       518,294      
    Power generation expenditures       16,904       1,680       16,904      
                                     
    • Net operating expense

    NuVista considers that any incremental gross costs incurred to process third party volumes at its facilities are offset by the applicable fees charged to such third parties. However, under IFRS Accounting Standards, NuVista is required to reflect operating costs and processing fee income separately on its statements of earnings. Management believes that net operating expense, calculated as gross operating expense less processing income and other recoveries, is a meaningful measure for investors to understand the net impact of NuVista’s operating activities.

    The following table sets out net operating expense compared to the most directly comparable GAAP measure of operating expenses for the applicable periods:

      Three months ended December 31   Year ended December 31  
    ($ thousands) 2024   2023   2024   2023  
    Operating expense 88,891   85,207   354,253   324,196  
    Other income (1) (1,646 ) (1,038 ) (8,605 ) (3,058 )
    Net operating expense 87,245   84,169   345,648   321,138  

     

    (1) Processing income and other recoveries, included within Other Income as presented in the table below:
       
      Three months ended December 31   Year ended December 31  
    ($ thousands) 2024   2023   2024   2023  
    Other income 57     3,235    
    Processing income and other recoveries 1,646   1,038   8,605   3,058  
    Other Income 1,703   1,038   11,840   3,058  
                     

    (2) Non-GAAP ratios

    NI 52-112 defines a non-GAAP ratio as a financial measure that: (i) is in the form of a ratio, fraction, percentage or similar representation; (ii) has a non-GAAP financial measure as one or more of its components; and (iii) is not disclosed in the financial statements of the entity. Set forth below is a description of the non-GAAP ratios used in this MD&A.

    These non-GAAP ratios are not standardized financial measures under IFRS Accounting Standards and might not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies where similar terminology is used. Investors are cautioned that these ratios should not be construed as alternatives to or more meaningful than the most directly comparable IFRS Accounting Standards measures as indicators of NuVista’s performance.

    Per Boe disclosures for petroleum and natural gas revenues, realized gains/losses on financial derivatives, royalties, transportation expense, G&A expense, financing costs, and DD&A expense are non-GAAP ratios that are calculated by dividing each of these respective GAAP measures by NuVista’s total production volumes for the period.

    Non-GAAP ratios presented on a “per Boe” basis may also be considered to be supplementary financial measures (as such term is defined in NI 51-112).

    • Operating netback and corporate netback (“netbacks”), per BoeNuVista calculated netbacks per Boe by dividing the netbacks by total production volumes sold in the period. Each of operating netback and corporate netback are non-GAAP financial measures. Operating netback is calculated as petroleum and natural gas revenues, realized financial derivative gains/losses and other income, less royalties, transportation expense and net operating expense. Corporate netback is operating netback less general and administrative expense, cash share-based compensation expense (recovery), financing costs excluding accretion expense, and current income tax expense (recovery).

      Management believes both operating and corporate netbacks are key industry benchmarks and measures of operating performance for NuVista that assists management and investors in assessing NuVista’s profitability, and are commonly used by other petroleum and natural gas producers. The measurement on a Boe basis assists management and investors with evaluating NuVista’s operating performance on a comparable basis.

    • Net operating expense, per BoeNuVista calculated net operating expense per Boe by dividing net operating expense by NuVista’s production volumes for the period.

      Management believes that net operating expense, calculated as gross operating expense less processing income and other recoveries, which are included in NuVista’s statements of earnings, is a meaningful measure for investors to understand the net impact of the Company’s operating activities. The measurement on a Boe basis assists management and investors with evaluating NuVista’s operating performance on a comparable basis.

    Reference has been also been made to certain terms that do not have standardized meanings or standard calculations and therefore such measures may not be comparable to similar measures used by other entities. These terms are used by NuVista’s management to measure the success of replacing reserves and to compare operating performance to previous periods on a comparable basis.

    • F&D costsNuVista calculated F&D costs as the sum of development costs plus the change in future development costs (“FDC”) for the period when appropriate, divided by the change in reserves within the applicable reserves category, excluding those reserves acquired or disposed.

      NuVista calculated TP+PA 3-year average F&D costs as the sum of development costs plus the sum of the change in FDC over the last three completed financial years, divided by the sum of the change in the total proved and probable reserves over the last three completed financial years.

    • FD&A costsNuVista calculated FD&A costs are calculated as the sum of development costs plus acquisition costs net of disposition proceeds plus the change in FDC for the period when appropriate, divided by the change in reserves within the applicable reserves category, inclusive of changes due to acquisitions and dispositions.
    • Recycle RatioNuVista calculates recycle ratio as the operating netback divided by F&D costs for the applicable period.

    (3) Capital management measures

    NI 52-112 defines a capital management measure as a financial measure that: (i) is intended to enable an individual to evaluate an entity’s objectives, policies and processes for managing the entity’s capital; (ii) is not a component of a line item disclosed in the primary financial statements of the entity; (iii) is disclosed in the notes to the financial statements of the entity; and (iv) is not disclosed in the primary financial statements of the entity.

    NuVista has defined net debt, adjusted funds flow, and net debt to annualized fourth quarter adjusted funds flow ratio as capital management measures used by the Company in this press release.

    • Adjusted funds flow

    NuVista considers adjusted funds flow to be a key measure that provides a more complete understanding of the NuVista considers adjusted funds flow to be a key measure that provides a more comprehensive view of the company’s ability to generate cash flow necessary for financing capital expenditures, meeting asset retirement obligations, and fulfilling its financial commitments. Adjusted funds flow is calculated by adjusting cash flow from operating activities to exclude changes in non-cash working capital and asset retirement expenditures. Management believes these elements are subject to timing variations in collection, payment, and occurrence. By excluding them, management is able to provide a more meaningful performance measure of NuVista’s ongoing operations. Specifically, expenditures on asset retirement obligations may fluctuate depending on the company’s capital programs and the maturity of its operating areas, while environmental remediation recovery is tied to an infrequent incident that management does not expect to recur regularly. The settlement of asset retirement obligations is managed through NuVista’s capital budgeting process, which incorporates the available adjusted funds flow.

    A reconciliation of adjusted funds flow is presented in the following table:

      2024 2023
    Cash provided by operating activities $ 600,253   $ 721,342  
    Asset retirement expenditures   12,029     11,195  
    Change in non-cash working capital   (60,086 )   24,406  
    Adjusted funds flow $ 552,196   $ 756,943  
                 

    Net debt is used by management to provide a more comprehensive understanding of NuVista’s capital structure and to assess the company’s liquidity. NuVista calculates net debt by considering accounts receivable, prepaid expenses, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, long-term debt (the Credit Facility), senior unsecured notes, and other liabilities. Management uses total market capitalization and the ratio of net debt to annualized adjusted funds flow for the current quarter to analyze balance sheet strength and liquidity.

    The following is a summary of total market capitalization, net debt, annualized current quarter adjusted funds flow, and net debt to annualized current quarter adjusted funds flow:

      2024 2023
    Basic common shares outstanding (thousands of shares)   203,701     207,584  
    Share price $ 13.82   $ 11.04  
    Total market capitalization $ 2,815,148   $ 2,291,727  
    Accounts receivable and other   (132,538 )   (139,451 )
    Prepaid expenses   (45,584 )   (45,241 )
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   206,862     157,711  
    Current portion of other liabilities   18,451     14,082  
    Long-term debt   5,353     16,897  
    Senior unsecured notes   163,258     162,195  
    Other liabilities   16,701     17,358  
    Net debt $ 232,503   $ 183,551  
    Annualized current quarter adjusted funds flow $ 548,236   $ 807,948  
    Net debt to annualized current quarter adjusted funds flow   0.4     0.2  
    Adjusted funds flow $ 552,196   $ 756,943  
    Net debt to adjusted funds flow   0.4     0.2  
                 

    (4) Supplementary financial measures

    This press release may contain certain supplementary financial measures. NI 52-112 defines a supplementary financial measure as a financial measure that: (i) is intended to be disclosed on a periodic basis to depict the historical or expected future financial performance, financial position or cash flow of an entity; (ii) is not disclosed in the financial statements of the entity; (iii) is not a non-GAAP financial measure; and (iv) is not a non-GAAP ratio.

    NuVista calculates: (i) “adjusted funds flow per share” by dividing adjusted funds flow for a period by the number of weighted average common shares of NuVista for the specified period; (ii) “operating netback per share” by dividing operating netback for a period by the number of weighted average common shares of NuVista for the specified period; (iii) “corporate netback per share” by dividing operating netback for a period by the number of weighted average common shares of NuVista for the specified period; (iv) “net debt to adjusted funds flow” by dividing the net debt at the end of a period by the adjusted funds flow for such period; and (v) “net present value per share” is the net present value (discounted at 10%) in the reserve category divided by the basic common shares outstanding at the end of the period.

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Mike J. Lawford Ivan J. Condic
    President and CEO VP, Finance and CFO
    (403) 538-1936 (403) 538-1945
       

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital announces incident of patient care assistant suspected to have been indecently assaulted

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital announces incident of patient care assistant suspected to have been indecently assaulted
    ******************************************************************************************

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:     The spokesman for Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital (AHNH) made the following statement today (March 5) regarding an incident of a patient care assistant suspected to have been indecently assaulted:     A patient care assistant (PCA) was suspected to have been indecently assaulted while performing care procedures for a 73-year-old male patient in a medical ward yesterday afternoon (March 4). Upon receiving the report from the PCA, the hospital reported the incident to the Police immediately. A man was subsequently arrested by the Police in the ward.     AHNH is highly concerned about the incident. The hospital strongly condemns the suspected indecent acts against its staff, resolutely adopts a zero-tolerance attitude towards this incident, and will follow up seriously while fully co-operating with the Police’s investigation. The hospital has expressed sympathy and provided support to the PCA concerned.     The hospital has reported the incident to the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advance Incident Reporting System.

    Ends/Wednesday, March 5, 2025Issued at HKT 16:10

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CE attends opening meeting of NPC annual session in Beijing (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    CE attends opening meeting of NPC annual session in Beijing (with photos)
    *************************************************************************

    ​The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (March 5) attended the opening meeting of the third session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC).               The third session of the 14th NPC commenced in Beijing this morning, during which Premier Li Qiang delivered the government work report. Mr Lee attended the opening meeting in his capacity as the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).              In the government work report, Premier Li reviewed the work for 2024. He also outlined the overall requirements for economic and social development and major tasks of the government for 2025. He said that we should continue to fully, faithfully and resolutely implement the principles of “one country, two systems”, “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” and a high degree of autonomy in the HKSAR, while maintaining the constitutional order in the HKSAR as stipulated in the Constitution and the Basic Law and implementing the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”. Premier Li expressed support for Hong Kong in strengthening economy development and improving people’s livelihood, deepening international exchanges and co-operation, with a view to better integrating into the overall national development and maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. He also highlighted the need to enhance the innovation capabilities and influence of economically advantaged areas, including the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).           Mr Lee said he was most encouraged, adding that this year marks the conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan and the beginning of the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan. It is also a crucial year for further deepening comprehensive reforms, which are of significant importance for the implementation of “one country, two systems”. The HKSAR Government will continue to fully, faithfully and resolutely implement the principles of “one country, two systems”, “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” and a high degree of autonomy. It will unite all sectors of society to further deepen comprehensive reforms, actively understand, respond to and embrace changes, and better leverage the institutional strengths of “one country, two systems” and Hong Kong’s unique and internationalised advantages to open up new development opportunities. The HKSAR Government will also spare no effort in pursuing economic development, improving people’s livelihood and exploring new growth areas.           The HKSAR Government will adopt an innovative mindset, coupled with market forces, to take forward the development of the Northern Metropolis and the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, accelerating the development of an international innovation and technology centre. Furthermore, it aims to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, building Hong Kong as an international hub for high-calibre talent. At the same time, it will further promote the high-quality development of the GBA, actively integrating into national development. It will also enhance Hong Kong’s international competitiveness, deepen international exchanges and co-operation, and strengthen Hong Kong’s role as a bridge linking the Mainland and global markets, with a view to achieving better development in Hong Kong and making further contributions to building the great country and advancing national rejuvenation.           Mr Lee extended his best wishes for the success of the third session of the 14th NPC and the third session of the 14th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee.

    Ends/Wednesday, March 5, 2025Issued at HKT 15:27

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Fraudulent website and phishing instant messages related to The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Fraudulent website and phishing instant messages related to The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
    ******************************************************************************************

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited relating to a fraudulent website and phishing instant messages, which have been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.           The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks’ websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).           Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the website or instant messages concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

    Ends/Wednesday, March 5, 2025Issued at HKT 17:25

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: BLOG | How we’re tackling fly-tipping, littering, and dog fouling

    Source: City of Liverpool

    Councillor Laura Robertson-Collins, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Neighbourhoods and Streetscene, discusses the importance of a well-staffed Environmental Enforcement team when it comes to tackling fly-tipping and littering. 

    No-one likes to see rubbish lying around on our streets. Whether it’s fly-tipped furniture, littering at the side of the road, or dog fouling in the middle of a pavement, it doesn’t belong in our city. Liverpool is an incredible place to live and visit, and we should all be proud to call it home, but illegally dropping or dumping rubbish is disrespectful and selfish. 

    Recently, we announced that we were going to crack down on fly-tipping by appointing an external team to support with enforcement across the city. The truth is, we’ve already invested a lot into preventative measures and we’re starting to see a real difference.  

    In the 2024/25 financial year, the Council invested £475,000 to employ an internal Environmental Enforcement team, which is currently made up of six people. In 2025/26, we’re investing another £475,000 to be able to double the size of that team and have more officers working within the community to help prevent fly-tipping, littering, and dog fouling.  

    These officers have been out on the streets seven days a week since they joined the Council last summer. They patrol all areas of the city throughout the day, not just the city centre. It can be easy to assume that their main role is handing out fines to people who drop waste, but there’s so much more to what they do. They inspect businesses to make sure they manage their waste correctly and work alongside Merseyside Police to conduct waste carrier licence checks and trade waste inspections.  

    What’s more, they play a crucial role in educating our communities. By engaging with residents and businesses, they raise awareness about responsible waste disposal and prevent waste from being dumped in the first place. Did you know that if you hire a private company to take away your waste without checking they have the correct licence and it gets fly-tipped, you could be held responsible? These are the sorts of messages our team is passing on to residents.  

    By working closely together, our Environmental Enforcement team and LSSL ensure that all reported fly-tipping incidents are investigated and cleared in an average of 3.8 days. 

    The numbers speak for themselves. Since June last year, our officers have engaged with 617 residential properties and businesses about waste management, issuing almost 150 warnings where needed. They’ve also handed out 106 Fixed Penalty Notices and assisted with four prosecutions. Each of these investigations take a lot of time, but by doubling the size of the team, we know that we’ll have more time and more manpower to crack down on offenders.

    From 2023 to 2024, reports of fly-tipping dropped by 5.7 per cent, and requests to clean streets decreased by 25 per cent. Their efforts, and the work of LSSL, make a tangible difference in keeping Liverpool cleaner and safer. 

    Liverpool City Council’s commitment to cracking down on illegal fly-tipping, littering, and dog fouling is unwavering. The new Environmental Enforcement Team, appointed last year, has already made significant strides in investigating and addressing these issues. With the addition of six new internal enforcement officers, we’re poised to enhance our efforts even further. 

    And there’s more good news on the horizon. An external team is set to start early this summer, providing extra support to tackle fly-tipping blighting our streets. They’ll work closely with the existing taskforce, raising awareness about correct waste management and investigating environmental crimes. 

    While we do work closely with the police to utilise our expansive CCTV network across the city, we can’t be everywhere at once.  We ask anyone who spots illegal waste on our streets to report it to us so that we can investigate. And, if you have any information to help us with our investigation, please speak out. We know that the majority of people would like to keep their streets free of rubbish.

    With the Great British Spring Clean coming back at the end of next month, now is the perfect time to join in with community litter-picking events, or even create one of your own. For more information, or to tell us about a clean-up event you’re planning, reach out to our Keep Liverpool Tidy team. Together, we can achieve a litter-free, waste-free city that we can truly be proud of. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Appeal for information on missing man in Mong Kok

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Appeal for information on missing man in Mong Kok
    *************************************************

    Police today (March 5) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Mong Kok.     Fung King-tong, aged 90, went missing after he left his residence on Tong Mi Road yesterday (March 4) afternoon. His family then made a report to Police.                 He is about 1.55 metres tall, 45 kilograms in weight and of thin build. He has a long face with yellow complexion and short white hair. He was last seen wearing a blue jacket, black trousers, black shoes, carrying a beige recycle bag and a long umbrella.       Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of Kowloon West on 3661 8036 or 9020 6542 or email to rmpu-kw@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

    Ends/Wednesday, March 5, 2025Issued at HKT 18:04

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Department Of Financial Services (DFS) Hosts a Post Budget Webinar On Theme “Regulatory, Investment, And Ease Of Doing Business (EODB) Reforms”

    Source: Government of India

    Department Of Financial Services (DFS) Hosts a Post Budget Webinar On Theme  “Regulatory, Investment, And Ease Of Doing Business (EODB) Reforms”

    Government remains committed to  ensuring of timely implementation of all budget announcements for the year 2025-26- Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman

    Jan Vishwas Bill 2.0 to decriminalize more than 100 provisions in various laws, simplifying processes for businesses- Finance Minister

    Several important suggestions given by experts  on different sub-themes during the Post Budget Webinar

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 1:43PM by PIB Delhi

    Addressing a post-budget webinar on the theme  “Regulatory, Investment, And Ease Of Doing Business (EODB) Reforms” organized by the Department of Financial Services, Union Minister of Finance and Corporate affairs,  Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized that the  government is committed to encouraging global economic partnerships, leveraging technology to strengthen traditional sectors and to significantly enhance the export potential of India.

    The Finance Minister  added that the government remains committed to  ensuring  timely implementation of all budget announcements for the year 2025-26.  This is consistent with the government’s track record of delivering on promises made in previous budgets, the Minister said.

    The Finance Minister explained how recent budget announcements are being implemented promptly. Under the MUDRA loans, the loan limit under the Tarun category has been increased from Rs10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh, with implementation completed via notification dated 24th October 2024, the Finance Minister added.

    The new MSME Credit assessment model announced in Budget 2024-25 has progressed well. 11 Public Sector Banks have extended it to existing customers and 7 Banks have extended it to new ones also, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman said.

    Second, 21 new SIDBI branches have already been opened in MSME clusters during 2024-25 in line with the budget announcement made in 2024-25.

    The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has implemented the pilot project for the PM Internship scheme. The scheme was announced in the budget of 2024-25 creating over 1.25 lakh internship opportunities in top companies with over six lakh applicants. The government remains steadfast in reducing regulatory burdens and enhancing trust based governance to improve the ease of doing business.

    Through the budget announcements, the government is  taking various steps towards making India a seamless export friendly economy, one where businesses are free to focus on innovation and expansion and not on paperwork and penalties. Decriminalization of business related laws reduces the legal risks, allowing industries to operate with greater confidence.

    Giving details, the Finance Minister said that the robust manufacturing sector, free from unnecessary regulatory bottlenecks, will further attract both domestic and foreign investments, driving economic growth, positioning India as a trusted global player. The government has over 42,000 compliances removed, and over 3700 legal provisions have been decriminalized since 2014. In the Jan Vishwas act 2023, more than 180 legal provisions were decriminalized.

    The government will now bring up the general Vishwas Bill 2.0 to decriminalize more than 100 provisions in various laws. It will further simplify processes for businesses, the Minister added.

    Highlighting the focus laid on capex, Smt Nirmala Sitharaman said that the pathway for reforms are complemented by the government’s unwavering focus on capital expenditure as a driver of economic growth. For the year 2025-26, total effective capex is proposed at 15.48 lakh crores, which is 4.3% of the GDP, with 11.21 lakh crores allocated as core capital expenditure by the centre, which is 3.1% of the GDP. This unprecedented investment in infrastructure development is already creating jobs, strengthening industries and laying the foundation for private sector participation in India’s growth story.

    The Minister said that today’s webinar has brought together stakeholders from ministries like Finance Department, Industry policy, internal trade, corporate affairs regulators, state governments, public sector banks, insurance companies, SIDBI, NABARD and industry associations to ensure smooth policy implementation.

    The Finance Minister appreciated that various important inputs have been received during the course of discussion, and they will be looked into suitably. The inputs will help align our strategies, address possible implementation challenges and ensure that budgetary announcements efficiently translate into tangible actions, the Minister said.

    Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of State for Finance, Shri Pankaj Chaudhary in his concluding remarks said that increasing the FDI limit will not only attract foreign capital and advanced technology but will also improve insurance penetration, providing increased insurance coverage at affordable premiums to a larger section of the population. This move is also expected to improve technology advancements as well as better customer engagement processes.

    Further the Minister added that department of financial services is in advanced stages of finalisation and the Draft Insurance Laws Amendment Bill which will be presented, shortly.

    Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications, Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani in his concluding remarks during the webinar underlined that India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) is set to revolutionize last-mile financial access by integrating its services with Post Office Savings Accounts, creating a unified, technology-driven financial ecosystem.

    With 35 crore Post Office Savings Account holders and 11 crore IPPB customers, this integration will enhance accessibility, efficiency, and innovation in banking services. Key initiatives include expanding Aadhaar-enabled payment systems, increasing UPI transactions, introducing AI-driven microfinance, and launching vernacular digital platforms to empower rural communities. The Department of Posts and Communications is committed to enabling these changes, and collaboration with the Department of Financial services will further accelerate India’s journey toward a seamless and inclusive financial landscape, the minister added.

    In his Thematic session of the Post budget Webinar, Shri M. Nagaraju, Secretary DFS said that under the MUDRA Scheme, ₹33 lakh crore loan amount has been sanctioned. Under the Stand-Up India initiative, the department has sanctioned ₹59,000 crore to 2.62 lakh accounts. Additionally, under the PM SVANidhi scheme,  ₹14,000 crore has been sanctioned across 99 lakh accounts. Shri Nagaraju also mentioned that to ensure greater consistency, consumer protection, transparency, and grievance redressal, DFS is proposing setting up a unified forum where regulators and authorities in the pension sector can collaborate.

    The Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance organized a Post Budget Webinar on Theme 7 titled Regulatory, Investment and EODB reforms on Tuesday 4th March, 2025 to understand the unique perspectives from various stakeholders that can help implement the budget announcements for the year 2025-26, ensuring synergy among stakeholders. The webinar comprised of deliberations on 3 parallel breakout sessions on the following sub-themes as below:

    Sub-Theme 1: Making India investment friendly

    Sub-Theme 2: Ease of access to Financial Services/ Credit

    Sub-Theme 3: Rationalization of Legal & Regulatory Compliances

    Simultaneously,  2 more post budget webinars with themes of ‘MSME as an engine of growth’ and ‘Manufacturing, Exports and Nuclear Energy Missions’ were also organised. Prime Minister  addressed these 3 webinars , emphasizing the importance of manufacturing and export. Highlights of his address may be accessed at

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2108027

    For the webinar on Regulatory, Investment and EODB reforms, the sessions witnessed participation of Ministers of respective ministries, senior government officials, subject matter experts, industry leaders, bankers, FPOs and other related stakeholders. The deliberations  focussed on budget announcements related to FDI in Insurance Sector, Credit Enhancement Facility by NaBFID , Merger of Companies, Bilateral Investment Treaties, Investment Friendliness Index of States, Expanding Services of India Post Payment Bank, Grameen Credit Score, KYC Simplification, Pension Sector, Regulatory Reforms  & High-Level Committee for Regulatory Reforms, FSDC Mechanism, Jan Vishwas Bill 2.0 .

    The sub-theme “Making India investment friendly” covered budget paras on FDI in Insurance Sector, Credit Enhancement Facility by NaBFID, Merger of Companies, Bilateral Investment Treaties, and Investment Friendliness Index of States. Valuable suggestions were received from Panelists, Intervenors and Industry experts. The suggestions received during the panel discussion on this theme, inter alia, included, tax rationalization, Ease of Doing Business such as simplification of licensing process for new entrants, liberalizing investment norms, robust dispute resolution mechanism, use of e-governance in streamlining processes, minimize domestic regulatory bottlenecks, creating awareness within the government and build capacities, dedicated national law for foreign investment promotion in India, deepening of bond markets through participation of Insurance and pension funds,retail investors etc.

    During the breakout session on sub theme Ease of access to financial services / Credit, the discussions were held on 3 budget announcements regarding expanding services on India Post payment bank (IPPB), KYC simplification and Grameen credit score. Experts lauded the budget announcements and opined that expansion of IPPB will take banking services to remote areas, empower rural communities by providing access to essential financial tools and will deepen financial inclusion. Grameen credit score will provide an accurate credit profile of rural borrowers. It will not only give opportunities to rural population in availing affordable credit but will also provide opportunities to banks for increasing their business.  KYC simplification will enhance the ease of customers in availing banking and other financial services. The discussions held during the webinar enriched large number of attendees.

    In the Sub Theme: ” Rationalization of Legal & Regulatory Compliances”, Forum for Regulatory Coordination and Development of Pension Products, high-level committee for regulatory reforms, FSDC Mechanism and Jan Vishwas Bill 2.0 were discussed. It was emphasised by the speakers that ‘Viksit Bharat@2047’ will need a regulatory framework that is based on trust and is responsive to technological changes and global policy developments. Speakers highlighted that, Government needs to reduce compliance burden and Imprisonment and / or fine should be substituted with penalties, which are civil in nature, for all minor, procedural and technical non-compliances. Such a framework will facilitate the ease of doing business for all citizens.

    The recommendations on the respective sub-themes of the webinar were presented in the concluding session in presence of Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs, Minister of State for Finance and Minister of State for Communication.

    ****

    NB/AD

    (Release ID: 2108360) Visitor Counter : 27

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Shri Ajay Bhadoo Appointed as CEO of Government e Marketplace

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 1:07PM by PIB Delhi

    The Government of India has appointed Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce Shri Ajay Bhadoo, as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Government e Marketplace (GeM) with effect from March 3, 2025. He will assume this role in addition to his existing responsibilities in the Department of Commerce.

    His appointment as CEO of GeM, India’s largest e-marketplace for government procurement, comes at a pivotal time as the platform transitions to a next-generation digital marketplace powered by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). Currently, GeM has recorded a Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of ₹4.58 lakh crore, reflecting a 28.65% year-on-year growth.

    An Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1999 batch from the Gujarat cadre, Shri Bhadoo brings over two decades of experience in policy formulation and implementation across diverse sectors, including urban infrastructure development.

    In August 2024, Shri Bhadoo was appointed as Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce. Previously, he served as the Deputy Election Commissioner at the Election Commission of India. His extensive career also includes a tenure as Joint Secretary to the former President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, and leadership roles such as CEO of the Gujarat Maritime Board and Commissioner of Rajkot and Vadodara Municipal Corporations. Shri Bhadoo holds a degree in Civil Engineering and a Master’s in Business Law from the prestigious National Law School of India University, Bengaluru.

    ***

    Abhishek Dayal/Abhijith Narayanan

    (Release ID: 2108344) Visitor Counter : 105

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Illegal Alien Indicted for Conspiracy to Transport Other Aliens and Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin

    Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

    PHOENIX, Ariz. – Last week, a grand jury returned an indictment against Edgar Guadalupe Jimenez-Aguilar, an illegal alien living in Phoenix, for Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens and Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin.

    After an investigation, agents from Homeland Security Investigations and United States Border Patrol identified Jimenez-Aguilar as a load driver who picked up aliens in desert areas in Pinal and Pima Counties and transported them to Phoenix. Jimenez-Aguilar also operated a stash house in Phoenix used to harbor the aliens and assumed a coordinator role by recruiting others to act as load drivers.

    From late 2024 through January 2025, agents interviewed other load drivers arrested for transporting aliens, who admitted Jimenez-Aguilar had recruited them. The agents also conducted surveillance on Jimenez-Aguilar and his stash house. On October 3, 2024, officers with the Tohono O’odham Police Department stopped a vehicle and determined four passengers, including two in the trunk of the vehicle, were aliens unlawfully present in the United States. 
     

    Officers learned that the driver had been recruited on social media, had participated in multiple prior smuggling ventures, and had been to Jimenez-Aguilar’s stash house to unload the aliens. On January 28, 2025, agents stopped a Jeep Grand Cherokee in Mesa and identified the driver as Jimenez-Aguilar via his Sonoran driver’s license. Inside the vehicle, agents located approximately 297 grams of black tar heroin.

    Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin carries a minimum penalty of five years and up to 40 years in prison, as well as a fine of up to $5,000,000. Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

    An indictment is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

    The United States Border Patrol, Alien Smuggling Unit – Tucson Sector and Homeland Security Investigations – Casa Grande, Pinal and Pima County Sheriff Departments, Tohono O’odham Police Department, and Arizona Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Vanessa Kubota, District of Arizona, Phoenix, is handling the prosecution.
     

    CASE NUMBER:           CR-25-00284-PHX-DJH
    RELEASE NUMBER:    2025-027_Jimenez-Aguilar

     

    # # #

    For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
    Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

     

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Global: Convicting the innocent: how a rotten system ensures miscarriages of justice will continue

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Brian Thornton, Senior Lecturer in Journalism, University of Winchester

    The following story is the winner of The Conversation Prize for writers, a competition run in partnership with Faber and Curtis Brown. Read more about the competition here.


    A young man called David Lace sits in a windowless interrogation room in a Portsmouth police station. He has just been arrested over a spate of burglaries across the city. Out of the blue, in the middle of the interview he tells the detectives something extraordinary. He’s killed someone, he says. A young woman.

    He can’t live with himself anymore. The guilt is driving him mad. In the bleak little room he confesses everything. But Lace is never charged with murder. Never put on trial. Never jailed. Instead, all that happens to another man. An innocent man called Sean Hodgson. The Lace confession, along with all the forensic evidence with Lace’s DNA goes missing. Hodgson serves 27 years in prison.

    When five police officers turn up at his mother’s flat on October 20 2004, Sam Hallam knows they have made a mistake. A few days earlier a 21-year-old was stabbed to death in a street brawl. Hallam had heard about it but wasn’t there. He explains all of this to the police officers who arrest and later charge him. He explains it to the jury during his trial. No one listens. Hallam is jailed for life. He is 17 years old.

    On the night of the murder he had been in the pub with his father. There is a photo on his phone to prove it. But the phone containing the photo sits in a police evidence room for years. It sits there gathering dust as Hallam is beaten up in prison, and while both his grandmothers die. It sits undisturbed as his father Terry, struggling to deal with the imprisonment of his son, takes his own life.

    A young woman is murdered in Cardiff and eyewitnesses see a white man covered in blood leaving her flat. Three innocent men, none of them white, are later jailed for life for her murder.

    And on and on it goes.

    The Birmingham Six, the Guildford Four, Judith Ward, Stefan Kiszko, John Kamara, the Darvell brothers, the Cardiff Newsagent Three, Ivan Fergus, Sally Clark, Andrew Malkinson, the hundreds from the Post Office scandal. On and on.

    Sean Hodgson’s murder conviction is quashed after 27 years in jail.

    Hundreds and hundreds of people wrongly convicted. Lives destroyed. Families and communities blighted. Killers left free.

    But wasn’t all of this sorted out years ago? Aren’t miscarriages of justice a bit … 1980s?

    While millions might have once tuned into Rough Justice and Trial and Error to watch investigations into miscarriage of justice cases, those shows are now long gone, cancelled due to lack of interest. Even legendary investigative journalists like David Jessel packed up and moved on, admitting that the game had changed.

    They may have gone under the radar for a while but these types of cases never went away, and it now seems we’ve entered a period where there are more than ever. Perhaps the reason no one noticed is because of a relentless campaign to turn the clock back, to a time when the innocent were fair game.

    When the Birmingham Six were trying to overturn their convictions they were thwarted again and again over 16 years by a stubborn and dismissive establishment. The attitude was epitomised in the iconic judgment by Lord Denning. He refused to countenance the idea of them being innocent because that would damage the integrity of the system – and in his opinion the system needed to be protected at all costs. In his judgment Denning said:

    If the six men win, it will mean that the police were guilty of perjury, that they were guilty of violence and threats, that the confessions were involuntary and were improperly admitted in evidence and that the convictions were erroneous. That would mean the Home Secretary would either have to recommend they be pardoned or he would have to remit the case to the Court of Appeal. This is such an appalling vista that every sensible person in the land would say: It cannot be right these actions should go any further.

    For decades the “appalling vista” approach held while the injustices grew and grew. But on a bright spring morning in 1991 the whole thing exploded in a visceral, cathartic dam-burst.

    Amid chaotic scenes outside the Old Bailey the Birmingham Six were released and one of them, Paddy Hill, grabbed a microphone and unleashed a savage attack on the institutions that had taken his freedom:

    For 16 and a half years we have been used as political scapegoats. The police told us from the start they knew we hadn’t done it. They told us they didn’t care who had done it. They told us that we were selected and they were going to frame us. Justice, I don’t think the people in there have got the intelligence nor the honestly to spell the word, never mind dispense it. They’re rotten.

    A crisis was erupting that threatened the legitimacy of the entire criminal justice system. Swift action was needed and so on the very day that the Birmingham Six convictions were quashed, the government established the Royal Commission on Criminal Justice.

    Nothing it appeared, would ever be the same again.

    Out of the Royal Commission sprung a new body – the Criminal Cases Review Commission – given the sole task of investigating miscarriages of justice. The message was sent out loud and clear: the innocence crisis had now been solved and the media, the criminal justice system and the politicians needed to move on to more pressing issues.

    But while no one was looking, a silent counter-revolution was happening.

    The great rebranding

    Stealthily and relentlessly a hostile environment for victims of miscarriages was being created. The first target was to undermine the actual term “miscarriage of justice” itself. In a seminal speech in 2002 Prime Minister Tony Blair declared that “the biggest miscarriage of justice in today’s system is when the guilty walk away unpunished”.

    Blair was calling for a reappraisal of what we considered an injustice. Essentially what was being assumed was that the “innocence crisis” had been dealt with and energies should now be focused on other areas where the criminal justice system was misfiring; namely, in the effective punishment of the guilty. Tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime.

    The right wing press gleefully embraced this reframing. Newspapers like The Sun and Express, who had not concerned themselves with miscarriages of justice before Blair’s intervention, were now falling over themselves to expose these new injustices. Two headlines in the Express read: “Rapist who was free to strike again: This is a travesty, a real miscarriage of justice,” and “Don’t let them get away with murder: Proposals that would see murderers spend less time in jail are the biggest miscarriage of justice we have seen”.

    The rebranding of “miscarriage of justice” was so successful that in 2006 when The Sun asked its readers: “Do you know about a miscarriage of justice? Call us on 020 7782 4104”, it did not need to explain to anyone what it was talking about – its readers knew exactly what the paper meant. They knew it was looking for tales of “evil perverts” and “crooks” who got “soft sentences” so that it could use its “Justice Campaign to have lenient judges turfed out”.

    But the creation of a hostile environment for the innocent still had a long way to go. It was one thing to convict people – and sentence them to longer terms – the next thing was to ensure they stayed there.

    And so a concerted campaign began to strengthen the finality of convictions – essentially making it near impossible to challenge guilty verdicts. Technology helped. Since 2011, most court transcripts have been recorded digitally. But without fanfare the decision was taken to routinely delete them.

    It means that while it is possible to access full records of Victorian court cases, modern court transcripts vanish after seven years and they are eye-wateringly expensive. An MP was recently quoted £100,000 for a Lucy Letby court transcript. In the US, defendants automatically get a copy of their court records – in the UK the records are destroyed, and no one has ever really explained why.

    So if you are trying to challenge your conviction you may not have access to – or cannot afford – your court records. But what about the evidence that convicted you? We are all familiar with the US movies and documentaries that show lawyers saving prisoners from death row or prison sentences thanks to new DNA evidence. Why doesn’t that happen in the UK? Because in 2014 the Supreme Court decided that a defendant no longer has the right to access any of this evidence. It ruled:

    What is essentially sought by the claimant is access to material to enable the case to be re-investigated and re-examined. The time for that investigation and examination was the trial.

    All police forces now have a template letter in which they explain that due to this judgment they will not grant access to any evidence after conviction, and every appeal lawyer in the country has enough of these letters to wallpaper their offices.

    But what of the great promise of the CCRC – the body that was supposed to investigate miscarriages of justice? After some early successes it has been slowly hollowed out. Its budget has been slashed, its powers eroded and it has haemorrhaged talent.

    The commission that was once lauded as an example for the rest of the world is now such a shambles that when the scandal broke about the handling of the Andrew Malkinson case, who had been wrongfully imprisoned for rape, the chair of the CCRC was in Montenegro, promoting her property business. Helen Pitcher told her social media followers that she was “having an amazing time at Milos Mussels bar”. The CCRC said Pitcher was on a lunch break while working remotely from Montenegro that day and that she did not manage her own social media. Pitcher said: “The CCRC is a remote-working organisation, and I sometimes work from a property I own abroad.”

    In January, Pitcher resigned saying she had been made a scapegoat for the Malkinson affair. Those involved in criminal appeals used to laugh at how hapless the CCRC was – they are now in open despair.

    More than 1,500 people apply to the CCRC every year claiming they have been wrongfully convicted and about 97% of these applications are rejected. But there are serious concerns over the quality of the CCRC’s investigations into these cases. An inquiry in 2021 found that budget cuts and an obsession with targets had “compromised the CCRC’s ability to carry out its role effectively in all cases”.

    The handful of cases that make it through the CCRC and to the Court of Appeal face another fight against the odds – the court normally rejects at least a third of these cases.

    Victims of injustice such as members of the Birmingham Six say they would never have been freed if the CCRC had investigated their case. And if you do somehow manage to beat all the odds and overturn your conviction – like Victor Nealon – you will leave the Court of Appeal with a grand total of £89 in your pocket. It does not matter if you have unfairly spent decades in prison, if imprisonment has destroyed your physical and mental health and laid waste to your relationships and reputation. It’s still £89. There is no compensation for the stolen years, for the outrageous injustices you have suffered.

    In 2014, when the coalition government was in thrall to austerity, it was decided to restrict the payment of compensation to miscarriage of justice victims. The High Court rejected a challenge to this new law by telling a miscarriage of justice victim he was “not innocent enough to be compensated”. The public outrage over the Malkinson case shamed the Ministry of Justice into offering him compensation but he is very much the exception – 93% of applicants whose convictions have been overturned receive no money.

    Nealon and Sam Hallam took their claims for compensation all the way to the European Court of Human Rights and lost. But the judges said the current UK system for compensation was “a hurdle which is virtually insurmountable”. The hostile environment against the innocent was now complete.

    A Supreme Court’s decision in the Kevin Nunn case in 2014, which prevented him from getting access to key evidence in his case to submit to more modern forensic testing, has effectively removed any semblance of transparency over what evidence police hand over during a criminal trial. It has resulted in disclosure problems blighting criminal court cases because there is no oversight – police can act with complete impunity.

    They also know that there will be no comeback if things go wrong – no officer in any of the major miscarriages of justice cases has ever been convicted of anything. The attempt to prosecute officers in the Cardiff Three case collapsed – due to disclosure problems.

    No oversight, also means that all the old tricks are back: the overheard conversations, the jailhouse confessions, criminals blackmailed to act as witnesses, crucial evidence mislaid or withheld.

    Once someone is convicted their court records will be deleted or made unaffordable, their legal aid will be slashed and they will be denied access to any of the evidence that convicted them. Their only option will be to apply to a crumbling and aimless institution which even the legal system views as a joke.

    This is how they system wins and how the victims of injustice are betrayed. This is how you convict the innocent.


    For you: more from our Insights series:

    To hear about new Insights articles, join the hundreds of thousands of people who value The Conversation’s evidence-based news. Subscribe to our newsletter.

    Brian Thornton does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    ref. Convicting the innocent: how a rotten system ensures miscarriages of justice will continue – https://theconversation.com/convicting-the-innocent-how-a-rotten-system-ensures-miscarriages-of-justice-will-continue-249536

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Global: Brian Thornton wins The Conversation Prize for writers for his story Convicting the Innocent

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jo Adetunji, Executive Editor – Partnerships

    Congratulations to Brian Thornton from Winchester University who is the 2025 winner of The Conversation Prize for writers, for his story Convicting the Innocent, a look at the systemic barriers facing people wrongly convicted of a crime.

    We asked academics to submit a 2,000-word article and book pitch for the competition, run in partnership with Faber and Curtis Brown, and were overwhelmed by the quantity and quality of submissions we received. It was very difficult to pick just one winner from across countless themes and styles.

    Brian’s article and book idea was shortlisted by the teams at The Conversation, Curtis Brown and Faber for its strong storytelling, exploring systematic failings in the legal system, and the strong use of case studies that brought colour to this subject.

    The judges said: “The research on the current failings of the legal system would be of great interest to the general public, especially following the fallout from the Post Office scandal. The essay is well written and punchy, if shocking and unnerving. The use of case studies to tell the story works really very well, and makes the piece immediately emotionally gripping – with great potential to work as a non-fiction book.”

    Brian said: “I’m delighted and honoured to have won the Conversation Prize for writers. My article focuses on miscarriages of justice and how the system fails innocent people. It’s an important topic but one that is so often ignored by media organisations because of the complexity of the cases and the opacity of the legal system.”

    I think that’s why The Conversation is different – it provides a platform for writers to tackle complex and challenging topics and allows them the time and space to do them justice. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to highlight this important issue – hopefully it may get people talking and thinking about how to solve it!“

    Brian is a senior lecturer and programme leader for the BA (Hons) Journalism course at the University of Winchester, and a former producer for BBC Newsnight. He is also one of the founders of the Winchester University’s Crime and Justice Research Centre, which specialises in issues related to miscarriages of justice, and is founder and director of the Winchester Innocence Project.

    Brian wins £1,000 and mentorship from both Faber and Curtis Brown. You can read his winning story here.

    Close runners up in the competition were Yvonne Reddick for Fire on Winter Hill and Nicholas Carter for Living Stone.

    Fire on Winter Hill blended nature writing, memoir, family obsessions and the politics of climate change and made an impression throughout the shortlisting process for both the style of the essay and thoughtfulness of the proposal, which showcased a great talent for storytelling. Written as a personal account following in the footsteps of the author’s father, who worked on oil frontiers from the North Sea to Oman, the judges said Fire on Winter Hill was an “affecting memoir” that “beautifully and originally explores the link between mountains and oil.”

    Living Stone gave a glimpse into a world we don’t ordinarily think about – turning the story of lichens and their relationship with stone into a highly original piece of writing. The judges said: “We’d also like to make a special mention of Living Stone, which explores how lichens bring stone to life – blurring the boundary between the living and the non-living. This topic has great potential to work as a book, arguing that western, narrow scientific definitions means lichens are ultimately understudied and undervalued.”

    A big thank you to our judges, Miriam Frankel, senior science editor at The Conversation UK, Priya Atwal, historian, broadcaster and community history fellow at the University of Oxford, and Alice Hunt, professor of early modern literature and history at the University of Southampton. The Conversation Insights team Paul Keaveny and Mike Herd. And to Fiona Crosby, senior commissioning editor for non-fiction at Faber, and Elliot Prior, associate agent at Curtis Brown.

    ref. Brian Thornton wins The Conversation Prize for writers for his story Convicting the Innocent – https://theconversation.com/brian-thornton-wins-the-conversation-prize-for-writers-for-his-story-convicting-the-innocent-249890

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The government has expanded the list of major projects financed from the National Welfare Fund and subject to special state control

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Document

    Order dated March 4, 2025 No. 498-r

    The list of projects financed under state programs, as well as from the National Welfare Fund (NWF), has been supplemented with 12 new items. The order to this effect was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

    We are talking about projects that are already being implemented in the fields of transport, healthcare, education, culture and environmental management.

    Thus, the list includes the construction of a new stage for the Academic Maly Drama Theatre – the Theatre of Europe in St. Petersburg, the reconstruction of the building of the Institute of Experimental Cardiology in Moscow, and the reconstruction of the Fyodorovsky pressure hydroelectric power station on the Kuban River in the Krasnodar Territory.

    The updated list also includes the creation of new railway infrastructure on the Vladislavovka – Sem Kolodezey section in Crimea, the construction of a depository, restoration and exhibition center in Maly Znamensky and Kolymazhny lanes in Moscow, and the construction and reconstruction of the Solnechny children’s camp, which is part of the Artek International Children’s Center in Crimea.

    The projects presented in the list are subject to special control by state bodies. Such monitoring allows to exclude violations and to increase the efficiency of spending budget funds and funds of the National Welfare Fund.

    The adopted document introduced changes toGovernment Order of March 18, 2016 No. 449-r.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Met contact handler praised for safeguarding domestic abuse victim via Instagram

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A Met Police contact handler has been praised for using Instagram to safeguard a victim of domestic abuse who made a report while she was abroad.

    Emma Tavill assigned herself to a case after she was contacted by a woman who had been assaulted by her partner while on holiday in Cyprus.

    The victim made the report on Monday, 19 February 2024 by sending photo and video evidence of her injuries to the Met’s Instagram page by direct message.

    Emma used the information she had to gather information about the suspect, including his return flight details.

    Once the suspect landed in the UK the following day, he was swiftly arrested at Gatwick Airport and taken into custody.

    Acting Chief Superintendent Neil Holyoak from the Metropolitan Police’s Contact Centre said: “Emma’s response is a great example of the type of work being done across the Met to keep people safe. Her actions meant we could go above and beyond to safeguard a vulnerable victim even when she wasn’t in the UK.

    “We know it’s not always possible for victims to call us and that’s why we receive crime reports and information through a range of digital channels, such as Instagram, as well as on our website.”

    The Met receives thousands of contacts every day and staff are responding more quickly to emergencies and Londoners get our help when they need it most.

    His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire & Rescue Services also recently recognised the Met’s improvements to call handling.

    Last year dedicated staff and officers in MetCC responded to 4,660,891 contacts, of which 2,394,416 were 999 calls, 1,279,552 were 101 calls and 988,923 were digital contacts.

    The per cent of 999 calls answered within 10 seconds for 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 was 86.2 per cent compared to 77.6 per cent the previous calendar year with January 2024 reaching 90.9 per cent.”

    MetCC is currently recruiting. To find out more please go to: Overview | Communications officer (999 and 101) | Metropolitan Police

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Ensuring the consistent enforcement of EU law regarding parity of treatment for foreign-language lecturers in Italian universities – P-000286/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    In September 2021, the Commission started an infringement procedure[1] for Italy to comply with judgments of cases C-212/99[2] and C-119/04[3] of the Court of Justice of the EU, to ensure that it reconstructs careers of former lettori in line with Italian Law No 63 of 5 March 2004.

    The Court stated in these judgments that Law 63/2004 provides for an adequate framework for the reconstruction of lettori’s careers by applying the parameter of the part-time tenured researcher and that the application of this parameter does not appear to preclude the career of a former assistant from being reconstructed on more advantageous terms.

    Such reconstruction, in the Commission’s view, does not necessarily cover the reconstruction of careers in an uninterrupted manner. Neither of the judgments precludes the splitting of a career: they require the retention of the acquired rights from the date of the original recruitment, but they do not require that this is continued after the extinction of the category of lettori by Law No 236 of 21 June 1995.

    Italy has the primary responsibility to monitor the application of EU law as interpreted by the Court in its judgments and to take the necessary steps to ensure uniform application across all Italian universities.

    In its role as guardian of the Treaties, the Commission continues monitoring the situation and may decide to take appropriate action. In July 2023, the Commission decided to refer Italy to the Court of Justice of the EU for maintaining discrimination of foreign lecturers. Case C-519/23 is currently pending at the Court of Justice of the EU.

    Redress in individual cases is to be sought before the competent national courts.

    • [1] INFR(2021)4055, https://ec.europa.eu/atwork/applying-eu-law/infringements-proceedings/infringement_decisions/?lang_code=en&langCode=EN
    • [2] Judgment of 26 June 2001, Commission of the European Communities v Italian Republic., C-212/99, EU:C:2001:357.
    • [3] Judgment of 18 July 2006, Commission of the European Communities v Italian Republic, C-119/04, EU:C:2006:489.
    Last updated: 5 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Text of the Catechesis of the Holy Father (General Audience of 5 March 2025)

    Source: The Holy See

    Text of the Catechesis of the Holy Father (General Audience of 5 March 2025), 05.03.2025
    The following is the text of the catechesis of the Holy Father, prepared for the General Audience today, Wednesday 5 March:

    Catechesis of the Holy Father
    Cycle of Catechesis – Jubilee 2025
    Jesus Christ our hope
    I. The childhood of Jesus
    8. “Son, why have you done this to us?” (Lk 2:49).
    The finding of Jesus in the Temple
    5 March 2025

    Reading: Lk 2:46,48-50
    After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. … When His parents saw Him, they were astonished, and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety”. And He said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”. But they did not understand what He said to them.
     
    Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
    In this last catechesis dedicated to the childhood of Jesus, we will start from the episode in which, at twelve years of age, He stays in the Temple without telling His parents, who are anxiously looking for Him and find Him after three days. This account presents us with a very interesting dialogue between Mary and Jesus, which helps us to reflect on the path of the mother of Jesus, a journey that was certainly not easy. Indeed, Mary set out on a spiritual itinerary during which she advanced in her understanding of the mystery of her Son.
    Let us look back at the various stages of this journey. At the beginning of her pregnancy, Mary visits Elizabeth and stays with her for three months, until the birth of the little John. Then, when she is now in her ninth month, due to the census she goes with Joseph to Bethlehem, where she gives birth to Jesus. After forty days they go to Jerusalem for the presentation of the child; and they return on a pilgrimage to the Temple every year thereafter. But with Jesus still a baby they had taken refuge in Egypt for a long time to protect Him from Herod, and only after the king’s death did they settle again in Nazareth. When Jesus, having become an adult, begins His ministry, Mary is present and a protagonist at the wedding at Cana; then she follows Him “at a distance”, up to His last journey to Jerusalem, and until His passion and death. After the Resurrection, Mary remains in Jerusalem, as Mother of the disciples, sustaining their faith while awaiting the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
    Throughout this journey, the Virgin is a pilgrim of hope, in the strong sense that she becomes the “daughter of her Son”, the first of His disciples. Mary brought into the world Jesus, Hope of humanity; she nourished Him, made Him grow, followed Him, letting herself be the first to be shaped by the Word of God. As Benedict XVI said, “We see how completely at home Mary is with the Word of God … we see how her thoughts are attuned to the thoughts of God, how her will is one with the will of God. Since Mary is completely imbued with the Word of God, she is able to become the Mother of the Word Incarnate” (Encyclical Deus caritas est, 41). This unique communion with the Word of God does not however save her the effort of a demanding “apprenticeship”.
    The experience of twelve-year-old Jesus going missing during the annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem frightens Mary to the point that she also speaks for Joseph as they take their son back: “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety” (Lk 2:48). Mary and Joseph felt the pain of parents with a missing child: they both thought that Jesus was in the caravan with their relatives, but after not seeing Him for an entire day, they began the search that would lead them to retrace their steps. Upon returning to the Temple, they discover that He who, in their eyes, until a short time before, was still a child to protect, suddenly seems grown up, capable now of getting involved in discussions on the Scriptures, of holding His own with the teachers of the Law.
    Faced with His mother’s rebuke, Jesus answers with disarming simplicity: “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Lk 2:49). Mary and Joseph do not understand: the mystery of God made child exceeds their intelligence. The parents want to protect that precious son under the wings of their love; instead, Jesus wants to live His vocation as the Son of the Father who is at His service and lives immersed in His Word.
    Luke’s infancy narratives thus close with Mary’s final words, which recall Joseph’s paternity towards Jesus, and with Jesus’ first words, which recognize that this paternity traces His origins from that of His heavenly Father, whose undisputed primacy He acknowledges.
    Dear brothers and sisters, like Mary and Joseph, full of hope, let us also set out in the footsteps of the Lord, who does not allow Himself to be contained by our precepts, and allows Himself to be found not so much in a place, but in the response of love to the tender divine paternity, a response of love that is filial life.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-Evening Report: Seven decades on, Marshall Islands still reeling from nuclear testing legacy

    By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific Bulletin editor/presenter

    The Marshall Islands marked 71 years since the most powerful nuclear weapons tests ever conducted were unleashed over the weekend.

    The Micronesian nation experienced 67 known atmospheric nuclear tests between 1946 and 1958, resulting in an ongoing legacy of death, illness, and contamination.

    The country’s President Hilda Heine says her people continue to face the impacts of US nuclear weapons testing seven decades after the last bomb was detonated.

    The Pacific Islands have a complex history of nuclear weapons testing, but the impacts are very much a present-day challenge, Heine said at the Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ meeting in Tonga last year.

    She said that the consequences of nuclear weapons testing “in our own home” are “expensive” and “cross-cutting”.

    “When I was just a young girl, our islands were turned into a big laboratory to test the capabilities of weapons of mass destruction, biological warfare agents, and unexploded ordinance,” she said.

    “The impacts are not just historical facts, but contemporary challenges,” she added, noting that “the health consequences for the Marshallese people are severe and persistent through generations.”

    “We are now working to reshape the narrative from that of being victims to one of active agencies in helping to shape our own future and that of the world around us,” she told Pacific leaders, where the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres was a special guest.

    President Hilda Heine and UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, in August 2024 Image: RNZ Pacific/Lydia Lewis

    She said the displacement of communities from ancestral lands has resulted in grave cultural impacts, hindering traditional knowledge from being passed down to younger generations.

    “As well as certain traditional practices, customs, ceremonies and even a navigational school once defining our very identity and become a distant memory, memorialised through chance and storytelling,” President Heine said.

    “The environmental legacy is contamination and destruction: craters, radiation, toxic remnants, and a dome containing radioactive waste with a half-life of 24,000 years have rendered significant areas uninhabitable.

    “Key ecosystems, once full of life and providing sustenance to our people, are now compromised.”

    Heine said cancer and thyroid diseases were among a list of presumed radiation-induced medical conditions that were particularly prevalent in the Marshallese community.

    Displacement, loss of land, and psychological trauma were also contributing factors to high rates of non-communicable diseases, she said.

    Runit Dome, also known as “The Tomb”, in the Marshall Islands . . , controversial nuclear waste storage. Image: RNZ Pacific

    “Despite these immense challenges, the Marshallese people have shown remarkable resilience and strength. Our journey has been one of survival, advocacy, and an unyielding pursuit of justice.

    “We have fought tirelessly to have our voices heard on the international stage, seeking recognition.”

    In 2017, the Marshall Islands government created the National Nuclear Commission to coordinate efforts to address testing impacts.

    “We are a unique and important moral compass in the global movement for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation,” Heine said.

    Kurt Campbell at the Pacific Islands Forum . . . “I think we understand that that history carries a heavy burden.” Image: RNZ Pacific/Lydia Lewis

    The US Deputy Secretary of State in the Biden-Harris administration Kurt Cambell said that Washington, over decades, had committed billions of dollars to the damage and the rebuilding of the Marshall Islands.

    “I think we understand that that history carries a heavy burden, and we are doing what we can to support the people in the [Compact of Free Association] states, including the Marshall Islands,” he said.

    “This is not a legacy that we seek to avoid. We have attempted to address it constructively with massive resources and a sustained commitment,” he told reporters in Nuku’alofa.

    A shared nuclear legacy
    The National Nuclear Commission chairperson Ariana Tibon-Kilma, a direct descendant of survivors of the nuclear weapons testing programme Project 4.1 — which was the top-secret medical lab study on the effects of radiation on human bodies — told RNZ Pacific that what occured in Marshall Islands should not happen to any country.

    “This programme was conducted without consent from any of the Marshallese people,” she said.

    “For a number of years, they were studied and monitored, and sometimes even flown out to the US and displayed as a showcase.

    “The history and trauma associated with what happened to my family, as well as many other families in the Marshall Islands, was barely spoken of.

    “What happened to the Marshallese people is something that we would not wish upon any other Pacific island country or any other person in humanity.”

    She said the nuclear legacy was a shared one.

    “We all share one Pacific Ocean and what happened to the Marshall Islands, I am, sure resonates throughout the Pacific,” Tibon-Kilma said.

    UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the Pacific head Heike Alefsen at the Pacific Islands Forum . . . “I think compensation for survivors is key.” Image: RNZ Pacific/Lydia Lewis

    Billions in compensation
    The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the Pacific head, Heike Alefsen, told RNZ Pacific in Nuku’alofa that “we understand that there are communities that have been displaced for a long time to other islands”.

    “I think compensation for survivors is key,” she said.

    “It is part of a transitional justice approach. I can’t really speak to the breadth and the depth of the compensation that would need to be provided, but it is certainly an ongoing issue for discussion.”

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Salford City Council secure conviction against private hire driver

    Source: City of Salford

    • Salford licensed private hire driver pleads guilty for the offence of illegally plying for hire relating to July 2023 offence
    • Ordered to pay £400 in fines, £1,200 in costs and a victim surcharge of £160
    • Salford City Council regards criminal offences committed by licensees whilst working as taxi and private hire drivers as extremely serious, particularly the offence of illegally plying for hire

    A Salford licensed private hire driver, Mr Arif Mohammad, has pleaded guilty at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court following a complaint from a member of the public, which Salford City Council Licensing Service investigated.

    The complainant reported that Mr Mohammad had overcharged her for a private hire journey having attended a concert at Bolton Stadium. Following the event, the complainant had approached Mr Mohammad’s private hire vehicle and asked if he could take her and three other people to a hotel. Mr Mohammad agreed to the journey without there being a booking in place with a private hire operator. The law requires that all private hire journeys are booked through a private hire operator. Failure to do so can result in the driver’s motor insurance being invalid.  

    When interviewed in respect of the suspected offence, Mr Arif Mohammad admitted offering the journey without a booking through a private hire operator, describing it as a “big mistake”, stating he was “very sorry”.  

    Salford City Council is responsible for regulating taxi and private hire drivers licensed with the authority. Criminal offences committed by licensees whilst working as taxi and private hire drivers are regarded as extremely serious, particularly the offence of illegally plying for hire. The offence can lead to a licence being suspended or revoked or an application to renew the licence being refused. 

    Mr Arif Mohammad has been ordered to pay £400 in fines, £1,200 in costs and a victim surcharge of £160. The offence related to a breach of:

    • The Town and Police Clauses Act 1847

    With its commitment to building a fairer, greener, healthier and more inclusive city for all, Salford City Council Licensing Service will continue to work with licensees to support safe and high quality taxi and private hire services, taking enforcement action where necessary. 

    Councillor Barbara Bentham, Salford City Council’s Lead Member for Neighbourhoods, Environment and Community Safety said: “Taxi and private hire services are an important part of the transport network, and we thank all of our licensees that operate to a safe and high standard. Drivers have a duty to operate in accordance with the law and the conditions of their licence and the authority will not hesitate to take enforcement action where necessary. As a reminder, a private hire vehicle must always be booked through a licensed operator.”

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    Date published
    Wednesday 5 March 2025

    Press and media enquiries

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Protecting national security

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Oral statement to Parliament

    Protecting national security

    Statement by the Security Minister on new measures to tackle state threats from Iran.

    With your permission Madam Deputy Speaker, I will make a statement on the growing threat to the UK from Iran and the steps the government is taking to combat these threats.

    The threat from Iran sits in a wider context of the growing, diversifying and evolving threat that the UK faces from malign activity by a number of states.

    The threat from states has become increasingly interconnected in nature, blurring the lines between: domestic and international; online and offline; and states and their proxies.

    In the last year, the number of state threat investigations being run by MI5 has jumped by 48%.

    This statistic is a stark indication of the increased threat.

    Iranian threats

    Turning specifically to Iran, the regime has become increasingly emboldened, asserting itself more aggressively to advance their objectives and undermine ours.

    This is evidenced by the fact that direct action against UK targets has substantially increased over recent years.

    The Director General of MI5 recently stated that since the start of 2022 the UK has responded to 20 Iran-backed plots, presenting potentially lethal threats to British citizens and UK residents.

    The Iranian regime is targeting dissidents.

    And it is targeting media organisations and journalists reporting on the violent oppression of the regime.

    It is also no secret that there is a long-standing pattern of targeting Jewish and Israeli people internationally by the Iranian Intelligence Services.

    It is clear that these plots are a conscious strategy of the Iranian regime to stifle criticism through intimidation and fear.

    These threats are unacceptable. They must and will be defended against at every turn.

    Now it is a testament to our world-leading law enforcement and intelligence services that through their tireless commitment, so many plots have been thwarted.

    And I am sure the whole House will join me in paying tribute to the brave men and women of our law enforcement and intelligence agencies who work day in, day out to keep us safe.

    In seeking to tackle this threat, we must understand it.

    The Iranian Intelligence Services, which include the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, and the Ministry of Intelligence and Security, or MOIS, direct this damaging activity.

    But often, rather than working directly on UK shores, they use criminal proxies to do their bidding. This helps to obfuscate their involvement, while they sit safely ensconced in Tehran.  

    We see that in intelligence, but we have also seen it publicly, with the conviction in 2023 of the Chechen born Austrian national, who was imprisoned for conducting surveillance on Iran International’s UK headquarters.

    These threats are not only physical in nature.

    The National Cyber Security Centre has also seen malicious cyber activity conducted by Iranian state-affiliated actors targeting a range of state sectors, including in the UK.

    Our response

    The government is absolutely committed to ensuring that our intelligence and law enforcement agencies have the tools they need to disrupt and degrade the threats that we face from Iran.

    So I can announce today that we will place the whole of the Iranian State – including Iran’s intelligence services, the IRGC and MOIS – on to the enhanced tier of the new Foreign Influence Registration Scheme.

    The Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, or FIRS, is a critical disruptive tool for the UK.

    This action will mean that those who are directed by Iran to conduct activities in the UK – such as criminal proxies – must register that activity, whatever it is, or face 5 years in prison.

    They will face a choice – expose their actions to the government, or face jail.

    The Home Office will lay regulations in Parliament as soon as possible, with a view to having the scheme up and running by the summer.

    On proscription, as members will know, we do not routinely comment on groups being considered for proscription, but I can assure the House that we do and will continue to keep the list of groups considered under constant review.

    However, what has become increasingly clear is the challenges inherent in applying our existing counter-terror legislation to state and state-linked threats to our national security.

    This challenge was first raised by the Home Secretary in Opposition. She warned of a lack of a comprehensive strategic approach for state threats to mirror that adopted on terrorism, and the specific difficulties in using a proscription mechanism, designed for groups like Al Qaeda, on state bodies.

    We are progressing work at pace to address this challenge.

    So I can announce today that Jonathan Hall KC has been asked to review the parts of our counter-terrorism framework which could be applied to modern day state threats, such as those from Iran.

    This includes giving specific consideration to the design of a proscription mechanism for state and state-linked bodies, providing more flexibility than is offered under the existing powers.

    As the Independent Reviewer of both State Threats Legislation and of Terrorism Legislation, Mr Hall is perfectly placed to undertake this review and we are grateful for his agreement to provide this advice.

    Let there be no doubt: we are utterly determined to stay ahead of those who threaten our country – and any step that could aid us in that critical endeavour will be considered. 

    But the UK is not alone in facing this threat. States across the western world are threatened by Iran.

    So we will work with our allies to better understand, expose and condemn Iranian actions – and bring Iranian-linked criminals to justice wherever in the world they may be. We regularly collaborate with our Five Eyes and European partners to protect our democracies from hostile Iranian attack.

    Here at home, we are going further too.

    The National Security Act 2023, which was supported on both sides of the House, has given the police new powers to target evolving activity.

    For example, the act criminalises assisting a foreign intelligence service, such as the IRGC or MOIS. The maximum penalty for these offences is 14 years in prison, the same maximum as for a proscription offence.

    And I can also announce that training and guidance on state threats activity is now being offered by Counter Terrorism Policing to all 45 territorial police forces across the UK.

    This will mean that when any frontline officer encounters a suspected state threats incident, they will know what to do and what to look for to ensure that our communities are kept safe. 

    Furthermore, we have recently issued guidance on the National Security Act and how it applies to the UK security profession, including private investigators.

    This ensures they are aware of the law and understand where they may be criminally liable if they are working for any foreign power, such as Iran.

    We will also continue to go after the criminal networks and enablers that Iran uses to carry out its work. The leader of the Zindashti organised crime group, a group frequently used by the Iranian regime, has already been sanctioned.

    We will explore further sanctions against other Iranian-linked criminals and the National Crime Agency will target those who assist the IRGC and others to launder their money.

    Alongside the recently launched Border Security Command, which strengthens Britain’s border security and disrupts criminal smuggling gangs, I have asked officials to consider new ways to enforce our robust immigration rules to specifically address threats from Iran.

    This work will focus on further protecting the UK from Iranian infiltration, including those who promote Iranian interference in the UK.

    I am clear that our response must be a UK-wide effort. So I welcome the Charity Commission’s statutory inquiries into both the Islamic Centre of England and the Al-Tawheed Charitable Trust.

    I have also asked officials to review where any Iranian interference is being conducted in the UK and FIRS will shine more light on any undisclosed relationships between the Iranian state and UK-based institutions and individuals.

    Finally, the National Protective Security Authority and Counter Terrorism Policing will continue to provide protective security advice and support to individuals and organisations threatened by the Iranian regime and its criminal proxies, including Persian language media organisations and their employees.

    And we will continue to maintain funding for protective security measures to synagogues, Jewish community centres and schools, ensuring we do all we can to keep our Jewish communities safe.

    Conclusion

    Madam Deputy Speaker, in a dangerous, volatile world, Britain must lead the way.

    That means proudly promoting our values and straining every sinew to keep our people safe.

    The measures I have set out today should reassure the House and the public about our unflinching commitment to these objectives.

    Under this government, security will be the foundation on which everything else is built.

    We will resist attacks on our way of life as vigorously as we counter threats to life – whatever their source.

    …we will work relentlessly to root out those intent on causing harm on our streets.

    …and we will do whatever it takes to protect our country and our democracy.

    I commend this statement to the House.

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Govt denies online rumour

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Regarding a message circulating online that claims “the Government has announced that the Clerical Assistant grade will be fully integrated into the Assistant Clerical Officer grade by 2027”, the Civil Service Bureau has clarified that no such announcement has been made.

    The bureau said the matter has been reported to Police.

    It added that the civil service will remain committed to its posts and will make more flexible use of resources to serve the public proactively.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CE attends NPC session in Beijing

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Chief Executive John Lee attended the opening meeting of the third session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing today, in his capacity as Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

    The third session of the 14th NPC commenced this morning, during which Premier Li Qiang delivered the government work report, reviewing the work for 2024 and outlining the overall requirements for economic and social development and major tasks of the government for 2025.

    He said the principles of “one country, two systems”, “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” and a high degree of autonomy in the Hong Kong SAR should continue to be fully, faithfully and resolutely implemented, while maintaining the constitutional order in the Hong Kong SAR as stipulated in the Constitution and the Basic Law and implementing the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”.

    The Premier expressed support for Hong Kong in strengthening economic development and improving people’s livelihood, deepening international exchanges and co-operation, with a view to better integrating into the overall national development and maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of the city.

    He also highlighted the need to enhance the innovation capabilities and influence of economically advantageous areas, including the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

    The Chief Executive said he was most encouraged, adding that this year marks the conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan and the beginning of the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan.

    It is also a crucial year for deepening comprehensive reforms, which are of significant importance for the implementation of “one country, two systems”, he added.

    Mr Lee said the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to fully, faithfully and resolutely implement the principles of “one country, two systems”, “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” and a high degree of autonomy.

    He also noted that it will unite all sectors of society to deepen comprehensive reforms, actively understand, respond to and embrace changes, and better leverage the institutional strengths of “one country, two systems” and Hong Kong’s unique and advantages of internationalisation to open up new development opportunities.

    The Hong Kong SAR Government will spare no effort in pursuing economic development, improving people’s livelihood and exploring new growth areas, the Chief Executive stressed.

    Coupled with market forces, the Hong Kong SAR Government will adopt an innovative mindset to take forward the development of the Northern Metropolis and the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, accelerating the development of the international innovation and technology centre, Mr Lee said.

    Additionally, it aims to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, building the city as an international hub for high-calibre talent, concurrently promoting the bay area’s high-quality development and actively integrating into national development.

    It will also enhance Hong Kong’s international competitiveness, deepen international exchanges and co-operation, and strengthen its role to link the Mainland with global markets, so as to achieve better development in Hong Kong and make further contributions to building the great country and advancing national rejuvenation.

    Mr Lee extended his best wishes for the success of the third session of the 14th NPC and the third session of the 14th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News