Topaz Energy said it will acquire gross overriding royalty (GORR) interests across ~134,000 gross acres in the NEBC Montney, 65% of which remain undeveloped from Tourmaline
Deal Terms:
Transaction Value: $71.7 million (cash)
Funding: Drawn from existing credit facilities
Acreage Quality: Core NEBC Montney fairway — primarily Tier-1 drilling inventory
Development Outlook: ~410 future Montney drilling locations (multi-zone potential)
Strategic Alignment: Provides Topaz direct exposure to Tourmaline’s multi-year NEBC build-out program and growth trajectory
High-Quality Inventory Linkage:
The lands are embedded within Tourmaline’s NEBC core area, which combines high-pressure Montney gas and liquids with existing infrastructure. These are among the most economically resilient locations in the Montney.
Royalty Stability & Upside:
Topaz’s business model leverages royalty exposure to production growth without direct capital risk. This transaction expands its royalty base by adding undeveloped Tier-1 acreage, effectively buying into future production optionality as Tourmaline accelerates its NEBC program.
Multi-Zone Potential:
The deal provides exposure to multiple stacked Montney horizons — often 3–4 productive intervals — enhancing potential throughput per section and increasing long-term reserve capture.
Funding & Leverage:
The all-cash deal, financed via existing facilities, suggests ample balance sheet flexibility and continued adherence to Topaz’s low-leverage acquisition strategy.
Tourmaline Alignment:
Reinforces the symbiotic relationship between Topaz and Tourmaline — the latter remains both a top operator and key counterparty. This ensures visibility into development cadence and reserves replacement.
This is a strategically accretive royalty expansion for Topaz, consistent with its model of acquiring high-quality, long-duration royalty streams in Tier-1 basins. It deepens its foothold in one of Western Canada’s most active and technically rich gas plays, while maintaining balance-sheet discipline.
The transaction adds embedded growth without incremental capital risk, positioning Topaz to benefit from both Tourmaline’s Montney ramp-up and any future LNG export-driven gas demand uplift.