Source: Lightstream Resources Ltd.

PetroBakken Announces Shareholder Approval of Reorganization With Petrobank and Adoption of Share Dividend Program

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Dec. 17, 2012) - PetroBakken Energy Ltd. ("PetroBakken") (TSX:PBN) is pleased to announce that our previously announced corporate reorganization, which will result in shareholders of Petrobank Energy and Resources Ltd. ("Petrobank") (TSX:PBG) receiving Petrobank's 56% interest in PetroBakken (the "Reorganization"), has been approved by the shareholders of each of Petrobank and PetroBakken. We will seek final approval of the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta on Tuesday, December 18, 2012 and anticipate that the Arrangement will be made effective on December 31, 2012 (the "Effective Date").

The Reorganization is expected to be non-taxable to PetroBakken and its shareholders. Tax information has been published on the websites of both Petrobank and PetroBakken and shareholders are encouraged to seek the advice of their own tax professionals.

Concurrent with the Reorganization, PetroBakken has adopted a share dividend program ("SDP"). PetroBakken currently has a dividend reinvestment plan in place that is available only to Canadian PetroBakken Shareholders, the new SDP will be available to Canadian shareholders and will also enable most Non-Canadian shareholders to participate. Although PetroBakken expects that the SDP will ultimately replace the dividend reinvestment plan, the dividend reinvestment plan will remain in place for a transition period to allow registered and beneficial shareholders to enroll in the SDP.

Shareholders participating in the SDP can elect to receive share dividends on all or some of their shares. Anticipated benefits of participation in the SDP include:

  • Dividends will be paid in the form of shares to those shareholders who elect to participate in the SDP at 95% of the weighted average market price calculated 5 days before the payment date.

  • Participation in the SDP is not expected to generate dividend income for Canadian shareholders holding their shares in taxable accounts. Shares issued under the SDP are expected to have a nominal cost for Canadian tax purposes and, as a result, receipt of share dividends under the SDP will effectively result in a downward adjustment to the shareholder's cost base and would be taxed as a capital gain or loss upon the eventual sale of the shares. In addition, Canadian shareholders participating in the SDP may also benefit if the tax rate on capital gains is lower than the tax rate on dividend income applicable to their individual circumstances.

  • Non-Canadian shareholders holding PetroBakken shares in a taxable account who elect to participate in the SDP are not expected to be subject to Canadian withholding taxes that typically range from 15% to 25% on dividends paid by PetroBakken. Therefore the number of shares received under the SDP will reflect the entire amount of the share dividend.

  • Shareholders with tax-deferred accounts are not expected to be impacted.

All shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences to them of receiving cash or share dividends. For more details discussing the potential tax consequences of the SDP, please refer to PetroBakken and Petrobank's Joint Management Information Circular dated November 16, 2012 filed on SEDAR and available on our website at http://www.petrobakken.com.

Shareholders wishing to participate in the SDP should contact their broker or intermediary or, in the case of registered shareholders, contact our transfer agent, Olympia Trust Company. Further information in respect of the SDP, as well as the necessary enrolment forms, will be available on our website.

PetroBakken Energy Ltd. is an oil and gas exploration and production company combining light oil Bakken and Cardium resource plays with conventional light oil assets, delivering industry leading operating netbacks, strong cash flows and production growth. PetroBakken is applying leading edge technology to a multi-year inventory of Bakken and Cardium light oil development locations. Our strategy is to deliver accretive production and reserves growth, along with an attractive dividend yield.

Forward-Looking Statements. Certain information provided in this press release constitutes forward-looking statements. Specifically, this press release contains forward-looking statements relating to the terms of and timing for completion of the Reorganization, payment of future dividends, expected tax treatment of the Reorganization and the future share dividend program. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon assumptions and judgements with respect to the future including, but not limited to, the satisfaction of conditions to the Reorganization, the outlook for commodity markets and capital markets, the performance of producing wells and reservoirs, well development and operating performance, general economic and business conditions, weather, the regulatory and legal environment and other risks associated with oil and gas operations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect. Actual results achieved during the forecast period will vary from the information provided herein as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors. You can find a discussion of certain of those risks and uncertainties in our Canadian securities filings. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general economic, market and business conditions; fluctuations in oil prices; the results of exploration and development drilling, recompletions and related activities; timing and rig availability, fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates; the uncertainty of reserve estimates; changes in environmental and other regulations; risks associated with oil and gas operations; risks associated with the receipt of regulatory approval and the satisfaction of other conditions to the Reorganization, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Petrobank and PetroBakken. There is no representation by PetroBakken that actual results achieved during the forecast period will be the same in whole or in part as those forecast. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, neither Petrobank nor PetroBakken assumes any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or otherwise, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact Information:

PetroBakken Energy Ltd.
John D. Wright
President and Chief Executive Officer
(403) 268.7800

PetroBakken Energy Ltd.
Peter D. Scott
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(403) 268.7800

PetroBakken Energy Ltd.
Bill A. Kanters
Vice President Capital Markets
(403) 268.7800
ir@petrobakken.com
www.petrobakken.com