On April 10, 2026, Calgary-based Acerta Energy Ltd. closed its acquisition of operated light oil and gas assets in central Alberta's Cardium fairway from Hawthorne Energy, with the transaction publicly announced on April 14, 2026. The acquired assets produce approximately 8,300 barrels of oil equivalent per day and provide Acerta with an immediate scaled operating presence in one of Canada's most established conventional oil plays, with strong netbacks, shallow base decline, and an inventory of capital-efficient drilling and optimization opportunities. The transaction was backed by McIntyre Partners, a special situations and mid-market buy-out investor founded by Julian McIntyre that invests across upstream oil and gas, energy services, chemicals and industrial sectors, alongside global commodities trader Trafigura. In connection with the acquisition, Acerta completed a private placement of US$175 million of senior secured bonds due 2031 with institutional investors, arranged by Pareto Securities, the Nordic region's leading investment bank for oil and gas debt finance. In connection with Trafigura's role in the transaction and its investment in the bonds, Trafigura entered into agreements to market all oil, condensate and natural gas produced from the acquired assets. Regulatory approvals required to formally transition operatorship from Hawthorne Energy to Acerta are expected in the second quarter of 2026. GLJ Ltd. provided an independent reserves opinion on the acquired assets.