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8-K - CURRENT REPORT - CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPchk05042010_8k.htm
EX-99.1 - PRESS RELEASE - MAY 3, 2010 - CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPchk05042010_991.htm
Exhibit 99.2

 
N e w s   R e l e a s e
 
Chesapeake Energy Corporation
P. O. Box 18496
Oklahoma City, OK  73154

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 4, 2010
 

 
INVESTOR CONTACTS: MEDIA CONTACT:
JEFFREY L. MOBLEY, CFA
(405) 767-4763
jeff.mobley@chk.com
 
JOHN J. KILGALLON
(405) 935-4441
john.kilgallon@chk.com
 
JIM GIPSON
 (405) 935-1310
jim.gipson@chk.com

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION REPORTS FINANCIAL RESULTS
FOR THE 2010 FIRST QUARTER

Company Reports 2010 First Quarter Net Income to Common Stockholders of
$590 Million, or $0.92 per Fully Diluted Common Share, on Revenue of $2.8 Billion;
Adjusted Net Income Available to Common Stockholders Was $524 Million, or
$0.82 per Fully Diluted Common Share; Adjusted Ebitda of $1.3 Billion
and Operating Cash Flow of $1.2 Billion Achieved

Company Reports 2010 First Quarter Production of 2.586 Bcfe per Day, an
Increase of 9% over 2009 First Quarter Production; Production Increases
19% Year-Over-Year Adjusted for Asset Sales; Production of
Oil and Natural Gas Liquids Increases 35% Year-Over-Year

Company Redirects Capital and Planned Operated Drilling Activity from
Natural Gas Plays to Oil and Natural Gas Liquids Plays

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA, MAY 4, 2010 – Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK) today announced financial results for the 2010 first quarter.  For the 2010 first quarter, Chesapeake reported net income to common stockholders of $590 million ($0.92 per fully diluted common share), operating cash flow of $1.166 billion (defined as cash flow from operating activities before changes in assets and liabilities) and ebitda of $1.441 billion (defined as net income before income taxes, interest expense, and depreciation, depletion and amortization) on revenue of $2.798 billion and production of 233 billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent (bcfe).

The company’s 2010 first quarter results include a realized natural gas and oil hedging gain of $399 million.  The results also include various items that are typically not included in published estimates of the company’s financial results by certain securities analysts.  Excluding the items detailed below, for the 2010 first quarter, Chesapeake reported adjusted net income to common stockholders of $524 million ($0.82 per fully diluted common share) and adjusted ebitda of $1.270 billion.  The excluded items and their effects on 2010 first quarter reported results are detailed as follows:
·  
a net non-cash unrealized after-tax mark-to-market gain of $209 million resulting from the company’s natural gas, oil and interest rate hedging programs;
·  
a non-cash after-tax charge of $142 million related to the deconsolidation of the company’s midstream joint venture; and
·  
a non-cash after-tax charge of $1 million on exchanges of certain of the company’s contingent convertible senior notes for shares of common stock.

The various items described above do not materially affect the calculation of operating cash flow.  A reconciliation of operating cash flow, ebitda, adjusted ebitda and adjusted net income to comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles is presented on pages 11 – 13 of this release.

Key Operational and Financial Statistics Summarized

The table below summarizes Chesapeake’s key results during the 2010 first quarter and compares them to results during the 2009 fourth quarter and the 2009 first quarter.
 
   
Three Months Ended
     
   
3/31/10
 
12/31/09
 
3/31/09
     
Average daily production (in mmcfe) (a)
   
2,586
   
2,618
   
2,367
     
Natural gas as % of total production
   
90
   
93
   
92
     
Natural gas production (in bcf)
   
209.6
   
224.5
   
195.7
     
Average realized natural gas price ($/mcf) (b)
   
6.31
   
6.05
   
6.05
     
Oil and natural gas liquids production (in mbbls)
   
3,871
   
2,737
   
2,874
     
Average realized oil and natural gas liquids price ($/bbl) (b)
   
67.70
   
71.61
   
39.12
     
Natural gas equivalent production (in bcfe)
   
232.8
   
240.9
   
213.0
     
Natural gas equivalent realized price ($/mcfe) (b)
   
6.80
   
6.45
   
6.09
     
Marketing, gathering and compression net margin($/mcfe)
   
.12
   
.23
   
.14
     
Service operations income ($/mcfe)
   
.03
   
.02
   
.03
     
Production expenses ($/mcfe)
   
(.89)
 
 
(.86)
 
 
(1.12)
 
   
Production taxes ($/mcfe)
   
(.21)
 
 
(.15)
 
 
(.11)
 
   
General and administrative costs ($/mcfe) (c)
   
(.38)
 
 
(.28)
 
 
(.33)
 
   
Stock-based compensation ($/mcfe)
   
(.09)
 
 
(.09)
 
 
(.09)
 
   
DD&A of natural gas and oil properties ($/mcfe)
   
(1.32)
 
 
(1.39)
 
 
(2.10)
 
   
D&A of other assets ($/mcfe)
   
(.21)
 
 
(.28)
 
 
(.27)
 
   
Interest expense ($/mcfe) (b)
   
(.22)
 
 
(.19)
 
 
(.14)
 
   
Operating cash flow ($ in millions) (d)
   
1,166
   
1,212
   
999
     
Operating cash flow ($/mcfe)
   
5.01
   
5.03
   
4.69
     
Adjusted ebitda ($ in millions) (e)
   
1,270
   
1,256
   
988
     
Adjusted ebitda ($/mcfe)
   
5.46
   
5.21
   
4.64
     
Net income (loss) to common stockholders ($ in millions)
   
590
   
(530)
 
 
(5,746)
 
   
Earnings (loss) per share – assuming dilution ($)
   
.92
   
(.84)
 
 
(9.63)
 
   
Adjusted net income to common stockholders ($ in millions) (f)
   
524
   
490
   
277
     
Adjusted earnings per share – assuming dilution ($)
   
.82
   
.77
   
.46
     
   
(a)
2010 production reflects the sale of a 25% joint venture interest in the company’s Barnett Shale assets on January 25, 2010 (averaging approximately 155 mmcfe per day during the 2010 first quarter) and its sixth volumetric production payment transaction on February 5, 2010 (averaging approximately 14 mmcfe per day during the 2010 first quarter)
(b)
Includes the effects of realized gains (losses) from hedging, but does not include the effects of unrealized gains (losses) from hedging
(c)
Excludes expenses associated with non-cash stock-based compensation
(d)
Defined as cash flow provided by operating activities before changes in assets and liabilities
(e)
Defined as net income (loss) before income taxes, interest expense, and depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, as adjusted to remove the effects of certain items detailed on page 12
(f)
Defined as net income (loss) available to common stockholders, as adjusted to remove the effects of certain items detailed on page 13.


2010 First Quarter Average Daily Production Increases 9% over 2009 First Quarter
Production; Production Increases 19% Year-Over-Year Adjusted for Asset Sales;
Oil and Natural Gas Liquids Production Increases 35% Year-Over-Year

As announced on May 3, 2010, Chesapeake’s daily production for the 2010 first quarter averaged 2.586 bcfe, a decrease of 32 million cubic feet of natural gas equivalent (mmcfe), or 1%, below the 2.618 bcfe produced per day in the 2009 fourth quarter and an increase of 219 mmcfe, or 9%, over the 2.367 bcfe produced per day in the 2009 first quarter.  Adjusted for 2010 first quarter asset sales of a 25% joint venture interest in the company’s Barnett Shale assets (averaging approximately 155 mmcfe per day of production during the 2010 first quarter) and the company’s sixth volumetric production payment transaction (averaging approximately 14 mmcfe per day during the 2010 first quarter), Chesapeake’s sequential and year-over-year daily production growth rates would have been 5% and 19%, respectively.

Chesapeake’s average daily production of 2.586 bcfe for the 2010 first quarter consisted of 2.328 billion cubic feet of natural gas (bcf) and 43,011 barrels of oil and natural gas liquids (bbls).  The company’s 2010 first quarter production of 232.8 bcfe was comprised of 209.6 bcf (90% on a natural gas equivalent basis) and 3.9 million barrels of oil and natural gas liquids (mmbbls) (10% on a natural gas equivalent basis).  The company’s year-over-year growth rate of natural gas production was 7% and its year-over-year growth rate of oil and natural gas liquids production was 35%.

Chesapeake anticipates reporting full-year production growth of approximately 8-10% in 2010 and 16-18% in 2011 and expects to increase its oil and natural gas liquids production to more than 100,000 bbls per day, or 15-20% of total production, by year-end 2012 through organic growth.

Average Realized Prices, Hedging Results and Hedging Positions Detailed

Average prices realized during the 2010 first quarter (including realized gains or losses from natural gas and oil derivatives, but excluding unrealized gains or losses on such derivatives) were $6.31 per thousand cubic feet (mcf) and $67.70 per bbl, for a realized natural gas equivalent price of $6.80 per thousand cubic feet of natural gas equivalent (mcfe).  Realized gains from natural gas and oil hedging activities during the 2010 first quarter generated a $1.81 gain per mcf and a $5.11 gain per bbl for a 2010 first quarter realized hedging gain of $399 million, or $1.71 per mcfe.  Excluding hedging activity, Chesapeake’s average realized pricing basis differentials to NYMEX during the 2010 first quarter were a negative $0.80 per mcf and a negative $16.12 per bbl.

By comparison, average prices realized during the 2009 first quarter (including realized gains or losses from natural gas and oil derivatives, but excluding unrealized gains or losses on such derivatives) were $6.05 per mcf and $39.12 per bbl, for a realized natural gas equivalent price of $6.09 per mcfe.  Realized gains from natural gas and oil hedging activities during the 2009 first quarter generated a $2.61 gain per mcf and a $3.13 gain per bbl for a 2009 first quarter realized hedging gain of $519 million, or $2.44 per mcfe.  Excluding hedging activity, Chesapeake’s average realized pricing basis differentials to NYMEX during the 2009 first quarter were a negative $1.47 per mcf and a negative $7.09 per bbl.

The following tables summarize Chesapeake’s 2010 and 2011 open hedge positions through swaps and collars as of May 4, 2010.  Depending on changes in natural gas and oil futures markets and management’s view of underlying natural gas and oil supply and demand trends, Chesapeake may either increase or decrease its hedging positions at any time in the future without notice.

 
Open Swap Positions as of May 4, 2010

   
Natural Gas
 
Oil
Year
 
% Hedged
 
$ NYMEX
 
% Hedged
 
$ NYMEX
2010
 
55%
 
7.52
 
52%
 
89.62
                 
2011
 
16%
 
7.91
 
12%
 
96.09

Open Natural Gas Collar Positions as of May 4, 2010

       
Average
Floor
 
Average
Ceiling
Year
 
% Hedged
 
$ NYMEX
 
$ NYMEX
2010
 
4%
 
7.21
 
9.97
             
2011
 
1%
 
7.70
 
11.50

As of April 30, 2010, Chesapeake’s natural gas and oil hedging positions with its 14 different counterparties had a positive mark-to-market value of approximately $265 million.  The company’s natural gas and oil realized hedging gains for the first three months of 2010 were $399 million and since January 1, 2001 have been $4.8 billion.
 
 
The company’s updated forecasts and hedging positions for 2010 and 2011 are attached to this release in an Outlook dated May 4, 2010, labeled as Schedule “A,” which begins on page 14.  This Outlook has been changed from the Outlook dated February 17, 2010, attached as Schedule “B,” which begins on page 18, to reflect various updated information.

Company Redirects Capital and Planned Operated Drilling Activity from
Natural Gas Plays to Oil and Natural Gas Liquids Plays

Due to recent low natural gas prices and ongoing success in the company’s liquids-rich plays, Chesapeake has revised its 2010 and 2011 drilling plans to redirect capital from its natural gas plays to its liquids-rich plays.  In its natural gas shale plays, Chesapeake has reduced its previously planned 2010 peak of 120 operated rigs to approximately 106 rigs and its planned 2011 peak of 122 operated rigs to approximately 105 rigs.  In total, the company has reduced its planned capital expenditures on natural gas-focused plays by approximately $300 million and $400 million in 2010 and 2011, 12% and 17%, respectively.  The company plans to redirect this capital to accelerate drilling activity in its increasingly successful liquids-rich plays.  In particular, Chesapeake plans to increase its drilling activity in its Granite Wash, Eagle Ford Shale, Anadarko Basin, Permian Basin and Rocky Mountain unconventional liquids-rich plays where it is currently drilling with 21 operated drilling rigs.  Chesapeake has acquired approximately 1.9 million net acres of leasehold in these plays, and its goal is to achieve a 50-operated-rig drilling program in these plays within the next six to 12 months, which would lead to more rapid value creation from the company's liquids-rich assets.  Chesapeake is exploring various alternatives to enable it to recover its leasehold expenditures and to fund accelerated drilling in these plays.

 
Company Provides Update on Recently Completed and Pending Asset Monetizations

In January 2010, Chesapeake completed its Barnett Shale joint venture with Total E&P USA, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Total S.A. (NYSE:TOT; FP:FP), in which Total paid $800 million in cash at closing and agreed to pay $1.45 billion in drilling carries, of which approximately $450 million is expected to be received in 2010.  In February 2010, the company completed its sixth volumetric production payment (VPP) for proceeds of $180 million, or $3.95 per mcfe of proved reserves.  In March 2010, as part of its joint venture arrangement with Statoil (NYSE:STO: OSE:STL), Chesapeake sold approximately 50,000 net acres of leasehold in the Marcellus Shale for approximately $245 million to Statoil.

Subsequent to the end of the 2010 first quarter, Chesapeake sold or has agreed to sell leasehold and producing assets for combined proceeds of approximately $750 million in three asset sale transactions and a VPP.  The asset sale transactions, include $400 million of non-core producing assets in the Permian Basin and the Appalachian Basin with combined production of approximately 30 mmcfe per day and proved reserves of approximately 180 bcfe as well as certain non-core East Texas Haynesville Shale leasehold.  In addition, Chesapeake anticipates completing its seventh VPP transaction in May 2010 on certain Chesapeake-operated long-lived oil and liquids-rich producing assets in the Permian Basin for proceeds of approximately $350 million, or approximately $8.75 per mcfe of proved reserves.  The assets in the pending seventh VPP include proved reserves of approximately 40 bcfe and current net production of approximately 6 mmcf and 2,200 bbls per day.

Conference Call Information

A conference call to discuss this release of financial results and the company's release of its operational results issued on May 3, 2010 has been scheduled for Wednesday morning, May 5, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. EDT.  The telephone number to access the conference call is 913-312-0677 or toll-free 888-812-8589.  The passcode for the call is 4406803.  We encourage those who would like to participate in the call to dial the access number between 9:50 and 10:00 a.m. EDT.  For those unable to participate in the conference call, a replay will be available for audio playback from 2:00 p.m. EDT on May 5, 2010 through midnight EDT on May 19, 2010.  The number to access the conference call replay is 719-457-0820 or toll-free 888-203-1112.  The passcode for the replay is 4406803.  The conference call will also be webcast live on the Internet and can be accessed by going to Chesapeake’s website at www.chk.com in the “Events” subsection of the “Investors” section of the website.  The webcast of the conference call will be available on Chesapeake’s website for one year.

This press release and the accompanying Outlooks include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Forward-looking statements give our current expectations or forecasts of future events.  They include expected natural gas and oil production and future expenses, assumptions regarding future natural gas and oil prices, planned drilling activity, drilling and completion costs and anticipated asset sales, projected cash flow and liquidity, business strategy and other plans and objectives for future operations.  Disclosures concerning the fair value of derivative contracts and their estimated contribution to our future results of operations are based upon market information as of a specific date.  These market prices are subject to significant volatility.  We caution you not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release, and we undertake no obligation to update this information.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results are described under “Risk Factors” in our 2009 Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2010.  These risk factors include the volatility of natural gas and oil prices; the limitations our level of indebtedness may have on our financial flexibility; declines in the values of our natural gas and oil properties resulting in ceiling test write-downs; the availability of capital on an economic basis, including planned asset monetization transactions, to fund reserve replacement costs; our ability to replace reserves and sustain production; uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of natural gas and oil reserves and projecting future rates of production and the amount and timing of development expenditures; potential differences in our interpretations of new reserve disclosure rules and future SEC guidance; inability to generate profits or achieve targeted results in drilling and well operations; leasehold terms expiring before production can be established; hedging activities resulting in lower prices realized on natural gas and oil sales and the need to secure hedging liabilities; a reduced ability to borrow or raise additional capital as a result of  lower natural gas and oil prices; drilling and operating risks, including potential environmental liabilities; legislative and regulatory changes adversely affecting our industry and our business; general economic conditions negatively impacting us and our business counterparties; transportation capacity constraints and interruptions that could adversely affect our cash flow; and adverse results in pending or future litigation.

Our production forecasts are dependent upon many assumptions, including estimates of production decline rates from existing wells and the outcome of future drilling activity.  Although we believe the expectations and forecasts reflected in these and other forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance they will prove to have been correct.  They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties.

Chesapeake Energy Corporation is the second-largest producer of natural gas and the most active driller of new wells in the U.S.  Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the company's operations are focused on discovering and developing unconventional natural gas and oil fields onshore in the U.S. Chesapeake owns leading positions in the Barnett, Fayetteville, Haynesville, Marcellus, and Bossier natural gas shale plays and in the Eagle Ford, Granite Wash and various other unconventional oil plays. The company has also vertically integrated its operations and owns substantial midstream, compression, drilling and oilfield service assets. Further information is available at www.chk.com.

 

 
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
($ in millions, except per-share and unit data)
(unaudited)

THREE MONTHS ENDED:
 
March 31,
 
March 31,
 
 
2010
 
  2009
 
   
$
 
$/mcfe
 
$
 
$/mcfe
 
REVENUES:
                     
Natural gas and oil sales
   
1,898
 
8.16
   
1,397
 
6.56
 
Marketing, gathering and compression sales
   
844
 
3.62
   
552
 
2.59
 
Service operations revenue
   
56
 
0.24
   
46
 
0.22
 
Total Revenues
   
2,798
 
12.02
   
1,995
 
9.37
 
                       
OPERATING COSTS:
                     
Production expenses
   
207
 
0.89
   
238
 
1.12
 
Production taxes
   
48
 
0.21
   
23
 
0.11
 
General and administrative expenses
   
109
 
0.47
   
90
 
0.42
 
Marketing, gathering and compression expenses
   
815
 
3.50
   
523
 
2.45
 
Service operations expense
   
49
 
0.21
   
40
 
0.19
 
Natural gas and oil depreciation, depletion and amortization
   
308
 
1.32
   
447
 
2.10
 
Depreciation and amortization of other assets
   
50
 
0.21
   
57
 
0.27
 
Impairment of natural gas and oil properties and other assets
   
 
   
9,630
 
45.21
 
Total Operating Costs
   
1,586
 
6.81
   
11,048
 
51.87
 
                       
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS
   
1,212
 
5.21
   
(9,053)
 
(42.50)
 
                       
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
                     
Other income (expense)
   
15
 
0.07
   
8
 
0.04
 
Interest expense
   
(25)
 
(0.11)
 
 
14
 
0.06
 
Impairment of investments
   
 
   
(153)
 
(0.72)
 
Gain (loss) on exchanges of Chesapeake debt
   
(2)
 
(0.01)
 
 
 
 
Total Other Income (Expense)
   
(12)
 
(0.05)
 
 
(131)
 
(0.62)
 
                       
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE
   
1,200
 
5.16
   
(9,184)
 
(43.12)
 
                       
Income Tax Expense (Benefit):
                     
Current income taxes
   
 
   
 
 
Deferred income taxes
   
462
 
1.99
   
(3,444)
 
(16.17)
 
Total Income Tax Expense  (Benefit)
   
462
 
1.99
   
(3,444)
 
(16.17)
 
                       
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE, NET OF  TAX
   
738
 
3.17
   
(5,740)
 
(26.95)
 
                       
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax
   
(142)
 
(0.61)
 
 
 
 
                       
NET INCOME (LOSS)                                           
   
596
 
2.56
   
(5,740)
 
(26.95)
 
                       
Preferred stock dividends
   
(6)
 
(0.02)
 
 
(6)
 
(0.03)
 
                       
NET INCOME (LOSS) AVAILABLE TO CHESAPEAKE
  COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
   
590
 
2.54
   
(5,746)
 
(26.98)
 
                       
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE - BASIC:
                     
Income before cumulative effect of accounting change
 
$
1.17
     
$
(9.63)
 
   
Cumulative effect of accounting change
   
(0.23)
 
     
     
   
$
0.94
     
$
(9.63)
 
   
                       
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE – ASSUMING DILUTION:
                     
Income before cumulative effect of accounting change
 
$
1.14
     
$
(9.63)
 
   
Cumulative effect of accounting change
   
(0.22)
 
     
     
   
$
0.92
     
$
(9.63)
 
   
                       
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON AND COMMON
                     
  EQUIVALENT SHARES OUTSTANDING (in millions)
                     
Basic
   
630
       
597
     
Assuming dilution
   
647
       
597
     


CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
($ in millions)
(unaudited)

   
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
   
2010
 
2009
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
516
 
$
307
 
Other current assets
   
2,819
   
2,139
 
Total Current Assets
   
3,335
   
2,446
 
               
Property and equipment (net)
   
25,655
   
26,710
 
Other assets
   
1,298
   
758
 
Total Assets
 
$
30,288
 
$
29,914
 
               
Current liabilities
 
$
3,123
 
$
2,688
 
Long-term debt, net (a)
   
12,204
   
12,295
 
Asset retirement obligation
   
283
   
282
 
Other long-term liabilities
   
1,167
   
1,249
 
Deferred tax liability
   
1,295
   
1,059
 
Total Liabilities
   
18,072
   
17,573
 
               
Chesapeake Stockholders’ Equity
   
12,216
   
11,444
 
Noncontrolling interest
   
   
897
 
Total equity
   
12,216
   
12,341
 
               
Total Liabilities & Equity
 
$
30,288
 
$
29,914
 
               
Common Shares Outstanding (in millions)
   
651
   
648
 

 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION
CAPITALIZATION
($ in millions)
(unaudited)

 
 
March 31,
 
% of Total
Book
 
 
December 31,
 
% of Total Book
 
2010
 
Capitalization
 
2009 (a)
 
Capitalization
               
Total debt, net of cash (a)
$
11,688
   
49%
 
$
11,988
   
49%
Chesapeake stockholders'
equity
 
12,216
   
51%
   
11,444
   
47%
Noncontrolling interest (b)
 
   
   
897
   
4%
Total
$
23,904
   
100%
 
$
24,329
   
100%

(a)
At March 31, 2010, includes $1.872 billion of combined borrowings under the company’s $3.5 billion revolving bank credit facility and the company’s $250 million midstream revolving bank credit facility.  At March 31, 2010, the company had $1.837 billion of additional borrowing capacity under these two revolving bank credit facilities.
(b)
Effective January 1, 2010, we no longer consolidate the company’s midstream joint venture and consequently no longer report a noncontrolling interest related to this investment.


CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA – NATURAL GAS AND OIL SALES AND INTEREST EXPENSE
 (unaudited)

THREE MONTHS ENDED:
   
March 31, 2010
   
March 31,
2009
 
               
Natural Gas and Oil Sales ($ in millions):
             
Natural gas sales
 
$
942
 
$
674
 
Natural gas derivatives – realized gains (losses)
   
379
   
510
 
Natural gas derivatives – unrealized gains (losses)
   
415
   
68
 
               
Total Natural Gas Sales
   
1,736
   
1,252
 
               
Oil sales
   
242
   
104
 
Oil derivatives – realized gains (losses)
   
20
   
9
 
Oil derivatives – unrealized gains (losses)
   
(100)
 
 
32
 
               
Total Oil Sales
   
162
   
145
 
               
Total Natural Gas and Oil Sales
 
$
1,898
 
$
1,397
 
               
Average Sales Price – excluding gains (losses) on derivatives:
             
Natural gas ($ per mcf)
 
$
4.50
 
$
3.44
 
Oil ($ per bbl)
 
$
62.59
 
$
35.99
 
Natural gas equivalent ($ per mcfe)
 
$
5.09
 
$
3.65
 
               
Average Sales Price – excluding unrealized gains (losses)
 on derivatives:
             
Natural gas ($ per mcf)
 
$
6.31
 
$
6.05
 
Oil ($ per bbl)
 
$
67.70
 
$
39.12
 
Natural gas equivalent ($ per mcfe)
 
$
6.80
 
$
6.09
 
               
Interest Expense (Income) ($ in millions):
             
Interest
 
$
55
 
$
38
 
Derivatives – realized (gains) losses
   
(3)
 
 
(7)
 
Derivatives – unrealized (gains) losses
   
(27)
 
 
(45)
 
Total Interest Expense
 
$
25
 
$
(14)
 

 
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW DATA
($ in millions)
(unaudited)

   
March 31,
   
March 31,
 
THREE MONTHS ENDED:
 
2010
   
2009
 
             
Beginning cash
  $ 307     $ 1,749  
Cash provided by operating activities
  $ 1,183     $ 1,261  
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities:
               
Exploration and development of natural gas and oil properties
  $ (1,014)     $ (1,347)  
Acquisitions of natural gas and oil companies, proved and unproved
properties and leasehold, net of cash acquired
    (968 )       (413)  
Proceeds from divestitures of proved and unproved properties,
leasehold and VPPs
    1,156        
Additions to other property and equipment
    (279)       (667)  
Additions to investments
    (6)       (8)  
Proceeds from sale of compressors
          68  
Proceeds from sale of other assets
    56        
Deposits for divestitures
    21        
Other
    20        
Total cash (used in) investing activities
  $ (1,014)     $ (2,367)  
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities
  $ 40     $ (560)  
Ending cash
  $ 516     $ 83  
                 

 
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION
RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING CASH FLOW AND EBITDA
($ in millions)
(unaudited)

THREE MONTHS ENDED:
March 31,
   
December 31,
   
March 31,
 
2010
   
2009
   
2009
 
                       
CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
$
1,183
   
$
1,226
   
$
1,261
 
                       
Changes in assets and liabilities
 
(17)
 
   
(14)
 
   
(262)
 
                       
OPERATING CASH FLOW (a)
$
1,166
   
$
1,212
   
$
999
 


THREE MONTHS ENDED:
March 31,
   
December 31,
   
March 31,
 
2010
   
2009
   
2009
 
                       
NET INCOME (LOSS)
$
596
   
$
(499)
 
 
$
(5,740)
 
                       
Income tax expense (benefit)
 
462
     
(299)
 
   
(3,444)
 
Interest expense (income)
 
25
     
62
     
(14)
 
Depreciation and amortization of other assets
 
50
     
67
     
57
 
Natural gas and oil depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
308
     
335
     
447
 
                       
EBITDA (b)
$
1,441
   
$
(334)
 
 
$
(8,694)
 


THREE MONTHS ENDED:
March 31,
   
December 31,
   
March 31,
 
2010
   
2009
   
2009
 
                       
CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
$
1,183
   
$
1,226
   
$
1,261
 
                       
Changes in assets and liabilities
 
(17)
 
   
(14)
 
   
(262)
 
Interest expense (income)
 
25
     
62
     
(14)
 
Unrealized gains (losses) on natural gas and oil derivatives
 
315
     
(186)
 
   
101
 
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax
 
(142)
 
   
     
 
Impairment of natural gas and oil properties and other assets
 
     
(1,408)
 
   
(9,630)
 
Impairment of investments
 
     
     
(153)
 
Other non-cash items
 
77
     
(14)
 
   
3
 
                       
EBITDA (b)
$
1,441
   
$
(334)
 
 
$
(8,694)
 


(a)
Operating cash flow represents net cash provided by operating activities before changes in assets and liabilities.  Operating cash flow is presented because management believes it is a useful adjunct to net cash provided by operating activities under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP).  Operating cash flow is widely accepted as a financial indicator of a natural gas and oil company's ability to generate cash which is used to internally fund exploration and development activities and to service debt.  This measure is widely used by investors and rating agencies in the valuation, comparison, rating and investment recommendations of companies within the natural gas and oil exploration and production industry.  Operating cash flow is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities as an indicator of cash flows, or as a measure of liquidity.
(b)
Ebitda represents net income (loss) before income tax expense, interest expense and depreciation, depletion and amortization expense.  Ebitda is presented as a supplemental financial measurement in the evaluation of our business.  We believe that it provides additional information regarding our ability to meet our future debt service, capital expenditures and working capital requirements.  This measure is widely used by investors and rating agencies in the valuation, comparison, rating and investment recommendations of companies.  Ebitda is also a financial measurement that, with certain negotiated adjustments, is reported to our lenders pursuant to our bank credit agreements and is used in the financial covenants in our bank credit agreements and our senior note indentures.  Ebitda is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP.  Accordingly, it should not be considered as a substitute for net income, income from operations, or cash flow provided by operating activities prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EBITDA
($ in millions)
(unaudited)

   
March 31,
   
December 31,
   
March 31,
 
THREE MONTHS ENDED:
 
2010
   
2009
   
2009
 
                         
EBITDA
 
$
1,441
   
$
(334)
 
 
$
(8,694)
 
                         
Adjustments:
                       
(Income) attributable to noncontrolling interest
   
     
(25)
 
   
 
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax
   
142
     
     
 
Unrealized (gains) losses on natural gas and oil derivatives
   
(315)
 
   
186
     
(101)
 
Loss (gain) on exchanges of Chesapeake debt
   
2
     
21
     
 
Impairment of natural gas and oil properties and other
Assets
   
     
1,408
     
9,630
 
Impairment of investments
   
     
     
153
 
                         
Adjusted EBITDA (a)
 
$
1,270
   
$
1,256
   
$
988
 


(a)
Adjusted ebitda excludes certain items that management believes affect the comparability of operating results.  The company discloses these non-GAAP financial measures as a useful adjunct to ebitda because:
 
i.
Management uses adjusted ebitda to evaluate the company’s operational trends and performance relative to other natural gas and oil producing companies.
 
ii.
Adjusted ebitda is more comparable to estimates provided by securities analysts.
 
iii.
Items excluded generally are one-time items or items whose timing or amount cannot be reasonably estimated.  Accordingly, any guidance provided by the company generally excludes information regarding these types of items.


CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
($ in millions, except per-share data)
(unaudited)

   
March 31,
   
December 31,
   
March 31,
 
THREE MONTHS ENDED:
 
2010
   
2009
   
2009
 
                         
Net income (loss) available to Chesapeake common
stockholders
 
$
590
   
 
(530)
 
 
$
(5,746)
 
                         
Adjustments:
                       
Unrealized (gains) losses on derivatives, net of tax
   
(209)
 
   
126
     
(91)
 
Impairment of natural gas and oil properties and other assets, net of tax
 
 
     
880
     
6,019
 
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax
   
142
     
     
 
Impairment of investments, net of tax
   
     
     
95
 
Loss (gain) on exchanges of Chesapeake debt, net of tax
   
1
     
14
     
 
                         
Adjusted net income available to Chesapeake common
stockholders (a)
   
524
     
490
     
277
 
Preferred stock dividends
   
6
     
6
     
6
 
Total adjusted net income
 
$
530
   
$
496
   
$
283
 
                         
Weighted average fully diluted shares outstanding (b)
   
647
     
644
     
613
 
                         
Adjusted earnings per share assuming dilution(a)
 
$
0.82
   
$
0.77
   
$
0.46
 

(a)
Adjusted net income available to common stockholders and adjusted earnings per share assuming dilution exclude certain items that management believes affect the comparability of operating results.  The company discloses these non-GAAP financial measures as a useful adjunct to GAAP earnings because:
 
i.
Management uses adjusted net income available to common stockholders to evaluate the company’s operational trends and performance relative to other natural gas and oil producing companies.
 
ii.
Adjusted net income available to common stockholders is more comparable to earnings estimates provided by securities analysts.
 
iii.
Items excluded generally are one-time items or items whose timing or amount cannot be reasonably estimated.  Accordingly, any guidance provided by the company generally excludes information regarding these types of items.
(b)
Weighted average fully diluted shares outstanding include shares that were considered antidilutive for calculating earnings per share in accordance with GAAP.



 
 

 


SCHEDULE “A”

CHESAPEAKE’S OUTLOOK AS OF MAY 4, 2010

Years Ending December 31, 2010 and 2011

Our policy is to periodically provide guidance on certain factors that affect our future financial performance.  As of May 4, 2010, we are using the following key assumptions in our projections for 2010 and 2011.

The primary changes from our February 17, 2010 Outlook are in italicized bold and are explained as follows:
1)  
Our production guidance has been increased;
2)  
Projected effects of changes in our hedging positions have been updated;
3)  
Equivalent shares outstanding has been updated to reflect exchanges of convertible senior notes; and
4)  
Our cash flow projections have been updated, including increased drilling capital expenditures to reflect additional drilling on oil and natural gas liquids rich plays and anticipated cost inflation, partially offset by improved drilling efficiencies.

     
Year Ending
12/31/2010
 
Year Ending
12/31/2011
Estimated Production:
         
     Natural gas – bcf
   
874 – 894
 
990 – 1,010
     Oil – mbbls
   
17,000
 
26,500
     Natural gas equivalent – bcfe
   
976 – 996
 
1,149 – 1,169
           
Daily natural gas equivalent midpoint – mmcfe
   
2,700
 
3,175
           
Year-over-year (YOY) estimated production increase
   
8 – 10%
 
16 – 18%
YOY estimated production increase excluding asset sales
   
15 – 17%
 
17 – 19%
           
NYMEX Price(a) (for calculation of realized hedging effects only):
         
     Natural gas - $/mcf
   
$5.21
 
$6.50
     Oil - $/bbl
   
$79.68
 
$80.00
           
Estimated Realized Hedging Effects (based on assumed NYMEX prices above):
         
      Natural gas - $/mcf
   
$1.82
 
$0.33
      Oil - $/bbl
   
$4.05
 
$3.82
           
Estimated Differentials to NYMEX Prices:
         
       Natural gas - $/mcf
   
15 – 20%
 
15 – 20%
       Oil - $/bbl
   
15 – 20%
 
15 – 20%
           
Operating Costs per Mcfe of Projected Production:
         
       Production expense
   
$0.85 – 0.95
 
$0.85 – 0.95
Production taxes (~ 5% of O&G revenues)
   
$0.25 – 0.30
 
$0.30 – 0.35
       General and administrative(b)
   
$0.30 – 0.35
 
$0.30 – 0.35
       Stock-based compensation (non-cash)
   
$0.09 – 0.11
 
$0.09 – 0.11
       DD&A of natural gas and oil assets
   
$1.35 – 1.55
 
$1.35 – 1.55
       Depreciation of other assets
   
$0.20 – 0.25
 
$0.20 – 0.25
       Interest expense(c)
   
$0.30 – 0.35
 
$0.30 – 0.35
           
Other Income per Mcfe:
         
Marketing, gathering and compression net margin
   
$0.07 – 0.09
 
$0.07 – 0.09
       Service operations net margin
   
$0.04 – 0.06
 
$0.04 – 0.06
       Equity in income of midstream joint venture (CMP)
   
$0.04 – 0.06
 
$0.04 – 0.06
           
Book Tax Rate (all deferred)
   
38.5%
 
38.5%
           
Equivalent Shares Outstanding (in millions):
         
       Basic
   
630 – 635
 
640 – 645
       Diluted
   
645 – 650
 
650 – 655
           
Operating cash flow before changes in assets and liabilities(d)(e)
   
$4,800 – 4,900
 
$5,100 – 5,800
Drilling and completion costs(f)
   
($4,200 – 4,500)
 
($4,300 – 4,600)
Dividends, capitalized interest, cash income taxes, etc.
   
($350 – 400)
 
($500 – 600)
Note: refer to footnotes on following page
         

(a)  
NYMEX natural gas prices have been updated for actual contract prices through May 2010 and NYMEX oil prices have been updated for actual contract prices through March 2010.
(b)  
Excludes expenses associated with noncash stock compensation.
(c)  
Does not include gains or losses on interest rate derivatives.
(d)  
A non-GAAP financial measure.  We are unable to provide a reconciliation to projected cash provided by operating activities, the most comparable GAAP measure, because of uncertainties associated with projecting future changes in assets and liabilities.
(e)  
Assumes NYMEX prices of $5.00 to $6.00 per mcf and $80.00 per bbl in 2010 and $6.00 to $7.00 per mcf and $80.00 per bbl in 2011.
(f)  
Net of drilling carries.

At March 31, 2010, the company had approximately $2.4 billion of cash and cash equivalents and additional borrowing capacity under its two revolving bank credit facilities.

Commodity Hedging Activities

The company utilizes hedging strategies to hedge the price of a portion of its future natural gas and oil production.  These strategies include:

1)
Swaps: Chesapeake receives a fixed price and pays a floating market price to the counterparty for the hedged commodity.
2)
Collars: These instruments contain a fixed floor price (put) and ceiling price (call).  If the market price exceeds the call strike price or falls below the put strike price, Chesapeake receives the fixed price and pays the market price.  If the market price is between the put and the call strike price, no payments are due from either party.  Three-way collars include an additional put option in exchange for a more favorable strike price on the collar.  This eliminates the counterparty’s downside exposure below the second put option.
3)
Knockout swaps: Chesapeake receives a fixed price and pays a floating market price.  The fixed price received by Chesapeake includes a premium in exchange for the possibility to reduce the counterparty’s exposure to zero, in any given month, if the floating market price is lower than certain pre-determined knockout prices.
4)
Call options: Chesapeake sells call options in exchange for a premium.  At the time of settlement, if the market price exceeds the fixed price of the call option, Chesapeake pays the counterparty such excess and if the market price settles below the fixed price of the call option, no payment is due from either party.
5)
Basis protection swaps: These instruments are arrangements that guarantee a price differential to NYMEX for natural gas from a specified delivery point.  For non-Appalachian Basin basis protection swaps, which typically have negative differentials to NYMEX, Chesapeake receives a payment from the counterparty if the price differential is greater than the stated terms of the contract and pays the counterparty if the price differential is less than the stated terms of the contract.  For Appalachian Basin basis protection swaps, which typically have positive differentials to NYMEX, Chesapeake receives a payment from the counterparty if the price differential is less than the stated terms of the contract and pays the counterparty if the price differential is greater than the stated terms of the contract.

All of our derivative instruments are net settled based on the difference between the fixed-price payment and the floating-price payment, resulting in a net amount due to or from the counterparty.

Commodity markets are volatile, and as a result, Chesapeake’s hedging activity is dynamic.  As market conditions warrant, the company may elect to settle a hedging transaction prior to its scheduled maturity date and lock in the gain or loss on the transaction.

Chesapeake enters into natural gas and oil derivative transactions in order to mitigate a portion of its exposure to adverse market changes in natural gas and oil prices.  Accordingly, associated gains or losses from the derivative transactions are reflected as adjustments to natural gas and oil sales.  All realized gains and losses from natural gas and oil derivatives are included in natural gas and oil sales in the month of related production.  In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, certain derivatives do not qualify for designation as cash flow hedges.  Changes in the fair value of these nonqualifying derivatives that occur prior to their maturity (i.e., because of temporary fluctuations in value) are reported currently in the consolidated statement of operations as unrealized gains (losses) within natural gas and oil sales.  Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, to the extent effective in offsetting cash flows attributable to hedged risk, are recorded in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings.  Any change in fair value resulting from ineffectiveness is recognized currently in natural gas and oil sales.

The company currently has the following open natural gas swaps in place for 2010 and 2011 and also has the following gains from lifted natural gas trades:
   
Open Swaps
(Bcf)
 
Avg.
NYMEX
 Strike Price
of
Open Swaps
 
Assuming
Natural Gas Production
(Bcf)
 
Open Swap
Positions
as a % of
Estimated
Total
Natural Gas Production
 
Total
Gains from
Lifted Trades
($ millions)
 
Total
Lifted Gain
per Mcf
of Estimated
Total
Natural Gas Production
 
Q2 2010
 
129
 
$
7.40
           
$
36.9
           
Q3 2010
 
119
 
$
7.46
           
$
64.8
           
Q4 2010
 
120
 
$
7.70
           
$
64.4
           
Q2-Q4 2010(a)
 
368
 
$
7.52
   
675
 
55%
 
$
166.1
   
$
0.25
   
                                       
Total 2011(a)
 
157
 
$
7.91
   
1,000
 
16%
 
$
59.6
   
$
0.06
   

(a)
Certain hedging arrangements include knockout swaps with provisions limiting the counterparty’s exposure at prices ranging from $6.50 to $6.75 covering 5 bcf in Q2-Q4 2010 and $5.75 to $6.50 covering 24 bcf in 2011.

The company currently has the following open natural gas collars in place for 2010 and 2011:
   
Open Collars
(Bcf)
 
Avg.
NYMEX
Floor Price
 
Avg.
NYMEX
Ceiling Price
 
Assuming
Natural Gas
Production
(Bcf)
 
Open Collars
as a % of
Estimated Total
Natural Gas
Production
Q2 2010
 
16
 
$
7.04
   
$
9.17
         
Q3 2010
 
4
 
$
7.60
   
$
11.75
         
Q4 2010
 
4
 
$
7.60
   
$
11.75
         
Q2-Q4 2010(a)
 
24
 
$
7.21
   
$
9.97
   
675
 
4%
                             
Total 2011
 
7
 
$
7.70
   
$
11.50
   
1,000
 
1%

(a)
Certain collar arrangements include three-way collars that include written put options with a strike price of $4.35 covering 4 bcf in 2010.

The company currently has the following natural gas written call options in place for 2010 and 2011:
   
Call Options
(Bcf)
 
Avg.
NYMEX
Floor Price
 
Avg. Premium
per mcf
 
Assuming
Natural Gas
Production
(Bcf)
 
Call Options
as a % of
Estimated Total
Natural Gas
Production
Q2 2010
 
28
 
$
9.94
   
$
1.46
         
Q3 2010
 
39
 
$
9.89
   
$
1.10
         
Q4 2010
 
39
 
$
10.07
   
$
1.10
         
Q2-Q4 2010
 
106
 
$
9.97
   
$
1.20
   
675
 
16%
                             
Total 2011
 
69
 
$
9.51
   
$
0.61
   
1,000
 
7%

The company has the following natural gas basis protection swaps in place for 2010, 2011 and 2012:
 
 
Non-Appalachia
 
Appalachia
Volume (Bcf)
 
NYMEX less(a)
 
Volume (Bcf)
 
NYMEX plus(a)
Q2-Q4 2010
 
 
$
   
8
 
$
0.26
 
2011
 
45
   
0.82
   
12
   
0.25
 
2012
 
43
   
0.85
   
   
 
Totals
 
88
 
$
0.84
   
20
 
$
0.26
 

(a)
weighted average
The company also has the following crude oil swaps in place for 2010 and 2011:
 
Open Swaps
(mbbls)
 
Avg. NYMEX
Strike Price
 
Assuming
Oil Production
(mbbls)
 
Open Swap
Positions as a %
of Estimated
Total Oil Production
 
Total Gains (Losses) from
Lifted Trades
($ millions)
 
Total Lifted Gains (Losses) per bbl of Estimated
Total Oil Production
Q2 2010
2,275
 
$
89.62
   
 
 
$
(4.0
)
   
 
Q3 2010
2,300
 
$
89.62
   
 
 
$
(4.1
)
   
 
Q4 2010
2,300
 
$
89.62
   
 
 
$
(4.1
)
   
 
Q2-Q4 2010(a)
6,875
 
$
89.62
   
13,100
 
52%
 
$
(12.2
)
 
$
(0.93
)
                                   
Total 2011(a)
3,285
 
$
96.09
   
26,500
 
12%
 
$
32.9
   
$
1.24
 

(a)
Certain hedging arrangements include knockout swaps with provisions limiting the counterparty’s exposure below prices of $60.00 covering 4 mmbbls and 1 mmbbls in Q2-Q4 2010 and 2011, respectively.

Note:  Not shown above are written call options covering 1 mmbbls of oil production in Q2-Q4 2010 at a weighted average price of $101.25 per bbl for a weighted average discount of $1.93 per bbl and 3 mmbls of oil production in 2011 at a weighted average price of $93.13 per bbl for a weighted average premium of $5.34 per bbl.


 
 

 


SCHEDULE “B”

CHESAPEAKE’S OUTLOOK AS OF FEBRUARY 17, 2010
(PROVIDED FOR REFERENCE ONLY)
NOW SUPERSEDED BY OUTLOOK AS OF MAY 4, 2010

Years Ending December 31, 2010 and 2011

Our policy is to periodically provide guidance on certain factors that affect our future financial performance.  As of February 17, 2010, we are using the following key assumptions in our projections for 2010 and 2011.

The primary changes from our January 4, 2010 Outlook are in italicized bold and are explained as follows:
1)  
Our production guidance has been increased;
2)  
Projected effects of changes in our hedging positions have been updated;
3)  
Certain cost assumptions have been updated;
4)  
Our rate of DD&A for natural gas and oil has been reduced to reflect our 2009 year-end impairment charge; and
5)  
Our cash flow projections have been updated, including increased drilling capital expenditures to reflect additional drilling on oil and natural gas liquids rich plays and anticipated cost inflation, partially offset by improved drilling efficiencies.


 
Year Ending
12/31/2010
 
Year Ending
12/31/2011
Estimated Production:
     
     Natural gas – bcf
882 – 902
 
1,025 – 1,045
     Oil – mbbls
15,500
 
17,500
     Natural gas equivalent – bcfe
975 – 995
 
1,130 – 1,150
       
Daily natural gas equivalent midpoint – mmcfe
2,700
 
3,125
       
Year-over-year estimated production increase
8 – 10%
 
15 – 17%
Year-over-year estimated production increase excluding divestitures and curtailments
15 – 17%
 
16 – 18%
       
NYMEX Price(a) (for calculation of realized hedging effects only):
     
     Natural gas - $/mcf
$6.26
 
$7.50
     Oil - $/bbl
$79.87
 
$80.00
       
Estimated Realized Hedging Effects (based on assumed NYMEX prices above):
     
      Natural gas - $/mcf
$1.24
 
$0.25
      Oil - $/bbl
$4.25
 
$5.78
       
Estimated Differentials to NYMEX Prices:
     
       Natural gas - $/mcf
15 – 25%
 
15 – 25%
       Oil - $/bbl
10 – 15%
 
10 – 15%
Operating Costs per Mcfe of Projected Production:
     
       Production expense
$0.85 – 0.95
 
$0.85 – 0.95
Production taxes (~ 5% of O&G revenues)
$0.25 – 0.30
 
$0.30 – 0.35
       General and administrative(b)
$0.30 – 0.35
 
$0.30 – 0.35
       Stock-based compensation (non-cash)
$0.09 – 0.11
 
$0.09 – 0.11
       DD&A of natural gas and oil assets
$1.35 – 1.55
 
$1.35 – 1.55
       Depreciation of other assets
$0.20 – 0.25
 
$0.20 – 0.25
       Interest expense(c)
$0.30 – 0.35
 
$0.30 – 0.35
       
Other Income per Mcfe:
     
Marketing, gathering and compression net margin
$0.07 – 0.09
 
$0.07 – 0.09
       Service operations net margin
$0.04 – 0.06
 
$0.04 – 0.06
       Equity in income of midstream joint venture (CMP)
$0.04 – 0.06
 
$0.04 – 0.06
       
Book Tax Rate (all deferred)
38.5%
 
38.5%
       
Equivalent Shares Outstanding (in millions):
     
       Basic
625 – 630
 
635 – 640
       Diluted
640 – 645
 
645 – 650

       
       
 
Year Ending
12/31/2010
 
Year Ending
12/31/2011
Cash Flow Projections ($ in millions):
     
Operating cash flow before changes in assets and
liabilities(d)(e)
$4,900 – 5,000
 
$5,300 – 6,000
Net leasehold and producing property transactions
$1,300 – 1,700
 
$1,000 – 1,300
Drilling capital expenditures
($4,100 – 4,400)
 
($4,300 – 4,600)
Dividends, capitalized interest, cash income taxes, etc.
($350 – 400)
 
($500 – 600)
Other
($500 – 600)
 
($250 – 300)
Projected Net Cash Change
$1,250 – 1,300
 
$1,250 – 1,800
       
       
   
(a)
NYMEX natural gas prices have been updated for actual contract prices through February 2010 and NYMEX oil prices have been updated for actual contract prices through January 2010.
(b)
Excludes expenses associated with noncash stock compensation.
(c)
Does not include gains or losses on interest rate derivatives.
(d)
A non-GAAP financial measure.  We are unable to provide a reconciliation to projected cash provided by operating activities, the most comparable GAAP measure, because of uncertainties associated with projecting future changes in assets and liabilities.
(e)
Assumes NYMEX prices of $6.50 to $7.50 per mcf and $80.00 per bbl in 2010 and $7.00 to $8.00 per mcf and $80.00 per bbl in 2011.

At December 31, 2009, the company had approximately $2.6 billion of cash and cash equivalents and additional borrowing capacity under its three revolving bank credit facilities.

Commodity Hedging Activities

The company utilizes hedging strategies to hedge the price of a portion of its future natural gas and oil production.  These strategies include:

1)
Swaps: Chesapeake receives a fixed price and pays a floating market price to the counterparty for the hedged commodity.
2)
Collars: These instruments contain a fixed floor price (put) and ceiling price (call).  If the market price exceeds the call strike price or falls below the put strike price, Chesapeake receives the fixed price and pays the market price.  If the market price is between the put and the call strike price, no payments are due from either party.  On occasion, we make a three-way collar by selling an additional put option with the collar in exchange for a more favorable strike price on the collar.  This eliminates the counterparty’s downside exposure below the second put option.
3)
Knockout swaps: Chesapeake receives a fixed price and pays a floating market price.  The fixed price received by Chesapeake includes a premium in exchange for the possibility to reduce the counterparty’s exposure to zero, in any given month, if the floating market price is lower than certain pre-determined knockout prices.
4)
Call options: Chesapeake receives a premium from the counterparty in exchange for the sale of a call option.  If the market price exceeds the fixed price of the call option, Chesapeake pays the counterparty such excess.  If the market price settles below the fixed price of the call option, no payment is due from either party.
5)
Basis protection swaps: These instruments are arrangements that guarantee a price differential to NYMEX for natural gas from a specified delivery point.  For non-Appalachian Basin basis protection swaps, which typically have negative differentials to NYMEX, Chesapeake receives a payment from the counterparty if the price differential is greater than the stated terms of the contract and pays the counterparty if the price differential is less than the stated terms of the contract.  For Appalachian Basin basis protection swaps, which typically have positive differentials to NYMEX, Chesapeake receives a payment from the counterparty if the price differential is less than the stated terms of the contract and pays the counterparty if the price differential is greater than the stated terms of the contract.

All of our derivative instruments are net settled based on the difference between the fixed-price payment and the floating-price payment, resulting in a net amount due to or from the counterparty.

Commodity markets are volatile, and as a result, Chesapeake’s hedging activity is dynamic.  As market conditions warrant, the company may elect to settle a hedging transaction prior to its scheduled maturity date and lock in the gain or loss on the transaction.

Chesapeake enters into natural gas and oil derivative transactions in order to mitigate a portion of its exposure to adverse market changes in natural gas and oil prices.  Accordingly, associated gains or losses from the derivative transactions are reflected as adjustments to natural gas and oil sales.  All realized gains and losses from natural gas and oil derivatives are included in natural gas and oil sales in the month of related production.  In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, certain derivatives do not qualify for designation as cash flow hedges.  Changes in the fair value of these nonqualifying derivatives that occur prior to their maturity (i.e., because of temporary fluctuations in value) are reported currently in the consolidated statement of operations as unrealized gains (losses) within natural gas and oil sales.  Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, to the extent effective in offsetting cash flows attributable to hedged risk, are recorded in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings.  Any change in fair value resulting from ineffectiveness is recognized currently in natural gas and oil sales.

The company currently has the following open natural gas swaps in place and also has the following gains from lifted natural gas trades:
   
Open Swaps
(Bcf)
 
Avg.
NYMEX
 Strike Price
of
Open Swaps
 
Assuming
Natural Gas Production
(Bcf)
 
Open Swap
Positions
as a % of
Estimated
Total
Natural Gas Production
 
Total
Gains from
Lifted Trades
($ millions)
 
Total
Lifted Gain
per Mcf
of Estimated
Total
Natural Gas Production
 
                                           
Q1 2010
 
110
 
$
7.53
             
$
35.9
             
Q2 2010
 
123
 
$
7.43
             
$
37.9
             
Q3 2010
 
118
 
$
7.60
             
$
65.7
             
Q4 2010
 
119
 
$
7.75
             
$
65.2
             
Total 2010(a)
 
470
 
$
7.58
   
892
 
53%
   
$
204.7
     
$
0.23
   
                                           
Total 2011(a)
 
72
 
$
8.71
   
1,035
 
7%
   
$
62.7
     
$
0.06
   

(a)
Certain hedging arrangements include knockout swaps with provisions limiting the counterparty’s exposure at prices ranging from $5.50 to $6.75 covering 15 bcf in 2010 and $5.75 to $6.50 covering 24 bcf in 2011.

The company currently has the following open natural gas collars in place:
   
Open Collars
(Bcf)
 
Avg.
NYMEX
Floor Price
 
Avg.
NYMEX
Ceiling Price
 
Assuming
Natural Gas
Production
(Bcf)
 
Open Collars
as a % of
Estimated Total
Natural Gas
Production
                             
Q1 2010
 
43
 
$
6.49
   
$
8.51
         
Q2 2010
 
16
 
$
7.04
   
$
9.17
         
Q3 2010
 
4
 
$
7.60
   
$
11.75
         
Q4 2010
 
4
 
$
7.60
   
$
11.75
         
Total 2010(a)
 
67
 
$
6.75
   
$
9.03
   
892
 
8%
                             
Total 2011
 
7
 
$
7.70
   
$
11.50
   
1,035
 
1%

(a)
Certain collar arrangements include three-way collars that include written put options with a strike price ranging from $4.25 to $4.35 covering 12 bcf in 2010.
 

 
 

 
The company currently has the following natural gas written call options in place:
   
Call Options
(Bcf)
 
Avg.
NYMEX
Floor Price
 
Avg. Premium
per mcf
 
Assuming
Natural Gas
Production
(Bcf)
 
Call Options
as a % of
Estimated Total
Natural Gas
Production
                             
Q1 2010
 
28
 
$
10.19
   
$
1.47
         
Q2 2010
 
38
 
$
9.87
   
$
1.11
         
Q3 2010
 
43
 
$
9.93
   
$
0.98
         
Q4 2010
 
43
 
$
10.10
   
$
0.98
         
Total 2010
 
152
 
$
10.01
   
$
1.10
   
892
 
17%
                             
Total 2011
 
73
 
$
10.25
   
$
0.57
   
1,035
 
7%


The company has the following natural gas basis protection swaps in place:
 
Non-Appalachia
 
Appalachia
Volume (Bcf)
 
NYMEX less(a)
 
Volume (Bcf)
 
NYMEX plus(a)
2010
 
 
$
   
10
 
$
0.26
 
2011
 
45
   
0.82
   
12
   
0.25
 
2012
 
43
   
0.85
   
   
 
Totals
 
88
 
$
0.84
   
22
 
$
0.26
 

(a)
weighted average


The company also has the following crude oil swaps in place:
 
Open Swaps
(mbbls)
 
Avg. NYMEX
Strike Price
 
Assuming
Oil Production
(mbbls)
 
Open Swap
Positions as a %
of Estimated
Total Oil Production
 
Total Gains (Losses) from
Lifted Trades
($ millions)
 
Total Lifted
Gains (Losses)
per bbl of
Estimated
Total Oil Production
Q1 2010
2,250
 
$
89.62
   
 
 
$
(4.0
)
   
 
Q2 2010
2,275
 
$
89.62
   
 
 
$
(4.0
)
   
 
Q3 2010
2,300
 
$
89.62
   
 
 
$
(4.2
)
   
 
Q4 2010
2,300
 
$
89.62
   
 
 
$
(4.2
)
   
 
Total 2010(a)
9,125
 
$
89.62
   
15,500
 
59%
 
$
(16.4
)
 
$
(1.06
)
                                   
Total 2011(a)
3,285
 
$
96.09
   
17,500
 
19%
 
$
32.8
   
$
1.88
 

(a)
Certain hedging arrangements include knockout swaps with provisions limiting the counterparty’s exposure below prices of $60.00 covering 5 mmbbls and 1 mmbbls in 2010 and 2011, respectively.

Note:  Not shown above are written call options covering 1 mmbbls of oil production in 2010 at a weighted average price of $101.25 per bbl for a weighted average discount of $1.93 per bbl and 5 mmbls of oil production in 2011 at a weighted average price of $101.54 per bbl for a weighted average premium of $3.29 per bbl.