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Exhibit 99.1
STONE ENERGY CORPORATION
Announces Second Quarter 2011 Results
LAFAYETTE, LA. August 2, 2011
Stone Energy Corporation (NYSE: SGY) today announced financial and operational results for the second quarter of 2011. Some of the highlights include:
    Net daily production for the second quarter of 2011 averaged 37.8 MBoe (227 MMcfe) per day, which was slightly above the upper end of our second quarter guidance of 213-225 MMcfe per day. Average daily production for the third quarter of 2011 is expected to be 34.1-37.5 MBoe per day (205-225 MMcfe per day) with a gas/oil split of approximately 53%/47%.
 
    A Deep Gas discovery at LaPosada (La Cantera) was announced, with additional targets still to be tested. Continued drilling at the Lighthouse Bayou prospect with results expected over the next few months.
 
    In Appalachia, drilling efficiencies are projected to increase the wells drilled this year to 21-24 wells, while construction on the third-party pipeline is on schedule with production from the Mary area in West Virginia expected to be on line during the fourth quarter.
 
    Cane Creek well results at Hatch Point continue to be reviewed.
 
    A positive pricing differential for Louisiana Sweet Crudes to West Texas Intermediate pricing provided incremental margins of over $10 per barrel during the second quarter, which is expected to continue into the third quarter.
President and Chief Executive Officer David Welch stated, “We are excited about our Deep Gas discovery at LaPosada and are also looking forward to results from the ultra-Deep Gas Lighthouse Bayou prospect over the next few months. Production from LaPosada is expected by early next year. Over the next few months, we would also expect to see incremental Marcellus production as pipeline connections are completed. Production from the subsea tie-back at Pyrenees remains on schedule to commence by early 2012. We are continuing to review and evaluate Cane Creek well information at our Hatch Point field in the Paradox Basin and expect to have a plan-forward by year-end. Finally, our GOM shelf development program continues to provide steady production this year, generating significant free cash flow to help fund our various growth initiatives.”
Financial Results
For the second quarter of 2011, Stone reported net income of $57.2 million, or $1.17 per share, on oil and gas revenue of $231.9 million, compared to net income of $27.9 million, or $0.57 per share, on oil and gas revenue of $164.0 million in the second quarter of 2010. Discretionary cash flow totaled $172.5 million during the second quarter of 2011, as compared to $116.4 million during the second quarter of 2010. Please see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and the accompanying financial statements for a reconciliation of discretionary cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, to net cash flow provided by operating activities.
Net daily production during the second quarter of 2011 averaged 37.8 thousand barrels of oil equivalent (MBoe) per day (227 million cubic feet of gas equivalent (MMcfe) per day), compared with net daily production of 35.7 MBoe (214 MMcfe) per day in the first quarter of 2011, and net daily production of 36.1 MBoe (217 MMcfe) per day in the second quarter of 2010. The gas/oil split for the second quarter of 2011 was approximately 51%/49%.
Prices realized during the second quarter of 2011 averaged $105.19 per barrel of oil and $5.32 per Mcf of natural gas, as compared to the second quarter of 2010 average realized prices of $72.14 per barrel and $5.46 per Mcf. Effective hedging transactions increased the average realized price of natural gas by $0.36 per Mcf in the second quarter of 2011, compared to $0.95 per Mcf in the second quarter of 2010. Effective hedging transactions decreased the average realized price of oil by $8.60 per barrel in the second quarter of 2011, compared to $4.02 per barrel in the second quarter of 2010.

 


 

Lease operating expenses during the second quarter of 2011 totaled $46.7 million ($13.60 per Boe or $2.27 per Mcfe), compared to $36.9 million ($11.22 per Boe or $1.87 per Mcfe), in the second quarter of 2010.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A) on oil and gas properties for the second quarter of 2011 totaled $71.8 million ($20.89 per Boe or $3.48 per Mcfe), compared to $62.3 million ($18.94 per Boe or $3.16 per Mcfe), in the second quarter of 2010.
Salaries, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses (excluding incentive compensation expense) for the second quarter of 2011 were $10.6 million ($3.09 per Boe or $0.51 per Mcfe), compared to $10.0 million ($3.03 per Boe or $0.51 per Mcfe), in the second quarter of 2010.
Capital expenditures before capitalized SG&A and interest during the second quarter of 2011 were approximately $100.6 million, which includes $14.5 million of plugging and abandonment expenditures. Additionally, $5.7 million of SG&A expenses and $10.8 million of interest were capitalized during the quarter.
As of June 30, 2011, we had no outstanding borrowings under our bank credit facility and letters of credit totaling $61.1 million had been issued pursuant to the facility.
Business Strategy and Operational Update
Our business strategy is to leverage cash flow generated from existing assets to maintain relatively stable GOM shelf production, profitably grow gas reserves and production in price-advantaged basins such as Appalachia and the Gulf Coast Basin, and profitably grow oil reserves and production in material impact areas such as the deep water GOM and the Rocky Mountain region.
LaPosada/La Cantera Prospect (Deep Gas). As was previously disclosed, the LaPosada well reached a depth of 18,550 feet and logged over 170 feet of highly resistive sand within the primary Cris R Massive objective. As a result of stuck pipe, the operator was initially only able to obtain porosity information in the upper portion of the logged sands which confirmed 37 feet of net commercial pay. Subsequently, the well was successfully sidetracked and porosity information confirmed the entire sand package as net commercial pay. The well continues to drill to test deeper objectives with a proposed vertical depth of 19,300 feet. Stone expects the well to be on production by early 2012 and has an approximately 33% working interest in the prospect.
Lighthouse Bayou Deep Prospect (Ultra Deep Gas). The Lighthouse Bayou prospect was spudded in December 2010 and results are expected later this year. The prospect test well, located in Cameron Parish, is permitted to drill up to 25,000 feet and targets deep sands equivalent in age to recent offshore discoveries. The well is currently at a depth of approximately 20,000 feet. Stone holds a 25% working interest in the prospect.
South Erath (Deep Gas). As previously disclosed, the South Erath discovery well encountered two pay zones totaling more than 50 feet of net pay, with first production expected in the fourth quarter. Stone holds a 14% working interest in South Erath.
Garden Banks 293 — Pyrenees (Deepwater). Subsea and topside procurement, fabrication and permitting have progressed with the installation of both the flow-line and umbilical targeted for late third quarter 2011. Topside installation of production equipment at the platform at Garden Banks 72 is anticipated to begin in late September and production is expected by early 2012. Stone holds a 30% working interest in the project.
Mississippi Canyon Block 109 — Amberjack Field (Conventional Shelf). Elrond, the fifth well in the current drilling program at Amberjack, was brought on line in May at approximately 600 Boe per day and Legolas, the sixth well, encountered 80 feet of net oil pay and came on line in late July at over 500 Boe per day. The final well of this program, Frost Up, is currently drilling and the rig is expected to be released in September. Stone has a 100% working interest in the Amberjack field.

 


 

Main Pass 315 — Pinto (Conventional Shelf). Pinto was drilled to a total depth of 7,830 feet and logged 18 net feet of oil. The well is being completed as a subsea tie-back to Apache’s Main Pass Block 310 platform with first production estimated for the second quarter of 2012. Stone has a 20% working interest in this project. Apache is the operator.
Appalachian Basin (Marcellus Shale Play) - Due to improved drilling efficiencies, we now expect to drill 21-24 horizontal wells utilizing one horizontal rig and one top-hole rig in 2011, and expect to frac 16-20 wells. Current net production from the Heather/Buddy area in West Virginia is approximately 13 MMcf per day. After the installation of a Stone operated pipeline, production from the Katie area in northeast Pennsylvania commenced this past weekend from one vertical and two horizontal wells and volumes are expected to incline over the next couple of weeks. Finally, the third-party Caiman pipeline installation in West Virginia remains on schedule with volumes from 6 to 10 wells in the Mary area projected to be online in the fourth quarter.
Hatch Point Field — Cane Creek formation (Rocky Mountain Region). We continue to review and evaluate the well results for our three wells to determine the potential commerciality for a development program. Stone has approximately a 75% working interest in this 40,000 acre project (30,000 net) and is the operator.
Eagle Ford shale — Moczygemba #1H. Stone holds a non-operated 42.5% working interest in this horizontal well which is flowing approximately 300 Boe per day, after producing at a rate of over 800 Boe per day. Stone has an approximate 1,600 net acres in this play and expects to participate in another well before yearend.
2011 Guidance
Guidance for the third quarter and full year 2011 is shown in the table below. The guidance is subject to all the cautionary statements and limitations described below and under the caption “Forward Looking Statements”.
         
    Third Quarter   Full Year
Production — MBoe per day
  34.1 — 37.5   34.1 — 37.5
(MMcfe per day)
  (205 — 225)   (205 — 225)
 
       
Lease operating expenses (in millions)
    $170 — $180
 
       
Salaries, General & Administrative expenses (in millions) (excluding incentive compensation)
    $45 — $48
 
       
Depreciation, Depletion & Amortization (per Mcfe)
    $3.20 — $3.45
 
       
Corporate Tax Rate (%)
    36% — 37%
 
       
Capital Expenditure Budget (in millions)
    $500
Hedge Position
The following table illustrates our derivative positions for 2011, 2012 and 2013 as of August 2, 2011:
                     
    Fixed-Price Swaps  
    Natural Gas   Oil  
    Daily       Daily      
    Volume   Swap   Volume   Swap  
    (MMBtus/d)   Price   (Bbls/d)   Price  
2011
  10,000*   $4.565   1,000       $ 70.05  
2011
  20,000     5.200   1,000         78.20  
2011
  10,000     6.830   1,000         80.20  
2011
          1,000         83.00  
2011
          1,000         83.05  
2011
          1,000**     85.20  
2011
          1,000         85.25  

 


 

                     
    Fixed-Price Swaps  
    Natural Gas   Oil  
    Daily       Daily      
    Volume   Swap   Volume   Swap  
    (MMBtus/d)   Price   (Bbls/d)   Price  
2011
          1,000           89.00  
2011
          1,000***     97.75  
2011
          1,000***     104.30  
 
2012
  10,000   5.035   1,000           90.30  
2012
  10,000   5.040   1,000           90.41  
2012
  10,000   5.050   1,000           90.45  
2012
          1,000           95.50  
2012
          1,000           97.60  
2012
          1,000           100.00  
2012
          1,000           101.55  
2012
          1,000           104.25  
 
2013
  10,000   5.270   1,000           97.15  
2013
  10,000   5.320   1,000           101.53  
2013
          1,000           103.00  
2013
          1,000           104.50  
 
*   February — December
 
**   January — June
 
***   July — December
Other Information
Stone Energy has planned a conference call for 10:00 a.m. Central Time on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 to discuss the operational and financial results for the second quarter of 2011. Anyone wishing to participate should visit our website at www.StoneEnergy.com for a live web cast or dial 1-877-228-3598 and request the “Stone Energy Call.” If you are unable to participate in the original conference call, a replay will be available immediately following the completion of the call on Stone Energy’s website. The replay will be available for one month.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In this press release, we refer to a non-GAAP financial measure we call “discretionary cash flow.” Management believes discretionary cash flow is a financial indicator of our company’s ability to internally fund capital expenditures and service debt. Management also believes this non-GAAP financial measure of cash flow is useful information to investors because it is widely used by professional research analysts in the valuation, comparison, rating and investment recommendations of companies in the oil and gas exploration and production industry. Discretionary cash flow should not be considered an alternative to net cash provided by operating activities or net income, as defined by GAAP. Please see the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure” for a reconciliation of discretionary cash flow to cash flow provided by operating activities.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking and are based upon Stone’s current belief as to the outcome and timing of future events. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities that Stone plans, expects, believes, projects, estimates or anticipates will, should or may occur in the future, including future production of oil and gas, future capital expenditures and drilling of wells and future financial or operating results are forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements herein include the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices for oil and gas, operating risks, liquidity risks, political and regulatory developments and legislation, including developments and legislation relating to our operations in the Gulf of Mexico and Appalachia, and other risk factors and known trends and uncertainties as described in Stone’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q as filed with the SEC. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, Stone’s actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.
Estimates for Stone’s future production volumes are based on assumptions of capital expenditure levels and the assumption that market demand and prices for oil and gas will continue at levels that allow for economic production

 


 

of these products. The production, transportation and marketing of oil and gas are subject to disruption due to transportation and processing availability, mechanical failure, human error, hurricanes and numerous other factors. Stone’s estimates are based on certain other assumptions, such as well performance, which may vary significantly from those assumed. Delays experienced in well permitting could affect the timing of drilling and production. Lease operating expenses, which include major maintenance costs, vary in response to changes in prices of services and materials used in the operation of our properties and the amount of maintenance activity required. Estimates of DD&A rates can vary according to reserve additions, capital expenditures, future development costs, and other factors. Therefore, we can give no assurance that our future production volumes, lease operating expenses or DD&A rates will be as estimated.
Stone Energy is an independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company headquartered in Lafayette, Louisiana with additional offices in New Orleans, Houston and Morgantown, West Virginia. Our business strategy is to leverage cash flow generated from existing assets to maintain relatively stable GOM shelf production, profitably grow gas reserves and production in price-advantaged basins such as Appalachia and the Gulf Coast Basin, and profitably grow oil reserves and production in material impact areas such as the deep water GOM and the Rocky Mountain region. For additional information, contact Kenneth H. Beer, Chief Financial Officer, at 337-521-2210 phone, 337-521-9880 fax or via e-mail at CFO@StoneEnergy.com.

 


 

STONE ENERGY CORPORATION
SUMMARY STATISTICS
(In thousands, except per share/unit amounts)
(Unaudited)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2011     2010     2011     2010  
FINANCIAL RESULTS
                               
Net income
  $ 57,196     $ 27,872     $ 96,988     $ 53,290  
Net income per share
  $ 1.17     $ 0.57     $ 1.98     $ 1.10  
 
                               
PRODUCTION QUANTITIES
                               
Oil (MBbls)
    1,667       1,430       3,283       2,852  
Gas (MMcf)
    10,614       11,146       20,194       21,744  
Oil and gas (MBoe)
    3,436       3,288       6,649       6,476  
Oil and gas (MMcfe)
    20,616       19,726       39,892       38,856  
 
                               
AVERAGE DAILY PRODUCTION
                               
Oil (MBbls)
    18       16       18       16  
Gas (MMcf)
    117       122       112       120  
Oil and gas (MBoe)
    38       36       37       36  
Oil and gas (MMcfe)
    227       217       220       215  
 
                               
REVENUE DATA
                               
Oil revenue
  $ 175,357     $ 103,159     $ 327,352     $ 203,724  
Gas revenue
    56,513       60,823       102,371       124,049  
 
                       
Total oil and gas revenue
  $ 231,870     $ 163,982     $ 429,723     $ 327,773  
 
                               
AVERAGE PRICES
                               
Prior to the cash settlement of effective hedging transactions:
                               
Oil (per Bbl)
  $ 113.79     $ 76.16     $ 106.65     $ 76.38  
Gas (per Mcf)
    4.96       4.51       4.65       4.96  
Oil and gas (per Boe)
    70.54       48.40       66.79       50.27  
Oil and gas (per Mcfe)
    11.76       8.07       11.13       8.38  
Including the cash settlement of effective hedging transactions:
                               
Oil (per Bbl)
  $ 105.19     $ 72.14     $ 99.71     $ 71.43  
Gas (per Mcf)
    5.32       5.46       5.07       5.70  
Oil and gas (per Boe)
    67.48       49.87       64.63       50.61  
Oil and gas (per Mcfe)
    11.25       8.31       10.77       8.44  
 
                               
COST DATA
                               
Lease operating expenses
  $ 46,734     $ 36,883     $ 85,540     $ 75,547  
Salaries, general and administrative expenses
    10,610       9,963       22,343       20,448  
DD&A expense on oil and gas properties
    71,792       62,282       138,177       121,433  
 
                               
AVERAGE COSTS (per Mcfe)
                               
Lease operating expenses (per Boe)
  $ 13.60     $ 11.22     $ 12.87     $ 11.67  
Lease operating expenses (per Mcfe)
    2.27       1.87       2.14       1.94  
Salaries, general and administrative expenses (per Boe)
    3.09       3.03       3.36       3.16  
Salaries, general and administrative expenses (per Mcfe)
    0.51       0.51       0.56       0.53  
DD&A expense on oil and gas properties (per Boe)
    20.89       18.94       20.78       18.75  
DD&A expense on oil and gas properties (per Mcfe)
    3.48       3.16       3.46       3.13  
 
                               
AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING — Diluted
    48,006       47,678       47,973       47,657  

 


 

STONE ENERGY CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2011     2010     2011     2010  
Operating revenue:
                               
Oil production
  $ 175,357     $ 103,159     $ 327,352     $ 203,724  
Gas production
    56,513       60,823       102,371       124,049  
Other operational income
    864       1,431       1,749       2,687  
Derivative income, net
    1,398       2,225             3,413  
 
                       
Total operating revenue
    234,132       167,638       431,472       333,873  
 
                       
 
                               
Operating expenses:
                               
Lease operating expenses
    46,734       36,883       85,540       75,547  
Other operational expense
    136       2,447       798       2,447  
Production taxes
    1,801       1,590       4,336       3,244  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    72,646       63,765       140,315       124,418  
Accretion expense
    7,717       8,462       15,434       16,924  
Salaries, general and administrative expenses
    10,610       9,963       22,343       20,448  
Incentive compensation expense
    2,333       421       5,017       1,346  
Derivative expenses, net
                782        
 
                       
Total operating expenses
    141,977       123,531       274,565       244,374  
 
                       
 
                               
Income from operations
    92,155       44,107       156,907       89,499  
 
                       
 
                               
Other (income) expenses:
                               
Interest expense
    1,980       2,540       5,091       6,606  
Interest income
    (53 )     (1,002 )     (147 )     (1,059 )
Other income, net
    (563 )           (1,127 )     (776 )
Early debt retirement expense
    607             607       1,820  
Other expense, net
    69       209       193       489  
 
                       
Total other expenses
    2,040       1,747       4,617       7,080  
 
                       
 
                               
Income before taxes
    90,115       42,360       152,290       82,419  
 
                       
 
                               
Provision (benefit) for income taxes:
                               
Current
    (2,362 )     (1,392 )     (2,362 )     (5,264 )
Deferred
    35,281       15,880       57,664       34,393  
 
                       
Total income taxes
    32,919       14,488       55,302       29,129  
 
                       
 
                               
 
                       
Net income
  $ 57,196     $ 27,872     $ 96,988     $ 53,290  
 
                       

 


 

STONE ENERGY CORPORATION
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURE

(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2011     2010     2011     2010  
Net income as reported
  $ 57,196     $ 27,872     $ 96,988     $ 53,290  
 
                               
Reconciling items:
                               
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    72,646       63,765       140,315       124,418  
Deferred income tax provision
    35,281       15,880       57,664       34,393  
Accretion expense
    7,717       8,462       15,434       16,924  
Stock compensation expense
    1,458       1,314       3,138       2,741  
Early extinguishment of debt
    607             607       1,820  
Other
    (2,384 )     (879 )     (1,333 )     (1,593 )
 
                       
Discretionary cash flow
    172,521       116,414       312,813       231,993  
 
                               
Changes in income taxes payable
    (2,564 )     4,687       (6,245 )     (8,813 )
Settlement of asset retirement obligations
    (14,534 )     (9,420 )     (33,568 )     (19,798 )
Other working capital changes
    1,794       21,019       (26,468 )     6,952  
 
                               
 
                       
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 157,217     $ 132,700     $ 246,532     $ 210,334  
 
                       

 


 

STONE ENERGY CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
                 
    June 30,     December 31,  
    2011     2010  
Assets
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 82,021     $ 106,956  
Restricted cash
          5,500  
Accounts receivable
    132,127       88,529  
Fair value of hedging contracts
    11,531       12,955  
Current income tax receivable
    6,403        
Deferred tax asset
    26,027       27,274  
Inventory
    5,302       6,465  
Other current assets
    1,248       768  
 
           
Total current assets
    264,659       248,447  
 
               
Oil and gas properties, full cost method of accounting:
               
Proved
    5,943,929       5,789,578  
Less: accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization
    (4,945,158 )     (4,804,949 )
 
           
Net proved oil and gas properties
    998,771       984,629  
Unevaluated
    510,717       413,180  
Other property and equipment, net
    10,754       10,722  
Fair value of hedging contracts
    4,748        
Other assets, net
    24,694       22,112  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 1,814,343     $ 1,679,090  
 
           
 
               
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable to vendors
  $ 93,054     $ 103,208  
Undistributed oil and gas proceeds
    14,706       10,037  
Accrued interest
    14,058       14,062  
Fair value of hedging contracts
    25,384       32,144  
Asset retirement obligations
    48,590       42,300  
Current income tax payable
          239  
Other current liabilities
    15,850       16,075  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    211,642       218,065  
 
               
63/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014
    200,000       200,000  
85/8% Senior Notes due 2017
    375,000       375,000  
Deferred taxes
    157,690       99,227  
Asset retirement obligations
    306,357       331,620  
Fair value of hedging contracts
    7,887       3,606  
Other long-term liabilities
    21,482       21,215  
 
           
Total liabilities
    1,280,058       1,248,733  
 
           
 
               
Common stock
    480       478  
Treasury stock
    (860 )     (860 )
Additional paid-in capital
    1,334,800       1,331,500  
Accumulated deficit
    (789,569 )     (886,557 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (10,566 )     (14,204 )
 
           
Total stockholders’ equity
    534,285       430,357  
 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 1,814,343     $ 1,679,090