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8-K - CURRENT REPORT OF MATERIAL EVENTS OR CORPORATE CHANGES - CABOT OIL & GAS CORPa13-22805_18k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

October 24, 2013

 

Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation Announces Third Quarter 2013 Financial and Operating Results, Provides 2014 Operating and Financial Guidance

 

HOUSTON, Oct. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation (NYSE: COG) today reported its financial and operating results for the third quarter of 2013. Highlights for the quarter include:

 

·                  Production of 107.1 billion cubic feet equivalent (Bcfe), an increase of 61 percent over last year’s comparable quarter.

·                  Cash flow from operations of $276.7 million and discretionary cash flow of $282.3 million.

·                  Net income of $69.9 million, or $0.17 per share.

·                  Net income excluding selected items of $74.6 million, or $0.18 per share.

·                  Total per unit costs (including financing) of $2.97 per thousand cubic feet equivalent (Mcfe), a 15 percent decline over last year’s comparable quarter.

 

Third Quarter 2013 Financial Results

 

Production in the third quarter of 2013 was 107.1 Bcfe, consisting of 101.7 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas and 898,000 barrels of liquids. These figures represent increases of 61 percent, 62 percent, and 43 percent, respectively, compared to the third quarter of 2012. “Despite recent concerns over pricing in the Marcellus and the potential impact on Cabot’s production growth, the Company grew equivalent production 13 percent sequentially compared to the second quarter of this year,” said Dan O. Dinges, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer.

 

Cash flow from operations in the third quarter of 2013 was $276.7 million, compared to $164.0 million in the third quarter of 2012. Discretionary cash flow in the third quarter of 2013 was $282.3 million, compared to $175.7 million in the third quarter of 2012. Higher equivalent production and, to a lesser extent, higher realized oil prices drove the quarter’s overall improvement, partially offset by lower realized natural gas prices and increased operating expenses associated with higher production.

 

Net income in the third quarter of 2013 was $69.9 million, or $0.17 per share, compared to $36.6 million, or $0.09 per share, in the third quarter of 2012. Excluding the effect of selected items (detailed in the table below), net income was $74.6 million, or $0.18 per share, in the third quarter of 2013, compared to $43.1 million, or $0.11 per share, in the third quarter of 2012.

 

Natural gas price realizations, including the effect of hedges, were $3.36 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf) in the third quarter of 2013, down 9 percent compared to the third quarter of 2012.  “Our third quarter natural gas price realizations came in on the high-end of our expectations based on the guidance range we provided in early September,” stated Dinges. “It is our belief that a combination of seasonal demand increases during the winter months and new pipeline takeaway capacity additions in Northeast Pennsylvania will positively impact Marcellus basis differentials over the coming months.” Oil price realizations, including the effect of hedges, were $103.76 per barrel (Bbl), up 2 percent compared to the third quarter of 2012.

 

Total per unit costs (including financing) decreased to $2.97 per Mcfe in the third quarter of 2013, down 15 percent from $3.50 per Mcfe in the third quarter of 2012. All operating expense categories decreased on a per unit basis relative to last year’s comparable quarter except for transportation and gathering expense, which increased from $0.52 per Mcfe in the third quarter of 2012 to $0.57 per Mcfe in the third quarter of 2013, primarily as a result of increased Marcellus production volumes, slightly higher transportation rates and new transportation agreements in the Marcellus.

 

Year-to-Date 2013 Financial Results

 

Production during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 was 291.7 Bcfe, consisting of 277.5 Bcf of natural gas and 2.4 million barrels of liquids. These figures represent increases of 54 percent, 56 percent, and 34 percent, respectively, compared to the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012.

 

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, cash flow from operations was $766.7 million, compared to $455.1 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012. Discretionary cash flow was $813.7 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, compared to $456.3 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012. Higher equivalent production and, to a lesser extent, higher realized natural gas and oil prices drove the period’s overall improvement, partially offset by increased operating expenses associated with higher production.

 

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, net income was $201.8 million, or $0.48 per share, compared to $90.9 million, or $0.22 per share, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012.  Excluding the effect of selected items (detailed in the table below), net income was $223.8 million, or $0.53 per share, compared to $81.8 million, or $0.20 per share, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012.

 

1



 

Operational Highlights

 

Marcellus Shale

 

Cabot’s Marcellus Shale position in the core of the dry gas window in Susquehanna County continues to produce peer-leading well results as evidenced by the recent noteworthy wells included below:

 

·                  A four-well pad completed with 109 fracture stimulation (frac) stages with an initial production (IP) rate of 110 Mmcf per day and a 30-day production rate of 90 Mmcf per day.

·                  A three-well pad completed with 68 frac stages with an IP rate of 98 Mmcf per day (still within the 30-day window).

·                  A three-well pad completed with 50 frac stages with an IP rate of 59 Mmcf per day and a 30-day production rate of 57 Mmcf per day.

·                  A three-well pad completed with 45 frac stages with an IP rate of 56 Mmcf per day and a 30-day production rate of 52 Mmcf per day.

 

“To date, our 2013 program has averaged three to four additional frac stages per well compared to our 2012 program due to longer lateral lengths and tighter frac stage spacing, resulting in higher production rates and higher estimated ultimate recoveries (EURs),” explained Dinges. “Our Marcellus wells continue to provide peer-leading production rates and EURs per 1,000’ of lateral. We continue to see improvements in our rate-of-return profile as a result of our increased well performance, even if one assumes wider basis differentials to reflect the recent short-term softness in Marcellus pricing.”

 

While certain Marcellus volumes were held back for a brief period of time during the end of the third quarter due to a combination of softness in Marcellus spot market pricing and scheduled infrastructure maintenance projects, the Company’s gross Marcellus production volumes have since surpassed previous highs and recently achieved a record gross production rate of 1,295 Mmcf per day.

 

Eagle Ford Shale

 

During the third quarter, Cabot’s Eagle Ford program experienced strong sequential growth with liquids production volumes increasing by approximately 28 percent over the second quarter. This was on the strength of new wells from Cabot’s operated and non-operated positions. The Company’s first four-well pad in the Eagle Ford was drilled during the third quarter in 58 days (spud to rig release) with a combined measured depth of approximately 58,000’. Completion is scheduled to begin at the end of October with lateral lengths ranging from 5,200’ to 8,000’. The Company is currently drilling a six-well pad with a planned average lateral length of 9,000’ per well.  Estimated cost savings from the use of a walking rig in the Company’s multi-well pad drilling operations is $500,000 to $600,000 per well. In addition to the cost savings from its drilling operations, Cabot continues to see significant reductions in its stimulation costs per stage, further enhancing the return profile of its Eagle Ford wells. “We are in the process of further refining our well design in the Eagle Ford including drilling longer laterals, decreasing the spacing between frac stages and increasing the amount of proppant per stage,” commented Dinges.  “Based on our work to date, we anticipate a significant uptick in returns as we begin implementing these new initiatives across the program.”

 

Financial Position

 

As of September 30, 2013, the Company’s net debt to adjusted capitalization ratio was 32.8 percent, compared to 33.2 percent at December 31, 2012 (detailed in the table below). The Company’s total debt was $1,162 million, of which $475 million is outstanding under the Company’s credit facility.

 

2014 Capital Budget and Guidance

 

The Company has reaffirmed its 2014 production growth guidance range of 30 to 50 percent, based on a capital program of $1.375 to $1.475 billion. Approximately 85 percent of the capital budget will be spent on drilling and completion activities, with over 75 percent of the drilling and completion capital focused on its Marcellus Shale operations. The capital budget assumes seven operated rigs in the Marcellus Shale and two operated rigs in the Eagle Ford Shale. The Company expects to drill 170 to 190 net wells in 2014, including 130 to 140 net wells in the Marcellus Shale and 40 to 50 net wells in the Eagle Ford Shale. The mid-point of guidance for 2014 unit costs (including financing) of $2.65 per Mcfe implies over a 10 percent decrease relative to the mid-point of 2013 unit cost guidance.

 

Conference Call

 

A conference call is scheduled for Friday, October 25, 2013, at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss third quarter 2013 financial and operating results. To access the live audio webcast, please visit the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.cabotog.com. A replay of the call will also be available on the Company’s website. The latest financial guidance, including the Company’s hedge positions, is also available in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website.

 

Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation, headquartered in Houston, Texas is a leading independent natural gas producer, with its entire resource base located in the continental United States. For additional information, visit the Company’s homepage at www.cabotog.com.

 

The statements regarding future financial performance and results and the other statements which are not historical facts contained in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, market factors, the market price (including regional basis differentials) of natural gas and oil, results of future drilling and marketing activity, future production and costs, and other factors detailed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Matt Kerin (281) 589-4642

 

2



 

OPERATING DATA

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

2013

 

2012

 

PRODUCED NATURAL GAS (Bcf) & LIQUIDS (MBbl)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural Gas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appalachia

 

95.9

 

56.1

 

261.1

 

158.1

 

Other

 

5.8

 

6.6

 

16.4

 

20.3

 

Total

 

101.7

 

62.7

 

277.5

 

178.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crude/Condensate/NGL

 

898

 

629

 

2,352

 

1,760

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equivalent Production (Bcfe)

 

107.1

 

66.5

 

291.7

 

188.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRICES(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Produced Gas Sales Price ($/Mcf)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appalachia

 

$

3.38

 

$

3.80

 

$

3.65

 

$

3.70

 

Other

 

$

3.09

 

$

2.65

 

$

3.06

 

$

2.60

 

Total 

 

$

3.36

 

$

3.68

 

$

3.62

 

$

3.57

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Crude/Condensate Price ($/Bbl)

 

$

103.76

 

$

101.34

 

$

103.07

 

$

100.30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WELLS DRILLED 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

51

 

38

 

134

 

104

 

Net

 

41

 

30

 

110.7

 

81

 

Gross success rate

 

100%

 

95%

 

98%

 

97%

 

 


(1) These realized prices include the realized impact of derivative instrument settlements.

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

2013

 

2012

 

Realized Impacts to Gas Pricing

 

$

0.20

 

$

0.91

 

$

0.12

 

$

1.03

 

Realized Impacts to Oil Pricing

 

$

(1.33

)

$

6.65

 

$

1.43

 

$

3.39

 

 

3



 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

2013

 

2012

 

Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas

 

$

341,901

 

$

231,896

 

$

1,004,085

 

$

639,729

 

Crude oil and condensate

 

84,209

 

57,870

 

220,090

 

165,317

 

Brokered natural gas

 

7,165

 

5,238

 

26,302

 

23,831

 

Other

 

2,575

 

1,870

 

8,338

 

5,790

 

 

 

435,850

 

296,874

 

1,258,815

 

834,667

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct operations

 

32,923

 

28,269

 

101,398

 

84,895

 

Transportation and gathering

 

60,803

 

34,430

 

159,672

 

97,827

 

Brokered natural gas

 

5,913

 

4,258

 

21,006

 

20,380

 

Taxes other than income

 

11,532

 

10,436

 

34,583

 

39,873

 

Exploration

 

3,891

 

9,303

 

12,444

 

29,548

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

168,980

 

110,448

 

469,022

 

335,421

 

General and administrative (excluding stock-based compensation) 

 

12,448

 

13,440

 

41,048

 

69,808

 

Stock-based compensation(1)

 

12,249

 

10,389

 

40,961

 

23,441

 

 

 

308,739

 

220,973

 

880,134

 

701,193

 

Gain / (loss) on sale of assets

 

4,421

 

(126

)

4,601

 

67,042

 

Income from Operations

 

131,532

 

75,775

 

383,282

 

200,516

 

Interest expense and other 

 

15,796

 

16,219

 

48,752

 

51,631

 

Income before income taxes

 

115,736

 

59,556

 

334,530

 

148,885

 

Income tax expense

 

45,847

 

22,948

 

132,703

 

58,021

 

Net Income

 

$

69,889

 

$

36,608

 

$

201,827

 

$

90,864

 

Earnings per share - Basic

 

$

0.17

 

$

0.09

 

$

0.48

 

$

0.22

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

420,986

 

419,312

 

420,664

 

418,866

 

 


(1)             Includes the impact of the Company’s performance share awards, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights and expense associated with the Supplemental Employee Incentive Plan.

 

4



 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

$

289,756

 

$

270,310

 

Properties and equipment, net

 

4,690,176

 

4,310,977

 

Other assets

 

51,460

 

35,026

 

Total assets

 

$

5,031,392

 

$

4,616,313

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

$

399,273

 

$

444,139

 

Long-term debt

 

1,162,000

 

1,012,000

 

Deferred income taxes

 

986,943

 

882,672

 

Other liabilities

 

154,442

 

146,055

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

2,328,734

 

2,131,447

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

5,031,392

 

$

4,616,313

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

2013

 

2012

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

69,889

 

$

36,608

 

$

201,827

 

$

90,864

 

Deferred income tax expense

 

37,573

 

15,641

 

107,235

 

42,714

 

(Gain) / loss on sale of assets

 

(4,421

)

126

 

(4,601

)

(67,042

)

Exploration expense

 

1

 

1,193

 

807

 

12,118

 

Unrealized (gain) / loss on derivative instruments

 

 

149

 

 

449

 

Income charges not requiring cash

 

179,234

 

121,942

 

508,473

 

377,239

 

Changes in assets and liabilities

 

(5,567

)

(11,692

)

(47,065

)

(1,230

)

Net cash provided by operations

 

276,709

 

163,967

 

766,676

 

455,112

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(319,472

)

(257,871

)

(843,528

)

(669,198

)

Proceeds from sale of assets

 

14,268

 

25

 

15,174

 

132,740

 

Investment in equity method investment

 

(4,374

)

(2,400

)

(8,624

)

(4,488

)

Net cash used in investing

 

(309,578

)

(260,246

)

(836,978

)

(540,946

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in debt

 

20,000

 

90,000

 

75,000

 

112,000

 

Stock-based compensation tax benefit

 

1,936

 

 

9,284

 

 

Capitalized debt issuance cost

 

 

 

 

(5,005

)

Dividends paid

 

(8,423

)

(4,193

)

(16,830

)

(12,561

)

Other

 

11

 

(671

)

44

 

(1,010

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing

 

13,524

 

85,136

 

67,498

 

93,424

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

$

(19,345

)

$

(11,143

)

$

(2,804

)

$

7,590

 

 

5



 

Selected Item Review and Reconciliation of Net Income and Earnings Per Share

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

2013

 

2012

 

As reported - net income

 

$

69,889

 

$

36,608

 

$

201,827

 

$

90,864

 

Reversal of selected items, net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Gain) / loss on sale of assets

 

(2,670

)

77

 

(2,776

)

(41,030

)

Stock-based compensation expense

 

7,397

 

6,358

 

24,712

 

14,346

 

Pension expense(1)

 

 

 

 

12,294

 

Unrealized (gain) / loss on derivative instruments

 

 

91

 

 

275

 

Pennsylvania impact fee(2)

 

 

 

 

5,067

 

Net income excluding selected items

 

$

74,616

 

$

43,134

 

$

223,763

 

$

81,816

 

As reported - earnings per share 

 

$

0.17

 

$

0.09

 

$

0.48

 

$

0.22

 

Per share impact of reversing selected items 

 

0.01

 

0.02

 

0.05

 

(0.02

)

Earnings per share including reversal of selected items

 

$

0.18

 

$

0.11

 

$

0.53

 

$

0.20

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

420,986

 

419,312

 

420,664

 

418,866

 

 


(1)             On July 28, 2010, the Company notified its employees of its plan to terminate its qualified pension plan effective September 30, 2010. This amount represents pension expense related to the plan termination, including settlement costs and related expenses. Final distribution of the qualified pension plan occurred in the second quarter 2012. Pension expense is included in General and administrative expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

(2)             In February 2012, the Pennsylvania state legislature authorized the assessment of an impact fee on Marcellus Shale production. This amount represents the initial year accrual related to our 2011 and prior wells. Expenses associated with the impact fee are included in Taxes other than income in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

Discretionary Cash Flow Calculation and Reconciliation

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

2013

 

2012

 

Discretionary Cash Flow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As reported - net income

 

$

69,889

 

$

36,608

 

$

201,827

 

$

90,864

 

Plus / (less): 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income tax expense

 

37,573

 

15,641

 

107,235

 

42,714

 

(Gain) / loss on sale of assets

 

(4,421

)

126

 

(4,601

)

(67,042

)

Exploration expense

 

1

 

1,193

 

807

 

12,118

 

Unrealized (gain) / loss on derivative instruments

 

 

149

 

 

449

 

Income charges not requiring cash

 

179,234

 

121,942

 

508,473

 

377,239

 

Discretionary Cash Flow

 

282,276

 

175,659

 

813,741

 

456,342

 

Changes in assets and liabilities

 

(5,567

)

(11,692

)

(47,065

)

(1,230

)

Net cash provided by operations

 

$

276,709

 

$

163,967

 

$

766,676

 

$

455,112

 

 

Net Debt Reconciliation

(In thousands)

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

$

 

$

75,000

 

Long-term debt

 

$

1,162,000

 

$

1,012,000

 

Total debt

 

$

1,162,000

 

$

1,087,000

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

2,328,734

 

2,131,447

 

Total Capitalization

 

$

3,490,734

 

$

3,218,447

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total debt

 

$

1,162,000

 

$

1,087,000

 

Less: Cash and cash equivalents

 

(27,932

)

(30,736

)

Net Debt

 

$

1,134,068

 

$

1,056,264

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net debt

 

$

1,134,068

 

$

1,056,264

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

2,328,734

 

2,131,447

 

Total Adjusted Capitalization

 

$

3,462,802

 

$

3,187,711

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total debt to total capitalization ratio

 

33.3%

 

33.8%

 

Less: Impact of cash and cash equivalents

 

0.5%

 

0.6%

 

Net Debt to Adjusted Capitalization Ratio

 

32.8%

 

33.2%

 

 

6