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8-K - COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. FORM 8-K - COMSTOCK RESOURCES INCform8kmay52014.htm
Exhibit 99.1
 
 
5300 Town and Country Blvd., Suite 500
comstock resources, inc. logo
Frisco, Texas 75034
Telephone: (972) 668-8834
Contact: Gary H. Guyton
Director of Planning and Investor Relations
 
Web Site: www.comstockresources.com

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
 
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. REPORTS
FIRST QUARTER 2014 FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESULTS

FRISCO, TEXAS, May 5, 2014 – Comstock Resources, Inc. ("Comstock" or the "Company") (NYSE: CRK) today reported financial and operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

Financial Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 

Comstock reported net income of $1.2 million or 2¢ per share for the first quarter of 2014 as compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $24.5 million or 52¢ per share for the first quarter of 2013.  The first quarter 2014 results include an unrealized loss from derivative financial instruments of $3.6 million ($2.4 million after tax or 6¢ per share).  Financial results for the first quarter of 2013 include an unrealized loss from derivative financial instruments of $8.8 million ($5.7 million after tax or 12¢ per share), a gain of $7.9 million ($5.1 million after tax or 11¢ per share) from sales of marketable securities and an impairment on unevaluated acreage of $2.4 million ($1.6 million after tax or 3¢ per share).  Excluding these items from each year’s results, net income for the first quarter of 2014 would have been $3.6 million or 8¢ per share as compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $22.3 million or 48¢ per share in the first quarter of 2013.

Comstock produced 935,000 barrels of oil and 11.0 billion cubic feet of natural gas or 16.6 billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent ("Bcfe") in the first quarter of 2014.  Oil production in the first quarter, which averaged 10,400 barrels of oil per day, grew 119% from the 4,800 barrels per day produced in the first quarter of 2013.  Natural gas production in the first quarter of 2014 declined by 30% from natural gas production of 15.6 billion cubic feet in the first quarter of 2013.

Comstock's average realized natural gas price increased 49% to $4.70 per Mcf in the first quarter of 2014 as compared to $3.15 per Mcf realized in the first quarter of 2013.  The Company's average realized oil price, including realized hedging losses, declined by 14% to $95.20 per barrel in the first quarter of 2014 as compared to $111.19 per barrel in the first quarter of 2013.  Oil and gas sales (including realized gains or losses from hedging) of $140.6 million increased by 44% as compared to 2013's first quarter sales from continuing operations of $97.3 million.  Operating cash flow (before changes in working capital accounts) increased 74% to $97.8 million for the first quarter of 2014 as compared with operating cash flow from continuing operations of $56.3 million for the first quarter of 2013.  EBITDAX, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, exploration expense and other noncash expenses, increased 52% to $110.3 million in the first quarter of 2014 from EBITDAX from continuing operations of $72.5 million in the first quarter of 2013.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
2014 First Quarter Drilling Results
 
Comstock reported the results to date of its 2014 drilling program, which is focused on increasing the Company's oil production and proved oil reserves.  During the first three months of 2014, Comstock spent $143.0 million on its development and exploration activities and $44.8 million on acreage and other acquisition costs.  Comstock drilled 22 horizontal oil wells (16.5 net) and had seven wells (5.6 net) drilling at March 31, 2014.  Comstock has put 38 new oil wells (28.6 net) on production in its Eagleville field in South Texas so far in 2014.

Since the Company's last update in February, the Company has completed 29 (22.2 net) additional horizontal Eagle Ford shale wells.  These wells had an average per well initial production rate of 663 barrels of oil equivalent ("BOE") per day.  Excluding nine wells drilled on the Company's RTH leases which had shorter laterals due to acreage constraints, the average per well initial production rate was 746 BOE per day.  The wells with the highest initial production rates were the Swenson "A" #3H, the Swenson "A" #2H and the Swenson "A" #4H.  These wells are located in McMullen County and had initial production rates of 1,123, 1,100, and 1,079 BOE per day, respectively.

Included in capital expenditures for the first quarter of 2014 is $33.9 million for the acquisition of a 30% working interest in the Company's Burleson County, Texas acreage from URSA New Ventures LLC.  This acquisition included a 30% working interest in one producing well and approximately 9,000 net acres.  Comstock is currently drilling its first well on its Burleson County acreage, the Henry A#1H.

Comstock also announced that in connection with the acquisition of additional interests in the Company's Burleson County, Texas acreage, it is increasing its capital budget for 2014 and now expects to spend approximately $510.0 million in 2014 on development and exploration projects and $55.0 million for lease acquisition activity, including the first quarter acquisitions.  The budget for drilling activity includes $284.0 million to drill sixty-five wells (46.0 net) in the Eagleville field in South Texas, $79.0 million to drill ten Eagle Ford shale wells (9.2 net) on the Burleson County, Texas acreage and $33.0 million to drill three wells (2.7 net) targeting the Tuscaloosa Marine shale.  The budget also includes $76.0 million to complete 18 wells (13.3 net) in the Eagleville field that were drilled in 2013 and $38.0 million on facilities and other development activity.
Other

Comstock also announced that its lenders have approved an increase to the borrowing base under its $1 billion bank credit facility to $700.0 million to be effective on June 15, 2014.

Comstock has planned a conference call for 10:00 a.m. Central Time on May 6, 2014, to discuss the operational and financial results for the first quarter of 2014.  Investors wishing to participate should visit the Company's website at www.comstockresources.com for a live web cast or dial 800-510-9691 (international dial-in use 617-614-3453) and provide access code 31657344 when prompted.  If you are unable to participate in the original conference call, a web replay will be available approximately 24 hours following the completion of the call on Comstock's website at www.comstockresources.com.  The web replay will be available for approximately one week.  A replay of the conference call will be available beginning at 2:00 p.m. CT May 6, 2014 and will continue until 11:59 p.m. May 13, 2014.  To hear the replay, call 888-286-8010 (617-801-6888 if calling from outside the US).  The conference call access code is 89339980.

This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described herein.  Although the Company believes the expectations in such statements to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.

Comstock Resources, Inc. is an independent energy company based in Frisco, Texas and is engaged in oil and gas acquisitions, exploration and development primarily in Texas and Louisiana.  The Company's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CRK.
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
OPERATING RESULTS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

     
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
     
2014
   
2013
 
                   
 
Revenues:
               
 
Oil sales
 
$
90,313
   
$
45,740
 
 
Natural gas sales
   
51,596
     
49,280
 
 
Total revenues
   
141,909
     
95,020
 
                   
 
Operating expenses:
               
 
Production taxes
   
5,601
     
2,121
 
 
Gathering and transportation
   
3,776
     
4,202
 
 
Lease operating
   
15,061
     
13,206
 
 
Exploration(1) 
   
     
2,593
 
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
   
88,874
     
84,967
 
 
General and administrative
   
8,369
     
8,787
 
                   
 
Total operating expenses
   
121,681
     
115,876
 
                   
 
Operating income (loss)
   
20,228
     
(20,856
)
                   
 
Other income (expenses):
               
 
Gain on sale of marketable securities
   
     
7,877
 
 
Loss from derivative financial instruments
   
(4,946
)
   
(6,447
)
 
Interest and other income
   
251
     
245
 
 
Interest expense(2) 
   
(13,680
)
   
(17,578
)
                   
 
Total other income (expenses)
   
(18,375
)
   
(15,903
)
                   
 
Income (loss) before income taxes
   
1,853
     
(36,759
)
 
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes
   
(688
)
   
12,242
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
   
1,165
     
(24,517
)
 
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
   
     
(2,627
)
 
Net income (loss)
 
1,165
   
(27,144
)
                   
 
Net income (loss) per share:
               
    Basic
— income (loss) from continuing operations
 
$
0.02
   
$
(0.52
)
     
— loss from discontinued operations
   
      (0.06
      — net income (loss)  
0.02
    (0.58
                       
    Diluted  — income (loss) from continuing operations    0.02     (0.52
     
— loss from discontinued operations
   
      (0.06
     
— net income (loss)
   0.02     (0.58
                   
 
Dividends per common share
 
$
0.125
   
 
                   
 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
               
 
  Basic
   
46,599
     
46,730
 
 
  Diluted
   
46,749
     
46,730
 
                               
  (1)       Includes impairments of unevaluated leases of $2.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013.  
  (2)       $2.2 million and $1.0 million of interest expense was capitalized for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
 
                  
     
 
 
 

 
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
OPERATING RESULTS
(In thousands)
 
   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
     2014      2013  
                 
OPERATING CASH FLOW:
               
                 
Net income (loss)
 
$
1,165
   
$
(27,144
)
Reconciling items:
               
Loss from discontinued operations
   
     
2,627
 
Deferred income taxes
   
674
     
(12,245
)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
   
88,874
     
84,967
 
Dry hole costs and lease impairments
   
     
2,443
 
Gain on sale of assets
   
     
(7,877
)
Loss from derivative financial instruments
   
4,946
     
6,447
 
Cash settlements of derivative financial instruments
   
(1,297
)
   
2,320
 
Debt issuance cost and discount amortization
   
1,163
     
1,587
 
Stock-based compensation
   
2,263
     
3,218
 
Operating cash flow from continuing operations
   
97,788
     
56,343
 
Excess income taxes from stock-based compensation
   
1,098
     
1,742
 
Increase in accounts receivable 
   
(22,876
)
   
(19,059
)
Increase in other current assets
   
(554
)
   
(185
)
Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses
   
20,285
     
34,981
 
Net cash provided by continuing operations
   
95,741
     
73,822
 
Net cash provided by discontinuing operations(1)
   
     
23,530
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
95,741
   
$
97,352
 
                       
(1)     $5.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 excluding working capital changes.                
                 
EBITDAX:
               
                 
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
 
$
1,165
   
$
(24,517
)
Interest expense
   
13,680
     
17,578
 
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
   
688
     
(12,242
)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
   
88,874
     
84,967
 
Exploration
   
     
2,593
 
Gain on sale of assets
   
     
(7,877
)
Loss from derivative financial instruments
   
4,946
     
6,447
 
Cash settlements of derivative financial instruments
   
(1,297
)
   
2,320
 
Stock-based compensation
   
2,263
     
3,218
 
EBITDAX from continuing operations
   
110,319
     
72,487
 
EBITDAX from discontinued operations
   
     
8,967
 
Total EBITDAX
 
$
110,319
   
$
81,454
 
 
   
As of
 
   
March 31,
2014
   
December 31,
2013
 
                 
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
               
                 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
1,771
   
$
2,967
 
Other current assets
   
77,567
     
54,167
 
Property and equipment, net
   
2,166,275
     
2,066,735
 
Other
   
15,325
     
15,529
 
Total assets
 
$
2,260,938
   
$
2,139,398
 
                 
                 
Current liabilities
 
$
168,536
   
$
194,995
 
Long-term debt
   
949,140
     
798,700
 
Deferred income taxes
   
180,077
     
177,026
 
Other non-current liabilities
   
17,179
     
16,672
 
Stockholders' equity
   
946,006
     
952,005
 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
2,260,938
   
$
2,139,398
 
 
 

 
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
REGIONAL OPERATING RESULTS
(In thousands, except per unit amounts)


   
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
   
East Texas/ North
Louisiana
   
South Texas
   
Other
   
Total
 
Oil production (Mbbls)
   
17
     
914
     
4
     
935
 
Gas production (MMcf)
   
8,813
     
1,807
     
359
     
10,979
 
Total production (MMcfe)
   
8,914
     
7,291
     
384
     
16,589
 
                                 
Oil sales
 
$
1,585
   
$
88,317
   
$
411
   
$
90,313
 
Oil hedging settlements(1) 
   
     
     
     
(1,297
)
Total oil including hedging
   
1,585
     
88,317
     
411
     
89,016
 
Natural gas sales
   
39,557
     
10,135
     
1,904
     
51,596
 
Total oil and gas sales including hedging
 
$
41,142
   
$
98,452
   
$
2,315
   
$
140,612
 
                                 
Average oil price (per barrel)
 
$
94.84
   
$
96.62
   
$
96.18
   
$
96.59
 
Average oil price including hedging (per barrel)
 
$
94.84
   
$
96.62
   
$
96.18
   
$
95.20
 
Average gas price (per Mcf)
 
$
4.49
   
$
5.61
   
$
5.30
   
$
4.70
 
Average price (per Mcfe)
 
$
4.62
   
$
13.50
   
$
6.03
   
$
8.55
 
Average price including hedging (per Mcfe)
 
$
4.62
   
$
13.50
   
$
6.03
   
$
8.48
 
                                 
Production taxes
 
$
812
   
$
4,637
   
$
152
   
$
5,601
 
Gathering and transportation
 
$
2,706
   
$
974
   
$
96
   
$
3,776
 
Lease operating
 
$
6,445
   
$
7,946
   
$
670
   
$
15,061
 
                                 
Production taxes (per Mcfe)
 
$
0.09
   
$
0.64
   
$
0.40
   
$
0.34
 
Gathering and transportation (per Mcfe)
 
$
0.30
   
$
0.13
   
$
0.25
   
$
0.23
 
Lease operating (per Mcfe)
 
$
0.73
   
$
1.09
   
$
1.74
   
$
0.90
 
                                 
Oil and Gas Capital Expenditures:
                               
Acquisitions
 
$
   
$
2,400
   
$
   
$
2,400
 
Exploratory leasehold
   
     
34,787
     
4,918
     
39,705
 
Development leasehold
   
86
     
2,583
     
     
2,669
 
Development drilling
   
689
     
140,002
     
     
140,691
 
Other development
   
960
     
1,353
             
2,313
 
Total
 
$
1,735
   
$
181,125
(2)
$
4,918
   
$
187,778
(2)
       
 

(1)     Included in loss from derivative financial instruments in operating results.
(2)     Net of reimbursements received of $5.5 million under the Company's Eagle Ford shale joint venture.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 

 
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
REGIONAL OPERATING RESULTS
(In thousands, except per unit amounts)


   
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
 
   
East Texas/
North
Louisiana
   
South
Texas
   
Other
   
Continuing
Operations
     
Discontinued
Operations
     
Total
 
Oil production (Mbbls)
   
16
     
410
     
6
     
432
     
174
     
606
 
Gas production (MMcf)
   
13,399
     
1,781
     
448
     
15,628
     
269
     
15,897
 
Total production (MMcfe)
   
13,495
     
4,242
     
484
     
18,221
     
1,311
     
19,532
 
                                                 
Oil sales
 
$
1,504
   
$
43,546
   
$
690
   
$
45,740
   
$
14,734
   
$
60,474
 
Oil hedging settlements(1)
   
     
     
     
2,320
     
     
2,320
 
Total oil including hedging
   
1,504
     
43,546
     
690
     
48,060
     
14,734
     
62,794
 
Natural gas sales
   
41,157
     
6,471
     
1,652
     
49,280
     
1,565
     
50,845
 
Total oil and gas sales including hedging
 
$
42,661
   
$
50,017
   
$
2,342
   
$
97,340
   
$
16,299
   
$
113,639
 
                                                 
Average oil price (per barrel)
 
$
93.58
   
$
106.19
   
$
113.69
   
$
105.82
   
$
84.84
   
$
99.81
 
Average oil price including hedging (per barrel)
 
$
93.58
   
$
106.19
   
$
113.69
   
$
111.19
   
$
84.84
   
$
103.64
 
Average gas price (per Mcf)
 
$
3.07
   
$
3.63
   
$
3.69
   
$
3.15
   
$
5.82
   
$
3.20
 
Average price (per Mcfe)
 
$
3.16
   
$
11.79
   
$
4.84
   
$
5.21
   
$
12.43
   
$
5.70
 
Average price including hedging (per Mcfe)
 
$
3.16
   
$
11.79
   
$
4.84
   
$
5.34
   
$
12.43
   
$
5.82
 
                                                 
Production taxes
 
$
(231
)
 
$
2,220
   
$
132
   
$
2,121
   
$
693
   
$
2,814
 
Gathering and transportation
 
$
3,557
   
$
612
   
$
33
   
$
4,202
   
$
331
   
$
4,533
 
Lease operating
 
$
7,493
   
$
4,712
   
$
1,001
   
$
13,206
   
$
6,308
   
$
19,514
 
                                                 
Production taxes (per Mcfe)
 
$
(0.02
)
 
$
0.52
   
$
0.27
   
$
0.12
   
$
0.53
   
$
0.14
 
Gathering and transportation (per Mcfe)
 
$
0.26
   
$
0.14
   
$
0.07
   
$
0.23
   
$
0.25
   
$
0.23
 
Lease operating (per Mcfe)
 
$
0.56
   
$
1.12
   
$
2.07
   
$
0.72
   
$
4.81
   
$
1.01
 
                                                 
Oil and Gas Capital Expenditures:
                                               
Exploratory leasehold
 
$
   
$
1,939
   
$
   
$
1,939
   
$
6,203
   
$
8,142
 
Development leasehold
   
     
184
     
     
184
     
     
184
 
Development drilling
   
3,047
     
50,741
     
     
53,788
     
49,658
     
103,446
 
Other development
   
1,076
     
1,137
     
55
     
2,268
     
180
     
2,448
 
Total
 
$
4,123
   
$
54,001
(2)
$
55
   
$
58,179
   
$
56,041
   
$
114,220
(2)
       
 

(1)     Included in loss from derivative financial instruments in operating results.
(2)     Net of reimbursements received of $8.1 million under the Company's Eagle Ford shale joint venture.