UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

___________________________________________________________
FORM 8-K
___________________________________________________________

Current Report
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED):
March 4, 2015
__________________________________________________________

PETROQUEST ENERGY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


DELAWARE
(State of Incorporation)
72-1440714
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
400 E. Kaliste Saloom Rd., Suite 6000
Lafayette, Louisiana (Address of principal executive offices)
70508
(Zip code)

Commission File Number: 001-32681

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (337) 232-7028
___________________________________________________________

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))







Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition
On March 4, 2015, PetroQuest Energy, Inc. (the "Company") announced net income available to common stockholders for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 of $1,745,000, or $0.03 per share, compared to fourth quarter 2013 net income available to common stockholders of $2,291,000, or $0.04 per share. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company reported net income available to common stockholders of $26,051,000, or $0.39 per share, compared to net income available to common shareholders of $8,943,000, or $0.14 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Discretionary cash flow for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $26,382,000 as compared to $27,898,000 for the comparable 2013 period. Net cash flow provided by operating activities totaled $52,347,000 and $26,945,000 during the fourth quarters of 2014 and 2013, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2014, discretionary cash flow was $126,461,000 compared to $93,056,000 for 2013. Net cash flow provided by operating activities totaled $178,208,000 and $59,854,000 during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. See the attached schedule for a reconciliation of net cash flow provided by operating activities to discretionary cash flow.
Oil and gas sales during the fourth quarter of 2014 were $47,988,000 as compared to $53,174,000 in the fourth quarter of 2013. For the year ended December 31, 2014, oil and gas sales increased 23% to $225,021,000 as compared to $182,804,000 for the year ended December 31, 2013. Production for the year ended December 31, 2014 was 14% higher than 2013. Stated on an Mcfe basis, unit prices received during the fourth quarter and the year ended December 31, 2014 were lower by 18% and higher by 8%, respectively, as compared to the prices received during the comparable 2013 periods.
Lease operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2014 were $0.99 per Mcfe as compared to $1.23 per Mcfe in the fourth quarter of 2013. The decrease in lease operating expenses during the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to the fourth quarter of 2013 is primarily due to a transportation credit associated with the Company's offshore properties as well as a higher percentage of production coming from its onshore assets. Lease operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $1.12 per Mcfe as compared to $1.15 for the year ended December 31, 2013. The decrease in per unit lease operating expenses during the 2014 period is primarily due to increased production from the Company's onshore properties which typically incur lower per unit lease operating expenses.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization (“DD&A”) on oil and gas properties for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $2.05 per Mcfe as compared to $2.07 per Mcfe in the fourth quarter of 2013. For the year ended December 31, 2014, DD&A on oil and gas properties increased to $1.99 per Mcfe from $1.82 per Mcfe for the comparable period of 2013.
Interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $7,215,000, as compared to $7,835,000 in the fourth quarter of 2013. For the year ended December 31, 2014, interest expense was $29,281,000 compared to $21,886,000 for 2013. The increase in interest expense for the annual 2014 period was primarily a result of interest related to the debt incurred to finance the Gulf of Mexico acquisition in July 2013.
Fourth quarter of 2014 general and administrative expense was $2,471,000 lower than the comparable 2013 period. The decline in general and administrative expense during fourth quarter of 2014 was the result of reduced incentive compensation costs as compared to the fourth quarter of 2013. For the year ended December 31, 2014, general and administrative expenses were $3,642,000 lower than 2013. General and administrative expenses during 2013 included $4,018,000 associated with the Gulf of Mexico acquisition.
Production taxes for the fourth quarter of 2014 totaled $1,249,000, as compared to $193,000 in the fourth quarter of 2013. The increase in production taxes during the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to the fourth quarter of 2013 is primarily due to production tax refunds received from Texas during the 2013 period. For the year ended December 31, 2014, production taxes were $5,927,000, as compared to $3,950,000 for the comparable period of 2013. The increase in total production taxes was primarily due to increased production from onshore properties subject to severance taxes as well as an increase in Louisiana severance tax rates effective July 2014.






The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the oil and gas operations of the Company for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Production:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil (Bbls)
159,998

 
220,158

 
802,509

 
680,980

Gas (Mcf)
7,994,417

 
7,706,293

 
31,027,671

 
29,225,843

Ngl (Mcfe)
2,295,516

 
1,194,044

 
7,482,310

 
4,754,223

Total Production (Mcfe)
11,249,921

 
10,221,285

 
43,325,035

 
38,065,946

Daily Production (MMcfe)
122.3

 
111.1

 
118.7

 
104.3

Sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total oil sales
$
13,896,729

 
$
21,644,128

 
$
78,176,377

 
$
70,476,065

Total gas sales
27,143,468

 
25,469,355

 
114,613,267

 
87,449,370

Total ngl sales
6,947,208

 
6,060,077

 
32,231,090

 
24,878,243

Total oil and gas sales
$
47,987,405

 
$
53,173,560

 
$
225,020,734

 
$
182,803,678

Average sales prices:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil (per Bbl)
$
86.86

 
$
98.31

 
$
97.41

 
$
103.49

Gas (per Mcf)
3.40

 
3.31

 
3.69

 
2.99

Ngl (per Mcfe)
3.03

 
5.08

 
4.31

 
5.23

Per Mcfe
4.27

 
5.20

 
5.19

 
4.80

The above sales and average sales prices include increases to revenue related to the settlement of gas hedges of $565,000 and $677,000, oil hedges of $2,128,000 and $452,000, and Ngl hedges of $268,000 and $56,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The above sales and average sales prices include increases (reductions) to revenue related to the settlement of gas hedges of ($4,237,000) and $1,098,000, oil hedges of $897,000 and ($232,000), and Ngl hedges of $296,000 and $61,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.






Hedging Update
The Company recently initiated the following commodity hedging transactions:
 
 
Instrument
 
 
 
 
Production Period
 
Type
 
Daily Volumes
 
Price
Gas:
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 15 - Dec 15
 
Swap
 
5,000 Mmbtu
 
$2.97
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil:
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 15 - Dec 15
 
Swap
 
250 Bbls
 
$59.35 *
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGL (Propane):
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 15 - Dec 15
 
Swap
 
250 Bbls
 
$25.62
* LLS Index

After executing the above transactions, the Company has approximately 20.7 Bcf of gas volumes, at an average price of $3.44 per Mcf, approximately 160,000 barrels of oil volumes at an average price of $56.56 per barrel, and 76,500 barrels of propane volumes at an average price of $25.62 hedged for 2015.

Guidance
The following initiates guidance for the first quarter of 2015:
 
Guidance for
Description
1st Quarter 2015
 
 
Production volumes (MMcfe/d)
113 - 117
 
 
Percent Gas
77%
Percent Oil
9%
Percent NGL
14%
 
 
Expenses:
 
Lease operating expenses (per Mcfe)
$1.05 - $1.15
Production taxes (per Mcfe)
$0.08 - $0.12
Depreciation, depletion and amortization (per Mcfe)
$1.90 - $2.00
General and administrative (in millions)*
$5.0 - $5.5
Interest expense (in millions)
$7.0 - $7.5
 
 
 
 
* Includes non-cash stock compensation estimate of $1.4 million
 

Operations Update
In East Texas, the Company last week completed its PQ #16 and #17 horizontal Cotton Valley wells (NRI - 77%). To date, the PQ #16 well has achieved a maximum 24-hour gross rate of 8,364 Mcf of gas, 485 barrels of natural gas liquids and 82 barrels of oil. The PQ #17 well has achieved a maximum 24-hour gross rate of 8,466 Mcf of gas, 471 barrels of natural gas liquids and 55 barrels of oil. Both wells are on their seventh day of production and continue to strengthen as maximum rate is normally reached approximately 30 days from initial flowback. In addition, the Company is currently drilling the lateral section of its PQ #18 horizontal Cotton Valley well (WI - 45%).







Management’s Comment
“Operationally, 2014 was a tremendous year for the Company, as we made the single largest discovery in our history with Thunder Bayou, generated top tier horizontal Cotton Valley results, and derisked a substantial portion of our 30,000 acre liquids rich West Relay field,” said Charles T. Goodson, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President. “While the recent pullback in commodity prices has caused us to reduce this year's capital expenditure budget, we are still forecasting production growth during 2015, supported by our Thunder Bayou discovery expected to be on-line in the second quarter, our Woodford programs and three horizontal Cotton Valley wells."

About the Company
PetroQuest Energy, Inc. is an independent energy company engaged in the exploration, development, acquisition and production of oil and natural gas reserves in the Arkoma Basin, Texas, Louisiana and the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico. PetroQuest’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker PQ.


Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release are forward-looking statements. Although PetroQuest believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements are based upon assumptions and anticipated results that are subject to numerous uncertainties and risks. Actual results may vary significantly from those anticipated due to many factors, including the volatility of oil and natural gas prices and significantly depressed oil prices since the end of 2014, our estimate of the sufficiency of our existing capital sources, including availability under our bank credit facility and the result of any borrowing base redetermination, our ability to raise additional capital to fund cash requirements for future operations, the effects of a financial downturn or negative credit market conditions on our liquidity, business and financial condition, the declines in the values of our properties that have resulted in and may in the future result in additional ceiling test write-downs, our ability to replace reserves and sustain production, our ability to find oil and natural gas reserves that are economically recoverable, the uncertainties involved in prospect development and property acquisitions or dispositions and in projecting future rates of production or future reserves, our ability to realize the anticipated benefits from our joint ventures, the timing of development expenditures and drilling of wells, hurricanes, tropical storms and other natural disasters, changes in laws and regulations as they relate to our operations, including our fracking operations or our operations in the Gulf of Mexico, and the operating hazards attendant to the oil and gas business.
In particular, careful consideration should be given to cautionary statements made in the various reports PetroQuest has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. PetroQuest undertakes no duty to update or revise these forward-looking statements.

Click here for more information: “http://www.petroquest.com/news.html?=BizID=1690&1=1”







PETROQUEST ENERGY, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Amounts in Thousands)
 
December 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
18,243

 
$
9,153

Revenue receivable
16,485

 
26,568

Joint interest billing receivable
46,778

 
26,556

Derivative asset
8,631

 
521

Prepaid drilling costs
847

 
477

Other current assets
5,566

 
8,132

Total current assets
96,550

 
71,407

Property and equipment:
 
 
 
Oil and gas properties:
 
 
 
Oil and gas properties, full cost method
2,222,753

 
2,035,899

Unevaluated oil and gas properties
109,119

 
98,387

Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization
(1,648,060
)
 
(1,553,044
)
Oil and gas properties, net
683,812

 
581,242

Other property and equipment
14,953

 
13,993

Accumulated depreciation of other property and equipment
(10,313
)
 
(8,901
)
Total property and equipment
688,452

 
586,334

Other assets, net of accumulated amortization of $7,847 and $5,689, respectively
5,893

 
9,449

Total assets
$
790,895

 
$
667,190

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable to vendors
$
102,954

 
$
47,341

Advances from co-owners
12,819

 
969

Oil and gas revenue payable
22,333

 
22,664

Accrued interest and preferred stock dividend
12,764

 
12,909

Asset retirement obligation
2,756

 
3,113

Derivative liability

 
1,617

Accrued acquisition costs
17,690

 

Other accrued liabilities
5,394

 
8,924

Total current liabilities
176,710

 
97,537

Bank debt
75,000

 
75,000

10% Senior Notes
350,000

 
350,000

Asset retirement obligation
52,214

 
45,423

Other long-term liability
62

 
135

Commitments and contingencies
 
 
 
Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $.001 par value; authorized 5,000 shares; issued and outstanding 1,495 shares
1

 
1

Common stock, $.001 par value; authorized 150,000 shares; issued and outstanding 64,721 and 63,664 shares, respectively
65

 
64

Paid-in capital
285,957

 
280,711

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
5,420

 
(1,096
)
Accumulated deficit
(154,534
)
 
(180,585
)
Total stockholders’ equity
136,909

 
99,095

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
790,895

 
$
667,190







PETROQUEST ENERGY, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Amounts in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil and gas sales
$
47,988

 
$
53,174

 
$
225,021

 
$
182,804

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lease operating expenses
11,152

 
12,535

 
48,597

 
43,743

Production taxes
1,249

 
193

 
5,927

 
3,950

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
23,394

 
21,563

 
87,818

 
71,445

General and administrative
3,842

 
6,313

 
22,870

 
26,512

Accretion of asset retirement obligation
735

 
550

 
2,958

 
1,753

Interest expense
7,215

 
7,835

 
29,281

 
21,886

 
47,587

 
48,989

 
197,451

 
169,289

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income
77

 
154

 
679

 
654

Derivative income

 
31

 

 
233

 
77

 
185

 
679

 
887

Income from operations
478

 
4,370

 
28,249

 
14,402

Income tax expense (benefit)
(2,552
)
 
794

 
(2,941
)
 
320

Net income
3,030

 
3,576

 
31,190

 
14,082

Preferred stock dividend
1,285

 
1,285

 
5,139

 
5,139

Net income available to common stockholders
$
1,745

 
$
2,291

 
$
26,051

 
$
8,943

Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per share
$
0.03

 
$
0.04

 
$
0.39

 
$
0.14

Diluted
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per share
$
0.03

 
$
0.04

 
$
0.39

 
$
0.14

Weighted average number of common shares:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
64,593

 
62,459

 
64,204

 
63,054

Diluted
64,593

 
62,459

 
64,225

 
63,208








PETROQUEST ENERGY, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Amounts in Thousands)
 
Year Ended
 
December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
31,190

 
$
14,082

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Deferred tax expense (benefit)
(2,941
)
 
320

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
87,818

 
71,445

Accretion of asset retirement obligation
2,958

 
1,753

Share based compensation expense
5,248

 
4,216

Amortization costs and other
2,188

 
1,473

Non-cash derivative income

 
(233
)
Payments to settle asset retirement obligations
(3,623
)
 
(3,335
)
Changes in working capital accounts:
 
 
 
Revenue receivable
10,083

 
(8,826
)
Prepaid drilling and pipe costs
(370
)
 
1,221

Joint interest billing and other receivable
(20,276
)
 
15,685

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
50,243

 
(12,865
)
Advances from co-owners
11,850

 
(19,490
)
Other
3,840

 
(5,592
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
178,208

 
59,854

Cash flows used in investing activities:
 
 
 
Investment in oil and gas properties
(174,633
)
 
(298,824
)
Investment in other property and equipment
(926
)
 
(1,679
)
Sale of oil and gas properties
8,610

 
19,913

Sale of unevaluated oil and gas properties
3,298

 
487

Net cash used in investing activities
(163,651
)
 
(280,103
)
Cash flows used in financing activities:
 
 
 
Net payments for share based compensation
(75
)
 
(38
)
Deferred financing costs
(253
)
 
(320
)
Payment of preferred stock dividend
(5,139
)
 
(5,139
)
Proceeds from bank borrowings
17,500

 
73,000

Repayment of bank borrowings
(17,500
)
 
(48,000
)
Proceeds from issuance of 10% Senior Notes

 
200,000

Costs to issue 10% Senior Notes

 
(5,005
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(5,467
)
 
214,498

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
9,090

 
(5,751
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
9,153

 
14,904

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
18,243

 
$
9,153

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
 
 
 
Cash paid during the period for:
 
 
 
Interest
$
37,174

 
$
20,101

Income taxes
$
270

 
$
12








PETROQUEST ENERGY, INC.
Non-GAAP Disclosure Reconciliation
(Amounts In Thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Net income
$
3,030

 
$
3,576

 
$
31,190

 
$
14,082

Reconciling items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Deferred tax expense (benefit)
(2,552
)
 
794

 
(2,941
)
 
320

      Depreciation, depletion and amortization
23,394

 
21,563

 
87,818

 
71,445

      Non-cash derivative income

 
(31
)
 

 
(233
)
      Accretion of asset retirement obligation
735

 
550

 
2,958

 
1,753

      Non-cash share based compensation expense
1,223

 
1,111

 
5,248

 
4,216

      Amortization costs and other
552

 
335

 
2,188

 
1,473

Discretionary cash flow
26,382

 
27,898

 
126,461

 
93,056

      Changes in working capital accounts
26,686

 
(33
)
 
55,370

 
(29,867
)
      Settlement of asset retirement obligations
(721
)
 
(920
)
 
(3,623
)
 
(3,335
)
Net cash flow provided by operating activities
$
52,347

 
$
26,945

 
$
178,208

 
$
59,854


Note:
Management believes that discretionary cash flow is relevant and useful information, which is commonly used by analysts, investors and other interested parties in the oil and gas industry as a financial indicator of an oil and gas company’s ability to generate cash used to internally fund exploration and development activities and to service debt. Discretionary cash flow is not a measure of financial performance prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net cash flow provided by operating activities. In addition, since discretionary cash flow is not a term defined by GAAP, it might not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.



























SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date: March 4, 2015
PETROQUEST ENERGY, INC.
                                
/s/ J. Bond Clement        
J. Bond Clement
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer