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8-K - COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. FORM 8-K - COMSTOCK RESOURCES INCform8kapril132016.htm
   Exhibit 99.1
 
 
        5300 Town and Country Blvd., Suite 500
        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 2016 FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESULTS

FRISCO, TEXAS, May 4, 2016 – Comstock Resources, Inc. ("Comstock" or the "Company") (NYSE: CRK) today reported financial and operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

Financial Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016

Comstock produced 13.8 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 416,700 barrels of oil or 16.3 billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent ("Bcfe") in the first quarter of 2016.  Natural gas production averaged 152 MMcf per day, an increase of 67% over natural gas production in the first quarter of 2015.  The increase is attributable to the Company's successful Haynesville shale drilling program that commenced in 2015.  Oil production in the first quarter of 2016, which averaged 4,600 barrels of oil per day, declined by 60% from the 11,500 barrels per day produced in the first quarter of 2015.  The decrease in oil production is the result of the sale of the Company's Burleson County, Texas properties in 2015 and the lack of drilling in the South Texas Eagle Ford shale properties in 2015 and 2016.

Oil and natural gas prices declined further in the first quarter of 2016.  Comstock's average realized natural gas price, including hedging gains, decreased 25% to $1.89 per Mcf in the first quarter of 2016 as compared to $2.51 per Mcf realized in the first quarter of 2015.  The Company's average realized oil price declined by 40% to $26.44 per barrel in the first quarter of 2016 as compared to $44.34 per barrel in the first quarter of 2015.  The lower realized prices resulted in oil and gas sales declining by 44% to $37.2 million (including realized hedging gains) as compared to 2015's first quarter sales of $66.5 million.  EBITDAX, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, exploration expense and other noncash expenses, was $14.7 million in the first quarter of 2016 as compared to EBITDAX of $39.8 million in the first quarter of 2015.

Low oil and natural gas prices continued to adversely impact the Company's financial results for the first quarter of 2016.  Comstock reported a net loss of $56.6 million or $1.14 per share for the first quarter of 2016 as compared to a net loss of $78.5 million or $1.71 per share for the first quarter of 2015.  The first quarter of 2016 results include impairments on unevaluated acreage and oil and gas properties of $30.5 million, an unrealized loss from derivative financial instruments of $0.3 million, a gain on exchange of oil and gas properties of $0.7 million, an income tax charge to reflect a change in state law of $4.5 million and a gain on extinguishment of debt of $33.4 million.  Financial results for the first quarter of 2015 included impairments on unevaluated acreage and oil and gas properties of $40.8 million, drilling rig termination fees of $1.8 million and a net loss on extinguishment of debt of $2.7 million.  Excluding these items from each year's results, the net loss for the first quarter of 2016 would have been $51.0 million or $1.03 per share as compared to net loss of $49.0 million or $1.06 per share in the first quarter of 2015.
 

 


2016 First Quarter Drilling Results

Comstock reported the results to date of its 2016 drilling program.  During the first three months of 2016, Comstock spent $8.9 million on its development and exploration activities after commencing drilling in March 2016.  Comstock drilled one horizontal gas well (0.9 net) and had one well (0.9 net) drilling at March 31, 2016.  The Ramsey 4-9 #1 well in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana, was drilled to a total vertical depth of 11,425 feet with a 7,367 foot lateral.  This well was completed using the Company's enhanced completion design, and was tested with an initial production rate of 23 million cubic feet ("MMcf") per day.  The well was connected to sales at a total cost of $8.2 million, reflecting a 23% reduction in the 2015 per well completed costs of $10.6 million.  Wells offset to the Ramsey 49 #1 experienced a 5 MMcf per day increase in production as a result of the fracture stimulation to the new well.
 
Other

The Company continues to take steps to improve its balance sheet.  To date in 2016, the Company has retired $104.3 million in principal of its long-term debt, comprised of $87.6 million of its 7¾% Senior Notes due in 2019 and $16.7 million of its 9½% Senior Notes due in 2020.  The senior notes were acquired in several transactions in exchange for 12.2 million shares of the Company's stock and $3.5 million in cash for total consideration of $15.8 million, plus accrued interest.  The retirement of the senior notes will save the Company annual interests payments of $8.4 million and $27.2 million of total interest to maturity.
 
In combination with repurchases made in 2015, the Company has retired one third of its senior unsecured notes which had a total principal amount of $233.9 million resulting in annual interest savings of $20.3 million and $81.9 million of total interest to maturity.

Comstock has planned a conference call for 10:00 a.m. Central Time on May 4, 2016, to discuss the operational and financial results for the first quarter of 2016.  Investors wishing to participate should visit the Company's website at www.comstockresources.com for a live web cast or dial 866-300-8761 (international dial-in use 412-455-6227) and provide access code 89500785 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 1:00 p.m. CT May 4, 2016 and will continue until 10:59 p.m. May 11, 2016.  To hear the replay, call 855-859-2056 (404-537-3406 if calling from outside the US).  The conference call access code is 89500785.



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,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
                 
Revenues:
               
Oil sales
 
$
11,016
   
$
45,953
 
Natural gas sales
   
25,147
     
20,569
 
Total oil and gas sales
   
36,163
     
66,522
 
Gain on exchange of oil and gas properties 
   
740
     
 
Total revenues 
   
36,903
     
66,522
 
                 
Operating expenses:
               
Production taxes 
   
1,186
     
2,974
 
Gathering and transportation 
   
4,365
     
2,853
 
Lease operating 
   
12,960
     
15,136
 
Exploration(1) 
   
7,753
     
42,229
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 
   
38,836
     
91,889
 
General and administrative 
   
5,575
     
7,966
 
Impairment of oil and gas properties 
   
22,718
     
403
 
                 
Total operating expenses 
   
93,393
     
163,450
 
                 
Operating loss
   
(56,490
)
   
(96,928
)
                 
Other income (expenses):
               
Net gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt 
   
33,380
     
(2,735
)
Gain from derivative financial instruments 
   
656
     
 
Other income 
   
281
     
287
 
Interest expense(2) 
   
(29,944
)
   
(20,754
)
                 
Total other income (expenses) 
   
4,373
     
(23,202
)
                 
Loss before income taxes 
   
(52,117
)
   
(120,130
)
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes 
   
(4,460
)
   
41,628
 
Loss
 
$
(56,577
)
 
$
(78,502
)
                 
Net loss per share – basic and diluted
 
$
(1.14
)
 
$
(1.71
)
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted 
   
49,512
     
46,027
 
 
              
(1)
 
Comprised of impairments of unevaluated leases of $7.8 million and $40.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and rig termination fees of $1.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2015.
(2)
 
$0.9 million of interest expense was capitalized for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
 

 
 
 
 
 


COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
OPERATING RESULTS
(In thousands)

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
               
OPERATING CASH FLOW:
             
               
Net loss
 
$
(56,577
)
 
$
(78,502
)
Reconciling items:
               
Deferred income taxes
   
4,446
     
(41,691
)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
   
38,836
     
91,889
 
Impairment of oil and gas properties
   
22,718
     
403
 
Lease impairments and rig termination fees
   
7,753
     
42,229
 
Gain on exchange of  oil and gas properties
   
(740
)
   
 
Gain from derivative financial instruments
   
(656
)
   
 
Cash settlements of derivative financial instruments
   
998
     
 
Amortization of debt discount, premium and issuance costs
   
1,281
     
1,061
 
Net (gain) loss on extinguishment of debt
   
(33,380
)
   
2,735
 
Stock-based compensation
   
1,330
     
1,892
 
Operating cash flow
   
(13,991
)
   
20,016
 
Excess income taxes from stock-based compensation
   
     
1,510
 
Decrease in accounts receivable
   
4,287
     
15,081
 
Decrease in other current assets
   
109
     
7,724
 
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses
   
(21,444
)
   
15,897
 
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities
 
$
(31,039
)
 
$
60,228
 
                 
EBITDAX:
               
                 
Net loss
 
$
(56,577
)
 
$
(78,502
)
Interest expense
   
29,944
     
20,754
 
Income taxes
   
4,460
     
(41,628
)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
   
38,836
     
91,889
 
Exploration
   
7,753
     
42,229
 
Impairment of oil and gas properties
   
22,718
     
403
 
Gain on exchange of oil and gas properties
   
(740
)
   
 
Gain from derivative financial instruments
   
(656
)
   
 
Cash settlements of derivative financial instruments
   
998
     
 
Net (gain) loss on extinguishment of debt
   
(33,380
)
   
2,735
 
Stock-based compensation
   
1,330
     
1,892
 
Total EBITDAX
 
$
14,686
   
$
39,772
 
 
   
As of
 
   
March 31,
2016
   
December 31,
2015
 
                 
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
               
                 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
89,323
   
$
134,006
 
Other current assets
   
60,036
     
22,232
 
Property and equipment, net
   
934,621
     
1,038,420
 
Other
   
1,156
     
1,192
 
Total assets
 
$
1,085,136
   
$
1,195,850
 
                 
                 
Current liabilities
 
$
72,250
   
$
95,720
 
Long-term debt
   
1,210,582
     
1,249,330
 
Deferred income taxes
   
6,423
     
1,965
 
Asset retirement obligation
   
16,100
     
20,093
 
Stockholders' deficit
   
(220,219
)
   
(171,258
)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit
 
$
1,085,136
   
$
1,195,850
 



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



   
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
 
   
East Texas/
North
Louisiana
   
South Texas
   
Other
   
Total
 
Oil production (Mbbls) 
   
20
     
388
     
9
     
417
 
Gas production (MMcf) 
   
12,157
     
1,383
     
285
     
13,825
 
Total production (MMcfe) 
   
12,277
     
3,713
     
335
     
16,325
 
                                 
Oil sales 
 
$
596
   
$
10,164
   
$
256
   
$
11,016
 
Natural gas sales 
   
21,957
     
2,710
     
480
     
25,147
 
Natural gas hedging settlements(1) 
   
     
     
     
998
 
Total natural gas including hedging 
   
21,957
     
2,710
     
480
     
26,145
 
Total oil and gas sales including hedging
 
$
22,553
   
$
12,874
   
$
736
   
$
37,161
 
                                 
Average oil price (per barrel) 
 
$
29.68
   
$
23.61
   
$
30.51
   
$
26.44
 
Average gas price (per Mcf) 
 
$
1.81
   
$
1.96
   
$
1.68
   
$
1.82
 
Average gas price including hedging (per Mcf)
                         
$
1.89
 
Average price (per Mcfe) 
 
$
1.84
   
$
3.47
   
$
2.20
   
$
2.22
 
Average price including hedging (per Mcfe)
                         
$
2.28
 
                                 
Production taxes 
 
$
581
   
$
564
   
$
41
   
$
1,186
 
Gathering and transportation 
 
$
3,614
   
$
678
   
$
73
   
$
4,365
 
Lease operating 
 
$
6,052
   
$
6,374
   
$
534
   
$
12,960
 
                                 
Production taxes (per Mcfe) 
 
$
0.05
   
$
0.15
   
$
0.12
   
$
0.07
 
Gathering and transportation (per Mcfe) 
 
$
0.29
   
$
0.18
   
$
0.22
   
$
0.27
 
Lease operating (per Mcfe) 
 
$
0.49
   
$
1.72
   
$
1.59
   
$
0.79
 
                                 
Oil and Gas Capital Expenditures:
                               
Development leasehold 
 
$
95
   
$
37
   
$
   
$
132
 
Development drilling 
   
7,104
     
5
     
     
7,109
 
Other development 
   
235
     
1,403
     
     
1,638
 
Total 
 
$
7,434
   
$
1,445
 
$
   
$
8,879
 

 
              
(1)
 
Included in gain from derivative financial instruments in operating results.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 




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




   
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
 
   
East Texas/
North
Louisiana
   
South Texas
   
Other
   
Total
 
Oil production (Mbbls) 
   
16
     
990
     
30
     
1,036
 
Gas production (MMcf) 
   
5,982
     
1,918
     
300
     
8,200
 
Total production (MMcfe) 
   
6,076
     
7,860
     
482
     
14,418
 
                                 
Oil sales 
 
$
725
   
$
43,748
   
$
1,480
   
$
45,953
 
Natural gas sales 
   
14,380
     
5,486
     
703
     
20,569
 
Total oil and gas sales 
 
$
15,105
   
$
49,234
   
$
2,183
   
$
66,522
 
                                 
Average oil price (per barrel)
 
$
46.36
   
$
44.18
   
$
48.79
   
$
44.34
 
Average gas price (per Mcf) 
 
$
2.40
   
$
2.86
   
$
2.34
   
$
2.51
 
Average price (per Mcfe) 
 
$
2.49
   
$
6.26
   
$
4.53
   
$
4.61
 
                                 
Production taxes 
 
$
677
   
$
2,221
   
$
76
   
$
2,974
 
Gathering and transportation 
 
$
1,914
   
$
848
   
$
91
   
$
2,853
 
Lease operating 
 
$
5,911
   
$
8,556
   
$
669
   
$
15,136
 
                                 
Production taxes (per Mcfe) 
 
$
0.11
   
$
0.28
   
$
0.16
   
$
0.21
 
Gathering and transportation (per Mcfe)
 
$
0.32
   
$
0.11
   
$
0.19
   
$
0.20
 
Lease operating (per Mcfe) 
 
$
0.97
   
$
1.09
   
$
1.38
   
$
1.04
 
                                 
Oil and Gas Capital Expenditures:
                               
Exploratory leasehold 
 
$
   
$
392
   
$
913
   
$
1,305
 
Development leasehold 
   
377
     
     
     
377
 
Exploratory drilling 
   
     
7,350
     
3,413
     
10,763
 
Development drilling 
   
22,433
     
72,066
     
     
94,499
 
Other development 
   
2,497
     
13,665
     
     
16,162
 
Total 
 
$
25,307
   
$
93,473
 
$
4,326
   
$
123,106