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8-K - 8-K - CABOT OIL & GAS CORPcog-09302018x8k.htm


Exhibit 99.1
image0a07.jpg
October 26, 2018
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
 
 
Matt Kerin (281) 589-4642
Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation Announces Third-Quarter 2018 Results,
Increases Dividend by 17 Percent,
Provides Preliminary 2019 Operating Plan and Capital Allocation Strategy

HOUSTON, October 26, 2018/PRNewswire/ -- Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation (NYSE: COG) (“Cabot” or the “Company”) today reported financial and operating results for the third-quarter of 2018.

Third-Quarter 2018 Highlights

Daily equivalent production of 2,029 million cubic feet equivalent (Mmcfe) per day
Net income of $122.3 million (or $0.28 per share); adjusted net income (non-GAAP) of $108.9 million (or $0.25 per share)
Net cash provided by operating activities of $242.2 million; discretionary cash flow (non-GAAP) of $298.8 million
Free cash flow (non-GAAP) of $28.6 million
Return on capital employed (ROCE) (non-GAAP) of 10.8 percent for the trailing twelve months
Returned $188.5 million of capital to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases
Announced a 17 percent dividend increase, the Company’s third dividend increase in the last 18 months
Reduced debt by $237.0 million, resulting in annualized interest expense savings of $15.3 million
Improved operating expenses per unit by 18 percent relative to the prior-year comparable quarter

See the supplemental tables at the end of this press release for a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures including adjusted net income, EBITDAX, discretionary cash flow, free cash flow, ROCE, and net debt to adjusted capitalization ratio.

"We returned to free cash flow generation during the third-quarter while delivering significant year-over-year growth in all financial metrics,” stated Dan O. Dinges, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We continue to execute on our strategy of delivering returns-focused growth in per share metrics, returning capital to shareholders, and improving our return on capital employed.”


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Third-Quarter 2018 Financial Results

Third-quarter 2018 daily equivalent production was 2,029 Mmcfe per day (100 percent natural gas), a 10 percent increase relative to the third-quarter of 2017 and a seven percent sequential increase relative to the second-quarter of 2018. On a divestiture-adjusted basis, third-quarter 2018 daily equivalent production increased 19 percent relative to the prior-year comparable quarter.

Third-quarter 2018 net income was $122.3 million, or $0.28 per share, compared to net income of $17.6 million, or $0.04 per share, in the prior-year period. Third-quarter 2018 adjusted net income (non-GAAP) was $108.9 million, or $0.25 per share, compared to adjusted net income of $32.0 million, or $0.07 per share, in the prior-year period. Third-quarter 2018 EBITDAX (non-GAAP) was $291.6 million, compared to $218.6 million in the prior-year period.

Third-quarter 2018 net cash provided by operating activities was $242.2 million, compared to $189.1 million in the prior-year period. Third-quarter 2018 discretionary cash flow (non-GAAP) was $298.8 million, compared to $207.2 million in the prior-year period. Third-quarter 2018 free cash flow (non-GAAP) was $28.6 million, compared to $4.0 million in the prior-year period.

Third-quarter 2018 natural gas price realizations, both including and excluding the impact of derivatives, were $2.36 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf), an increase of 16 percent compared to the prior-year period. Third-quarter 2018 natural gas price realizations represented a $0.54 discount to NYMEX settlement prices compared to a $0.99 discount in the prior-year comparable quarter.
Third-quarter 2018 operating expenses (including financing) decreased to $1.69 per thousand cubic feet equivalent (Mcfe), an 18 percent improvement compared to the prior-year period. All operating expense categories decreased on a per unit basis relative to last year's comparable quarter except for exploration, which increased primarily as a result of $5.3 million of exploratory dry hole costs related to the final activity in the Company’s first exploratory area, for which the Company previously announced its decision to cease further activity.
Cabot incurred a total of $263.2 million of capital expenditures in the third-quarter of 2018 including $237.5 million of drilling and facilities capital; $16.1 million of leasehold acquisition capital; and $9.6 million of other capital. Additionally, the Company contributed $10.0 million to its equity method pipeline investments in the third-quarter of 2018. See the supplemental table at the end of this press release reconciling the capital expenditures during the third-quarter of 2018.

Year-To-Date 2018 Financial Results

Daily equivalent production for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2018 was 1,936 Mmcfe per day (99 percent natural gas), a three percent increase relative to the prior-year period. On a divestiture-adjusted basis, daily equivalent production for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2018 increased nine percent relative to the prior-year period.

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For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2018, net income was $282.0 million, or $0.63 per share, compared to net income of $144.8 million, or $0.31 per share, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017. Adjusted net income (non-GAAP) was $295.3 million, or $0.66 per share, compared to adjusted net income of $185.1 million, or $0.40 per share, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017. EBITDAX (non-GAAP) for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2018 was $802.3 million, compared to $799.3 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2018, net cash provided by operating activities was $788.9 million, compared to $719.0 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017. Discretionary cash flow (non-GAAP) for the nine-months ended September 30, 2018 was $775.6 million, compared to $736.0 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017. Free cash flow (non-GAAP) was $55.2 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2018, compared to $125.8 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017. ROCE (non-GAAP) improved to 10.8 percent for the trailing twelve months ended September 30, 2018, compared to 5.7 percent for the trailing twelve months ended September 30, 2017.

Natural gas price realizations, including the impact of derivatives, were $2.32 per Mcf for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2018, a decrease of one percent compared to the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2018, operating expenses (including financing) decreased to $1.71 per Mcfe, a 16 percent improvement compared to the prior-year period.

Cabot incurred a total of $593.1 million of capital expenditures during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2018 including $551.4 million of drilling and facilities capital; $27.5 million of leasehold acquisition capital; and $14.2 million of other capital. Additionally, the Company contributed $72.9 million to its equity method pipeline investments during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2018.

Dividend Increase

Cabot’s Board of Directors today approved a 17 percent increase in its quarterly cash dividend on common stock. Effective with the dividend payable on November 16, 2018, to holders of record as of November 7, 2018, the board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.07 per share on its common stock. “With the in-service of the Atlantic Sunrise pipeline project now in the rearview mirror, we have full confidence in the Company’s ability to generate significant free cash flow in the coming years,” commented Dinges. “As a result, we are increasing our dividend for the third time in the last 18 months as we continue to increase the focus of our capital allocation on returning cash to our shareholders.”


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Share Repurchase Program Update

During the third-quarter of 2018, Cabot repurchased 7.2 million shares at a weighted-average share price of $22.67. Subsequent to the end of the third-quarter, the Company repurchased an additional 2.8 million shares at a weighted-average share price of $23.17 under a Rule 10b5-1 plan, resulting in year-to-date repurchases through the date of this press release of approximately 30.0 million shares at a weighted-average share price of $23.66. Since reactivating the share repurchase program in the second-quarter of 2017, Cabot has reduced its shares outstanding by over seven percent to 431.2 million shares. “Our year-to-date share repurchases, in addition to our expected dividend payments for the year, will result in the Company returning over $820 million of capital to shareholders, implying a total shareholder yield of almost nine percent based on our current market capitalization,” said Dinges.

Financial Position and Liquidity

As of September 30, 2018, Cabot had total debt of $1.3 billion and cash on hand of $316.1 million. During the third-quarter of 2018, Cabot paid off its $237.0 million tranche of 6.44% senior notes that matured on July 16, 2018, resulting in approximately $15.3 million of annualized interest expense savings going forward.

The Company's net debt-to-adjusted capitalization ratio and net debt-to-trailing twelve months EBITDAX ratio were 31.7 percent and 0.9x, respectively, compared to 29.2 percent and 1.0x as of December 31, 2017. The Company currently has no debt outstanding under the credit facility, resulting in over $2.1 billion of liquidity.

Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Guidance

Cabot has reaffirmed its previously announced fourth-quarter 2018 net production guidance of 2,225 to 2,275 Mmcfe per day. The Company has also reaffirmed its previously announced 2018 daily production growth guidance range of 7 to 8 percent (12 to 13 percent on a debt-adjusted per share basis) and its full-year capital budget of $940 million. “Due to the recent improvement in the near-term outlook for NYMEX prices and basis differentials, we now expect to generate approximately $200 million of free cash flow during the fourth-quarter and approximately $250 million of free cash flow for the full-year, based on current strip prices”, noted Dinges.

Preliminary 2019 Operating Plan

Cabot has provided its preliminary 2019 production growth guidance range of 20 to 25 percent (25 to 30 percent on a debt-adjusted per share basis). This production growth range is based on a capital budget of $800 million to $850 million. Based on current market indications for basis differentials at the time of this press release, Cabot expects its natural gas price realizations to average $0.30 below NYMEX for the full-year of 2019. Based on current strip prices and these differential assumptions, the Company's 2019 program is expected to deliver between $650 million and $700 million of free cash flow. “Our preliminary 2019 operating

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plan and capital budget can deliver greater than 60 percent growth in earnings per share, an improvement in ROCE to over 20 percent, and a free cash flow yield over seven percent based on our current market capitalization” said Dinges. “I would also highlight that our focus, first and foremost, is on maximizing returns and free cash flow with production growth simply being a result of disciplined capital allocation to high-quality assets. To the extent that our outlook for commodity prices in 2019 and beyond changes as a result of supply and demand dynamics during this coming winter heating season, we may reevaluate our plans in early 2019 to remain aligned with our strategic focus on maximizing returns and free cash flow.”

Capital Allocation Strategy

Cabot plans to distribute greater than 50 percent of free cash flow to shareholders annually through a combination of dividends and share repurchases. The allocation of the remaining free cash flow will be dependent on market conditions with a focus preserving financial flexibility and increasing optionality throughout all commodity price cycles. “Given the inflection point we are reaching for free cash flow generation this year, we are excited to highlight our capital allocation plans beyond investing through the drill-bit in our high-return Marcellus Shale assets,” stated Dinges. “Cabot has been at the forefront of the shift in strategy across the exploration and production sector to focusing on generating free cash flow, improving return on capital, and increasing return of capital. We believe our commitment to provide this level of payout to shareholders annually while still preserving financial flexibility to remain opportunistic through all cycles, maximizes Cabot’s ability to create long-term shareholder value.”

Conference Call Webcast

A conference call is scheduled for Friday, October 26, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss third-quarter 2018 financial and operating results. To access the live audio webcast, please visit the Investor Relations section of the Company's website. A replay of the call will also be available on 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 website at www.cabotog.com.

This press release includes forwardlooking 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. The statements regarding future financial and operating performance and results, strategic pursuits and goals, market prices, future hedging and risk management activities, and other statements that are not historical facts contained in this report are forward-looking statements. The words "expect", "project", "estimate", "believe", "anticipate", "intend", "budget", "plan", "forecast", “outlook”, "predict", "may", "should", "could", "will" and similar expressions are also intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, market factors, market prices (including geographic basis differentials) of natural gas and crude oil, results of future drilling and marketing activity,

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future production and costs, legislative and regulatory initiatives, electronic, cyber or physical security breaches and other factors detailed herein and in our other Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings. See "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of the Form 10-K and subsequent public filings for additional information about these risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those indicated. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as the result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

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


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OPERATING DATA

 
Quarter Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
PRODUCTION VOLUMES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas (Bcf)
186.5

 
161.2

 
523.6

 
491.2

Crude oil and condensate (Mbbl)

 
1,268.0

 
754.0

 
3,202.8

Natural gas liquids (NGLs) (Mbbl)

 
124.7

 
75.1

 
380.6

Equivalent production (Bcfe)
186.5

 
169.5

 
528.6

 
512.7

Daily equivalent production (Mmcfe/day)
2,029

 
1,843

 
1,936

 
1,878

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AVERAGE SALES PRICE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas, including hedges ($/Mcf)
$
2.36

 
$
2.03

 
$
2.32

 
$
2.35

Natural gas, excluding hedges ($/Mcf)
$
2.36

 
$
2.01

 
$
2.33

 
$
2.35

Crude oil and condensate, including hedges ($/Bbl)
$

 
$
45.53

 
$
63.68

 
$
45.70

Crude oil and condensate, excluding hedges ($/Bbl)
$

 
$
44.88

 
$
64.68

 
$
45.13

NGL ($/Bbl)
$

 
$
17.04

 
$
21.49

 
$
18.08

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AVERAGE UNIT COSTS ($/Mcfe)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct operations
$
0.09

 
$
0.15

 
$
0.10

 
$
0.15

Transportation and gathering
0.69

 
0.70

 
0.67

 
0.71

Taxes other than income
0.02

 
0.05

 
0.03

 
0.05

Exploration
0.05

 
0.04

 
0.13

 
0.03

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
0.65

 
0.86

 
0.55

 
0.83

General and administrative (excluding stock-based compensation)
0.08

 
0.09

 
0.09

 
0.09

Stock-based compensation
0.03

 
0.05

 
0.03

 
0.05

Interest expense
0.08

 
0.12

 
0.11

 
0.12

 
$
1.69

 
$
2.06

 
$
1.71

 
$
2.03

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WELLS DRILLED (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross
21

 
23

 
60

 
71

Net
21.0

 
20.4

 
60.0

 
62.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WELLS COMPLETED (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross
27

 
30

 
61

 
81

Net
27.0

 
22.2

 
61.0

 
70.2

_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
Wells drilled represents wells drilled to total depth during the period. Wells completed includes wells completed during the period, regardless of when they were drilled.



7






CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

 
Quarter Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
OPERATING REVENUES
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

   Natural gas
$
440,835

 
$
323,319

 
$
1,217,603

 
$
1,152,089

   Crude oil and condensate

 
56,913

 
48,722

 
144,528

   Gain (loss) on derivative instruments
(3,537
)
 
(836
)
 
(1,628
)
 
46,353

   Brokered natural gas
105,849

 
3,528

 
203,375

 
12,260

   Other
2,026

 
2,492

 
3,775

 
8,486

 
545,173

 
385,416

 
1,471,847

 
1,363,716

OPERATING EXPENSES
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Direct operations
17,030

 
26,282

 
52,757

 
78,185

Transportation and gathering
129,534

 
117,891

 
355,848

 
361,909

Brokered natural gas
93,405

 
2,797

 
178,437

 
10,262

Taxes other than income
2,852

 
9,194

 
15,434

 
26,562

Exploration
10,049

 
6,466

 
68,166

 
16,623

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
121,172

 
146,267

 
288,210

 
425,689

Impairment of oil and gas properties

 

 

 
68,555

General and administrative (excluding stock-based compensation)
14,235

 
15,395

 
48,382

 
44,724

Stock-based compensation(1)
6,489

 
7,849

 
17,631

 
26,178

 
394,766

 
332,141

 
1,024,865

 
1,058,687

Loss on equity method investments
(11
)
 
(1,417
)
 
(1,009
)
 
(3,986
)
Gain (loss) on sale of assets
25,655

 
(11,872
)
 
(14,850
)
 
(13,498
)
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
176,051

 
39,986

 
431,123

 
287,545

Interest expense, net
14,191

 
20,331

 
57,577

 
61,720

Other expense (income)
115

 
(5,083
)
 
347

 
(4,974
)
Income before income taxes
161,745

 
24,738

 
373,199

 
230,799

Income tax expense
39,408

 
7,151

 
91,201

 
85,965

NET INCOME
$
122,337

 
$
17,587

 
$
281,998

 
$
144,834

Earnings per share - Basic
$
0.28

 
$
0.04

 
$
0.63

 
$
0.31

Weighted-average common shares outstanding
440,772

 
462,498

 
450,445

 
464,194

_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
Includes the impact of the Company’s performance share awards and restricted stock.


8






CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited)

(In thousands)
September 30,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
ASSETS
 

 
 

Current assets
$
619,864

 
$
764,957

Properties and equipment, net (Successful efforts method)
3,366,237

 
3,072,204

Assets held for sale
6,114

 
778,855

Other assets
186,828

 
111,328

 
$
4,179,043

 
$
4,727,344

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 

 
 

Current liabilities
$
366,098

 
$
630,050

Long-term debt, net (excluding current maturities)
1,218,848

 
1,217,891

Deferred income taxes
358,708

 
227,030

Liabilities held for sale
381

 
15,748

Other liabilities
140,861

 
112,720

Stockholders' equity
2,094,147

 
2,523,905

 
$
4,179,043

 
$
4,727,344


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

 
Quarter Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
(In thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

  Net income
$
122,337

 
$
17,587

 
$
281,998

 
$
144,834

Deferred income tax expense
64,823

 
16,336

 
131,799

 
89,731

Impairment of oil and gas properties

 

 

 
68,555

(Gain) loss on sale of assets
(25,655
)
 
11,872

 
14,850

 
13,498

Exploratory dry hole cost
5,340

 

 
56,425

 
2,842

(Gain) loss on derivative instruments
3,537

 
836

 
1,628

 
(46,353
)
Net cash received (paid) in settlement of derivative instruments
(41
)
 
3,906

 
(20,354
)
 
3,587

Income charges not requiring cash
128,422

 
156,693

 
309,212

 
459,265

Changes in assets and liabilities
(56,569
)
 
(18,130
)
 
13,294

 
(16,912
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
242,194

 
189,100

 
788,852

 
719,047

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Capital expenditures
(260,232
)
 
(193,480
)
 
(647,503
)
 
(586,813
)
Proceeds from sale of assets
28,657

 
31,236

 
675,525

 
32,711

Investment in equity method investments
(9,961
)
 
(9,756
)
 
(72,866
)
 
(23,382
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(241,536
)
 
(172,000
)
 
(44,844
)
 
(577,484
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Repayments of debt
(237,000
)
 

 
(237,000
)
 

Treasury stock repurchases
(162,071
)
 

 
(581,725
)
 
(68,255
)
Dividends paid
(26,467
)
 
(23,125
)
 
(81,185
)
 
(55,707
)
Tax withholdings on vesting of stock awards
(37
)
 
(257
)
 
(8,068
)
 
(5,929
)
Other

 
4

 

 
42

Net cash used in financing activities
(425,575
)
 
(23,378
)
 
(907,978
)
 
(129,849
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
$
(424,917
)
 
$
(6,278
)
 
$
(163,970
)
 
$
11,714


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Explanation and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We report our financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). However, we believe certain non-GAAP performance measures may provide financial statement users with additional meaningful comparisons between current results, the results of our peers and of prior periods. In addition, we believe these measures are used by analysts and others in the valuation, rating and investment recommendations of companies within the oil and natural gas exploration and production industry. See the reconciliations throughout this release of GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP financial measures for the periods indicated.

We have also included herein certain forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures. Due to the forward-looking nature of these non-GAAP financial measures, we cannot reliably predict certain of the necessary components of the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP measures, such as future impairments and future changes in capital. Accordingly, we are unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of such forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measures. Reconciling items in future periods could be significant.

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings Per Share

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings per Share are presented based on our belief that these non-GAAP measures enable a user of the financial information to understand the impact of these items on reported results. Additionally, this presentation provides a beneficial comparison to similarly adjusted measurements of prior periods. Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings per Share are not measures of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to net income and earnings per share, as defined by GAAP.
 
Quarter Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
As reported - net income
$
122,337

 
$
17,587

 
$
281,998

 
$
144,834

Reversal of selected items:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Impairment of oil and gas properties

 

 

 
68,555

(Gain) loss on sale of assets
(25,655
)
 
11,872

 
14,850

 
13,498

(Gain) loss on derivative instruments(1)
3,496

 
4,742

 
(18,726
)
 
(42,766
)
Stock-based compensation expense
6,489

 
7,849

 
17,631

 
26,178

Severance expense

 
3,192

 
28

 
3,192

OPEB curtailment

 
(4,850
)
 

 
(4,850
)
Interest expense related to income tax reserves
(1,863
)
 

 
3,654

 

Tax effect on selected items
4,127

 
(8,427
)
 
(4,104
)
 
(23,577
)
Adjusted net income
$
108,931

 
$
31,965

 
$
295,331

 
$
185,064

As reported - earnings per share
$
0.28

 
$
0.04

 
$
0.63

 
$
0.31

Per share impact of selected items
(0.03
)
 
0.03

 
0.03

 
0.09

Adjusted earnings per share
$
0.25

 
$
0.07

 
$
0.66

 
$
0.40

Weighted-average common shares outstanding
440,772

 
462,498

 
450,445

 
464,194

_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
This amount represents the non-cash mark-to-market changes of our commodity derivative instruments recorded in (gain) loss on derivative instruments in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

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Return on Capital Employed

Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) is defined as adjusted net income (defined above) plus after-tax net interest expense divided by average capital employed, which is defined as total debt plus stockholders’ equity. ROCE is presented based on our belief that this non-GAAP measure is useful information to investors when comparing our profitability and the efficiency with which we have employed capital over time relative to other companies. ROCE is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered an alternative to net income, as defined by GAAP.
 
 
Twelve Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
Interest expense, net
 
$
77,987

 
$
82,236

Less: Interest expense related to income tax reserves (1)
 
(3,681
)
 

Tax benefit
 
(20,227
)
 
(30,386
)
After-tax interest expense, net (A)
 
54,079

 
51,850

 
 
 
 
 
As reported - net income (loss)
 
237,558

 
(147,926
)
Adjustments to as reported - net income, net of tax
 
117,228

 
338,100

Adjusted net income (B)
 
354,786

 
190,174

 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted net income before interest expense, net (A + B)
 
$
408,865

 
$
242,024

 
 
 
 
 
Total debt - beginning of twelve month period
 
$
1,521,551

 
$
1,520,190

Stockholders’ equity - beginning of twelve month period
 
2,644,594

 
2,863,250

Capital employed - beginning of twelve month period
 
4,166,145

 
4,383,440

 
 
 
 
 
Total debt - end of twelve month period
 
1,285,848

 
1,521,551

Stockholders’ equity - end of twelve month period
 
2,094,147

 
2,644,594

Capital employed - end of twelve month period
 
3,379,995

 
4,166,145

 
 
 
 
 
Average capital employed (C)
 
$
3,773,070

 
$
4,274,793

 
 
 
 
 
Return on average capital employed (ROCE) (A+B) / C
 
10.8
%
 
5.7
%
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
Interest expense related to income tax reserves is included in the adjustments to as reported - net income, net of tax.


11





Discretionary Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow Calculation and Reconciliation

Discretionary Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities excluding changes in assets and liabilities. Discretionary Cash Flow is widely accepted as a financial indicator of an oil and gas company’s ability to generate cash which is used to internally fund exploration and development activities, pay dividends and service debt. Discretionary Cash Flow is presented based on our belief that this non-GAAP measure is useful information to investors when comparing our cash flows with the cash flows of other companies that use the full cost method of accounting for oil and gas producing activities or have different financing and capital structures or tax rates. Discretionary Cash Flow is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities, as defined by GAAP, or as a measure of liquidity, or an alternative to net income.

Free Cash Flow is defined as Discretionary Cash Flow (defined above) less capital expenditures and investment in equity method investments. Free Cash Flow is an indicator of a company's ability to generate cash flow after spending the money required to maintain or expand its asset base. Free Cash Flow is presented based on our belief that this non-GAAP measure is useful information to investors when comparing our cash flows with the cash flows of other companies. Free Cash Flow is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities, as defined by GAAP, or as a measure of liquidity, or an alternative to net income.
 
 
Quarter Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
(In thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
242,194

 
$
189,100

 
$
788,852

 
$
719,047

Changes in assets and liabilities
 
56,569

 
18,130

 
(13,294
)
 
16,912

Discretionary cash flow
 
298,763

 
207,230

 
775,558

 
735,959

Capital expenditures
 
(260,232
)
 
(193,480
)
 
(647,503
)
 
(586,813
)
Investment in equity method investments
 
(9,961
)
 
(9,756
)
 
(72,866
)
 
(23,382
)
Free cash flow
 
$
28,570

 
$
3,994

 
$
55,189

 
$
125,764


EBITDAX Calculation and Reconciliation
    
EBITDAX is defined as net income plus loss on debt extinguishment, interest expense, other expense, income tax expense, depreciation, depletion and amortization (including impairments), exploration expense, gain and loss on sale of assets, non-cash gain and loss on derivative instruments, loss on equity method investments and stock-based compensation expense. EBITDAX is presented based on our belief that this non-GAAP measure is useful information to investors when evaluating our ability to internally fund exploration and development activities and to service or incur debt without regard to financial or capital structure. EBITDAX is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as alternative to cash flows from operating activities or net income, as defined by GAAP, or as a measure of liquidity.
 
Quarter Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
(In thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Net income
$
122,337

 
$
17,587

 
$
281,998

 
$
144,834

Plus (less):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
14,191

 
20,331

 
57,577

 
61,720

Other expense (income)
115

 
(5,083
)
 
347

 
(4,974
)
Income tax expense
39,408

 
7,151

 
91,201

 
85,965

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
121,172

 
146,267

 
288,210

 
425,689

Impairment of oil and gas properties

 

 

 
68,555

Exploration
10,049

 
6,466

 
68,166

 
16,623

(Gain) loss on sale of assets
(25,655
)
 
11,872

 
14,850

 
13,498

Non-cash (gain) loss on derivative instruments
3,496

 
4,742

 
(18,726
)
 
(42,766
)
Loss on equity method investments
11

 
1,417

 
1,009

 
3,986

Stock-based compensation
6,489

 
7,849

 
17,631

 
26,178

EBITDAX
$
291,613

 
$
218,599

 
$
802,263

 
$
799,308


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Net Debt Reconciliation

The total debt to total capitalization ratio is calculated by dividing total debt by the sum of total debt and total stockholders’ equity. This ratio is a measurement which is presented in our annual and interim filings and we believe this ratio is useful to investors in determining our leverage. Net Debt is calculated by subtracting cash and cash equivalents from total debt. Net Debt and the Net Debt to Total Capitalization ratio are non-GAAP measures which we believe are also useful to investors since we have the ability to and may decide to use a portion of our cash and cash equivalents to retire debt. Additionally, as we may incur additional expenditures without increasing debt, it is appropriate to apply cash and cash equivalents to debt in calculating the Net Debt to Total Capitalization ratio.
(In thousands)
September 30,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Current portion of long-term debt
$
67,000

 
$
304,000

Long-term debt, net
1,218,848

 
1,217,891

Total debt
$
1,285,848

 
$
1,521,891

Stockholders’ equity
2,094,147

 
2,523,905

Total capitalization
$
3,379,995

 
$
4,045,796

 
 
 
 
Total debt
$
1,285,848

 
$
1,521,891

Less: Cash and cash equivalents
(316,077
)
 
(480,047
)
Net debt
$
969,771

 
$
1,041,844

 
 
 
 
Net debt
$
969,771

 
$
1,041,844

Stockholders’ equity
2,094,147

 
2,523,905

Total adjusted capitalization
$
3,063,918

 
$
3,565,749

 
 
 
 
Total debt to total capitalization ratio
38.0
%
 
37.6
%
Less: Impact of cash and cash equivalents
6.3
%
 
8.4
%
Net debt to adjusted capitalization ratio
31.7
%
 
29.2
%
Capital Expenditures

 
 
Quarter Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
(In thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Cash paid for capital expenditures
 
$
260,232

 
$
193,480

 
$
647,503

 
$
586,813

Change in accrued capital costs
 
8,296

 
(18,005
)
 
2,020

 
(1,207
)
Exploratory dry hole cost
 
(5,340
)
 

 
(56,425
)
 
(2,842
)
Capital expenditures
 
$
263,188

 
$
175,475

 
$
593,098

 
$
582,764



13