Petroleum Development Corporation Announces Third Quarter 2007 Results Significant Growth Achieved in Cash Flow, Drilling Activity, and Production Colorado Prices Impact Third Quarter Results
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. Petroleum Development
Corporation (Nasdaq GSM: PETD) today reported third quarter net income of
$4.5 million or $0.30 per diluted share, and nine months net income of
$25.0 million or $1.68 per diluted share. The comparable numbers for 2006,
which included profits from the $354 million sale of lease rights in the
Piceance Basin, were third quarter net income of $210.8 million or $13.33 per
diluted share and nine month net income of $229.8 million or $14.32 per
diluted share. Adjusted cash flow from operations (a non-GAAP measure defined
as cash flow from operations before changes in assets and liabilities, see
pages 2 and 8 for more information) increased to $31.6 million in the third
quarter from $135,000 in 2006 ($68.2 million for the first 9 months of 2007
compared to $33.1 million for the same period in 2006.).Third quarter and nine month results in 2007 reflect record oil and gas
production and sales revenue. Production for the third quarter was 7.7 Bcfe,
up 78.9% from the 4.3 Bcfe produced in the third quarter of 2006. Total
production for the nine month period was 19.5 Bcfe compared to 12.2 Bcfe, a
60.2% increase. Each of the Company's three operating areas contributed to
the Company's growth.
The Company also continued on its record-setting pace for new development
in 2007 drilling by adding 94 development wells and one exploratory well
during the third quarter. One development well and the exploratory well were
dry holes. Totals for the year-to-date are 258 development and 6 gross
exploratory wells including 8 gross development dry holes and 5 dry
exploratory wells. This active drilling program, combined with production
from acquisitions made with proceeds from the 2006 lease sale, are the driving
force behind the dramatic production increases in 2007.
Comparative Results Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
(In thousands, except per share
amounts) September 30, September 30,
(unaudited) (unaudited)
2007 2006 2007 2006
Revenues $76,275 $70,817 $210,132 $218,330
Net income $4,459 $210,884 $25,011 $229,809
Basic earnings per common share $0.30 $13.39 $1.70 $14.39
Diluted earnings per common share $0.30 $13.33 $1.68 $14.32
"Our plan to convert the proceeds of last year's lease sale into increased
reserves and production continues to progress on schedule," said Steven R.
Williams, Chairman and CEO. "We continue on pace to reach our 2007 guidance
production of 28 Bcfe. With the recent acquisition of the Castle properties
in Pennsylvania, we estimate our proved reserves to be in excess of 650 Bcfe,
and we fully expect our high quality prospect inventory to allow us to
continue to significantly exceed industry growth norms in 2008 and beyond." Financial Results Net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007,
declined significantly compared to the respective year ago period results from
operations due to the $328 million pretax gain associated with the July 2006
sale of leasehold to an unrelated party. The nine month income for 2007
includes a $25.6 million pretax gain on sale of leasehold recorded in May
2007. The Company experienced an 18.8% reduction in realized pricing for its
oil and natural gas production from the third quarter 2006 to the third
quarter 2007, which adversely impacted results. Net income for the quarter was
$4.5 million which includes an unrealized derivative gain of $3.8 million
compared to a unrealized derivative gain of $2.6 million in the prior year,
and $5.3 million in exploratory expense. Depreciation, depletion and
amortization for the third quarter increased to $20.4 million from $8.3
million in 2006 due to the higher production, increased investment, and
increased leasehold acquisition costs. Adjusted cash flow from operations
(defined as cash flow from operations before changes in assets and
liabilities, a non-GAAP measure) increased to $31.6 million from $0.1 million
for the third quarter in 2006 despite an 18.8% decrease in energy prices. The
lower adjusted cash flow from operations in the third quarter of 2006 reflects
increased costs related to exploring acquisition opportunities to utilize the
funds received from the leasehold sale. EBITDA (defined as net income, plus
interest (net), income taxes and DD&A, a non-GAAP measure) decreased from
$348.9 million to $30.2 million in the third quarter of 2007 compared to the
same period in 2006. This significant decline is again due to the gain from
the leasehold sale included in the 2006 data. The following tables show the
calculation of adjusted cash flow from operations and EBITDA for the third
quarters and first nine months of 2007 and 2006:
Reconciliation of Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations (a non-GAAP measure)
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
(unaudited) (unaudited)
2007 2006 2007 2006
Net Cash used in Operating
Activities $43,585 $2,632 $(32,800) $(11,311)
Changes in Assets and
Liabilities
Related to Operations (11,947) (2,497) 101,003 44,442
Adjusted Cash Flow from
Operations $31,638 $135 $68,203 $33,131
Reconciliation of EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure) (In thousands)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
(unaudited) (unaudited)
2007 2006 2007 2006
Net Income $4,459 $210,884 $25,011 $229,809
Interest, net 2,082 (3,109) 2,766 (3,062)
Income Taxes 3,326 132,795 15,511 143,697
Depreciation 20,354 8,300 50,857 22,492
EBITDA $30,221 $348,870 $94,145 $392,936
Operations
Third quarter operations focused on integrating and exploiting the
acquisitions made with the proceeds from the 2006 lease sale, and continuing
exploitation of the Company's lease position in its Rocky Mountain Region.
These operations included the very active drilling program, recompletions of
Codell wells and completion of behind pipe Niobrara zones in Wattenberg Field,
and work on the infrastructure to support further development. Early in the fourth quarter, the Company purchased from an unrelated party
a majority working interest in 762 natural gas wells located in Southwestern
Pennsylvania for approximately $53 million. The acquisition includes
approximately 47 Bcfe net proved reserves. Drilling Activity The Company's drilling activities continue to be focused in its Rocky
Mountain Region. The 95 wells drilled in the third quarter bring the total for
the year to 264, with a total of 13 dry holes and are shown by area in the
table below. The two dry holes in the third quarter were located in the NECO
field area. The total number of wells drilled during the quarter represents
an increase of 92% year over year. In addition to the drilling of the new
wells, the Company re-fraced 44 wells in the Wattenberg Field area during the
third quarter of 2007.
Gross Wells Drilled
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2007 September 30, 2007
Pro- Pro-
In duct- In duct-
Area Process ive Dry Total Process ive Dry Total
Wattenberg 31 10 - 41 40 65 4 109
Grand
Valley/Piceance 8 3 - 11 14 27 - 41
NECO 35 2 2 39 47 51 8 106
Michigan - - - - - 2 - 2
Appalachian 2 2 - 4 2 2 - 4
North Dakota - - - - - 1 1 2
Total 76 17 2 95 103 148 13 264
Net Wells Drilled
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2007 September 30, 2007
Pro- Pro-
In duct- In duct-
Area Process ive Dry Total Process ive Dry Total
Wattenberg 20.5 8.9 - 29.4 30.0 48.0 1.5 79.5
Grand
Valley/Piceance 5.5 3.0 - 8.5 11.5 25.1 - 36.6
NECO 34.9 2.0 2.0 38.9 46.9 43.0 8.0 97.9
Michigan - - - - - 1.8 - 1.8
Appalachian 2.0 2.0 - 4.0 2.0 2.0 - 4.0
North Dakota - - - - - 0.2 0.4 0.6
Total 62.9 15.9 2.0 80.8 90.4 120.1 9.9 220.4
Other Information
PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited; in thousands except per share data)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
2007 2006 2007 2006
Revised* Revised*
Revenues:
Oil and gas sales $44,437 $30,577 $117,699 $86,901
Sales from natural gas marketing
activities 19,934 30,374 71,845 101,445
Oil and gas well drilling
operations 1,573 2,659 7,342 11,682
Well operations and pipeline
income 2,092 2,536 6,682 7,312
Oil and gas price risk management,
net 6,345 2,707 4,442 9,002
Other 1,894 1,964 2,122 1,988
Total revenues 76,275 70,817 210,132 218,330
Costs and expenses:
Oil and gas production and well
operations cost 12,645 8,584 33,308 22,363
Cost of natural gas marketing
activities 19,810 29,988 70,102 100,239
Cost of oil and gas well drilling
operations 749 3,838 1,559 11,328
Exploration expense 5,337 2,180 14,795 5,286
General and administrative expense 7,513 5,357 21,823 14,178
Depreciation, depletion and
amortization 20,354 8,300 50,857 22,492
Total costs and expenses 66,408 58,247 192,444 175,886
Gain on sale of leaseholds -- 328,000 25,600 328,000
Income from operations 9,867 340,570 43,288 370,444
Interest income 462 3,475 2,059 4,216
Interest expense (2,544) (366) (4,825) (1,154)
Income before income taxes 7,785 343,679 40,522 373,506
Income taxes 3,326 132,795 15,511 143,697
Net income $4,459 $210,884 $25,011 $229,809
Earnings per common share:
Basic $0.30 $13.39 $1.70 $14.39
Diluted $0.30 $13.33 $1.68 $14.32
Weighted average common shares
outstanding:
Basic 14,757 15,750 14,739 15,973
Diluted 14,827 15,824 14,845 16,048
*As Revised in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Oil and Gas Sales and Production Production for the quarter increased 78.9% above volumes for the third
quarter of 2006. Oil and natural gas sales from the Company's producing
properties for the three months ended September 30, 2007, were up 45.3% to
$44.4 million compared to $30.6 million for the same prior year period, an
increase of $13.8 million. The sales increase was related to increased
volumes, primarily due to the Company's acquisitions from the fourth quarter
2006 and first quarter 2007, and was partially offset by lower average natural
gas and oil sales prices. The following table shows the production by area of
operations as well as the average sales price for the third quarter of 2007
and 2006, excluding derivative gains or losses.
Three Months Ended September 30, Change
2007 2006 Amount Percent
Natural Gas (Mcf)
Appalachian Basin 606,165 327,499 278,666 85.1%
Michigan Basin 421,909 355,624 66,285 18.6%
Rocky Mountains 5,284,103 2,620,421 2,663,682 101.7%
Total 6,312,177 3,303,544 3,008,633 91.1%
Average Sales Price $4.67 $6.15 $(1.48) -24.1%
Oil (Bbls)
Appalachian Basin 602 441 161 36.5%
Michigan Basin 1,003 1,281 (278) -21.7%
Rocky Mountains 233,130 166,821 66,309 39.7%
Total 234,735 168,543 66,192 39.3%
Average Sales Price $63.67 $60.93 $2.74 4.5%
Natural Gas Equivalents
(Mcfe)*
Appalachian Basin 609,777 330,145 279,632 84.7%
Michigan Basin 427,927 363,310 64,617 17.8%
Rocky Mountains 6,682,883 3,621,347 3,061,536 84.5%
Total 7,720,587 4,314,802 3,405,785 78.9%
Average Sales Price $5.76 $7.09 $(1.33) -18.8%
*One barrel of oil is equal to the energy equivalent of six Mcf of natural
gas.
Production for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, increased 60.2%
above volumes for the same period in 2006. Oil and natural gas sales from the
Company's producing properties for the nine months ended September 30, 2007,
were up 35.4% to $117.7 million compared to $86.9 million for the same prior
year period, an increase of $30.8 million. The sales increase was related to
increased volumes, primarily due to the Company's acquisitions from the fourth
quarter 2006 and first quarter 2007, and was partially offset by lower average
natural gas and oil sales prices. The following table summaries the
production by area of operation as well as the average sales price for the
first nine months of 2007 and 2006, excluding derivative gains or losses.
Nine Months Ended September 30, Change
2007 2006 Amount Percent
Natural Gas (Mcf)
Appalachian Basin 1,891,153 1,108,400 782,753 70.6%
Michigan Basin 1,263,186 1,067,160 196,026 18.4%
Rocky Mountains 12,334,849 7,135,371 5,199,478 72.9%
Total 15,489,188 9,310,931 6,178,257 66.4%
Average Sales Price $5.20 $6.27 $(1.07) -17.1%
Oil (Bbls)
Appalachian Basin 3,816 1,230 2,586 210.2%
Michigan Basin 2,985 3,274 (289) -8.8%
Rocky Mountains 659,951 470,938 189,013 40.1%
Total 666,752 475,442 191,310 40.2%
Average Sales Price $55.78 $60.08 $(4.30) -7.2%
Natural Gas Equivalents
(Mcfe)*
Appalachian Basin 1,914,049 1,115,780 798,269 71.5%
Michigan Basin 1,281,096 1,086,804 194,292 17.9%
Rocky Mountains 16,294,555 9,960,999 6,333,556 63.6%
Total 19,489,700 12,163,583 7,326,117 60.2%
Average Sales Price $6.04 $7.14 $(1.10) -15.4%
*One barrel of oil is equal to the energy equivalent of six Mcf of natural
gas.
With the drop in October 2007 Rocky Mountain natural gas prices, we
curtailed our production in the Piceance and NECO areas of operations for
October 2007. Total net curtailment was approximately 350,000 Mcf for the
month of October 2007. We ceased the curtailment and returned production to
normal levels in November 2007 due to an increase in the November 2007 prices. Current Hedging of Commodity Transactions The Company has entered into commodity-based derivative transactions to
manage a portion of the exposure to price risk associated with its sales of
oil and natural gas. During the three months ended September 30, 2007, the
Company averaged natural gas volumes sold of 2.1 Bcf per month and oil sales
of 78,000 barrels per month. The positions in effect as of November 6, 2007,
on the Company's share of production by area are shown in the following table.
Floors Ceilings
Monthly Monthly
Quantity Contract Quantity Contract
Month Set Month Mmbtu Price Mmbtu Price
Colorado Interstate Gas (CIG) Based Hedges (Piceance Basin)
Dec-06 Nov 2007- Mar 2008 100,000 $5.25
Jan-07 Nov 2007- Mar 2008 100,000 $5.25 100,000 $9.80
May-07 Apr 2008- Oct 2008 197,250 $5.50 197,250 10.35
NYMEX Based Hedges - (Appalachian and Michigan Basins)
Dec-06 Nov 2007- Mar 2008 144,500 $7.00
Jan-07 Nov 2007- Mar 2008 144,500 $7.00 144,500 $13.70
Jan-07 Apr 2008- Oct 2008 144,500 $6.50 144,500 $10.80
May-07 Apr 2008- Oct 2008 120,000 $7.00 120,000 $13.00
Panhandle Based Hedges (NECO)
Dec-06 Nov 2007- Mar 2008 70,000 $5.75
Jan-07 Nov 2007- Mar 2008 90,000 $6.00 90,000 $11.25
Jan-07 Apr 2008- Oct 2008 90,000 $5.50 90,000 $9.85
Jun-07 Apr 2008- Oct 2008 90,000 $6.00 90,000 $11.25
Colorado Interstate Gas (CIG) Based Hedges (Wattenberg Basin)
Jan-07 Nov 2007- Mar 2008 120,000 $5.25 120,000 $9.80
May-07 Apr 2008- Oct 2008 306,000 $5.50 306,000 $10.35
Monthly
Quantity Swap
Month Set Month Bbls Price
Oil - NYMEX Based (Wattenberg Basin)
Oct-07 Jan 2008- Dec 2008 29,070* $84.20
*This represents approximately 44% of our current Wattenberg oil
production per month.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures (unaudited) This release refers to "Adjusted cash flow from operations" and "EBITDA"
both of which are non-GAAP financial measures. Adjusted cash flow from
operations is the cash flow earned or incurred from operating activities
without regard to the collection or payment of associated receivables or
payables. The Company believes it is important to consider Adjusted cash flow
from operations separately, as the Company believes it can often be a better
way to discuss changes in operating trends in its business caused by changes
in production, prices, operating costs, and related operational factors,
without regard to whether the earned or incurred item was collected or paid
during that year. The Company also uses this measure because the collection
of its receivables or payment of its obligations has not been a significant
issue for the Company's business, but merely a timing issue from one period to
the next, with fluctuations generally caused by significant changes in
commodity prices. EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure calculated by adding net
income, interest (net), income taxes, and depreciation, depletion and
amortization for the period. Management believes EBITDA is relevant because it
is a measure of cash available to fund the Company's capital expenditures and
service its debt and is a widely used industry metric which allows
comparability of our results with our peers. Adjusted cash flow from
operations and EBITDA are not measures of financial performance under GAAP and
should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, cash flows from
operations, investing, or financing activities, nor as a liquidity measure or
indicator of cash flows reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. 2007 Fourth Quarter Outlook Increasing shareholder value through increased reserves, production and
cash flow is the primary focus of the Company's operating efforts. For the
first nine months of 2007 the Company has closely tracked its 2007 production
guidance of 28 Bcfe. In January we predicted 2007 year-end proved reserves of
more than 500 Bcfe, and we now expect that number to be in excess of 600 Bcfe.
Production and reserve additions from acquisitions and from the Company's low
risk prospect inventory have supported these efforts and are reflected in the
close match between the projected and actual production for the year-to-date.
Softer energy prices, particularly in the Rocky Mountain Region, have
negatively impacted cash flow from operations and will continue to do so in
the fourth quarter of 2007. However, even with this adverse factor the
Company has achieved increased Adjusted cash flow from operations in each
quarter in 2007. We expect the fourth quarter to continue the trend of increasing
production with additional new wells adding to production. In addition to new
drilling, in October we completed the acquisition of 760 producing wells, many
undeveloped locations and other assets in Pennsylvania that add immediately to
production and will add to our inventory of opportunities for future
development. Of the 47 Bcfe of proved reserves acquired in this acquisition,
nearly two thirds are undeveloped. Even before the acquisition we had resumed
active development in the Appalachian Basin by drilling two new wells and by
recompleting behind pipe zones in older wells in the area. We also plan to
begin our first Barnett Shale well in Texas before the end of 2007. Both of
these areas offers significant potential for the future, and neither has the
market problems that have reduced our gas prices in the Rocky Mountain region. Rocky Mountain area natural gas prices have been substantially lower than
other regions of the country in recent months. This resulted from local
oversupply in the region, and insufficient pipeline capacity to move natural
gas to other markets. This pricing situation, which affects almost 40% of the
Company's production on an energy equivalent basis (Mcfe), is expected to
continue until the winter of 2007-2008. Additional pipeline capacity is
anticipated in January 2008 when portions of the Rockies Express Pipeline are
scheduled to be placed into service. When fully completed, in 2009, this new
pipeline is planned to move 1.8 Bcfe per day from the Rocky Mountain area to
the Midwest United States, providing additional market access for Rocky
Mountain producers. The Company expects this to result in improved prices
relative to other market areas, and to allow us to continue our development
efforts in the area. We continue to expect the Rocky Mountain region to be
our primary growth driver for the remainder of 2007 and 2008. The Company anticipates continuing a very active development drilling
schedule in the fourth quarter and beyond. The new wells, many of which are
being drilled on property obtained through the like-kind exchange purchases
made in 2006 and earlier this year, are expected to provide the additional
production required to reach the 2007 production target and to allow us to
continue to grow production and proved reserves next year. Continuing development of the technical capabilities and accounting
processes, including a new information system, will result in a continuation
of the higher level of G&A expense in the fourth quarter. However through
higher production we saw a third quarter decrease in G&A per Mcfe, a trend we
hope to extend into the fourth quarter and beyond. These improved systems,
processes and a strengthened staff will help the Company meet its reporting
obligations in a timely and accurate fashion. 10-Q and Quarterly Conference Call The Company will file its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on November 9,
2007. You can access the report at the Company's website (www.petd.com), or
contact the Company for a paper copy. The Company invites you to join Thomas
E. Riley, President and Richard McCullough, Chief Financial Officer, for a
conference call on Friday, November 9, 2007 for a discussion of the results.
What: Petroleum Development Corporation Third Quarter Earnings
Conference Call`
When: Friday, November 9, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time
Where: www.petd.com
How: Log on to the web address above or call (877) 407-8031
Replay Number: 877-660-6853 Account #: 286
Conference ID #: 261404
(Replay will be available approximately one hour after the
conclusion of the call)
Contact: Celesta Miracle, Petroleum Development Corporation,
(800) 624-3821 E-mail: petd@petd.com
About Petroleum Development Corporation Petroleum Development Corporation (www.petd.com) is an independent energy
company engaged in the development, production and marketing of natural gas
and oil. Its operations are focused in the Rocky Mountains with additional
operations in the Appalachian Basin and Michigan. During the third quarter of
2004, PDC was added to the S&P SmallCap 600 Index. Additionally, PDC was added
to the Russell 3000 Index of Companies in 2003.
Forward-Looking Statements Certain matters discussed within this press release are forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact included
herein are forward-looking statements. Although PDC believes the expectations
reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable
assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations
include financial performance, oil and gas prices, drilling results,
regulatory changes, changes in federal or state tax policy, changes in local
or national economic conditions and other risks detailed from time to time in
PDC's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including
quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and annual reports
on Form 10-K. The SEC permits oil and gas companies to disclose in their filings with
the SEC only proved reserves, which are reserve estimates that geological and
engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in
future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating
conditions. The Company uses in this presentation the terms "probable" and
"possible" reserves, which SEC guidelines prohibit in filings of U.S.
registrants. Probable reserves are unproved reserves that are more likely than
not to be recoverable. Possible reserves are unproved reserves that are less
likely to be recoverable than probable reserves. Estimates of probable and
possible reserves which may potentially be recoverable through additional
drilling or recovery techniques are by nature more uncertain than estimates of
proved reserves and accordingly are subject to substantially greater risk of
not actually being realized by the Company. In addition, The Company's
production forecasts and expectations for future periods are dependent upon
many assumptions, including estimates of production decline rates from
existing wells and the undertaking and outcome of future drilling activity,
which may be affected by significant commodity price declines or drilling cost
increases. |