Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2015 Financial and Operating Results, Reports 11 Percent Reserve Growth to 8.2 Tcfe, Provides Marcellus Shale Inventory Update

HOUSTON, Feb. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation (NYSE: COG) ("Cabot" or the "Company") today reported financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and full-year ended December 31, 2015.

"Despite a significant year-over-year reduction in capital spending, Cabot generated double-digit reserve and production growth for the sixth consecutive year while continuing to improve its industry-leading cost structure," said Dan O. Dinges, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Finding costs and operating costs decreased 20 percent and 7 percent per unit, respectively, highlighting our capital efficient, low-cost asset base. As we previously highlighted in our 2016 budget announcement, we remain committed to our strategy of disciplined capital allocation with a focus on maintaining a strong balance sheet. We believe our low-cost structure, high-quality assets and capital discipline will allow us to successfully navigate through this challenged market environment."

Full-Year 2015 Financial Results

Equivalent production was 602.5 billion cubic feet equivalent (Bcfe) in 2015, consisting of 566.0 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas, 5.4 million barrels (Mmbbls) of crude oil and condensate, and 667,000 barrels (Bbls) of natural gas liquids (NGLs). These figures represent increases of 13 percent, 11 percent, 51 percent, and 79 percent, respectively, compared to 2014.  

Cash flow from operations was $740.7 million in 2015, compared to $1.2 billion in 2014. Discretionary cash flow in 2015 was $699.1 million, compared to $1.3 billion in 2014. Net loss in 2015 was $113.9 million, or $0.28 per share, compared to net income of $104.5 million, or $0.25 per share, in 2014. Excluding the effect of selected items (detailed in the table below), net income was $55.4 million, or $0.13 per share, in 2015, compared to net income of $404.6 million, or $0.97 per share, in 2014. EBITDAX in 2015 was $815.2 million, compared to $1.4 billion in 2014. Significant reductions in realized prices for both natural gas and oil were the primary drivers for the lower results during the year, partially offset by higher equivalent production and lower overall expenses. See the supplemental tables at the end of this press release for a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures including discretionary cash flow, net income excluding selected items, EBITDAX and net debt to adjusted capitalization ratio.

Natural gas price realizations, including the impact of derivatives, were $2.15 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf) in 2015, down 34 percent compared to 2014. Excluding the impact of derivatives, natural gas price realizations for 2015 were $1.81 per Mcf, representing an $0.85 discount to NYMEX settlement prices. Oil price realizations were $45.72 per Bbl, down 48 percent compared to 2014. NGL price realizations were $12.56 per Bbl, down 61 percent compared to 2014.

Operating expenses (including financing) decreased to $2.37 per thousand cubic feet equivalent (Mcfe) in 2015, an improvement of 7 percent from $2.56 per Mcfe in 2014.

Cabot drilled or participated in a total of 133 net wells during 2015 and incurred a total of $773.5 million in capital expenditures associated with activity during this period.

Fourth Quarter 2015 Financial Results

Equivalent production in the fourth quarter of 2015 was 151.0 Bcfe, consisting of 142.8 Bcf of natural gas, 1.2 Mmbbls of crude oil and condensate, and 175,000 Bbls of NGLs. Equivalent production was roughly flat with fourth quarter 2014 volumes due to curtailments in the Marcellus Shale and lower operating activity levels company-wide.

Cash flow from operations in the fourth quarter of 2015 was $155.8 million, compared to $293.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. Discretionary cash flow in the fourth quarter of 2015 was $125.3 million, compared to $324.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. Net loss in the fourth quarter of 2015 was $111.1 million, or $0.27 per share, compared to a net loss of $221.8 million, or $0.54 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2014. Excluding the effect of selected items (detailed in the table below), net loss was $6.4 million, or $0.02 per share, compared to net income of $95.3 million, or $0.23 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2014. EBITDAX for the fourth quarter of 2015 was $164.2 million, compared to $356.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2014.

Natural gas price realizations, including the impact of derivatives, were $1.94 per Mcf in the fourth quarter of 2015, down 34 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2014. Excluding the impact of derivatives, natural gas price realizations for the quarter were $1.52 per Mcf, representing a $0.75 discount to NYMEX settlement prices. Oil price realizations were $37.74 per Bbl, down 48 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2014. NGL price realizations were $11.69 per Bbl, down 56 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2014.

Operating expenses (including financing) decreased to $2.30 per Mcfe in the fourth quarter of 2015, a 7 percent improvement compared to $2.47 per Mcfe in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Cabot drilled or participated in a total of 27 net wells during the fourth quarter of 2015 and incurred a total of $96.7 million in capital expenditures associated with activity during this period.

Year-End 2015 Financial Position and Liquidity

As of December 31, 2015, the Company's net debt to adjusted capitalization ratio was 50.2 percent, compared to 44.7 percent at December 31, 2014. The Company's total debt was $2.0 billion, of which $413 million was outstanding under the Company's $1.8 billion credit facility.

Year-End 2015 Proved Reserves

The Company reported year-end proved reserves of 8.2 trillion cubic feet equivalent (Tcfe), an increase of 11 percent over year-end 2014. Specific highlights from the Company's year-end reserve report include:

  • Total company all-sources finding and development costs of $0.57 per Mcfe
  • Marcellus-only all-sources finding and development costs of $0.31 per Mcf
  • Total company all-sources reserve replacement of 231 percent
  • Marcellus-only all-sources reserve replacement of 278 percent

"Despite a significant year-over-year reduction in both capital spending and the commodity prices used in calculating year-end reserves, Cabot generated double-digit reserve growth for the sixth consecutive year, which we believe will stand out among our peers during this down cycle in the industry," commented Dinges.

The table below reconciles the components driving the 2015 reserve increase:

Proved Reserves Reconciliation (in Bcfe)




Balance at December 31, 2014        

7,401

Revisions of prior estimates  

426

Extensions, discoveries and other additions  

966

Production  

(603)

Balance at December 31, 2015  

8,190

 

As of December 31, 2015, 96 percent of Cabot's year-end proved reserves were natural gas and 92 percent were located in the Marcellus Shale. Approximately 59 percent of the year-end proved reserves were classified as proved developed (PD) and 41 percent were classified as proved undeveloped (PUD), of which 11 percent were drilled uncompleted PUDs and 30 percent were undrilled PUDs.

Marcellus Shale Inventory and Estimated Ultimate Recovery (EUR) Update

As a result of the Company's successful downspacing tests throughout its Marcellus Shale position, the Company has reduced its spacing between laterals from 1,000 feet to between 700 and 800 feet. The resulting impact is an increase in its Marcellus location count from approximately 3,000 locations to approximately 3,450 locations. The production history for the downspaced wells implies no reduction in EURs relative to the 1,000-foot spaced wells.

Additionally, based on the Company's year-end reserve bookings for 250 producing Lower Marcellus wells that have been completed at the current well design utilizing 200-foot stage spacing, Cabot has increased its guidance for Lower Marcellus EUR per 1,000 lateral feet from 3.6 Bcf to 3.8 Bcf. "Cabot's wells in Northeast Pennsylvania continue to set the bar for well performance as highlighted by this increase in estimated recoveries per foot," stated Dinges. "Based on state reported data, the Company has 18 of the top 20 wells drilled in the state of Pennsylvania since 2012 as measured by cumulative production despite recent curtailments throughout the field."

Conference Call

A conference call is scheduled for Friday, February 19, 2016, at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss fourth quarter and full-year 2015 financial and operating results. To access the live audio webcast, please visit the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at www.cabotog.com. A replay of the call will also be available on the Company's website. The latest financial guidance, including the Company's hedge positions, is also available in the Investor Relations section of 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.

The statements regarding future financial performance and results and the other statements which are not historical facts contained in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, market factors, the market price (including regional basis differentials) of natural gas and oil, results of future drilling and marketing activity, future production and costs, and other factors detailed in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

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

 

OPERATING DATA



Quarter Ended

December 31,


Twelve Months Ended

December 31,


2015


2014


2015


2014

PRODUCTION








VOLUMES








Natural Gas (Bcf)








Appalachia

140.4



141.0



556.0



495.6


Other

2.4



2.8



10.0



12.4


Total

142.8



143.8



566.0



508.0










Liquids (Mbbl)








Crude/Condensate

1,203



1,242



5,429



3,588


Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs)

175



112



667



373










Equivalent Production (Bcfe)

151.0



151.9



602.5



531.8










PRICES(1)








Average Natural Gas Sales Price ($/Mcf)








Appalachia

$

1.94



$

2.94



$

2.15



$

3.26


Other

$

2.20



$

3.85



$

2.61



$

4.34


Total

$

1.94



$

2.96



$

2.15



$

3.28










Average Crude/Condensate Price ($/Bbl)

$

37.74



$

72.35



$

45.72



$

88.50


Average NGL Price ($/Bbl)

$

11.69



$

26.44



$

12.56



$

31.81










WELLS DRILLED








Gross

28



75



142



200


Net

27



68



133



177


Gross success rate

100%



100%



100%



100%



(1)       These realized prices include the realized impact of derivative instrument settlements.



Quarter Ended

December 31,


Twelve Months Ended

December 31,


2015


2014


2015


2014

Realized Impacts to Gas Pricing

$

0.42



$

0.16



$

0.34



$

(0.13)


Realized Impacts to Oil Pricing

$



$

3.54



$



$

0.85


 


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)



Quarter Ended

December 31,


Twelve Months Ended

December 31,


2015


2014


2015


2014

OPERATING REVENUES








Natural gas

$

217,084



$

372,085



$

1,025,044



$

1,590,625


Crude oil and condensate

45,407



85,842



248,211



313,889


Gain (loss) on derivative instruments

12,018



149,742



56,686



219,319


Brokered natural gas

3,733



6,622



16,383



34,416


Other

2,550



3,713



10,826



14,762



280,792



618,004



1,357,150



2,173,011


OPERATING EXPENSES








Direct operations

33,867



36,288



140,814



145,529


Transportation and gathering

105,936



101,614



427,588



349,321


Brokered natural gas

2,949



5,459



12,592



30,030


Taxes other than income

8,511



10,218



42,809



47,012


Exploration

8,500



8,783



27,460



28,746


Depreciation, depletion and amortization

149,876



173,765



622,211



632,760


Impairment of oil and gas properties(1)

114,875



771,037



114,875



771,037


General and administrative (excluding stock-based compensation)

13,777



14,919



55,764



61,134


Stock-based compensation(2)

2,058



6,333



13,680



21,456



440,349



1,128,416



1,457,793



2,087,025


Earnings (loss) on equity method investments

1,834



1,262



6,415



3,080


Gain (loss) on sale of assets

52



19,855



3,866



17,120


INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS

(157,671)



(489,295)



(90,362)



106,186


Interest expense

24,666



23,471



96,911



73,785


Income (loss) before income taxes

(182,337)



(512,766)



(187,273)



32,401


Income tax expense (benefit)(3)

(71,213)



(290,995)



(73,382)



(72,067)


NET INCOME (LOSS)

$

(111,124)



$

(221,771)



$

(113,891)



$

104,468


Earnings (loss) per share - Basic

$

(0.27)



$

(0.54)



$

(0.28)



$

0.25


Weighted-average common shares outstanding

413,875



413,035



413,696



415,840




(1)

Includes the impairment of oil and gas properties in the fourth quarter of 2015 in certain non-core fields in south Texas, east Texas and Louisiana due to a significant decline in commodity prices in late 2015. Includes the impairment of oil and gas properties in the fourth quarter of 2014 in certain non-core fields, primarily in east Texas, due to a significant decline in commodity prices in late 2014 and management's decision not to pursue further activity in these non-core areas in the current price environment.



(2)

Includes the impact of the Company's performance share awards, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights and expense associated with the Supplemental Employee Incentive Plan.



(3)

Includes the impact of incremental deferred income tax (benefit) expense due to a change in state income tax rates used in establishing deferred state income taxes based on updated state apportionment factors in states in which it operates as a result of the composition and location of the Company's asset base and the location of the Company's customers. In the fourth quarter of 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded a deferred income tax expense of $2.8 million and deferred income tax benefit of $102.5 million, respectively.

 


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited)

(In thousands)



December 31,
 2015


December 31,
 2014

Assets




Current assets

$

144,786



$

413,447


Properties and equipment, net (Successful efforts method)

4,976,879



4,925,711


Other assets

140,234



98,558


Total assets

$

5,261,899



$

5,437,716






Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity




Current liabilities

$

235,552



$

499,018


Long-term debt, excluding current maturities

2,005,000



1,752,000


Deferred income taxes

807,236



843,876


Other liabilities

204,923



200,089


Stockholders' equity

2,009,188



2,142,733


Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

5,261,899



$

5,437,716


 


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(In thousands)



Quarter Ended

December 31,


Twelve Months Ended

December 31,


2015


2014


2015


2014

Cash Flows From Operating Activities








Net income (loss)

$

(111,124)



$

(221,771)



$

(113,891)



$

104,468


Deferred income tax expense (benefit)

(81,194)



(294,006)



(72,968)



(112,567)


Impairment of oil and gas properties

114,875



771,037



114,875



771,037


(Gain) loss on sale of assets

(52)



(19,855)



(3,866)



(17,120)


Exploratory dry hole cost

3,268



1,453



3,452



7,907


(Gain) loss on derivative instruments

(12,018)



(149,742)



(56,686)



(219,319)


Net cash received (paid) in settlement of derivative instruments

60,462



56,905



194,289



81,716


Income charges not requiring cash

151,124



180,186



633,895



655,863


Changes in assets and liabilities

30,442



(31,022)



41,637



(35,550)


Net cash provided by operating activities

155,783



293,185



740,737



1,236,435










Cash Flows From Investing Activities








Capital expenditures

(135,763)



(514,891)



(955,602)



(1,479,632)


Acquisitions



(198,911)



(16,312)



(214,737)


Proceeds from sale of assets

273



35,579



7,653



39,492


Restricted cash







28,094


Investment in equity method investments

(8,275)



(9,273)



(29,073)



(38,057)


Net cash used in investing activities

(143,765)



(687,496)



(993,334)



(1,664,840)










Cash Flows From Financing Activities








Net increase (decrease) in debt

(12,000)



140,000



273,000



605,000


Treasury stock repurchases



(19,085)





(138,852)


Dividends paid

(8,278)



(8,260)



(33,090)



(33,278)


Stock-based compensation tax benefit



(7,376)





(1,375)


Capitalized debt issuance costs





(7,838)



(5,626)


Other

1



(1)



85



90


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

(20,277)



105,278



232,157



425,959










Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

$

(8,259)



$

(289,033)



$

(20,440)



$

(2,446)


 

Selected Item Review and Reconciliation of Net Income and Earnings Per Share

(In thousands, except per share amounts)



Quarter Ended

December 31,


Twelve Months Ended

December 31,


2015


2014


2015


2014

As reported - net income (loss)

$

(111,124)



$

(221,771)



$

(113,891)



$

104,468


Reversal of selected items, net of tax:








Impairment of oil and gas properties

72,736



486,669



72,736



486,669


(Gain) loss on sale of assets

(33)



(12,525)



(2,448)



(10,800)


(Gain) loss on derivative instruments(1)

 

30,673



(58,564)



87,126



(86,803)


Drilling rig termination fees





3,219




Stock-based compensation expense

1,303



3,995



8,662



13,535


Deferred income tax expense (benefit)(2)



(102,490)





(102,490)


Net income (loss) excluding selected items

$

(6,445)



$

95,314



$

55,404



$

404,579


As reported - earnings (loss) per share

$

(0.27)



$

(0.54)



$

(0.28)



$

0.25


Per share impact of reversing selected items

0.25



0.77



0.41



0.72


Earnings per share including reversal of selected items

$

(0.02)



$

0.23



$

0.13



$

0.97


Weighted average common shares outstanding

413,875



413,035



413,696



415,840




(1)

Effective April 1, 2014, the Company discontinued hedge accounting for its commodity derivatives on a prospective basis. 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.



(2)

Includes the impact of incremental deferred income tax benefit due to a change in state income tax rates used in establishing deferred state income taxes based on updated state apportionment factors in states in which it operates as a result of the composition and location of the Company's asset base and the location of the Company's customers.

 

Discretionary Cash Flow Calculation and Reconciliation

(In thousands)



Quarter Ended

December 31,


Twelve Months Ended

December 31,


2015


2014


2015


2014

Discretionary Cash Flow








As reported - net income (loss)

$

(111,124)



$

(221,771)



$

(113,891)



$

104,468


Plus (less):








Deferred income tax expense (benefit)

(81,194)



(294,006)



(72,968)



(112,567)


Impairment of oil and gas properties

114,875



771,037



114,875



771,037


(Gain) loss on sale of assets

(52)



(19,855)



(3,866)



(17,120)


Exploratory dry hole cost

3,268



1,453



3,452



7,907


(Gain) loss on derivative instruments

(12,018)



(149,742)



(56,686)



(219,319)


Net cash received (paid) in settlement of derivative instruments

60,462



56,905



194,289



81,716


Income charges not requiring cash

151,124



180,186



633,895



655,863


Discretionary Cash Flow

125,341



324,207



699,100



1,271,985


Changes in assets and liabilities

30,442



(31,022)



41,637



(35,550)


Net cash provided by operations

$

155,783



$

293,185



$

740,737



$

1,236,435


 

EBITDAX Calculation and Reconciliation

(in thousands)



Quarter Ended

December 31,


Twelve Months Ended

December 31,


2015


2014


2015


2014

As reported - net income (loss)

$

(111,124)



$

(221,771)



$

(113,891)



$

104,468


Plus (less):








Interest expense

24,666



23,471



96,911



73,785


Income tax expense (benefit)

(71,213)



(290,995)



(73,382)



(72,067)


Depreciation, depletion and amortization

149,876



173,765



622,211



632,760


Impairment of oil and gas properties

114,875



771,037



114,875



771,037


Exploration

8,500



8,783



27,460



28,746


(Gain) loss on sale of assets

(52)



(19,855)



(3,866)



(17,120)


Non-cash (gain) loss on derivative instruments

48,444



(92,837)



137,603



(137,603)


(Earnings) loss on equity method investments

(1,834)



(1,262)



(6,415)



(3,080)


Stock-based compensation and other

2,058



6,333



13,680



21,456


EBITDAX

$

164,196



$

356,669



$

815,186



$

1,402,382


 

Net Debt Reconciliation

(In thousands)



December 31,
 2015


December 31,
 2014

Current portion of long-term debt

$

20,000



$


Long-term debt

2,005,000



1,752,000


Total debt

$

2,025,000



$

1,752,000


Stockholders' equity

2,009,188



2,142,733


Total Capitalization

$

4,034,188



$

3,894,733






Total debt

$

2,025,000



$

1,752,000


Less: Cash and cash equivalents

(514)



(20,954)


Net Debt

$

2,024,486



$

1,731,046






Net debt

$

2,024,486



$

1,731,046


Stockholders' equity

2,009,188



2,142,733


Total Adjusted Capitalization

$

4,033,674



$

3,873,779






Total debt to total capitalization ratio

50.2%



45.0%


Less: Impact of cash and cash equivalents

—%



0.3%


Net Debt to Adjusted Capitalization Ratio

50.2%



44.7%


 

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cabot-oil--gas-corporation-announces-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2015-financial-and-operating-results-reports-11-percent-reserve-growth-to-82-tcfe-provides-marcellus-shale-inventory-update-300222771.html

SOURCE Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation

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