Range Announces First Quarter 2015 Results
(firmenpresse) - FORT WORTH, TX -- (Marketwired) -- 04/28/15 -- (NYSE: RRC) today announced its first quarter financial results.
Highlights -
Production volumes reached a record high, averaging 1,328 Mmcfe per day, a 26% increase over the prior-year quarter.
Unit costs declined $0.53 per mcfe, or 15% compared to the prior-year.
Washington County Marcellus well brought on line in late April with a 24-hour production rate of 43.4 Mmcfe per day. This is a new record and the highest rate ever for any Marcellus well.
Record Utica well has cumulative production to date of 1.2 Bcf under constrained conditions.
New well in dry gas area of Washington County, Pennsylvania brought on line in first quarter at a 24-hour production rate of 31.3 Mmcf per day.
An additional long-term LNG sales agreement signed, bringing total LNG sales agreements to 200,000 Mmbtu per day.
Commenting, Jeff Ventura, Range's Chairman, President and CEO, said, "First quarter operational results continue to be excellent, as we exceeded our first quarter production guidance and we continue to see great drilling results with lower cost and improved capital efficiency in the Marcellus. The oversupply of natural gas and NGLs in Appalachia have created a challenging price environment, but we see signs of improvement coming, and until then, our hedges help to improve financial results. Later this year, the Mariner East project is expected to commence, providing Range another premium outlet for ethane sales, plus substantial savings on propane transportation costs.
With our current plan to spend approximately $700 million less in 2015 than 2014 and still target 20% growth, we believe that we will be one of the most capital efficient companies in our industry. This continuing capital efficiency, coupled with our large footprint in the core of the Marcellus, Utica and Upper Devonian, with optionality of drilling dry, wet and super-rich acreage, gives Range flexibility to maximize returns. Combined with the shape of our 20% growth profile in 2015, which is back-end loaded, we are well positioned for the remainder of 2015, 2016 and beyond."
Range has updated its investor presentation. Please see under the "Investors" tab, "Company Presentations" area, for the presentation entitled, "Company Presentation - April 28, 2015."
Production for the first quarter averaged 887 net Mmcfe per day for the division, a 32% increase over the prior year. The division's first quarter net production included 490 Mmcf per day of gas, 55,786 barrels per day of NGLs and 10,382 barrels per day of condensate. During the first quarter, the division brought on line 35 wells in southwest Pennsylvania, with 17 wells in the super-rich area, 14 wells in the wet gas area, three Marcellus dry gas wells and one Utica dry gas well. For Marcellus wells brought on line in the first quarter, the average working interest was 98%, and the average net revenue interest was 82%.
During the first quarter, the division brought on line the Claysville's Sportsman's Club Unit #11H, the division's first Washington County Utica well that tested at an initial 24-hour rate of 59 Mmcf per day in late December. The well was brought on line in late January, at a constrained rate of 20 Mmcf per day on an interruptible basis. To date, production results are encouraging, as the well has cumulative production of 1.2 Bcf of gas. Production results and formation analysis continue to reinforce the Company's belief that the well is located in the core of the Utica with the highest gas in place. Range has an 87.5% working interest and a net revenue interest of 71.1% in this well. The division plans two additional Utica wells in 2015, with the first well spud recently and the other well planned to spud in the second half of this year. Range holds approximately 400,000 net acres, considered prospective for Utica dry gas.
Late in the quarter, the division brought on line a well in the dry gas area of Washington County that produced under constrained conditions at a 24-hour production rate of 31.3 Mmcf per day. The well was drilled with a lateral length of 7,906 feet and 41 stages. Two additional wells are planned for this pad in the second quarter.
Also, in late April, a well brought on line in the wet gas area of Washington County set a record for any Marcellus well drilled to date, with an initial 24-hour production rate to sales of 43.4 Mmcfe per day. The well was drilled with a lateral length of 8,668 feet containing 45 stages, and is producing under constrained conditions.
In northeast Pennsylvania, production for the first quarter averaged 253 net Mmcf per day for the division, a 30% increase over the prior year. In the first quarter, the division turned three wells to sales, with an average working interest of 100% and average net revenue interest of 84%. One well brought on line had an initial 24-hour rate to sales of 26.1 Mmcf per day, with a 30-day average rate of 21 Mmcf per day and a 60-day rate of 19 Mmcf per day. Range anticipates 2015 rig activity to fluctuate between one and two rigs in order to satisfy the drilling obligations on larger leases, and turning 11 wells to sales for the remainder of 2015.
Production for the first quarter averaged 107 net Mmcf per day for the division, a 53% increase over the prior year, primarily due to the increased volumes resulting from the Nora/Conger exchange with EQT, completed in June 2014. Production was negatively impacted by the cold weather during the first quarter. The division continues to test new completion techniques and well designs, which have so far produced impressive results. Because of these improvements, coalbed methane ("CBM") wells completed in 2014 and first quarter 2015 are the best group of CBM wells in over 20 years at Nora. Importantly, the Virginia assets receive a premium gas price due to their strategic location near the growing southeast markets along the Atlantic Coast.
As part of the commissioning process on the Sunoco Mariner East pipeline, Range began flowing propane in late 2014, in advance of the announced in-service date for the Marcus Hook harbor facilities in third quarter of 2015. When the project is fully operational, Range expects savings of approximately $0.20 per gallon on the 20,000 barrels per day of propane contracted on the Mariner East pipeline, and expects to initiate sales of 20,000 barrels per day of ethane under its long-term export agreement with INEOS. Range is expecting $90 million of additional annualized cash flow from its NGL transportation and sales arrangements when Mariner East is fully operational.
In addition, Range recently signed a long-term LNG sales agreement with an international purchaser for 50,000 Mmbtu per day, resulting in total signed LNG sales agreements of 200,000 Mmbtu per day. Range will be utilizing its existing firm capacity agreements to supply gas under all of these LNG sales agreements.
(Except for generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") reported amounts, specific expense categories exclude non-cash impairments, derivative fair value income/(loss), non-cash stock compensation and other items shown separately on the attached tables. "Total unit costs" as used in this release are composed of direct operating, transportation, gathering and compression, production and ad valorem tax, general and administrative, interest and depletion, depreciation and amortization costs divided by production. "Total unit cash costs" are the same as "Total unit costs", except exclude depletion, depreciation and amortization costs. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for a definition of each of the non-GAAP financial measures and the tables that reconcile each of the non-GAAP measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.)
GAAP revenues for the first quarter of 2015 totaled $463 million (a 1% increase as compared to first quarter 2014), GAAP net cash provided from operating activities including changes in working capital reached $211 million and GAAP earnings were $27.7 million ($0.16 per diluted share) versus earnings of $32.5 million ($0.20 per diluted share) in the prior-year quarter. First quarter 2015 results included $123 million in derivative gains due to decreased commodity prices, compared to a $147 million loss in the first quarter of 2014. First quarter 2015 results also included a $5.6 million gain in the deferred compensation plan due to decreases in the Company's stock price compared to a gain of $2.0 million in first quarter 2014.
Non-GAAP revenues for first quarter 2015 totaled $437 million (a 13% decrease compared to first quarter 2014) and cash flow from operations before changes in working capital, a non-GAAP measure, was $207 million. Adjusted net income comparable to analysts' estimates, a non-GAAP measure, was $30.9 million ($0.19 per diluted share for the first quarter 2015), compared to $74.1 million ($0.46 per diluted share) in the prior year. The Company's total unit cash costs of $1.77 per mcfe in first quarter 2015 decreased by $0.41 per mcfe or 19% compared to the prior-year quarter. The Company's total unit costs in first quarter 2015 decreased by $0.53 per mcfe or 15% compared to the prior-year quarter.
First quarter 2015 natural gas, NGLs and oil price realizations (including the impact of cash-settled hedges and derivative settlements which correspond to analysts' estimates) averaged $3.54 per mcfe, a 28% decrease from the prior-year quarter. Additional detail on commodity price realizations can be found in the Supplemental Tables provided on the Company's website.
Production and realized prices for each commodity for the first quarter of 2015 were: natural gas - 894 Mmcf per day ($3.54 per mcf), NGLs - 59,548 barrels per day ($12.20 per barrel) and crude oil and condensate - 12,655 barrels per day ($64.06 per barrel).
The first quarter average natural gas price decreased to $3.54 per mcf (including the impact of cash-settled hedges), as compared to the prior-year quarter of $4.20 per mcf. Financial hedges based upon NYMEX increased realizations $0.79 per mcf while financial basis hedges decreased realizations $0.10 per mcf during the quarter. The average Company natural gas differential including the settled financial basis hedges but before NYMEX hedging for the first quarter was ($0.24) per mcf, equal to the prior year differential.
NGL pricing, before hedges, but net of processing and transportation costs, was 23% of the West Texas Intermediate index ("WTI") for the first quarter compared to 31% of WTI in the prior-year quarter, and 25% of WTI in the fourth quarter of 2014.
Crude oil and condensate price realizations, before hedges, for the first quarter averaged $16.19 below WTI compared to $13.48 below WTI in the prior-year quarter. Crude oil and condensate realizations, before hedges, for fourth quarter 2014 were $15.08 below WTI.
First quarter drilling expenditures of $262 million funded the drilling and recompletion of 35 (31 net) wells. A 100% drilling success rate was achieved. In addition, during the first quarter, $13.4 million was expended on acreage, $2.2 million on gas gathering systems and $7.2 million for exploration expense. The Company is on track with its 2015 capital expenditure budget of $870 million, as first quarter expenditures did not fully reflect the impact of service cost declines announced in late February. We expect to see those decreases reflected fully in the second quarter and beyond.
As previously announced on March 31, Range's existing $3 billion borrowing base and $2 billion commitment amount under its $4 billion bank credit facility were unanimously reaffirmed by its 29 bank lending group. Under the terms of the credit agreement, the borrowing base will be renewed annually, with the current borrowing base in effect through May 1, 2016. The facility has a maximum amount of $4 billion and matures in October 2019. The debt to EBITDAX covenant of 4.25x, was replaced with an EBITDAX to interest expense covenant of 2.5x. The ratio of the present value of proved reserves to total debt covenant of 1.5x will apply until Range has two investment grade ratings.
Production growth for 2015 is targeted at 20% year-over-year. Average daily production for the second quarter of 2015 is expected to be 1.345 Bcfe per day, with 30% liquids.
Estimated 2015 well costs for several areas below are summarized on page 17 in the current investor presentation, titled "Company Presentation - April 28, 2015", located on the Range website at , and include the effect of estimated service cost declines announced in late February. Average lateral lengths for Marcellus wells in 2015 are expected to increase compared to 2014, averaging over 6,000 feet.
Under the current plan, which is subject to change during the year, Range expects to turn to sales approximately 150 wells during 2015, as shown below:
Range hedges portions of its expected future production volumes to increase the predictability of cash flow and to help maintain a strong, flexible financial position. Range currently has over 85% of its remaining 2015 natural gas production hedged at a weighted average floor price of $3.77 per Mmbtu. Similarly, Range has hedged more than 85% of its remaining 2015 projected crude oil production at a floor price of $ 87.44 per barrel and over half of its remaining composite NGL production.
For calendar year 2016, Range has hedged 622,500 Mmbtu per day of its expected natural gas production at a weighted average price of $3.42 per Mmbtu and has started hedging 2017 gas volumes. Similarly, Range has hedged 3,000 barrels per day of its 2016 projected crude oil production at an average price of $70.54 per barrel and 10,500 barrels per day of its expected NGL production. Please see Range's detailed hedging schedule posted at the end of the financial tables below and on its website at .
In addition to the collars and swaps above, at March 31, 2015, we had natural gas basis swap contracts which lock in the differential between NYMEX and certain of our physical pricing indices, primarily in Appalachia. These contracts settle monthly through March 2017 and the volumes are for 44,070,000 Mmbtu. The fair value of these contracts was a liability of $1.4 million at March 31, 2015.
A conference call to review the financial results is scheduled on Wednesday, April 29 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern time. To participate in the call, please dial 877-407-0778 and ask for the Range Resources first quarter 2015 financial results conference call. A replay of the call will be available through May 29. To access the phone replay dial 877-660-6853. The conference ID is 13605782.
A simultaneous webcast of the call may be accessed over the Internet at . The webcast will be archived for replay on the Company's website until May 29.
Adjusted net income comparable to analysts' estimates as set forth in this release represents income or loss from operations before income taxes adjusted for certain non-cash items (detailed below and in the accompanying table) less income taxes. We believe adjusted net income comparable to analysts' estimates is calculated on the same basis as analysts' estimates and that many investors use this published research in making investment decisions and in evaluating operational trends of the Company and its performance relative to other oil and gas producing companies. Diluted earnings per share (adjusted) as set forth in this release represents adjusted net income comparable to analysts' estimates on a diluted per share basis. A table is included which reconciles income or loss from operations to adjusted net income comparable to analysts' estimates and diluted earnings per share (adjusted). On its website, the Company provides additional comparative information on prior periods along with non-GAAP revenue disclosures.
Cash flow from operations before changes in working capital (sometimes referred to as "adjusted cash flow") as defined in this release represents net cash provided by operations before changes in working capital and exploration expense adjusted for certain non-cash compensation items. Cash flow from operations before changes in working capital is widely accepted by the investment community as a financial indicator of an oil and gas company's ability to generate cash to internally fund exploration and development activities and to service debt. Cash flow from operations before changes in working capital is also useful because it is widely used by professional research analysts in valuing, comparing, rating and providing investment recommendations of companies in the oil and gas exploration and production industry. In turn, many investors use this published research in making investment decisions. Cash flow from operations before changes in working capital is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to cash flows from operations, investing, or financing activities as an indicator of cash flows, or as a measure of liquidity. A table is included which reconciles Net cash provided by operations to Cash flow from operations before changes in working capital as used in this release. On its website, the Company provides additional comparative information on prior periods for cash flow, cash margins and non-GAAP earnings as used in this release.
The cash prices realized for oil and natural gas production including the amounts realized on cash-settled derivatives and net of transportation, gathering and compression expense is a critical component in the Company's performance tracked by investors and professional research analysts in valuing, comparing, rating and providing investment recommendations and forecasts of companies in the oil and gas exploration and production industry. In turn, many investors use this published research in making investment decisions. Due to the GAAP disclosures of various derivative transactions and third party transportation, gathering and compression expense, such information is now reported in various lines of the income statement. The Company believes that it is important to furnish a table reflecting the details of the various components of each income statement line to better inform the reader of the details of each amount and provide a summary of the realized cash-settled amounts and third party transportation, gathering and compression expense which historically were reported as natural gas, NGLs and oil sales. This information will serve to bridge the gap between various readers' understanding and fully disclose the information needed.
The Company discloses in this release the detailed components of many of the single line items shown in the unaudited GAAP financial statements included in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The Company believes that it is important to furnish this detail of the various components comprising each line of the Statements of Income to better inform the reader of the details of each amount, the changes between periods and the effect on its financial results.
(NYSE: RRC) is a leading independent oil and natural gas producer with operations focused in Appalachia and the Midcontinent region of the United States. The Company pursues an organic growth strategy targeting high return, low-cost projects within its large inventory of low risk, development drilling opportunities. The Company is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. More information about Range can be found at .
All statements, except for statements of historical fact, made in this release regarding activities, events or developments the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future, such as those regarding future liquidity, production growth, completion of ethane projects, estimated gas in place, future rates of return, future low costs, low reinvestment risk, future earnings and per-share value, future capital spending plans, increasing capital efficiency, well-positioned, continued utilization of existing infrastructure, gas marketability, maximized realized natural gas prices, acreage quality, access to multiple gas markets, expected drilling and development plans, improved capital efficiency, future financial position, future technical improvements, future marketing opportunities and future guidance information are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are based on assumptions and estimates that management believes are reasonable based on currently available information; however, management's assumptions and Range's future performance are subject to a wide range of business risks and uncertainties and there is no assurance that these goals and projections can or will be met. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the volatility of oil and gas prices, the results of our hedging transactions, the costs and results of actual drilling and operations, the timing of production, mechanical and other inherent risks associated with oil and gas production, weather, the availability of drilling equipment, changes in interest rates, litigation, uncertainties about reserve estimates, environmental risks and regulatory changes. Range undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. Further information on risks and uncertainties is available in Range's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), which are incorporated by reference.
The SEC permits oil and gas companies, in filings made with the SEC, to disclose proved reserves, which are 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 as well as the option to disclose probable and possible reserves. Range has elected not to disclose the Company's probable and possible reserves in its filings with the SEC. Range uses certain broader terms such as "resource potential," "unrisked resource potential," "unproved resource potential" or "upside" or other descriptions of volumes of resources potentially recoverable through additional drilling or recovery techniques that may include probable and possible reserves as defined by the SEC's guidelines. Range has not attempted to distinguish probable and possible reserves from these broader classifications. The SEC's rules prohibit us from including in filings with the SEC these broader classifications of reserves. These estimates are by their nature more speculative than estimates of proved, probable and possible reserves and accordingly are subject to substantially greater risk of actually being realized. Unproved resource potential refers to Range's internal estimates of hydrocarbon quantities that may be potentially discovered through exploratory drilling or recovered with additional drilling or recovery techniques and have not been reviewed by independent engineers. Unproved resource potential does not constitute reserves within the meaning of the Society of Petroleum Engineer's Petroleum Resource Management System and does not include proved reserves. Area wide unproven resource potential has not been fully risked by Range's management. "EUR," or estimated ultimate recovery, refers to our management's estimates of hydrocarbon quantities that may be recovered from a well completed as a producer in the area. These quantities may not necessarily constitute or represent reserves within the meaning of the Society of Petroleum Engineer's Petroleum Resource Management System or the SEC's oil and natural gas disclosure rules. Actual quantities that may be recovered from Range's interests could differ substantially. Factors affecting ultimate recovery include the scope of Range's drilling program, which will be directly affected by the availability of capital, drilling and production costs, commodity prices, availability of drilling and completion services and equipment, lease expirations, transportation constraints, regulatory approvals, field spacing rules, recoveries of gas in place, length of horizontal laterals, actual drilling and completion results, including geological and mechanical factors affecting recovery rates and other factors. Estimates of resource potential may change significantly as development of our resource plays provides additional data.
In addition, our 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. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, available from our website at or by written request to 100 Throckmorton Street, Suite 1200, Fort Worth, Texas 76102. You can also obtain this Form 10-K on the SEC's website at or by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
Rodney Waller, Senior Vice President
817-869-4258
David Amend, Investor Relations Manager
817-869-4266
Laith Sando, Research Manager
817-869-4267
Michael Freeman, Senior Financial Analyst
817-869-4264
or
Matt Pitzarella, Director of Corporate Communications
724-873-3224
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