EX-99.1 2 exhibit99pnt1may82017.htm EXHIBIT 99.1
Exhibit 99.1
        
 
        5300 Town and Country Blvd., Suite 500
        Frisco, Texas 75034
        Telephone: (972) 668-8834
        Contact: Gary H. Guyton
        Director of Planning and Investor Relations
        Web Site:  www.comstockresources.com
 
 
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
 
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. REPORTS
FIRST QUARTER 2017 FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESULTS

FRISCO, TEXAS, May 8, 2017 – Comstock Resources, Inc. ("Comstock" or the "Company") (NYSE: CRK) today reported financial and operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Financial Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

Comstock produced 14 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 265,000 barrels of oil or 15.6 billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent ("Bcfe") in the first quarter of 2017.  Natural gas production averaged 156 million cubic feet ("MMcf") per day, an increase of 11% over pro forma natural gas production, excluding divestitures completed in 2016, in the first quarter of 2016 and 23% over pro forma fourth quarter 2016.  The growth in natural gas production is attributable to the Company's successful Haynesville shale drilling program.  Oil production in the first quarter of 2017, which averaged 2,940 barrels of oil per day, declined by 36% from the 4,600 barrels per day produced in the first quarter of 2016.  The decrease in oil production is the result of the lack of drilling in the Company's South Texas Eagle Ford shale properties.
Oil and natural gas prices improved in the first quarter of 2017.  Comstock's average realized natural gas price, including hedging gains, increased 57% to $2.96 per Mcf in the first quarter of 2017 as compared to $1.89 per Mcf realized in the first quarter of 2016.  The Company's average realized oil price increased by 84% to $48.60 per barrel in the first quarter of 2017 as compared to $26.44 per barrel in the first quarter of 2016.  The higher realized prices and the higher natural gas production resulted in oil and gas sales increasing by 46% to $54.3 million (including realized hedging gains) as compared to 2016's first quarter sales of $37.2 million.  EBITDAX, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, exploration expense and other noncash expenses, was $34.2 million in the first quarter of 2017, more than double the EBITDAX of $14.7 million generated in the first quarter of 2016.  Operating cash flow generated in the first quarter of 2017 was $15.9 million as compared to an operating cash flow deficit of $14.0 million in the first quarter of 2016.
Comstock reported a net loss of $22.9 million or $1.61 per share for the first quarter of 2017 as compared to a net loss of $56.6 million or $5.71 per share for the first quarter of 2016.  The first quarter of 2017 results include an unrealized gain from derivative financial instruments of $7.4 million, and $5.4 million of non-cash interest expense associated with the discounts recognized and costs incurred on the debt exchange that occurred in 2016.  Financial results for the first quarter of 2016 included impairments on unevaluated acreage and oil and gas properties of $30.5 million, a net gain on extinguishment of debt of $33.4 million, a charge of $4.5 million to reflect a change in state tax law, and $0.4 million of other nonrecurring items.  Excluding these items from each year's results, the net loss for the first quarter of 2017 would have been $24.9 million or $1.75 per share as compared to a net loss of $55.4 million or $5.60 per share in the first quarter of 2016.
 
 
 
2017 First Quarter Drilling Results
Comstock reported the results to date of its 2017 drilling program.  During the first three months of 2017, Comstock spent $38.3 million on its development and exploration activities and drilled three horizontal natural gas wells (2.5 net) and had two wells (2.0 net) drilling at March 31, 2017.  Since the last operational update, Comstock has completed four operated Haynesville shale wells.  The average initial production rate of these wells was 30 MMcf per day.  Two of the wells set new Company records for initial production rates.  The Furlow 25-24 H #1 well in Desoto Parish, Louisiana was drilled to a total vertical depth of 11,134 feet with a 5,396 foot lateral.  This well was tested with an initial production rate of 25 MMcf per day.  The Furlow 25-36 H #1, was drilled from the same pad as the Furlow 25-36 H #1 to a total vertical depth of 11,070 feet with a 6,355 foot lateral, and was tested with an initial production rate of 32 MMcf per day.  The Headrick 14-23 H #1 was drilled in Desoto Parish, Louisiana to a total vertical depth of 11,637 feet with a 7,514 foot lateral.  This well was tested with an initial production rate of 26 MMcf per day.  The Billingsley 25-24 H #1 well in Desoto Parish, Louisiana was drilled to a total vertical depth of 11,280 feet with a 8,521 foot lateral.  This well was tested with an initial production rate of 36 MMcf per day.  Comstock is currently completing the Headrick 14-11 H #2 and the N.T. Powell 28 H #2 wells.
The three (0.4 net) non-operated Haynesville shale wells that the Company participated in which were drilled in 2016 and completed in 2017 achieved an average initial production rate of 18 MMcf per day per well.  The wells were all located in Desoto Parish, Louisiana and had approximately 7,500 foot laterals.
In order to protect the returns that the Haynesville shale drilling program can generate, the Company has hedged, in the aggregate, 81 MMcf per day of its 2017 second quarter natural gas production at a NYMEX equivalent of $3.38 per Mcf and has hedged approximately 100 MMcf per day of natural gas production in the second half of 2017 at $3.38 per Mcf.
Comstock's Haynesville shale joint venture with USG Properties Haynesville, LLC has increased its acreage position to approximately 6,100 net acres and is continuing to pursue additional leasehold acquisitions.  The first joint well is expected to commence drilling later this month.
Other
Comstock has planned a conference call for 10:00 a.m. Central Time on May 8, 2017, to discuss the operational and financial results for the first quarter of 2017.  Investors wishing to participate should visit the Company's website at www.comstockresources.com for a live web cast or dial 844-776-7840 (international dial-in use 661-378-9538) and provide access code 95462030 when prompted.  If you are unable to participate in the original conference call, a web replay will be available approximately 24 hours following the completion of the call on Comstock's website at www.comstockresources.com.  The web replay will be available for approximately one week.  A replay of the conference call will be available beginning at 2:00 p.m. CT May 8, 2017 and will continue until 2:00 p.m. May 15, 2017.  To hear the replay, call 855-859-2056 (404-537-3406 if calling from outside the US).  The conference call access code is 95462030.

This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described herein.  Although the Company believes the expectations in such statements to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.

Comstock Resources, Inc. is an independent energy company based in Frisco, Texas and is engaged in oil and gas acquisitions, exploration and development primarily in Texas and Louisiana.  The Company's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CRK.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
OPERATING RESULTS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)




   
Three Months Ended March 31,
  
   
2017
    
2016
  
                 
Revenues:
                
Natural gas sales
  
$
40,940
    
$
25,147
  
Oil sales
    
12,861
      
11,016
  
Total oil and gas sales
    
53,801
      
36,163
  
Gain on sale of oil and gas properties
    
—
      
740
  
Total revenues
    
53,801
      
36,903
  
                 
Operating expenses:
                
Production taxes
    
1,097
      
1,186
  
Gathering and transportation
    
4,128
      
4,365
  
Lease operating
    
9,889
      
12,960
  
Exploration
    
—
      
7,753
  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    
29,905
      
38,836
  
General and administrative
    
6,401
      
5,575
  
Impairment of oil and gas properties
    
—
      
22,718
  
                 
Total operating expenses
    
51,420
      
93,393
  
                 
Operating income (loss)
    
2,381
      
(56,490
)
                 
Other income (expenses):
                
Gain on extinguishment of debt
    
—
      
33,380
  
Gain from derivative financial instruments
    
7,860
      
656
  
Other income
    
163
      
281
  
Interest expense
    
(32,900
)(1)
  
(29,944
)
                 
Total other income (expenses)
    
(24,877
)
    
4,373
  
                 
Loss before income taxes
    
(22,496
)
    
(52,117
)
Provision for income taxes
    
(435
)
    
(4,460
)
Net loss
  
$
(22,931
)
  
$
(56,577
)
                 
Net loss per share – basic and diluted
  
$
(1.61
)
  
$
(5.71)
  
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted
    
14,225
      
9,902
  
 
                            
(1)
    
Includes $5.4 million related to the amortization of discounts and costs recorded in connection with the debt exchange completed on September 6, 2016 and $9.2 million of interest paid in-kind related to the Company's convertible notes.
            
 
 

 
 
 
 
 

 



COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
OPERATING RESULTS
(In thousands)
 

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
  
   
2017
    
2016
  
                 
OPERATING CASH FLOW:
                
                 
Net loss
  
$
(22,931
)
  
$
(56,577
)
Reconciling items:
                
Deferred income taxes
    
359
      
4,446
  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    
29,905
      
38,836
  
Gain from derivative financial instruments
    
(7,860
)
    
(656
)
Cash settlements of derivative financial instruments
    
505
      
998
  
Amortization of debt discount, premium and issuance costs
    
5,435
      
1,281
  
Interest paid in-kind
    
9,240
      
—
  
Stock-based compensation
    
1,265
      
1,330
  
Impairment of oil and gas properties
    
—
      
22,718
  
Exploratory lease impairments
    
—
      
7,753
  
Gain on sale of oil and gas properties
    
—
      
(740
)
Gain on extinguishment of debt
    
—
      
(33,380
)
Operating cash flow
    
15,918
      
(13,991
)
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable
    
(2,048
)
    
4,287
  
Decrease in other current assets
    
362
      
109
  
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses
    
(11,025
)
    
(21,444
)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities
  
$
3,207
    
$
(31,039
)

EBITDAX:
                
                 
Net loss
  
$
(22,931
)
  
$
(56,577
)
Interest expense
    
32,900
      
29,944
  
Income taxes
    
435
      
4,460
  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    
29,905
      
38,836
  
Gain from derivative financial instruments
    
(7,860
)
    
(656
)
Cash settlements of derivative financial instruments
    
505
      
998
  
Stock-based compensation
    
1,265
      
1,330
  
Exploration
    
—
      
7,753
  
Impairment of oil and gas properties
    
—
      
22,718
  
Gain on sale of oil and gas properties
    
—
      
(740
)
Gain on extinguishment of debt
    
—
      
(33,380
)
Total EBITDAX
  
$
34,219
    
$
14,686
  
                 
 
   
As of
  
   
March 31,
2017
    
December 31,
2016
  
                 
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
                
                 
Cash and cash equivalents
  
$
30,440
    
$
65,904
  
Other current assets
    
27,279
      
24,268
  
Property and equipment, net
    
807,262
      
798,662
  
Other
    
1,005
      
1,040
  
Total assets
  
$
865,986
    
$
889,874
  
                 
                 
Current liabilities
  
$
74,471
    
$
91,707
  
Long-term debt
    
1,051,357
      
1,044,506
  
Deferred income taxes
    
9,561
      
9,126
  
Asset retirement obligation
    
16,013
      
15,804
  
Stockholders' deficit
    
(285,416
)
    
(271,269
)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit
  
$
865,986
    
$
889,874
  
 


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


   
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
  
   
East Texas/
North
Louisiana
    
South Texas
    
Other
    
Total
  
Gas production (MMcf)
    
13,438
      
368
      
193
      
13,999
  
Oil production (Mbbls)
    
16
      
244
      
5
      
265
  
Total production (MMcfe)
    
13,534
      
1,830
      
223
      
15,587
  
                                 
Natural gas sales
  
$
38,955
    
$
1,460
    
$
525
    
$
40,940
  
Natural gas hedging settlements(1)
    
—
      
—
      
—
      
505
  
Total natural gas including hedging
    
38,955
      
1,460
      
525
      
41,445
  
Oil sales
    
768
      
11,841
    
$
252
    
$
12,861
  
Total oil and gas sales including
hedging
  
$
39,723
    
$
13,301
    
$
777
    
$
54,306
  
                                 
                                 
Average gas price (per Mcf)
  
$
2.90
    
$
3.97
    
$
2.72
    
$
2.92
  
Average gas price including hedging
(per Mcf)
                          
$
2.96
  
Average oil price (per barrel)
  
$
48.27
    
$
48.62
    
$
48.85
    
$
48.60
  
Average price (per Mcfe)
  
$
2.94
    
$
7.27
    
$
3.48
    
$
3.45
  
Average price including hedging
(per Mcfe)
                          
$
3.48
  
                                 
Production taxes
  
$
422
    
$
623
    
$
52
    
$
1,097
  
Gathering and transportation
  
$
3,618
    
$
473
    
$
37
    
$
4,128
  
Lease operating
  
$
5,443
    
$
4,037
    
$
409
    
$
9,889
  
                                 
Production taxes (per Mcfe)
  
$
0.03
    
$
0.34
    
$
0.23
    
$
0.07
  
Gathering and transportation (per Mcfe)
  
$
0.27
    
$
0.26
    
$
0.17
    
$
0.26
  
Lease operating (per Mcfe)
  
$
0.40
    
$
2.20
    
$
1.83
    
$
0.64
  
                                 
Oil and Gas Capital Expenditures:
                                
Development leasehold
  
$
232
    
$
503
    
$
—
    
$
735
  
Development drilling
    
35,225
      
455
      
—
      
35,680
  
Other development
    
1,368
      
510
      
—
      
1,878
  
Total
  
$
36,825
    
$
1,468
  
$
—
    
$
38,293
  
 
              
(1)
  
Included in gain from derivative financial instruments in operating results.
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

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


   
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
  
   
East Texas/
North
Louisiana
    
South Texas
    
Other
    
Total
  
Gas production (MMcf)
    
12,157
      
1,383
      
285
      
13,825
  
Oil production (Mbbls)
    
20
      
388
      
9
      
417
  
Total production (MMcfe)
    
12,277
      
3,713
      
335
      
16,325
  
                                 
Natural gas sales
  
$
21,957
    
$
2,710
    
$
480
    
$
25,147
  
Natural gas hedging settlements(1)
    
—
      
—
      
—
      
998
  
Total natural gas including hedging
    
21,957
      
2,710
      
480
      
26,145
  
Oil sales
    
596
      
10,164
      
256
      
11,016
  
Total oil and gas sales including
hedging
  
$
22,553
    
$
12,874
    
$
736
    
$
37,161
  
                                 
Average gas price (per Mcf)
  
$
1.81
    
$
1.96
    
$
1.68
    
$
1.82
  
Average gas price including hedging
(per Mcf)
                          
$
1.89
  
Average oil price (per barrel)
  
$
29.68
    
$
26.18
    
$
30.51
    
$
26.44
  
Average price (per Mcfe)
  
$
1.84
    
$
3.47
    
$
2.20
    
$
2.22
  
Average price including hedging
(per Mcfe)
                          
$
2.28
  
                                 
Production taxes
  
$
581
    
$
564
    
$
41
    
$
1,186
  
Gathering and transportation
  
$
3,614
    
$
678
    
$
73
    
$
4,365
  
Lease operating
  
$
6,052
    
$
6,374
    
$
534
    
$
12,960
  
                                 
Production taxes (per Mcfe)
  
$
0.05
    
$
0.15
    
$
0.12
    
$
0.07
  
Gathering and transportation (per Mcfe)
  
$
0.29
    
$
0.18
    
$
0.22
    
$
0.27
  
Lease operating (per Mcfe)
  
$
0.49
    
$
1.72
    
$
1.59
    
$
0.79
  
                                 
Oil and Gas Capital Expenditures:
                                
Development leasehold
  
$
95
    
$
37
    
$
—
    
$
132
  
Development drilling
    
7,104
      
5
      
—
      
7,109
  
Other development
    
235
      
1,403
      
—
      
1,638
  
Total
  
$
7,434
    
$
1,445
  
$
—
    
$
8,879
  
 
              
(1)
  
Included in gain from derivative financial instruments in operating results.