EX-99 2 exhibit991.htm SWN Q3 2008 EARNINGS RELEASE NEWS RELEASE

 

 


2350 N. Sam Houston Parkway East

Suite 125

Houston, Texas  77032

(281) 618-4700     Fax: (281) 618-4820

NEWS RELEASE



SOUTHWESTERN ENERGY ANNOUNCES RECORD

THIRD QUARTER 2008 RESULTS


Houston, Texas – October 30, 2008…Southwestern Energy Company (NYSE: SWN) today announced financial and operating results for the third quarter of 2008. Highlights include:


·

Record production of 52.8 Bcfe, up 76% over the same period in 2007

·

Record net income of $218.2 million, up 328% from the same period in 2007

·

Record net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities from continuing operations (a non-GAAP measure reconciled below) of $312.1 million, up 98% from the same period in 2007


For the third quarter of 2008, Southwestern reported net income of $218.2 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, up from $51.0 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, for the same period in 2007. Results during the third quarter of 2008 include an after-tax gain on sale from the company’s utility assets of $35.5 million, or $0.10 per diluted share. Net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities (a non-GAAP measure; see reconciliation below), was $312.1 million for the third quarter of 2008, up from $157.7 million for the same period in 2007. The company’s third quarter financial results were driven primarily by the positive effect on earnings of the significant growth in production volumes from Southwestern’s Fayetteville Shale play and higher realized natural gas prices.


“This was a great quarter for Southwestern Energy,” stated Harold M. Korell, Chief Executive Officer of Southwestern. “Our financial results were outstanding and in our Fayetteville Shale play we continue to see significant improvements in well performance as we implement new completion techniques across the play. As a result, gross operated daily production volumes have risen to approximately 600 MMcf per day at September 30, up from about 260 MMcf per day a year ago.”


“I am also very pleased to report that our financial position and balance sheet are both in great shape,” Korell continued. “At the end of the quarter, we had over $425 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand, had reduced our debt-to-total capitalization ratio to 25% down from 37% at the end of 2007, and our $1 billion unsecured credit facility was completely undrawn. We expect to end the year with one of the strongest balance sheets in our history. While we understand that these are uncertain times in our economy, we believe that Southwestern Energy, with our low cost operations and the financial strength and



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flexibility to pursue highly accretive drilling programs, is well-positioned to add significant value for our shareholders.”


Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was $463.7 million, or $1.34 per diluted share, up from $149.5 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, for the same period in 2007. Net income for the first nine months of 2008 includes an after-tax gain on sale from the company’s utility assets of $35.5 million, or $0.10 per diluted share. Net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities (non-GAAP; see reconciliation below) was $884.1 million for the first nine months of 2008, up from $446.9 million for the same period in 2007.


In the second quarter of 2008, the company completed the sale of 55,631 net acres, or approximately 6% of its total net acres in the Fayetteville Shale play, for approximately $518.3 million. Production from the acreage sold was approximately 10.5 MMcf per day at the time of the sale. Effective July 1, 2008, the company closed the previously announced sale of its utility, Arkansas Western Gas Company (AWG), to SourceGas, LLC. Southwestern received $223.5 million and, in order to receive regulatory approval for the sale and certain related transactions, paid $9.8 million to AWG for the benefit of its customers. The company recorded a pre-tax gain on the sale of $57.3 million in the third quarter of 2008. As a result of the sale of the utility, the company is no longer engaged in natural gas distribution operations. Additionally, the company sold various oil and gas properties in the Gulf Coast and the Permian Basin for approximately $240 million in the aggregate, with approximately $21 million expected to be collected in the fourth quarter of 2008. Proceeds from the sales of oil and gas properties are credited to the full cost pool. These announced sales represent all of the company’s planned 2008 divestitures and, once all have closed, are expected to result in gross proceeds of approximately $1.0 billion.


Third Quarter 2008 Financial Results


E&P Segment - Operating income from the company’s E&P segment was $280.6 million for the third quarter of 2008, up 216% from $88.9 million for the same period in 2007. The increase in revenues resulting from the growth in production volumes and higher gas prices was partially offset by increased operating costs.  


Southwestern’s natural gas and crude oil production totaled 52.8 Bcfe for the third quarter of 2008, up 76% from 30.0 Bcfe for the third quarter of 2007. The increase resulted from increased production from the Fayetteville Shale play which totaled 37.2 Bcf for the third quarter of 2008, compared to 14.7 Bcf for the same period in 2007.


Southwestern has increased its production guidance for the fourth quarter of 2008 to 53.0 to 55.0 Bcfe, up from 50.0 to 52.0 Bcfe. Southwestern’s total oil and gas production guidance for 2008 of 190.0 to 192.0 Bcfe represents an increase of approximately 68% over the company’s 2007 oil and gas production. Of this total, approximately 127.0 to 130.0 Bcf is expected to come from the Fayetteville Shale. The company’s fourth quarter production guidance includes the effect of its oil and gas property sales and its anticipated restrictions on Fayetteville Shale production due to the delay in the completion of the Fayetteville Lateral portion of the Texas Gas Transmission Pipeline (Boardwalk). The Fayetteville Lateral, which was originally anticipated to be in-service in the third quarter of



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2008, is now expected to be completed late in the fourth quarter.


Southwestern’s average realized gas price was $8.56 per Mcf for the third quarter of 2008, including the effect of hedges, compared to $6.66 per Mcf for the third quarter of 2007. The company’s commodity hedging activities decreased its average gas price by $0.26 per Mcf during the third quarter of 2008, compared to an increase of $1.17 per Mcf during the third quarter of 2007. As of October 24, 2008, Southwestern had NYMEX fixed price hedges in place on notional volumes of 11.5 Bcf of its fourth quarter 2008 gas production at an average price of $8.39 per MMBtu and collars in place on notional volumes of 17.0 Bcf of its fourth quarter 2008 gas production at an average floor and ceiling price of $7.76 and $10.70 per MMBtu, respectively. Late in the third quarter of 2008, locational basis differentials on Centerpoint East began widening above historical averages as a result of the delay in the construction of the Boardwalk Pipeline. The continued delay of the pipeline could further adversely impact locational differentials for production from the Arkoma Basin. As of October 24, 2008, the company has basis protected on approximately 43 Bcf of its fourth quarter 2008 expected gas production, through financial hedging activities and physical sales arrangements, at a differential to NYMEX gas prices of approximately $0.90 to $1.00 per Mcf.


Southwestern’s average realized oil price was $125.33 per barrel for the third quarter of 2008, compared to $72.52 per barrel for the third quarter of 2007. For calendar year 2008, the company has not hedged any of its expected crude oil production.


Lease operating expenses for the company’s E&P segment were $0.96 per Mcfe for the third quarter of 2008, compared to $0.67 per Mcfe for the third quarter of 2007. The increase was driven by higher per unit costs associated with gathering and compression costs in the company’s Fayetteville Shale operations, including the impact of higher natural gas prices on the cost of compression fuel. Southwestern’s fourth quarter operating cost guidance ranges between $0.92 and $0.97 per Mcfe.


General and administrative expenses for the company’s E&P segment were $0.33 per Mcfe for the third quarter of 2008, compared to $0.46 per Mcfe for the third quarter of 2007. The decrease was primarily due to the effects of increased production volumes which more than offset increased incentive compensation, payroll and related costs associated with the expansion of the company’s E&P operations due to the Fayetteville Shale play. Southwestern’s fourth quarter general and administrative expense guidance ranges between $0.32 and $0.37 per Mcfe.


Taxes other than income taxes were $0.15 per Mcfe for the third quarter of 2008, compared to $0.11 per Mcfe for the third quarter of 2007, primarily due to the change in the mix of the company’s production volumes. Southwestern’s fourth quarter guidance for taxes other than income taxes ranges between $0.15 and $0.20 per Mcfe.


The company’s full cost pool amortization rate was $1.86 per Mcfe for the third quarter of 2008, compared to $2.56 per Mcfe for the third quarter of 2007. The decline in the average amortization rate was primarily the result of sales of oil and gas properties in the second and third quarters of 2008, the proceeds of which were credited to the full cost pool. The amortization rate is impacted by timing and amount of reserve additions and the costs



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associated with those additions, revisions of previous reserve estimates due to both price and well performance, write-downs that result from full cost ceiling tests, proceeds from the sale of properties that reduce the full cost pool and the levels of costs subject to amortization. The future full cost pool amortization rate cannot be predicted with accuracy due to the variability of each of the factors discussed above, as well as other factors.


Midstream Services - Operating income for the company’s midstream services segment, which is comprised of natural gas marketing and gathering activities, was $18.3 million for the third quarter of 2008, up from $4.1 million for the third quarter of 2007. The increase in operating income was primarily due to higher gathering revenues and an increase in the margin from gas marketing activities, partially offset by increased operating costs and expenses. At September 30, 2008, Midstream Services was gathering approximately 675 MMcf per day through 793 miles of gathering lines in the Fayetteville Shale play area, up from approximately 250 MMcf per day a year ago. Gathering volumes, revenues and expenses for this segment are expected to continue to grow as reserves related to the company’s Fayetteville Shale play are developed and production increases.


During the third quarter of 2008, production restrictions in the Fayetteville Shale began to arise due to the delay in the completion of the Fayetteville Lateral of the Boardwalk Pipeline. Due to construction difficulties, the Fayetteville Lateral, which was anticipated to be in-service by late in the third quarter, is now anticipated to be in-service late in the fourth quarter. Midstream Services has 500,000 MMBtu per day of initial firm capacity on the Boardwalk Pipeline, increasing to 800,000 MMBtu per day by 2010.


On September 30, 2008, a subsidiary in the midstream services segment signed a precedent agreement with Fayetteville Express Pipeline LLC, a joint venture of Kinder Morgan and Energy Transfer, under which the subsidiary has committed up to 1,200,000 dekatherms per day of firm capacity after the pipeline is in-service, which is expected to be in late 2010 or early 2011.


First Nine Months of 2008 Financial Results

 

E&P Segment - Operating income for the E&P segment was $661.4 million for the first nine months of 2008, up from $244.5 million for the first nine months of 2007. The increase was primarily due to a 74% increase in production volumes and higher realized natural gas prices.


Gas and oil production totaled 137.0 Bcfe for the first nine months of 2008, compared to 78.7 Bcfe for the first nine months of 2007. The increase was due to increased production from the company’s Fayetteville Shale play. Net production from the company’s Fayetteville Shale play was 90.4 Bcf for the first nine months of 2008, compared to 33.6 Bcf for the first nine months of 2007.

 

Southwestern’s average realized gas price was $8.19 per Mcf, including the effect of hedges, for the first nine months of 2008 compared to $6.75 per Mcf for the first nine months of 2007. The company’s hedging activities decreased the average gas price realized for the first nine months of 2008 by $0.64 per Mcf, compared to an increase of $0.62 per Mcf for the first nine months of 2007. Disregarding the impact of commodity price



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hedges, the company’s average price received for its gas production during the first nine months of the year 2008 was approximately $0.90 per Mcf lower than average NYMEX spot prices. Southwestern’s average realized oil price was $112.37 per barrel for the first nine months of 2008, compared to $62.58 per barrel for the first nine months of 2007.


Lease operating expenses for the company’s E&P segment were $0.90 per Mcfe for the first nine months of 2008, compared to $0.71 per Mcfe for the first nine months of 2007. The increase was due to increases in gathering and compression costs, including the impact of higher natural gas prices on the cost of compression fuel, the majority of which relates to the company’s operations in the Fayetteville Shale play.


General and administrative expenses for the company’s E&P segment were $0.38 per Mcfe for the first nine months of 2008, compared to $0.47 per Mcfe for the first nine months of 2007. The decrease was primarily due to growth in the company’s production volumes. Southwestern added 159 new employees in the first nine months of 2008.


Taxes other than income taxes per unit of production were $0.15 per Mcfe for the first nine months of 2008, compared to $0.19 per Mcfe for the first nine months of 2007, primarily due to the effects of a changing mix of production and the accrual of severance tax refunds related to the company’s East Texas production.


The company’s full cost pool amortization rate was $2.03 per Mcfe for the first nine months of 2008, down from $2.41 per Mcfe for the first nine months of 2007. The reduction was primarily due to the effect of the net proceeds from the sale of oil and gas properties and reserves during the second and third quarters of 2008 that reduced the full cost pool.


Midstream Services - Operating income for the company’s midstream services segment was $43.4 million for the first nine months of 2008, compared to $6.4 million for the first nine months of 2007. The increase in operating income was primarily due to increased gathering revenues and an increase in the margin from gas marketing activities related to the Fayetteville Shale play, partially offset by increased operating costs and expenses.


E&P Operations Review


Southwestern invested a total of approximately $1.2 billion in its E&P program during the first nine months of 2008, compared to $1.1 billion in the first nine months of 2007. During the first nine months of 2008, the company participated in drilling 580 wells, 327 of which were successful, 7 were dry and 246 were still in progress at September 30, 2008.

 

Fayetteville Shale - As of September 30, 2008, Southwestern had drilled and completed a total of 722 operated wells in the Fayetteville Shale play, of which 652 were horizontal 

wells. Of the 652 horizontal wells, 604 wells have been fracture stimulated using slickwater or crosslinked gel fluids. The wells are located in eight counties in Arkansas.  


At September 30, 2008, the company’s gross production rate from the Fayetteville Shale play was approximately 600 MMcf per day. The graph below provides gross production data from the company’s operated wells in the Fayetteville Shale play area. Restrictions related to the delayed completion of the Boardwalk Pipeline have constrained the 
 

 

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company’s production from the Fayetteville Shale. The company is currently delaying completion of some wells until this takeaway issue is resolved.


Results from the company’s drilling activities in the third quarter of 2008, plus the previous six quarters, are shown below. The company continues to improve its completion practices, as wells completed during the third quarter of 2008 averaged higher initial, 30th-day and 60th-day production rates ranging from 13% to 16% above results during the second quarter of 2008.


Time Frame

Wells Placed on Production

Average IP Rate (Mcf/d)

30th-Day Avg Rate (# of wells)

60th-Day Avg Rate (# of wells)

Average Lateral Length

Completion Method SW/XL/Hy-RHy

1st Qtr 2007

58

1,261

1,066 (58)

958 (58)

2,104

11/37/10

2nd Qtr 2007

46

1,497

1,254 (46)

1,034 (46)

2,512

24/12/10

3rd Qtr 2007

74

1,788

1,512 (72)

1,350 (71)

2,622

69/4/1

4th Qtr 2007

77

2,028

1,690 (77)

1,499 (76)

3,193

68/1/8

1st Qtr 2008

75

2,343

2,147 (75)

1,954 (74)

3,301

71/1/3

2nd Qtr 2008

83

2,541

2,155 (83)

1,893 (82)

3,562

83/0/0

3rd Qtr 2008

97

2,882

2,453 (82)

2,199 (50)

3,736

97/0/0


 

SW – Slickwater fluids

XL – Crosslinked gel fluids

Hy-RHy – Hybrid or Reverse Hybrid method (combination slickwater/crosslinked gel fluid system)

Note: Data excludes wells which were sold in May 2008.


 

 

During the third quarter, the company’s horizontal wells had an average completed well cost of $3.0 million per well, average horizontal lateral length of 3,736 feet and average time to drill to total depth of 12 days from re-entry to re-entry. This compares to an average completed well cost of $2.8 million per well, average horizontal lateral length of 3,562 feet and average time to drill to total depth of 14 days from re-entry to re-entry during the second quarter of 2008. As the company continues to drill wells with longer laterals in some of its pilot areas, the number of drilling days and well costs may increase. The company

 

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has 21 drilling rigs running in its Fayetteville Shale play area, 15 that are capable of drilling horizontal wells and 6 smaller rigs that are used to drill the vertical section of the wells.


In the first nine months of 2008, the company began to test closer perforation cluster spacing in its horizontal wells with positive results. Southwestern tested this technique on 132 of its wells and has seen a 20% to 25% improvement in early production over average initial production of wells on which the company did not utilize this technique. Southwestern estimates that ultimate recovery on these wells could be improved by a corresponding 20% to 25% and is currently planning to utilize this technique on all wells it plans to drill for the remainder of the year. Associated with this new completion technique and longer laterals, the company expects completed well costs to average approximately $3.1 million per well for the fourth quarter of 2008. Additionally, Southwestern is currently testing the downspacing of wells at approximately 60-acre spacing.


The graph below provides normalized average daily production data through September 30, 2008, for the company’s horizontal wells using slickwater and crosslinked gel fluids. The “dark blue” curve is for horizontal wells fracture stimulated with either slickwater or crosslinked gel fluid systems and excludes 28 wells which had significant mechanical issues that are negatively impacting the wells’ production performance. The “red curve” indicates results for the company’s wells with lateral lengths greater than 3,000 feet. The normalized production curves are intended to provide a qualitative indication of the company’s Fayetteville Shale wells’ performance and should not be used to estimate an individual well’s estimated ultimate recovery. The 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 Bcf typecurves are shown solely for reference purposes and are not intended to be projections of the performance of the company’s wells.

 

 

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At September 30, 2008, the company held approximately 860,000 net acres in the Fayetteville Shale play area, including approximately 125,400 net acres held by conventional production in the traditional Fairway portion of the Arkoma Basin.


Conventional Arkoma Program - (Outside the Fayetteville Shale play area) Southwestern participated in drilling 61 wells in its conventional Arkoma Basin drilling program during the first nine months of 2008. Production from the company’s conventional Arkoma Basin drilling program was 18.6 Bcf for the first nine months of 2008, compared to 17.8 Bcf for the first nine months of 2007.  


East Texas - Southwestern participated in drilling 35 wells in East Texas during the first nine months of 2008, 14 of which were James Lime horizontal wells. Production from the company’s East Texas properties was 24.1 Bcfe for the first nine months of 2008, up from 22.7 Bcfe for the first nine months of 2007.


At September 30, 2008, Southwestern held approximately 102,000 gross acres in its Angelina River Trend area, which consists of several separate development areas located primarily in four different counties in East Texas where the company is targeting the Pettet, Travis Peak and James Lime formations. The company drilled 26 wells in the Angelina River Trend area during the first nine months of 2008, all of which were either productive or in progress at September 30, 2008. Southwestern is currently focusing its drilling activity in this area on the James Lime formation where it has 12 operated wells on production which had average gross initial production rates of 9.0 MMcf per day. Southwestern’s current net production from the James Lime is approximately 21.2 MMcf per day, including production from 5 outside-operated wells. 

 

As previously announced, the company has signed a 50/50 joint venture agreement with a private company to drill two wells targeting the Haynesville/Bossier Shale intervals in Shelby and San Augustine Counties, Texas. The first vertical well is drilling and is expected to reach total depth by the end of the fourth quarter.  


New Ventures - Southwestern currently has approximately 110,000 net acres in Pennsylvania under which it believes the Marcellus Shale is prospective. The company has drilled its first four wells on its acreage in Bradford and Susquehanna Counties, of which two have been tested, one is waiting on completion and the other, the company’s first horizontal well, has reached total depth and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter.


Explanation and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures


Net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities is presented because of its acceptance as an indicator of an oil and gas exploration and production company’s ability to internally fund exploration and development activities and to service or incur additional debt. The company has also included this information because changes in operating assets and liabilities relate to the timing of cash receipts and disbursements which the company may not control and may not relate to the period in which the operating activities occurred. Net cash provided by operating activities before

 

 

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changes in operating assets and liabilities should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net cash provided by operating activities prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The table below reconciles net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities with net cash provided by operating activities as derived from the company's financial information.


  

 

3 Months Ended September 30,

 

9 Months Ended September 30,

 

 

2008

 

 

2007

 

 

2008

 

 

2007

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities

$

 312,139 

 

 157,720 

 

 884,086 

 

 446,906 

Add back (deduct):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in operating assets and liabilities

 

 66,316 

 

 

 19,080 

 

 

 82,621 

 

 

 (11,888)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

 378,455 

 

 176,800 

 

 966,707 

 

 435,018 

 


Southwestern will host a teleconference call on Friday, October 31 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern (9:00 a.m. Central) to discuss the company’s third quarter 2008 financial and operating results. The toll-free number to call is 1-888-256-9154 and the confirmation number is 5031400. The teleconference can also be heard live on the Internet at http://www.swn.com.


Southwestern Energy Company is an integrated company whose wholly-owned subsidiaries are engaged in oil and gas exploration and production, natural gas gathering and marketing. Additional information on the company can be found on the Internet at http://www.swn.com.

 

 

 

Contacts:

Greg D. Kerley

Brad D. Sylvester, CFA

Executive Vice President

Manager, Investor Relations

 

and Chief Financial Officer

 

            (281) 618-4897

(281) 618-4803

 


All statements, other than historical financial information, may be deemed to be forward-looking 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. All statements that address activities, outcomes and other matters that should or may occur in the future, including, without limitation, statements regarding the financial position, business strategy, production and reserve growth and other plans and objectives for the company’s future operations, are forward-looking statements. Although the company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The company has no obligation and makes no undertaking to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. They are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may affect the company’s operations, markets, products, services and prices and cause its actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In addition to any assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with forward-looking statements, risks, uncertainties and factors that could cause the company’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated in any forward-

 

 

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looking statement include, but are not limited to: the timing and extent of changes in market conditions and prices for natural gas and oil (including regional basis differentials); the company’s ability to transport its production to the most favorable markets or at all; the timing and extent of the company’s success in discovering, developing, producing and estimating reserves; the economic viability of, and the company’s success in drilling, the company’s large acreage position in the Fayetteville Shale play, overall as well as relative to other productive shale gas plays; the company’s ability to fund the company’s planned capital investments; the company’s ability to determine the most effective and economic fracture stimulation for the Fayetteville Shale formation; the impact of federal, state and local government regulation, including any increase in severance taxes; the costs and availability of oil field personnel services and drilling supplies, raw materials, and equipment and services; the company’s future property acquisition or divestiture activities; increased competition; the financial impact of accounting regulations and critical accounting policies; the comparative cost of alternative fuels; conditions in capital markets, changes in interest rates and the ability of the company’s lenders to provide it with funds as agreed; credit risk relating to the risk of loss as a result of non-performance by the company’s counterparties and any other factors listed in the reports the company has filed and may file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). For additional information with respect to certain of these and other factors, see the reports filed by the company with the SEC. The company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

 


Financial Summary Follows

# # #

 




 

OPERATING STATISTICS (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Page 1 of 5

Southwestern Energy Company and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months

 

Nine Months

Periods Ended September 30

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exploration & Production

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas production (MMcf)

 52,375 

 

 29,145 

 

 134,892 

 

 75,879 

Oil production (MBbls)

 76 

 

 139 

 

 345 

 

 472 

Total equivalent production (MMcfe)

 52,832 

 

 29,982 

 

 136,964 

 

 78,714 

Commodity Prices

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average gas price per Mcf, including hedges

$     8.56 

 

$      6.66 

 

$     8.19 

 

$      6.75 

Average gas price per Mcf, excluding hedges

$     8.82 

 

$      5.49 

 

$     8.83 

 

$      6.13 

Average oil price per Bbl

$ 125.33 

 

$    72.52 

 

$ 112.37 

 

$    62.58 

Operating Expenses per Mcfe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease operating expenses

$     0.96 

 

$      0.67 

 

$     0.90 

 

$      0.71 

General & administrative expenses

$     0.33 

 

$      0.46 

 

$     0.38 

 

$      0.47 

Taxes, other than income taxes

$     0.15 

 

$      0.11 

 

$     0.15 

 

$      0.19 

Full cost pool amortization

$     1.86 

 

$      2.56 

 

$     2.03 

 

$      2.41 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Midstream

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas volumes marketed (Bcf)

 71.6 

 

 40.2 

 

 181.2 

 

 99.5 

Gas volumes gathered (Bcf)

 64.6 

 

 22.3 

 

 153.0 

 

 48.5 

 


 


 


 



 




STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Page 2 of 5

Southwestern Energy Company and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months

 

Nine Months

Periods Ended September 30

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

(in thousands, except share/per share amounts)

Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas sales

 $    431,019 

 

 $      201,095 

 

 $ 1,160,569 

 

 $      596,798 

Gas marketing

 229,568 

 

 81,361 

 

 574,866 

 

 208,916 

Oil sales

 9,565 

 

 10,113 

 

 38,816 

 

 29,566 

Gas gathering

 12,662 

 

 3,438 

 

 30,134 

 

 6,281 

Transportation and other

 185 

 

 1,615 

 

 7,090 

 

 10,795 

 

 682,999 

 

 297,622 

 

 1,811,475 

 

 852,356 

Operating Costs and Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas purchases – midstream services

 225,149 

 

 78,588 

 

 560,490 

 

 201,293 

Gas purchases – gas distribution

 — 

 

 2,063 

 

 61,439 

 

 57,471 

Operating expenses

 23,877 

 

 21,562 

 

 77,903 

 

 62,084 

General and administrative expenses

 21,055 

 

 20,099 

 

 70,536 

 

 54,782 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 105,230 

 

 81,426 

 

 300,478 

 

 203,646 

Taxes, other than income taxes

 8,648 

 

 4,431 

 

 24,793 

 

 17,862 

 

 383,959 

 

 208,169 

 

 1,095,639 

 

 597,138 

Operating Income

 299,040 

 

 89,453 

 

 715,836 

 

 255,218 

Interest Expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest on long-term debt

 14,205 

 

 10,695 

 

 46,950 

 

 22,204 

Other interest charges

 482 

 

 173 

 

 1,749 

 

 1,099 

Interest capitalized

 (8,109)

 

 (3,604)

 

 (21,595)

 

 (9,575)

 

 6,578 

 

 7,264 

 

 27,104 

 

 13,728 

Other Income (Loss)

 2,354 

 

 83 

 

 2,530 

 

 (21)

Gain on Sale of Utility Assets

 57,264 

 

 — 

 

 57,264 

 

 — 

Income Before Income Taxes and Minority Interest

 352,080 

 

 82,272 

 

 748,526 

 

 241,469 

Minority Interest in Partnership

 (197)

 

 (79)

 

 (547)

 

 (273)

Income Before Income Taxes

 351,883 

 

 82,193 

 

 747,979 

 

 241,196 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 61,000 

 

 — 

 

 107,500 

 

 — 

Deferred

 72,715 

 

 31,233 

 

 176,732 

 

 91,654 

 

 133,715 

 

 31,233 

 

 284,232 

 

 91,654 

Net Income

 $    218,168 

 

 $        50,960 

 

 $    463,747 

 

 $      149,542 

Earnings Per Share (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 $           0.64 

 

 $            0.15 

 

 $           1.36 

 

 $            0.44 

Diluted

 $           0.63 

 

 $            0.15 

 

 $           1.34 

 

 $            0.43 

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 342,312,845 

 

 339,591,040 

 

 341,595,957 

 

 338,584,608 

Diluted

 346,712,565 

 

 345,088,224 

 

 346,459,853 

 

 344,726,838 


(1) 2007 restated to reflect the two-for-one stock split effected on March 25, 2008.






BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

Page 3 of 5

Southwestern Energy Company and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30

2008

 

2007

 

(in thousands)

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 $        889,617 

 

  $         311,153 

Property, Plant and Equipment, at cost

 4,844,090 

 

 4,172,838 

Less:  Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

 1,499,632 

 

 1,225,527 

 

 3,344,458 

 

 2,947,311 

Other Assets

 129,931 

 

 34,665 

 

 $    4,364,006 

 

  $      3,293,129 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 $        732,845 

 

  $         429,510 

Long-Term Debt

 674,800 

 

 730,300 

Deferred Income Taxes

 635,604 

 

 459,525 

Long-Term Hedging Liability

 49,467 

 

 7,915 

Other Liabilities

 39,930 

 

 44,453 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

 

 

Minority Interest in Partnership

 10,608 

 

 10,912 

Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

Common stock, $.01 par value; authorized 540,000,000 shares, issued 343,182,556 shares in 2008 and 340,614,666 in 2007 (1)

 3,432 

 

 3,406 

Additional paid-in capital (1)

 807,019 

 

 766,609 

Retained earnings

 1,345,778 

 

 810,399 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 69,255 

 

 34,752 

Common stock in treasury, 224,807 shares in 2008 and 222,324 in 2007 (1)

 (4,732)

 

 (4,652)

 

 2,220,752 

 

 1,610,514 

 

 $    4,364,006 

 

  $      3,293,129 


 (1) 2007 restated to reflect the two-for-one stock split effected on March 25, 2008.






STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

Page 4 of 5

Southwestern Energy Company and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Nine Months

Periods Ended September 30

2008

 

2007

 

(in thousands)

Cash Flows From Operating Activities

 

 

 

Net income

 $        463,747 

 

  $         149,542 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 301,801 

 

 204,662 

Deferred income taxes

 176,732 

 

 91,654 

Gain on sale of utility assets

 (57,264)

 

 — 

Unrealized gain on derivatives

 (5,956)

 

 (2,669)

Stock-based compensation expense

 5,379 

 

 3,839 

Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment

 (392)

 

 — 

Minority interest in partnership

 39 

 

 (122)

Change in assets and liabilities

 82,621 

 

 (11,888)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 966,707 

 

 435,018 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities

 

 

 

Capital investments

 (1,287,324)

 

 (1,139,946)

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

 732,924 

 

 5,777 

Net proceeds from sale of utility assets

 213,721 

 

 — 

Other items

 (816)

 

 383 

Net cash used in investing activities

 (341,495)

 

 (1,133,786)

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Financing Activities

 

 

 

Debt retirement

 (600)

 

 (600)

Payments on revolving long-term debt

 (1,843,600)

 

 (628,050)

Borrowings under revolving long-term debt

 1,001,400 

 

 1,222,350 

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

 600,000 

 

 — 

Debt issuance costs and revolving credit facility costs

 (8,895)

 

 (1,275)

Excess tax benefit for stock-based compensation

 42,197 

 

 17,858 

Change in bank drafts outstanding

 5,402 

 

 42,013 

Proceeds from exercise of common stock options

 3,240 

 

 4,160 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 (200,856)

 

 656,456 

 

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 424,356 

 

 (42,312)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

 1,832 

(1)

 42,927 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 $        426,188 

 

  $                615 


(1) Cash and cash equivalents for 2008 at the beginning of the year includes amounts classified as “held for sale.”






SEGMENT INFORMATION (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 5 of 5

Southwestern Energy Company and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exploration

 

 

 

Natural Gas

 

 

 

 

 

&

 

Midstream

 

Distribution

 

 

 

 

 

Production

 

Services

 

& Other

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

(in thousands)

Quarter Ending September 30, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 $    458,173 

 

 $    683,171 

 

 $            234 

 

 $  (458,579)

 

 $    682,999 

Gas purchases

 — 

 

 645,701 

 

 — 

 

 (420,552)

 

 225,149 

Operating expenses

 50,604 

 

 11,186 

 

 — 

 

 (37,913)

 

 23,877 

General & administrative expenses

 17,216 

 

 3,944 

 

 9 

 

 (114)

 

 21,055 

Depreciation, depletion & amortization

 102,015 

 

 3,179 

 

 36 

 

 — 

 

 105,230 

Taxes, other than income taxes

 7,731 

 

 907 

 

 10 

 

 — 

 

 8,648 

Operating Income

 $    280,607 

 

 $      18,254 

 

 $            179 

 

 $              — 

 

 $    299,040 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Investments (1)

 $    415,690 

 

 $      54,222 

 

 $        1,709 

 

 $              — 

 

 $    471,621 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quarter Ending September 30, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 $      204,130 

 

 $      239,027 

 

 $        17,366 

 

 $    (162,901)

 

 $      297,622 

Gas purchases

 — 

 

 226,209 

 

 7,557 

 

 (153,115)

 

 80,651 

Operating expenses

 19,938 

 

 4,782 

 

 6,489 

 

 (9,647)

 

 21,562 

General & administrative expenses

 13,693 

 

 2,140 

 

 4,405 

 

 (139)

 

 20,099 

Depreciation, depletion & amortization

 78,279 

 

 1,505 

 

 1,642 

 

 — 

 

 81,426 

Taxes, other than income taxes

 3,364 

 

 313 

 

 754 

 

 — 

 

 4,431 

Operating Income (Loss)

 $        88,856 

 

 $          4,078 

 

 $        (3,481)

 

 $               — 

 

 $        89,453 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Investments (1)

 $      381,099 

 

 $        31,115 

 

 $          4,386 

 

 $               — 

 

 $      416,600 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ending September 30, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 $ 1,147,915 

 

 $ 1,728,254 

 

 $    118,168 

 

 $(1,182,862)

 

 $ 1,811,475 

Gas purchases

 — 

 

 1,638,127 

 

 79,120 

 

 (1,095,318)

 

 621,929 

Operating expenses

 123,817 

 

 27,088 

 

 14,139 

 

 (87,141)

 

 77,903 

General & administrative expenses

 52,147 

 

 10,070 

 

 8,722 

 

 (403)

 

 70,536 

Depreciation, depletion & amortization

 289,352 

 

 7,586 

 

 3,540 

 

 — 

 

 300,478 

Taxes, other than income taxes

 21,196 

 

 1,966 

 

 1,631 

 

 — 

 

 24,793 

Operating Income

 $    661,403 

 

 $      43,417 

 

 $      11,016 

 

 $              — 

 

 $    715,836 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Investments (1)

 $ 1,155,025 

 

 $    133,545 

 

 $        8,451 

 

 $              — 

 

 $ 1,297,021 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ending September 30, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 $      547,189 

 

 $      651,283 

 

 $      122,189 

 

 $    (468,305)

 

 $      852,356 

Gas purchases

 — 

 

 622,109 

 

 77,960 

 

 (441,305)

 

 258,764 

Operating expenses

 55,734 

 

 13,140 

 

 19,783 

 

 (26,573)

 

 62,084 

General & administrative expenses

 36,761 

 

 5,668 

 

 12,780 

 

 (427)

 

 54,782 

Depreciation, depletion & amortization

 195,392 

 

 3,291 

 

 4,963 

 

 — 

 

 203,646 

Taxes, other than income taxes

 14,784 

 

 676 

 

 2,402 

 

 — 

 

 17,862 

Operating Income

 $      244,518 

 

 $          6,399 

 

 $          4,301 

 

 $               — 

 

 $      255,218 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Investments (1)

 $   1,051,422 

 

 $        76,395 

 

 $        12,877 

 

 $               — 

 

 $   1,140,694 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1)  Capital investments include a reduction of $3.0 million and an increase of $7.0 million for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008, respectively, and reductions of $20.2 million and $2.5 million for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007, respectively, relating to the change in accrued expenditures between periods.