EX-99.1 3 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE Press Release
[CABOT OIL & GAS CORPORATION LOGO]   NEWS RELEASE
   

1200 Enclave Parkway, Houston, Texas 77077

P. O. Box 4544, Houston, Texas 77210-4544

(281) 589-4600

 

FOR RELEASE AT 6:00 PM EST   FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
February 17, 2004   Scott Schroeder (281) 589-4993

 

Cabot Oil & Gas Announces 2003 Financial Results;

Record Fourth Quarter Profits

 

HOUSTON, February 17, 2004—Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation (NYSE:COG) today announced 2003 net income of $21.1 million, or $0.66 per share and discretionary cash flow of $266.4 million. These results compare favorably to 2002 net income of $16.1 million, or $0.51 per share, and discretionary cash flow of $178.8 million. Cash flow from operations reflected the same upward trend totaling $241.6 million in 2003 versus $164.2 million in 2002.

 

“Significant increases in realized commodity prices allowed Cabot to achieve record levels of cash flow for the year,” said Dan O. Dinges, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “These cash flow levels provided Cabot with the ability to reinvest significantly in the business ($188.2 million total investment) while still repaying our Revolving Credit Agreement in its entirety ($95 million), bringing debt down to $270 million.”

 

During 2003 Cabot’s realized price for natural gas rose 49 percent to $4.51 per Mcf while the realized price for oil gained 24 percent, to $29.55 per barrel. The higher realized prices drove the year-over-year increases in brokered natural gas activity and taxes other than income while the large capital program was instrumental in the increased exploration expense.

 

The Company experienced a slight decline in equivalent production between 2002 and 2003, producing 89 Bcfe for the year versus 91.1 Bcfe the year before. “From a total Company perspective, the decrease was driven primarily by the acceleration of declines in our south Louisiana CL&F related production,” commented Dinges. “After three years of very prolific production from four discoveries, the wells began declining and now account for only 25 percent of Gulf Coast production, down from 50 percent at the start of 2003.” Dinges added, “While these declines hindered growth this year in the Gulf Coast, our 2003 drilling program was able to recapture a


portion of these daily volumes by year-end as evidenced by the Gulf Coast’s increase in natural gas volumes between comparable fourth quarters. Separately, the West production declined between years due primarily to the level of reinvestment in 2002 and 2003; while the East experienced a 3.3 percent production growth year-over-year on the strength of a very solid development drilling program that was expanded and will be expanded again in 2004.”

 

Fourth Quarter

 

For the December quarter, Cabot reported its best ever fourth quarter results, posting net income of $19.2 million, or $0.60 per share. This is more than double last year’s net income of $8.7 million, or $0.27 per share. Discretionary cash flow also improved between comparable quarters with $71.7 million in 2003 versus $58.1 million in 2002. However, cash flow from operations declined between comparable quarters to $35.4 million versus $55.9 million due to changes in working capital primarily driven by a decrease in accounts payable and an increase in accounts receivable. Although not as dramatic, the fourth quarter also saw higher realized prices (16 percent for natural gas and 18 percent for oil), increasing exploration expenses, more brokered activity and higher taxes other than income when compared to the fourth quarter of 2002.

 

Selected Items

 

For the year, the Company’s results reflect three types of transactions that historically were categorized as selected items: SFAS No. 144 “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, the adoption of SFAS No. 143 “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations” and gains or losses on the sale of properties.

 

Specifically, the first quarter of 2003 was impacted by the Kurten field impairment ($54.4 million after-tax) and the adoption of SFAS No. 143 ($6.8 million after-tax), both of which had the effect of reducing net income. The third quarter experienced a benefit to net income of $0.7 million after-tax related to the sale of non-strategic properties in the East. This benefit was net of a $4.4 million gain offset by a $3.7 million impairment. The fourth quarter also experienced a benefit from additional sales of non-strategic properties totaling $2.8 million after-tax. Excluding the impact of these selected items, Cabot’s net income would have been $78.5 million, or $2.45 per share, for the 2003 full-year and $16.4 million, or $0.51 per share, for the fourth quarter.

 

Hedging Update

 

The Company continued to layer in hedges covering its natural gas and oil production at increasing prices for 2004 and began to establish a position for 2005. “Five dollars an Mcf became a magic number for us,” said Dinges. “The market continued to move up and we continued our strategy of layering in attractive pricing.” Cabot has hedged an average of 152,500 Mmbtu per day of its 2004 natural gas production at a NYMEX


equivalent price of $4.69 per Mmbtu (which equates to $5.06 per Mcf). Additionally, during December when the first quarter pricing spiked for 2004, the Company collared 50,000 Mmbtu per day of its natural gas production for the first quarter of 2004 based off a NYMEX equivalent price of $6.50 per Mmbtu (or $7.20 per Mcf). “These collars covered each of our regions and provided floors of $6.25 per Mmbtu in the East, $6.00 per Mmbtu in the Gulf Coast and $5.50 per Mmbtu in the Rocky Mountains,” commented Dinges. On the strength of these prices, Cabot also has swapped 70,000 Mmbtu per day of 2005 gas at a NYMEX equivalent price of $4.89 per Mmbtu (or $5.28 per Mcf).

 

In terms of oil, Cabot added two range swaps both for 1,000 barrels per day that phases out the price protection at $22.00 per barrel in return for an above market swap price. One trade covers 2004 and receives a swap price of $29.80 per barrel while the other covers 2005 and receives $30.05 per barrel. The natural gas hedges are basin-specific and are all listed in the Company’s guidance on its website at www.cabotog.com.

 

Outlook

 

“For 2004, we plan to invest $207 million,” said Dinges. “The regional breakdown consists of 42 percent for the Gulf Coast, 28 percent for the East, 23 percent in the West and 7 percent in Canada. The focus of this effort is to explore in the Gulf Coast and Canada, exploit our two exploration successes in the Rocky Mountains and continue the momentum in the East that gave us production and reserve growth in 2003 by planning to drill 179 wells in 2004.”

 

Listen in live to Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation’s full year and fourth quarter earnings discussion with financial analysts on February 18 at 9:30 AM EST (8:30 AM CST) at www.cabotog.com. A teleconference replay will also be available at (800) 642-1687 (international (706) 645-9291), passcode 5071554. A replay will be available from Wednesday, February 18 through Wednesday February 25, 2004.

 

The latest financial guidance, including the Company’s hedge positions, along with a replay of the webcast, which will be archived for one year, are available in the investor relations section of the Company’s website at www.cabotog.com.

 

Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a leading independent natural gas producer with substantial interests in the Gulf Coast, including Texas and Louisiana; the West, with the Rocky Mountains and Mid-Continent; the East and an expansion effort in Canada. For additional information, visit the Company’s Internet homepage 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.

 

# # #


CABOT OIL & GAS RESULTS — Page 5

 

OPERATING DATA

 

     Quarter Ended
December 31,


    Year Ended
December 31,


 
     2003

    2002

    2003

    2002

 

PRODUCED NATURAL GAS (Bcf) & OIL (MBbl)

                                

Natural Gas

                                

Gulf Coast

     7.7       7.2       29.5       30.4  

West

     5.8       6.3       23.8       25.3  

East

     4.7       4.5       18.6       18.0  
    


 


 


 


Total

     18.2       18.0       71.9       73.7  
    


 


 


 


Crude/Condensate

                                

Gulf Coast

     564       657       2,591       2,620  

West

     42       52       188       216  

East

     7       9       27       33  
    


 


 


 


Total

     613       718       2,806       2,869  
    


 


 


 


Natural Gas Liquids

     1.0       10.0       39       40  

Equivalent Production (Bcfe)

     21.9       22.4       89.0       91.1  

PRICES

                                

Average Produced Gas Sales Price ($/Mcf)

                                

Gulf Coast

   $ 4.61     $ 4.28     $ 4.78     $ 3.34  

West

   $ 3.72     $ 3.02     $ 3.67     $ 2.39  

East

   $ 5.09     $ 4.32     $ 5.15     $ 3.38  

Total

   $ 4.45     $ 3.82     $ 4.51     $ 3.02  

Crude/Condensate Price ($/Bbl)

                                

Gulf Coast

   $ 29.43     $ 25.02     $ 29.48     $ 23.69  

West

   $ 30.23     $ 26.89     $ 30.11     $ 25.24  

East

   $ 44.90     $ 24.06     $ 32.65     $ 22.09  

Total

   $ 29.65     $ 25.15     $ 29.55     $ 23.79  

WELLS DRILLED

                                

Gross

     50       23       173       108  

Net

     33       16       132       72  

Gross Success Rate

     86 %     91 %     89 %     93 %

 

- MORE -


CABOT OIL & GAS RESULTS — Page 6

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Quarter Ended
December 31,


  

Year Ended

December 31,


     2003

   2002

   2003

    2002

Net Operating Revenues

                            

Natural Gas Production

   $ 79,715    $ 68,417    $ 322,556     $ 221,101

Brokered Natural Gas

     21,887      18,506      95,816       58,729

Crude Oil and Condensate

     15,942      15,756      81,040       67,548

Other

     3,704      871      9,979       6,378
    

  

  


 

       121,248      103,550      509,391       353,756

Operating Expenses

                            

Brokered Natural Gas Cost

     19,760      16,388      86,162       53,007

Direct Operations—Field and Pipeline

     14,377      14,239      50,399       50,047

Exploration

     15,066      12,484      58,119       40,167

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (2)

     26,322      26,766      104,251       105,860

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

     0      1,657      93,796       2,720

General and Administrative

     6,543      7,100      25,112       28,377

Taxes Other Than Income

     8,962      5,834      37,138       24,734
    

  

  


 

       91,030      84,468      454,977       304,912

Gain on Sale of Assets

     4,580      49      12,173       244
    

  

  


 

Income from Operations

     34,798      19,131      66,587       49,088

Interest Expense and Other

     5,887      6,440      23,545       25,311
    

  

  


 

Income Before Income Taxes

     28,911      12,691      43,042       23,777

Income Tax Expense

     9,680      4,036      15,063       7,674
    

  

  


 

Net Income Before Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change

     19,231      8,655      27,979       16,103

Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change (1)

     —        —        (6,847 )     —  
    

  

  


 

Net Income

   $ 19,231    $ 8,655    $ 21,132     $ 16,103
    

  

  


 

Net Earnings Per Share—Basic

   $ 0.60    $ 0.27    $ 0.66     $ 0.51

Average Common Shares Outstanding

     32,197      31,811      32,050       31,737

 

(1) Cumulative effect of accounting change relates to the adoption of SFAS 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations.”
(2) Includes impairment of unproved properties.

 

- MORE -


CABOT OIL & GAS RESULTS — Page 7

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

     December 31,

     2003

   2002

Assets

             

Current Assets

   $ 121,396    $ 92,162

Property, Equipment and Other Assets

     902,805      978,767
    

  

Total Assets

   $ 1,024,201    $ 1,070,929
    

  

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

             

Current Liabilities

   $ 154,701    $ 120,931

Long-Term Debt

     270,000      365,000

Deferred Income Taxes

     179,926      200,207

Other Liabilities

     54,377      34,134

Stockholders’ Equity

     365,197      350,657
    

  

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

   $ 1,024,201    $ 1,070,929
    

  

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

     Quarter Ended
December 31,


   

Year Ended

December 31,


 
     2003

    2002

    2003

    2002

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities

                                

Net Income

   $ 19,231     $ 8,655     $ 21,132     $ 16,103  

Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change

     —         —         6,847       —    

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

     —         1,657       93,796       2,720  

Income Charges Not Requiring Cash

     29,686       29,869       108,483       112,124  

Gain on Sale of Assets

     (4,580 )     (49 )     (12,173 )     (244 )

Deferred Income Taxes

     12,339       5,439       (9,837 )     7,882  

Changes in Assets and Liabilities

     (36,362 )     (2,154 )     (24,729 )     (14,570 )

Exploration Expense

     15,066       12,484       58,119       40,167  
    


 


 


 


Net Cash Provided by Operations

     35,380       55,901       241,638       164,182  
    


 


 


 


Cash Flows From Investing Activities

                                

Capital Expenditures

     (36,633 )     (16,540 )     (122,018 )     (103,189 )

Proceeds from Sale of Assets

     10,100       1,017       28,281       4,688  

Restricted Cash

     15,761       0       0       0  

Exploration Expense

     (15,066 )     (12,484 )     (58,119 )     (40,167 )
    


 


 


 


Net Cash Used by Investing

     (25,838 )     (28,007 )     (151,856 )     (138,668 )
    


 


 


 


Cash Flows From Financing Activities

                                

Sale of Common Stock Proceeds

     877       311       6,728       3,461  

Decrease in Short-Term Borrowings

     (12,345 )     (27,746 )     (92,345 )     (25,746 )

Dividends Paid

     (1,288 )     (1,271 )     (5,043 )     (5,079 )
    


 


 


 


Net Cash Used by Financing

     (12,756 )     (28,706 )     (90,660 )     (27,364 )
    


 


 


 


Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents

   $ (3,214 )   $ (812 )   $ (878 )   $ (1,850 )
    


 


 


 



CABOT OIL & GAS RESULTS — Page 8

 

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

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Quarter Ended
December 31,


    Year Ended
December 31,


 
     2003

    2002

    2003

    2002

 

As Reported—Net Income

   $ 19,231     $ 8,655     $ 21,132     $ 16,103  

Reversal of Selected Items, Net of Tax:

                                

Retirement of Executive Officer

     —         —         —         2,205  

Revision of Tax Basis on Acquisition

     —         —         —         (790 )

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

     —         1,026       58,060       1,684  

Gain on Sale of Assets

     (2,835 )     (30 )     (7,535 )     (151 )

Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change

     —         —         6,847       —    
    


 


 


 


Net Income Including Reversal of Selected Items

   $ 16,396     $ 9,651     $ 78,504     $ 19,051  
    


 


 


 


As Reported—Net Earnings Per Share

   $ 0.60     $ 0.27     $ 0.66     $ 0.51  

Per Share Impact of Reversing Selected Items

     (0.09 )     0.03       1.79       0.09  
    


 


 


 


Net Earnings Per Share Including Reversal of Selected Items

   $ 0.51     $ 0.30     $ 2.45     $ 0.60  
    


 


 


 


Average Common Shares Outstanding

     32,197       31,811       32,050       31,737  

 

Discretionary Cash Flow Calculation and Reconciliation

(In thousands)

 

     Quarter Ended
December 31,


   

Year Ended

December 31,


 
     2003

    2002

    2003

    2002

 

Discretionary Cash Flow

                                

As Reported—Net Income

   $ 19,231     $ 8,655     $ 21,132     $ 16,103  

Plus:

                                

Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change

     —         —         6,847       —    

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

     —         1,657       93,796       2,720  

Income Charges Not Requiring Cash

     29,686       29,869       108,483       112,124  

Gain on Sale of Assets

     (4,580 )     (49 )     (12,173 )     (244 )

Deferred Income Taxes

     12,339       5,439       (9,837 )     7,882  

Exploration Expense

     15,066       12,484       58,119       40,167  
    


 


 


 


Discretionary Cash Flow

   $ 71,742     $ 58,055     $ 266,367     $ 178,752  

Plus: Changes in Assets and Liabilities

     (36,362 )     (2,154 )     (24,729 )     (14,570 )
    


 


 


 


Net Cash Provided by Operations

   $ 35,380     $ 55,901     $ 241,638     $ 164,182