HOUSTON, TX — (Marketwire) — 02/29/12 — Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation (NYSE: MHR) (NYSE Amex: MHR-PrC) (NYSE Amex: MHR-PrD) (“Magnum Hunter” or the “Company”) announced today financial results for the fourth quarter of 2011 and fiscal year end 2011.
Magnum Hunter reported an increase in total revenues of 404% to $49.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011 compared to $9.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010. The increase in revenues was driven principally by the significant increase in production derived from both the NuLoch and NGAS acquisitions completed in the second quarter of 2011; and, the subsequent success achieved in the Company–s drilling programs in its three unconventional resource plays.
Operating margins also improved substantially as lease operating expenses per barrel of oil equivalent (“Boe”) declined from $20.15 per Boe to $11.71 per Boe. This operating improvement is a result of the addition of new production, divestitures of high lifting cost conventional properties, and tighter controls on field operating expenses. Recurring cash general and administrative costs per Boe also declined from $38.63 to $10.04 per Boe. The Company anticipates this trend of improving operating statistics to continue into fiscal year 2012 as production continues to expand in its unconventional resource plays while at the same time the Company–s overhead requires minimal expansion.
The Company reported a net loss of $60.9 million or ($0.46) per basic and diluted common shares outstanding for the three months ended December 31, 2011, compared to a net loss of $1.9 million, or ($0.03) per basic and diluted common shares outstanding for the three months ended December 31, 2010. The Company–s net loss per share for the three months ended December 31, 2011, was ($0.05) per basic and diluted common shares outstanding when adjusted for non-cash and non-recurring expenses summarized as follows: (i) impairment of proved oil gas properties of $22.9 million ($0.17 per share); (ii) unrealized loss on derivatives of $21.4 million ($0.16 per share); (iii) non-cash compensation expense of $6.0 million ($0.05 per share); and (iv) acquisition-related and other non-cash and non-recurring expenses of $3.6 million ($0.03 per share). The company–s impairment charge is specifically related to the write-down of natural gas properties of NGAS located in Kentucky. The Company employs successful efforts reserve method of accounting which requires that reserve values be calculated on a field-by-field basis utilizing current commodity pricing. An impairment was recorded when the estimated fair value of a field was less than the net capitalized cost of the field at December 31, 2011. Fair value was determined by calculating the present value of future cash flows using NYMEX prices in effect during February 2012.
For the three months ended December 31, 2011, Magnum Hunter–s –Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Income Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization– (“Adjusted EBITDA”) was $21.2 million or $0.16 per basic and diluted common shares outstanding as compared to $0.9 million or $0.01 per basic and diluted common shares outstanding for the three months ended December 31, 2010, representing an increase of 2,281%.
Magnum Hunter reported an increase in revenues of 295% to $129.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 compared to $32.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010. This increase in revenues was driven principally by the significant increase in production from the Company–s acquisitions completed in 2011 and the success of its drilling programs in its three unconventional resource plays. Operating margins also improved substantially as lease operating expenses per Boe declined from $21.90 per Boe to $13.46 per Boe; and recurring cash general and administrative costs per Boe also declined significantly from $34.43 per Boe to $13.36 per Boe.
The Company reported a net loss of $90.7 million or ($0.80) per basic and diluted common shares outstanding for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, compared to a net loss of $22.3 million, or ($0.25) per basic and diluted common shares outstanding during the twelve months ended December 31, 2010. The Company–s net loss for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 would have been ($0.19) per basic and diluted common shares outstanding when adjusted for non-cash and non-recurring expenses summarized as follows: (i) non-cash compensation expense of $25.4 million ($0.22 per share); (ii) impairment of proved oil gas properties of $22.9 million ($0.20 per share); (iii) acquisition-related and other non-cash and non-recurring expenses of $16.9 million ($0.15 per share); and (iv) unrealized loss on derivatives of $4.2 million ($0.04 per share).
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, Magnum Hunter–s Adjusted EBITDA was $50.4 million or $0.45 per basic and diluted common shares outstanding as compared to $4.2 million or $0.07 per basic and diluted common shares outstanding for the prior fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, representing a 1,094% increase.
Average daily production increased 547% for the three months ended December 31, 2011 to 9,124 barrels of oil equivalent per day (“Boepd”) (37% oil/liquids) as compared to the 1,410 Boepd reported for the three months ended December 31, 2010. The daily production rate in the fourth quarter of 2011 represents a 73% increase over the production rate of 5,270 Boepd reported during the third quarter of 2011, demonstrating success from the Company–s organic drilling programs in each of its operating regions. The Company had a year-end 2011 exit rate in excess of 12,500 Boepd. The Company averaged approximately 13,000 Boepd for the month of January 2012 and is currently producing above 13,000 Boepd. The Company expects to exit 2012 in excess of 16,000 Boepd, with approximately 55% of the production mix being oil/liquids.
Average daily production for fiscal year 2011 was 5,510 Boepd (43% oil/liquids) which represents a 324% increase over the 1,301 Boepd reported for fiscal year 2010. This significant production increase is due primarily to the drilling and completion success achieved with new wells in each of the Company–s operating regions.
The Company–s total proved reserves increased by 31.5 million Boe or 235% to 44.9 million Boe (48% crude oil and ngls; 51% proved developed producing) as of December 31, 2011 as compared to 13.4 million Boe (51% crude oil & ngls; 44% proved developed producing) at December 31, 2010. The increase in total proved reserves is attributable to the NGAS and NuLoch acquisitions and new wells completed in the Company–s three unconventional resource plays.
Magnum Hunter–s fiscal year 2011 total capital expenditures, excluding acquisitions, were $268 million. The Company–s preliminary 2012 capital expenditure budget is $200 million including $150 million in its upstream business and $50 million for its midstream business. The Company intends to direct a much larger percentage of capital expenditures in 2012 to oil and liquids projects and will delay drilling and completion on the majority of its high liquid natural gas projects until later in the year when the MarkWest Mobley liquids complex becomes operational. As a result, the Company–s budget is substantially all focused on oil development in the first half of the year. We will continue to evaluate further reallocation of our capital budget as we move towards the second half of the year depending on commodity price levels and the progress and timing of the completion of the MarkWest Mobley liquids complex.
As a result of the Company–s internally generated cash flows, issuance of preferred stock and availability under its expanded Credit Facilities, Magnum Hunter has sufficient resources to fund its preliminary capital expenditure budget for 2012. Additionally, all of our budgeted expenditures for our midstream segment are expected to be funded through separate financing with the Eureka Hunter Credit Facility. As of February 28, 2012 the Company had total liquidity of approximately $100 million under its combined credit facilities. In addition, the Company has resumed the sales of its Series D Preferred Stock (non-convertible) in 2012 with approximately $35 million sold year-to-date. We expect to continue issuing Series D preferred throughout 2012 with approximately $150 million remaining and available to be sold in the future under our existing ATM program. In addition, the Company also expects to review opportunities now available in the high yield markets this year, and is actively working on monetizing a minority interest in its Eureka Pipeline system. As a result of these efforts, the Company anticipates having additional liquidity to fund 2012 capital expenditures and any future budget expansions based upon continued successful drilling results.
Mr. Gary C. Evans, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Magnum Hunter Resources, commented, “Calendar year 2011 was a transitional period for Magnum Hunter. During the first half of the year, we successfully closed on a number of acquisitions that provided the foundation from which we are growing our daily production and proved reserves today. During the second half of the year, we completed the integration of approximately $590 million in transactions and began our –harvesting– mode of exploiting the tremendous leasehold acreage positions covering these unconventional resource plays. Our year-end production success which is continuing into the first quarter of 2012, has given us the confidence to increase our projected exit rate on daily production a third time to 16,000 Boe per day by year-end. At the same time, we continue reducing our cost structure both in the field and at our corporate offices which will enable us to report much wider margins of cash flow available for reinvestment. Because we are in control of approximately 75% of our core properties as an operator, we have the flexibility to move our capital program around and reallocate among our two oil plays (Bakken and Eagle Ford) while the energy industry deals with an unprecedented glut of natural gas. This will ensure that our returns on capital deployed in 2012 remain at superior levels. Our management team continues to make operating improvements in the field which is resulting in production levels that exceed our prior expectations.”
Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliations
Note: Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial accounting measure and as such, a full reconciliation of the above exhibited Adjusted EBITDA numbers to the Company–s reported net income for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 using standardized GAAP financial accounting methodology and as reported to and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission can be found and is exhibited in the footnotes of this press release below. Also, a reconciliation of the recurring loss per common share to the reported loss per common share for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2011, and a reconciliation to recurring cash G&A for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 are provided in the footnotes of this press release below. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, measures for financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP that are presented in this release. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures to be important measures for evaluating the relative significance of our financial information used by equity analysts and investors.
The statements and information contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact, including any estimates and assumptions contained herein, are “forward looking statements” as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, referred to as the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, referred to as the Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements, estimates and assumptions relating to our business and growth strategies, our oil and gas reserve estimates, our ability to successfully and economically explore for and develop oil and gas resources, our exploration and development prospects, future inventories, projects and programs, expectations relating to availability and costs of drilling rigs and field services, anticipated trends in our business or industry, our future results of operations, our liquidity and ability to finance our exploration and development activities and our midstream activities, market conditions in the oil and gas industry and the impact of environmental and other governmental regulation. In addition, with respect to any pending acquisitions described herein, forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expected timing of the completion of the proposed transactions; the ability to complete the proposed transactions considering the various closing conditions; the benefits of such transactions and their impact on the Company–s business; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. In addition, if and when any proposed transaction is consummated, there will be risks and uncertainties related to the Company–s ability to successfully integrate the operations and employees of the Company and the acquired business. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “could”, “should”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “project”, “pursue”, “plan” or “continue” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology.
These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties. Factors that may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those anticipated in forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: adverse economic conditions in the United States, Canada and globally; difficult and adverse conditions in the domestic and global capital and credit markets; changes in domestic and global demand for oil and natural gas; volatility in the prices we receive for our oil and natural gas; the effects of government regulation, permitting and other legal requirements; future developments with respect to the quality of our properties, including, among other things, the existence of reserves in economic quantities; uncertainties about the estimates of our oil and natural gas reserves; our ability to increase our production and oil and natural gas income through exploration and development; our ability to successfully apply horizontal drilling techniques; the effects of increased federal and state regulation, including regulation of the environmental aspects, of hydraulic fracturing; the number of well locations to be drilled, the cost to drill and the time frame within which they will be drilled; drilling and operating risks; the availability of equipment, such as drilling rigs and transportation pipelines; changes in our drilling plans and related budgets; regulatory, environmental and land management issues, and demand for gas gathering services, relating to our midstream operations; and the adequacy of our capital resources and liquidity including, but not limited to, access to additional borrowing capacity.
These factors are in addition to the risks described in the “Risk Factors” and “Management–s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of the Company–s 2011 annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we refer to as the SEC, on February 29, 2012. Most of these factors are difficult to anticipate and beyond our control. Because forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained herein, which speak only as of the date of this document. Other unknown or unpredictable factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected by the forward-looking statements. Unless otherwise required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. We urge readers to review and consider disclosures we make in our reports that discuss factors germane to our business. See in particular our reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K subsequently filed from time to time with the SEC. All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.
Completed and commenced to production on 10 gross (4.8 net) wells
Average 24-hour IP rate of 1,339 Boepd, with two wells over 2,000 Boepd
Average lateral length of 5,650 / Average number of frac stages of 19
Completed and commenced to production on 10 gross (9.5 net) Marcellus wells
Average 24-hour IP rate of 9,300 Mcfepd
Average lateral length of 4,675 / Average number of frac stages of 15
Completed and commenced to production 4 gross (4 net) operated wells in Tableland
Completed and commenced to production 40 gross (3.6 net) wells in North Dakota
Recent Tableland 24-hour IP rates have increased 100%, with recent wells averaging 590 Boepd
Restored all weather related shut-in production
Completed 36 miles of pipeline completed in 2011 (To-date 45 miles of pipeline has been completed)
Currently gathering approximately 60,000 Mcfpd
Gas processing initiative closed with Markwest Liberty Midstream & Resources, LLC
Final funding of $100 million in Series C Perpetual Preferred Stock on 1/11/2011
Closing of initial $20 million public offering of 8.0% Series D Preferred Stock on 3/21/2011
Over $100 million of Series D Preferred Stock raised through 2/28/2012
Established new $250 million Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility — Current borrowing base of $235 million
Borrowing base increased six times since beginning of 2011 through 2/28/2012
New $150 million Credit Facility for Eureka Hunter Pipeline completed on 8/17/2011
Credit facilities expanded to include $100 million Term Loan completed on 9/29/2011
Closed second phase of PostRock acquisition for $13.3 million on 1/14/2011
Closed third phase of PostRock acquisition for $4.9 million on 6/16/2011
Closed acquisition of $20 million of Marcellus Shale properties on 4/7/2011
Closed acquisition of NGAS Resources for $124.5 million on 4/13/2011
Closed acquisition of NuLoch Resources for $430.5 million on 5/3/2011
Closed joint exploration agreement with Stone Energy Corp. in the Marcellus Shale on 12/12/2011
Closed acquisition of $25 million of Utica Shale properties on 2/17/2012
For more information, please view our website at
Image Available:
:
Gabe Scott
Assistant Vice President – Corporate Development and Assistant Treasurer
(832) 203-4539