Rosetta Resources Inc. Announces Record 2006 Financial Results and Provides Operational Update


HOUSTON, March 16, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Rosetta Resources Inc. (Nasdaq:ROSE) ("Rosetta" or the "Company") announced today that net income for 2006 was $45 million compared to net income of $18 million for the six months of 2005 that Rosetta was a stand-alone company. Diluted earnings per share for 2006 were $0.88 versus 2005 earnings per share of $0.35. In the fourth quarter of 2006, production and net income were at their highest levels for the six quarters that Rosetta has been an independent company. Production was 98 MMcfe/d and net income was $13 million, up 44% compared to net income of $9 million in the fourth quarter of 2005. Fourth quarter diluted earnings per share were $0.26 in 2006, up 37% compared to $0.19 in the fourth quarter of 2005.

Total revenue for 2006 was $272 million compared to $113 million for the six months of 2005 that Rosetta was a stand-alone company. Fourth quarter 2006 revenue was $73 million, up 33% versus fourth quarter 2005 revenue of $55 million.

Rosetta's average sales price, including the effects of hedging, for the full-year 2006 was $8.13 per Mcfe, which includes a $0.88 per Mcfe benefit from the Company's hedging program.

The Company realized a $30 million gain from its hedging activity during 2006 and has increased hedge volumes to 65 BBtu/d for the April - December 2007 period. This includes 55 BBtu/d of fixed price swaps at an average price of $7.79 per MMBtu and 10 BBtu/d of price collars with floor and caps of $7.19 per MMBtu and $10.03 per MMBtu, respectively. For 2008, 50 BBtu/d of fixed price swaps are currently in place at an average price of $7.62 per MMBtu.

Operations Update

As previously reported, Rosetta's production for 2006 increased to 33.4 Bcfe for an average rate of 92 MMcfe/d versus the 73 MMcfe/d reported for the second half of 2005, and its total proved oil and natural gas reserves as of December 31, 2006, were 407.8 billion cubic feet of gas equivalents (Bcfe) versus 359.0 Bcfe at December 31, 2005. The Company's 2006 production rate increased by 26% versus 2005, and the year-end 2006 reserve number increased 14% over the year-end 2005.

2007

For 2007, the Company's capital budget is $250 million for organic projects in existing areas of activity.

In the Sacramento Basin, the Company has drilled four successful wells, of which only one has been completed. The other three wells are in various stages of completion and are expected to be on production and producing at a combined net rate of 2 MMcfe/d by the end of March 2007.

In its DJ Basin Niobrara Play, the Company has drilled 13 Niobrara wells which have all been successful. These wells, together with remaining wells from last year's program, have been tied into the gathering system in March, bringing Rosetta's total net DJ production from 1 MMcf/d up to 6 MMcf/d from 69 wells.

Rosetta has drilled nine wells in the LOBO play in 2007, including two which were drilling at year-end. Seven of these wells were productive, four of which are currently producing approximately net 4 MMcfe/d from the lower zones only.

Two new Perdido wells that were drilled in 2006 are now on production. After the initial rapid decline, the wells are producing at a combined net rate of approximately 4 MMcfe/d. We have recently drilled a successful vertical well and have also spudded one new horizontal well.

In the Gulf of Mexico, Grand Isle 72-1 was put on production in March and is currently flowing with net production to Rosetta at approximately 1.0 MMcfe/d. Main Pass 118 and 29 are scheduled to be producing to sales by the end of March with production rates of approximately 9 MMcf/d net to Rosetta. Additionally, the South Timbalier 293-1 well is currently drilling to a proposed total depth of 12,000 feet. Rosetta has a 50% working interest in this block.

The Sabine Lake State Track 30-1 well in Texas State Waters was drilled to a total depth of 13,400 feet and is currently being completed. The rig will be moved to the State Track 30-2 offset location to test the Hackberry and the deeper Vicksburg sands.

Bill Berilgen, Rosetta's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer said, "2006 was our first year as a stand-alone-company, and we generated strong results in terms of growth in reserves, production, net income, and organic finding and development costs. With a $250 million capital budget for 2007, we are off to a solid start for the new year and expect to continue the trend of strong performance. The majority of our capital budget will be allocated to exploitation projects in our core areas in the Sacramento Basin, South Texas and the DJ Basin, with the remainder of our capital program allocated to high potential exploration projects in Texas State Waters and the Gulf of Mexico."

2006 FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS

Rosetta's production for the fourth quarter 2006 was 9.0 Bcfe or an average of 98 MMcfe/d. Average realized gas prices for the quarter were $7.92 per Mcf, including the effect of our hedges; and realized oil prices averaged $57.85 per Bbl.

Revenues for Rosetta totaled $72.6 million, including positive effects from our hedges of $9.8 million.

Total lease operating expense ("LOE"), which includes direct LOE, workover, ad-valorem taxes, and insurance, was $8.9 million or $0.99 per Mcfe. Direct LOE was $5.3 million or $0.59 per Mcfe and workover costs were $2.4 million or $0.26 per Mcfe for the period. Production taxes were $0.11 per Mcfe and treating, transportation and marketing charges were $0.13 per Mcfe. Depreciation, depletion and amortization was $28.3 million, based on a DD&A rate of $3.15 per Mcfe.

General and administrative costs were $8.6 million for the fourth quarter, including non-cash stock compensation expenses of $1.4 million, costs associated with the process of becoming a public company, SOX Compliance expenses and costs associated with the Calpine bankruptcy.

Net Income for the period was $13.2 million or $0.26 per share.

TOTAL YEAR RESULTS

Rosetta's production for the total year 2006 was 33.4 Bcfe or an average of 92 MMcfe/d. Average realized gas prices for the same period were $7.85 per Mcf, including the effect of hedges; and realized oil prices averaged $63.97 per Bbl.

Revenues for the year were $271.8 million, including positive effects from our hedges of $29.6 million.

Total LOE, which includes direct LOE, workovers, ad-valorem taxes, and insurance, was $36.3 million or $1.09 per Mcfe. Production taxes were $0.19 per Mcfe; and treating, transportation and marketing charges were $0.14 per Mcfe. Direct LOE was $21.6 million or $0.65 per Mcfe for the period.

General and administrative costs were $33.2 million, including non-cash stock compensation expenses of $5.7 million and other costs associated with the process of becoming a public company.

Net income for the year was $44.6 million or $0.88 per share on a diluted basis.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $199.6 million; and capital expenditures, including property acquisition costs of approximately $35 million, were $240.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2006.

Rosetta's 2006 revenues, reserves and production do not include consideration of non-consent properties as defined in its transaction with Calpine that closed on July 7, 2005.

Rosetta Resources Inc. is an independent oil and gas company engaged in acquisition, exploration, development and production of oil and gas properties in North America. Our operations are concentrated in the Sacramento Basin of California, South Texas, the Gulf of Mexico and the Rocky Mountains. Rosetta is a Delaware corporation based in Houston, Texas.

For more information, visit www.rosettaresources.com.

The Rosetta Resources Inc. logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3139

Forward-Looking Statements:

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this press release are "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, including statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Rosetta Resources Inc. and its subsidiaries (the "Company") and its management. These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those herein described. Accordingly, Recipients are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Please refer to Company's risks, uncertainties and assumptions as it discloses from time-to-time in the Company's reports and registration statements filed with the SEC, including the risk factors identified in its Annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, which can also be found on the Company's website at www.rosettaresources.com. The Company undertakes no duty to update the information contained herein except as required by law.



                        Rosetta Resources Inc.
                      Consolidated Balance Sheet
                 (In thousands, except share amounts)

                                         December 31,    December 31,
                                             2006            2005
                                         ------------    ------------
 Assets
 Current assets:
 Cash and cash equivalents                $    62,780    $    99,724
 Accounts receivable                           36,408         40,051
 Derivative instruments                        20,538          1,110
 Deferred income taxes                             --         10,962
 Income tax receivable                             --          6,000
 Prepaid expenses                               8,761          8,511
 Other current assets                           2,965            900
                                          -----------    -----------
 Total current assets                         131,452        167,258
                                          -----------    -----------
 Oil and natural gas properties             1,223,337        973,185
 Other                                          4,562          2,912
                                          -----------    -----------
                                            1,227,899        976,097
 Accumulated depreciation,
  depletion, and amortization                (145,289)       (40,161)
                                          -----------    -----------
 Total property and
  equipment, net                            1,082,610        935,936
 Deferred loan fees                             3,375          4,555
 Deferred income taxes                             --          8,594
 Other assets                                   1,968          2,926
                                          -----------    -----------
 Total other assets                             5,343         16,075
                                          -----------    -----------

 Total assets                             $ 1,219,405    $ 1,119,269
                                          ===========    ===========

 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 Current liabilities:
 Accounts payable                         $    23,040    $    13,442
 Accrued liabilities                           43,099         28,397
 Royalties payable                              9,010         15,511
 Derivative instruments                            --         29,957
 Prepayment on gas sales                       17,868         14,528
 Deferred income taxes                          7,743             --
                                          -----------    -----------
 Total current liabilities                    100,760        101,835
 Long-term liabilities:
 Derivative instruments                        11,014         52,977
 Long-term debt                               240,000        240,000
 Asset retirement obligation                   10,253          9,034
 Deferred income taxes                         35,089             --
                                          -----------    -----------
 Total liabilities                            397,116        403,846

 Stockholders' equity:
 Common stock, $0.001 par value;
  authorized 150,000,000 shares;
  issued 50,405,794 shares and
  50,003,500 shares at
  December 31, 2006 and
  December 31, 2005, respectively                  50             50
 Additional paid-in capital                   755,343        748,569
 Treasury stock, at cost; 85,788
  and no shares at December 31,
  2006 and December 31, 2005,
  respectively                                 (1,562)            --
 Accumulated other comprehensive
  income (loss)                                 6,315        (50,731)
 Retained earnings                             62,143         17,535
                                          -----------    -----------
 Total stockholders' equity                   822,289        715,423
                                          -----------    -----------
 Total liabilities and
  stockholders' equity                    $ 1,219,405    $ 1,119,269
                                          ===========    ===========



                        Rosetta Resources Inc.
             Consolidated/Combined Statement of Operations
               (In thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                                Pre-
                                                             decessor-
                                      Successor-Consolidated  Combined
                                      ---------------------- ---------
                   Three      Three                  Six       Six
                   Months     Months      Year      Months    Months
                   Ended      Ended      Ended      Ended     Ended
                  Dec. 31,   Dec. 31,   Dec. 31,   Dec. 31,  June 30,
                    2006       2005       2006       2005      2005
                 ---------  ---------  ---------  --------- ---------
 Revenues:
 Natural gas
  sales          $  64,713  $  50,397  $ 236,496  $ 102,058 $  13,713
 Oil sales           7,928      4,842     35,267     11,046     8,166
 Oil and natural
  gas sales to
  affiliates            --         --         --         --    81,952
                 ---------  ---------  ---------  --------- ---------
 Total revenues     72,641     55,239    271,763    113,104   103,831
 Operating Costs
  and Expenses:
 Lease operating
  expense            8,943      6,825     36,273     15,674    16,629
 Depreciation,
  depletion, and
  amortization      28,311     18,780    105,886     40,500    30,679
 Exploration
  expense               --         --         --         --     2,355
 Dry hole costs         --         --         --         --     1,962
 Impairment             --         --         --         --        --
 Treating and
  transportation       501        735      2,544      1,286     1,998
 Affiliated
  marketing fees        --         --         --         --       913
 Marketing fees        623        700      2,257      1,379        --
 Production taxes      958      2,029      6,433      3,975     2,755
 General and
  administrative
  costs              8,589      7,807     33,233     14,687     9,677
                 ---------  ---------  ---------  --------- ---------
   Total
    operating
    costs and
    expenses        47,923     36,876    186,626     77,501    66,968
                 ---------  ---------  ---------  --------- ---------
 Operating
  income            24,717     18,363     85,137     35,603    36,863

 Other (income)
  expense

 Interest expense
  with affiliates,
  net of interest
  capitalized           --         --         --         --     6,995
 Interest expense,
  net of interest
  capitalized        4,367      4,139     17,428      8,216        --
 Interest (income)  (1,152)      (962)    (4,503)    (1,837)     (516)
 Other (income)
  expense, net         (47)        (2)       (40)       152       207
                 ---------  ---------  ---------  --------- ---------
   Total other
    expense          3,168      3,175     12,885      6,531     6,686
                 ---------  ---------  ---------  --------- ---------

 Income before
  provision for
  income taxes      21,548     15,188     72,252     29,072    30,177
 Provision
  (benefit)
  for income
  taxes              8,352      5,860     27,644     11,537    11,496
                 ---------  ---------  ---------  --------- ---------
 Net income
  (loss)         $  13,196  $   9,328  $  44,608  $  17,535 $  18,681
                 =========  =========  =========  ========= =========


 Earnings per
  share

 Basic           $    0.26  $    0.19  $    0.89  $    0.35 $    0.37
                 =========  =========  =========  ========= =========
 Diluted         $    0.26  $    0.19  $    0.88  $    0.35 $    0.37
                 =========  =========  =========  ========= =========


 Weighted average
  shares outstanding:

 Basic              50,235     50,000     50,237     50,003    50,000
 Diluted            50,406     50,160     50,408     50,189    50,160



                        Rosetta Resources Inc.
             Consolidated/Combined Statement of Cash Flows
               (In thousands, except per share amounts)

                                       Successor-        Predecessor-
                                      Consolidated        Combined
                                  ---------------------  ------------
                                    Year    Six Months    Six Months 
                                   Ended      Ended         Ended   
                                  Dec. 31,   Dec.31,       June 30, 
                                    2006      2005          2005 
                                  --------  ----------    ----------
 Cash flows from operating 
  activities
 Net income                       $ 44,608     $ 17,535     $ 18,681
 Adjustments to reconcile net 
  income to net cash flows
  from operation activities:
 Depreciation, depletion and       105,886       40,500       30,679
  amortization
 Affiliate interest expense             --           --       (6,995)
 Deferred income taxes              27,472       11,537        2,874
 Amortization of deferred loan 
  fees recorded as interest 
  expense                            1,180          590           --
 Income from unconsolidated 
  investments                         (171)        (241)        (161)
 Stock compensation expense          5,702        4,248           --
 Other non-cash charges                 --           --           99
 Change in operating assets and 
  liabilities:
 Accounts receivable                 3,643      (40,051)       2,378
 Accounts receivable from 
  affiliates                            --           --       6,298
 Income taxes receivable             6,000       (6,000)          --
 Other assets                         (624)     (11,137)       2,563
 Accounts payable                    8,764       13,442       (4,494)
 Accrued liabilities                   310        3,282          241
 Royalties payable                  (3,161)      30,039       (1,406)
 Income taxes payable                   --           --        8,622
                                  --------     --------     --------
 Net cash provided by operating 
  activities                       199,610       63,744       59,379
                                  --------     --------     --------
 Cash flows from investing 
  activities
 Acquisition, net of cash acquired      --     (910,064)          --
 Purchases of property and 
  equipment                       (236,579)     (32,994)     (32,202)
 Disposals of property and 
  equipment                             30           13        1,447
 Deposits                               50         (201)          --
 Other                                 435           --          110
                                  --------     --------     --------
 Net cash used in 
  investing activities            (236,064)    (943,246)     (30,645)
                                  ========     ========     ========
 Cash flows from financing 
  activities
 Equity offering proceeds               --      800,000           --
 Equity offering transaction fees      268      (55,629)          --
 Borrowings on term loan                --      100,000           --
 Payments on term loan                  --      (25,000)          --
 Borrowings on revolving credit 
  facility                              --      225,000           --
 Payments on revolving credit 
  facility                              --      (60,000)          --
 Loan fees                              --       (5,145)          --
 Notes payable affiliates               --           --      (27,239)
 Proceeds from issuance of 
  common stock                         804           --           --
 Purchases of treasury stock        (1,562)          --           --
                                  --------     --------     --------
 Net cash provided by (used in) 
  financing activities                (490)     979,226      (27,239)
                                  --------     --------     --------
 Net increase (decrease) in cash   (36,944)      99,724        1,495
 Cash and cash equivalents, 
  beginning of period               99,724           --           --
                                  --------     --------     --------
 Cash and cash equivalents, 
  end of period                   $ 62,780     $ 99,724     $  1,495
                                  ========     ========     ========


            

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