HOUSTON, May 14, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Rosetta Resources Inc. (Nasdaq:ROSE) ("Rosetta" or the "Company") announced today that production and net income for the first quarter of 2007 was 108 Mmcfe/d and $14 million, respectively, both representing quarterly records for the company. Diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2007 were $0.28 versus 2006 earnings per share of $0.19, an increase of 47%. In the first quarter of 2007, production and net income were at their highest levels for the seven quarters that Rosetta has been an independent company. Production of 108 Mmcfe/d was up 27% compared to production of 85 Mmcfe/d in the first quarter of 2006, and includes year over year increases of 14 Mmcfe/d in the Sacramento Basin and 16 Mmcfe/d in the Lobo.
OPERATIONS UPDATE
In the Sacramento Basin, the Company has drilled seven successful wells this year. One well is on production, two are in the process of being completed, one is waiting on a pipeline acquisition and three are awaiting completion. This drilling effort is expected to add 4 Mmcfe/d of net production by June 2007.
In April, we began a drilling program in the Rio Vista field that will evaluate the reserve potential of the Bradford Island project area based on a 3D seismic survey completed in December 2006.
On April 2, 2007 we acquired properties located in the Sacramento Basin from Output Exploration, LLC and OPEX Energy, LLC at a total purchase price of $40 million, subject to final adjustments.
In the DJ Basin of Colorado, the Company has drilled 30 wells YTD, of which 26 were successful. Current net production from the area is approximately 6 Mmcfe/d.
Rosetta has drilled 15 wells in the LOBO play in 2007, two of which were drilling at year-end. Of these wells, 12 were productive with an 80% success rate. Eleven of the 12 successful wells have been completed and are currently producing at a net rate of approximately 8.8 Mmcfe/d. The remaining well is expected to be completed and on production later this month.
Currently, Rosetta is drilling 2 wells in its Perdido project in South Texas. Four wells have been completed in 2007 and are producing at a combined net rate of approximately 3.8 Mmcfe/d.
In the Gulf of Mexico, Rosetta's Main Pass 118 and 29 platforms came on production in April of 2007. These wells are currently producing at a net rate of 7.4 Mmcfe/d. 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.
Rosetta drilled and completed the State Tract 30-1 well in Sabine Lake and tested gas and condensate in the Hackberry Sands below 12,600 feet. The drilling rig moved to the offset State Tract 30-2 well and found additional Hackberry Sands. A completion rig is currently completing the well to test Hackberry pay to help delineate the aerial extent of the sands found in the 30-1. A drilling rig is currently under tow to the Sabine Lake State Tract 16-1 location to test a northern Hackberry prospect in Sabine Lake. This will be the third well drilled by Rosetta in Sabine Lake in 2007.
Bill Berilgen, Rosetta's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer said, "The momentum we established in 2006 has continued into the first quarter of 2007 and we expect continued improvement in the upcoming 2007 quarters. We are on track to achieve our target of 125 Mmcfe/d average production for 2007."
2007 FIRST QUARTER RESULTS
Rosetta's production for the first quarter 2007 was 9.7 Bcfe or an average of 108 Mmcfe/d. Average realized gas prices for the quarter were $7.68 per Mcf, including the effect of our hedges; and realized oil prices averaged $55.29 per Bbl.
Rosetta's average sales price, including the effects of hedging, for the first quarter of 2007 was $7.81 per Mcfe, and includes a $5 million benefit from the Company's hedging program.
Revenues for Rosetta totaled $75.8 million for the quarter. This represents an 18% increase versus $64.5 million of revenues in the first quarter of 2006.
Total lease operating expense ("LOE"), which includes direct LOE, workover, ad valorem taxes, and insurance, was $8.8 million or $0.91 per Mcfe. Direct LOE was $5.7 million or $0.58 per Mcfe and workover costs were $1.1 million or $0.11 per Mcfe for the period. Production taxes were $0.10 per Mcfe and treating, transportation and marketing charges were $0.15 per Mcfe. Depreciation, depletion and amortization was $30.6 million, based on an all in DD&A rate of $3.15 per Mcfe.
General and administrative costs were $8.1 million for the first quarter, including non-cash stock compensation expenses of $1.4 million.
Net Income for the period was $14.0 million or $0.28 per share up 47% compared to $9.5 million of net income for the first quarter of 2006.
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 presentation are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon current expectations and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which are more fully described in Rosetta Resources Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Rosetta Resources Inc. assumes no obligation and expressly disclaims any duty to update the information contained herein except as required by law.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (In thousands, except share amounts) March 31, December 31, 2007 2006 ----------- ------------ (Unaudited) Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 50,907 $ 62,780 Accounts receivable 36,774 36,408 Derivative instruments 122 20,538 Deferred income taxes 3,628 -- Prepaid expenses 19,298 8,761 Other current assets 3,444 2,965 ----------- ------------ Total current assets 114,173 131,452 ----------- ------------ Oil and natural gas properties, full cost method, of which $44.1 million at March 31, 2007 and $37.8 at December 31, 2006 were excluded from amortization. 1,290,739 1,223,337 Other fixed assets 4,888 4,562 ----------- ------------ 1,295,627 1,227,899 Accumulated depreciation, depletion, and amortization (175,533) (145,289) ----------- ------------ Total property and equipment, net 1,120,094 1,082,610 Deferred loan fees 3,080 3,375 Other assets 1,105 1,968 ----------- ------------ Total other assets 4,185 5,343 ----------- ------------ Total assets $ 1,238,452 $ 1,219,405 =========== ============ Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 25,687 $ 23,040 Accrued liabilities 49,392 43,099 Royalties payable 10,811 9,010 Derivative instruments 9,622 -- Prepayment on gas sales 18,590 17,868 Deferred income taxes 46 7,743 ----------- ------------ Total current liabilities 114,148 100,760 Long-term liabilities: Derivative instruments 17,753 11,014 Long-term debt 240,000 240,000 Asset retirement obligation 11,262 10,253 Deferred income taxes 40,895 35,089 ----------- ------------ Total liabilities 424,058 397,116 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders' equity: Common stock, $0.001 par value; authorized 150,000,000 shares; issued 50,427,523 shares and 50,405,794 shares at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively 50 50 Additional paid-in capital 756,809 755,343 Treasury stock, at cost; 88,887 and 85,788 shares at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively (1,620) (1,562) Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (16,979) 6,315 Retained earnings 76,134 62,143 ----------- ------------ Total stockholders' equity 814,394 822,289 ----------- ------------ Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 1,238,452 $ 1,219,405 =========== ============ CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 2006 ----------- ----------- Revenues: Natural gas sales $ 69,161 $ 56,735 Oil sales 6,635 7,809 ----------- ----------- Total revenues 75,796 64,544 Operating Costs and Expenses: Lease operating expense 8,796 9,558 Depreciation, depletion, and amortization 30,551 24,067 Treating and transportation 763 895 Marketing fees 663 624 Production taxes 985 1,697 General and administrative costs 8,069 9,251 ----------- ----------- Total operating costs and expenses 49,827 46,092 ----------- ----------- Operating income 25,969 18,452 Other (income) expense Interest expense, net of interest capitalized 4,370 4,132 Interest income (972) (1,137) Other (income) expense, net -- 25 ----------- ----------- Total other expense 3,398 3,020 ----------- ----------- Income before provision for income taxes 22,571 15,432 Provision for income taxes 8,580 5,906 ----------- ----------- Net income $ 13,991 $ 9,526 =========== =========== Earnings per share: ----------- ----------- Basic $ 0.28 $ 0.19 =========== =========== Diluted $ 0.28 $ 0.19 =========== =========== Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 50,325 50,121 Diluted 50,483 50,355 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 2006 ----------- ----------- Cash flows from operating activities Net income $ 13,991 $ 9,526 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities Depreciation, depletion and amortization 30,551 24,067 Deferred income taxes 8,580 5,906 Amortization of deferred loan fees recorded as interest expense 295 295 Income from unconsolidated investments (47) 25 Stock compensation expense 1,352 1,835 Change in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (366) 8,212 Income taxes receivable -- 6,000 Other assets (10,720) (4,160) Accounts payable 2,647 (1,753) Accrued liabilities (2,285) (2,857) Royalties payable 2,523 (6,081) ----------- ----------- Net cash provided by operating activities 46,521 41,015 ----------- ----------- Cash flows from investing activities Purchases of property and equipment (58,452) (36,325) Deposits -- 25 Other 3 111 ----------- ----------- Net cash used in investing activities (58,449) (36,189) ----------- ----------- Cash flows from financing activities Equity offering transaction fees -- 267 Proceeds from issuances of common stock 114 192 Purchases of treasury stock (59) (1,246) Other -- (12) ----------- ----------- Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities 55 (799) ----------- ----------- Net (decrease) increase in cash (11,873) 4,027 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 62,780 99,724 ----------- ----------- Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 50,907 $ 103,751 =========== =========== Supplemental non-cash disclosures: Capital expenditures included in accrued liabilities $ 4,397 $ 2,249