Energy XXI Reports Fiscal Third-Quarter Results and Provides Operational Update


HOUSTON, May 5, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Energy XXI (Bermuda) Limited (Nasdaq:EXXI) (LSE:EXXI) today announced fiscal third-quarter results for the period ended March 31, 2009. Net cash provided by operating activities was $86.2 million and impairment-adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization (EBITDA) was $65.8 million, compared with $112.5 million and $117.5 million, respectively, in the 2008 fiscal third quarter.

"Energy XXI grew production 8 percent over the December quarter without the anticipated resumption of hurricane-affected volumes," Energy XXI Chairman and CEO John Schiller said. "While industry conditions weakened further since year-end, leading to a non-cash write-down of the carrying value of our reserves, operating results have been solid. Development activity added cost-effective volumes, while our exploration program delivered a discovery at the Cote de Mer prospect and continues to offer large reserve growth potential. Meanwhile, we have retained financial liquidity, with more than $90 million of cash and hedge-protected cash flow that supports our goal of further reducing bank debt during our 2010 fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2009."

Inclusive of a $117.9 million ceiling test impairment ($.82 per share), the company reported a 2009 fiscal third-quarter net loss of $120.6 million, or $.84 per share, on revenues of $106.1 million and production of 20,700 barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) per day. In the 2008 fiscal third quarter, the company had net income of $10.3 million, or $.12 per diluted share, on revenues of $167.1 million and production of 26,100 BOE per day. The net realized price received for the company's production in the 2009 fiscal third quarter averaged $57.04 per BOE, compared with $70.33 per BOE in the 2008 fiscal third quarter.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

During the 2009 fiscal third quarter, capital expenditures totaled $60.5 million, with $27.3 million in exploration and $33.1 million in development. Excluding abandonment costs and hurricane-related spending, the company expects capital expenditures to remain within the previously announced range, at about $260 million for fiscal 2009.

PRODUCTION UPDATE

Energy XXI production volumes continue to be curtailed by damage inflicted by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. In addition to a 2,000 BOE per day long-term reduction due to the loss of facilities serving two non-operated fields, approximately 2,000 BOE per day remains off-line awaiting repair or replacement of third-party-operated pipelines, which currently is projected to be complete in September. The company's current net production is approximately 18,000 BOE per day.

EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY

As previously announced, the E.A. McIlhenny #1 well on the Cote de Mer prospect in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, was drilled to 22,300 feet, discovering gross proved natural gas reserves of 88.8 billion cubic feet equivalent. The well has since been completed in the Cris-A 4C sand and flowed at a stabilized, constrained rate of 15.0 million cubic feet per day of natural gas through a 12/64ths inch choke with a flowing tubing pressure of 14,500 psi. Depending on the pace of permitting for a take-away pipeline lateral, the well is expected to be placed on production within four to six months. Energy XXI holds a 33 percent working interest (WI) and a 24 percent net revenue interest (NRI) in the discovery.

The Ammazzo deep gas exploratory prospect (16 percent WI, 13 percent NRI) is drilling ahead below 23,000 feet towards a proposed total depth of 24,500 feet. The Ammazzo prospect is located in 25 feet of water offshore Louisiana, approximately 15 miles south of the Flatrock and JB Mountain discoveries.

At the South Timbalier Block 168 No. 1 exploratory well, targeting the Blackbeard West prospect (20 percent WI, 16 percent NRI) in 70 feet of water offshore Louisiana, Energy XXI and its partners are proceeding with plans to conduct a production test of four potential hydrocarbon-bearing zones. Additional drilling opportunities on the flanks of the structure and on other acreage in the ultra-deep trend are being reviewed.

At the company's 100 percent owned South Timbalier 21 field, the Gouda well was sidetracked to 12,730 feet, logging 90 net feet of oil and gas pay sands updip of the original wellbore. Completion operations are underway, and the well is expected to be on production during the current quarter.

Further detail on the exploration and development program is provided in the attached Operations Report.

CONFERENCE CALL TOMORROW AT 10 A.M. EDT, 3 P.M. LONDON TIME

Energy XXI will host its third-quarter conference call tomorrow, Wednesday, May 6, 2009, at 10 a.m. EDT (3 p.m. London time). The dial-in numbers are 1 (913) 312-1237 (U.S.) and 08000 517 166 (U.K.), and the confirmation code is 8430955. For complete instructions on how to actively participate in the conference call, or to listen to the live audio webcast or a replay, please refer to www.energyxxi.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements included in this release relating to future plans, projects, events or conditions and all other statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release 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, including changes in long-term oil and gas prices or other market conditions affecting the oil and gas industry, reservoir performance, the outcome of commercial negotiations and changes in technical or operating conditions, among others, that could cause actual results, including project plans and related expenditures and resource recoveries, to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Energy XXI assumes no obligation and expressly disclaims any duty to update the information contained herein except as required by law.

Competent Person Disclosure

The technical information contained in this announcement relating to operations (including information in the attached Operations Report) adheres to the standard set by the Society of Petroleum Engineers. Tom O'Donnell, Vice President of Corporate Development, a registered Petroleum Engineer, is the qualified person who has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this announcement.

About the Company

Energy XXI is an independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company whose growth strategy emphasizes acquisitions, enhanced by its value-added organic drilling program. The company's properties are located in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico waters and the Gulf Coast onshore. Collins Stewart Europe Limited and Tristone Capital Limited are Energy XXI listing brokers in the United Kingdom. To learn more, visit the Energy XXI website at www.energyxxi.com.

The Energy XXI logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3587



                     ENERGY XXI (BERMUDA) LIMITED
              RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP MEASURES
             (In Thousands, except per share information)
                             (Unaudited)

As required under Regulation G of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, provided below are reconciliations of net income to the following non-GAAP financial measures: EBITDA and discretionary cash flow. The company uses these non-GAAP measures as key metrics for the management of the company and to demonstrate the company's ability to internally fund capital expenditures and service debt. The non-GAAP measures are useful in comparisons of oil and gas exploration and production companies as they exclude non-operating fluctuations in assets and liabilities.



                               Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
                                    March 31,           March 31,
                              ----------------------------------------
                                 2009      2008       2009      2008
                              ----------------------------------------

 Net Income (Loss) as
  Reported                    $(120,618)  $10,287  $(554,472)  $18,649

  Total other (income) expense   17,663    25,710     57,698    78,439
  Impairment of oil and gas
   properties                   117,887        --    576,996        --
  Depreciation, depletion and
   amortization                  50,052    75,268    177,463   223,927
  Income tax expense (benefit)      841     6,252    (47,204)   10,747

                              ----------------------------------------
 EBITDA                         $65,825  $117,517   $210,481  $331,762
                              ========================================

 EBITDA Per Share
  Basic                           $0.46     $1.40      $1.46     $3.94
  Diluted                         $0.46     $1.40      $1.46     $3.89

 Weighted Average Number of
  Common Shares Outstanding
  Basic                         144,331    84,141    144,430    84,139
  Diluted                       144,331    84,141    144,430    85,259


 ---------------------------------------------------------------------


 Net Income (Loss) as
  Reported                    $(120,618)  $10,287  $(554,472)  $18,649

  Deferred income tax expense
   (benefit)                        840     6,252    (47,921)   10,747
  Change in derivative
   financial instruments         69,077     1,319     59,215       811
  Accretion of asset
   retirement obligations         4,723     1,911      9,617     5,660
  Impairment of oil and gas
   properties                   117,887        --    576,996        --
  Depletion, depreciation, and
   amortization                  50,052    75,268    177,463   223,927
  Amortization of debt
   discount and debt issuance
   costs - net                   (1,053)    1,114       (519)    3,688
  Common stock issued to
   Directors for services and
   common stock option expense      607        --      1,472        67

                              ----------------------------------------
 Discretionary Cash Flow       $121,515   $96,151   $221,851  $263,549
                              ========================================


                     ENERGY XXI (BERMUDA) LIMITED
                     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
               (In Thousands, except share information)

                                                 March 31,   June 30,
                                                   2009        2008
                                                ----------------------
 ASSETS                                         (Unaudited)
 Current Assets
  Cash and cash equivalents                        $75,369    $168,962
  Accounts receivable
   Oil and natural gas sales                        34,312     116,678
   Joint interest billings                          40,817      21,322
   Insurance and other                              29,402       4,896
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets         29,864      14,662
  Royalty deposit                                    1,803       4,548
  Deferred income taxes                                 --      88,198
  Derivative financial instruments                  65,138       2,179
                                                ----------------------
    Total Current Assets                           276,705     421,445
                                                ----------------------
 Property and equipment, net of accumulated
  depreciation, depletion, amortization and
  impairment
  Oil and natural gas properties - full cost
   method of accounting                          1,118,323   1,561,276
  Other property and equipment                       8,845      10,020
                                                ----------------------
    Total Property and Equipment - net           1,127,168   1,571,296
                                                ----------------------
 Derivative financial instruments                   12,479       3,747
                                                ----------------------
 Deferred income taxes                                  --      36,055
                                                ----------------------
 Debt issuance costs, net of accumulated
  amortization                                      14,130      17,388
                                                ----------------------
   Total Assets                                 $1,430,482  $2,049,931
                                                ======================

 LIABILITIES
 Current Liabilities
  Accounts payable                                 $72,286    $106,751
  Note payable                                       3,167          --
  Accrued liabilities                               52,491      82,152
  Asset retirement obligations                      68,656      16,717
  Derivative financial instruments                   7,506     245,626
  Current maturities of long-term debt               5,926       7,250
                                                ----------------------
   Total Current Liabilities                       210,032     458,496
 Long-term debt, less current maturities           879,204     944,972
 Deferred income taxes                              24,394          --
 Asset retirement obligations                       97,469      81,097
 Derivative financial instruments                    2,480     190,781
 Other                                              31,336          --
                                                ----------------------
   Total Liabilities                             1,244,915   1,675,346
                                                ----------------------
 Stockholders' Equity
  Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 2,500,000
   shares authorized and no shares issued at
   March 31, 2009 and June 30, 2008                     --          --
  Common stock, $0.001 par value, 400,000,000
   shares authorized and 146,139,929 and
   145,299,675 shares issued and 145,317,686 and
   144,937,119 shares outstanding at March 31,
   2009 and June 30, 2008, respectively                146         145
  Additional paid-in capital                       604,088     601,509
  Retained earnings (deficit)                     (498,710)     57,941
  Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss),
   net of income taxes                              80,043    (285,010)
                                                ----------------------
   Total Stockholders' Equity                      185,567     374,585
                                                ----------------------
   Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity   $1,430,482  $2,049,931
                                                ======================


                     ENERGY XXI (BERMUDA) LIMITED
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
             (In Thousands, except per share information)
                             (Unaudited)

                               Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
                                    March 31,           March 31,
                              ----------------------------------------
                                 2009      2008       2009      2008
                              ----------------------------------------

 Revenues
  Oil sales                     $72,503  $103,627   $221,233  $284,522
  Natural gas sales              33,633    63,510    111,499   179,948
                              ----------------------------------------
   Total Revenues               106,136   167,137    332,732   464,470
                              ----------------------------------------

 Costs and Expenses
  Lease operating expense        24,964    38,342     97,526   103,078
  Production taxes                1,587     1,755      5,501     4,987
  Impairment of oil and gas
   properties                   117,887        --    576,996        --
  Depreciation, depletion and
   amortization                  50,052    75,268    177,463   223,927
  Accretion of asset
   retirement obligations         4,723     1,911      9,617     5,660
  General and administrative
   expense                        6,117     4,912     18,588    16,327
  Loss (gain) on derivative
   financial instruments          2,920     2,700     (8,981)    2,656
                              ----------------------------------------
   Total Costs and Expenses     208,250   124,888    876,710   356,635
                              ----------------------------------------

 Operating Income (Loss)       (102,114)   42,249   (543,978)  107,835
                              ----------------------------------------

 Other Income (Expense)
  Interest income                 2,016       348      5,454     1,249
  Interest expense              (19,679)  (26,058)   (63,152)  (79,688)
                              ----------------------------------------
   Total Other Income
    (Expense)                   (17,663)  (25,710)   (57,698)  (78,439)
                              ----------------------------------------

 Income (Loss) Before Income
  Taxes                        (119,777)   16,539   (601,676)   29,396

 Income Tax Expense (Benefit)       841     6,252    (47,204)   10,747

                              ----------------------------------------
 Net Income (Loss)            $(120,618)  $10,287  $(554,472)  $18,649
                              ========================================

 Earnings (Loss) Per Share
  Basic                          $(0.84)    $0.12     $(3.84)    $0.22
  Diluted                        $(0.84)    $0.12     $(3.84)    $0.22

 Weighted Average Number of
  Common Shares Outstanding
  Basic                         144,331    84,141    144,430    84,139
  Diluted                       144,331    84,141    144,430    85,259


                     ENERGY XXI (BERMUDA) LIMITED
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                            (In Thousands)
                             (Unaudited)

                               Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
                                   March 31,            March 31,
                              ----------------------------------------
                                 2009      2008       2009      2008
                              ----------------------------------------

 Cash Flows From Operating
  Activities
  Net income (loss)           $(120,618)  $10,287  $(554,472)  $18,649
  Adjustments to reconcile net
   income (loss) to net cash
   provided by (used in)
   operating activities:
   Deferred income tax expense
    (benefit)                       840     6,252    (47,921)   10,747
   Change in derivative
    financial instruments
    Proceeds from sale of
     derivative instruments      66,480        --     66,480        --
    Other                         2,597     1,319     (7,265)      811
   Accretion of asset
    retirement obligations        4,723     1,911      9,617     5,660
   Depreciation, depletion,
    and amortization             50,052    75,268    177,463   223,927
   Impairment of oil and gas
    properties                  117,887        --    576,996        --
   Amortization of debt
    discount and debt issuance
    costs - net                  (1,053)    1,114       (519)    3,688
   Common stock issued to
    Directors for services and
    common stock option
    expense                         607        --      1,472        67
   Changes in operating assets
    and liabilities
    Accounts receivable          (9,099)  (14,247)    44,509   (48,142)
    Prepaid expenses and other
     current assets               2,519    20,676    (10,187)    1,806
    Accounts payable and other
     liabilities                (28,703)    9,901    (60,957)   20,122
                              ----------------------------------------
     Net Cash Provided by
      Operating Activities       86,232   112,481    195,216   237,335
                              ----------------------------------------


 Cash Flows from Investing
  Activities
  Acquisitions                       --    (8,569)        --   (38,935)
  Capital expenditures          (60,502)  (62,784)  (254,870) (234,002)
  Other                           3,183      (102)     2,928      (135)
                              ----------------------------------------
     Net Cash Used in
      Investing Activities      (57,319)  (71,455)  (251,942) (273,072)
                              ----------------------------------------

 Cash Flows from Financing
  Activities
  Proceeds from the issuance
   of common stock                   --        --         --        32
  Dividends to shareholders        (726)       --     (2,179)       --
  Proceeds from long-term debt   20,804    21,000    270,794   204,135
  Payments on long-term debt    (61,029)  (70,443)  (213,432) (184,453)
  Purchase of bonds                 468        --    (90,887)       --
  Other                            (295)      (17)    (1,163)     (695)
                              ----------------------------------------
     Net Cash Provided by
      (Used in) Financing
      Activities                (40,778)  (49,460)   (36,867)   19,019
                              ----------------------------------------

 Net Decrease in Cash and
  Cash Equivalents              (11,865)   (8,434)   (93,593)  (16,718)

 Cash and Cash Equivalents,
  beginning of period            87,234    11,500    168,962    19,784

 Cash and Cash Equivalents,   ----------------------------------------
  end of period                 $75,369    $3,066    $75,369    $3,066
                              ========================================


                     ENERGY XXI (BERMUDA) LIMITED
                 CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONAL INFORMATION
                             (Unaudited)

                                       Quarter Ended
                    --------------------------------------------------
                     Mar. 31,   Dec. 31,  Sept. 30, June 30,  Mar. 31,
                       2009       2008      2008      2008      2008
                    --------------------------------------------------
                          (In thousands except for unit amounts).
 Operating revenues
  Crude oil sales     $46,492    $53,388  $119,214  $160,118  $126,660
  Natural gas sales    20,435     33,111    44,442    77,356    61,675
  Hedge gain (loss)    39,209     20,353   (43,912)  (58,712)  (21,198)
                    --------------------------------------------------
    Total revenues    106,136    106,852   119,744   178,762   167,137
                    --------------------------------------------------
 Percent of
  operating revenues
  from crude oil
  Prior to hedge
   gain (loss)           69.5%      61.7%     72.8%     67.4%     67.3%
  Including hedge
   gain (loss)           68.3%      62.4%     68.5%     62.5%     62.0%
 Operating expenses
  Lease operating
   expense
    Insurance
     expense            4,980      4,934     4,918     3,932     4,642
    Workover and
     maintenance          341      7,094     3,873     6,741     5,447
    Direct lease
     operating
     expense           19,643     25,536    26,207    29,108    28,253
                    --------------------------------------------------
   Total lease
    operating
    expense            24,964     37,564    34,998    39,781    38,342
  Production taxes      1,587      1,878     2,036     3,699     1,755
  Impairment of oil
   and gas
   properties         117,887    459,109        --        --        --
  Depreciation,
   depletion and
   amortization        50,052     65,002    62,409    83,462    75,268
  General and
   administrative       6,117      6,236     6,235    10,123     4,912
  Other - net           7,643     (7,604)      597     5,932     4,611
                    --------------------------------------------------
  Total operating
   expenses           208,250    562,185   106,275   142,997   124,888
                    --------------------------------------------------
 Operating income
  (loss)            $(102,114) $(455,333)  $13,469   $35,765   $42,249
                    ==================================================

 Sales volumes per
  day
    Natural gas
     (MMcf)              49.2       54.4      46.8      67.9      73.3
    Crude oil
     (MBbls)             12.5       10.1      11.0      15.1      13.9
    Total (MBOE)         20.7       19.2      18.8      26.4      26.1
 Percent of sales
  volumes from crude
  oil                    60.4%      52.6%     58.5%     57.2%     53.3%

 Average sales price
    Natural gas per
     Mcf                $4.62      $6.62    $10.33    $12.52     $9.25
    Hedge gain
     (loss) per Mcf      2.98       1.41     (1.57)    (1.66)     0.28
                    --------------------------------------------------
    Total natural
     gas per Mcf        $7.60      $8.03     $8.76    $10.86     $9.53
                    ==================================================

    Crude oil per
     Bbl               $41.40     $57.38   $117.75   $116.90   $100.10
    Hedge gain
     (loss) per Bbl     23.16      14.27    (36.70)   (35.38)   (18.20)
                    --------------------------------------------------
    Total crude oil
     per Bbl           $64.56     $71.65    $81.05    $81.52    $81.90
                    ==================================================

    Total hedge gain
     (loss) per BOE    $21.07     $11.54   $(25.39)  $(24.46)   $(8.92)
                    ==================================================

 Operating revenues
  per BOE              $57.04     $60.57    $69.23    $74.49    $70.33
                    --------------------------------------------------
 Operating expenses
  per BOE
  Lease operating
   expense
    Insurance
     expense             2.68       2.79      2.84      1.64      1.95
    Workover and
     maintenance         0.18       4.02      2.24      2.81      2.29
    Direct lease
     operating
     expense            10.56      14.48     15.15     12.13     11.89
                    --------------------------------------------------
   Total lease
    operating
    expense             13.42      21.29     20.23     16.58     16.13
  Production taxes       0.85       1.06      1.18      1.54      0.74
  Impairment of oil
   and gas
   properties           63.35     260.26        --        --        --
  Depreciation,
   depletion and
   amortization         26.90      36.85     36.08     34.78     31.67
  General and
   administrative        3.29       3.54      3.60      4.22      2.07
  Other - net            4.11      (4.31)     0.35      2.47      1.94
                    --------------------------------------------------
  Total operating
   expenses            111.92     318.69     61.44     59.59     52.55
                    --------------------------------------------------
 Operating income
  (loss) per BOE      $(54.88)  $(258.12)    $7.79    $14.90    $17.78
                    ==================================================


          FY 2009 3rd Quarter Operations Report

 -------------------------------------------------------
      EXXI Fiscal 3rd Quarter 2009 Drilling Results

 -------------------------------------------------------
                Exploration   Development      Total
 -------------------------------------------------------
               Gross   Net    Gross  Net   Gross  Net
 -------------------------------------------------------
 Operated
 -------------------------------------------------------
          Oil    0       0      0     0      0      0
 -------------------------------------------------------
          Gas    1     0.35     0     0      1     0.35
 -------------------------------------------------------
     Injector    0       0      1    0.50    1     0.50
 -------------------------------------------------------
          Dry    0       0      1    0.95    1     0.95
 -------------------------------------------------------
 Non-Operated
 -------------------------------------------------------
          Oil    0       0      0     0      0      0
 -------------------------------------------------------
          Gas    0       0      0     0      0      0
 -------------------------------------------------------
          Dry    0       0      0     0      0      0
                 -       -      -     -      -      -
    Total        1     0.35     2    1.45    3     1.80
 -------------------------------------------------------

 -------------------------------------------------------
                Exploration   Development      Total
 -------------------------------------------------------
 Success
 Rate (Net)        100%           50%           67%
 -------------------------------------------------------

 -------------------------------------------------------
                Exploration   Development      Total
 -------------------------------------------------------
 Onshore             1             1             2
 -------------------------------------------------------
 Offshore            0             1             1
                     -             -             -
 -------------------------------------------------------
    Total            1             2             3
 -------------------------------------------------------

CENTRAL GULF HIGHLIGHTS

South Timbalier 21 (100% WI/83.33% NRI)

During the fiscal third quarter, South Timbalier 21 net production averaged 7,516 BOE/d, up from fiscal second-quarter volume of 4,939 BOE/d. The marked increase in production resulted from the development well and three recompletions highlighted last quarter, as well as the return of all hurricane impacted volumes within the field.

EASTERN GULF HIGHLIGHTS

The Eastern Gulf properties averaged 6,148 BOE/d in the fiscal third quarter, above the fiscal second-quarter volumes of 5,721 BOE/d due to the start-up of a water injection well in the Main Pass 61 field.

ONSHORE/GULF COAST HIGHLIGHTS

During the fiscal third quarter, Onshore/Gulf Coast net production averaged 4,202 BOE/d, down from fiscal second-quarter volume of 6,003 BOE/d. The Rabbit Island natural gas field was shut-in for most of the third quarter due to the replacement of a third-party pipeline.

GLOSSARY

Barrel - unit of measure for oil and petroleum products, equivalent to 42 U.S. gallons.

BOE - barrels of oil equivalent, used to equate natural gas volumes to liquid barrels at a general conversion rate of 6,000 cubic feet of gas per barrel.

BOE/d - barrels of oil equivalent per day.

Field - an area consisting of a single reservoir or multiple reservoirs all grouped on, or related to, the same individual geological structural feature or stratigraphic condition. The field name refers to the surface area, although it may refer to both the surface and the underground productive formations.

FTP - flowing tubing pressure.

MD - measured depth.

MBOE - thousand barrels of oil equivalent.

MMBOE - million barrels of oil equivalent.

Net Pay - cumulative hydrocarbon-bearing formations.

Spud - to begin drilling a well.

TD - target total depth of a well.

TD'd - to finish drilling a well.

Workover - operations on a producing well to restore or increase production. A workover may be performed to stimulate the well, remove sand or wax from the wellbore, to mechanically repair the well, or for other reasons.



            

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