Frisco, TX, May 09, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. REPORTS
FIRST QUARTER 2019 FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESULTS
FRISCO, TEXAS, May 9, 2019 – Comstock Resources, Inc. ("Comstock" or the "Company") (NYSE: CRK) today reported financial and operating results for the first quarter of 2019. On August 14, 2018, the Company completed transactions in which entities controlled by Dallas businessman Jerry Jones and his children contributed their Bakken Shale properties to the Company in exchange for approximately 88.6 million shares of Comstock common stock (the "Jones Contribution") and the Company refinanced its long-term debt. Results for the three months ended March 31, 2019 reflect the effect of the Jones Contribution, while results for the three months ended March 31, 2018 (the "Predecessor") reflect the historical results of Comstock for that period. The Company's consolidated financial results are being presented with a blackline division which delineates the lack of comparability between amounts presented for these periods.
Financial Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
In the first quarter of 2019, Comstock reported net income of $13.6 million or $0.13 per diluted share as compared to a net loss of $41.9 million or $2.78 per share for the Predecessor first quarter of 2018. The first quarter 2019 results included an unrealized loss from derivative financial instruments held to manage oil and gas price risks of $13.0 million. Excluding the unrealized loss, the net income for the first quarter of 2019 would have been $23.5 million or $0.22 per share.
Comstock produced 33.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 810,470 barrels of oil or 38.0 billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent ("Bcfe") in the first quarter of 2019. The Company's natural gas production averaged 368 million cubic feet ("MMcf") per day, an increase of 53% over natural gas production in the Predecessor first quarter of 2018 and 10% higher than the fourth quarter of 2018. The growth in natural gas production was primarily attributable to the continuing successful results from Comstock's Haynesville shale drilling program. Oil production in the first quarter of 2019, which averaged 9,005 barrels of oil per day, increased from the 2,110 barrels per day produced in the Predecessor first quarter of 2018 due to production from the Bakken Shale properties. Oil production in the first quarter of 2018 was primarily attributable to the Company's Eagle Ford shale properties which were sold effective April 1, 2018.
Comstock's average realized natural gas price, including hedging gains, increased 2% to $2.87 per Mcf in the first quarter of 2019 as compared to $2.82 per Mcf realized in the Predecessor first quarter of 2018. The Company's average realized oil price, including hedging gains, decreased by 33% to $45.78 per barrel in the first quarter of 2019 as compared to $68.71 per barrel in the Predecessor first quarter of 2018. Oil and gas sales were $132.3 million (including realized hedging gains and losses) in the first quarter of 2019 as compared to the Predecessor 2018 first quarter sales of $74.0 million. EBITDAX, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, exploration expense and other noncash expenses, of $96.9 million in the first quarter of 2019 increased by 81% over EBITDAX of $53.7 million for the Predecessor first quarter of 2018. The Company's operating cash flow generated in the first quarter of 2019 (before working capital changes) of $70.8 million increased 98% over operating cash flow of $35.7 million in the Predecessor first quarter of 2018.
Drilling Results
Comstock reported the results to date of its 2019 Haynesville/Bossier shale drilling program. During the first three months of 2019, Comstock spent $92.5 million on its development activities. Comstock spent $82.6 million on drilling and completing Haynesville shale wells. Comstock also spent $5.6 million drilling two (1.1 net) Eagle Ford shale oil wells and an additional $4.3 million primarily on leases and other development activity. Comstock drilled 11 (8.4 net) horizontal Haynesville/Bossier shale wells during the first three months of 2019, which had an average lateral length of approximately 7,600 feet. Comstock also completed 17 (5.2 net) wells that were drilled in 2018. Two (1.6 net) of the wells drilled in the first three months of 2019 were also completed. Comstock expects to connect 12 (7.8 net) Haynesville wells to sales in the second quarter.
Since the last operational update, Comstock reported on six new Haynesville shale wells. The average initial production rate of these wells was 26 MMcf per day. The wells had completed lateral lengths ranging from 9,646 feet to 9,913 feet, with an average completed lateral length of 9,799 feet. Each well was tested at initial production rates of 21 to 30 MMcf per day. Comstock currently has eight (7.0 net) operated Haynesville shale wells that are in the process of being completed.
With lower drilling and completion contracted rates from its major service providers beginning in April, Comstock announced that it is reducing its 2019 drilling and completion budget to $318 million for its Haynesville/Bossier shale drilling program. Activity planned for 2019 includes completing 19 (5.2 net) wells drilled in 2018 and drilling 52 (34.6 net) wells in 2019. Comstock will also spend $27 million in 2019 on its oil properties.
Other
Comstock has planned a conference call for 10:00 a.m. Central Time on May 9, 2019, to discuss the first quarter of 2019 operational and financial results. Investors wishing to participate should visit the Company's website at www.comstockresources.com for a live web cast or dial 844-776-7840 (international dial-in use 661-378-9538) and provide access code 9766835 when prompted. If you are unable to participate in the original conference call, a web replay will be available approximately 24 hours following the completion of the call on Comstock's website at www.comstockresources.com. The web replay will be available for approximately one week. A replay of the conference call will be available beginning at 1:00 p.m. CT May 9, 2019 and will continue until 1:00 p.m. May 16, 2019. To hear the replay, call 855-859-2056 (404-537-3406 if calling from outside the US). The conference call access code is 9766835.
This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described herein. Although the Company believes the expectations in such statements to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.
Comstock Resources, Inc. is an independent energy company based in Frisco, Texas engaged in oil and gas acquisitions, exploration and development, and its assets are primarily located in Texas, Louisiana and North Dakota. The Company's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CRK.
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
OPERATING RESULTS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
| Predecessor | ||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | |||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||
| Natural gas sales..................................................................................... | $ | 90,132 | $ | 59,543 | ||||
| Oil sales.................................................................................................... | 36,749 | 13,050 | ||||||
| Total oil and gas sales................................................................. | 126,881 | 72,593 | ||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||
| Production taxes..................................................................................... | 5,939 | 1,840 | ||||||
| Gathering and transportation............................................................... | 7,430 | 4,334 | ||||||
| Lease operating...................................................................................... | 14,885 | 9,773 | ||||||
| Depreciation, depletion and amortization......................................... | 37,590 | 27,152 | ||||||
| General and administrative.................................................................. | 7,814 | 6,016 | ||||||
| (Gain) loss on sale of oil and gas properties...................................... | (1 | ) | 28,600 | |||||
| Total operating expenses................................................................ | 73,657 | 77,715 | ||||||
| Operating income (loss)............................................................................. | 53,224 | (5,122 | ) | |||||
| Other income (expenses): | ||||||||
| Gain (loss) from derivative financial instruments............................ | (7,657 | ) | 2,602 | |||||
| Other income........................................................................................... | 93 | 66 | ||||||
| Interest expense...................................................................................... | (27,851 | ) | (38,850 | ) | ||||
| Total other income (expenses)....................................................... | (35,415 | ) | (36,182 | ) | ||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes......................................................... | 17,809 | (41,304 | ) | |||||
| Provision for income taxes....................................................................... | (4,234 | ) | (582 | ) | ||||
| Net income (loss)........................................................................................ | $ | 13,575 | $ | (41,886 | ) | |||
| Net income (loss) per share – basic and diluted............................... | $ | 0.13 | $ | (2.78 | ) | |||
| Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted.................................................................................... | 105,457 | 15,084 | ||||||
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
OPERATING RESULTS
(In thousands)
| Predecessor | ||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | |||||||
| OPERATING CASH FLOW: | ||||||||
| Net income (loss)..................................................................................................... | $ | 13,575 | $ | (41,886 | ) | |||
| Reconciling items: | ||||||||
| Deferred income taxes.......................................................................................... | 4,352 | 572 | ||||||
| Depreciation, depletion and amortization.............................................................. | 37,590 | 27,152 | ||||||
| Unrealized (gain) loss from derivative financial instruments................................ | 13,045 | (1,198 | ) | |||||
| Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs................................................ | 1,574 | 11,056 | ||||||
| Interest paid in-kind.............................................................................................. | — | 9,845 | ||||||
| Stock-based compensation................................................................................... | 648 | 1,601 | ||||||
| (Gain) loss on sale of oil and gas properties......................................................... | (1 | ) | 28,600 | |||||
| Operating cash flow......................................................................................... | 70,783 | 35,742 | ||||||
| Decrease in accounts receivable.................................................................. | 10,783 | 1,455 | ||||||
| Decrease in other current assets.................................................................. | 1,577 | 472 | ||||||
| Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses...................................................................................... | (8,428 | ) | (16,113 | ) | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities............................................. | $ | 74,715 | $ | 21,556 | ||||
| EBITDAX: | ||||||||
| Net income (loss)..................................................................................................... | $ | 13,575 | $ | (41,886 | ) | |||
| Interest expense........................................................................................................ | 27,851 | 38,850 | ||||||
| Income taxes............................................................................................................. | 4,234 | 582 | ||||||
| Depreciation, depletion and amortization.................................................................. | 37,590 | 27,152 | ||||||
| Unrealized (gain) loss from derivative financial instruments.................................... | 13,045 | (1,198 | ) | |||||
| Stock-based compensation....................................................................................... | 648 | 1,601 | ||||||
| (Gain) loss on sale of oil and gas properties............................................................. | (1 | ) | 28,600 | |||||
| Total EBITDAX................................................................................... | $ | 96,942 | $ | 53,701 | ||||
| As of March 31, 2019 | As of December 31, 2018 | |||||||
| BALANCE SHEET DATA: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents.......................................................................................................... | $ | 29,324 | $ | 23,193 | ||||
| Derivative financial instruments.................................................................................................. | 2,356 | 15,401 | ||||||
| Other current assets.................................................................................................................... | 102,443 | 120,833 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net....................................................................................................... | 1,722,558 | 1,667,979 | ||||||
| Other.......................................................................................................................................... | 365,207 | 360,434 | ||||||
| Total assets.......................................................................................................................... | $ | 2,221,888 | $ | 2,187,840 | ||||
| Current liabilities........................................................................................................................ | $ | 198,086 | $ | 206,853 | ||||
| Long-term debt........................................................................................................................... | 1,265,847 | 1,244,363 | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes................................................................................................................ | 166,152 | 161,917 | ||||||
| Other non-current liabilities........................................................................................................ | 2,766 | — | ||||||
| Asset retirement obligation......................................................................................................... | 5,243 | 5,136 | ||||||
| Stockholders' equity................................................................................................................... | 583,794 | 569,571 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity.............................................................................. | $ | 2,221,888 | $ | 2,187,840 | ||||
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
REGIONAL OPERATING RESULTS
(In thousands, except per unit amounts)
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Haynesville/ Bossier | Cotton Valley | Bakken | Eagle Ford | Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gas production (MMcf)............................................................................ | 31,364 | 903 | 768 | — | 114 | 33,149 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Oil production (Mbbls)......................................................................... | — | 7 | 799 | — | 4 | 810 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total production (MMcfe)........................................................................ | 31,364 | 947 | 5,562 | — | 139 | 38,012 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Natural gas sales................................................................................. | $ | 85,738 | $ | 2,571 | $ | 1,500 | $ | — | $ | 323 | $ | 90,132 | |||||||||||||||
| Natural gas hedging settlements(1).................................................................... | — | — | — | — | — | 5,033 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total natural gas including hedging.................................................................. | 85,738 | 2,571 | 1,500 | — | 323 | 95,165 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Oil sales................................................................................. | 4 | 363 | 36,147 | — | 235 | 36,749 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Oil hedging settlements(1).................................................................... | — | — | — | — | — | 355 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total oil including hedging.................................................................. | 4 | 363 | 36,147 | — | 235 | 37,104 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total oil and gas sales including hedging.................................................................. | $ | 85,742 | $ | 2,934 | $ | 37,647 | $ | — | $ | 558 | $ | 132,269 | |||||||||||||||
| Average gas price (per Mcf)............................................................................... | $ | 2.73 | $ | 2.85 | $ | 1.95 | $ | — | $ | 2.83 | $ | 2.72 | |||||||||||||||
| Average gas price including hedging (per Mcf)............................................................................... | $ | 2.87 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average oil price (per barrel)............................................................................ | $ | 49.47 | $ | 49.47 | $ | 45.24 | $ | — | $ | 58.34 | $ | 45.34 | |||||||||||||||
| Average oil price including hedging (per barrel)............................................................................ | $ | 45.78 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average price (per Mcfe)............................................................................. | $ | 2.73 | $ | 3.10 | $ | 6.77 | $ | — | $ | 4.04 | $ | 3.34 | |||||||||||||||
| Average price including hedging (per Mcfe)............................................................................. | $ | 3.48 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Production taxes................................................................................. | $ | 1,732 | $ | 95 | $ | 4,073 | $ | — | $ | 39 | $ | 5,939 | |||||||||||||||
| Gathering and transportation................................................................. | $ | 7,273 | $ | 63 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 94 | $ | 7,430 | |||||||||||||||
| Lease operating.......................................................................... | $ | 4,933 | $ | 3,235 | $ | 6,519 | $ | — | $ | 198 | $ | 14,885 | |||||||||||||||
| Production taxes (per Mcfe)............................................................................. | $ | 0.06 | $ | 0.10 | $ | 0.73 | $ | — | $ | 0.28 | $ | 0.16 | |||||||||||||||
| Gathering and transportation (per Mcfe)............................................................................ | $ | 0.23 | $ | 0.07 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 0.67 | $ | 0.20 | |||||||||||||||
| Lease operating (per Mcfe)............................................................................. | $ | 0.15 | $ | 3.41 | $ | 1.17 | $ | — | $ | 1.43 | $ | 0.38 | |||||||||||||||
| Oil and Gas Capital Expenditures: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Development leasehold(2)................................................................. | $ | 1,857 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,857 | |||||||||||||||
| Development drilling and completion................................................................. | 82,638 | — | (953 | ) | 5,648 | — | 87,333 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other development................................................................. | 3,279 | — | — | — | — | 3,279 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total........................................................................... | $ | 87,774 | $ | — | $ | (953 | ) | $ | 5,648 | $ | — | $ | 92,469 | ||||||||||||||
(1) Included in gain (loss) from derivative financial instruments in operating results
(2) Net of acreage reimbursements
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
REGIONAL OPERATING RESULTS
(In thousands, except per unit amounts)
| Predecessor | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| For the Three Months ended March 31, 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Haynesville/ Bossier | Cotton Valley | Bakken | Eagle Ford | Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
| Gas production (MMcf)............................................................................ | 19,997 | 1,062 | — | 282 | 305 | 21,646 | |||||||||||||||||
| Oil production (Mbbls)......................................................................... | — | 11 | — | 173 | 6 | 190 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total production (MMcfe)........................................................................ | 19,997 | 1,126 | — | 1,323 | 340 | 22,786 | |||||||||||||||||
| Natural gas sales................................................................................. | $ | 54,564 | $ | 2,913 | $ | — | $ | 1,191 | $ | 875 | $ | 59,543 | |||||||||||
| Natural gas hedging settlements(1).................................................................... | — | — | — | — | — | 1,404 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total natural gas including hedging.................................................................. | 54,564 | 2,913 | — | 1,191 | 875 | 60,947 | |||||||||||||||||
| Oil sales................................................................................. | — | 646 | — | 12,021 | 383 | 13,050 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total oil and gas sales including hedging.................................................................. | $ | 54,564 | $ | 3,559 | $ | — | $ | 13,212 | $ | 1,258 | $ | 73,997 | |||||||||||
| Average gas price (per Mcf)............................................................................... | $ | 2.73 | $ | 2.74 | $ | — | $ | 4.22 | $ | 2.86 | $ | 2.75 | |||||||||||
| Average gas price including hedging (per Mcf)............................................................................... | $ | 2.82 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Average oil price (per barrel)............................................................................ | $ | — | $ | 60.80 | $ | — | $ | 69.30 | $ | 65.64 | $ | 68.71 | |||||||||||
| Average price (per Mcfe)............................................................................. | $ | 2.73 | $ | 3.16 | $ | — | $ | 9.99 | $ | 3.69 | $ | 3.19 | |||||||||||
| Average price including hedging (per Mcfe)............................................................................. | $ | 3.25 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Production taxes................................................................................. | $ | 1,068 | $ | 60 | $ | — | $ | 630 | $ | 82 | $ | 1,840 | |||||||||||
| Gathering and transportation................................................................. | $ | 3,706 | $ | 209 | $ | — | $ | 344 | $ | 75 | $ | 4,334 | |||||||||||
| Lease operating.......................................................................... | $ | 2,895 | $ | 3,198 | $ | — | $ | 3,417 | $ | 263 | $ | 9,773 | |||||||||||
| Production taxes (per Mcfe)............................................................................. | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.05 | $ | — | $ | 0.48 | $ | 0.24 | $ | 0.08 | |||||||||||
| Gathering and transportation (per Mcfe)............................................................................ | $ | 0.19 | $ | 0.19 | $ | — | $ | 0.26 | $ | 0.22 | $ | 0.19 | |||||||||||
| Lease operating (per Mcfe)............................................................................. | $ | 0.14 | $ | 2.84 | $ | — | $ | 2.58 | $ | 0.78 | $ | 0.43 | |||||||||||
| Oil and Gas Capital Expenditures: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Development leasehold.................................................................... | $ | 1,153 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,153 | |||||||||||
| Development drilling and completion................................................................. | 38,539 | — | — | — | — | 38,539 | |||||||||||||||||
| Other development................................................................. | 6,327 | — | — | 240 | 253 | 6,820 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total........................................................................... | $ | 46,019 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 240 | $ | 253 | $ | 46,512 | |||||||||||
(1) Included in gain (loss) from derivative financial instruments in operating results