HOUSTON, May 8, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Edge Petroleum Corporation (Nasdaq:EPEX) (Nasdaq:EPEXP) today reported financial and operating results for the first quarter of 2009 as follows:
-- Production for the first quarter of 2009 was 3.1 Bcfe, averaging
34.5 MMcfe per day.
-- For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, we recorded cash
settlements paid by our counterparties on our derivative
contracts totaling $5.9 million pre-tax. We also recorded a
non-cash net unrealized pre-tax derivative gain of $5.2 million,
which represents the change in the fair value of our derivative
contracts between December 31, 2008 and March 31, 2009. These
resulted in a net pre-tax derivative gain of approximately $11.1
million included in total revenue for the quarter ended March 31,
2009.
-- We recorded an impairment of our oil and natural gas properties
of $78.3 million in the first quarter of 2009 as a result of
further declines in commodity prices.
-- Our first quarter 2009 net loss to common stockholders was $76.9
million, or $2.74 basic and diluted loss per share. This loss
reflects the impact of the $78.3 million impairment of our oil
and natural gas properties that we recorded at March 31, 2009.
-- On March 16, 2009, we entered into an amended Consent and
Amendment No. 4 to our Revolving Facility (the "Amended Consent")
which provides, among other things, that (i) we will make a $25
million payment on May 31, 2009 with all remaining principal,
fees and interest amounts under our Revolving Facility to be due
and payable on June 30, 2009, and (ii) that it will be an event
of default if, among other things, by May 15, 2009 we have not
either obtained a commitment sufficient to pay all of our
obligations under the Revolving Facility or otherwise entered
into a sale, merger or other business combination agreement that
would result in the repayment of all of our obligations under the
Revolving Facility on or before June 30, 2009. Primarily due to
the uncertainty surrounding the significant payments due June 30,
2009 under our Revolving Facility, our independent auditors
modified their opinion on our 2008 consolidated financial
statements to include a going concern explanatory paragraph.
-- We logged four wells during the first quarter of 2009 with three
apparent successes. The non-operated Williams Fed A#8 (Edge W.I.
18.75%) in southeast New Mexico was recently completed in the
Yeso formation producing approximately 20 Bbl per day of crude
oil and 26 Mcf per day of natural gas. This well has apparent
behind pipe pay in three additional shallower zones. In Arkansas,
in the Fayetteville Shale project, the non-operated Barger #1-16H
(Edge W.I. 3.91%) was recently completed with an eight stage
fracture stimulation and was put to sales flowing at an initial
rate of approximately 1 MMcf per day. Also in Arkansas, the
non-operated Landberg #1-31H (Edge W.I. 7.97%) was drilled in the
first quarter 2009 and should be completed soon. Lastly, in south
Texas, the acquisition phase of the 120 square mile El Sauz 3-D
project (Edge W.I. 50%) began on March 21, 2009 and is
progressing as planned. The acquisition phase of this project is
expected to be completed by late May 2009.
A summary of our first quarter results is shown below:
First Quarter
2009
--------------
Production, Bcfe 3.1
Percent Gas 70%
Operating Costs Structure, $ per Mcfe
-------------------------------------
Oil and Natural Gas Operating Expenses $1.23
Severance and Ad Valorem Taxes $0.35
G&A (1) $1.38
Depletion $3.16
(1) Assumes exclusion of non-cash share-based compensation costs for
restricted stock amortization.
First quarter production for 2009 was 3.1 Bcfe as compared to 5.4 Bcfe for the same period in 2008. Normal production declines, asset sales completed during early 2008 and decreased capital re-investment in replacing production as compared to historical levels contributed to our overall production decline in the first quarter of 2009. We have been operating under a reduced reinvestment program while we have been engaged in our financial and strategic alternatives evaluation process.
We reported an increase in total revenue for the first quarter period of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. Total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was $24.1 million compared to $17.7 million in the first quarter of 2008, an increase of 36%. Falling commodity prices in the first quarter of 2009 resulted in net gains on derivatives of $11.1 million to partially offset the losses experienced from our physical commodity sales. In the first quarter of 2008, however, we reported a loss on derivatives of $29.4 million.
Oil and gas operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2009 totaled $3.8 million compared to $4.5 million for the same period in 2008. Depletion costs for the first quarter of 2009 totaled $9.8 million and averaged $3.16 per Mcfe compared to $27.1 million and an average of $4.99 per Mcfe for the first quarter of 2008. At December 31 and September 30, 2008 we recorded non-cash full-cost ceiling test impairments on our oil and natural gas properties in the amounts of $233.3 million ($215.8 million net of tax) and $129.5 million ($84.2 million net of tax), respectively. If the 2008 impairments had not been taken, our depletion rate would have been approximately $6.40 per Mcfe at March 31, 2009 as compared to $3.16 per Mcfe. We recorded a net non-cash full-cost ceiling test impairment at March 31, 2009 of approximately $78.3 million, which we expect to impact our depletion rate in the second quarter of 2009. General and administrative ("G&A") costs, which include share-based compensation costs, for the first quarter of 2009 were $4.6 million, 13% higher than the comparable prior year period, primarily because of the costs of our ongoing financial and strategic alternatives process.
First quarter 2009 net loss to common stockholders was $76.9 million or $2.74 basic and diluted loss per share. The same period a year ago we reported a net loss to common stockholders of $18.2 million, or $0.64 basic and diluted loss per share. Basic weighted average shares outstanding increased to approximately 28.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 from 28.6 million in the comparable 2008 period. The increase in shares outstanding was due primarily to the vesting of restricted stock units during 2008 and 2009.
For the three months ended March 31, 2009, net cash flow provided by operating activities was $9.8 million and net cash flow provided by operating activities before working capital changes was $7.4 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2008, net cash flow provided by operating activities was $21.4 million and net cash flow provided by operating activities before working capital changes was $28.5 million. See the attached schedule for a reconciliation of net cash flow provided by operating activities to net cash flow provided by operating activities before working capital changes.
Debt at March 31, 2009 was $234.0 million as compared to $239.0 million at December 31, 2008. Debt at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 is presented as current due to changes in our maturity date as a result of our entering into the Amended Consent in connection with the borrowing base deficiency of $114 million created by the recent redetermination of our borrowing base.
In the normal course of business we enter into derivative contracts, including commodity price collars, swaps and floors, to seek to hedge or mitigate our exposure to commodity price movements. Our derivative contracts for 2009 are shown in the table below.
2009 DERIVATIVES
Volumes per Price Price Cap
Transaction Day Floor (1) (1) Term
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Natural Gas
Costless Collar 10,000 MMBtu $ 7.75 $ 10.00 Jan-09 Dec-09
Costless Collar 10,000 MMBtu $ 7.75 $ 10.08 Jan-09 Dec-09
Crude Oil
Costless Collar 300 Bbl $ 70.00 $ 93.55 Jan-09 Dec-09
----------------
(1) All natural gas prices are settled monthly at NYMEX Natural Gas
Index and crude oil prices are settled at West Texas Intermediate
Light Sweet Crude Oil Index.
Edge Petroleum Corporation is a Houston-based independent energy company that focuses its exploration, production and marketing activities in selected onshore basins of the United States. Edge common stock and preferred stock are listed on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbols "EPEX" and "EPEXP," respectively.
The Edge Petroleum Corporation logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3537
Statements that are not historical facts in this release, including but not limited to, statements relating to our ability to continue as a going concern or to comply with the terms of the Amended Consent, are forward-looking statements that involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are beyond Edge's ability to control or estimate, and are subject to material changes. Such risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, results of the Board's evaluation, any process or transaction, market conditions, availability of financing, Board and stockholder approvals, actions by third parties, Edge's financial and operational results, the availability or terms of any alternative or transaction, uncertainties, costs and delays relating to transactions, prices for oil and natural gas (including natural gas liquids), drilling and operating risks, risks related to exploration and development, uncertainties about the estimates of reserves, and other factors detailed in the Risk Factors and other sections of Edge's most recent Form 10-K, Forms 10-Q and other filings with the SEC. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated.
EDGE PETROLEUM CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended
March 31,
----------------------
2009 2008
----------------------
(in thousands, except
per share amounts)
OIL AND NATURAL GAS REVENUE:
Oil and natural gas sales $ 12,998 $ 47,016
Gain (loss) on derivatives 11,068 (29,359)
--------- ---------
Total revenue 24,066 17,657
--------- ---------
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Oil and natural gas operating expenses 3,825 4,472
Severance and ad valorem taxes 1,091 2,185
Depletion, depreciation, amortization and
accretion 10,079 27,371
Impairment of oil and natural gas
properties 78,254 --
General and administrative expenses 4,595 4,060
--------- ---------
Total operating expenses 97,844 38,088
--------- ---------
OPERATING LOSS (73,778) (20,431)
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE:
Other income 7 69
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized (2,243) (4,224)
Amortization of deferred loan costs (926) (239)
--------- ---------
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES (76,940) (24,825)
INCOME TAX BENEFIT -- 8,646
--------- ---------
NET LOSS (76,940) (16,179)
Preferred stock dividends -- (2,066)
--------- ---------
NET LOSS TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS $ (76,940) $ (18,245)
========= =========
BASIC LOSS PER SHARE $ (2.74) $ (0.64)
========= =========
DILUTED LOSS PER SHARE (1) $ (2.74) $ (0.64)
========= =========
BASIC WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON
SHARES OUTSTANDING 28,840 28,566
========= =========
DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON
SHARES OUTSTANDING (1) 28,840 28,566
========= =========
Production:
Gas - MMcf 2,170 3,773
Natural gas liquids (NGL) - MBbls 97 191
Oil - MBbls 59 85
Gas Equivalent - MMcfe 3,106 5,429
Realized Product Prices:
Gas - $ per Mcf (2)(3) $ 9.17 $ 0.94
NGL - $ per Bbl $ 20.44 $ 50.51
Oil - $ per Bbl (2)(4) $ 36.92 $ 52.45
Gas Equivalent - $ per Mcfe (5) $ 7.75 $ 3.25
Notes:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) A net loss from continuing operations exists in 2009 and 2008,
and therefore, no potential common shares are included in the
calculation of diluted per share amounts because the effect would
be antidilutive. Potential common shares include 8.7 million
shares of common stock resulting from an assumed conversion of
the Company's 5.75% Series A cumulative convertible perpetual
preferred stock, equivalent shares of the Company's restricted
stock units and common stock options.
(2) Includes the effect of derivative transactions.
(3) The average realized price, excluding unrealized derivative gains
related to our natural gas derivative contracts, was $6.47 per
Mcf for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. The average realized
price, excluding unrealized derivative losses related to our
natural gas derivative contracts, was $7.72 per Mcf for the
quarter ended March 31, 2008.
(4) The average realized price, excluding unrealized derivative
losses related to our oil derivative contract, was $47.52 per
barrel for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009. The
average realized price, excluding unrealized derivative gains
related to our oil derivative contracts, was $50.07 per barrel
for the three-month period ended March 31, 2008.
(5) The average realized price, excluding net unrealized derivative
gains related to our derivative contracts, was $6.07 per Mcfe for
the three-month period ended March 31, 2009. The average realized
price, excluding net unrealized derivative losses related to our
derivative contracts, was $7.92 per Mcfe for the three-month
period ended March 31, 2008.
EDGE PETROLEUM CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
March 31, Dec. 31,
2009 2008
----------------------
(in thousands)
ASSETS
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS $ 49,071 $ 48,710
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, Net - full cost method
of accounting for oil and natural gas
properties 221,918 307,059
OTHER ASSETS 1,153 1,828
--------- ---------
TOTAL ASSETS $ 272,142 $ 357,597
========= =========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES $ 243,081 $ 251,991
OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 8,210 8,118
--------- ---------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 251,291 260,109
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 20,851 97,488
--------- ---------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 272,142 $ 357,597
========= =========
EDGE PETROLEUM CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
----------------------
2009 2008
--------- ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: (in thousands)
Net loss $ (76,940) $ (16,179)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net
cash provided by operating activities:
Unrealized (gain) loss on the fair value
of derivatives (5,220) 25,360
Deferred income taxes -- (9,227)
Depletion, depreciation, amortization and
accretion 10,079 27,371
Impairment of oil and natural gas
properties 78,254 --
Gain on ARO settlement -- (9)
Amortization of deferred loan costs 926 239
Share-based compensation cost 303 907
Net effect of changes in operating assets
and liabilities 2,431 (7,112)
--------- ---------
Net cash provided by operating
activities 9,833 21,350
--------- ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Oil and natural gas property and equipment
additions (3,097) (22,190)
Drilling advances (310) 641
Proceeds from the sale of oil and natural
gas properties -- 12,248
Overhedge derivative settlements -- (1,691)
--------- ---------
Net cash used in investing activities (3,407) (10,992)
--------- ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayments on debt (5,000) (10,000)
Preferred dividends paid -- (2,066)
--------- ---------
Net cash used in financing activities (5,000) (12,066)
--------- ---------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH
EQUIVALENTS 1,426 (1,708)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF
YEAR 8,475 7,163
--------- ---------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR $ 9,901 $ 5,455
========= =========
EDGE PETROLEUM CORPORATION
Non-GAAP Disclosure Reconciliation
I. Net Cash Flow Provided by Operating Activities
Three Months Ended
March 31,
----------------------
2009 2008
--------- ---------
Net cash flow provided by operating
activities $ 9,833 $ 21,350
Changes in working capital accounts (2,431) 7,112
--------- ---------
Net cash flow provided by operations before
working capital changes $ 7,402 $ 28,462
========= =========
Note: Management believes that net cash flow provided by operating
activities before working capital changes is relevant and
useful information that is commonly used by analysts,
investors and other interested parties in the oil and gas
industry as a financial indicator of an oil and gas
company's ability to generate cash used to internally fund
exploration and development activities and to service debt.
Net cash flow provided by operating activities before
working capital changes is not a measure of financial
performance prepared in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of
America ("GAAP") and should not be considered in isolation
or as an alternative to net cash flow provided by operating
activities. In addition, since net cash flow provided by
operating activities before working capital changes is not a
term defined by GAAP, it might not be comparable to
similarly titled measures used by other companies.