Rosetta Resources Inc. Announces 2015 First Quarter Financial and Operational Results


  • Increased total daily oil equivalent production volumes by 21 percent versus the first quarter 2014
  • Provided early results of enhanced, long lateral South Gates Ranch well with a 7-day initial production rate of 6,400 Boe/d or 800 Boe per 1,000 foot of lateral
  • Successfully drilled three upper Eagle Ford test wells at Gates Ranch
  • Continued to improve Delaware Basin well results with three Wolfcamp 'A' bench completions
  • Reaffirmed corporate credit facility borrowing base of $950 million and commitment amount of $800 million

HOUSTON, May 4, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rosetta Resources Inc. (Nasdaq:ROSE) ("Rosetta" or the "Company") today reported adjusted net income (non-GAAP) for the first quarter 2015 was a loss of $8.6 million, or $(0.13) per diluted share, versus adjusted net income of $45.6 million, or $0.74 per diluted share for the same period in 2014. The decrease in adjusted net income was primarily driven by lower commodity prices. Net income for the quarter, which included a non-cash impairment of $798.1 million, was a loss of $539.7 million, or $(8.42) per diluted share, versus net income of $35.2 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, in 2014. Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) was $104.8 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to $163.8 million in the first quarter 2014. A summary of the adjustments made to calculate adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDA is included in the attached "Non-GAAP Reconciliation Disclosure" tables.

"The Rosetta team carried out our first quarter financial and operational programs with discipline and excellence," said Jim Craddock, Rosetta's Chairman, CEO and President. "As we progress through 2015 we will utilize our free cash flow and ample liquidity to continue to explore opportunities to innovate and optimize our operations in order to remain an efficient low cost operator and deliver strong economic returns."

2015 First Quarter Results

Production for the quarter averaged 66 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day ("MBoe/d"), an increase of 21 percent from the same period in 2014 and toward the high end of the 64 – 67 MBoe/d first quarter 2015 guidance range. The decline in production volumes from the 73 MBoe/d in the fourth quarter 2014 is attributable to the Company's election to manage completion activity to preserve future value given the current commodity price down cycle. Oil production in the first quarter averaged 18 thousand barrels per day, an increase of 14 percent from 2014. Natural gas liquids ("NGLs") daily production also increased by 20 percent compared to the prior year first quarter.

Revenues for the first quarter of 2015 were $173.1 million compared to $214.6 million for the same period in 2014. First quarter revenues excluding unrealized derivative losses were $187.8 million in 2015 and $230.4 million in 2014. A summary of the Company's quarterly production results and average sales prices by commodity is included in the attached "Summary of Operating Data" table.

Lease operating expense ("LOE"), including workovers and insurance expense, for the first quarter was $3.69 per Boe, a 15 percent increase on a per-unit basis due to lower volumes in the first quarter, but flat compared to fourth quarter on an absolute dollar basis. Similarly, treating and transportation expense increased by nine percent on a per-unit basis versus the prior quarter to $4.13 per Boe, but decreased five percent on an absolute dollar basis. Overall, total cash production costs for the first quarter were five percent lower than the fourth quarter 2014 and below the first quarter guidance range. A summary of the Company's first quarter operating costs on a per-unit basis is included in the attached "Summary of Operating Data" table.

Operational Update

In the first quarter of 2015, Rosetta made capital investments of approximately $151.5 million. The Company drilled or participated in a total of 16 gross wells and completed 23 gross wells, of which 19 were placed on production. The first quarter capital spend included approximately $132.2 million for drilling and completion activities and $19.3 million of other capital expenses including leasehold, capitalized interest and geological and geophysical costs.

EAGLE FORD

Daily production from the Eagle Ford was 58.4 MBoe/d in the first quarter, an increase of 17 percent from the same period in 2014. Capital spending included $67.8 million for drilling and completion activity. During the quarter, three wells were drilled and 14 completed, of which 11 were brought on production. At the end of the quarter, 44 drilled wells were awaiting completion, down from 55 at year end 2014. Late in the first quarter, Rosetta completed three Gates Ranch wells utilizing new frac designs with additional proppant and tighter cluster spacing. The initial well using these new design methods is detailed in the table below:

Well Name
Rosetta
WI, %

Bench / Lateral
Length

# Frac
Stages

Gross
7-Day IP Boe/d
Gross 7-Day
IP per
1,000 ft Boe/d

Liquids %
(Condensate/ NGLs)
Gates Ranch 28-19H 100 LEF / 8,000 ft 40 6,413 802 20 / 38

The Company plans to continue to optimize its well completion design and test various other opportunities in 2015 including infill wells, upper Eagle Ford potential, and the re-fracking of previously completed wells.

PERMIAN BASIN

Rosetta's production from the Permian averaged approximately 7.3 MBoe/d in the first quarter, an increase of 70 percent from the same period in 2014. Capital spending included $64.4 million for drilling and completion activity. During the quarter, six gross operated horizontal wells were drilled while three gross operated horizontal wells were completed and brought on production.

In Reeves County, the Company advanced its Wolfcamp horizontal program with the completion of three operated Wolfcamp 'A' wells, as detailed in the table below:

Well Name
Rosetta
WI, %

Bench / Lateral
Length

# Frac
Stages
Gross
30-Day
IP Boe/d
Gross 30-Day
IP per
1,000 ft Boe/d


Oil %
Black Jack 16 8H 100 WC A / 4,400 ft 17 1,101 250 73
Billy Miner 27 2H 99.5 WC A / 4,200 ft 18 1,080 257 74
Billy Miner 27 9H 99.5 WC A / 4,800 ft 22 1,307 272 72

When averaged, these wells had a peak 30-day initial production rate per 1,000-foot lateral of 260 Boe/d. The Company also participated in five Wolfcamp horizontal wells completed and brought on production by other operators in Reeves County during the quarter, all targeting the Wolfcamp 'A' bench. At the end of the quarter, 18 drilled horizontal wells were awaiting completion, up from 15 at year end 2014. The Company expects to drill two and complete four gross operated horizontal wells during the remainder of 2015.

Financing and Derivatives Update

On April 21, the Company's Senior Revolving Credit Facility ("Credit Facility") borrowing base and elected commitment amount were reaffirmed at $950 million and $800 million, respectively. As of May 1, 2015, Rosetta had no borrowings outstanding and the full $800 million commitment amount available for borrowing under the Credit Facility giving Rosetta a total liquidity position of $821 million.

At April 28, 2015, Rosetta's notional volumes hedged equated to approximately 75% of its projected 2015 oil equivalent production and 25% of its projected 2016 production. As of March 31, 2015, the Company's commodity hedged positions had a mark-to-market value of roughly $272 million. The attached "Derivatives Summary" table outlines the Company's overall commodity derivatives position as of April 28, 2015.

Outlook

Rosetta expects to deliver second quarter production in the range of 57 – 60 MBoe/d and spend approximately $55 million in capital investments. The Company's full year capital guidance of approximately $350 million, excluding acquisition capital, remains unchanged from the previous estimate. The remainder of 2015 capital program is based on drilling eight to ten and completing 18 to 20 gross operated horizontal wells. Based on the planned capital level, Rosetta reiterates the full year 2015 production range of 58 – 62 MBoe/d. The average oil ratio is expected to be approximately 27 percent in 2015 with total liquids estimated at 63 percent. A summary of the Company's cost per-unit expense guidance for the second quarter and full year 2015 is outlined in the attached "Summary of Guidance" table.

Conference Call Information

Rosetta Resources will host a conference call and webcast to discuss its first quarter results on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. Central Time (11:00 a.m. Eastern Time). Participants can call (877) 293-5486 or listen live over the Internet via the Company website at www.rosettaresources.com. An audio replay will be available from May 5, 2015, 2:00 p.m. Central through May 12, 2015, 11:59 p.m. Central, by dialing (855) 859-2056, or for international (404) 537-3406, and entering conference code 22165694. A replay of the conference call may also be found on the Company's website listed above.

Rosetta Resources Inc. is an independent exploration and production company engaged in the acquisition and development of onshore unconventional resource plays in the United States of America. The Company owns positions in the Eagle Ford area in South Texas and in the Permian Basin in West Texas. Rosetta is based in Houston, Texas.

[ROSE-F]

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements, which give the Company's current expectations or forecasts of future events based on currently available information. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts, such as expectations regarding drilling plans, including the acceleration or deceleration thereof, production rates and guidance, proven reserves, resource potential, incremental transportation capacity, exit rate guidance, net present value, development plans, progress on infrastructure projects, exposures to weak oil, natural gas, and NGL prices, changes in the Company's liquidity, changes in acreage positions, expected expenses, expected capital expenditures, and projected debt balances. The assumptions of management and the future performance of the Company are subject to a wide range of business risks and uncertainties and there is no assurance that these statements and forecasts will be met. Factors that could affect the Company's business include, but are not limited to: the risks associated with drilling and completion of oil and natural gas wells; the Company's ability to find, acquire, market, develop, and produce new reserves; the risk of drilling dry holes; oil, liquids and natural gas price volatility; derivative transactions (including the costs associated therewith and the abilities of counterparties to perform thereunder); uncertainties in the estimation of proved, probable, and possible reserves and in the projection of future rates of production and reserve growth; inaccuracies in the Company's assumptions regarding items of income and expense and the level of capital expenditures; uncertainties in the timing of exploitation expenditures; operating hazards attendant to the oil and natural gas business; cyber-attacks; drilling and completion losses that are generally not recoverable from third parties or insurance; potential mechanical failure or underperformance of significant wells; midstream and pipeline construction difficulties and operational upsets; climatic conditions; availability and cost of material, equipment and services; the risks associated with operating in a limited number of geographic areas, including the Permian; actions or inactions of third-party operators of the Company's properties; the Company's ability to retain and hire skilled personnel; diversion of management's attention from existing operations while pursuing acquisitions or dispositions; availability and cost of capital; the strength and financial resources of the Company's competitors; regulatory developments; environmental risks; uncertainties in the capital markets; general economic and business conditions; industry trends; and other factors detailed in the Company's most recent Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize (or the consequences of such a development changes), or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those forecasted. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements except as required by law.

References to quantities of oil, NGLs or natural gas may include amounts that the Company believes will ultimately be produced, but are not yet classified as "proved reserves" under SEC definitions. We use the term "net risked resource potential" to describe the Company's internal estimates of volumes of natural gas and oil that are not classified as proved developed reserves but are potentially recoverable through exploratory drilling or additional drilling or recovery techniques. Estimates of net risked resource potential are by their nature more speculative than estimates of proved reserves and accordingly are subject to substantially greater risk of not being realized by the Company. Estimates of net risked resource potential may change significantly as development provides additional data, and actual quantities that are ultimately recovered may differ substantially from prior estimates.

 
 
Rosetta Resources Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheet
(In thousands, except par value and share amounts)
     
  March 31,
2015
December 31,
2014
  (Unaudited)  
Assets    
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 9,127  $ 34,397
Accounts receivable  92,471  117,070
Derivative instruments   210,324  221,250
Prepaid expenses  9,107  8,142
Other current assets  4,249  3,535
Total current assets   325,278  384,394
Oil and natural gas properties using the full cost method of accounting:    
Proved properties  5,518,122  5,337,537
Unproved/unevaluated properties, not subject to amortization  521,842  550,979
Gathering systems and compressor stations  286,867  285,989
Other fixed assets  34,087  34,339
   6,360,918  6,208,844
Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization, including impairment  (3,332,570)  (2,434,003)
Total property and equipment, net   3,028,348  3,774,841
Other assets:     
Debt issuance costs  25,731  25,741
Deferred tax asset  85,385  —
Derivative instruments  61,645  65,419
Other long-term assets   68  272
Total other assets   172,829  91,432
Total assets  $ 3,526,455  $ 4,250,667
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity     
Current liabilities:    
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  $ 179,339  $ 179,353
Royalties and other payables  64,802  98,972
Deferred income taxes  72,565  72,445
Total current liabilities   316,706  350,770
Long-term liabilities:    
Long-term debt  1,840,000  2,000,000
Deferred income taxes  —  207,854
Other long-term liabilities  27,495  22,930
Total liabilities   2,184,201  2,581,554
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 9)    
Stockholders' equity:    
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; authorized 5,000,000 shares; no shares issued in 2015 or 2014  —  —
Common stock, $0.001 par value; authorized 150,000,000 shares; issued 74,684,429 shares and
62,306,601 shares at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively
 75  62
Additional paid-in capital  1,405,916  1,192,836
Treasury stock, at cost; 801,651 shares and 788,493 shares at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively  (27,702)  (27,414)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (224)  (234)
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings  (35,811)  503,863
Total stockholders' equity   1,342,254  1,669,113
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $ 3,526,455  $ 4,250,667
 
 
 
Rosetta Resources Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Operations
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
     
  Three Months Ended March 31,
  2015 2014
Revenues:    
Oil sales  $ 62,517  $ 131,677
NGL sales 25,895  55,295
Natural gas sales  37,229  51,379
Derivative instruments 47,503  (23,785)
Total revenues  173,144  214,566
Operating costs and expenses:    
Lease operating expense  21,822  19,521
Treating and transportation  24,414  20,677
Taxes, other than income 8,679  10,206
Depreciation, depletion and amortization  100,757  74,775
Impairment of oil and gas properties 798,133  —
Reserve for commercial disputes 9,200  —
General and administrative costs  21,920  19,538
Total operating costs and expenses  984,925  144,717
Operating (loss) income  (811,781)  69,849
Other expense (income):    
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized 22,048  15,290
Interest income (1)  (12)
Other (income) expense, net (185)  151
Total other expense  21,862  15,429
(Loss) income before provision for income taxes (833,643)  54,420
Income tax (benefit) expense  (293,969)  19,177
Net (loss) income  $ (539,674)  $ 35,243
(Loss) earnings per share:    
Basic $ (8.42)  $ 0.57
Diluted $ (8.42)  $ 0.57
Weighted average shares outstanding:    
Basic  64,082  61,380
Diluted  64,082  61,547
 
 
Rosetta Resources Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
     
  Three Months Ended March 31,
  2015 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net (loss) income $ (539,674)  $ 35,243
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:    
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 100,757  74,775
Impairment of oil and gas properties 798,133  —
Deferred income taxes (293,969)  18,604
Amortization of deferred loan fees recorded as interest expense 1,020  984
Stock-based compensation expense 2,950  3,358
Loss due to change in fair value of derivative instruments 14,700  15,848
Change in operating assets and liabilities:    
Accounts receivable 24,599  (7,625)
Prepaid expenses (427)  1,956
Other current assets (714)  (880)
Long-term assets 204  43
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 34,952  3,264
Royalties and other payables (34,170)  5,277
Other long-term liabilities (690)  377
Net cash provided by operating activities 107,671  151,224
Cash flows from investing activities:    
Acquisitions of oil and gas assets  (79,015)
Additions to oil and gas assets (176,078)  (268,836)
Disposals of oil and gas assets  558  8
Net cash used in investing activities  (175,520)  (347,843)
Cash flows from financing activities:    
Borrowings on Credit Facility 110,000  80,000
Payments on Credit Facility (270,000)  (20,000)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 204,415  —
Deferred loan fees (1,548)  —
Proceeds from stock options exercised  61
Purchases of treasury stock (288)  (2,133)
Excess tax benefit from share-based awards  22
Net cash provided by financing activities 42,579  57,950
Net decrease in cash (25,270)  (138,669)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 34,397  193,784
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 9,127  $ 55,115
     
Supplemental disclosures:    
Capital expenditures included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 94,340  $ 206,867
Operating liabilities settled in stock $ 6,419  $ --
 
 
 
 Rosetta Resources Inc.
Summary of Operating Data
(In thousands, except percentages and per unit amounts)
       
  Three Months Ended March 31, 
 

2015


2014
% Change
Increase/
(Decrease)
       
Daily production by area (MBoe/d):      
Eagle Ford  58.4  49.9 17%
Permian  7.3  4.3 70%
Other  --   0.1 (100%)
Total (MBoe/d)  65.7  54.3 21%
       
       
Daily production:      
Oil (MBbls/d)  18.3  16.1 14%
NGLs (MBbls/d)  22.3  18.6 20%
Natural Gas (MMcf/d)  150.9  117.6 28%
Total (MBoe/d)  65.7  54.3 21%
       
       
Average sales prices:      
Oil, excluding derivatives ($/Bbl)  $ 37.91  $ 90.62 (58%)
Oil, including realized derivatives ($/Bbl)  64.89  88.59 (27%)
NGL, excluding derivatives ($/Bbl)  12.92  33.11 (61%)
NGL, including realized derivatives ($/Bbl)  17.23  31.38 (45%)
Natural gas, excluding derivatives ($/Mcf)  2.74  4.86 (44%)
Natural gas, including realized derivatives ($/Mcf)  3.41  4.66 (27%)
Total (excluding realized derivatives) ($/Boe)  $ 21.23  $ 48.78 (56%)
Total (including realized derivatives) ($/Boe)  $ 31.75  $ 47.16 (33%)
       
       
Average costs (per Boe):      
Direct LOE  $ 2.80  $ 3.23 (13%)
Workovers  0.84  0.71 18%
Insurance  0.05  0.06 (17%)
Treating and transportation  4.13  4.23 (2%)
Taxes, other than income  1.47  2.09 (30%)
DD&A  17.03  15.30 11%
G&A, excluding stock-based compensation  3.21  3.31 (3%)
Interest expense  3.73  3.13 19%
 
 
Rosetta Resources Inc.
Derivatives Summary
Status as of April 28, 2015
           
      Notional Daily  Average  Average 
  Settlement Derivative Volume Floor/Fixed Prices Ceiling Prices
Product Period Instrument Bbl per Bbl per Bbl
Crude oil 2015 Costless Collar 7,778  55.00 84.79
Crude oil 2015 Swap 12,000  89.81  
Crude oil 2016 Swap 6,000  90.28  
           
           
      Notional Daily     
  Settlement Derivative Volume Fixed Prices  
Product Period Instrument Bbl per Bbl  
NGLs 2015 Swap 7,000  31.90  
           
           
      Notional Daily  Average  Average 
  Settlement Derivative Volume Floor/Fixed Prices Ceiling Prices
Product Period Instrument MMBtu per MMBtu per MMBtu
Natural gas 2015 Costless Collar 50,000  3.60  5.04
Natural gas 2016 Costless Collar 40,000  3.50  5.58
           
Natural gas 2015 Swap 50,000  4.13  
Natural gas 2016 Swap 30,000  4.04  
           

 Rosetta Resources Inc.
Non-GAAP Reconciliation Disclosure - Adjusted Net Income
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

The following table reconciles net income (GAAP) to adjusted net income (non-GAAP) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. Adjusted net income eliminates the unrealized derivative activity from our results for all periods, the impact of ceiling test asset impairments for the three-months ended March 31, 2015, the transaction and financing costs associated with the Company's Permian Acquisition for the period indicated below, and the reserve for commercial dispute for the period indicated below, along with the related tax effect for all periods. The Company uses this information to analyze operating trends and for comparative purposes within the industry. This measure is not intended to replace net income (GAAP) but rather to provide additional information that may be helpful in evaluating the Company's operational trends and performance. Our method of computing adjusted net income may not be the same method used to compute similar measures reported by other entities.

  Three Months Ended March 31,
  2015 2014
Net (loss) income (GAAP) $ (539,674) $ 35,243
Unrealized derivative loss 14,700 15,848
Impairment of oil and gas properties 798,133 --
Reserve for commercial dispute 9,200 --
Permian Acquisition - transaction and financing costs -- 310
Tax benefit (expense) (291,000) (5,814)
Adjusted net income (Non-GAAP) $ (8,641) $ 45,587
     
     
     
Net income per share (GAAP)    
Basic $ (8.42) $ 0.57
Diluted (8.42) 0.57
     
Adjusted net income per share (Non-GAAP)    
Basic $ (0.13) $ 0.74
Diluted (0.13) 0.74
     

Rosetta Resources Inc.
Non-GAAP Reconciliation Disclosure – Adjusted EBITDA 
(In thousands)

The following table reconciles net income (GAAP) to adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) for the three-months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest expense, income taxes and depreciation, depletion and amortization expense and other similar non-cash or non-recurring charges. Adjusted EBITDA is a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure that is used by management and external users of the Company's consolidated financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of net income or cash flows as determined by GAAP. This measure is not intended to replace operating income (GAAP) but rather to provide additional information that may be helpful in evaluating the Company's operational trends and performance. Our method of computing adjusted EBITDA may not be the same method used to compute similar measures reported by other entities.

  Three Months Ended March 31, 
  2015 2014
Net (loss) income (GAAP) $ (539,674)  $ 35,243
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized  22,048  15,290
Income tax (benefit) expense   (293,969)  19,177
Other (income) expense, net  (185)  151
Depreciation, depletion and amortization  100,757  74,775
Impairment of oil and gas properties  798,133  --
EBITDA (Non-GAAP)  $ 87,110  $ 144,636
Unrealized derivative loss   14,700  15,848
Stock-based compensation expense  2,950  3,358
Interest income  (1)  (12)
Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)  $ 104,759  $ 163,830
     
     
     
  Three Months Ended March 31, 
  2015 2014
Cash flows from operating activities (GAAP) $ 107,671  $ 151,224
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized 22,048  15,290
Amortization of deferred loan fees recorded as interest expense (1,020)  (984)
Current income tax expense --   573
Change in operating assets and liabilities (23,754)  (2,412)
Other cash adjustments (186)  139
Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) $ 104,759  $ 163,830
 
 
Rosetta Resources Inc.
Summary of Guidance
               
               
       
  2015 Second Quarter   2015 Full-Year
               
MBoe/d              
Average Daily Production  57 - 60   58 - 62
               
$/Boe              
Direct Lease Operating Expense $ 3.20 -  $ 3.30   $ 3.25 -  $ 3.50
Workover Expenses  1.10 -  1.15   0.90 -  1.00
Insurance  0.06 -  0.06    0.05 -  0.05
Treating and Transportation  4.20 -  4.40    4.25 -  4.65
Taxes, other than income  1.50 -  1.55    1.55 -  1.70
DD&A  14.50 -  15.00    *15.00 -  *15.50
G&A, excluding Stock-Based Compensation  3.45 -  3.55    3.60 -  3.90
Interest Expense  3.85 -  4.00    4.20 -  4.55
               
$ Millions              
Capital Expenditures, excluding acquisitions  Approximately $55     Approximately $350 
               
*The Company expects to record additional impairments during 2015 as a result of the depressed commodity price environment. Due to uncertainty in the timing and amount of these impairments, the Company anticipates favorable changes to the full-year 2015 DD&A expense guidance range provided.

            

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