form8kcrkmay52008.htm
 
 
 


 
 
 
 

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 8-K


CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):  May 5, 2008

COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)


STATE OF NEVADA
001-03262
94-1667468
(State or other
jurisdiction incorporation)
 
(Commission File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

5300 Town And Country Boulevard
Suite 500
Frisco, Texas 75034
(Address of principal executive offices)

(972) 668-8800
(Registrant's Telephone No.)

 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
 
¨
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 


 
 
 
 
Item 2.02.    Results of Operations and Financial Condition

The information in this Form 8-K and the Exhibit attached hereto shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

On May 5, 2008, Comstock Resources, Inc. ("Comstock") announced financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2008.  A copy of the press release announcing Comstock's earnings and operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and other matters is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

The earnings press release contains financial measures that are not in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP").  Comstock has provided reconciliations within the earnings release of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.  Operating cash flow is presented in the earnings release because management believes it to be useful to investors as a common alternative measure of cash flows.  EBITDAX is presented in the earnings release because management believes that EBITDAX, which represents Comstock's results from operations before interest, income taxes, and certain non-cash items, including depreciation, depletion and amortization and exploration expense, is a common alternative measure of operating performance used by certain investors and financial analysts.  The non-GAAP financial measures described above should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP that are presented in the earnings release.

Item 9.01.    Financial Statements and Exhibits

Exhibit 99.1
Press Release dated May 5, 2008.
 

 
SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

   
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
     
     
Dated:  May 5, 2008
By:
/s/ M. JAY ALLISON
   
M. Jay Allison
   
President and Chief Executive Officer




exhibit99pnt1.htm
 
Exhibit 99.1
 
 
 
5300 Town and Country Blvd., Suite 500
comstock resources, inc. logo
Frisco, Texas 75034
Telephone: (972) 668-8800
Contact: Roland O. Burns
Sr. Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
Web Site: www.comstockresources.com

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
 
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. REPORTS
FIRST QUARTER 2008 FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESULTS

FRISCO, TEXAS, May 5, 2008Comstock Resources, Inc. ("Comstock" or the "Company") (NYSE: CRK) today reported financial and operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2008.
 
First Quarter 2008 Financial Results
 
Comstock reported net income of $41.1 million or 91¢ per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2008 as compared to 2007's first quarter net income of $12.6 million or 28¢ per diluted share.
 
The outstanding first quarter financial results reflect strong market prices for oil and natural gas and the Company's production growth from acquisitions, onshore development drilling and offshore exploration activities.  Comstock's production in the first quarter of 2008 increased 25% to 25.1 billion cubic feet equivalent of natural gas ("Bcfe") as compared to production of 20.0 Bcfe in the first quarter of 2007.  Onshore production has increased 44% and offshore production was up 6% from the first quarter of 2007.  The first quarter average daily production rate of 275 million cubic feet of natural gas equivalent ("Mmcfe") also has increased 11% from the fourth quarter production rate of 249 Mmcfe per day.  The Company's realized natural gas price averaged $8.46 per Mcf in 2008's first quarter, 23% higher than the $6.89 per Mcf in 2007's first quarter and $1.17 per Mcfe above the natural gas price realized in the fourth quarter of 2007.  Realized oil prices in the first quarter of 2008 averaged $93.93 per barrel, 73% higher than the $54.15 per barrel for 2007 and $7.92 per barrel above the oil price realized in the fourth quarter of 2007.  Driven by the 25% increase in production and the much stronger oil and natural gas prices, first quarter 2008's oil and gas sales of $241.0 million increased 65% from 2007's first quarter sales of $146.0 million.  Operating cash flow (before changes in working capital accounts) generated by Comstock in 2008's first quarter of $170.5 million was 70% higher than 2007's first quarter cash flow of $100.5 million.  EBITDAX or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, exploration expense and other noncash expenses was $199.5 million in 2008's first quarter, a 75% increase from 2007's first quarter EBITDAX of $114.0 million.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 

 
First Quarter 2008 Drilling Results
 
Comstock announced the results to date of its 2008 drilling program.  In the first three months of 2008 Comstock drilled 36 wells (23.2 net).  Thirty-five of the wells drilled were successful and one was a dry hole.
 
Onshore, Comstock drilled 31 (19.6 net) successful development wells in the first quarter of 2008.  Comstock drilled 26 successful wells (16.3 net) in its East Texas/North Louisiana region which have been tested at an average per well initial production rate of 2.1 Mmcfe per day.  At March 31, 2008 Comstock had four additional wells in this region that were being drilled which are part of Comstock's 84 well drilling program planned in this region for 2008.  In South Texas, Comstock drilled four successful wells (3.5 net) and had one exploratory dry hole (0.5 net) during the first quarter of 2008.  The successful wells were tested at an average per well initial production rate of 3.9 Mmcfe per day.  Three of the wells were in the Javelina field and the other was a successful exploratory well.  Comstock also drilled two successful wells (0.3 net) in the San Juan Basin in New Mexico during the first quarter.
 
Comstock also announced that it plans to increase its 2008 budget for its onshore drilling program to $322 million from the $278 million previously announced.  The increase is primarily attributable to increased spending in its East Texas/North Louisiana region on acreage acquisitions and drilling related to the Company's Haynesville shale program.  The Company estimates that it has 65,500 (50,400 net)  acres that are prospective for Haynesville shale development.  The onshore drilling program now includes 105 (70.2 net) development wells and 12 (7.7) exploratory wells.  Capital spending in the Company's East Texas/North Louisiana operating region is forecasted to be $200 million, which includes 84 total wells (57.6 net), nine of which will be horizontal wells.  Comstock also expects to spend $115 million in its South Texas operating region, including 28 wells (19.5 net).  The remaining $7 million will be spent on Comstock's other onshore regions.
 
Comstock's offshore operations are conducted by its 49% owned subsidiary, Bois d'Arc Energy, Inc. (NYSE: BDE).  Bois d'Arc has drilled three successful wells (2.6 net) so far in 2008.  The OCS-G 24922 #1 at Ship Shoal block 97 was drilled to a depth of 12,983 feet and encountered 71 net feet of pay in two high quality sands.  This well was put on production in February at a rate of 10.3 MMcfe per day.  Bois d'Arc has a 78% working interest in this well.  The OCS-G 24926 #1 was drilled to test the "Perch" prospect at Ship Shoal block 120.  This well was drilled to a depth of 5,000 feet and encountered 94 feet of pay in eight commercial sands.  First production for the well is expected in the second quarter.  Bois d'Arc has a 100% working interest in this well.  Bois d'Arc also drilled the OCS-G 24977 #1 at South Pelto block 21 to test the "Chinook" prospect.  This exploratory well was drilled to a depth of 18,250 feet and encountered 38 feet of pay in the objective sand.  First production for the well is expected July 1, 2008.  Bois d'Arc has a 79% working interest in this well.  Bois d'Arc is currently drilling a 16,500 foot exploratory well to test its "Kelsie" prospect at Ship Shoal block 95.  Bois d'Arc has a 100% working interest in this well.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Proposed Sale of Bois d'Arc Energy

As previously announced, on April 30, 2008 Bois d'Arc Energy entered into a definitive merger agreement with Stone Energy Corporation ("Stone") (NYSE: SGY) pursuant to which Stone will acquire Bois d'Arc.  Under the terms of the merger agreement, Bois d'Arc shareholders, including Comstock, will receive $13.65 in cash and 0.165 shares of Stone common stock for each share of Bois d'Arc.  Comstock will receive $440 million in cash and 5,317,069 shares of the common stock of Stone for its stake in Bois d'Arc.  Completion of the transaction is subject to approval by the Bois d'Arc and Stone stockholders, regulatory approvals, and other customary conditions.  Concurrent with the execution of the merger agreement, Comstock entered into a stockholder agreement in which it has agreed to vote in favor of the merger.

Property Divestiture

Comstock also announced today that it has accepted offers whereby it intends to sell certain properties in East and South Texas for $122.0 million.  The properties include Comstock's interests in the J.C. Martin, AWP and East Seven Sisters fields in South Texas and the Gilmer field in East Texas.  Comstock owns net profit interests in these fields which are operated by other parties.  The sales are expected to close in June 2008 with an effective date of April 1, 2008.  The estimated proved reserves attributable to the properties being sold are 44.3 Bcfe.  Production in the first quarter of 2008 attributable to Comstock's interest in these properties was 8.5 MMcfe per day. Comstock expects to realize an after tax gain of $16.6 million on these sales.  Scotia Waterous (USA) Inc. acted as financial advisor to Comstock with respect to these sales.

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 a growing independent energy company based in Frisco, Texas and is engaged in oil and gas acquisitions, exploration and development primarily in Texas, Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico.  The Company's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CRK.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 

 
 
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED OPERATING RESULTS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)


   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Oil and gas sales
 
$
240,987
   
$
146,029
 
Operating expenses:
               
Oil and gas operating
   
36,640
     
27,083
 
Exploration
   
8,655
     
11,133
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
   
70,562
     
56,707
 
General and administrative
   
9,339
     
9,702
 
Loss on disposal of assets
   
240
     
 
                 
Total operating expenses
   
125,436
     
104,625
 
                 
                 
Income from operations
   
115,551
     
41,404
 
Other income (expenses):
               
Interest income
   
244
     
296
 
Other income
   
157
     
130
 
Interest expense
   
(11,314
)
   
(8,449
)
                 
Total other income (expenses)
   
(10,913
)
   
(8,023
)
                 
Income before income taxes and minority interest
   
104,638
     
33,381
 
Provision for income taxes
   
(44,073
)
   
(14,824
)
Minority interest in earnings of Bois d'Arc Energy
   
(19,470
)
   
(5,999
)
                 
Net income
 
$
41,095
   
$
12,558
 
                 
                 
Net income per share:
               
Basic
 
$
0.93
   
$
0.29
 
Diluted
 
$
0.91
   
$
0.28
 
                 
Weighted average common and common stock
   equivalent shares outstanding:
               
Basic
   
44,179
     
43,364
 
Diluted
   
44,994
     
44,238
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 






 
 

 
 
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED OPERATING RESULTS
(In thousands)


   
Three Months Ended March 31,
   
   
2008
   
2007
   
Cash flow from operations:
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
128,181
   
$
78,746
   
Excess tax benefit from stock based compensation
   
670
     
166
   
Increase in accounts receivable                                                                                        
   
22,112
     
4,874
   
Decrease in other current assets                                                                                        
   
1,392
     
1,237
   
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses
   
18,124
     
15,521
   
Cash flow from operations                                                                                   
 
$
170,479
   
$
100,544
   
                   
EBITDAX:
                 
Net income                                                                                        
 
$
41,095
   
$
12,558
   
Interest expense                                                                                        
   
11,314
     
8,449
   
Income tax expense                                                                                        
   
44,073
     
14,824
   
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
   
70,562
     
56,707
   
Loss on disposal of assets                                                                                        
   
240
     
   
Minority interest in earnings of Bois d'Arc Energy
   
19,470
     
5,999
   
Stock-based compensation                                                                                        
   
4,052
     
4,312
   
Exploration expense                                                                                        
   
8,655
     
11,133
   
EBITDAX                                                                                   
 
$
199,461
   
$
113,982
   
                   




   
As of March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
     
Balance Sheet Data:
               
Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                        
 
$
15,520
   
$
12,003
 
Other current assets                                                                                        
   
125,609
     
90,974
 
Property and equipment, net                                                                                        
   
2,271,982
     
1,857,521
 
Other                                                                                        
   
6,505
     
5,361
 
Total assets                                                                                   
 
$
2,419,616
   
$
1,965,859
 
                 
Current liabilities
 
$
129,804
   
$
147,153
 
Long-term debt
   
736,000
     
511,000
 
Deferred income taxes
   
400,964
     
323,507
 
Other long-term liabilities
   
57,968
     
58,113
 
Minority interest in Bois d'Arc Energy
   
287,819
     
228,006
 
Stockholders' equity
   
807,061
     
698,080
 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
2,419,616
   
$
1,965,859
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 

 
 
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED OPERATING RESULTS
($ In thousands, except per unit amounts)


For the Three Months ended March 31, 2008
               
   
Onshore(1)
 
Bois d'Arc Energy
 
Total
 
Oil production (thousand barrels)
   
243
   
427
   
670
 
Gas production (million cubic feet – Mmcf)
   
13,130
   
7,927
   
21,057
 
Total production (Mmcfe)
   
14,586
   
10,486
   
25,072
 
                     
Oil sales
 
$
19,772
 
$
43,091
 
$
62,863
 
Gas sales
   
108,193
   
70,175
   
178,368
 
Realized hedging losses
   
(244
)
 
   
(244
)
Total gas sales
   
107,949
   
70,175
   
178,124
 
Total oil and gas sales
 
$
127,721
 
$
113,266
 
$
240,987
 
                     
Average oil price (per barrel)
 
$
81.49
 
$
101.01
 
$
93.93
 
Average gas price excluding realized hedging losses (per
thousand cubic feet – Mcf)
 
$
8.24
 
$
8.85
 
$
8.47
 
Average gas price including hedging losses (per thousand cubic feet – Mcf)
 
$
8.22
 
$
8.85
 
$
8.46
 
Average price excluding hedging losses (per Mcf equivalent)
 
$
8.77
 
$
10.80
 
$
9.62
 
Average price including hedging losses (per Mcf equivalent)
 
$
8.76
 
$
10.80
 
$
9.61
 
Lifting cost
 
$
21,202
 
$
15,438
 
$
36,640
 
Lifting cost (per Mcf equivalent)
 
$
1.45
 
$
1.47
 
$
1.46
 
                     
Oil and gas capital expenditures
 
$
62,041
 
$
58,315
 
$
120,356
 
                     
(1)           Includes the onshore results of operations of Comstock Resources, Inc.


For the Three Months ended March 31, 2007
               
   
Onshore(1)
 
Bois d'Arc Energy
 
Total
 
Oil production (thousand barrels)
   
251
   
368
   
619
 
Gas production (million cubic feet – Mmcf)
   
8,635
   
7,701
   
16,336
 
Total production (Mmcfe)
   
10,140
   
9,909
   
20,049
 
                     
Oil sales
 
$
12,054
 
$
21,468
 
$
33,522
 
Gas sales
   
57,793
   
54,714
   
112,507
 
Total oil and gas sales
 
$
69,847
 
$
76,182
 
$
146,029
 
                     
Average oil price (per barrel)
 
$
48.03
 
$
58.33
 
$
54.15
 
Average gas price (per thousand cubic feet – Mcf)
 
$
6.69
 
$
7.10
 
$
6.89
 
Average price (per Mcf equivalent)
 
$
6.89
 
$
7.69
 
$
7.28
 
Lifting cost
 
$
14,055
 
$
13,028
 
$
27,083
 
Lifting cost (per Mcf equivalent)
 
$
1.39
 
$
1.31
 
$
1.35
 
                     
Oil and gas capital expenditures
 
$
84,251
 
$
62,753
 
$
147,004
 
                     
(1)           Includes the onshore results of operations of Comstock Resources, Inc.

 
 

 
 
 

 
 
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
REGIONAL OPERATING RESULTS
($ In thousands, except per unit amounts)

For the Three Months ended March 31, 2008

   
East Texas/
North Louisiana
   
South
Texas
   
Other
   
Total
Onshore
 
Oil production (thousand barrels)
   
47
     
46
     
150
     
243
 
Gas production (million cubic feet – Mmcf)
   
6,727
     
5,630
     
773
     
13,130
 
Total production (Mmcfe)
   
7,008
     
5,907
     
1,671
     
14,586
 
                                 
Oil sales
 
$
4,424
   
$
4,520
   
$
10,828
   
$
19,772
 
Gas sales
   
55,731
     
46,135
     
6,327
     
108,193
 
Realized hedging losses
   
     
(244
)
   
     
(244
)
Total gas sales
   
55,731
     
45,891
     
6,327
     
107,949
 
Total oil and gas sales
 
$
60,155
   
$
50,411
   
$
17,155
   
$
127,721
 
                                 
Average oil price (per barrel)
 
$
94.13
   
$
98.26
   
$
72.19
   
$
81.49
 
Average gas price excluding hedging losses (per
   thousand cubic feet – Mcf)
 
$
8.28
   
$
8.19
   
$
8.18
   
$
8.24
 
Average gas price including hedging losses (per Mcf)
 
$
8.28
   
$
8.15
   
$
8.18
   
$
8.22
 
Average price excluding hedging losses (per Mcf equivalent)
 
$
8.58
   
$
8.58
   
$
10.27
   
$
8.77
 
Average price including hedging losses (per Mcf equivalent)
 
$
8.58
   
$
8.53
   
$
10.27
   
$
8.76
 
Lifting cost
 
$
8,769
   
$
7,056
   
$
5,377
   
$
21,202
 
Lifting cost (per Mcf equivalent)
 
$
1.25
   
$
1.19
   
$
3.22
   
$
1.45
 
                                 
Oil and Gas Capital Expenditures:
                               
Leasehold costs
 
$
2,861
   
$
1,124
   
$
49
   
$
4,034
 
Exploratory drilling
   
     
2,356
     
123
     
2,479
 
Development drilling
   
39,373
     
11,403
     
1,389
     
52,165
 
Other development
   
930
     
717
     
1,716
     
3,363
 
Total
 
$
43,164
   
$
15,600
   
$
3,277
   
$
62,041
 
                                 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 

 
 
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
REGIONAL OPERATING RESULTS
($ In thousands, except per unit amounts)

For the Three Months ended March 31, 2007

   
East Texas/
North Louisiana
   
South
Texas
   
Other
   
Total
Onshore
 
Oil production (thousand barrels)
   
46
     
53
     
152
     
251
 
Gas production (million cubic feet – Mmcf)
   
5,381
     
2,577
     
677
     
8,635
 
Total production (Mmcfe)
   
5,657
     
2,896
     
1,587
     
10,140
 
                                 
Oil sales
 
$
2,492
   
$
2,958
   
$
6,604
   
$
12,054
 
Gas sales
   
35,501
     
18,101
     
4,191
     
57,793
 
Total oil and gas sales
 
$
37,993
   
$
21,059
   
$
10,795
   
$
69,847
 
                                 
Average oil price (per barrel)
 
$
54.17
   
$
55.81
   
$
43.45
   
$
48.03
 
Average gas price (per thousand cubic feet – Mcf)
 
$
6.60
   
$
7.02
   
$
6.19
   
$
6.69
 
Average gas price (per thousand cubic feet –
 Mcf equivalent)
 
$
6.72
   
$
7.27
   
$
6.80
   
$
6.89
 
Lifting cost
 
$
6,684
   
$
3,322
   
$
4,049
   
$
14,055
 
Lifting cost (per Mcf equivalent)
 
$
1.18
   
$
1.15
   
$
2.55
   
$
1.39
 
                                 
Oil and Gas Capital Expenditures:
                               
Leasehold costs                                                         
 
$
398
   
$
816
   
$
2,400
   
$
3,614
 
Exploratory drilling                                                         
   
     
2,255
     
442
     
2,697
 
Development drilling
   
54,707
     
11,677
     
10,009
     
76,393
 
Other development                                                         
   
242
     
483
     
822
     
1,547
 
Total                                                     
 
$
55,347
   
$
15,231
   
$
13,673
   
$
84,251