crk-8k_20180331.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 10, 2018

 

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))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

 


 

Item 2.02

Results of Operations and Financial Condition

 

On May 10, 2018, Comstock Resources, Inc. ("Comstock") announced financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2018.  A copy of the press release announcing Comstock's earnings and operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2018 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.

 

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, as amended (the "Exchange Act") or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

Exhibit 99.1

Press Release dated May 10, 2018

 

 

 

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, hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated: May 10, 2018

By:

/s/ ROLAND O. BURNS

 

 

Roland O. Burns

 

 

President and Chief Financial Officer

 

crk-ex991_6.htm

Exhibit 99.1

5300 Town and Country Blvd., Suite 500

Frisco, Texas 75034

Telephone: (972) 668-8834

Contact: Gary H. Guyton

Director of Planning and Investor Relations

Web Site:  www.comstockresources.com

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

For Immediate Release

 

COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2018

FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESULTS

FRISCO, TEXAS, May 10, 2018 – Comstock Resources, Inc. ("Comstock" or the "Company") (NYSE: CRK) today reported financial and operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2018.  

 

Financial Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018

Comstock produced 22 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 190,000 barrels of oil or 22.8 billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent ("Bcfe") in the first quarter of 2018.  Natural gas production averaged 241 million cubic feet ("MMcf") per day, an increase of 55% over natural gas production in the first quarter of 2017.  The growth in natural gas production is attributable to the continuing successful results from Comstock’s Haynesville shale drilling program.  Oil production in the first quarter of 2018, which averaged 2,110 barrels of oil per day, declined by 28% from the 2,940 barrels per day produced in the first quarter of 2017.  The decrease in oil production is the result of the lack of drilling in the Company's South Texas Eagle Ford shale producing properties, which previously announced sale was completed on April 27, 2018.

Comstock's average realized natural gas price, including hedging gains, decreased 5% to $2.82 per Mcf in the first quarter of 2018 as compared to $2.96 per Mcf realized in the first quarter of 2017.  The Company's average realized oil price increased by 41% to $68.71 per barrel in the first quarter of 2018 as compared to $48.60 per barrel in the first quarter of 2017.  The higher natural gas production and higher oil prices resulted in oil and gas sales increasing by 36% to $74.0 million (including realized hedging gains) in the first quarter of 2018 as compared to 2017's first quarter sales of $54.3 million.  EBITDAX, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, exploration expense and other noncash expenses, was $53.7 million in the first quarter of 2018, or 57% higher than EBITDAX of $34.2 million generated in the first quarter of 2017.  Operating cash flow generated in the first quarter of 2018 increased 125% to $35.7 million as compared to $15.9 million in the first quarter of 2017.

Comstock reported a net loss of $41.9 million or $2.78 per share for the first quarter of 2018 as compared to a net loss of $22.9 million or $1.61 per share for the first quarter of 2017.  The first quarter of 2018 results included a loss on sale of oil and gas properties of $28.6 million, an unrealized gain from derivative financial instruments of $1.2 million, and $11.0 million of non-cash interest expense associated with the discounts recognized and costs incurred on the debt exchange that occurred in 2016.  Financial results for the first quarter of 2017 included an unrealized gain from derivative financial instruments of $7.4 million, and $5.4 million of non-cash interest expense associated with the discounts recognized and costs incurred on the debt exchange that occurred in 2016.  Excluding these items from


each year's results, the net loss for the first quarter of 2018 would have been $3.5 million or $0.23 per share as compared to a net loss of $24.9 million or $1.75 per share in the first quarter of 2017.

2018 First Quarter Drilling Results

Comstock reported the results to date of its 2018 drilling program.  During the first three months of 2018, Comstock spent $46.5 million on its development and exploration activities and drilled seven horizontal natural gas wells (2.0 net) and had eight wells (1.6 net) drilling at March 31, 2018.  Comstock also completed nine (3.5 net) operated wells that were drilled in 2017.  Since the last operational update, Comstock has completed six operated Haynesville shale wells.  The average initial production rate of these wells was 27 MMcf per day.  The six operated wells had completed lateral lengths ranging from 8,599 feet to 9,474 feet and each well was tested at initial production rates of 27 to 28 MMcf per day.  Comstock has four (1.0 net) operated Haynesville shale wells that are in the process of being completed.  The Company also reported on two successful Bossier wells which were drilled in Sabine Parish, Louisiana.  These wells had initial production rates of 17 and 20 MMcf per day.  An additional Bossier shale well has been completed and is currently flowing to sales.

In order to protect the returns that the Haynesville shale drilling program can generate, the Company has hedged, in the aggregate, 59 MMcf per day of its natural gas production in the last nine months of 2018 at a NYMEX equivalent of $3.00 per Mcf.  

Other

Comstock has planned a conference call for 10:00 a.m. Central Time on May 10, 2018, to discuss the operational and financial results for the first quarter of 2018.  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 1182009 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 10, 2018 and will continue until 1:00 p.m. May 17, 2018.  To hear the replay, call 855-859-2056 (404-537-3406 if calling from outside the US).  The conference call access code is 1182009.

 

 

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 and is engaged in oil and gas acquisitions, exploration and development primarily in Texas and Louisiana.  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)

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas sales

 

$

59,543

 

 

$

40,940

 

Oil sales

 

 

13,050

 

 

 

12,861

 

Total oil and gas sales

 

 

72,593

 

 

 

53,801

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production taxes

 

 

1,840

 

 

 

1,097

 

Gathering and transportation

 

 

4,334

 

 

 

4,128

 

Lease operating

 

 

9,773

 

 

 

9,889

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

27,152

 

 

 

29,905

 

General and administrative

 

 

6,016

 

 

 

6,401

 

Loss on sale of oil and gas properties

 

 

28,600

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

77,715

 

 

 

51,420

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

(5,122

)

 

 

2,381

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expenses):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain from derivative financial instruments

 

 

2,602

 

 

 

7,860

 

Other income

 

 

66

 

 

 

163

 

Interest expense

 

 

(38,850

)(1)

 

(32,900

)(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total other income (expenses)

 

 

(36,182

)

 

 

(24,877

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

 

 

(41,304

)

 

 

(22,496

)

Provision for income taxes

 

 

(582

)

 

 

(435

)

Net Loss

 

$

(41,886

)

 

$

(22,931

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per share – basic and diluted

 

$

(2.78

)

 

$

(1.61

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted

 

 

15,084

 

 

 

14,225

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes $11.0 million and $5.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, related to the amortization of discounts and costs recorded in connection with the debt exchange completed on September 6, 2016 and $9.8 million and $9.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, respectively, of interest paid in-kind related to the Company's convertible notes.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
OPERATING RESULTS

(In thousands)

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING CASH FLOW:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(41,886

)

 

$

(22,931

)

Reconciling items:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

572

 

 

 

359

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

27,152

 

 

 

29,905

 

Unrealized gain from derivative financial instruments

 

 

(1,198

)

 

 

(7,355

)

Amortization of debt discount, premium and issuance costs

 

 

11,056

 

 

 

5,435

 

Interest paid in-kind

 

 

9,845

 

 

 

9,240

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

1,601

 

 

 

1,265

 

Loss on sale of oil and gas properties

 

 

28,600

 

 

 

 

Operating cash flow

 

 

35,742

 

 

 

15,918

 

(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable

 

 

1,455

 

 

 

(2,048

)

Decrease in other current assets

 

 

472

 

 

 

362

 

Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

 

(16,113

)

 

 

(11,025

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

21,556

 

 

$

3,207

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDAX:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(41,886

)

 

$

(22,931

)

Interest expense

 

 

38,850

 

 

 

32,900

 

Income taxes

 

 

582

 

 

 

435

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

27,152

 

 

 

29,905

 

Unrealized gain from derivative financial instruments

 

 

(1,198

)

 

 

(7,355

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

1,601

 

 

 

1,265

 

Loss on sale of oil and gas properties

 

 

28,600

 

 

 

 

Total EBITDAX

 

$

53,701

 

 

$

34,219

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

March 31,

2018

 

 

December 31, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance Sheet Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

50,988

 

 

$

61,255

 

Assets held for sale

 

 

115,260

 

 

 

198,615

 

Other current assets

 

 

42,480

 

 

 

42,635

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

682,131

 

 

 

607,929

 

Other

 

 

19,635

 

 

 

19,985

 

Total assets

 

$

910,494

 

 

$

930,419

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

$

167,686

 

 

$

168,489

 

Long-term debt

 

 

1,131,394

 

 

 

1,110,529

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

10,847

 

 

 

10,266

 

Asset retirement obligation

 

 

10,489

 

 

 

10,407

 

Stockholders' deficit

 

 

(409,922

)

 

 

(369,272

)

Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit

 

$

910,494

 

 

$

930,419

 



 

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

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018

 

 

 

East Texas/ North

Louisiana

 

 

South Texas

 

 

Other

 

 

Total

 

Gas production (MMcf)

 

 

21,058

 

 

 

282

 

 

 

306

 

 

 

21,646

 

Oil production (Mbbls)

 

 

11

 

 

 

173

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

190

 

Total production (MMcfe)

 

 

21,122

 

 

 

1,323

 

 

 

341

 

 

 

22,786

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas sales

 

$

57,477

 

 

$

1,191

 

 

$

875

 

 

$

59,543

 

Natural gas hedging settlements(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,404

 

Total natural gas including hedging

 

 

57,477

 

 

 

1,191

 

 

 

875

 

 

 

60,947

 

Oil sales

 

 

646

 

 

 

12,021

 

 

 

383

 

 

 

13,050

 

Total oil and gas sales including hedging

 

$

58,123

 

 

$

13,212

 

 

$

1,258

 

 

$

73,997

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average gas price (per Mcf)

 

$

2.73

 

 

$

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)

 

$

2.75

 

 

$

9.99

 

 

$

3.69

 

 

$

3.19

 

Average price including hedging
(per Mcfe)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

3.25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production taxes

 

$

1,129

 

 

$

630

 

 

$

81

 

 

$

1,840

 

Gathering and transportation

 

$

3,915

 

 

$

344

 

 

$

75

 

 

$

4,334

 

Lease operating

 

$

6,148

 

 

$

3,417

 

 

$

208

 

 

$

9,773

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production taxes (per Mcfe)

 

$

0.05

 

 

$

0.48

 

 

$

0.24

 

 

$

0.08

 

Gathering and transportation (per Mcfe)

 

$

0.19

 

 

$

0.26

 

 

$

0.22

 

 

$

0.19

 

Lease operating (per Mcfe)

 

$

0.29

 

 

$

2.58

 

 

$

0.61

 

 

$

0.43

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and Gas Capital Expenditures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Development leasehold

 

$

1,153

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,153

 

Development drilling

 

 

38,539

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

38,539

 

Other development

 

 

6,327

 

 

 

240

 

 

 

253

 

 

 

6,820

 

Total

 

$

46,019

 

 

$

240

 

$

253

 

 

$

46,512

 

 

 

 

(1)Included in gain from derivative financial instruments in operating results.

 

 



 

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

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

 

 

 

East Texas/ North

Louisiana

 

 

South Texas

 

 

Other

 

 

Total

 

Gas production (MMcf)

 

 

13,438

 

 

 

368

 

 

 

193

 

 

 

13,999

 

Oil production (Mbbls)

 

 

16

 

 

 

244

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

265

 

Total production (MMcfe)

 

 

13,534

 

 

 

1,830

 

 

 

223

 

 

 

15,587

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas sales

 

$

38,955

 

 

$

1,460

 

 

$

525

 

 

$

40,940

 

Natural gas hedging settlements(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

505

 

Total natural gas including hedging

 

 

38,955

 

 

 

1,460

 

 

 

525

 

 

 

41,445

 

Oil sales

 

 

768

 

 

 

11,841

 

 

 

252

 

 

 

12,861

 

Total oil and gas sales including hedging

 

$

39,723

 

 

$

13,301

 

 

$

777

 

 

$

54,306

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average gas price (per Mcf)

 

$

2.90

 

 

$

3.97

 

 

$

2.72

 

 

$

2.92

 

Average gas price including hedging
(per Mcf)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2.96

 

Average oil price (per barrel)

 

$

48.27

 

 

$

48.62

 

 

$

48.85

 

 

$

48.60

 

Average price (per Mcfe)

 

$

2.94

 

 

$

7.27

 

 

$

3.48

 

 

$

3.45

 

Average price including hedging
(per Mcfe)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

3.48

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production taxes

 

$

422

 

 

$

623

 

 

$

52

 

 

$

1,097

 

Gathering and transportation

 

$

3,618

 

 

$

473

 

 

$

37

 

 

$

4,128

 

Lease operating

 

$

5,443

 

 

$

4,037

 

 

$

409

 

 

$

9,889

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production taxes (per Mcfe)

 

$

0.03

 

 

$

0.34

 

 

$

0.23

 

 

$

0.07

 

Gathering and transportation (per Mcfe)

 

$

0.27

 

 

$

0.26

 

 

$

0.17

 

 

$

0.26

 

Lease operating (per Mcfe)

 

$

0.40

 

 

$

2.20

 

 

$

1.83

 

 

$

0.64

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and Gas Capital Expenditures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Development leasehold

 

$

232

 

 

$

503

 

 

$

 

 

$

735

 

Development drilling

 

 

35,225

 

 

 

455

 

 

 

 

 

 

35,680

 

Other development

 

 

1,368

 

 

 

510

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,878

 

Total

 

$

36,825

 

 

$

1,468

 

$

 

 

$

38,293

 

 

 

 

(1)Included in gain from derivative financial instruments in operating results.