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
|
(Commission File Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer |
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 |
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.
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COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. |
|
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|
|
|
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Dated: May 10, 2018 |
By: |
/s/ ROLAND O. BURNS |
|
|
Roland O. Burns |
|
|
President and Chief Financial Officer |
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)
|
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Three Months Ended March 31, |
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2018 |
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2017 |
|
||
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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Revenues: |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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Natural gas sales |
|
$ |
59,543 |
|
|
$ |
40,940 |
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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 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Net loss per share – basic and diluted |
|
$ |
(2.78 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.61 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted |
|
|
15,084 |
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|
|
14,225 |
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(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. |
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COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
OPERATING RESULTS
(In thousands)
|
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Three Months Ended March 31, |
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2018 |
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2017 |
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OPERATING CASH FLOW: |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Net loss |
|
$ |
(41,886 |
) |
|
$ |
(22,931 |
) |
|
Reconciling items: |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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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: |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 |
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||
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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 |
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|
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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 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
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 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
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 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
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 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
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.