Category: Oil & Gas

Earthstone Energy, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2016 Results

THE WOODLANDS, TX /  November 8, 2016 / Earthstone Energy, Inc. (NYSE MKT: ESTE) ("Earthstone", the "Company", "we" or "us"), today announced financial and operating results for the three month period ended September 30, 2016.
 
Third Quarter 2016 Summary
Average daily production of 3,979 Boepd
Total revenue of $11.1 million, which includes the effects of realized hedges
Net loss of $3.9 million
Adjusted EBITDAX(1) of $2.8 million 
(1) See "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section below.
Operations Update – Eagle Ford
During the third quarter of 2016, we initiated our previously announced capex program that includes completing 12 gross (5.3 net), Eagle Ford wells by the end of 2016. In October 2016, we brought on-line six gross wells, including four gross (1.3 net) wells within our Boggs Unit in Karnes County, Texas, and two gross (1.0 net) wells within our Flatonia Townsite Unit in Fayette County, Texas. The Boggs #1 well had an initial rate that exceeded 1,200 barrels of oil equivalent ("Boepd"). We are producing all of the Boggs wells on small chokes, and, as such, for the first 30 days, these wells averaged approximately 600 gross Boepd (93% oil) on 12/64-inch and 14/64-inch chokes. These four wells averaged approximately $106,000 per stage to complete. The Flatonia Townsite wells were frac'd utilizing a slick water design, which was our first for this area. These two wells averaged $122,000 per stage. The cost per stage was higher than the Boggs wells as a result of higher treatment pressures as well as larger fluid and proppant volumes per stage. Compared to completion costs in 2015 in the same area, the Company achieved cost savings of 34% on a cost per completed lateral foot basis. The Flatonia Townsite wells are flowing back now, and we will provide a production update in the coming weeks. The remaining six wells are located on adjacent pads in our producing Hope and Rumley Units located in Fayette County, Texas. Current costs are averaging approximately $105,000 per stage as we further refine our slick water frac design. We expect these units to be on-line near year-end.
 
Subject to commodity prices, we plan to re-establish our Eagle Ford drilling program early next year in southwestern Gonzales County that has the potential for 30 gross wells. Pending resolution of certain land matters, we expect to start with five wells in two units where we have a 17% to 33% working interest and then followed by a six-well pad where we have a 50% working interest.
 
Operations Update – Midland Basin
 
Our first horizontal well (since closing the Lynden acquisition in May 2016) in Howard County, Texas, the Tubb A #1HA (40.4% working interest), has been drilled and is being completed. The well was drilled to a total measured depth of 17,585 feet and has a completed lateral length of 9,877 feet in the Wolfcamp A interval. The Company anticipates first production in November 2016.
 

Selected Financial Data (unaudited)

($000s except where noted)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015 (1)
 
Total Revenue
    10,593       13,080  
Realized Hedge Settlements
    533       1,741  
Adjusted Revenue (including realized hedge settlements)
    11,126       14,821  
Net (Loss) Income
    (3,900 )     1,718  
(Loss) Income Per Share (Diluted)
    (0.17 )     0.12  
Adjusted EBITDA (2)
    2,841       7,536  
                 
Production (1)
               
Oil (MBbls)
    201       246  
Gas (MMcf)
    563       742  
NGL (MBbls)
    71       58  
Total (MBoe)
    366       428  
Average daily production (Boepd)
    3,979       4,646  
                 
Average prices:
               
Oil ($/Bbl)
    41.11       42.20  
Gas ($/Mcf)
    2.52       2.66  
NGL ($/Bbl)
    11.95       11.73  
Total ($/Boe)
    28.77       30.49  
                 
Adjusted for realized derivatives settlements:
               
Oil ($/Bbl)
    44.07       49.27  
Gas ($/Mcf)
    2.40       2.66  
NGL ($/Bbl)
    11.95       11.73  
Total ($/Boe)
    30.22       34.56  
  1. Amounts shown above for the three months ended September 30, 2015, are those previously reported. Comparative production was 4,080 Boepd for the period after eliminating accrued production related to certain non-operated natural gas wells that were subsequently deemed non-consent in connection with certain pending litigation. For further information, please refer to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, and its press release dated March 11, 2016.
  2. See "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section below.

Hedging Update

The Company has hedged for the fourth quarter of 2016 approximately 44% of the mid-point of its 2016 full year production guidance, including 135,000 Bbls at an average price of $49.35/Bbl and 300,000 MMBtu at average price of $2.604/MMBtu, respectively. During the third quarter of 2016, the Company entered into additional hedge transactions associated with its oil and natural gas production for the 2017 and 2018. For 2017, the Company has hedged a total of 420,000 Bbls at an average price of $48.86/Bbl and 1,560,000 MMBtu at average price of $2.946/MMBtu. For 2018, the Company has hedged a total of 270,000 Bbls at an average price of $50.70/Bbl and 600,000 MMBtu at average price of $2.907/MMBtu.

Management Comments

Frank A. Lodzinski, President and Chief Executive Officer of Earthstone Energy, Inc., commented, "Our accomplishments in the first half of 2016, including the closing of the Lynden acquisition and our public equity offering, has positioned us nicely to continue our growth in the second half of 2016. We are completing our 12-well Eagle Ford inventory and participating in a Wolfcamp well in Howard County which will lead to production growth in the fourth quarter of 2016 and first quarter of 2017. In addition, pending commodity prices, we anticipate resuming our operated Eagle Ford drilling program in the first quarter of 2017 in southwestern Gonzales County."

Conference Call Details

Earthstone is hosting a conference call on Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern (9:00 a.m. Central) to discuss its third quarter 2016 results and current operations. Investors and analysts are invited to participate in the call by dialing 877-407-8035 for domestic calls or 201-689-8035 for international calls, in both cases asking for the Earthstone conference call.

 

A replay of the call will be available on the Company's website and by telephone until Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern (10:59 p.m. Central). The number for the replay is 877-481-4010 for domestic calls or 919-882-2331 for international calls, using Replay ID: 10135.

About Earthstone Energy, Inc.

Earthstone Energy, Inc. is a growth-oriented independent oil and gas exploration and production company engaged in developing and acquiring oil and gas reserves through an active and diversified program that includes acquiring, drilling and developing undeveloped leases, asset and corporate acquisitions and exploration activities, with its current primary assets located in the Eagle Ford trend of south Texas, the Midland Basin of west Texas, and in the Williston Basin of North Dakota. Earthstone is traded on NYSE MKT under the symbol "ESTE." Information on Earthstone can be found at www.earthstoneenergy.com. The Company's corporate headquarters is located in The Woodlands, Texas.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Statements that are not strictly historical statements constitute forward-looking statements and may often, but not always, be identified by the use of such words such as "expects," "believes," "intends," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "potential," "possible," or "probable" or statements that certain actions, events or results "may," "will," "should," or "could" be taken, occur or be achieved. The forward-looking statements include statements about future operations, expansion of production and development acreage, increased cash flow, earnings and assets and access to capital. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and analyses made by Earthstone and its management in light of experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors appropriate under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform to expectations is subject to a number of material risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: the risks of the oil and gas industry (for example, volatile oil prices and operational risks in exploring for, developing and producing crude oil and natural gas; risks and uncertainties involving geology of oil and gas deposits); the uncertainty of reserve estimates; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to future oil and gas prices, production, costs and expenses; potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; health, safety and environmental risks and risks related to weather; inability of management to execute its plans to meet its goals; unavailability of gathering systems, pipelines and processing facilities; and the possibility that government policies may change. Earthstone's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, recent current reports on Form 8-K, and other Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filings discuss some of the important risk factors identified that may affect Earthstone's business, results of operations, and financial condition. Earthstone undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements except as required by law.

Additional Information About the Proposed Transaction

This release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of a vote or proxy.

In connection with the proposed transaction with Bold Energy III LLC, Earthstone will file with the SEC and mail to its security holders a proxy statement and other relevant documents. WE URGE INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT EARTHSTONE AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.Investors and security holders will be able to obtain these materials (when they are available) and other documents filed with the SEC free of charge at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. In addition, a copy of the proxy statement (when it becomes available) may be obtained free of charge from Earthstone's website at www.earthstoneenergy.com. Investors and security holders may also read and copy any reports, statements and other information filed by Earthstone, with the SEC, at the SEC public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 or visit the SEC's website for further information on its public reference room. In addition, the documents filed with the SEC by Earthstone can be obtained free of charge from Earthstone's website at www.earthstoneenergy.com or by contacting Earthstone by mail at 1400 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 300, The Woodlands, TX, 77380, or by telephone at 281-298-4246.

Participants in the Solicitation

Earthstone and its directors, executive officers and certain other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction with Bold Energy III LLC. Information regarding Earthstone's directors and executive officers is available in its proxy statement filed with the SEC by Earthstone on October 4, 2016 in connection with its 2016 annual meeting of stockholders. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.

This release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

Contact

Neil K. Cohen
Vice President, Finance and Treasurer
Earthstone Energy, Inc.
1400 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 300
The Woodlands, TX 77380
281-298-4246

 

EARTHSTONE ENERGY, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

   
September 30,
   
December31,
 
ASSETS
 
2016
   
2015
 
Current assets:
 
(In thousands, except share amounts)
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
23,809
   
$
23,264
 
Accounts receivable:
               
Oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids revenues
   
9,205
     
13,529
 
Joint interest billings and other
   
2,108
     
4,924
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
2,376
     
498
 
Current derivative asset
   
185
     
3,694
 
Total current assets
   
37,683
     
45,909
 
Oil and gas properties, successful efforts method:
               
Proved properties
   
348,408
     
283,644
 
Unproved properties
   
59,942
     
34,609
 
Total oil and gas properties
   
408,350
     
318,253
 
                 
Accumulated depreciation, depletion, and amortization
   
(135,823
)
   
(119,920
)
Net oil and gas properties
   
272,527
     
198,333
 
Other noncurrent assets:
               
Goodwill
   
20,549
     
17,532
 
Office and other equipment, less accumulated depreciation of $1,426 and $1,028 at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015
   
1,605
     
1,934
 
Other noncurrent assets
   
1,112
     
1,236
 
TOTAL ASSETS
 
$
333,476
   
$
264,944
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
 
$
12,529
   
$
11,580
 
Accrued expenses
   
10,445
     
12,975
 
Revenues and royalties payable
   
6,846
     
8,576
 
Advances
   
6,481
     
15,447
 
Current portion of long-term debt
   
1,591
     
-
 
Current derivative liability
   
1,237
     
-
 
Total current liabilities
   
39,129
     
48,578
 
                 
Noncurrent liabilities:
               
Long-term debt
   
13,104
     
11,191
 
Asset retirement obligations
   
5,815
     
5,075
 
Noncurrent derivative liability
   
1,101
     
-
 
Deferred tax liability
   
1,051
     
-
 
Other noncurrent liabilities
   
183
     
227
 
Total noncurrent liabilities
   
21,254
     
16,493
 
                 
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 10)
               
                 
Equity:
               
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding
   
-
     
-
 
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 22,289,177 and 13,835,128 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015
   
23
     
14
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
452,790
     
358,086
 
Accumulated deficit
   
(179,260
)
   
(157,767
)
Treasury stock, 15,357 shares at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015
   
(460
)
   
(460
)
Total equity
   
273,093
     
199,873
 
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
$
333,476
   
$
264,944
 

 

EARTHSTONE ENERGY, INC.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)

 

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
 
REVENUES
 
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids revenues:
                               
Oil
 
$
8,262
   
$
10,385
   
$
21,898
   
$
31,586
 
Natural gas
   
1,417
     
1,971
     
3,376
     
5,483
 
Natural gas liquids
   
851
     
677
     
1,843
     
2,164
 
Total oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids revenues
   
10,530
     
13,033
     
27,117
     
39,233
 
Gathering income
   
55
     
60
     
142
     
233
 
Gain (loss) on sales of oil and gas properties, net
   
8
     
(13
)
   
8
     
1,667
 
Total revenues
   
10,593
     
13,080
     
27,267
     
41,133
 
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
                               
Production costs:
                               
Lease operating expense
   
3,981
     
4,138
     
10,248
     
12,751
 
Severance taxes
   
522
     
746
     
1,418
     
2,122
 
Rig idle and contract termination expense
   
-
     
-
     
5,059
     
-
 
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization
   
5,149
     
8,107
     
16,252
     
22,705
 
Re-engineering and workovers
   
798
     
234
     
1,379
     
520
 
Exploration expense
   
-
     
-
     
5
     
142
 
General and administrative expense
   
3,131
     
2,450
     
8,602
     
7,505
 
General and administrative expense - stock-based compensation
   
1,328
     
-
     
1,889
     
-
 
Total operating costs and expenses
   
14,909
     
15,675
     
44,852
     
45,745
 
Loss from operations
   
(4,316
)
   
(2,595
)
   
(17,585
)
   
(4,612
)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
                               
Interest expense, net
   
(341
)
   
(169
)
   
(934
)
   
(507
)
Gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net
   
946
     
5,166
     
(2,517
)
   
4,522
 
Other income (expense), net
   
12
     
127
     
(70
)
   
384
 
Total other income (expense)
   
617
     
5,124
     
(3,521
)
   
4,399
 
(Loss) income before income taxes
   
(3,699
)
   
2,529
     
(21,106
)
   
(213
)
Income tax expense (benefit)
   
201
     
811
     
387
     
(69
)
Net (loss) income
 
$
(3,900
)
 
$
1,718
   
$
(21,493
)
 
$
(144
)
Net (loss) income per common share:
                               
Basic
 
$
(0.17
)
 
$
0.12
   
$
(1.23
)
 
$
(0.01
)
Diluted
 
$
(0.17
)
 
$
0.12
   
$
(1.23
)
 
$
(0.01
)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
   
22,289,177
     
13,835,128
     
17,433,079
     
13,835,128
 
Diluted
   
22,289,177
     
13,835,128
     
17,433,079
     
13,835,128
 

EARTHSTONE ENERGY, INC.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

 

   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
(In thousands)
 
Net loss
 
$
(21,493
)
 
$
(144
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization
   
16,252
     
22,705
 
Total loss (gain) on derivative contracts, net
   
2,517
     
(4,522
)
Operating portion of net cash received in settlement of derivative contracts
   
3,330
     
4,178
 
Rig idle and termination expense
   
5,059
     
-
 
Accretion of asset retirement obligations
   
404
     
425
 
Stock-based compensation
   
1,889
     
-
 
Deferred income taxes
   
387
     
(69
)
Amortization of deferred financing costs
   
220
     
195
 
Settlement of asset retirement obligations
   
(15
)
   
(65
)
Gain on sale of assets
   
(8
)
   
(1,667
)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
Decrease in accounts receivable
   
9,141
     
5,362
 
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other
   
(1,790
)
   
548
 
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses
   
(3,462
)
   
(15,547
)
Decrease in revenue and royalties payable
   
(1,730
)
   
(7,318
)
(Decrease) increase in advances
   
(8,966
)
   
224
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
1,735
     
4,305
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Lynden Arrangement, net of cash acquired
   
(31,334
)
   
-
 
Acquisitions of oil and gas property
   
-
     
(8,706
)
Additions to oil and gas property and equipment
   
(15,272
)
   
(57,705
)
Additions to other property and equipment
   
(63
)
   
(328
)
Proceeds from sales of oil and gas properties
   
-
     
3,441
 
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(46,669
)
   
(63,298
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Proceeds from borrowings
   
36,597
     
-
 
Repayments of borrowings
   
(38,165
)
   
-
 
Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs of $2.7 million
   
47,125
     
-
 
Deferred financing costs
   
(78
)
   
(127
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
   
45,479
     
(127
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
   
545
     
(59,120
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
23,264
     
100,447
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
23,809
   
$
41,327
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
               
Cash paid for:
               
Interest
 
$
688
   
$
284
 
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
               
Common stock issued for Lynden Arrangement
 
$
45,698
   
$
-
 
Acquisitions of oil and gas property
 
$
-
   
$
2,130
 
Asset retirement obligations
 
$
101
   
$
128
 

Earthstone Energy, Inc.

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Unaudited

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

The non-GAAP financial measures of Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EBITDAX, as calculated by us below, are intended to provide readers with meaningful information that supplements our financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP (U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles). These disclosures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Further, these non-GAAP measures should only be considered in conjunction with financial statements and disclosures prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP measures, such as net income or loss, operating income or loss, or any other GAAP measure of financial position or results of operations.

I. Adjusted EBITDAX

Adjusted EBITDAX is used as a supplemental financial measure by our management and by external users of our financial statements, such as investors, commercial banks and others, to assess our operating performance compared to that of other companies in our industry, without regard to financing methods, capital structure or historical costs basis. We define "Adjusted EBITDAX" as net income (loss) plus, when applicable, (gain) loss on sale of assets; accretion; impairment expense; depletion, depreciation, and amortization; exploration expense; idle rig expense; interest expense; interest income; unrealized (gain) loss on derivatives; non-cash stock compensation expense; and income tax expense (benefit).

Our Adjusted EBITDAX should not be considered an alternative to net income (loss), operating income (loss), cash flow provided by (used in) operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Our Adjusted EBITDAX may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of another company because all companies may not calculate Adjusted EBITDAX in the same manner.

The following table provides a reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDAX for the periods indicated:

($000s)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
Net (Loss) Income
    (3,900 )     1,718  
(Gain) loss on sale of assets
    (8 )     13  
Accretion
    143       143  
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization
    5,149       8,107  
Interest expense
    344       180  
Interest income
    (3 )     (11 )
Unrealized gain on derivative contracts
    (413 )     (3,425 )
Non-cash stock based compensation
    1,328       -  
Income tax expense
    201       811  
Adjusted EBITDAX
    2,841       7,536  


SOURCE: Earthstone Energy, Inc.