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National Energy Group, Inc. Reports Fiscal 2005 Fourth Quarter and Annual Results

    DALLAS, March 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- National Energy Group, Inc.
(OTC Bulletin Board: NEGI) today announced results for the fourth quarter and
year ended December 31, 2005.

    Results of Operations
    On September 12, 2001, as provided in the Company's Joint Plan of
Reorganization, the Company contributed all its operating assets and oil and
gas properties excluding cash of $4.3 million to NEG Holding LLC in exchange
for an initial unconsolidated and non-controlling 50% membership interest (the
"LLC Contribution").  Following the LLC Contribution, the Company no longer
directly owns any oil and gas properties and will only recognize income from
accretion of the preferred investment and fees attributable to the management
and operation of NEG Holding LLC's oil and gas properties.  The income from
accretion of the preferred investment and management fees amounted to $12.3
million and $4.4 million, respectively, for the quarter ended December 31,
2005 and $44.3 million and $14.6 million, respectively, for the year ended
December 31, 2005.

    For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2005
    The Company recognized net income of $10.9 million for the three months
ended December 31, 2005 compared with net income of $4.5 million for the
comparable 2004 period.
    Total revenues increased $3.9 million (30.5%) to $16.7 million for the
fourth quarter of 2005 from $12.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2004
    The Company had no oil and natural gas production during the fourth
quarter of 2004 or 2005 due to the LLC Contribution.

    For the year Ended December 31, 2005
    The Company recognized net income of $25.3 million for the year ended
December 31, 2005 compared with net income of $14.3 million for the comparable
2004 period. The year ended December 31, 2005 includes $4.9 million in
deferred income tax expense while the year ended December 31, 2004 includes
$6.7 million in deferred income tax expense.
    Total revenues increased $13.0 million (28.3%) to $59.0 million for the
year ended December 31, 2005 from $46.0 million for the year ended December
31, 2004.
    The Company had no oil and natural gas production during the year ended
December 31, 2004 or 2005.

    The Company
    The Company is a management company engaged in the business of managing
the exploration, development, production and operations of oil and natural gas
properties, primarily located in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana (both
onshore and in the Gulf of Mexico).  The Company manages the oil and natural
gas operations of NEG Operating LLC, National Onshore LP and National Offshore
LP, all of which are affiliated entities.  The Company's principal assets are
our unconsolidated non-controlling 50% membership interest in NEG Holding LLC
and the management agreements with Operating LLC, National Onshore and
National Offshore.
    On December 7, 2005, the Company, NEG Oil & Gas, LLC, NEG, Inc. and, for
certain purposes, American Real Estate Holdings L.P., entered into a merger
agreement, pursuant to which the Company agreed to be merged into NEG, Inc.
NEG Oil & Gas, a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of AREP, is the owner of
50.01% of the Company's common stock.
    Upon consummation of the merger with NEG, Inc., the current holders of the
Company's common stock will receive shares of common stock of NEG, Inc. The
transaction, which is conditioned upon the consummation of an initial public
offering of common stock by NEG, Inc., may be terminated if the merger has not
closed by December 1, 2006.
    Following the merger, NEG, Inc. will be renamed National Energy Group,
Inc. and will contribute the Company's non-controlling 50% ownership interest
in NEG Holding LLC to NEG Oil & Gas LLC.
    NEG, Inc. has filed a Registration Statement on Form S-1 with the
Securities and Exchange Commission to register its common stock in an initial
public offering under the Securities Act of 1933. The number of shares to be
offered and the price range of the offering have not been determined. The
Registration Statement has not become effective and is subject to review and
comment by the SEC. There can be no assurance that NEG, Inc. will complete an
initial public offering or that the merger will be completed.

    National Energy Group, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: NEGI) is a Dallas, Texas
based company.

    This press release may contain projections and other forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended. Any such projections or statements reflect the Company's
current views with respect to future events and financial performance. No
assurances can be given, however, that these events will occur or that such
projections will be achieved and actual results could differ materially from
those projected. A discussion of important factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those projected is included in the Company's
periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



                         National Energy Group, Inc.
                          Summary Financial Results
                    (In thousands, except per share data)

                                    Three Months Ended         Year Ended
                                       December 31,            December 31,

                                     2004       2005         2004      2005

    Results of Operations Data:
      Revenues:
        Accretion of Investment
         in NEG Holding LLC        $9,376    $12,305      $34,432   $44,306
        Management fees from
         affiliates                 3,443      4,400       11,563    14,587
        Interest income and
         other, net                    11         26           39        78
           Total revenue           12,830     16,731       46,034    58,971
      Costs and expenses:
        General and administrative  3,505      5,242       11,145    14,905
        Interest expense            3,485      3,485       13,940    13,940
          Total costs and
           expenses                 6,990      8,727       25,085    28,845

      Income before income taxes    5,840      8,004       20,949    30,126
      Income tax (expense) benefit (1,377)    (2,890)      (6,664)   (4,852)
      Net income to common
       shareholders                $4,463     $10,894     $14,285   $25,274

    Cash Flow Data:
      Cash flow from
       operations (A)             $(3,900)    $(4,961)   $(15,521) $(16,369)

    Per share data:
      Net income per common share,
       basic and diluted             $.40        $.97       $1.28     $2.26
      Cash flow from
       operations (A)               $(.35)      $(.44)     $(1.39)   $(1.46)

    Shares used in per share
     computations:
      Earnings per share,
       basic and diluted           11,191      11,191      11,191    11,191
      Cash flow per share,
       basic and diluted           11,191      11,191      11,191    11,191


    These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the
financial statements and the accompanying notes and other information included
in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.



                         National Energy Group, Inc.
                           Condensed Balance Sheet
                                (In thousands)

                                                  December 31,    December 31,
                                                     2004             2005
    Assets
      Cash, cash equivalents and marketable
       securities                                    $2,488          $3,059
      Other current assets                            2,583           2,000
      Investment in NEG Holding LLC                  87,800         116,128
      Deferred tax asset                             19,242          14,540
        Total assets                               $112,113        $135,727



    Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit):
      Current liabilities                            $2,872          $3,251
      Senior notes due to affiliate                 148,637         148,637
      Deferred gain on senior note redemption         3,737           1,698
      Stockholders' deficit                         (43,133)        (17,859)
        Total liabilities and stockholders'
         equity (deficit)                          $112,113        $135,727


     (A) Cash flow from operations is shown before changes in working capital
         accounts.

    These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the
financial statements and the accompanying notes and other information included
in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.


SOURCE National Energy Group, Inc.




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Related links:
  • http://www.negx.com
    CONTACT:
    Bob G. Alexander, or Randall D. Cooley, or
    Philip D. Devlin, all of National Energy Group, Inc.,
    +1-214-692-9211, or fax, +1-214-692-5055