Significant asset divestiture program underway
HOUSTON, May 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Newfield Exploration Company
(NYSE: NFX) today announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire the
Rocky Mountain assets of Stone Energy for $575 million. The assets expand
Newfield's existing presence in the Uinta Basin and provide an entry into
large developments in many of the Rocky Mountain's most active areas. This
acquisition will add nearly 600,000 net acres.
Upon completion of the transaction, Newfield will acquire proved
reserves of 200 Bcfe and probable and possible reserves of more than 150
Bcfe. The proved reserves are 70% natural gas and are 52% developed. In
addition to the existing proved, probable and possible reserves,
significant upside exists through further field downspacing, secondary
recovery, deep gas potential and the development of emerging resource
plays. Current net daily production is approximately 40 MMcfe/d. These are
long-lived assets and the proved reserves have a reserve life index of
nearly 15 years. Subject to customary conditions, the transaction is
expected to close in June 2007.
"We entered the Rockies in 2004 with our acquisition of the giant
Monument Butte Field in the Uinta Basin," said David A. Trice, Newfield
Chairman, President and CEO. "Since that time, we've grown production more
than 40% and doubled our acreage position in the Uinta while looking for
the 'right' transaction to significantly increase our footprint in the
Rockies. Today's announcement does just that! We are acquiring quality
reserves in fields with development drilling opportunities. But just as
important, it provides a stepping stone to build a business in the region's
major producing areas. We are confident that the Rockies will be an
important part of future U.S. gas supply and we are better positioned to be
a major producer in the region."
"We plan to finance this transaction initially with our credit
agreement and ultimately through asset divestitures," Trice added. "We
intend to market our assets in Bohai Bay, China, our properties in the U.K.
North Sea and some smaller packages along the onshore Texas Gulf Coast and
in the Mid-Continent, as well as some properties in the shallow water Gulf
of Mexico. We are excited about the 'new' Newfield and our prospects to add
future value for our shareholders."
Asset Highlights:
Green River Basin -- More than half of the proved reserves included in the
package are located in the Pinedale Field in the prolific Green River
Basin in Sublette County, Wyoming. There are 28 industry rigs running in
this area today. Through the acquisition, Newfield will own interests in
approximately 8,000 gross acres (4,000 net acres) in the southeastern
portion of the anticline. Since 2002, less than 30 wells have been drilled
on this acreage. Net daily production is 12 MMcfe from 27 producing wells.
Based on ongoing regional activity, Newfield sees the potential for
approximately 100 additional locations as field spacing is decreased to 20
acres and eventually 10 acres.
Approximately 15% of the proved reserves included in the package are
located in the premier Jonah Field. There are 15 industry rigs running in
this field today. Current net production is approximately 8 MMcfe/d from
17 producing wells. Newfield has identified an inventory of more than 40
development locations on 10 and five-acre well spacing.
Williston Basin - The package includes approximately 35 Bcfe of proved
reserves and 75,000 net acres in the Williston Basin of Montana and North
Dakota. Current net production is approximately 2,200 BOEPD from about 140
producing wells. Drilling opportunities targeting the Bakken, Madison and
Red River formations have been identified. Newfield currently holds 65,000
net acres in the Williston Basin associated with its Big Valley, Watford
and Arnegard prospect areas.
Powder River Basin -- Approximately 12 Bcfe of the proved reserves to be
acquired are located in the Scott Field of the Powder River Basin
(Converse County, Wyoming). Newfield will acquire an interest in 14,000
net acres and will have an average working interest of nearly 85%.
Newfield has identified additional development drilling and recompletion
opportunities in the field. In addition, deep exploration rights exist on
28,000 net acres (held-by-production) throughout the basin, which are
prospective for developing resource plays.
Uinta Basin - Newfield operates the shallow Green River formations in its
Monument Butte Field, located in northeast Utah (acquired in 2004). The
field covers about 100,000 gross acres. Newfield will acquire Stone's
interest (which averages about 40%) in the deep gas rights beneath
Monument Butte. Since 2005, Newfield has participated in five deep gas
wells in the southeast portion of the field. These wells have all been
successful and additional drilling will take place in 2007. Through this
transaction, Newfield will own a majority of the deep rights below
Monument Butte. Substantially all of the acreage is held by production.
In addition to the areas described above, this transaction also
provides additional exploration opportunities in the following regions: the
Wind River Basin of Wyoming; the Southern Alberta Basin in Glacier County,
Montana, the Uinta Basin in Carbon County, Utah; and the Northern
Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin in Platte County, Wyoming.
Newfield Exploration Company is an independent crude oil and natural
gas exploration and production company. The Company relies on a proven
growth strategy of growing reserves through the drilling of a balanced
risk/reward portfolio and select acquisitions. Newfield's domestic areas of
operation today include the onshore Gulf Coast, the Anadarko and Arkoma
Basins of the Mid-Continent, the Uinta Basin of the Rocky Mountains and the
Gulf of Mexico. The Company has international operations in Malaysia, the
U.K. North Sea and China.
**The statements set forth in this release regarding estimated reserves
associated with the properties to be acquired, future drilling plans and
opportunities associated with the properties to be acquired, sources of
financing for the acquisition, the anticipated closing date for the
acquisition and proposed divestitures are forward looking and are based
upon assumptions and anticipated results that are subject to numerous
uncertainties. The acquisition is subject to closing conditions that, while
customary, may not be satisfied. Failure to satisfy these conditions or
delay in satisfying these conditions could result in the termination of
transaction or delay the closing of the transaction. Drilling plans and
opportunities and recoverable reserves may vary significantly from those
anticipated due to many factors including drilling results, oil and gas
prices, industry conditions, the prices of goods and services, the
availability of drilling rigs and other support services and the
availability of capital resources. In addition, the drilling of oil and gas
wells and the production of hydrocarbons are subject to governmental
regulations and operating risks. Completion of Newfield's proposed
divestitures is subject to Newfield receiving offers that it considers
acceptable for the properties.
For information, contact:
Investor Relations: Steve Campbell (281) 847-6081
Media Relations: Keith Schmidt (281) 674-2650
Email: info@newfield.com
SOURCE Newfield Exploration Company
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Related links:
http://www.newfield.com/
CONTACT:
Investor Relations: Steve Campbell,
+1-281-847-6081, or Media Relations: Keith Schmidt,
+1-281-674-2650, both of Newfield Exploration Company, or
info@newfield.com
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