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| Cabot Oil & Gas Announces Record Third Quarter Financial Results |
HOUSTON, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation (NYSE: COG) today announced its best third quarter ever with net income of $22.7 million, or $.70 per share, and discretionary cash flow of $63.9 million. These results compare to net income of $6.1 million, or $.19 per share, and discretionary cash flow of $45.5 million for the 2002 third quarter. Cash flow from operations also reached a third quarter high- water mark at $65.9 million versus $25.3 million in the comparable period for last year. The significant increases in both net income and cash flow were driven primarily by the continued strength in higher realized commodity prices over last year's comparable third quarter. Realized natural gas prices rose 64 percent for the 2003 third quarter, averaging $4.53 per Mcf, versus $2.77 per Mcf for the same quarter last year. Oil prices were also up with a $28.40 per barrel realization in the third quarter this year compared to $24.97 per barrel during last year's comparable period. "The higher commodity prices that resulted in record second quarter results continued into the third quarter," said Dan O. Dinges, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We have once again seen the benefits of strong prices and stable production levels that have now allowed us to overcome the first quarter impairment and change in accounting method to post a profit for the nine months year to date." Consistent with the Company's public guidance, total production of 22,934 Mmcfe during the third quarter was down 1.9 percent compared to the 23,376 Mmcfe recorded in the corresponding period last year. However, production increased 2.7 percent between the second and third quarters of 2003 on the strength of continued drilling success in the East region. During the course of the third quarter Cabot placed in escrow $15.8 million in proceeds from the sale of certain non-strategic properties. "These funds were placed in escrow to facilitate a potential like-kind exchange transaction," said Dinges. The transaction involved 57 wells in the East and resulted in a net pretax benefit to the income statement of $1.1 million. This was comprised of a gain of $7.0 million, partially offset by an impairment of $5.9 million required by SFAS 144 "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" due to the transaction including a partial field sale. Year-to-Date For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, Cabot reported net income of $1.3 million, or $.04 per share, versus $7.4 million, or $.23 per share, in last year's comparable period. The Company also experienced an increase in discretionary cash flow to $194.1 million in 2003 versus $120.7 million in 2002, along with a near doubling in cash flow from operations from $108.3 million to $205.7 million. As previously stated, the year has experienced certain non-cash items that have impacted earnings including the impact of the Kurten field impairment ($54.4 million after tax, or $1.70 per share), the adoption of SFAS No. 143 "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations" ($6.8 million after tax, or $.21 per share), both of which occurred in the first quarter. The Company also recorded a net benefit from the sale of non-strategic properties in the East ($0.7 million after tax, or $.03 per share). Excluding the impact of these non-cash items, Cabot's net income was $61.6 million, or $1.92 per share, for the first nine months. As of September 30, 2003, the Company's total debt stood at $285 million, reflecting a $19 million decrease during the quarter. This compares to $395 million at the same time last year and $365 million at year end. "This debt reduction is the direct result of higher realized prices and our focus to balance our spending decisions with debt repayment," said Dinges. "This brings Cabot's outstanding balance on its Revolving Credit facility to only $15 million with $235 million of capacity. Additionally, this improvement in financial leverage has come at a time when Cabot is pursuing its second largest capital program ever, excluding acquisitions." New Hedge Positions Cabot has entered into five new hedge positions covering approximately 25,000 Mmbtu per day of the Company's 2004 anticipated natural gas production. The two costless collars and three swaps are for 5,000 Mmbtu per day each and will be in effect from January through December 2004, as summarized in the following table: Location Transaction Price/Mmbtu* East Swap $5.15 East Costless collar $4.75 floor / $6.75 ceiling Mid-Continent Swap $4.595 Mid-Continent Costless collar $4.50 floor / $5.45 ceiling Rocky Mountains Swap $4.17 * Price includes the impact of regional basis differentials. The Company also entered into an oil hedge covering 1,000 barrels per day for the period January through December 2004. The transaction is in the form of a "range swap" which provides for a fixed price swap at $29.50 per barrel. To receive the premium swap price Cabot agreed to a "fade-out" provision that calls for the Company to receive the market price for the month the crude oil NYMEX contract average is less than $22.00 per barrel. "This hedge layering strategy enables us to lock in natural gas and oil prices that are above our budgeted economic hurdle rate," said Dinges. "To date we have approximately 47 percent of 2004 anticipated natural gas production hedged and 45 percent of the 2004 oil production covered by range swaps. Going forward we will continue to evaluate the merits of additional hedge positions that would complement existing transactions." Additionally, in October Cabot placed three hedges for 10,000 Mmbtu per day each covering natural gas production for 2005. The hedges were in the form of swaps and costless collars. Specifically, the Company swapped volumes in its East and Mid-Continent areas at $5.05 per Mmbtu and $4.50 per Mmbtu, respectively. The costless collar provides a floor price of $4.50 per Mmbtu and a ceiling price of $5.00 per Mmbtu for Gulf Coast volumes. Listen in live to Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation's third quarter earnings discussion with financial analysts on Thursday, October 30 at 9:30 AM EST (8:30 AM CST) at http://www.cabotog.com . A teleconference replay will also be available at (888) 203-1112 (international (719) 457-0820), reservation number 575063. The audio webcast and teleconference replay will be available beginning October 30 at 12:30 PM EST. The latest financial guidance, including the Company's hedge position, along with a replay of the webcast, which will be archived for one year, are available in the investor relations section of the Company's website at http://www.cabotog.com . Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a leading independent natural gas producer with substantial interests in the Gulf Coast, including Texas and Louisiana; the West, with the Rocky Mountains and Mid- Continent; and the East. For additional information, visit the Company's Internet homepage at http://www.cabotog.com . The statements regarding future financial performance and results and the other statements which are not historical facts contained in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, market factors, the market price (including regional basis differentials) of natural gas and oil, results of future drilling and marketing activity, future production and costs, and other factors detailed in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. OPERATING DATA Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2003 2002 2003 2002 PRODUCED NATURAL GAS (Bcf) & OIL (MBbl) Natural Gas Gulf Coast 7.7 8.0 21.8 23.2 West 5.9 6.2 18.0 19.0 East 4.9 4.5 13.9 13.5 Total 18.5 18.7 53.7 55.7 Crude/Condensate Gulf Coast 683 697 2,027 1,963 West 46 61 146 164 East 7 8 20 24 Total 736 766 2,193 2,151 Natural Gas Liquids 3 10 38 30 Equivalent Production (Bcfe) 22.9 23.4 67.1 68.7 PRICES Average Produced Gas Sales Price ($/Mcf) Gulf Coast $ 4.68 $ 3.21 $ 4.83 $ 3.07 West $ 3.75 $ 2.00 $ 3.65 $ 2.18 East $ 5.24 $ 3.04 $ 5.17 $ 3.07 Total $ 4.53 $ 2.77 $ 4.53 $ 2.76 Crude/Condensate Price ($/Bbl) Gulf Coast $28.32 $24.76 $29.50 $23.27 West $29.75 $27.29 $30.07 $24.71 East $28.02 $25.90 $28.67 $21.34 Total $28.40 $24.97 $29.53 $23.36 WELLS DRILLED Gross 55 31 123 85 Net 44 19 99 56 Gross Success Rate 87% 90% 90% 93% CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts) Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2003 2002 2003 2002 Operating Revenues Natural Gas Production $ 84,555 $ 52,029 $242,841 $152,684 Brokered Natural Gas 18,709 10,838 73,929 40,223 Crude Oil and Condensate 21,455 20,754 65,098 51,792 Other 752 1,928 6,275 5,508 125,471 85,549 388,143 250,207 Operating Expenses Brokered Natural Gas Cost 16,602 9,771 66,402 36,619 Direct Operations - Field and Pipeline 11,271 11,652 36,022 35,808 Exploration 13,999 9,803 43,053 27,683 Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 25,984 27,757 77,929 79,094 Impairment of Long-Lived Assets 5,870 --- 93,796 1,063 General and Administrative 5,802 5,966 18,569 21,277 Taxes Other Than Income 9,301 5,273 28,176 18,900 88,829 70,222 363,947 220,444 Gain (Loss) on Sale of Assets 6,988 (216) 7,593 195 Income from Operations 43,630 15,111 31,789 29,958 Interest Expense and Other 6,972 6,314 18,549 18,871 Income Before Income Taxes 36,658 8,797 13,240 11,087 Income Tax Expense 13,990 2,672 5,044 3,638 Net Income Before Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change 22,668 6,125 8,196 7,449 Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change (A) --- --- (6,847) --- Net Income $ 22,668 $ 6,125 $ 1,349 $ 7,449 Net Earnings Per Share - Basic $ 0.70 $ 0.19 $ 0.04 $ 0.23 Average Common Shares Outstanding 32,179 31,793 32,000 31,712 (A) Cumulative effect of accounting change relates to the adoption of SFAS 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations." CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited) (In thousands) September 30, Dec. 31, 2003 2002 Assets Current Assets $ 131,369 $ 93,121 Property, Equipment and Other Assets 888,623 978,767 Total Assets $1,019,992 $1,071,888 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current Liabilities $ 148,787 $ 121,890 Long-Term Debt 285,000 365,000 Deferred Income Taxes 174,822 200,207 Other Liabilities 55,337 34,134 Stockholders' Equity 356,046 350,657 Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $1,019,992 $1,071,888 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (In thousands) Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2003 2002 2003 2002 Cash Flows From Operating Activities Net Income $22,668 $ 6,125 $ 1,349 $ 7,449 Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change --- --- 6,847 --- Impairment of Long-Lived Assets 5,870 --- 93,796 1,063 Income Charges Not Requiring Cash 25,326 26,831 78,797 82,254 (Gain) Loss on Sale of Assets (6,988) 216 (7,593) (195) Deferred Income Taxes 3,072 2,492 (22,176) 2,443 Changes in Assets and Liabilities 1,955 (20,215) 11,633 (12,416) Exploration Expense 13,999 9,803 43,053 27,683 Net Cash Provided by Operations 65,902 25,252 205,706 108,281 Cash Flows From Investing Activities Capital Expenditures (33,985) (15,460) (85,384) (86,649) Proceeds from Sale of Assets 15,821 228 18,181 3,671 Restricted Cash (15,761) --- (15,761) --- Exploration Expense (13,999) (9,803) (43,053) (27,683) Net Cash Used by Investing (47,924) (25,035) (126,017) (110,661) Cash Flows From Financing Activities Sale of Common Stock Proceeds 3,393 13 5,851 3,150 Increase (Decrease) in Debt (19,000) (2,000) (80,000) 2,000 Dividends Paid (1,287) (1,272) (3,755) (3,808) Net Cash Provided (Used) by Financing (16,894) (3,259) (77,904) 1,342 Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 1,084 $(3,042) $ 1,785 $(1,038) (*) Net income plus non-cash charges and exploration. Excludes net proceeds on property sales. Selected Item Review and Reconciliation of Net Income and Earnings Per Share (In thousands, except per share amounts) Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2003 2002 2003 2002 As Reported - Net Income $22,668 $6,125 $ 1,349 $7,449 Reversal of Selected Items, Net of Tax: Retirement of Executive Officer --- --- --- 2,205 Revision of Tax Basis on Acquisition --- (790) --- (790) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets 3,634 --- 58,060 714 Severance Tax Refund --- --- --- (695) (Gain) Loss on Sale of Assets (4,326) 151 (4,700) (131) Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change --- --- 6,847 --- Net Income Including Reversal of Selected Items $21,976 $5,486 $61,556 $8,752 As Reported - Net Earnings Per Share $ 0.70 $ 0.19 $ 0.04 $ 0.23 Per Share Impact of Reversing Selected Items (0.02) (0.02) 1.88 0.04 Net Earnings Per Share Including Reversal of Selected Items $ 0.68 $ 0.17 $ 1.92 $ 0.27 Average Common Shares Outstanding 32,179 31,793 32,000 31,712 Discretionary Cash Flow Calculation and Reconciliation (In thousands) Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2003 2002 2003 2002 Discretionary Cash Flow As Reported - Net Income $22,668 $ 6,125 $ 1,349 $ 7,449 Plus: Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change --- --- 6,847 --- Impairment of Long-Lived Assets 5,870 --- 93,796 1,063 Income Charges Not Requiring Cash 25,326 26,831 78,797 82,254 (Gain) Loss on Sale of Assets (6,988) 216 (7,593) (195) Deferred Income Taxes 3,072 2,492 (22,176) 2,443 Exploration Expense 13,999 9,803 43,053 27,683 Discretionary Cash Flow 63,947 45,467 194,073 120,697 Plus: Changes in Assets and Liabilities 1,955 (20,215) 11,633 (12,416) Net Cash Provided by Operations $65,902 $25,252 $205,706 $108,281SOURCE Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation
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CONTACT:
Scott Schroeder of Cabot Oil & Gas
Corporation, +1-281-589-4993
