Exhibit 99.1
LINN ENERGY ANNOUNCES RESULTS FOR SECOND QUARTER 2009
Houston, Texas, August 6, 2009 – LINN Energy, LLC (NASDAQ: LINE) announced today financial and operating results for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2009, and its outlook for the remainder of the year. The Company highlights the following significant achievements:
| | · | Average production at the high end of the Company’s guidance range of 219 million cubic feet of natural gas equivalent per day (MMcfe/d), compared to mid-point guidance of 215 MMcfe/d; |
| | · | Continued improvement of lease operating expenses to $1.67 per thousand cubic feet of natural gas equivalent (Mcfe), compared to mid-point guidance of $1.74 per Mcfe; |
| | · | Adjusted EBITDA of $143 million, compared to mid-point guidance of $138 million; |
| | · | Distribution coverage ratio of 1.21x, compared to mid-point guidance of 1.11x; |
| | · | Adjusted net income per unit of $0.45 for second quarter 2009 (a non-GAAP financial measure – see Schedule 1); |
| | · | Completion of a $250 million senior notes offering and a $103 million public equity offering, which provided additional financial flexibility for potential acquisition opportunities and an enhanced borrowing capacity, including available cash, of approximately $590 million at quarter end; |
| | · | Announcement of two asset acquisitions in the Permian Basin for a combined contract price of $118 million; and |
| | · | Repositioned hedge portfolio with increased weighted average prices in 2010 and 2011. |
“LINN Energy continued to deliver outstanding results in the second quarter of this year,” said Michael C. Linn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “The Company improved its financial strength through our renegotiated credit facility, bond and equity offerings and repositioned hedge book. Additionally, we recently announced two asset acquisitions in the Permian Basin, and we are excited about the potential to grow this into a core area for the Company. With the steps we have taken thus far, we believe that the Company is poised to continue to deliver positive results and to grow through additional acquisition opportunities.”
Second Quarter 2009 Results (From Continuing Operations)
During the second quarter 2009, LINN Energy generated adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP financial measure) of $143 million. The Company’s distribution coverage ratio was 1.21x for the quarter, compared to mid-point guidance of 1.11x. Adjusted EBITDA is the primary measure used by Company management to evaluate cash flow and the Company’s ability to sustain or increase distributions. A reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net income is provided in this release (see Schedule 2). The most significant reconciling items between net income and adjusted EBITDA are interest expense and non-cash items, including the change in fair value of derivatives and depreciation, depletion and amortization.
Average production was 219 MMcfe/d for the second quarter 2009, compared to 217 MMcfe/d for the first quarter 2009. Oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids revenues for the second quarter 2009 were approximately $92 million and realized gains from hedge revenues were $111 million. For the first quarter 2009, oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids revenues were approximately $80 million and realized gains from hedge revenues were $124 million. Lease operating expenses for the second quarter 2009 were approximately $33 million, or $1.67 per Mcfe, which is down from $34 million, or $1.73 per Mcfe, in the first quarter 2009. Transportation expenses during the second quarter 2009 also decreased to approximately $2.5 million, or $0.13 per Mcfe, from $3.0 million, or $0.15 per Mcfe, for the first quarter 2009. Production and ad valorem taxes for the second quarter 2009 were approximately $7.9 million, or $0.40 per Mcfe, compared to $7.6 million, or $0.39 per Mcfe, in the first quarter 2009.
The Company utilizes commodity hedging to capture cash flow margin and reduce cash flow volatility. Due to the recent increase in commodity prices during the second quarter 2009, the Company reported a $233 million loss on natural gas and oil hedges, including $344 million of non-cash change in fair value of hedge positions. Non-cash gains or losses do not affect adjusted EBITDA, cash flow from operations or the Company’s ability to pay its cash distributions.
For the second quarter 2009, the Company reported a net loss of approximately $269 million, or $(2.31) per unit, which includes a non-cash loss of $344 million, or $(2.95) per unit, from the change in fair value of hedges covering future production, and a non-cash gain of $23 million, or $0.19 per unit, on interest rate hedges. Excluding these items, adjusted net income for the second quarter 2009 was $53 million, or $0.45 per unit.
Adjusted net income from continuing operations is a non-GAAP financial measure, and a reconciliation of adjusted net income from continuing operations to net income from continuing operations is provided in this release (see Schedule 1). Adjusted net income is presented because the excluded items affect the comparability of operating results from period to period.
Operational Update
The Company operated a total of two drilling rigs and drilled 19 wells in the second quarter 2009. In comparison, the Company operated three drilling rigs and drilled 41 wells in the first quarter 2009. In response to low natural gas prices, the Company shut-in approximately 5 MMcfe/d of Mid-Continent production and began deferring new Granite Wash completions during the second quarter. By year-end, the Company estimates it will have an additional 10 MMcfe/d of initial production potential from these deferred completions. The Company anticipates continued reduced drilling activities during the balance of the year and will continue to focus on low-cost, high-return optimization projects.
Bond and Equity Offerings
During the second quarter, the Company completed a $250 million bond offering of 11.75% senior unsecured notes, due 2017. In addition, the Company completed a $103 million public equity offering, issuing an aggregate of 6.3 million units (5.5 million units offered plus underwriters’ purchase of 825,000 units). Net proceeds from these offerings were used to reduce indebtedness under the Company’s credit facility.
Hedge Information
In July 2009, the Company capitalized on the value of its hedges in the years 2012 through 2014 to raise the hedge prices on existing natural gas and oil hedges in 2010 and 2011, enhancing downside protection on existing hedged volumes. At current production levels, the Company is approximately 100 percent hedged for 2009, 2010 and 2011. For 2009, the Company is hedged at weighted average prices of $102.21 per barrel and $8.32 per thousand cubic feet of natural gas (Mcf). For 2010, the Company is hedged at a weighted average oil price of $99.68 per barrel and raised its natural gas price to $8.66 per Mcf. For 2011, the Company raised its weighted average hedged oil price to $82.50 per barrel and its natural gas price to $9.25 per Mcf. In addition, the Company is hedged on substantially all of its exposure to the Mid-Continent natural gas basis differential. The Company has also hedged its interest rate risk with LIBOR swaps at a rate of 3.85 percent through 2013. For more detailed information regarding the Company’s hedge positions, please see Schedule 10 of this press release.
Credit Facility
On April 28, 2009, the Company entered into an amended and restated $1.75 billion senior secured credit facility with an initial borrowing base of $1.75 billion. The credit facility covenants were substantially unchanged with this amendment and restatement, and the maturity was extended from August 2010 to August 2012. After adjustment for the Company’s recent bond offering, the borrowing base was approximately $1.69 billion at quarter end. As a result of the Company’s hedge repositioning, the Company anticipates the borrowing base under its credit facility will be reduced to approximately $1.65 billion. The Company anticipates the borrowing base under its credit facility will be increased in October 2009 due to its pending acquisitions in the Permian Basin.
Permian Basin Acquisitions
On August 6, 2009, the Company announced that it had entered into two definitive purchase agreements to acquire certain oil and natural gas properties located in the Permian Basin in West Texas and New Mexico for a combined contract price of $118 million, subject to closing conditions and purchase price adjustments. The Company anticipates that both acquisitions will close before October 1, 2009, and will be financed with borrowings under LINN Energy’s existing credit facility. These properties are expected to have proved reserves of more than 12 million barrels of oil equivalent, which are approximately 86 percent oil and more than 58 percent proved developed. These assets are currently producing approximately 1,350 barrels of oil equivalent per day, resulting in a reserve life index of more than 24 years. The combined acquisitions offer approximately 180 proved infill development and low-risk optimization projects that the Company anticipates will create future growth opportunities. The acquisitions have not been incorporated into guidance included with this press release.
Cash Distributions
On July 23, 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.63 per unit, or $2.52 per unit on an annualized basis, with respect to the second quarter 2009. The distribution will be paid on August 14, 2009, to unitholders of record as of close of business on August 7, 2009.
Use of Non-GAAP Measures
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations, adjusted net income from continuing operations and combined revenues are non-GAAP financial measures that are reconciled to their most comparable GAAP financial measures in Schedules 1, 2 and 3 in this press release.
Conference Call
As previously announced, management will host a teleconference call on August 6, 2009, at 10 a.m. Central (11 a.m. Eastern), to discuss the Company’s second quarter 2009 results and its outlook for the remainder of the year. Prepared remarks will be followed by a question and answer period.
Investors and analysts are invited to participate in the call by phone at (800) 599-9829 (Passcode: 30646303) or via the internet at www.linnenergy.com. A replay of the call will be available on the Company’s website or by phone at (888) 286-8010 (Passcode: 88220379) for a seven-day period following the call. ABOUT LINN ENERGY
LINN Energy’s mission is to acquire, develop and maximize cash flow from a growing portfolio of long-life natural gas and oil assets. LINN Energy is an independent natural gas and oil development company, with approximately 1.7 Tcfe of proved reserves in producing U.S. basins as of year-end 2008. More information about LINN Energy is available at www.linnenergy.com.
Contacts: Investors:
LINN Energy, LLC
Clay Jeansonne, Vice President – Investor Relations
281-840-4193
Media:
LINN Energy, LLC
Paula Beasley, Manager, Public Affairs & Communications
281-840-4183
This press release includes “forward-looking statements.” All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These statements include but are not limited to forward-looking statements about acquisitions and the expectations of plans, strategies, objectives and anticipated financial and operating results of the Company, including the Company’s drilling program, production, hedging activities, capital expenditure levels and other guidance included in this press release. These statements are based on certain assumptions made by the Company based on management’s experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, anticipated future developments and other factors believed to be appropriate. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those implied or expressed by the forward-looking statements. These include risks relating to the Company’s financial performance and results, availability of sufficient cash flow to pay distributions and execute its business plan, prices and demand for oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, the ability to replace reserves and efficiently develop current reserves and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected as described in the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. See “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report filed on Form 10-K and other public filings and press releases.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made and the Company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
The financial summary follows; all amounts within are unaudited.
Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted FSP EITF 03-6-1, “Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities” (“FSP EITF 03-6-1”), which requires that the Company’s unvested restricted units be included in the computation of earnings per unit under the two-class method. FSP EITF 03-6-1 requires retrospective adjustment of all prior period earnings per unit data. As such, earnings per unit data included in the following has been adjusted for all prior periods presented.
Schedule 1
LINN Energy, LLC
Explanation and Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income
Adjusted net income from continuing operations is a non-GAAP performance measure used by Company management to evaluate its operational performance from oil and gas properties, prior to derivative gains and losses, impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets and (gain) loss on sale of assets, net. The following presents a reconciliation of income (loss) from continuing operations to adjusted net income from continuing operations:
This press release includes the non-generally accepted accounting principle (“non-GAAP”) financial measure of adjusted EBITDA. The accompanying schedules provide reconciliations of this non-GAAP financial measure to its most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). This non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP measures, such as net income, operating income or any other GAAP measure of liquidity or financial performance.
The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as income (loss) from continuing operations plus the following adjustments:
Adjusted EBITDA is a significant non-GAAP performance metric used by Company management to indicate (prior to the establishment of any reserves by its Board of Directors) the cash distributions the Company expects to pay unitholders. Specifically, this financial measure indicates to investors whether or not the Company is generating cash flow at a level that can sustain or support an increase in its quarterly distribution rates. Adjusted EBITDA is also a quantitative metric used throughout the investment community with respect to publicly-traded partnerships and limited liability companies.
The following presents a reconciliation of income (loss) from continuing operations to adjusted EBITDA:
Combined revenues is a non-GAAP performance measure used by Company management to evaluate its performance. Management believes that the presentation of combined revenues provides useful information to investors because it is used by investors and securities analysts in evaluating oil and gas companies. This non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP measures, such as total revenues. The following presents a reconciliation of revenues and other from continuing operations to combined revenues from continuing operations:
Includes positions covering production for all months within periods specified.
The following table summarizes open positions as of July 31, 2009, and represents, as of such date, derivatives in place through December 31, 2013, on annual production volumes:
