Exhibit 99.1
| News Release | ||||
| General Inquiries: (877) 847-0008 | ||||
| www.constellationenergypartners.com | ||||
| Investor Contact: | Charles C. Ward | |
| (877) 847-0009 | ||
Constellation Energy Partners Reports
Second Quarter 2012 Results
| • | CEP completes 33 net wells and recompletions in the second quarter 2012 with an additional 24 net wells and recompletions in progress |
| • | Drilling efforts continue to target Mid-Continent oil opportunities available in CEP’s existing asset base |
| • | CEP’s focus on operating costs expected to result in additional cost reductions in 2012 and 2013 |
HOUSTON—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Aug. 9, 2012—Constellation Energy Partners LLC (NYSE MKT: CEP) today reported second quarter 2012 results.
The company produced 3,142 MMcfe during the second quarter for average daily net production of 34.5 MMcfe for the quarter, which is a 3% decline versus the first quarter 2012. Net oil production for the second quarter was 324 barrels per day, or approximately 29.5 thousand barrels in total, which is unchanged from the first quarter 2012. Year-to-date, the company produced 6,368 MMcfe for average daily net production of 35.0 MMcfe.
The company reported revenue of $11.8 million for the second quarter 2012, which includes revenue from sales of $8.7 million, revenue from hedge settlements of $7.3 million, a non-cash loss on mark-to-market activities of $4.9 million, and revenue from services provided to third parties of $0.7 million. Approximately 67% of the company’s sales revenue during the quarter was from natural gas sales and 33% was from oil sales. Taken together, the company’s revenue from sales and hedge settlements totaled $16.0 million in the second quarter, which compares to $16.2 million in the first quarter 2012.
Operating costs, which include lease operating expenses, production taxes and general and administrative expenses, net of certain non-cash items, averaged $3.24 per Mcfe for the second quarter 2012, which is a 5% improvement versus the first quarter 2012. For the year-to-date, operating costs averaged $3.32 per Mcfe.
Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter 2012 was $6.3 million, which is a 6% improvement versus the first quarter 2012. Adjusted EBITDA for the year-to-date was $12.2 million.
On a GAAP basis, the company recorded a net loss of $5.0 million for the quarter and net income of $0.9 million for the year-to-date.
Capital spending for the year-to-date totaled $6.9 million. The company completed 33 net wells and recompletions on capital spending of $4.2 million in the second quarter. The additional wells resulted in 48 net wells and recompletions for the year-to-date, and the company finished the quarter with an additional 24 net wells and recompletions in progress. Drilling activities in 2012 are focused on oil potential in the company’s existing asset base as well as capital efficient recompletions. The company continues to fund its capital program using cash flow from operations.
“Our second quarter and year-to-date results were in line with our expectations and 2012 forecast,” said Stephen R. Brunner, President and Chief Executive Officer of Constellation Energy Partners. “Our drilling activity in the Cherokee Basin is progressing according to our plans, and we continue to see meaningful results from our focus on oil opportunities. We continue to look for opportunities to lower operating costs, with a goal of further reducing our structural G&A costs by approximately 25% over the next 12 to 18 months. In addition to these areas of focus, we are actively pursuing merger and acquisition opportunities that could lead to enhanced unitholder value.”
Distribution Outlook
The decision to reinstate any future quarterly distributions will consider, among other things, the company’s outstanding borrowings under the reserve-based credit facility and cash reserves that are set by the company’s board of managers for the proper conduct of its business. All distributions are subject to approval by the company’s board of managers.
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Financial Outlook for 2012
The company forecasts capital spending of between $15.0 million and $19.0 million in 2012. Of this amount, $15.0 million is maintenance capital.
Net production is forecast to range between 13.3 and 14.1 Bcfe for 2012, with operating costs forecast to range between $42.5 million and $46.0 million for the year.
The company has hedged approximately 78% of the midpoint of its production forecast, including hedges for the balance of 2012 on 3.1 Bcfe of its Mid-Continent natural gas production at an average price, including basis, of $4.62 per Mcfe, 2.4 Bcfe of its remaining natural gas production at an average price of $5.18 per Mcfe, and 46 MBbl of its oil production at an average price of $103.53 per barrel.
Additional detail on the company’s 2012 forecast can be found in the tables included with the company’s fourth quarter and full year 2011 news release dated Feb. 29, 2012.
Conference Call Information
The company will host a conference call at 3:00 p.m. (CDT) on Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012 to discuss second quarter 2012 results.
To participate in the conference call, analysts, investors, media and the public in the U.S. may dial (800) 857-0653 shortly before 3:00 p.m. (CDT). The international phone number is (773) 799-3268. The conference password is PARTNERS.
A replay will be available beginning approximately one hour after the end of the call by dialing (866) 408-8468 or (203) 369-0640 (international). A live audio webcast of the conference call, presentation slides and the earnings release will be available on Constellation Energy Partners’ Web site (www.constellationenergypartners.com) under the Investor Relations page. The call will also be recorded and archived on the site.
About the Company
Constellation Energy Partners LLC is a limited liability company focused on the acquisition, development and production of oil and natural gas properties, as well as related midstream assets.
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SEC Filings
The company intends to file its second quarter 2012 Form 10-Q on or about Aug. 9, 2012.
Non-GAAP Measures
We present Adjusted EBITDA in addition to our reported net income (loss) in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that is defined as net income (loss) adjusted by interest (income) expense, net; depreciation, depletion and amortization; write-off of deferred financing fees; asset impairments; accretion expense; (gain) loss on sale of assets; exploration costs; (gain) loss from equity investment; unit-based compensation programs; (gain) loss from mark-to-market activities; and unrealized (gain) loss on derivatives/hedge ineffectiveness.
Adjusted EBITDA is used as a quantitative standard by our management and by external users of our financial statements such as investors, research analysts and others to assess the financial performance of our assets without regard to financing methods, capital structure or historical cost basis; the ability of our assets to generate cash sufficient to pay interest costs and support our indebtedness; and our operating performance and return on capital as compared to those of other companies in our industry, without regard to financing or capital structure. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to represent cash flows for the period, nor is it presented as a substitute for net income, operating income, cash flows from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP.
Forward-Looking Statements
We make statements in this news release that are considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are largely based on our expectations, which reflect estimates and assumptions made by our management. These estimates and assumptions reflect our best judgment based on currently known market conditions and other factors. Although we believe such estimates and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently uncertain and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are beyond our control. In addition, management’s assumptions about future events may prove to be inaccurate. Management cautions all readers that the forward-looking statements contained in this news
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release are not guarantees of future performance, and we cannot assure you that such statements will be realized or the forward-looking events and circumstances will occur. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements due to factors listed in the “Risk Factors” section in our SEC filings and elsewhere in those filings. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. We do not intend to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. These cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf.
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Constellation Energy Partners LLC
Operating Statistics
| Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2012 | 2011 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||||||
Net Production: | ||||||||||||||||
Total production (MMcfe) | 3,142 | 3,545 | 6,368 | 6,969 | ||||||||||||
Average daily production (Mcfe/day) | 34,527 | 38,956 | 34,989 | 38,503 | ||||||||||||
Average Net Sales Price per Mcfe: | ||||||||||||||||
Net realized price, including hedges | $ | 5.24 | (a) | $ | 19.05 | (a) | $ | 5.22 | (a) | $ | 13.34 | (a) | ||||
Net realized price, excluding hedges | $ | 2.90 | (b) | $ | 4.60 | (b) | $ | 3.12 | (b) | $ | 4.47 | (b) | ||||
(a)Excludes impact of mark-to-market gains (losses) and net cost of sales. | ||||||||||||||||
(b)Excludes all hedges, the impact of mark-to-market gains (losses) and net cost of sales. | ||||||||||||||||
Net Wells Drilled and Completed | 16 | 10 | 21 | 15 | ||||||||||||
Net Recompletions | 17 | 9 | 27 | 24 | ||||||||||||
Developmental Dry Holes | — | — | — | 1 | ||||||||||||
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Constellation Energy Partners LLC
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
| Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2012 | 2011 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | ($ in thousands) | |||||||||||||||
Oil and gas sales | $ | 16,709 | $ | 68,080 | $ | 33,867 | $ | 93,993 | ||||||||
Gain/(Loss) from mark-to-market activities | (4,897 | ) | (43,656 | ) | 1,705 | (53,765 | ) | |||||||||
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Total revenues | 11,812 | 24,424 | 35,572 | 40,228 | ||||||||||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Lease operating expenses | 6,284 | 6,602 | 13,045 | 14,022 | ||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 251 | 542 | 636 | 1,061 | ||||||||||||
Production taxes | 509 | 660 | 1,057 | 1,431 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative | 3,791 | 4,012 | 7,732 | 8,235 | ||||||||||||
Exploration costs | — | — | — | 131 | ||||||||||||
(Gain)/Loss on sale of assets | (4 | ) | 14 | — | 21 | |||||||||||
Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 4,358 | 5,893 | 8,774 | 11,758 | ||||||||||||
Asset impairments | — | — | 107 | — | ||||||||||||
Accretion expense | 192 | 226 | 383 | 452 | ||||||||||||
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Total operating expenses | 15,381 | 17,949 | 31,734 | 37,111 | ||||||||||||
Other expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Interest (income) expense, net | 1,437 | 4,076 | 3,056 | 5,928 | ||||||||||||
Other (income) expense | 4 | (68 | ) | (93 | ) | (126 | ) | |||||||||
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Total expenses | 16,822 | 21,957 | 34,697 | 42,913 | ||||||||||||
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Net income (loss) | $ | (5,010 | ) | $ | 2,467 | $ | 875 | $ | (2,685 | ) | ||||||
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Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 6,264 | $ | 56,673 | $ | 12,171 | $ | 70,084 | ||||||||
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EPU—Basic | ($ | 0.21 | ) | $ | 0.10 | $ | 0.04 | ($ | 0.11 | ) | ||||||
EPU—Basic Units Outstanding | 24,159,301 | 24,273,244 | 24,173,012 | 24,291,246 | ||||||||||||
EPU—Diluted | ($ | 0.21 | ) | $ | 0.10 | $ | 0.04 | ($ | 0.11 | ) | ||||||
EPU—Diluted Units Outstanding | 24,277,769 | 24,273,244 | 24,232,246 | 24,291,246 | ||||||||||||
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Constellation Energy Partners LLC
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
| June 30, | Dec. 31, | |||||||
| 2012 | 2011 | |||||||
| ($ in thousands) | ||||||||
Current assets | $ | 34,322 | $ | 45,096 | ||||
Oil and natural gas properties, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization | 263,432 | 266,085 | ||||||
Other assets | 21,666 | 23,125 | ||||||
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Total assets | $ | 319,420 | $ | 334,306 | ||||
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Current liabilities | $ | 9,913 | $ | 14,554 | ||||
Debt | 88,400 | 98,400 | ||||||
Other long-term liabilities | 15,371 | 14,432 | ||||||
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Total liabilities | 113,684 | 127,386 | ||||||
Common members' equity | 202,856 | 201,483 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 2,880 | 5,437 | ||||||
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Total members' equity | 205,736 | 206,920 | ||||||
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Total liabilities and members' equity | $ | 319,420 | $ | 334,306 | ||||
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Constellation Energy Partners LLC
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA
| Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2012 | 2011 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | ($ in thousands) | |||||||||||||||
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA: | ||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (5,010 | ) | $ | 2,467 | $ | 875 | $ | (2,685 | ) | ||||||
Add: | ||||||||||||||||
Interest (income) expense, net | 1,437 | 4,076 | 3,056 | 5,928 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 4,358 | 5,893 | 8,774 | 11,758 | ||||||||||||
Asset impairments | — | — | �� | 107 | — | |||||||||||
Accretion expense | 192 | 226 | 383 | 452 | ||||||||||||
(Gain)/Loss on sale of assets | (4 | ) | 14 | — | 21 | |||||||||||
Exploration costs | — | — | — | 131 | ||||||||||||
Unit-based compensation programs | 394 | 341 | 681 | 714 | ||||||||||||
(Gain)/Loss from mark-to-market activities | 4,897 | 43,656 | (1,705 | ) | 53,765 | |||||||||||
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Adjusted EBITDA (1), (2) | $ | 6,264 | $ | 56,673 | $ | 12,171 | $ | 70,084 | ||||||||
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| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2012 | 2011 | |||||||
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Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA: | ||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 5,885 | $ | (5,152 | ) | |||
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Interest (income) expense, net | 1,619 | 1,852 | ||||||
Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 4,416 | 5,865 | ||||||
Asset impairments | 107 | — | ||||||
Accretion expense | 191 | 226 | ||||||
(Gain)/Loss on sale of assets | 4 | 7 | ||||||
Exploration costs | — | 131 | ||||||
Unit-based compensation programs | 287 | 437 | ||||||
(Gain)/Loss from mark-to-market activities | (6,602 | ) | 10,109 | |||||
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Adjusted EBITDA (1) | $ | 5,907 | $ | 13,475 | ||||
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| (1) | Our Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income, cash flows from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Our Adjusted EBITDA excludes some, but not all, items that affect net income and operating income and these measures may vary among other companies. Therefore, our Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. |
We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) plus:
| • | interest (income) expense, net; |
| • | depreciation, depletion and amortization; |
| • | write-off of deferred financing fees; |
| • | asset impairments; |
| • | accretion expense; |
| • | (gain) loss on sale of assets; |
| • | exploration costs; |
| • | (gain) loss from equity investment; |
| • | unit-based compensation programs; |
| • | (gain) loss from mark-to-market activities; and |
| • | unrealized (gain) loss on derivatives/hedge ineffectiveness. |
| (2) | Results for the three and six months ended June, 30, 2011 include $41.3 million in hedge settlements related to the company’s June 2011 hedge restructuring. |
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