Opportunistic Asset Monetizations
Thus far in 2019, the Company has closed six transactions that in combination generated proceeds of approximately $220 million. The six transactions include the sale of the Arkoma Basin assets (closed January 2019), the monetization of a portion of the Company’s helium reserves in the Hugoton Basin utilizing a VPP structure (closed March 2019), the sale of certainnon-operated properties located in the Hugoton Basin (closed May 2019), the sale of properties located in Michigan (closed July 2019), the sale of certainnon-core properties located in North Louisiana (closed August 2019), and the sale of properties located in Illinois (closed September 2019).
The Company has also signed definitive agreements to sell its remaining interests in properties located in the Hugoton Basin, expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2019, and its interest in properties located in the Overton field in East Texas, that is expected to close in the first quarter of 2020. In combination, the transactions are expected to generate estimated proceeds of approximately $300 million. The Board and management will determine the use of proceeds, which consistent with past history may include a significant return of capital to shareholders.
Continuation of Share Repurchase Plan
The Company has returned over $140 million of capital to shareholders through a tender offer and share repurchases since the beginning of the year, and over $295 million since August 2018.
On July 18, 2019, the Board increased the share repurchase authorization to $150 million of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock. Through September 30, 2019, the Company repurchased an aggregate of 8,916,526 shares at an average price of $13.55 for a total cost of approximately $121 million. In the third quarter alone the Company bought back 2,327,416 shares at an average price of $10.70 for a total cost of approximately $25 million. As of October 31, 2019, approximately $28 million was available for share repurchase under the program.
Third Quarter 2019 Activity – Upstream Assets
The Company performed in line with expectations in the third quarter with respect to its upstream assets. Production for the third quarter averaged approximately 242 MMcfe/d, in line with our guidance range. Upstream capital expenditures were approximately $6 million, 33% below the guidance target for the quarter. Adjusted G&A expenses were approximately $9 million, and operating expenses were approximately $39 million, bothin-line with guidance ranges for the quarter.
Blue Mountain Business Update
In the third quarter of 2019, natural gas throughput averaged 114 MMcf/d and NGLs produced were 7,250 bpd. Average natural gas throughput for the nine months ending September 30, 2019 was 117 MMcf/d. During the third quarter, 13 wells were turned to sales on the Blue Mountain system; however, throughput volumes were impacted due to our primary customer Roan preloading or temporarilyshutting-in 15 producing wells during the quarter, contributing to an average throughput loss on the system of ~11 MMcf/d since the second quarter of 2019. We anticipate these wells and volumes to return in the fourth quarter of 2019 and the first quarter of 2020.
Management expects throughput volumes from its primary customer to remain relatively flat during the remainder of 2019 as Roan recently entered into an agreement and plan of merger with Citizen. Roan has significantly curtailed operations pending the closing of that transaction, which is anticipated to take place prior to yearend. Citizen is a portfolio company of Warburg Pincus, which has over $62 billion of assets under management and substantial experience in the energy sector.
On August 5, 2019, Blue Mountain acquired 100% interests in Lumen Midstream Partnership, LLC, including approximately 55 miles of natural gas gathering pipelines and an 18 MMcf/d processing plant. During the quarter, the Lumen system was connected to the Blue Mountain system, adding natural gas throughput of ~5 MMcf/d at the cryo plant, beginning on October 1, 2019.
2