On July 18, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors increased the share repurchase authorization to $150 million of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock. As of April 30, 2020, approximately $22 million was available for share repurchase under the program.
First Quarter 2020 Activity – Upstream Assets
The Company performed in line with expectations in the first quarter with respect to its upstream assets. Production for the first quarter averaged approximately 72 MMcfe/d, in line with our guidance range. Upstream capital expenditures were approximately $0.7 million, operating expenses were approximately $7.7 million and adjusted general and administrative expenses were approximately $8.5 million, all in line with our guidance for the quarter.
Blue Mountain Business Update
First Quarter 2020 Activity
In the first quarter of 2020, natural gas throughput on Blue Mountain’s system averaged 118 MMcf/d, relatively flat compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. Blue Mountain continued tying in new wells and turned 14 wells to sales throughout the quarter.
With respect to its water business, Blue Mountain continues to make considerable progress on the buildout of its water gathering system. During the first quarter, Blue Mountain managed 3.7 million barrels of water in total, or approximately 40,600 barrels per day. Of that total, the Company moved over 23,300 barrels per day on pipe (up 102% from fourth quarter 2019). With 57% of managed water on Blue Mountain pipe, Blue Mountain exceeded its guidance range. Furthermore, Blue Mountain completed construction of its third wholly owned and operated salt water disposal well (“SWD”)
Blue Mountain began construction of its crude oil gathering system in October 2019. The initial segments on its South system were placed in service on February 1, 2020 and the initial segments on its North system were placed in service on March 2, 2020.
Capital expenditures were $13 million for the first quarter of 2020, with the majority of capital being spent on water and crude oil gathering pipelines. First quarter capital expenditures exceeded guidance due to the acceleration of certain projects. Full year 2020 Blue Mountain capital is expected to be approximately $25 million, which is 11% lower than prior guidance estimate.
Cost Reduction Initiatives
In the first quarter of 2020, Blue Mountain Midstream’s general and administrative expenses, excluding share-based compensation expenses and severance expenses, were approximately $2.9 million. The Company recently consolidated the management of Blue Mountain within its existing executive management team, while continuing to maintain a separate capital structure for Blue Mountain. With consolidation of Blue Mountain’s management team with the existing Riviera management team, and other cost reduction initiatives, the Company expects by fourth quarter 2020, Blue Mountain’s general and administrative expenses, excluding share-based compensation and severance expenses, will be approximately $2.1 million. This represents a 28% decrease from the first quarter 2020.
Recent Throughput
Starting in April, due to consistently low commodity prices, certain producers have elected toshut-in portions of their production. As a result, Blue Mountain expects to see lower second quarter throughput at its processing plant versus prior quarter, with throughput of approximately 80 MMcf/d at the end of April, approximately 32% lower than average throughput in the first quarter of 2020. Given the dynamic environment, the Company has chosen not to provide second quarter guidance for Blue Mountain.
Balance Sheet and Liquidity
Riviera and Blue Mountain have established separate credit facilities. As of March 31, 2020, Riviera held approximately $155 million of cash, and there were no borrowings outstanding on Riviera’s revolving credit facility (the “Riviera Credit Facility”). Riviera had borrowing commitments of up to $90 million with available borrowing capacity of approximately $89 million, inclusive of outstanding letters of credit. Redetermination of the borrowing base under the Riviera Credit Facility occurs semi-annually, in April and October. The Riviera Credit Facility borrowing base is expected to be reduced as a result of the spring redetermination.
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