Exhibit 99.1
5300 Town and Country Blvd., Suite 500 | |
![]() | Frisco, Texas 75034 |
Telephone: (972) 668-8800 | |
Contact: Roland O. Burns | |
Sr. Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |
Web Site: www.comstockresources.com |
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. REPORTS
FIRST QUARTER 2009 FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESULTS
FRISCO, TEXAS, May 4, 2009 – Comstock Resources, Inc. ("Comstock" or the "Company") (NYSE: CRK) today reported financial and operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2009. Reported results for the three months ended March 31, 2008 reflect the Company's offshore operations which were sold during 2008 as discontinued operations.
Financial Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009
Comstock reported a net loss of $5.7 million or 12¢ per share for the first quarter of 2009 as compared to 2008's first quarter net income from continuing operations of $29.4 million or 64¢ per diluted share. The loss in the first quarter is attributable to the decline in oil and natural gas prices. Comstock averaged $4.75 per Mcf for sales of its natural gas production in the first quarter of 2009, 42% lower than the $8.22 per Mcf realized in 2008's first quarter. Realized oil prices in the first quarter of 2009 averaged $35.03 per barrel, 57% lower than the $81.49 per barrel in 2008's first quarter.
Comstock's production in the first quarter of 2009 increased 3% to 14.1 billion cubic feet equivalent of natural gas ("Bcfe") as compared to pro forma production of 13.7 Bcfe in the first quarter of 2008, which excludes production from properties sold during 2008. The first quarter average daily production rate of 157 million cubic feet of natural gas equivalent ("MMcfe") decreased 4% from the 2008 fourth quarter production rate of 164 MMcfe per day mainly due to operational problems at third party operated gas processing facilities as well as delays experienced by the Company in completing some of its horizontal Haynesville wells during the first quarter of 2009.
Weaker oil and natural gas prices caused first quarter 2009's oil and gas sales to decrease 46% to $68.4 million from 2008's first quarter sales of $127.7 million. Operating cash flow (before changes in working capital accounts) generated by Comstock's continuing operations in 2009's first quarter of $44.8 million decreased 51% from 2008's first quarter operating cash flow of $91.5 million. EBITDAX, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, exploration expense and other noncash expenses from continuing operations, decreased 56% to $45.3 million in 2009's first quarter from 2008's first quarter EBITDAX from continuing operations of $103.2 million.
2009 Drilling Results
Comstock also provided the results to date of its 2009 drilling program. Comstock spent $97.3 million during the first three months of 2009 on its exploration and development activities. Comstock expects to spend a total of $360.0 million in 2009 on its drilling program. In the first quarter of 2009, Comstock drilled 14 wells (11.6 net), all of which were successful. Nine of the 14 wells drilled in the first quarter were horizontal wells.
Comstock reported on its Haynesville Shale program in East Texas and North Louisiana. The Company is very encouraged with recent results from its horizontal wells after changing its completion techniques. Comstock's first Haynesville Shale horizontal wells utilized a formation stimulation process that utilized cross-linked heavier gel frac fluids and 20/40 ceramic proppants. Based on results that other operators had achieved, Comstock modified the formation stimulation process to primarily non-cross linked lighter frac fluids (slick water) and smaller 40/70 resin coated sand or ceramic proppants. Initial production results from wells using the new completion method were notably superior to wells using the old method.
The two wells drilled in the first quarter completed with the old method were the Bogue A #6H well drilled in the Waskom field in Harrison County, Texas and the Hart #1H drilled in the Logansport field in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana. The Bogue A #6H was drilled to a vertical depth of 10,858 feet with a 2,600 foot horizontal lateral. The well was completed with seven frac stages and was tested at an initial production rate of 7.4 MMcfe per day. Comstock has a 100% working interest in this well. The Hart #1H was drilled to a vertical depth of 11,553 feet with a 3,770 foot horizontal lateral. The well was completed with ten frac stages and was tested at an initial production rate of 7.2 MMcfe per day. Comstock has an 88% working interest in this well. The Moneyham #1H in the Longwood field in Caddo Parish, Louisiana used the cross-linked heavier gel frac fluids but used smaller 40/70 proppant. The Moneyham #1H was drilled to a vertical depth of 10,572 feet with a 3,840 foot horizontal lateral. The Moneyham was completed with ten frac stages, however during clean-out operations coiled tubing was lost in the well lateral. The well subsequently tested at an initial production rate of 6.6 MMcfe per day. Comstock has a 100% working interest in this well.
Comstock has completed three wells using the new completion method. The Headrick #1H and the Holmes A #1H were drilled in the Logansport field in the DeSoto Parish, Louisiana. The Headrick #1H was drilled to a vertical depth of 11,525 feet with a 4,060 foot horizontal lateral. The well was completed with ten frac stages and was tested at an initial production rate of 15.1 MMcfe per day. Comstock has a 100% working interest in this well. The Holmes A #1H was drilled to a vertical depth of 11,442 feet with a 4,010 foot horizontal lateral. The Holmes was completed with ten frac stages and was tested at an initial production rate of 16.2 MMcfe per day. Comstock has a 78% working interest in this well. Comstock's most recently completed Haynesville well is in its Toledo Bend North field in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana. The BSMC 12 #1H was drilled to a vertical depth of 11,535 feet with a 4,135 foot horizontal lateral. This well was completed with ten frac stages and was tested with an initial production rate of 11.6 MMcfe per day. Comstock has an 88% working interest in this well.
Comstock has scheduled the completion of four Haynesville horizontal wells, the Green #13H in Harrison County, Texas and the Broome #1H, Caraway #3H and the Colvin-Craner #2H in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana. Comstock currently has five operated horizontal Haynesville Shale wells drilling and is participating in four non-operated horizontal Haynesville Shale wells.
In addition to the Haynesville Shale wells drilled in the East Texas/North Louisiana region in the first quarter, Comstock drilled three (2.2 net) successful horizontal wells targeting the Cotton Valley Taylor Sands. These wells were drilled in the Blocker and Waskom fields in Harrison County, Texas and were tested at an average per well initial production rate of 4.2 MMcfe per day. Comstock also drilled two (1.4 net) successful vertical wells in its Logansport field in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana which were tested at an average per well initial production rate of 1.6 MMcfe per day.
In its South Texas region, Comstock drilled three successful wells (2.5 net) in the first quarter which had an average per well initial production rate of 8.5 MMcfe per day. Comstock drilled the Muzza #13 in the Fandango field to a 16,300 foot vertical depth and completed this well with an initial production rate of 7.3 MMcfe per day. The Trevino #3 also in the Fandango field was drilled to a vertical depth of 14,720 feet. This well was successfully completed with an initial production rate of 8.4 MMcfe per day. Comstock has a 100% working interest in these wells. The Santa Fe Julian Pasture #1 well in the Ball Ranch field was drilled to a total vertical depth of 13,388 feet and completed with an initial production rate of 9.9 MMcfe per day. Comstock has a 45% working interest in this well.
Comstock also announced that its bank group led by Bank of Montreal has redetermined the Company's borrowing base under its bank revolving credit facility to $550.0 million. At the end of the first quarter, Comstock had $90.0 million outstanding under its bank revolving credit facility.
Comstock has planned a conference call for 9:30 a.m. Central Time on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 to discuss the operational and financial results for the first quarter of 2009. Investors wishing to participate should visit our website at www.comstockresources.com for a live web cast or dial 1-866-788-0540 and provide access code 48691066 when prompted. If you are unable to participate in the original conference call, a web replay will be available approximately 24 hours following the completion of the call on Comstock's website at www.comstockresources.com. The web replay will be available for approximately one week.
This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described herein. Although the Company believes the expectations in such statements to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.
Comstock Resources, Inc. is a growing independent energy company based in Frisco, Texas and is engaged in oil and gas acquisitions, exploration and development primarily in Texas and Louisiana. The Company's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CRK.
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
OPERATING RESULTS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2009 | 2008 | |||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||
Oil and gas sales | $ | 68,351 | $ | 127,721 | ||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||
Oil and gas operating | 16,959 | 21,202 | ||||||
Exploration | 13 | 2,238 | ||||||
Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 47,272 | 41,505 | ||||||
General and administrative | 9,819 | 6,164 | ||||||
Loss on sales of assets | — | 240 | ||||||
Total operating expenses | 74,063 | 71,349 | ||||||
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations | (5,712 | ) | 56,372 | |||||
Other income (expenses): | ||||||||
Interest income | 22 | 161 | ||||||
Other income | 63 | 22 | ||||||
Interest expense | (2,162 | ) | (9,951 | ) | ||||
Total other income (expenses) | (2,077 | ) | (9,768 | ) | ||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | (7,789 | ) | 46,604 | |||||
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes | 2,132 | (17,202 | ) | |||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations | (5,657 | ) | 29,402 | |||||
Income from discontinued operations after income taxes and minority interest | — | 11,693 | ||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (5,657 | ) | $ | 41,095 | |||
Basic net income (loss) per share: | ||||||||
Continuing operations | $ | (0.12 | ) | $ | 0.65 | |||
Discontinued operations | — | 0.26 | ||||||
$ | (0.12 | ) | $ | 0.91 | ||||
Diluted net income (loss) per share: | ||||||||
Continuing operations | $ | (0.12 | )(1) | $ | 0.64 | |||
Discontinued operations | — | 0.26 | ||||||
$ | (0.12 | )(1) | $ | 0.90 | ||||
Weighted average shares outstanding: | ||||||||
Basic | 44,941 | 44,179 | ||||||
Diluted | 44,941 | (1) | 44,567 |
(1) Basic and diluted are the same due to the net loss. |
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
OPERATING RESULTS
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2009 | 2008 | |||||||
OPERATING CASH FLOW: | ||||||||
Net income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | (5,657 | ) | $ | 29,402 | |||
Reconciling items: | ||||||||
Deferred income taxes | (721 | ) | 15,232 | |||||
Dry hole costs and lease impairments | — | 2,238 | ||||||
Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 47,272 | 41,505 | ||||||
Loss on sale of assets | — | 240 | ||||||
Debt issuance cost amortization | 203 | 202 | ||||||
Stock-based compensation | 3,667 | 2,678 | ||||||
Operating cash flow | 44,764 | 91,497 | ||||||
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation | (679 | ) | (670 | ) | ||||
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable | 10,185 | (15,665 | ) | |||||
Decrease (increase) in other current assets | 235 | (158 | ) | |||||
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses | (14,043 | ) | (20,647 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations | $ | 40,462 | $ | 54,357 | ||||
EBITDAX: | ||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | (5,657 | ) | $ | 29,402 | |||
Loss on sale of assets | — | 240 | ||||||
Interest expense | 2,162 | 9,951 | ||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) | (2,132 | ) | 17,202 | |||||
Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 47,272 | 41,505 | ||||||
Stock-based compensation | 3,667 | 2,678 | ||||||
Exploration | 13 | 2,238 | ||||||
EBITDAX from continuing operations | $ | 45,325 | $ | 103,216 |
As of March 31, | ||||||||
2009 | 2008 | |||||||
Balance Sheet Data: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 963 | $ | 1,555 | ||||
Derivative financial instruments | 18,369 | — | ||||||
Other current assets | 60,691 | 73,046 | ||||||
Marketable securities | 15,351 | — | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | 1,494,923 | 1,329,340 | ||||||
Assets of discontinued operations | — | 1,011,934 | ||||||
Other | 2,950 | 3,741 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 1,593,247 | $ | 2,419,616 | ||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 96,035 | $ | 63,780 | ||||
Derivative financial instruments | — | 17,658 | ||||||
Long-term debt | 265,000 | 680,000 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes | 184,484 | 105,064 | ||||||
Asset retirement obligation | 5,678 | 7,827 | ||||||
Liabilities and minority interest of discontinued operations | — | 738,226 | ||||||
Stockholders' equity | 1,042,050 | 807,061 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 1,593,247 | $ | 2,419,616 |
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
REGIONAL OPERATING RESULTS
(In thousands, except per unit amounts)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 | ||||||||||||||||
East Texas/ | ||||||||||||||||
North | South | |||||||||||||||
Louisiana | Texas | Other | Total | |||||||||||||
Oil production (thousand barrels) | 63 | 51 | 102 | 216 | ||||||||||||
Gas production (million cubic feet – Mmcf) | 7,179 | 4,911 | 703 | 12,793 | ||||||||||||
Total production (Mmcfe) | 7,555 | 5,218 | 1,315 | 14,088 | ||||||||||||
Oil sales | $ | 2,275 | $ | 2,079 | $ | 3,207 | $ | 7,561 | ||||||||
Gas sales | 31,318 | 20,964 | 2,596 | 54,878 | ||||||||||||
Gas hedging gains | — | 5,912 | — | 5,912 | ||||||||||||
Total gas sales | 31,318 | 26,876 | 2,596 | 60,790 | ||||||||||||
Total oil and gas sales | $ | 33,593 | $ | 28,955 | $ | 5,803 | $ | 68,351 | ||||||||
Average oil price (per barrel) | $ | 36.11 | $ | 40.76 | $ | 31.44 | $ | 35.03 | ||||||||
Average gas price (per thousand cubic feet – Mcf) | $ | 4.36 | $ | 4.27 | $ | 3.69 | $ | 4.29 | ||||||||
Average gas price including hedging (per Mcf) | $ | 4.36 | $ | 5.27 | $ | 3.69 | $ | 4.75 | ||||||||
Average price (per Mcf equivalent) | $ | 4.45 | $ | 4.42 | $ | 4.41 | $ | 4.43 | ||||||||
Average price including hedging (per Mcf equivalent) | $ | 4.45 | $ | 5.55 | $ | 4.41 | $ | 4.85 | ||||||||
Lifting cost(1) | $ | 7,503 | $ | 5,502 | $ | 3,954 | $ | 16,959 | (1) | |||||||
Lifting cost (per Mcf equivalent) | $ | 0.99 | $ | 1.05 | $ | 3.01 | $ | 1.20 | ||||||||
Oil and Gas Capital Expenditures: | ||||||||||||||||
Leasehold costs | $ | 3,401 | $ | 271 | $ | — | $ | 3,672 | ||||||||
Exploratory drilling | 36,467 | 1,812 | — | 38,279 | ||||||||||||
Development drilling | 31,657 | 18,952 | — | 50,609 | ||||||||||||
Other development | 1,398 | 2,966 | 332 | 4,696 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 72,923 | $ | 24,001 | $ | 332 | $ | 97,256 |
(1) Includes production taxes of $1,122. |
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
REGIONAL OPERATING RESULTS
(In thousands, except per unit amounts)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As Reported | Adjusted to Exclude 2008 Asset Sales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
East Texas/ | East Texas/ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
North | South | North | South | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Louisiana | Texas | Other | Total | Louisiana | Texas | Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Oil production (thousand barrels) | 47 | 46 | 150 | 243 | 42 | 33 | 150 | 225 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gas production (million cubic feet – Mmcf) | 6,727 | 5,630 | 773 | 13,130 | 6,281 | 5,330 | 773 | 12,384 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total production (Mmcfe) | 7,008 | 5,907 | 1,671 | 14,586 | 6,535 | 5,527 | 1,671 | 13,733 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Oil sales | $ | 4,424 | $ | 4,520 | $ | 10,828 | $ | 19,772 | $ | 3,981 | $ | 3,235 | $ | 10,828 | $ | 18,044 | ||||||||||||||||
Gas sales | 55,731 | 46,135 | 6,327 | 108,193 | 52,657 | 43,799 | 6,327 | 102,783 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gas hedging losses | — | (244 | ) | — | (244 | ) | — | (244 | ) | — | (244 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total gas sales | 55,731 | 45,891 | 6,327 | 107,949 | 52,657 | 43,555 | 6,327 | 102,539 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total oil and gas sales(4) | $ | 60,155 | $ | 50,411 | $ | 17,155 | $ | 127,721 | $ | 56,638 | $ | 46,790 | $ | 17,155 | $ | 120,583 | (4) | |||||||||||||||
Average oil price (per barrel) | $ | 94.13 | $ | 98.26 | $ | 72.19 | $ | 81.49 | $ | 94.79 | $ | 98.03 | $ | 72.19 | $ | 80.17 | ||||||||||||||||
Average gas price (per thousand cubic feet – Mcf) | $ | 8.28 | $ | 8.19 | $ | 8.18 | $ | 8.24 | $ | 8.38 | $ | 8.22 | $ | 8.18 | $ | 8.30 | ||||||||||||||||
Average gas price including hedging (per Mcf) | $ | 8.28 | $ | 8.15 | $ | 8.18 | $ | 8.22 | $ | 8.38 | $ | 8.17 | $ | 8.18 | $ | 8.28 | ||||||||||||||||
Average price (per Mcf equivalent) | $ | 8.58 | $ | 8.58 | $ | 10.27 | $ | 8.77 | $ | 8.67 | $ | 8.51 | $ | 10.27 | $ | 8.80 | ||||||||||||||||
Average price including hedging (per Mcf equivalent) | $ | 8.58 | $ | 8.53 | $ | 10.27 | $ | 8.76 | $ | 8.67 | $ | 8.47 | $ | 10.27 | $ | 8.78 | ||||||||||||||||
Lifting cost(2)(3)(4) | $ | 8,769 | $ | 7,056 | $ | 5,377 | $ | 21,202 | (2) | $ | 7,833 | $ | 6,125 | $ | 5,377 | $ | 19,335 | (3)(4) | ||||||||||||||
Lifting cost (per Mcf equivalent) | $ | 1.25 | $ | 1.19 | $ | 3.22 | $ | 1.45 | $ | 1.20 | $ | 1.11 | $ | 3.22 | $ | 1.41 | ||||||||||||||||
Oil and Gas Capital Expenditures: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Leasehold costs | $ | 2,861 | $ | 1,124 | $ | 49 | $ | 4,034 | $ | 2,861 | $ | 1,124 | $ | 49 | $ | 4,034 | ||||||||||||||||
Exploratory drilling | — | 2,356 | 123 | 2,479 | — | 2,356 | 123 | 2,479 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Development drilling | 39,373 | 11,403 | 1,389 | 52,165 | 39,373 | 11,403 | 1,389 | 52,165 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other development(4) | 930 | 717 | 1,716 | 3,363 | 782 | 545 | 1,716 | 3,043 | (4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total(4) | $ | 43,164 | $ | 15,600 | $ | 3,277 | $ | 62,041 | $ | 43,016 | $ | 15,428 | $ | 3,277 | $ | 61,721 | (4) |
(2) Includes production taxes of $6,233. (3) Includes production taxes of $5,936. (4) Excludes oil and gas revenues of $7,138, operating expenses of $1,867 and other development capital expenditures of $320 related to oil and gas properties sold during 2008. |