EXHIBIT 99.1 |
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For Immediate Release: |
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Monday, August 1, 2005 |
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Contact:Julie S. Ryland |
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205-326-8421 |
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ENERGEN ADDS TO 2006 OIL, GAS HEDGE POSITION
The Company has hedged an additional 5 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of its 2006 natural gas production at a NYMEX price of $8.41 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf), 149,000 barrels of its 2006 oil production at a NYMEX price of $63.30 per barrel, and 115,000 barrels of its 2006 sour oil production at a NYMEX-equivalent price of $62.81 per barrel.
"Energen's long-held practice is to hedge future production to take advantage of attractive commodity prices," said Mike Warren, Energen's chairman and chief executive officer. "We are not trying to be market-timers, but we do plan to lock-in the benefits of current high prices."
With additional uncertainty associated with commodity prices removed from Energen's earnings outlook for 2006, the Company raised its guidance range for the year by 10 cents to a new level of $2.95-$3.25 per diluted share. Embedded in Energen's 2006 earnings guidance is the assumption that average NYMEX prices applicable to its unhedged natural gas and oil production will average $7 per Mcf and $45 per barrel, respectively. The assumed average price for unhedged natural gas liquids (NGL) production in 2006 is approximately 70 cents per gallon.
Also included in the Company's 2006 guidance is an estimated 8 cents per diluted share from unidentified oil and gas property acquisitions of approximately $200 million each in the fourth quarters of 2005 and 2006.
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Commodity | Hedge Vols. | Estimated 2006 Production | % Hedged | NYMEX-equiv. price | ||
Natural Gas | 32.8 Bcf | 64.6 Bcf1 | 59.2 Bcf2 | 51%1 | 55%2 | $7.37 per Mcf |
Oil | 2,424 MBbl | 3,600 MBbl1 | 3,300 MBbl2 | 67%1 | 73%2 | $50.91 per barrel |
NGL | 30.2 MMgal | 85.1 Mgal1 | 79.7 MMgal2 | 36%1 | 38%2 | $0.56 per gallon |
2 Without unidentified 4th quarter acquisition in 2005 and 2006 |
Energen Resources' 2006 natural gas hedge position by hedge type is as follows: |
Hedge Type | Volumes (Bcf) | Assumed Basis Difference | Price/Mcf (NYMEX equiv) |
San Juan Basin-specific | 17.6 | $0.80 | $ 6.84 |
NYMEX Hedges | 15.1 | NA | $ 7.97 |
Energen Resources' 2006 oil hedge position by hedge type is as follows: |
Hedge Type | Volumes (MBbl) | Assumed Sour Oil Difference | Price/Barrel (NYMEX equiv) |
NYMEX Hedges | 509 | - | $44.78 |
Sour Oil (WTS) | 1,915 | $4.11 | $52.54 |
Given Energen Resources' current hedge position for 2006 and assuming prices as outlined above for its unhedged production (excluding volumes from unidentified acquisitions), sensitivities to pricing changes applicable to Energen's 2006 earnings guidance are as follows: - Every 10-cent change in the average NYMEX price of gas from $7 per Mcf represents an estimated net income impact of approximately $1,275,000 (1.7 cents per diluted share). - Every $1.00 change in the average NYMEX price of oil from $45 per barrel represents an estimated net income impact of approximately $425,000 (0.6 cents per diluted share). - Every 1-cent change in average price of NGL from $0.70 per gallon represents an estimated net income impact of approximately $245,000 (0.3 cents per diluted share).
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