Exhibit 99.1

Cabot Oil & Gas Sets Many New Highs;
2008 Unprecedented
HOUSTON, February 12, 2009—Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation (NYSE: COG) today announced its 2008 results that included new record highs for reserves, production, earnings (excluding gain on sales) and cash flow.
| • | | Total proved reserves growth of 20 percent year-over-year, reaching 1,942 Bcfe, as the result of a 443 percent replacement of production. |
| • | | Production for 2008 of 95.2 Bcfe, an 11 percent increase over 2007. |
| • | | Net income of $211.3 million and earnings per share of $2.10. |
| • | | Record cash flow levels, including $634.4 million for cash flow from operations, and $608.7 million for discretionary cash flow. |
“Our marketplace has changed substantially since the start of 2008, but that does not detract from this level of achievement,” said Dan O. Dinges, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Double-digit growth in reserves and production, along with exceptional financial results, made 2008 an outstanding year for Cabot.”
Full Year Financial Results
For 2008, Cabot reported net income of $211.3 million, or $2.10 per share, which compares favorably with the $167.4 million of net income, or $1.73 per share, recorded in 2007. Excluding the selected items in both 2008 and 2007 (detailed in the attached tables), the full year comparisons for net income would have been $232.8 million, or $2.31 per share, for 2008 versus $171.5 million, or $1.77 per share, for 2007. The selected items include impairments, gains and stock compensation charges.
The main drivers of the improved financial results were higher realized commodity prices and increased equivalent production, partially offset by higher operating expenses. Inclusive of realized hedge gains and losses for the year, natural gas prices rose 16 percent to $8.39 per Mcf for the entire Company and oil prices increased 33 percent to $89.11 per barrel.
1
Expenses in each category other than exploration expense rose year-over-year, as a result of more activity in Cabot’s organic drilling program, completion of an acquisition and general market conditions that existed the first eight months of the year. Exploration expense declined between years primarily due to fewer dry holes.
Reserves and Production
“In 2008, Cabot had its largest investment program ever, which included a significant acquisition, extensive drilling and a large lease acquisition effort,” commented Dinges. “This program added nearly 500 Bcfe of reserves before taking into account the production for the year of 95.2 Bcfe and negative reserve revisions of 57.3 Bcfe, which was primarily due to lower year-end pricing.”
The gross increase was roughly two-thirds organic and one-third acquisition. The Company’s proved undeveloped portion of reserves grew slightly, to 30.6 percent (from 27.2 percent in 2007), due almost entirely to the higher PUD component of the acquired reserves. “Our reserves have been 100 percent audited since our inception as a public company,” stated Dinges. “Our finding cost for 2008 experienced an increase due to several factors, including an outsized lease acquisition budget primarily focused on the Marcellus, a proved producing property acquisition and inflationary pressures in all aspects of drilling and completions. Our drilling finding cost (additions only) for the year was $2.25 per Mcfe.” Details of finding cost are included in attached table.
Fourth Quarter
On the strength of higher levels of production and increased natural gas price realizations offset somewhat by cost increases for comparable fourth quarter periods, the Company reported net income of $43.7 million, or $0.42 per share, versus $42.0 million, or $0.43 per share, between 2008 and 2007, respectively. Excluding the selected items (detailed in the attached table), the comparison would have been $45.8 million in the fourth quarter 2008 versus $43.0 million in the fourth quarter 2007. Earnings per share, excluding the selected items, would have been $0.44 in both periods.
Balance Sheet
During 2008, the Company raised around $800 million through new debt and equity to fund its acquisition effort for both producing property and leases. This increase gave Cabot a year-end net debt to total adjusted capital ratio of 31.9 percent versus 23.6 percent for the 2007 year-end. “While up, this level remains very low by historical standards and affords us financial strength in this very trying environment,” said Dinges.
2
Conference Call
Listen in live to Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation’s year-end and fourth quarter financial and operating results discussion with financial analysts on Friday, February 13, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. EST (8:30 a.m. CST) atwww.cabotog.com. A teleconference replay will also be available at (800) 642-1687, (U.S./Canada) or (706) 645-9291 (International), pass code 80498112. The replay will be available through Sunday, February 15, 2009. The latest financial guidance, including the Company’s hedge positions, along with a replay of the web cast, which will be archived for one year, are available in the investor relations section of the Company’s website atwww.cabotog.com.
Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation, headquartered in Houston, Texas is a leading independent natural gas producer with substantial interests in the Gulf Coast, including Texas and Louisiana; the West, with the Rocky Mountains and Mid-Continent; the East and in Canada. For additional information, visit the Company’s Internet homepage atwww.cabotog.com.
The statements regarding future financial performance and results and the other statements which are not historical facts contained in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, market factors, the market price (including regional basis differentials) of natural gas and oil, results of future drilling and marketing activity, future production and costs, and other factors detailed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
3
CABOT OIL & GAS RESULTS — Page 4
OPERATING DATA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Quarter Ended December 31, | | | Twelve Months Ended December 31, | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2008 | | | 2007 | |
PRODUCED NATURAL GAS (Bcf) & OIL (MBbl) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Natural Gas | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
East | | | 6.9 | | | | 6.2 | | | | 25.2 | | | | 24.4 | |
Gulf Coast | | | 10.2 | | | | 7.1 | | | | 34.6 | | | | 26.8 | |
West | | | 6.5 | | | | 6.0 | | | | 26.5 | | | | 25.4 | |
Canada | | | 0.7 | | | | 0.9 | | | | 4.1 | | | | 3.9 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | 24.3 | | | | 20.2 | | | | 90.4 | | | | 80.5 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Crude/Condensate/Ngl | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
East | | | 6 | | | | 6 | | | | 23 | | | | 26 | |
Gulf Coast | | | 153 | | | | 143 | | | | 585 | | | | 606 | |
West | | | 42 | | | | 40 | | | | 165 | | | | 180 | |
Canada | | | 4 | | | | 4 | | | | 21 | | | | 18 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | 205 | | | | 193 | | | | 794 | | | | 830 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Equivalent Production (Bcfe) | | | 25.6 | | | | 21.4 | | | | 95.2 | | | | 85.5 | |
| | | | |
PRICES | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Average Produced Gas Sales Price ($/Mcf) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
East | | $ | 7.90 | | | $ | 7.83 | | | $ | 8.54 | | | $ | 7.78 | |
Gulf Coast | | $ | 8.53 | | | $ | 8.25 | | | $ | 9.23 | | | $ | 8.03 | |
West | | $ | 6.36 | | | $ | 6.55 | | | $ | 7.28 | | | $ | 6.13 | |
Canada | | $ | 6.66 | | | $ | 4.95 | | | $ | 7.62 | | | $ | 5.47 | |
Total(1) | | $ | 7.71 | | | $ | 7.46 | | | $ | 8.39 | | | $ | 7.23 | |
| | | | |
Average Crude/Condensate Price ($/Bbl) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
East | | $ | 53.03 | | | $ | 87.93 | | | $ | 92.07 | | | $ | 66.97 | |
Gulf Coast | | $ | 78.44 | | | $ | 82.95 | | | $ | 87.39 | | | $ | 67.17 | |
West | | $ | 54.66 | | | $ | 85.96 | | | $ | 95.48 | | | $ | 67.86 | |
Canada | | $ | 50.04 | | | $ | 82.08 | | | $ | 85.08 | | | $ | 59.96 | |
Total(1) | | $ | 72.41 | | | $ | 83.69 | | | $ | 89.11 | | | $ | 67.16 | |
| | | | |
WELLS DRILLED | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross | | | 99 | | | | 102 | | | | 432 | | | | 461 | |
Net | | | 78 | | | | 78 | | | | 355 | | | | 391 | |
Gross Success Rate | | | 92 | % | | | 89 | % | | | 97 | % | | | 96 | % |
(1) | These realized prices include the realized impact of derivative instrument settlements. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Quarter Ended December 31, | | | Twelve Months Ended December 31, | |
| | 2008 | | 2007 | | | 2008 | | | 2007 | |
Realized Impacts to Gas Pricing | | $ | 1.88 | | $ | 1.00 | | | $ | 0.20 | | | $ | 0.99 | |
Realized Impacts to Oil Pricing | | $ | 18.71 | | $ | (5.12 | ) | | $ | (6.33 | ) | | $ | (0.97 | ) |
CABOT OIL & GAS RESULTS — Page 5
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Quarter Ended December 31, | | Twelve Months Ended December 31, |
| | 2008 | | 2007 | | 2008 | | 2007 |
Operating Revenues | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Natural Gas Production | | $ | 189,228 | | $ | 150,462 | | $ | 758,755 | | $ | 581,640 |
Brokered Natural Gas | | | 27,557 | | | 26,858 | | | 114,220 | | | 93,215 |
Crude Oil and Condensate | | | 14,622 | | | 15,954 | | | 69,711 | | | 55,243 |
Other | | | 1,059 | | | 643 | | | 3,105 | | | 2,072 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 232,466 | | | 193,917 | | | 945,791 | | | 732,170 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Operating Expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Brokered Natural Gas Cost | | | 25,128 | | | 23,846 | | | 100,449 | | | 81,819 |
Direct Operations—Field and Pipeline | | | 26,738 | | | 20,039 | | | 91,839 | | | 77,170 |
Exploration | | | 12,436 | | | 18,529 | | | 31,200 | | | 39,772 |
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization | | | 74,840 | | | 41,442 | | | 226,915 | | | 162,993 |
Impairment of Oil & Gas Properties and Other Assets | | | 35,700 | | | — | | | 35,700 | | | 4,614 |
General and Administrative (excluding Stock-Based Compensation) | | | 8,350 | | | 7,093 | | | 39,615 | | | 35,473 |
Stock-Based Compensation(1) | | | 4,994 | | | 2,722 | | | 34,570 | | | 15,302 |
Taxes Other Than Income | | | 9,791 | | | 11,659 | | | 66,540 | | | 53,782 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 197,977 | | | 125,330 | | | 626,828 | | | 470,925 |
Gain on Sale of Assets and Settlement of Dispute(2) | | | 52,648 | | | 1,155 | | | 53,049 | | | 13,448 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income from Operations | | | 87,137 | | | 69,742 | | | 372,012 | | | 274,693 |
Interest Expense and Other | | | 13,705 | | | 5,697 | | | 36,389 | | | 17,161 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income Before Income Taxes | | | 73,432 | | | 64,045 | | | 335,623 | | | 257,532 |
Income Tax Expense | | | 29,732 | | | 21,998 | | | 124,333 | | | 90,109 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Income | | $ | 43,700 | | $ | 42,047 | | $ | 211,290 | | $ | 167,423 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Earnings Per Share—Basic | | $ | 0.42 | | $ | 0.43 | | $ | 2.10 | | $ | 1.73 |
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding | | | 103,354 | | | 97,212 | | | 100,737 | | | 96,978 |
(1) | Includes the impact of the Company’s performance share awards and restricted stock amortization as well as expense related to stock options and stock appreciation rights. Also includes expense for the Supplemental Employee Incentive Plan which commenced in January 2008. |
(2) | Includes post-closing transactions associated with the sale in the third quarter of 2006 of offshore and certain south Louisiana properties and a gain associated with the Company’s settlement of a dispute in the fourth quarter of 2008. The dispute settlement includes the value of cash and properties received. |
CABOT OIL & GAS RESULTS — Page 6
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
| | | | | | |
| | December 31, 2008 | | December 31, 2007 |
Assets | | | | | | |
Current Assets | | $ | 460,551 | | $ | 217,483 |
Property, Equipment and Other Assets | | | 3,241,113 | | | 1,939,334 |
| | | | | | |
Total Assets | | $ | 3,701,664 | | $ | 2,156,817 |
| | | | | | |
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | | | | | | |
Current Liabilities | | $ | 378,913 | | $ | 248,336 |
Long-Term Debt, excluding Current Maturities | | | 831,143 | | | 330,000 |
Deferred Income Taxes | | | 599,106 | | | 433,923 |
Other Liabilities | | | 101,940 | | | 74,301 |
Stockholders’ Equity | | | 1,790,562 | | | 1,070,257 |
| | | | | | |
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | | $ | 3,701,664 | | $ | 2,156,817 |
| | | | | | |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Quarter Ended December 31, | | | Twelve Months Ended December 31, | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2008 | | | 2007 | |
Cash Flows From Operating Activities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Income | | $ | 43,700 | | | $ | 42,047 | | | $ | 211,290 | | | $ | 167,423 | |
Unrealized (Gain) / Loss on Derivatives | | | (1,649 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Impairment of Oil & Gas Properties and Other Assets | | | 35,700 | | | | — | | | | 35,700 | | | | 4,614 | |
Income Charges Not Requiring Cash | | | 80,092 | | | | 44,140 | | | | 242,538 | | | | 179,234 | |
Non-Cash Gain on Sale of Assets and Settlement of Dispute | | | (32,448 | ) | | | (1,155 | ) | | | (32,849 | ) | | | (13,448 | ) |
Deferred Income Tax Expense | | | 24,392 | | | | 28,222 | | | | 120,851 | | | | 95,152 | |
Changes in Assets and Liabilities | | | 47,176 | | | | (5,062 | ) | | | 36,408 | | | | (10,610 | ) |
Stock-Based Compensation Tax Expense / (Benefit) | | | 320 | | | | 6,857 | | | | (10,691 | ) | | | — | |
Exploration Expense | | | 12,436 | | | | 18,529 | | | | 31,200 | | | | 39,772 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Cash Provided by Operations | | | 209,719 | | | | 133,578 | | | | 634,447 | | | | 462,137 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Cash Flows From Investing Activities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Capital Expenditures | | | (258,849 | ) | | | (140,248 | ) | | | (1,423,188 | ) | | | (557,211 | ) |
Proceeds from Sale of Assets | | | 949 | | | | 1,235 | | | | 2,099 | | | | 7,061 | |
Exploration Expense | | | (12,436 | ) | | | (18,529 | ) | | | (31,200 | ) | | | (39,772 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Cash Used in Investing | | | (270,336 | ) | | | (157,542 | ) | | | (1,452,289 | ) | | | (589,922 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Cash Flows From Financing Activities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Sale of Common Stock Proceeds | | | 1 | | | | 2,785 | | | | 316,230 | | | | 5,099 | |
Net Increase in Debt | | | 47,000 | | | | 35,000 | | | | 517,000 | | | | 110,000 | |
Capitalized Debt Issuance Costs | | | (2,237 | ) | | | — | | | | (4,403 | ) | | | — | |
Stock-Based Compensation Tax Expense / (Benefit) | | | (320 | ) | | | (6,857 | ) | | | 10,691 | | | | — | |
Dividends Paid | | | (3,100 | ) | | | (2,917 | ) | | | (12,073 | ) | | | (10,670 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Cash Provided by Financing | | | 41,344 | | | | 28,011 | | | | 827,445 | | | | 104,429 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Net Increase / (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents | | $ | (19,273 | ) | | $ | 4,047 | | | $ | 9,603 | | | $ | (23,356 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CABOT OIL & GAS RESULTS — Page 7
Selected Item Review and Reconciliation of Net Income and Earnings Per Share
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Quarter Ended December 31, | | | Twelve Months Ended December 31, | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2008 | | | 2007 | |
As Reported—Net Income | | $ | 43,700 | | | $ | 42,047 | | | $ | 211,290 | | | $ | 167,423 | |
Reversal of Selected Items, Net of Tax: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Impairment of Oil & Gas Properties and Other Assets | | | 22,384 | | | | — | | | | 22,384 | | | | 2,870 | |
Impairment of Unproved Properties(2) | | | 10,653 | | | | — | | | | 10,653 | | | | — | |
Gain on Sale of Assets and Settlement of Dispute(3) | | | (33,010 | ) | | | (723 | ) | | | (33,263 | ) | | | (8,369 | ) |
Stock-Based Compensation Expense | | | 3,131 | | | | 1,704 | | | | 21,756 | | | | 9,529 | |
Unrealized Gain on Derivatives(1) | | | (1,040 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Income Excluding Selected Items | | $ | 45,818 | | | $ | 43,028 | | | $ | 232,820 | | | $ | 171,453 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
As Reported—Net Earnings Per Share | | $ | 0.42 | | | $ | 0.43 | | | $ | 2.10 | | | $ | 1.73 | |
Per Share Impact of Reversing Selected Items | | | 0.02 | | | | 0.01 | | | | 0.21 | | | | 0.04 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Earnings Per Share Including Reversal of Selected Items | | $ | 0.44 | | | $ | 0.44 | | | $ | 2.31 | | | $ | 1.77 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding | | | 103,354 | | | | 97,212 | | | | 100,737 | | | | 96,978 | |
| (1) | This unrealized gain is included in Natural Gas Production Revenues in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and represents the mark to market change related to a portion of a derivative not designated as a hedge in the second quarter of 2008. |
| (2) | This impairment of unproved properties represents a portion of the total impairment relating to the accelerated recognition of impairments on exploratory prospects in Mississippi, North Dakota and Montana that have been recognized due to the unprecedented decline in oil price and abandonment of exploration plans. |
| (3) | Includes post-closing transactions associated with the sale in the third quarter of 2006 of offshore and certain south Louisiana properties and a gain associated with the Company’s settlement of a dispute in the fourth quarter of 2008. The dispute settlement includes the value of cash and properties received. |
Discretionary Cash Flow Calculation and Reconciliation
(In thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Quarter Ended December 31, | | | Twelve Months Ended December 31, | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2008 | | | 2007 | |
Discretionary Cash Flow | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
As Reported—Net Income | | $ | 43,700 | | | $ | 42,047 | | | $ | 211,290 | | | $ | 167,423 | |
Plus / (Less): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized Gain on Derivatives | | | (1,649 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Impairment of Oil & Gas Properties and Other Assets | | | 35,700 | | | | — | | | | 35,700 | | | | 4,614 | |
Income Charges Not Requiring Cash | | | 80,092 | | | | 44,140 | | | | 242,538 | | | | 179,234 | |
Non-Cash Gain on Sale of Assets and Settlement of Dispute | | | (32,448 | ) | | | (1,155 | ) | | | (32,849 | ) | | | (13,448 | ) |
Deferred Income Tax Expense | | | 24,392 | | | | 28,222 | | | | 120,851 | | | | 95,152 | |
Exploration Expense | | | 12,436 | | | | 18,529 | | | | 31,200 | | | | 39,772 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Discretionary Cash Flow | | | 162,223 | | | | 131,783 | | | | 608,730 | | | | 472,747 | |
Changes in Assets and Liabilities | | | 47,176 | | | | (5,062 | ) | | | 36,408 | | | | (10,610 | ) |
Stock-Based Compensation Tax Expense / (Benefit) | | | 320 | | | | 6,857 | | | | (10,691 | ) | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Cash Provided by Operations | | $ | 209,719 | | | $ | 133,578 | | | $ | 634,447 | | | $ | 462,137 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Debt Reconciliation
(In thousands)
| | | | | | | | |
| | December 31, 2008 | | | December 31, 2007 | |
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt | | $ | 35,857 | | | $ | 20,000 | |
Long-Term Debt | | | 831,143 | | | | 330,000 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Debt | | $ | 867,000 | | | $ | 350,000 | |
Stockholders’ Equity | | | 1,790,562 | | | | 1,070,257 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Capitalization | | $ | 2,657,562 | | | $ | 1,420,257 | |
| | |
Total Debt | | $ | 867,000 | | | $ | 350,000 | |
Less: Cash and Cash Equivalents | | | (28,101 | ) | | | (18,498 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net Debt | | $ | 838,899 | | | $ | 331,502 | |
| | |
Net Debt | | $ | 838,899 | | | $ | 331,502 | |
Stockholders’ Equity | | | 1,790,562 | | | | 1,070,257 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Adjusted Capitalization | | $ | 2,629,461 | | | $ | 1,401,759 | |
| | |
Total Debt to Total Capitalization Ratio | | | 32.6 | % | | | 24.6 | % |
Less: Impact of Cash and Cash Equivalents | | | 0.7 | % | | | 1.0 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
Net Debt to Adjusted Capitalization Ratio | | | 31.9 | % | | | 23.6 | % |
CABOT OIL & GAS RESULTS — Page 8
Finding Costs
($/per Mcfe)
| | |
| | Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2008 |
Additions | | $2.25 |
Additions, Revisions | | 2.77 |
Additions, Revisions, Purchases | | 3.06 |
Additions, Revisions, Purchases and Lease Acquisition | | 3.42 |