Petroquest Energy (PQ) 8-K Results of Operations and Financial Condition

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

Current Report
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED):
August 6, 2008

PETROQUEST ENERGY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE	72-1440714
(State of Incorporation)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
400 E. Kaliste Saloom Rd., Suite 6000
Lafayette, Louisiana	70508
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

Commission File Number: 001-32681

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (337) 232-7028

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 2.02 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

On August 6, 2008, PetroQuest Energy, Inc. (the “Company”) announced net income available to common shareholders for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 of $21,775,000 or $0.41 per share, compared to second quarter 2007 net income available to common shareholders of $9,630,000 or $0.19 per share. For the first six months of 2008, the Company reported net income available to common shareholders of $35,936,000 or $0.69 per share, compared to net income available to common shareholders of $20,444,000 or $0.41 per share, for the 2007 period. The Company reported net cash flow provided by operating activities before working capital changes of $65,933,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, compared to net cash flow provided by operating activities before working capital changes of $48,790,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2007. Net cash flow provided by operating activities totaled $74,480,000 and $43,773,000 during the quarters ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. For the first six months of 2008, net cash flow provided by operating activities before working capital changes was $122,892,000, compared to net cash flow provided by operating activities before working capital changes for the first six months of 2007 of $97,031,000. Net cash flow provided by operating activities totaled $110,794,000 and $112,220,000 during the six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. See the attached schedule for a reconciliation of net cash flow provided by operating activities to net cash flow provided by operating activities before working capital changes.

Oil and gas sales during the second quarter of 2008 increased 40% to $90,614,000 as compared to $64,830,000 in the second quarter of 2007. Production for the second quarter of 2008 averaged 92.5 Mmcfe per day, which was 8% higher than production for the comparable period of 2007. Stated on an Mcfe basis, unit prices received during the second quarter of 2008 were 30% higher than the comparable 2007 period. For the first six months of 2008, oil and gas sales increased 31% to $165,433,000 from $126,714,000 in the first six months of 2007. Production for the first six months of 2008 was 5% higher than production for the comparable period of 2007. Stated on an Mcfe basis, unit prices received during the first six months of 2008 were 24% higher than the prices received during the comparable 2007 period.

Lease operating expenses for the second quarter of 2008 increased to $1.18 per Mcfe as compared to $1.06 per Mcfe in the second quarter of 2007. For the first six months of 2008, lease operating expenses increased 26% to $1.23 per Mcfe from $0.98 per Mcfe in the comparable period of 2007. The increase in per unit lease operating costs during the 2008 periods was primarily attributable to higher repair and maintenance costs as well as the overall increase in the cost of materials and services. Depreciation, depletion and amortization (“DD&A”) on oil and gas properties for the second quarter of 2008 was $3.67 per Mcfe as compared to $3.73 per Mcfe in the second quarter of 2007. For the first six months of 2008, DD&A on oil and gas properties was $3.68 per Mcfe as compared to $3.60 per Mcfe for the comparable period of 2007. General and administrative expenses increased $1,825,000 and $1,812,000 for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2008, as compared to the respective 2007 periods. The increase in general and administrative expenses for the 2008 periods is primarily due to the Company’s payment of employee taxes on the vesting of restricted stock in May 2008 and higher employee related costs resulting from increased staffing since June 2007.

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The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the oil and gas operations of the Company for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
	2008		2007		2008		2007
Production:
Oil (Bbls)		172,804		286,692		366,580		646,473
Gas (Mcf)		7,380,648		6,103,848		14,108,476		11,636,162
Total Production (Mcfe)		8,417,472		7,824,000		16,307,956		15,515,000
Sales:
Total oil sales	$	19,437,078	$	19,510,894	$	37,666,918	$	41,098,794
Total gas sales		71,176,412		45,319,729		127,765,877		85,615,423
Total oil and gas sales		90,613,490		64,830,623		165,432,795		126,714,217
Average sales prices:
Oil (per Bbl)	$	112.48	$	68.06	$	102.75	$	63.57
Gas (per Mcf)		9.64		7.42		9.06		7.36
Per Mcfe		10.76		8.29		10.14		8.17

The above sales and average sales prices include increases (reductions) related to gas hedges of ($7,787,000) and $1,318,000 and oil hedges of ($2,121,000) and $22,200 for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The above sales and average sales prices include additions (reductions) related to gas hedges of ($7,613,000) and $3,841,000 and oil hedges of ($2,937,000) and $232,200 for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

The following initiates guidance for the third quarter of 2008:

	Guidance for
Description	3rd Quarter 2008
Production volumes (MMcfe/d)		96-102
Percent gas		90	%
Expenses:
Lease operating expenses (per Mcfe)	$	1.15-$1.25
Production taxes (per Mcfe)	$	0.40-$0.45
Depreciation, depletion and amortization (per Mcfe)	$	3.70-$3.80
General and administrative (in millions)	$	5-$6
Interest expense (in millions)	$	1.5-$2.5
Effective tax rate (all deferred)		37	%

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The following updates guidance for the full year of 2008:

	Guidance for
Description	Full Year 2008
Production volumes (MMcfe/d)		94-100
Percent gas		87	%
Expenses:
Lease operating expenses (per Mcfe)	$	1.10-$1.20
Production taxes (per Mcfe)	$	0.40-$0.45
Depreciation, depletion and amortization (per Mcfe)	$	3.65-$3.75
General and administrative (in millions)	$	23-$24
Interest expense (in millions)	$	9-$10
Effective tax rate (all deferred)		37	%
Capital Expenditures (in millions)	$	270-$300

Operations Update

As previously announced, the Company completed five operated horizontal wells in the Woodford Shale during the second quarter of 2008. In addition, the Company is currently completing its twentieth and twenty-second wells and has reached total depth on its twenty-first and twenty-third wells. Development of the Company’s acreage is expected to be accelerated with the addition of a fourth operated rig during the fourth quarter of 2008. The Company currently has approximately 40,000 net acres in the Woodford Shale trend.

Drilling continues in the Fayetteville Shale where the Company currently has five non-operated rigs working. Since the commencement of this program in December 2007, the Company has participated in the drilling of 67 wells in this core area. The Company expects to participate in a total of 110-130 wells during 2008. The Company’s current net production rate in the Fayetteville Shale is approximately 5 Mmcf per day, which is an increase of 150% from the average daily production rate during the first quarter of 2008.

In East Texas, the Company recently completed its second horizontal well in the Weekley prospect targeting oil in the Buda objective. The well continues to clean up, and has reached rates as high as 275 barrels of oil per day. The Company is currently drilling its third well in the Weekley prospect and expects to reach total depth in approximately two weeks. In addition, the Company recently reached total depth on its fifth well in the Palmer prospect targeting the lower Cotton Valley Lime formation. The well logged approximately 23 net feet of pay and is expected to be completed in approximately one week.

In the Gulf Coast Basin, the Company is currently drilling its Sand Hills prospect and expects to reach total depth in approximately two weeks. The Company has an approximate 25% working interest in the well. In addition, the Company recently spud its Bluffs prospect which is expected to reach total depth during the third quarter. The Company has an approximate 45% working interest in the well.

Gathering System Divestiture

On July 31, 2008, the Company sold the majority of its Oklahoma gas gathering systems to an affiliate of MarkWest Energy Partners, L.P., for gross proceeds of $41.3 million. MarkWest has informed the Company that it expects to invest up to $28 million in capital on the purchased assets over the next two years, which the Company believes will support its expansion in the basin.Net proceeds from the sale were used to repay a portion of the borrowings under the Company’s bank credit facility to provide additional liquidity to execute its capital budget. Simmons & Company International served as exclusive financial advisor to PetroQuest in connection with the transaction.

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Management Statement

“We are very pleased with our performance this quarter where we once again set company records in production, net income and cash flow.” said Charles T. Goodson, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President. “Based upon our year to date results and our outlook on commodity prices and production, we now expect to post reserve growth in excess of 40% from the drill bit alone in 2008.”

About the Company

PetroQuest Energy, Inc. is an independent energy company engaged in the exploration, development, acquisition and production of oil and natural gas reserves in the Arkoma Basin, East Texas, South Louisiana and the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico. PetroQuest trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker PQ.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Among those risks, trends and uncertainties are our ability to find oil and natural gas reserves that are economically recoverable, the volatility of oil and natural gas prices, declines in the values of our properties resulting in ceiling test write-downs, our ability to replace reserves and sustain production, our estimate of the sufficiency of our existing capital sources, our ability to raise additional capital to fund cash requirements for future operations, the uncertainties involved in estimating quantities of proved oil and natural gas reserves, in prospect development and property acquisitions or dispositions and in projecting future rates of production or future reserves, the timing of development expenditures and drilling of wells, hurricanes and other natural disasters, and the operating hazards attendant to the oil and gas business. In particular, careful consideration should be given to cautionary statements made in the various reports PetroQuest has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. PetroQuest undertakes no duty to update or revise these forward-looking statements.

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PETROQUEST ENERGY, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
(Amounts in Thousands)

	June 30,			December 31,
	2008			2007
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	9,283		$	16,909
Revenue receivable		38,167			22,820
Joint interest billing receivable		21,342			22,936
Prepaid drilling costs		10,949			1,448
Other current assets		7,729			3,984
Total current assets		87,470			68,097
Property and equipment:
Oil and gas properties:
Oil and gas properties, full cost method		1,046,803			907,083
Unevaluated oil and gas properties		123,633			80,297
Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization		(494,428	)		(432,530	)
Oil and gas properties, net		676,008			554,850
Gas gathering assets		26,101			22,040
Accumulated depreciation and amortization of gas gathering assets		(8,431	)		(6,640	)
Total property and equipment		693,678			570,250
Other assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $12,097 and $11,238, respectively		6,290			6,000
Total assets	$	787,438		$	644,347
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable to vendors	$	69,418		$	78,273
Advances from co-owners		36,100			12,870
Oil and gas revenue payable		10,900			5,771
Asset retirement obligation		4,615			5,280
Hedge liability		39,313			691
Other accrued liabilities		9,413			8,955
Total current liabilities		169,759			111,840
Bank debt		52,500			—
10 3/8% senior notes		148,873			148,755
Asset retirement obligation		17,990			12,171
Deferred income taxes		76,139			69,160
Hedge liability		4,699			—
Other liabilities		155			104
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $.001 par value; authorized 5,000 shares; issued and outstanding 1,495		1			1
Common stock, $.001 par value; authorized 150,000 shares; issued and outstanding 49,195 and 48,414 shares, respectively		49			48
Paid-in capital		211,340			204,979
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(27,727	)		(435	)
Retained earnings		133,660			97,724
Total stockholders’ equity		317,323			302,317
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	787,438		$	644,347

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PETROQUEST ENERGY, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited)
(Amounts in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
	2008		2007		2008		2007
Revenues:
Oil and gas sales	$	90,614	$	64,830	$	165,433	$	126,714
Gas gathering revenue and other income		2,312		1,930		4,259		4,054
		92,926		66,760		169,692		130,768
Expenses:
Lease operating expenses		9,900		8,319		20,097		15,256
Production taxes		3,538		2,054		6,429		4,184
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		32,029		30,051		62,127		57,664
Gas gathering costs		826		1,344		1,774		2,294
General and administrative		7,149		5,324		12,316		10,504
Accretion of asset retirement obligation		301		226		548		441
Interest expense		2,390		3,938		4,889		7,570
		56,133		51,256		108,180		97,913
Income from operations		36,793		15,504		61,512		32,855
Income tax expense		13,733		5,874		23,008		12,411
Net income	$	23,060	$	9,630	$	38,504	$	20,444
Preferred stock dividend		1,285		—		2,568		—
Net income available to common stockholders	$	21,775	$	9,630	$	35,936	$	20,444
Earnings per common share:
Basic	$	0.45	$	0.20	$	0.74	$	0.43
Diluted	$	0.41	$	0.19	$	0.69	$	0.41
Weighted average number of common shares:
Basic		48,847		47,978		48,663		47,883
Diluted		56,011		49,690		55,720		49,556

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PETROQUEST ENERGY, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
(Amounts in Thousands)

	Six Months Ended
	June 30,
	2008			2007
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	38,504		$	20,444
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred tax expense		23,008			12,411
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		62,127			57,664
Accretion of asset retirement obligation		548			441
Share based compensation expense		4,671			5,486
Amortization expense and other		724			585
Payments to settle retirement obligations		(6,690	)		—
Changes in working capital accounts:
Revenue receivable		(15,347	)		(3,454	)
Joint interest billing receivable		1,594			(159	)
Prepaid drilling costs		(9,501	)		1,553
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(7,328	)		20,411
Advances from co-owners		23,230			835
Other assets		(4,746	)		(3,997	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		110,794			112,220
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investment in oil and gas properties		(167,398	)		(116,916	)
Investment in gas gathering assets		(4,061	)		(457	)
Sale of oil and gas properties and other		1,911			(509	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(169,548	)		(117,882	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from (payments for) share based compensation		1,594			(450	)
Deferred financing costs		(96	)		(24	)
Payment of preferred stock dividend		(2,870	)		—
Repayment of bank borrowings		(15,500	)		(12,000	)
Proceeds from bank borrowings		68,000			15,000
Net cash provided by financing activities		51,128			2,526
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(7,626	)		(3,136	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		16,909			4,795
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	9,283		$	1,659
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	$	8,811		$	9,757
Income taxes	$	—		$	—

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PETROQUEST ENERGY, INC.
Non-GAAP Disclosure Reconciliation
(Amounts In Thousands)

	Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
	June 30,					June 30,
	2008			2007		2008		2007
Net cash flow provided by operating activities	$	74,480		$	43,773	$	110,794	$	112,220
Changes in working capital accounts		(8,547	)		5,017		12,098		(15,189	)
Net cash flow provided by operating activities before working capital changes	$	65,933		$	48,790	$	122,892	$	97,031

Note: Management believes that net cash flow provided by operating activities before working capital changes is relevant and useful information, which is commonly used by analysts, investors and other interested parties in the oil and gas industry as a financial indicator of an oil and gas company’s ability to generate cash used to internally fund exploration and development activities and to service debt. Net cash flow provided by operating activities before working capital changes is not a measure of financial performance prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net cash flow provided by operating activities. In addition, since net cash flow provided by operating activities before working capital changes is not a term defined by GAAP, it might not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Item 8.01 OTHER EVENTS

On July 31, 2008, the Company sold the majority of its gas gathering assets located in Oklahoma. The net proceeds received of $40.3 million were used to repay a portion of the borrowings outstanding under the Company’s credit facility. The book value of the assets sold, net of accumulated depreciation, at June 30, 2008 was $13.6 million.

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	PETROQUEST ENERGY, INC.
Date: August 6, 2008	By:	/s/ Daniel G. Fournerat
		Daniel G. Fournerat
		Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

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