FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | SCOTT J. DUNCAN |
| FX Energy, Inc. |
February 9, 2009 | 3006 Highland Drive, Suite 206 |
| Salt Lake City, Utah 84106 |
| (801) 486-5555 Fax (801) 486-5575 |
| www.fxenergy.com |
FX Energy’s Third Quarter Income Up;
Production and Revenues Expected to Rise
Salt Lake City, November 9, 2009, – FX Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: FXEN) today announced net income of $9.4 million, or $0.22 per share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2009. Excluding non-cash foreign currency exchange gains of $12.2 million, the Company would have recorded a third quarter loss of $(2.8) million, or $(0.07) per share. Both figures are significant improvements over the net loss of $(3.9) million, or $(0.09) per share reported in the third quarter of 2008.
The most notable oil and gas operations result for the third quarter was a 21 percent boost in oil and gas production from the year earlier quarter. New gas production in Poland that started in the last month of the quarter was large enough to boost company-wide production substantially for the entire quarter. The Company also noted it expects fourth quarter production to be up even more.
Production Gains and Lower Exploration Costs Drive Improved Third Quarter Results
The Company’s production rose to 471 Mmcfe during the third quarter of 2009 from 391 Mmcfe during the 2008 quarter. The production increase was due to the commencement of production from the Company’s Roszkow and Grabowka wells in Poland.
“The start of production from these wells represents a step-change for us,” said Clay Newton, VP Finance for FX Energy. “Specifically, company-wide production jumped up to 12.2 Mmcfe per day, or 265% of the 4.6 Mmcfe daily rate at the beginning of the quarter. The Roszkow well came online only 13 days before the end of the quarter, so the full quarterly impact will not be seen until fourth quarter of this year.”
Despite the Company’s higher production volumes, lower oil prices and Zloty/US dollar exchange rate effects led to lower revenues of $2.7 million for the 2009 third quarter compared to $3.9 million for the 2008 quarter. Average oil prices of $57.83 in the 2009 third quarter were 45% lower than the $104.68 received per barrel during the same quarter of 2008, resulting in a decline in 2009 revenues of almost $1 million. Zloty-based gas prices in Poland were 5% higher in the 2009 third quarter than in the same quarter of 2008, but in US dollar terms the price was 34% lower, $4.65 per mcf in the 2009 third quarter compared to $7.00 per mcf in the 2008 third quarter.
Total costs for the period were almost 21 percent lower, falling from $8.2 million to $6.5 million. The most material reduction was exploration costs falling from $3.7 million to only $0.7 million. This was partially offset by a property impairment charge of $1.9 million attributable to the Company’s Wilga well in Poland. Production at that well came to an end during the third quarter of 2009, despite repeated workover attempts. The Company impaired the remaining capitalized costs at Wilga, and plans to dismantle the production facility.
Nine Month Results
The Company reported a net loss of $(3.9) million, or $(0.09) per share, for the first nine months of 2009. Excluding non-cash foreign currency exchange gains of $5.6 million, the Company would have recorded a loss for the first nine months of 2009 of $(9.4) million, or $(0.22) per share, compared to a net loss of $(9.5) million, or $(0.24) per share reported in the first nine months of 2008.
The Company reported earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, exploration expense, and other non-cash charges (EBITDAX)(1) during the first nine months of 2009 of $166,000, compared to $5.2 million in the first nine months of 2008. At September 30, 2009, the Company’s cash and investments were $2.5 million and working capital was $2.7 million, in line with Company expectations. Also as expected, the new production streams are reversing the trend of declining cash balances this year. In the month of October, 2009, the Roszkow well alone generated $1.4 million in incremental revenues.
Oil and gas revenues for the 2009 first nine months were 45% lower than those recorded during the same period of 2008. The Company recognized oil and gas revenues of $6.3 million for the first nine months of 2009, compared to $11.4 million for the same period of 2008. Total revenues for the first nine months of 2009 were $8.1 million, compared to $14.5 million in the first nine months of 2008.
Natural gas production in Poland was 888 Mmcf during the first nine months of 2009, compared to 920 Mmcf during the same period of 2008. Production declines at the Wilga well were mostly offset by new production from the Company’s Roszkow and Grabowka wells. Though production for the first nine months of 2009 was down slightly from the year earlier, the Company believes this trend is now reversed. The new production streams just added are expected to increase full year 2009 production significantly above full year 2008 production.
Although zloty-based gas prices in Poland were higher, average gas prices as reported in U.S. dollars declined by 31% from 2008 to 2009, a function of the weaker Polish zloty. The average exchange rate during the first nine months of 2008 was 2.26 zlotys per U.S. dollar. The average exchange rate during the same period of 2009 was 3.22 zlotys per U.S. dollar, a change of 42%.
Non-Cash Foreign Exchange Effects
The foreign exchange gains of $12.2 million and $5.5 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively, are both included in other income and expense. These figures come primarily from recognizing gains and losses related to intercompany loans between the Company and its wholly owned Polish subsidiary. These non-cash foreign exchange effects are likely to continue to vary greatly depending upon future exchange rate changes.
Balance Sheet Changes
Cash and working capital balances at September 30, 2009 were substantially lower than those at the end of the 2008 third quarter. However, this results mostly from the temporarily high balances at the end of the 2008 third quarter. During the late third quarter and through the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company allowed cash balances to build and drew on its credit facilities to maximize financial liquidity during the world financial crisis of that period. The Company again noted that production from the Roszkow and Grabowka wells, which has more than doubled company-wide production, is expected to build the Company’s cash balances through higher revenues and cash flow.
Earnings Conference Call Today, Monday, November 9, 2009 at 4:30 P.M. Eastern (2:30 P.M. Mountain)
The Company will host a conference call and webcast today to discuss 2009 third quarter results and update operational items at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Conference call information is as follows: U.S. dial-in-number: 800-862-9098; International dial-in-number: 785-424-1000. Passcode: 4550884. Request: FX Energy, Inc. Conference Call.
The call will also be webcast live and interested parties may access the webcast through FX Energy's homepage at www.fxenergy.com. For those that are unable to participate in the live call, a rebroadcast will be available through the Company’s website for two weeks, beginning one hour after the completion of the call.
About FX Energy
FX Energy is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company with production in the U.S. and Poland. The Company's main exploration activity is focused on Poland's Permian Basin where the gas-bearing Rotliegend sandstone is a direct analog to the Southern Gas Basin offshore England. The Company trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol FXEN. Website www.fxenergy.com.
(1) Explanation and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and exploration expense (EBITDAX) is a non-GAAP measure presented because of its acceptance as an indicator of an oil and gas exploration and production Company's ability to internally fund exploration and development activities and to service debt. EBITDAX should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The table below reconciles EBITDAX with income from continuing operations as derived from the Company's financial information.
EBITDAX: | Nine Months Ended | ||
| September 30, 2009 |
| September 30, 2008 |
Net loss | $(3,865) |
| $(9,468) |
Foreign exchange loss (gain) | (5,547) |
| 338 |
Exploration expense | 4,071 |
| 9,960 |
Depletion, depreciation and amortization | 1,173 |
| 2,100 |
Property impairment | 1,864 |
| -- |
Interest (income) expense, net | 402 |
| (13) |
Stock compensation expense | 1,332 |
| 1,866 |
Other non-cash items | 736 |
| 423 |
EBITDAX | $ 166 |
| $5,206 |
______________________________
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees. For example, exploration, drilling, development, construction or other projects or operations may be subject to the successful completion of technical work; environmental, governmental or partner approvals; equipment availability, or other things that are or may be beyond the control of the Company. Operations that are anticipated, planned or scheduled may be changed, delayed, take longer than expected, fail to accomplish intended results, or not take place at all.
In carrying out exploration it is necessary to identify and evaluate risks and potential rewards. This identification and evaluation is informed by science but remains inherently uncertain. Subsurface features that appear to be possible traps may not exist at all, may be smaller than interpreted, may not contain hydrocarbons, may not contain the quantity or quality estimated, or may have reservoir conditions that do not allow adequate recovery to render a discovery commercial or profitable. Forward-looking statements about the size, potential or likelihood of discovery with respect to exploration targets are certainly not guarantees of discovery or of the actual presence or recoverability of hydrocarbons, or of the ability to produce in commercial or profitable quantities. Estimates of potential typically do not take into account all the risks of drilling and completion nor do they take into account the fact that hydrocarbon volumes are never 100% recoverable. Such estimates are part of the complex process of trying to measure and evaluate risk and reward in an uncertain industry.
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties outside FX Energy's control. Actual events or results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of additional contingencies and uncertainties to which information respecting future events is subject, see FX Energy's SEC reports or visit FX Energy's website at www.fxenergy.com.
FX ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
| September 30, |
| December 31, | ||
| 2009 |
| 2008 | ||
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 2,508 |
| $ | 16,588 |
Marketable securities |
| -- |
|
| 4,105 |
Receivables: |
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued oil and gas sales |
| 1,555 |
|
| 1,093 |
Other receivables |
| 3,504 |
|
| 1,720 |
Input VAT receivable |
| 629 |
|
| 2,514 |
Inventory |
| 223 |
|
| 211 |
Other current assets |
| 358 |
|
| 450 |
Total current assets |
| 8,777 |
|
| 26,681 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment, at cost: |
|
|
|
|
|
Oil and gas properties (successful efforts method): |
|
|
|
|
|
Proved |
| 31,684 |
|
| 28,600 |
Unproved |
| 3,351 |
|
| 2,770 |
Other property and equipment |
| 7,492 |
|
| 6,667 |
Gross property and equipment |
| 42,527 |
|
| 38,037 |
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization |
| (11,014) |
|
| (11,164) |
Net property and equipment |
| 31,513 |
|
| 26,873 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
Certificates of deposit |
| 406 |
|
| 406 |
Loan fees |
| 827 |
|
| 842 |
Total other assets |
| 1,233 |
|
| 1,248 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets | $ | 41,523 |
| $ | 54,802 |
-Continued-
FX ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share data)
-Continued-
| September 30, |
| December 31, | ||
| 2009 |
| 2008 | ||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable | $ | 5,583 |
| $ | 7,779 |
Accrued liabilities |
| 501 |
|
| 4,937 |
Total current liabilities |
| 6,084 |
|
| 12,716 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
Notes payable |
| 25,000 |
|
| 25,000 |
Asset retirement obligation |
| 2,192 |
|
| 1,932 |
Total long-term liabilities |
| 27,192 |
|
| 26,932 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities |
| 33,276 |
|
| 39,648 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders’ equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized |
|
|
|
|
|
as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008; no shares |
|
|
|
|
|
outstanding |
| -- |
|
| -- |
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized |
|
|
|
|
|
as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008; 42,662,156 |
|
|
|
|
|
and 42,202,878 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, |
|
|
|
|
|
2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively |
| 43 |
|
| 42 |
Additional paid-in capital |
| 160,233 |
|
| 158,075 |
Cumulative translation adjustment |
| 11,936 |
|
| 17,137 |
Accumulated deficit |
| (163,965) |
|
| (160,100) |
Total stockholders’ equity |
| 8,247 |
|
| 15,154 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 41,523 |
| $ | 54,802 |
FX ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
For the three months | For the nine months | |||||||
| ended September 30, |
| ended September 30, | |||||
| 2009 |
| 2008 |
| 2009 |
| 2008 | |
Revenues: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Oil and gas sales | $ 2,691 |
| $ 3,885 |
| $ 6,286 |
| $ 11,354 | |
Oilfield services | 1,118 |
| 1,211 |
| 1,771 |
| 3,162 | |
Total revenues | 3,809 |
| 5,096 |
| 8,057 |
| 14,516 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Operating costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Lease operating expenses | 857 |
| 930 |
| 2,415 |
| 2,698 | |
Exploration costs | 686 |
| 3,683 |
| 4,071 |
| 9,960 | |
Property impairment | 1,864 |
| -- |
| 1,864 |
| -- | |
Oilfield services costs | 657 |
| 815 |
| 1,274 |
| 2,091 | |
Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 425 |
| 653 |
| 1,173 |
| 2,101 | |
Accretion expense | 8 |
| 21 |
| 24 |
| 63 | |
Stock compensation | 449 |
| 622 |
| 1,332 |
| 1,866 | |
General and administrative | 1,512 |
| 1,519 |
| 4,914 |
| 4,880 | |
Total operating costs and expenses | 6,458 |
| 8,243 |
| 17,067 |
| 23,659 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Operating loss | (2,649) |
| (3,147) |
| (9,010) |
| (9,143) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Other income (expense): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Interest income (expense), net and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
other income (expense) | (130) |
| (86) |
| (402) |
| 13 | |
Foreign exchange gain (loss) | 12,227 |
| (455) |
| 5,547 |
| (338) | |
Total other income (expense) | 12,097 |
| (541) |
| 5,145 |
| (325) | |
Net income (loss) | 9,448 |
| (3,688) |
| (3,865) |
| (9,468) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Foreign currency translation adjustment | (9,579) |
| - |
| (5,201) |
| - | |
Increase in market value of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
available for sale marketable securities | - |
| 224 |
| - |
| 1 | |
Comprehensive loss | $ (131) |
| $ (3,464) |
| $ (9,066) |
| $ (9,467) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Net income (loss) per common share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Basic | $ 0.22 |
| $ (0.09) |
| $ (0.09) |
| $ (0.24) | |
Diluted | $ 0.22 |
| $ (0.09) |
| $ (0.09) |
| $ (0.24) | |
Weighted average common shares outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Basic | 42,560 |
| 40,747 |
| 42,470 |
| 40,037 | |
Dilutive effect of stock options | 84 |
| - |
| - |
| - | |
Diluted | 42,644 |
| 40,747 |
| 42,470 |
| 40,037 | |
FX ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
| For the Nine Months Ended | ||||
| September 30, | ||||
|
| 2009 |
|
| 2008 |
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss | $ | (3,865) |
| $ | (9,468) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in |
|
|
|
|
|
operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization |
| 1,173 |
|
| 2,101 |
Property impairment |
| 1,864 |
|
| -- |
Accretion expense |
| 24 |
|
| 63 |
Amortization of bank fees |
| 137 |
|
| 137 |
Stock compensation |
| 1,332 |
|
| 1,866 |
Foreign exchange gains |
| (6,756) |
|
| (338) |
Common stock issued for services |
| 739 |
|
| 665 |
Increase (decrease) from changes in working capital items: |
|
|
|
|
|
Receivables |
| (861) |
|
| (3,330) |
Inventory |
| (12) |
|
| (32) |
Other current assets |
| 48 |
|
| (113) |
Other assets |
| (122) |
|
| 247 |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
| (2,437) |
|
| (663) |
Net cash used in operating activities |
| (8,736) |
|
| (8,865) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
Additions to oil and gas properties |
| (6,680) |
|
| (16,941) |
Additions to other property and equipment |
| (802) |
|
| (783) |
Additions to marketable securities |
| (11) |
|
| (170) |
Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities |
| 4,661 |
|
| 9,815 |
Net cash used in investing activities |
| (2,832) |
|
| (8,079) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from notes payable |
| -- |
|
| 11,000 |
Proceeds from loan related to auction-rate securities |
| -- |
|
| 3,354 |
Payments on loan related to auction-rate securities |
| (2,808) |
|
| -- |
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants |
| 132 |
|
| 9,364 |
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities |
| (2,676) |
|
| 23,718 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash |
| 164 |
|
| -- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash |
| (14,080) |
|
| 6,774 |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year |
| 16,588 |
|
| 4,262 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 2,508 |
| $ | 11,036 |
