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Rosetta Resources Inc. Announces Record 2007 Financial Results and Provides 2008 Outlook

February 29, 2008
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HOUSTON, Feb. 29, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) — Rosetta Resources Inc. (Nasdaq:ROSE) (“Rosetta” or the “Company”) today reported fourth quarter and full-year 2007 financial and operating results and provided a production and capital outlook for 2008. Randy L. Limbacher, President and Chief Executive Officer, will host a conference call, March 3, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. Central Time, to review this information. To participate in the call, dial (888) 203-7667 or listen through the website at http://www.rosettaresources.com.

2007 FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS

Rosetta’s net income and production for the fourth quarter of 2007 were at their highest levels compared to the prior nine quarters that Rosetta has been a stand alone company.

Net income was $17.4 million, up 33% compared to net income of $13.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2006. Fourth quarter diluted earnings per share were $0.34 in 2007, up 31% compared to $0.26 in the fourth quarter of 2006.

For the fourth quarter, production averaged 148 per MMcfe/d, up 51% from the 98 MMcfe/d reported for the comparable period of 2006. Average realized gas prices for the quarter were $7.67 per Mcf, including the effects of hedging; and realized oil prices averaged $89.16 per Bbl.

Revenues for Rosetta totaled $111.1 million, including a positive hedging effect of $5.1 million. Revenues were up 53% from the $72.6 million reported in 2006.

Total lease operating expense (“LOE”), which includes direct LOE, workovers, ad-valorem taxes, and insurance, was $13.8 million or $1.01 per Mcfe. Direct LOE was $7.1 million or $0.52 per Mcfe and workover costs were $1.9 million or $0.14 per Mcfe for the period. Production taxes were $3.0 million or $0.22 per Mcfe and treating, transportation and marketing charges were $1.8 million or $0.13 per Mcfe. Depreciation, depletion and amortization was $47.8 million, based on a DD&A rate of $3.51 per Mcfe.

General and administrative costs were $13.9 million for the fourth quarter, and include $2.7 million in non-cash stock compensation expenses, CEO transition costs, SOX compliance expenses, and costs associated with the Calpine lawsuit.

TOTAL YEAR RESULTS

Net income for the total year 2007 was $57.2 million or $1.13 per share on a diluted basis, up 28% from $44.6 million or $0.88 per diluted share in 2006.

Rosetta’s production in 2007 was 45.8 Bcfe or an average of 126 MMcfe/d, up 37% from the 92 MMcfe/d reported for the total year 2006. Average realized gas prices for the same period were $7.61 per Mcf, including the effect of hedging; and realized oil prices averaged $71.54 per Bbl.

Revenues for the year were $363.5 million, including a positive hedging effect of $22.9 million. Revenues were up 34% from the $271.8 million reported for 2006.

Total LOE, which includes direct LOE, workovers, ad-valorem taxes, and insurance, was $47.0 million or $1.03 per Mcfe. Direct LOE was $28.1 million or $0.61 per Mcfe for the period. Production taxes were $6.4 million or $0.14 per Mcfe; and treating, transportation and marketing charges were $6.7 million or $0.14 per Mcfe.

General and administrative costs were $43.9 million, and include $6.8 million in non-cash stock compensation expenses, CEO transition costs, SOX compliance expenses and costs associated with the Calpine lawsuit.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $257.3 million; and capital expenditures, including property acquisition costs of approximately $38.7 million, were $336.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Rosetta’s 2007 revenues, reserves and production do not include consideration of estimates for interests in certain leases and wells being a portion of the non-consent properties as defined in its transaction with Calpine that closed on July 7, 2005.

2007 Reserves and PV10

Proved oil and natural gas reserves as of December 31, 2007 were 418.4 Bcfe, consisting of 400.2 Bcfe of natural gas and 3.0 million barrels of crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids. The year end 2007 reserve number increased 3% over the year end 2006 number of 407.8 Bcfe. The 2007 proved reserves includes 86.4 Bcfe of reserve adds, including 9.8 Bcfe of reserves added from the OPEX acquisition in the second quarter of 2007. Reserve additions were partially offset by 30 Bcfe of reserve revisions that were primarily attributable to a change in Lobo per well reserve estimates.

Rosetta’s capital expenditures were $336.1 million in 2007, including $38.7 million for the acquisition of OPEX. The Company’s overall finding cost, excluding reserve revisions, was $3.87 per Mcfe for 2007. The organic finding cost for the year, excluding 2007 property acquisitions and revisions and the associated reserves, was $3.87 per Mcfe.

The year end proved SEC pre-tax PV10 number for the Company was $1,146.7 million using a flat average natural gas price of $6.795 per Mcf and an oil price of $92.50 per Bbl. This number does not include the year end PV10 of the Company’s hedging program of $32.1 million.

The estimated standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows from Rosetta’s proved reserves at December 31, 2007 was $954.2 million. The following table reconciles the pre-tax PV10 to the standardized measure.

    Proved Reserves as of December 31, 2007                                                   Rosetta  Oil, Condensate, including Natural Gas Liquids  (MMBls)                                            3,021  Natural Gas (MMcf)                               400,233                                                   -------  Total MMcfe                                      418,358                                                   =======  Estimated Future Net Revenue Before Income  Taxes ($M)                                     1,904,486  Present Value of Estimated  Future Net Revenue  Before Income Taxes(Discounted 10% Annum),  "PV10" ($M)                                    1,146,708  Income Taxes (Discounted 10% Annum) ($M)        (192,484)  Standardization Measure of Discounted Future Net  Cash Flows ($M)                                  954,224 

2007 Operational Highlights

During 2007, the Company drilled 195 gross and 169 net wells in 2007 with a net success rate of 82%. The majority of this drilling activity took place in the Sacramento Basin, South Texas, and the DJ Basin.

In California’s Sacramento Basin, the Company drilled 27 wells, with 23 successful. The Company continued to extend the southern limits of the Rio Vista field by drilling seven wells, having initial rates ranging from 1-3 MMcfe/d. Deep drilling efforts in the Basin consisted of three Winters’ tests. Two of these tests were successful; one in Rio Vista and one in the Millar area. The deep test in Rio Vista was successful in extending Winters pay that was discovered in 2006. Average production from the Basin was 44 MMcfe/d for the year.

In South Texas, Rosetta drilled 42 wells in the Lobo area with 33 successful on acreage that is covered by 320 square miles of 3D seismic. During the year, Rosetta acquired an additional 10,000 net acres in the Lobo for future prospects. Average production for the Lobo was 41 MMcfe/d in 2007.

In the Perdido trend, ten wells were drilled in 2007, ten of which were successful. Production averaged approximately 10 MMcfe/d in 2007.

In the DJ Basin Niobrara Play, the Company drilled 69 wells, 55 of which were successful. The successful drilling efforts in the fourth quarter of 2006 and full year 2007 increased net production from 1 MMcfe/d at the beginning of the year to 8 MMcfe/d at year end. Furthermore, the Company acquired 12,450 net acres, and shot 34 square miles of 3D seismic in the basin during the year.

In Sabine Lake, the Company drilled four wells. Three of these wells were placed on production in November and were producing at a rate of 13 MMcfe/d net to Rosetta at year end 2007.

Randy L. Limbacher, Rosetta’s President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “I want to thank the employees of Rosetta for delivering on the Company’s growth targets in 2007. And while our headline reserve replacement results were not as strong as we had hoped, many of our assets delivered very solid performance and we are taking several measures to improve our reserve performance in 2008.”

2008 Capital, Production and Hedging Update

For 2008 the Company announced a capital budget of $290.1 million. The budget excludes potential acquisitions and targets continued organic growth from Rosetta’s core programs. Approximately 73% of the planned 2008 budget is allocated to low risk development and step-out programs. The remainder is allocated to activities, notably in the Rockies, and Texas that could position Rosetta for significant inventory generation. For 2008, the Company expects production to average 140-150 Mmcfe/d.

The Company recently added natural gas swaps and now has 67,909 MMBtu/d hedged for the balance of 2008 at an average price of $7.75 per MMBtu. For 2009, 52,141 MMBtu/d are hedged at an average price of $7.65 per MMBtu, along with 10,000 MMBtu/d for 2010 at an average price of $8.30 per MMBtu.

The Company also entered into 5,000 MMBtu/d of costless collars for both 2008 and 2009, with an average floor price of $8.00 per MMBtu and ceiling price of $10.28 per MMBtu.

In commenting on 2008, Limbacher noted, “Our priorities for this year are to continue to vigorously assert our position with respect to the lawsuit brought by Calpine, efficiently execute our capital programs for growth and value creation, fully assess what I believe are numerous opportunities in our existing portfolio, and build inventory for sustainable growth in the future.”

Forward-Looking Statements:

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this press release are “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, including statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Rosetta Resources Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) and its management. These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those herein described. Accordingly, Recipients are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Please refer to Company’s risks, uncertainties and assumptions as it discloses from time to time in the Company’s reports and registration statements filed with the SEC, including the risk factors identified in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, which can also be found on the Company’s website at www.rosettaresources.com. The Company undertakes no duty to update the information contained herein except as required by law.

The Rosetta Resources Inc. logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3139

                                  Rosetta Resources Inc.                              Consolidated Balance Sheet                         (In thousands, except share amounts)                                          December 31,       December 31,                                             2007               2006                                         ------------       ------------  Assets  Current assets:   Cash and cash equivalents              $    3,216         $   62,780   Accounts receivable                        55,048             36,408   Derivative instruments                      3,966             20,538   Prepaid expenses                           10,413              8,761   Other current assets                        4,249              2,965                                          ----------         ----------    Total current assets                      76,892            131,452                                          ----------         ----------  Oil and natural gas properties, full   cost method, of which $40.9 million   at December 31, 2007 and $37.8 million   at December 31, 2006 were excluded from   amortization                            1,566,082          1,223,337  Other                                        6,393              4,562                                          ----------         ----------                                           1,572,475          1,227,899  Accumulated depreciation, depletion, and   amortization                             (295,749)          (145,289)                                          ----------         ----------    Total property and equipment, net      1,276,726          1,082,610  Deferred loan fees                           2,195              3,375  Other assets                                 1,401              1,968                                          ----------         ----------    Total other  assets                        3,596              5,343                                          ----------         ----------     Total assets                         $1,357,214         $1,219,405                                          ==========         ==========   Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity  Current liabilities:   Accounts payable                       $   33,949         $   23,040   Accrued liabilities                        64,216             43,099   Royalties payable                          18,486              9,010   Derivative instruments                      2,032                 --   Prepayment on gas sales                    20,392             17,868   Deferred income taxes                         720              7,743                                          ----------         ----------    Total current liabilities                139,795            100,760  Long-term liabilities:  Derivative instruments                      13,508             11,014  Long-term debt                             245,000            240,000  Asset retirement obligation                 18,040             10,253  Deferred income taxes                       67,916             35,089                                          ----------         ----------    Total liabilities                        484,259            397,116  Commitments and contingencies                   --                 --  Stockholders' equity:  Common stock, $0.001 par value; authorized   150,000,000 shares; issued 50,542,648   shares and 50,405,794 shares at   December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006,   respectively                                   50                 50  Additional paid-in capital                 762,827            755,343  Treasury stock, at cost; 109,303 shares   and 85,788 shares at December 31, 2007   and December 31, 2006, respectively        (2,045)            (1,562)  Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)   income                                     (7,225)             6,315  Retained earnings                          119,348             62,143                                          ----------         ----------    Total stockholders' equity               872,955            822,289                                          ----------         ----------     Total liabilities and stockholders'      equity                              $1,357,214         $1,219,405                                          ==========         ==========                               Rosetta Resources Inc.              Consolidated/Combined Statement of Operations                (In thousands, except per share amounts)                                 Successor-Consolidated          Combined                          ---------------------------------   ---------                                                    Six         Six                                                    Months      Months                               Year Ended           Ended       Ended                                 Dec. 31           Dec. 31,   June 30,                            2007        2006        2005        2005                          ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------    Revenues:   Natural gas sales      $ 323,341   $ 236,496   $ 102,058   $  13,713   Oil sales                 40,148      35,267      11,046       8,166   Oil and natural    gas sales to    affiliates                   --          --          --      81,952                          ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------     Total revenues         363,489     271,763     113,104     103,831  Operating costs and   expenses:   Lease operating    expense                  47,044      36,273      15,674      16,629   Depreciation,    depletion, and    amortization            152,882     105,886      40,500      30,679   Exploration expense           --          --          --       2,355   Dry hole costs                --          --          --       1,962   Treating and    transportation            4,230       2,544       1,286       1,998   Affiliated    marketing fees               --          --          --         913   Marketing fees             2,450       2,257       1,379          --   Production taxes           6,417       6,433       3,975       2,755   General and    administrative    costs                    43,867      33,233      14,687       9,677                          ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------     Total operating      costs and      expenses              256,890     186,626      77,501      66,968                          ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------  Operating income          106,599      85,137      35,603      36,863   Other (income)   expense   Interest expense    with affiliates,    net of interest              --          --          --      6,995   Interest expense,    net of interest    capitalized              17,734      17,428       8,216         --   Interest (income)         (1,674)     (4,503)     (1,837)       (516)   Other (income)    expense, net               (698)        (40)        152         207                          ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------     Total other      expense                15,362      12,885       6,531       6,686                          ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   Income before   provision for   income taxes              91,237      72,252      29,072      30,177  Provision for   income taxes              34,032      27,644      11,537      11,496                          ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------  Net income              $  57,205   $  44,608   $  17,535   $  18,681                          =========   =========   =========   =========   Earnings per share:                          ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------  Basic                   $    1.14   $    0.89   $    0.35   $    0.37                          =========   =========   =========   =========  Diluted                 $    1.13   $    0.88   $    0.35   $    0.37                          =========   =========   =========   =========   Weighted average   shares outstanding:  Basic                      50,379      50,237      50,003      50,000  Diluted                    50,589      50,408      50,189      50,160                            Rosetta Resources Inc.              Consolidated/Combined Statement of Cash Flows                (In thousands, except per share amounts)                                                              Predecessor                              Successor-Consolidated        - Combined                          --------------------------------- -----------                                                 Six Months  Six Months                               Year Ended           Ended      Ended                                Dec. 31           Dec. 31,    June 30,                            2007        2006        2005        2005                          ---------   ---------   --------- -----------   Cash flows from   operating   activities   Net income (loss)         57,205      44,608      17,535      18,681   Adjustments to    reconcile net    income to net cash    from operating    activities     Depreciation,      depletion and      amortization          152,882     105,886      40,500      30,679     Affiliate      interest expense           --          --          --      (6,995)     Deferred income      taxes                  33,915      27,472      11,537       2,874     Amortization of      deferred loan      fees recorded as      interest expense        1,180       1,180         590          --     Income from      unconsolidated      investments              (181)       (171)       (241)       (161)     Stock      compensation      expense                 6,831       5,702       4,248          --     Other non-cash      charges                    --          --          --          99    Change in     operating assets     and liabilities:     Accounts      receivable            (18,640)      3,643     (40,051)      2,378     Accounts      receivable from      affiliates                 --          --         --        6,298     Income taxes      receivable                 --       6,000      (6,000)         --     Prepaid expenses        (1,652)        650      (9,411)      2,563     Other current      assets                 (1,284)     (2,965)         --          --     Other assets               144       1,691      (1,726)         --     Accounts payable        10,909       8,765      13,442      (4,494)     Accrued      liabilities             3,998         310       3,282         241     Royalties payable       12,000      (3,161)     30,039      (1,406)     Income taxes      payable                    --          --          --       8,622                          ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------      Net cash       provided by       operating       activities           257,307     199,610      63,744      59,379                          ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------  Cash flows from   investing   activities   Acquisition, net    of cash acquired             --          --     (910,064)        --   Acquisition of oil    and gas properties      (38,656)    (35,286)          --         --   Purchases of    property and    equipment              (284,541)   (201,293)     (32,994)   (32,202)   Disposals of    property and    equipment                 1,105          30          13       1,447   Deposits                      51          50        (201)         --   Other                         --         435          --         110                          ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------    Net cash (used in)     provided by     investing     activities            (322,041)   (236,064)   (943,246)    (30,645)                          ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------  Cash flows from   financing activities    Equity offering     proceeds                    --          --     800,000          --    Equity offering     transaction fees            --         268     (55,629)         --    Borrowings on term    loan                         --          --     100,000          --    Payments on term     loan                        --          --     (25,000)         --    Borrowings on      revolving credit     facility                10,000          --     225,000          --    Payments on     revolving credit     facility                (5,000)         --     (60,000)         --    Loan fees                    --          --      (5,145)         --    Notes payable to     affiliates                  --          --          --     (27,239)    Proceeds from     issuances of     common stock               653         804          --          --    Purchases of     treasury stock            (483)     (1,562)         --          --                          ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------     Net cash provided       by (used in)       financing       activities             5,170        (490)    979,226     (27,239)                          ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   Net (decrease)   increase in cash         (59,564)    (36,944)     99,724       1,495  Cash and cash   equivalents,   beginning of period       62,780      99,724         --          --                          ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------  Cash and cash   equivalents, end   of period              $   3,216   $  62,780   $  99,724   $   1,495                          =========   =========   =========   =========  Supplemental   disclosures:  Cash paid for   interest expense,   net of capitalized   Interest               $  18,862   $  17,875   $  (8,057)  $      --                          =========   =========   =========   =========  Cash paid for tax       $     115   $     172   $   6,000   $      --                          =========   =========   =========   =========  Supplemental   non-cash   disclosures:  Capital expenditures   included in accrued   liabilities            $  12,925   $   5,589   $  33,470   $      --                          =========   =========   =========   =========  Accrued purchase   price adjustment       $     --    $  11,400   $      --     $    --                          =========   =========   =========   ========= 

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 CONTACT:  Rosetta Resources Inc.           Investor Contact:           Michael J. Rosinski, Executive Vice President            & Chief Financial Officer           (713) 335-4037           rosinskim@rosettaresources.com