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Atlas America, Inc. Reports Results for Third Fiscal Quarter and Nine Months Ended June 30, 2005

Posted on: Wednesday, 3 August 2005, 21:00 CDT

Atlas America Inc. (NASDAQ: ATLS) (the "Company") today reported record earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"), a non-GAAP measure, of $23.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005, a 118% increase from $10.6 million for the prior year comparable quarter. EBITDA was $64.3 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2005, an increase of $30.7 million or 91% from the nine months ended June 30, 2004. Net income was $6.4 million, or $0.48 per share for the third fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2005, an increase of 54% from $4.2 million, or $0.35 per share, for the third fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2004. This period over period increase reflects significant net contributions from all of our operating segments.

For purposes of comparing the third fiscal quarter of 2005 to the prior year period and after adjusting for selected items affecting comparability between those periods, the Company's third fiscal quarter 2005 adjusted net income was $8.1 million, or $0.61 per share, compared with third fiscal quarter 2004 net income of $4.2 million, or $0.35 per share. (A schedule is provided at the end of this release to reconcile net income to adjusted net income and provide further information on the specific items affecting comparability.)

"We are pleased with our record financial results and operating performance for the third quarter as all of our business units experienced significant growth," said Edward E. Cohen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. "Our results signify the continued strength of our business and solidify our rising expectations of future performance."

On June 30, 2005, Resource America, Inc. (NASDAQ: REXI) ("Resource"), the former majority shareholder of the Company, completed the spin-off of the Company by distributing all of its common shares of the Company to Resource's shareholders. Resource's shareholders received 0.59367 shares of the Company for each share of Resource owned. In connection with the spin-off, the Company incurred an income tax charge of approximately $1.2 million, or $0.09 per share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2005.

In April 2005, Atlas Pipeline Partners, L.P. (NYSE: APL) ("Atlas Pipeline"), which the Company operates through ownership of the general partner interest, acquired ETC Oklahoma Pipeline, Ltd. ("Elk City") for a purchase price of approximately $194.9 million, which was initially financed through borrowings under its new $270 million credit facility. In connection with this new financing, Atlas Pipeline was required to repay prior loans outstanding, triggering the accelerated amortization charge of $0.4 million. Subsequently, in June 2005, Atlas Pipeline completed the sale of 2.3 million limited partner units for total gross proceeds of $96.5 million, which was utilized to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under the credit facility.

Operational Highlights

Drilling & Fundraising

-- The number of wells drilled, net to both the Company's

interest and that of its sponsored drilling investment

partnerships, rose to 110 new wells for the three months ended

June 30, 2005 compared with 68 wells for the prior year

comparable quarter, an increase of 62%.

-- For the nine months ended June 30, 2005, the Company raised

$113.8 million from its sponsored partnerships compared with

$67.8 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2004, a 68%

increase. The number of wells we drill is dependent upon a

number of dynamic factors, including well depth, topography,

and drilling costs. Based upon these factors, we estimate we

will drill approximately 625 wells for fiscal year ended

September 30, 2005.

Acreage

-- The Company's acreage position was approximately 461,000 net

acres at June 30, 2005, an increase of approximately 48,000

net acres, a 12% increase, from its position at June 30, 2004.

-- Undeveloped acreage at June 30, 2005 was approximately 256,600

net acres, an increase of 38,800 net acres, or 18%, from June

30, 2004.

-- The Company has identified 2,623 geologically favorable sites

for drilling as of June 30, 2005.

Wells & Production

-- The Company had interests in 6,200 gross wells at June 30,

2005, a 300 well increase from June 30, 2004, of which it

operates 5,200 wells, or 84% of the total.

-- Natural gas production for the Company's account was 21.2

million cubic feet per day ("mmcfd") for the three months

ended June 30, 2005, an increase of 0.5 mmcfd compared with

20.7 mmcfd for the three months ended June 30, 2004. Near the

end of the quarter, the Company completed an expansion of its

compression capacity and other infrastructure enhancements in

its Fayette operating area, a key production location, which

has resulted in further increases to our gas production.

-- Oil production was 461 barrels per day for the three months

ended June 30, 2005 compared with 452 barrels per day for the

prior year comparable period.

Interested parties are invited to access the live webcast of an investor call with management regarding our third fiscal quarter and nine month results on Thursday morning, August 4, 2005 at 8:30 A.M. EDT by going to the home page of the Company's website at www.atlasamerica.com. An audio replay of the conference call will also be available beginning at 10:30 A.M. EDT on Thursday, August 4, 2005 until 11:59 P.M. on Friday, September 2, 2005. To access the replay, dial 1-888-286-8010 and enter conference code 86558001.

Atlas America, Inc. is an energy company engaged primarily in the development and production of natural gas in the Appalachian Basin for its own account and for its investors through the offering of tax advantaged investment programs. Atlas America also owns 100% of the general partner of Atlas Pipeline Partners, L.P. (NYSE:APL). APL owns and operates more than 3,600 miles of natural gas gathering pipelines in Oklahoma, Texas, Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio and gas processing facilities in Oklahoma. For more information, please visit our website at www.atlasamerica.com, or contact investor relations at pschreiber@atlasamerica.com.

Certain matters discussed within this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although Atlas America, Inc. believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include financial performance, regulatory changes, changes in local or national economic conditions and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's reports filed with the SEC, including quarterly reports on Form 10Q, reports on Form 8-K and annual reports on Form 10-K. ATLAS AMERICA, INC. Financial Summary (in thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended June 30, June 30, ------------------ ----------------- 2005 2004 2005 2004 -------- --------- -------- -------- REVENUES Well drilling $26,749 $16,370 $98,758 $64,577 Gas and oil production 16,051 12,977 44,669 34,972 Gathering, transmission and processing 81,322 1,344 168,845 4,522 Well services 2,422 2,146 7,020 6,206 -------- --------- -------- -------- 126,544 32,837 319,292 110,277 -------- --------- -------- -------- COSTS AND EXPENSES Well drilling 23,259 14,235 85,876 56,154 Gas and oil production and exploration 2,452 2,369 6,667 7,377 Gathering, transmission and processing 70,485 551 143,627 1,767 Well services 1,293 1,009 3,800 3,071 General and administrative 4,709 2,254 7,863 3,713 Compensation reimbursement - affiliate 145 350 602 1,050 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 6,506 3,458 17,159 10,237 -------- --------- -------- -------- 108,849 24,226 265,594 83,369 -------- --------- -------- -------- OPERATING INCOME 17,695 8,611 53,698 26,908 OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) Interest expense (4,580) (460) (7,893) (1,420) Minority interest in Atlas Pipeline Partners, L.P. (1,247) (1,593) (10,967) (4,188) Arbitration settlement, net (11) - 4,299 - Other, net 156 110 77 609 -------- --------- -------- -------- (5,682) (1,943) (14,484) (4,999) -------- --------- -------- -------- Income before income taxes 12,013 6,668 39,214 21,909 Provision for income taxes 5,569 2,486 15,362 7,668 -------- --------- -------- -------- Net income $6,444 $4,182 $23,852 $14,241 ======== ========= ======== ======== Net income per common share - basic and diluted $0.48 $0.35 $1.79 $1.28 ======== ========= ======== ======== Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic 13,333 12,015 13,333 11,129 ======== ========= ======== ======== Diluted 13,339 12,018 13,339 11,131 ======== ========= ======== ======== September June 30, 30, Balance sheet data (at period end): 2005 2004 -------- --------- Cash and cash equivalents $18,877 $29,192 Total debt 180,261 85,640 Minority interest in Atlas Pipeline Partners, L.P. 207,647 132,224 Total stockholders' equity 114,475 91,003 ATLAS AMERICA, INC. (in thousands - unaudited) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended June 30, June 30, ---------------------------------------- 2005 2004 2005 2004 ---------- ---------- ------ ------ Reconciliation of net income to non-GAAP measure(1): Net income $6,444 $4,182 $23,852 $14,241 Interest expense 4,580 460 7,893 1,420 Provision for income taxes 5,569 2,486 15,362 7,668 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 6,506 3,458 17,159 10,237 ------------ ------- --------- -------- EBITDA $23,099 $10,586 $64,266 $33,566 ============ ======= ========= ======== (1) EBITDA is a non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) financial measure under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Management of the Company believes that EBITDA provides additional information for evaluating the Company's ability to meet its debt service, capital expenditures and working capital requirements, among other things. This measure are widely used by commercial banks, investment bankers, rating agencies and investors in evaluating performance relative to peers and pre-set performance standards. EBITDA is also a financial measurement that, with certain negotiated adjustments, is utilized within the Company's financial covenants under its credit facility. EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and, accordingly, should not be considered as a substitute for net income, operating income, or cash flows from operating activities in accordance with GAAP. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended June 30, June 30, ---------------------------------------- 2005 2004 2005 2004 ----------- -------- --------- --------- Reconciliation of net income to adjusted net income: Net income $6,444 $4,182 $23,852 $14,241 Income tax charge (1) 1,245 - 1,245 - Accelerated amortization of deferred financing costs(2) 420 - 420 - ------------ -------- --------- -------- Adjusted net income $8,109 $4,182 $25,517 $14,241 ============ ======== ========= ======== Net income per common share - basic and diluted $0.61 $0.35 $1.91 $1.28 =========== ======= ======== ======= Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic 13,333 12,015 13,333 11,129 ============ ========= ========= ======= Diluted 13,339 12,018 13,339 11,131 ============ ========= ========= ======= (1) Relates to an estimated income tax payment associated with Resource's spin-off of the Company to Resource's shareholders. (2) Relates to the accelerated amortization of deferred financing costs upon the retirement of the term loan portion of Atlas Pipeline's credit facility, net of income taxes of $236. ATLAS AMERICA, INC. Operating Highlights (in thousands, except per share data) Three Months Nine Months Ended Ended June 30, June 30, -------------------------------- 2005 2004 2005 2004 -------------------------------- Production revenues (in thousands): Gas (1) $13,934 $11,607 $38,916 $30,789 Oil $2,106 $1,395 $5,695 $4,183 Production volume: Gas (mcf/day)(1) (3) 21,214 20,710 20,275 19,485 Oil (bbls/day) 461 452 438 494 Total (mcfe/day) (3) 23,980 23,422 22,903 22,449 Average sales prices: Gas (per mcf) (3) $7.22 $6.16 $7.03 $5.77 Oil (per bbl)(3) $50.15 $33.87 $47.57 $30.93 Production costs (2): As a percent of production revenues 12% 14% 13% 15% Per mcfe(3) $0.91 $0.84 $0.94 $0.84 Depletion per mcfe(3) $1.29 $1.13 $1.29 $1.17 (1) Excludes sales of residual gas and sales to landowners. Production costs include labor to operate the wells and related equipment, repairs and maintenance, materials and supplies, property taxes, severance (2) taxes, insurance, gathering charges and production overhead. "Mcf" and "mmcf" represents thousand cubic feet and million cubic feet; "mcfe" and "mmcfe" represents thousand cubic feet equivalent and million cubic feet equivalent, and "bbls" represents barrels. Bbls are converted to mcfe using (3) the ratio of six mcfs to one bbl.

Source: Business Wire

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