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Bill Barrett Corporation Announces Record Operating and Financial Results for Third Quarter 2005 and Significant West Tavaputs Exploration Success

Posted on: Thursday, 3 November 2005, 18:00 CST

DENVER, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Bill Barrett Corporation reported that production for the third quarter that ended September 30, 2005 was a record 10.1 billion cubic feet equivalent (Bcfe), a 24% increase from the third quarter of 2004 and an 18% increase from the second quarter of 2005. Net of the effects of hedging, the realized price for the Company's production in the third quarter of 2005 was $6.98 per thousand cubic feet equivalent (Mcfe) compared to a realized price of $5.22 per Mcfe in the third quarter of 2004. Discretionary cash flow (1), a non-GAAP measure defined below, was a record $47.7 million for the third quarter of 2005, an increase of 80% over the third quarter of 2004. Net income for the third quarter of 2005 was $13.3 million compared to a net loss of $3.9 million in the third quarter 2004.

For the first nine months of 2005, production was 27.1 Bcfe, compared to 23.6 Bcfe in the first nine months of 2004. The average realized price, net of hedging, was $6.46 per Mcfe in the first nine months of 2005 compared to $5.05 per Mcfe in the similar period of 2004. Discretionary cash flow (1) was $114.1 million in the first nine months of 2005, an increase of 54% over the first nine months of 2004. Net income was $0.5 million in the first nine months of 2005, which compared to net income of $3.8 million in the first nine months of 2004.

The Company announced encouraging results from the Peter's Point 6-7D, its 15,349-foot exploratory test (100% working interest) drilled into a structural closure in the West Tavaputs area of the Uinta Basin. The well was successfully completed in the Navajo, Entrada and Dakota formations with a current combined initial production rate of 11.4 MMcfed (gross). Several shallower potential pay zones exist behind pipe. This well is the most significant in a series of recent successes, including the exploratory Bullfrog 14-18 that is currently producing 20 MMcfed (gross) and the Cave Gulch 1-29 stimulation in the Muddy formation that is currently producing 19 MMcfed (gross).

Fredrick J. Barrett, President and Chief Operating Officer, commented, "As a Rockies-focused exploration company, we are excited to announce significant positive exploration results in two consecutive quarters from two separate basins. Continued production will be necessary to define the size of West Tavaputs deep potential, but the results to date look promising. The results from the Bullfrog 14-18 and the Cave Gulch 1-29 continue to give us reason to be optimistic about the deep potential in the Wind River Basin. We are pleased with our overall drilling performance, which continues to generate strong production growth in a high priced environment, leading to record cash flow."

Operating and Drilling Update

The Company spent $86.3 million on capital expenditures in the third quarter of 2005, which was comprised of $3.9 million for the acquisition of properties; $77.2 million for drilling, development, exploration and exploitation of natural gas and oil properties; $4.8 million for geologic and geophysical costs; and $0.4 million for equipment and other expenditures. Through the first nine months, capital expenditures totaled $240.4 million, and $9.0 million was received in proceeds for a net capital program of $231.4 million. The following table lists the Company's capital expenditures by basin and wells spud for the third quarter of 2005.

For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2005 Area Capital Expenditures (in millions) Wells spud Piceance Basin $34.7 21 Wind River Basin 6.6 2 Uinta Basin 26.9 9 Powder River Basin 7.6 82 Williston Basin 0.5 2 Other 10.0 -- Total $86.3 116

The Company provides the following guidance for production and expenses based on information available at the time of this release. The guidance amounts do not include production or operating costs that may result from acquisitions or future successful exploration projects. Please see the forward-looking statements disclosure at the end of this release for a discussion of the inherent limitations of these forward-looking statements.

Guidance: Fourth Quarter Ending Year Ending December 31, 2005 December 31, 2005 Production: Total Natural Gas Equivalent (Bcfe) 11.4 - 12.4 38.5 - 39.5 Operating Costs (in millions): Lease operating expense $6.5 - $6.7 $20.6 - $20.8 Gathering and transportation expense $3.8 - $4.0 $12.5 - $12.7 General and administrative expense (excluding non-cash stock-based compensation) $6.1 - $6.5 $23.6 - $24.0

The Company currently intends to participate in the drilling of 357 wells in 2005, including 17 exploration wells. Through the first nine months of 2005, 241 wells were spud. The Company's capital expenditures for 2005 are expected to total between $310 and $320 million, net of sales proceeds.

As of October 31, 2005, the Company had eight conventional and four coalbed methane drilling rigs in operation, and is providing the following update of certain of its drilling activities.

Uinta Basin, Utah

West Tavaputs -- The Company is encouraged by preliminary production from the recently completed Peter's Point 6-7D (100% working interest), a 15,349-foot exploratory well that is currently being tested. This test was drilled into an estimated 4,800-acre structural closure delineated by 3-D seismic and targeted the Wingate, Navajo, Entrada, and Dakota formations. Although the Wingate was completed as unproductive, the Navajo, Entrada, and Dakota formations were completed and, as of October 31, 2005, flowed a combined 11.4 MMcfd (gross) into the sales line. The Company believes there are multiple pay zones behind pipe in the Price River (Mesaverde), Wasatch, and North Horn formations, which are the focus of its current shallow development program in the area. The Navajo and Entrada reservoirs are characteristically widespread and may cover the entire area of the structural closure. The Company believes that it has not yet drilled the top of the structural closure. The Company is optimistic about its 2005 development program at West Tavaputs, which consists of fifteen wells drilled, three recompleted wells, and four wells from last year that were completed this year. Ten wells have been completed thus far this year with initial production rates that ranged between 1.0 MMcfd to 4.6 MMcfd (gross). Twelve wells are in the process of being completed. Although the Company faces certain challenges procuring certain materials and oilfield services, it expects to complete the majority of the wells before the onset of winter stipulations, which begin December 1. The Company will monitor declines from its new well initial production rates to determine recoverable reserves and production profile.

Based on results to date, the Company has initiated an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for full field development of the shallow and deep formations on Federal Leases. While conducting this EIS over the next two to three years, the Company expects to be able to drill a yet-to-be determined number of wells, over and above the 11 locations currently approved under the Environmental Assessment and the five locations that are not subject to Federal environmental regulations.

Lake Canyon -- The Company recently spud its deep Mesaverde test, the #1 DLB (75% working interest), and expects to reach a total depth of approximately 14,500 feet in December. The Company also recently completed its 57-square-mile three component 3-D seismic survey and is in the process of interpreting it. The Company plans to participate in two 6,500 foot Green River formation test wells (working interest range of 18.75% to 25%) that are expected to spud before year end.

Piceance Basin, Colorado

Bill Barrett Corporation continues to develop its Piceance Basin acreage with a four-rig program. In the first ten months of 2005, the Company drilled 65 wells, of which 34 have been completed and hooked up to a sales line at initial maximum daily rates ranging from 375 Mcfd to 2,400 Mcfd (gross). The other 31 wells are either being completed or waiting on completion. The Company continues to see consistent improvement in its initial production rates as a result of optimized completion procedures. For example, since mid-July, 17 of the 23 most recent completions had initial test rates that exceeded 1,200 Mcfd (gross). The Company will continue to monitor declines from its new well initial production rates to determine recoverable reserves and production profile. The Company has experienced increasing delays in procuring certain completion materials and services, which have not affected well performance, but may affect timing of bringing production on-line.

Wind River Basin, Wyoming

Cave Gulch/Bullfrog -- The Company continues to be encouraged by the deep potential along the Waltman arch. The Bullfrog 14-18 produced an average of 20.1 MMcfed (gross) in October 2005. The Cave Gulch 1-29 (70% working interest), stimulated in the Muddy formation, continues its strong production, having produced 15.1 MMcfed (gross) for the month of October 2005. These two wells had first sales in mid July and late June, respectively. The Company is in the process of re-stimulating the Muddy formation in the Cave Gulch 5-30 well, an offset to the Cave Gulch 1-29, and recognizes multiple deep Muddy and Frontier locations in the Bullfrog and Cave Gulch areas. The Company currently is drilling one Lance well.

Powder River Basin, Wyoming

Four coal bed methane (CBM) rigs are drilling in the Palm Tree area in the southern Powder River Basin. In the first ten months of 2005, the Company drilled 60 wells in its Palm Tree development area targeting the Big George coals. The Company has also drilled 60 Big George wells in the Cat Creek Unit which is in the initial stages of dewatering. In addition, the Company has drilled 30 Big George wells in the Dead Horse pilot with dewatering to commence by year end. For 2005, the Company expects to participate in the drilling of a total of 200 CBM wells.

Williston Basin, Montana and North Dakota

Red Water -- The Company recently sold a 50% working interest in this exploratory project to an industry partner. The Company retains a 50% working interest and 10,287 net undeveloped acres and spud its first horizontal test to the Bakken formation, the McCrea 11-27H, which it expects to reach total depth by late November.

Grand River -- The first horizontal Red River B test was recently spud, the Nygaard 41-32H (60% working interest), and is expected to reach total depth by early November. The Company has approximately 10,944 net undeveloped acres in this play.

Red Bank Extension -- The Company is in the process of closing on the sale of a 40% interest in a joint venture to explore approximately 43,850 net undeveloped acres to an industry partner. The Company expects to drill two commitment wells in early 2006. The Company participated in a non-operated Bakken test, the Sigma Lee 14-23 (working interest 6.5%), that is currently being completed.

Mondak -- The Company is participating in a non-operated horizontal Bakken test, the McKenzie Federal 14-31H (working interest 22%), which currently is drilling.

Denver-Julesburg Basin, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska

The early results of two wells drilled in the Prairie Star area in the Tri-State prospect are encouraging. The vertical well is waiting on pipeline and the horizontal well is waiting on fracture stimulation. The Company recently completed more than 500 linear miles of 2-D seismic and plans to follow up with 3-D seismic along gas anomalies identified on the 2-D survey.

Montana Overthrust, Montana

As of October 31, 2005, the Company had acquired a total of 144,990 net undeveloped acres in this exploratory project. The Company has commenced an 82-square-mile 3-D seismic survey.

Conference call to discuss third quarter results

As previously announced, a conference call to discuss third quarter results for the Company is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. EST (3:30 p.m. CST, 2:30 p.m. MST) on Thursday, November 3, 2005. The call participation number is 1-800-344-0624 in the U.S. and Canada (1-706-643-1890 outside the U.S. and Canada) and the passcode is 1270775. Access to a live Internet broadcast will be available at http://www.billbarrettcorp.com/ by clicking on the link entitled "Webcasts." A webcast archive will be made available approximately one hour after the conference call at http://www.billbarrettcorp.com/. A telephonic replay will also be available approximately two hours after the call on Thursday, November 3, 2005 and will continue to be available through Monday, November 7, 2005. The replay telephone number is 1-800-642-1687 in the U.S. and Canada (1-706-645-9291 outside the U.S. and Canada) and the passcode is 1270775.

Forward-Looking Statements and Cautionary Statements

This press release and certain statements in the scheduled conference call are forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements reflect Bill Barrett Corporation's current views with respect to future events, based on what it believes are reasonable assumptions. No assurance can be given, however, that these events will occur. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially including, among other things, exploration results, market conditions, oil and gas price volatility, the availability and cost of services and materials, uncertainties inherent in oil and gas production operations and estimating reserves, unexpected future capital expenditures, competition, the success of Bill Barrett Corporation risk management activities, governmental regulations and other factors discussed in the Company's definitive prospectus dated August 17, 2005 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (http://www.sec.gov/).

About Bill Barrett Corporation

Bill Barrett Corporation, headquartered in Denver, explores for and develops natural gas and oil in nine basins and the overthrust belt in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. Additional information about the Company may be found on its web site http://www.billbarrettcorp.com/ .

The following is a summary of the Company's operational and financial highlights. The financial statements that follow are unaudited and subject to adjustment.

Bill Barrett Corporation Selected Operating Highlights (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2005 2004 2005 2004 Production Data: Natural gas (MMcf) 9,287 7,389 24,813 21,449 Oil (MBbls) 136 124 386 352 Combined volumes (MMcfe) 10,101 8,130 27,126 23,558 Daily combined volumes (Mmcfe/d) 110 88 99 86 Average Prices (includes effects of hedges): Natural gas (per Mcf) $6.85 $5.04 $6.34 $4.93 Oil (per Bbl) 50.35 41.72 46.04 37.06 Combined (per Mcfe) 6.98 5.22 6.46 5.05 Average Costs (per Mcfe): Lease operating expense $0.51 $0.47 $0.52 $0.47 Gathering and transportation expense 0.31 0.20 0.32 0.17 Production tax expense 0.84 0.64 0.79 0.63 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 2.18 2.18 2.25 2.07 General and administrative (excluding stock based compensation) 0.59 0.51 0.65 0.54 Bill Barrett Corporation Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2005 2004 2005 2004 (in thousands, except per share amounts) Revenues: Oil and gas production $70,471 $42,431 $175,118 $118,873 Other 766 244 2,474 2,642 Total revenues 71,237 42,675 177,592 121,515 Operating Expenses: Lease operating expense 5,165 3,822 14,059 11,009 Gathering and transportation expense 3,113 1,600 8,717 4,091 Production tax expense 8,525 5,219 21,554 14,784 Exploration expense 4,152 6,469 6,817 9,282 Impairment expense -- -- 36,343 -- Dry hole costs and abandonment expense 646 7,606 7,978 7,887 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 21,982 17,718 60,936 48,720 General and administrative 5,965 4,114 17,520 12,685 Stock based compensation 743 327 2,221 2,564 Total operating expenses 50,291 46,875 176,145 111,022 Operating income (loss) 20,946 (4,200) 1,447 10,493 Other Income and Expense: Interest income 343 103 1,384 231 Interest expense (734) (2,006) (1,736) (3,389) Total other income and expense (391) (1,903) (352) (3,158) Income (Loss) before Income Taxes 20,555 (6,103) 1,095 7,335 Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes 7,258 (2,163) 615 3,503 Net Income (Loss) 13,297 (3,940) 480 3,832 Less Cumulative Dividends on Preferred Stock N/A (5,049) N/A (14,387) Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stock $13,297 $(8,989) $480 $(10,555) Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share, Basic $0.31 $(6.08) $0.01 $(7.67) Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share, Diluted $0.30 $(6.08) $0.01 $(7.67) Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding, Basic 43,285,381 1,477,595 43,186,417 1,376,692 Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding, Diluted 43,782,874 1,477,595 43,628,292 1,376,692 Bill Barrett Corporation Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets (Unaudited) As of September 30, As of December 31, 2005 2004 (in thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $37,664 $99,926 Other current assets 69,858 37,964 Property and equipment, net 675,717 552,165 Other non current assets 10,482 6,103 Total assets $793,721 $696,158 Current liabilities $141,184 $62,106 Note payable to bank 43,000 -- Other non current liabilities 32,195 14,320 Stockholders' equity: 577,342 619,732 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $793,721 $696,158 Bill Barrett Corporation Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2005 2004 2005 2004 Operating Activities: Net Income (Loss) $13,297 ($3,940) $480 $3,832 Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operations: Depreciation, depletion and amortization 21,982 17,718 60,936 48,720 Deferred income taxes 7,258 (2,163) 615 3,503 Impairment, dry hole costs and abandonment expense 646 7,606 44,321 7,887 Stock compensation and other non-cash charges 698 353 2,103 2,672 Amortization of deferred financing costs 319 474 882 681 Gain on sale of properties (636) (13) (2,101) (2,348) Change in current assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (15,513) 195 (10,112) (6,281) Prepayments and other current assets (283) (795) (653) (2,193) Accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities 2,959 733 (153) (1,084) Amounts payable to oil and gas property owners (360) (825) 1,116 579 Production taxes payable 5,704 3,182 13,310 9,403 Net cash provided by operating activities 36,071 22,525 110,744 65,371 Investing Activities: Additions to oil and gas properties (79,820) (194,275) (224,135) (274,828) Additions of furniture, equipment and other (447) (428) (1,852) (1,342) Proceeds from sale of properties 2,456 13 9,036 7,219 Net cash used in investing activities (77,811) (194,690) (216,951) (268,951) Financing Activities: Proceeds from debt 66,000 209,000 66,000 254,000 Principal payments on debt (23,000) (31,000) (23,000) (68,000) Proceeds from sale of common and preferred stock 705 13 995 33,773 Offering costs -- (1,163) -- (1,163) Deferred financing costs and other -- (4,615) (50) (6,169) Net cash provided by financing activities 43,705 172,235 43,945 212,441 Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents 1,965 70 (62,262) 8,861 Beginning Cash and Cash Equivalents 35,699 24,825 99,926 16,034 Ending Cash and Cash Equivalents $37,664 $24,895 $37,664 $24,895 Bill Barrett Corporation Reconciliation of Discretionary Cash Flow (1) from Net Income (Loss) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2005 2004 2005 2004 (in thousands) Net Income (Loss) $13,297 ($3,940) $480 $3,832 Adjustments to reconcile to discretionary cash flow (1): Depreciation, depletion and amortization 21,982 17,718 60,936 48,720 Dry hole costs, abandonments, and impairment expense 646 7,606 44,321 7,887 Exploration expense 4,152 6,469 6,817 9,282 Deferred income taxes 7,258 (2,163) 615 3,503 Stock compensation and other non cash items 698 353 2,103 2,672 Amortization of deferred financing costs 319 474 882 681 Gain on sale of properties (636) (13) (2,101) (2,348) Discretionary cash flow (1) $47,716 $26,504 $114,053 $74,229 (1) Discretionary cash flow is computed as net income plus depreciation, depletion, amortization, impairment expenses, deferred income taxes, exploration expenses, non-cash stock based compensation, gains on sale of properties, and certain other non-cash charges. The non-GAAP measure of discretionary cash flow is presented because management believes that it provides useful additional information to investors for analysis of the Company's ability to internally generate funds for exploration, development and acquisitions. In addition, discretionary cash flow is widely used by professional research analysts and others in the valuation, comparison and investment recommendations concerning companies in the oil and gas exploration and production industry, and many investors use the published research of industry research analysts in making investment decisions. Discretionary cash flow should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income, income from operations, net cash provided by operating activities or other income, profitability, cash flow or liquidity measures prepared under GAAP. Because discretionary cash flow excludes some, but not all, items that affect net income and net cash provided by operating activities and may vary among companies, the discretionary cash flow amounts presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

Bill Barrett Corporation

CONTACT: Robert W. Howard, Executive Vice President - Finance andInvestor Relations, or William M. Crawford, Manager of Investor Relations,both of Bill Barrett Corporation, +1-303-293-9100

Web site: http://www.billbarrettcorp.com/

Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall

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