10-Q 1 a06-21610_110q.htm QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 OR 15(D)

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

x                              Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2006

 

or

 

o                                 Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the transition period from        to        

 

Commission File No. 001-10924

 

CLAYTON WILLIAMS ENERGY, INC.  

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

75-2396863

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

Identification Number)

 

 

 

6 Desta Drive, Suite 6500, Midland, Texas

 

79705-5510

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including area code:   (432) 682-6324

 

Not applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   x  Yes     o   No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer

 

o

 

Accelerated filer

 

x

 

Non-accelerated filer

 

o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  o  Yes     x   No

There were 10,849,551 shares of Common Stock, $.10 par value, of the registrant outstanding as of November 9, 2006.

 

 



CLAYTON WILLIAMS ENERGY, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

Page

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2006

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

23

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risks

 

37

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

40

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

41

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

 

41

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

43

 

2




 

CLAYTON WILLIAMS ENERGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)

ASSETS

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

8,746

 

$

5,935

 

Accounts receivable:

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and gas sales, net

 

24,616

 

28,317

 

Joint interest and other, net

 

9,359

 

6,972

 

Affiliates

 

1,452

 

254

 

Inventory

 

41,308

 

43,753

 

Deferred income taxes

 

426

 

439

 

Fair value of derivatives

 

16,314

 

191

 

Prepaids and other

 

1,840

 

2,581

 

 

 

104,061

 

88,442

 

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and gas properties, successful efforts method

 

1,188,416

 

1,037,862

 

Natural gas gathering and processing systems

 

18,049

 

18,034

 

Contract drilling equipment

 

47,855

 

 

Other

 

15,369

 

12,396

 

 

 

1,269,689

 

1,068,292

 

Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

(655,726

)

(594,225

)

Property and equipment, net

 

613,963

 

474,067

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Debt issue costs

 

7,992

 

8,557

 

Advances to drilling rig joint venture

 

 

10,329

 

Fair value of derivatives

 

2,673

 

127

 

Other

 

14,229

 

5,813

 

 

 

24,894

 

24,826

 

 

 

$

742,918

 

$

587,335

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

3

 


 

CLAYTON WILLIAMS ENERGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable:

 

 

 

 

 

Trade

 

$

69,935

 

$

59,861

 

Oil and gas sales

 

14,528

 

18,236

 

Affiliates

 

3,319

 

2,857

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

8,011

 

19

 

Fair value of derivatives

 

29,630

 

33,670

 

Accrued liabilities and other

 

5,650

 

9,611

 

 

 

131,073

 

124,254

 

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

367,157

 

235,700

 

Deferred income taxes

 

44,782

 

37,042

 

Fair value of derivatives

 

29,730

 

49,705

 

Other

 

22,868

 

20,343

 

 

 

464,537

 

342,790

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, par value $.10 per share, authorized — 3,000,000 shares; issued — none

 

 

 

Common stock, par value $.10 per share, authorized — 30,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding — 10,849,551 shares in 2006 and 10,815,575 shares in 2005

 

1,085

 

1,082

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

107,431

 

107,108

 

Retained earnings

 

38,792

 

12,101

 

 

 

147,308

 

120,291

 

 

 

$

742,918

 

$

587,335

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

4

 



 

CLAYTON WILLIAMS ENERGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share)

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

REVENUES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and gas sales

 

$

61,519

 

$

65,739

 

$

188,143

 

$

190,536

 

Natural gas services

 

2,905

 

2,572

 

8,890

 

7,703

 

Drilling rig services

 

1,801

 

 

2,175

 

 

Gain on sales of property and equipment

 

164

 

16,832

 

916

 

18,911

 

Total revenues

 

66,389

 

85,143

 

200,124

 

217,150

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COSTS AND EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production

 

16,467

 

16,981

 

47,363

 

43,408

 

Exploration:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abandonments and impairments

 

19,650

 

13,863

 

35,822

 

31,563

 

Seismic and other

 

3,678

 

5,123

 

9,366

 

7,576

 

Natural gas services

 

2,730

 

2,450

 

7,820

 

7,241

 

Drilling rig services

 

1,157

 

 

1,373

 

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

17,686

 

11,568

 

48,378

 

36,148

 

Impairment of proved properties

 

12,914

 

 

12,914

 

 

Accretion of abandonment obligations

 

428

 

291

 

1,224

 

858

 

General and administrative

 

3,086

 

5,483

 

11,405

 

11,135

 

Loss on sales of property and equipment

 

69

 

100

 

82

 

132

 

Total costs and expenses

 

77,865

 

55,859

 

175,747

 

138,061

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(11,476

)

29,284

 

24,377

 

79,089

 

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(5,328

)

(5,503

)

(14,628

)

(10,435

)

Gain (loss) on derivatives

 

26,734

 

(28,766

)

25,407

 

(73,692

)

Other

 

(1,583

)

1,317

 

(515

)

2,413

 

Total other income (expense)

 

19,823

 

(32,952

)

10,264

 

(81,714

)

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

8,347

 

(3,668

)

34,641

 

(2,625

)

Income tax (expense) benefit

 

(2,842

)

1,628

 

(7,754

)

1,543

 

Minority interest, net of tax

 

(156

)

 

(196

)

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

 

$

5,349

 

$

(2,040

)

$

26,691

 

$

(1,082

)

Net income (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.49

 

$

(0.19

)

$

2.46

 

$

(0.10

)

Diluted

 

$

0.48

 

$

(0.19

)

$

2.38

 

$

(0.10

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

10,850

 

10,810

 

10,847

 

10,800

 

Diluted

 

11,205

 

10,810

 

11,220

 

10,800

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

5

 


 

CLAYTON WILLIAMS ENERGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

 

No. of

 

Par

 

Paid-In

 

Retained

 

 

 

Shares

 

Value

 

Capital

 

Earnings

 

BALANCE,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2005

 

10,815

 

$

1,082

 

$

107,108

 

$

12,101

 

Net income and total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

26,691

 

Issuance of stock through compensation plans

 

35

 

3

 

323

 

 

BALANCE,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30, 2006

 

10,850

 

$

1,085

 

$

107,431

 

$

38,792

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

6

 



 

CLAYTON WILLIAMS ENERGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

26,691

 

$

(1,082

)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

48,378

 

36,148

 

Impairment of proved properties

 

12,914

 

 

Exploration costs

 

35,822

 

31,563

 

Accretion of abandonment obligations

 

1,224

 

858

 

Gain on sales of property and equipment, net

 

(834

)

(18,779

)

Deferred income taxes

 

7,754

 

(1,465

)

Non-cash employee compensation

 

1,651

 

2,468

 

Unrealized (gain) loss on derivatives

 

(42,684

)

56,067

 

Settlements on derivatives with financing elements

 

23,311

 

17,428

 

Amortization of debt issue costs

 

1,022

 

2,631

 

Minority interest, net of tax

 

196

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in operating working capital:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

116

 

(3,474

)

Accounts payable

 

3,073

 

3,301

 

Other

 

(2,152

)

967

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

116,482

 

126,631

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property and equipment

 

(188,606

)

(126,788

)

Additions to equipment of Larclay JV

 

(46,126

)

 

Proceeds from sales of property and equipment

 

1,083

 

23,252

 

Other

 

3,665

 

(11,336

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(229,984

)

(114,872

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from long-term debt

 

93,700

 

225,000

 

Proceeds from long-term debt of Larclay JV

 

45,761

 

 

Repayments of other long-term debt

 

(12

)

(177,500

)

Proceeds from sale of common stock

 

175

 

288

 

Payment of debt issue costs

 

 

(7,964

)

Settlements on derivatives with financing elements

 

(23,311

)

(17,428

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

116,313

 

22,396

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

2,811

 

34,155

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

 

5,935

 

16,359

 

End of period

 

$

8,746

 

$

50,514

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized

 

$

17,996

 

$

5,138

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

7




CLAYTON WILLIAMS ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2006
(Unaudited)

1.         Nature of Operations

Clayton Williams Energy, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “CWEI”) is an independent oil and gas company engaged in the exploration for and development and production of oil and natural gas primarily in its core areas in Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico.  Approximately 45% of the Company’s outstanding common stock is beneficially owned by its Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Clayton W. Williams (“Mr. Williams”).  Oil and gas exploration and production is the only significant business segment in which the Company operates.

Substantially all of the Company’s oil and gas production is sold under short-term contracts which are market-sensitive.  Accordingly, the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, and capital resources are highly dependent upon prevailing market prices of, and demand for, oil and natural gas.  These commodity prices are subject to wide fluctuations and market uncertainties due to a variety of factors that are beyond the control of the Company.  These factors include the level of global demand for petroleum products, foreign supply of oil and gas, the establishment of and compliance with production quotas by oil-exporting countries, weather conditions, the price and availability of alternative fuels, and overall economic conditions, both foreign and domestic.

2.         Presentation

The preparation of these consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management of the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.  Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Clayton Williams Energy, Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiaries and the accounts of the Larclay JV (see Note 4).  The Company also accounts for its undivided interests in oil and gas limited partnerships using the proportionate consolidation method, whereby its share of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses are consolidated with other operations.  All significant intercompany transactions and balances associated with the consolidated operations have been eliminated.

In the opinion of management, the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2006 and for the interim periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 include all adjustments which are necessary for a fair presentation in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.  These interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2006.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted in this Form 10-Q pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

8

 


3.         Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108 (“SAB 108”), which becomes effective beginning on January 1, 2007. SAB 108 provides guidance on the consideration of the effects of prior period misstatements in quantifying current year misstatements for the purpose of a materiality assessment. SAB 108 requires an entity to evaluate the impact of correcting all misstatements, including both the carryover and reversing effects of prior year misstatements, on current year financial statements. If a misstatement is material to the current year financial statements, the prior year financial statements should also be corrected, even though such revision was, and continues to be, immaterial to the prior year financial statements. Correcting prior year financial statements for immaterial errors would not require previously filed reports to be amended. Such correction should be made in the current period filings. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting SAB 108.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This Statement applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, the FASB having previously concluded in those accounting pronouncements that fair value is the relevant measurement attribute. Accordingly, this Statement does not require any new fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007. We plan to adopt SFAS 157 beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2008. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of SFAS 157 will have on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Emerging Issues Task Force Issue 04-5 (“EITF 04-5”), which became effective January 1, 2006, requires companies to fully consolidate any limited partnerships that the company controls as general partner.  EITF 04-5 presumes that a sole general partner in a limited partnership controls the limited partnership; however, the presumption of control can be overcome if the limited partners have (i) the substantive ability to remove the sole general partner or otherwise dissolve the limited partnership or (ii) substantive participating rights.  For this purpose, the EITF has concluded that a general partner lacks control if the limited partners can remove the general partner with a simple majority vote.  The Company has entered into contracts with 17 oil and gas limited partnerships of which the Company is the sole general partner.  Generally, these contracts require the Company to abstain from voting any of its limited partnership units in matters related to the removal of the Company as general partner.  As a result, the limited partners in all of the oil and gas partnerships in which the Company serves as general partner can remove the Company as general partner with a simple majority vote.  Accordingly, the Company has continued consolidating its proportionate share of all of these limited partnerships.  The adoption of EITF 04-5 had no affect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”) to clarify the manner in which enterprises account for uncertainties in their provisions for income taxes.  Generally, the standard presented by FIN 48 is a “more likely than not” standard and is intended to enhance the relevancy and comparability of financial reporting by companies.  FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2006.  The Company is currently reviewing FIN 48 to determine its application to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

9

 


4.         Investments

West Coast Energy Properties, L.P.

In August 2006, an affiliated partnership, West Coast Energy Properties, L.P. (“WCEP”), acquired certain producing oil and gas assets in California and Texas for aggregate cash consideration of approximately $58 million.  Approximately 75% of the purchase price relates to properties in three fields in southern California, and the remaining 25% relates primarily to properties located in Mitchell County, Texas.

WCEP is a Texas limited partnership formed to facilitate this acquisition, the general partner of which is a limited liability company owned by the Company and the limited partner of which is an affiliate of GE Energy Financial Services.  Under the partnership agreement, the general partner contributed approximately $6.2 million to the partnership for an initial partnership interest of 5%, which interest can increase to 37.63%, and ultimately to 49%, upon the achievement of certain target rates of return.

The Company financed its equity contribution to the general partner through borrowings on its revolving credit facility.

Larclay JV

In April 2006, the Company formed a joint venture (“Larclay JV”) with Lariat Services, Inc. (“Lariat”) to construct, own and operate 12 new drilling rigs.  The Company and Lariat each own a 50% interest in Larclay JV.  The rigs are being constructed on behalf of Larclay JV by Lariat, as operations manager.  Construction of all the rigs is expected to be completed by February 28, 2007 at a cost of approximately $75 million.  A lender has provided a $75 million secured term loan to Larclay JV to finance the construction and equipping of the rigs.  Pursuant to the term loan, the Company has issued a $19 million letter of credit to the lender as additional collateral during the construction period.  Upon the earlier of compliance with specified collateral ratios or February 28, 2007, the lender is to release the letter of credit in exchange for a $19.5 million guaranty from the Company.  After completion of the construction period, outstanding advances under the term loan must not exceed 75% of the appraised value of the rigs.  If proceeds available to Larclay JV under the term loan are not sufficient to fully finance the cost of the rigs, the Company will be required to loan funds to Larclay JV at the same interest rate as the term loan.  The Larclay JV term loan bears interest at a floating rate based on a LIBOR average, plus 3.25%, and provides for monthly interest payments through March 2007 and monthly principal and interest payments thereafter sufficient to retire the principal balance by 35% in the first year, 25% in each of the next two years, and 15% in the fourth year.  Two voluntary prepayments of $10 million each may be made in 2008 and 2009 without a prepayment penalty.  The Larclay JV term loan prohibits Larclay JV from making any cash distributions to the Company or Lariat until the balance on the term loan is fully repaid, and repayments by Larclay JV of any loans by the Company or Lariat are subordinated to the loans outstanding under the term loan and are subject to other restrictions.

Also in April 2006, the Company entered into a three-year drilling contract with Larclay JV assuring the availability of each rig for use in the ordinary course of the Company’s exploration and development drilling program throughout the term of the drilling contract.  The provisions of the drilling contract require that the Company contract for each rig on a well-by-well basis at then current market rates.  If a rig is not needed by the Company at any time during the term of the contract, Larclay JV may contract with Lariat, affiliates of Lariat or other third party operators for the use of such rig, subject to certain restrictions.  If a rig is idle, the Company will pay Larclay JV an idle rig rate ranging from $8,100 per day to $10,300 per day (plus crew labor expenses, if applicable), depending on the size of the rig.  The Company’s gross idle rig commitment under this drilling contract, excluding crew labor, if any, aggregates $112 million.  Four rigs

 

10

 


are currently operational, of which two are working for the Company and two are working for other operators.

Although the Company and Lariat own equal interests in Larclay JV, the Company meets the definition of the primary beneficiary of Larclay JV’s expected cash flows under FASB Interpretation No. 46R, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities — an interpretation of ARB No. 51 (as amended)” (“FIN 46R”).  As the primary beneficiary under FIN 46R, the Company is required to include the accounts of Larclay JV in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  As of September 30, 2006, Lariat’s equity ownership in the net assets of Larclay JV was $696,000, which is recorded as minority interest and included in other non-current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  The Company’s intercompany accounts with Larclay JV have been eliminated in consolidation.

5.         Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

73¤4% Senior Notes due 2013

 

$

225,000

 

$

225,000

 

Secured bank credit facility, due May 2009

 

104,400

 

10,700

 

Secured term loan of Larclay JV

 

45,766

 

 

Other

 

2

 

19

 

 

 

375,168

 

235,719

 

Less current maturities(a)

 

(8,011

)

(19

)

 

 

$

367,157

 

$

235,700

 


(a)             Includes current portion of term loan of Larclay JV of $8,009 at September 30, 2006.

73¤4% Senior Notes due 2013

In July 2005, the Company issued, in a private placement, $225 million of aggregate principal amount of 73¤4% Senior Notes due 2013 (“Senior Notes”).  The Senior Notes were issued at face value and bear interest at 73¤4% per year, payable semi-annually on February 1 and August 1 of each year, beginning February 1, 2006.  After the payment of typical transaction expenses, net proceeds of approximately $217 million were used to repay all amounts outstanding under the secured bank credit facilities and for general corporate purposes, including the funding of planned exploration and development activities.

At any time prior to August 1, 2008, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 107.75% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest.  In addition, prior to August 1, 2009, the Company may redeem some or all of the Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus a make-whole premium, plus any accrued and unpaid interest.  On and after August 1, 2009, the Company may redeem some or all of the Senior Notes at redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) equal to 103.875% for the twelve-month period beginning on August 1, 2009, 101.938% for the twelve-month period beginning on August 1, 2010, and 100.00% beginning on August 1, 2011, for any period thereafter, in each case plus accrued and unpaid interest.

The Indenture governing the Senior Notes restricts the ability of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries to:  (i) borrow money; (ii) issue redeemable and preferred stock; (iii) pay distributions or

11

 


dividends; (iv) make investments; (v) create liens without securing the Senior Notes; (vi) enter into agreements that restrict dividends from subsidiaries; (vii) sell certain assets or merge with or into other companies; (viii) enter into transactions with affiliates; (ix) guarantee indebtedness; and (x) enter into new lines of business.  The Company was in compliance with these covenants at September 30, 2006.

Secured Bank Credit Facility

The Company’s secured bank credit facility provides for a revolving loan facility in an amount not to exceed the lesser of the borrowing base, as established by the banks, or that portion of the borrowing base determined by the Company to be the elected borrowing limit.  The borrowing base, which is based on the discounted present value of future net revenues from oil and gas production, is subject to redetermination at any time, but at least semi-annually in May and November, and is made at the discretion of the banks.  If, at any time, the redetermined borrowing base is less than the amount of outstanding indebtedness, the Company will be required to (i) pledge additional collateral, (ii) prepay the excess in not more than five equal monthly installments, or (iii) elect to convert the entire amount of outstanding indebtedness to a term obligation based on amortization formulas set forth in the loan agreement.  Substantially all of the Company’s oil and gas properties are pledged to secure advances under the credit facility.  At September 30, 2006, the borrowing base established by the banks was $200 million, with no monthly commitment reductions.  After allowing for outstanding letters of credit totaling $19.8 million, the Company had $75.8 million available under the credit facility at September 30, 2006.

The revolving credit facility provides for interest at rates based on the agent bank’s prime rate plus margins ranging from .25% to 1%, or if elected by the Company based on LIBOR plus margins ranging from 1.5% to 2.25%.  The Company also pays a commitment fee on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility.  Interest and fees are payable at least quarterly.  The effective annual interest rate on borrowings under the combined credit facility, excluding bank fees and amortization of debt issue costs, for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was 7.4%.

The loan agreement applicable to the revolving credit facility contains financial covenants that are computed quarterly.  The working capital covenant requires the Company to maintain a ratio of current assets to current liabilities of at least 1 to 1.  Another financial covenant under the credit facility requires the Company to maintain a ratio of indebtedness to cash flow of no more than 3 to 1.  The computations of current assets, current liabilities, cash flow and indebtedness are defined in the loan agreement.  The Company was in compliance with all financial and non-financial covenants at September 30, 2006.

Secured Term Loan of Larclay JV

In connection with the Company’s investment in Larclay JV (see Note 4), Larclay JV obtained a $75 million secured term loan facility from a lender to finance the construction and equipping of 12 new drilling rigs.  The Larclay JV term loan is secured by substantially all of the assets of Larclay JV and a $19 million letter of credit from the Company, which letter of credit is to be replaced prior to February 28, 2007 by a $19.5 million guaranty from the Company.  Although the Company is not a maker on the Larclay JV term loan, it has provided the letter of credit and guaranty as credit support for the Larclay JV term loan and is required to fully consolidate the accounts of Larclay JV under FIN 46R.  At September 30, 2006, the effective interest rate on the Larclay JV term loan was 8.5%.  Larclay JV capitalized $1.1 million of interest expense related to the construction phase of the drilling rigs.

12

 


6.         Other Non-Current Liabilities

Other non-current liabilities consist of the following:

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Abandonment obligations

 

$

21,293

 

$

19,447

 

Minority interest, net of tax

 

696

 

 

Other

 

879

 

896

 

 

 

$

22,868

 

$

20,343

 

 

Changes in abandonment obligations for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 are as follows:

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Beginning of period

 

$

19,447

 

$

16,147

 

Additional abandonment obligations from new wells

 

834

 

492

 

Sales or abandonments of properties

 

(195

)

(507

)

Revisions of previous estimates

 

(17

)

27

 

Accretion expense

 

1,224

 

858

 

End of period

 

$

21,293

 

$

17,017

 

 

7.                          Compensation Plans

Stock-Based Compensation

In January 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004) “Share-Based Payments” (“SFAS 123R”).  SFAS 123R requires that the cost from all share-based payment transactions, including stock options, be recognized in the financial statements at fair value.  Under SFAS 123R, compensation expense related to the grant of stock options will be determined based on the grant date fair value of future awards.  Prior to adoption of SFAS 123R, the Company accounted for stock-based compensation utilizing the intrinsic value method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employee” (“APB 25”) and related interpretations.

The Company has accounted for options which were repriced in 1999 as variable stock options under APB 25 whereby compensation expense has been recognized through December 31, 2005 for unexercised options based on changes in the market value of the Company’s common stock.  In accordance with SFAS 123R, the Company ceased accounting for these options as variable stock options upon the adoption date.  The Company adopted SFAS 123R using the modified prospective application method.  Since all of the Company’s outstanding options were fully vested at January 1, 2006, no future compensation expense will be recognized under SFAS 123R unless the options are modified, and the Company did not recognize any cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles upon adoption of SFAS 123R.

13

 


Compensation expense related to stock-based compensation plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 was $2.1 million.

The Company has reserved 1,798,200 shares of common stock for issuance under the 1993 Stock Compensation Plan (“1993 Plan”).  The Plan provides for the issuance of nonqualified stock options with an exercise price which is not less than the market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.  All options granted through September 30, 2006 expire 10 years from the date of grant and become exercisable based on varying vesting schedules.

The Company has reserved 86,300 shares of common stock for issuance under the Outside Directors Stock Option Plan (“Directors Plan”).  Since the inception of the Directors Plan, the Company has issued options covering 44,000 shares of common stock at option prices ranging from $3.25 to $41.74 per share.  All outstanding options expire 10 years from the grant date and are fully exercisable upon issuance.

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Company’s stock option plans as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2006:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

Remaining

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise

 

Contractual

 

Intrinsic

 

 

 

Shares

 

Price

 

Term

 

Value

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2006

 

1,338,551

 

$

19.53

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

4,000

 

$

41.74

 

 

 

$

 

Exercised

 

(30,566

)

$

5.72

 

 

 

$

1,374,305

 

Outstanding at September 30, 2006

 

1,311,985

 

$

19.98

 

5.3

 

$

13,533,159

 

Vested at September 30, 2006

 

1,311,985

 

$

19.98

 

5.3

 

$

13,533,159

 

Exercisable at September 30, 2006

 

1,311,985

 

$

19.98

 

5.3

 

$

13,533,159

 

 

The following pro forma information, as required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”), as amended by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148 (“SFAS 148”), presents net income and earnings per share information as if the stock options issued since December 31, 1994 were accounted for using the fair value method under SFAS 123.  The fair value of stock options issued for each year was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

14

 


The SFAS 123 pro forma information for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 is as follows:

 

 

Nine Months

 

 

 

Ended

 

 

 

September 30,
2005

 

 

 

(In thousands,
except per share)

 

Net loss, as reported

 

$

(1,082

)

Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in net loss, net of tax

 

1,384

 

Deduct: Stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method (SFAS 123R), net of tax

 

(2,920

)

Net loss, pro forma

 

$

(2,618

)

 

 

 

 

Basic:

 

 

 

Net loss per common share, as reported

 

$

(.10

)

Net loss per common share, pro forma

 

$

(.24

)

 

 

 

 

Diluted:

 

 

 

Net loss per common share, as reported

 

$

(.10

)

Net loss per common share, pro forma

 

$

(.24

)

 

After-Payout Incentive Plan

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has adopted an incentive plan for officers, key employees and consultants, excluding Mr. Williams, who promote the Company’s drilling and acquisition programs.  Management’s objective in adopting this plan is to further align the interests of the participants with those of the Company by granting the participants an after-payout interest in the production developed, directly or indirectly, by the participants.  The plan generally provides for the creation of a series of partnerships between the Company and the participants to which the Company contributes a portion of its economic interest in wells drilled or acquired within certain areas.  Generally, the Company pays all costs and receives all revenues until payout of its costs, plus interest.  At payout, the participants receive 99% to 100% of all subsequent revenues and pay 99% to 100% of all subsequent expenses attributable to the partnerships’ interests.

Between 3% and 7.5% of the Company’s economic interests in specified wells drilled or acquired by the Company subsequent to October 2002 are subject to this arrangement (excluding properties acquired in a merger with Southwest Royalties, Inc. in May 2004).  The Company records its allocable share of the assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and oil and gas reserves of these partnerships in its consolidated financial statements.  To date, two of these partnerships have achieved payout.  Aggregate cash distributions of approximately $598,000 were paid to the participants during the nine months ended September 30, 2006.  The Company recognized $1.5 million of non-cash compensation expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 for the estimated value of the after-payout interests subject to this arrangement.

8.         Derivatives

Commodity Derivatives

From time to time, the Company utilizes commodity derivatives, consisting of swaps, floors and collars, to attempt to optimize the price received for its oil and gas production.  When using swaps to hedge oil and natural gas production, the Company receives a fixed price for the respective commodity

15

 


and pays a floating market price as defined in each contract (generally NYMEX futures prices), resulting in a net amount due to or from the counterparty.  In floor transactions, the Company receives a fixed price (put strike price) if the market price falls below the put strike price for the respective commodity.  If the market price is greater than the put strike price, no payments are due from either party.  Costless collars are a combination of puts and calls, and contain a fixed floor price (put strike price) and ceiling price (call strike price).  If the market price for the respective commodity exceeds the call strike price or falls below the put strike price, then the Company receives the fixed price and pays the market price.  If the market price is between the call and the put strike prices, no payments are due from either party.  Commodity derivatives are settled monthly as the contract production periods mature.

The following summarizes information concerning the Company’s net positions in open commodity derivatives applicable to periods subsequent to September 30, 2006.  The settlement prices of commodity derivatives are based on NYMEX futures prices.

Collars:

 

 

Gas

 

Oil

 

 

 

MMBtu (a)

 

Floor

 

Ceiling

 

Bbls

 

Floor

 

Ceiling

 

Production Period:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4th Quarter 2006

 

456,000

 

$

4.00

 

$

5.21

 

150,000

 

$

23.00

 

$

25.32

 

2007

 

1,831,000

 

$

4.00

 

$

5.18

 

562,000

 

$

23.00

 

$

25.20

 

2008

 

1,279,000

 

$

4.00

 

$

5.15

 

392,000

 

$

23.00

 

$

25.07

 

 

 

3,566,000

 

 

 

 

 

1,104,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swaps:

 

 

Gas

 

Oil

 

 

 

MMBtu (a)

 

Price

 

Bbls

 

Price

 

Production Period:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4th Quarter 2006

 

1,050,000

 

$

10.03

 

75,000

 

$

71.60

 

2007

 

5,100,000

 

$

9.20

 

900,000

 

$

70.06

 

2008

 

3,600,000

 

$

8.37

 

360,000

 

$

69.55

 

 

 

9,750,000

 

 

 

1,335,000

 

 

 


(a)             One MMBtu equals one Mcf at a Btu factor of 1,000.

In August 2006, the Company terminated certain fixed-price gas swaps covering 9,010,000 MMBtu of gas production at an average price of $9.26 per Mcf for the period from November 2006 through December 2007.  The Company received cash proceeds of $6.1 million upon termination of these contracts.

In July 2006, the Company also terminated certain fixed-price oil swaps covering 300,000 barrels at a price of $80.45 per barrel, from January 2007 through December 2007, resulting in an aggregate loss of approximately $2.4 million, which will be paid to the counterparty monthly during 2007.

Interest Rate Derivatives

The Company is a party to interest rate swaps that were acquired in connection with the acquisition of Southwest Royalties, Inc. in May 2004.  Under these derivatives, the Company pays a fixed rate for the notional principal balances and receives a floating market rate based on LIBOR.  The interest rate swaps are settled quarterly.  The following summarizes information concerning the Company’s net positions in open interest rate swaps applicable to periods subsequent to September 30, 2006.

16

 



Interest Rate Swaps:

 


Principal

 

Fixed
Libor

 

 

 

Balance

 

Rates

 

Period:

 

 

 

 

 

October 1, 2006 to November 1, 2006

 

$

55,000,000

 

4.29

%

November 1, 2006 to November 1, 2007

 

$

50,000,000

 

5.19

%

November 1, 2007 to November 1, 2008

 

$

45,000,000

 

5.73

%

 

Accounting For Derivatives

The Company accounts for its derivatives in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 133”), as amended.  The Company did not designate any of its currently open commodity or interest rate derivatives as cash flow hedges; therefore, all changes in the fair value of these contracts prior to maturity, plus any realized gains or losses at maturity, are recorded as other income (expense) in the Company’s statements of operations.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company reported a $25.4 million gain on derivatives, consisting of a $42.7 million gain related to changes in mark-to-market valuations and a $17.3 million cash charge for settled contracts.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, loss on derivates was $28.8 million, consisting of a $20.8 million non-cash charge related to changes in mark-to-market valuations and an $8 million cash charge for settled contracts.

9.         Financial Instruments

Cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities were each estimated to have a fair value approximating the carrying amount due to the short maturity of those instruments.  Indebtedness under the secured bank credit facilities was estimated to have a fair value approximating the carrying amount since the stated interest rate is generally market sensitive.  The fair value of other noncurrent liabilities approximate their carrying value.

The fair values of derivatives as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 are set forth below.  The associated carrying values at these dates are equal to their estimated fair values.

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Assets (liabilities):

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity derivatives

 

$

(40,028

)

$

(82,635

)

Interest rate derivatives

 

(345

)

(422

)

Net assets (liabilities)

 

$

(40,373

)

$

(83,057

)

 

10.      Income Taxes

In May 2006, the State of Texas adopted House Bill 3, which modified the state’s franchise tax structure, replacing the previous tax based on capital or earned surplus with a margin tax (the “Texas Margin Tax”) effective with franchise tax reports filed on or after January 1, 2008.  The Texas Margin Tax is computed by applying the applicable tax rate (1% for the Company’s business sector) to the profit margin, which is generally determined by total revenue less either cost of goods sold or compensation, as applicable. 

17

 


Although House Bill 3 states that the Texas Margin Tax is not an income tax, the Company believes that Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109 “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“SFAS 109”) applies to the Texas Margin Tax.  Accordingly, the Company has computed its consolidated deferred tax liability based on its current interpretation of the Texas Margin Tax, resulting in a reduction of deferred tax expense during the quarter ended June 30, 2006 of $4.1 million.

The Company’s effective federal and state income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 of 22.4% differed from the statutory federal rate of 35% due to reductions in the tax provision related to the adoption of the Texas Margin Tax and statutory depletion, offset in part by certain non-deductible expenses.

11.      Commitments

The Company is presently obligated under firm orders for two drilling rigs and related equipment in an aggregate amount of $24.5 million, of which cash deposits totaling $8.1 million have been paid to certain equipment suppliers as of September 30, 2006.  The total cost of the rigs, when completed and fully equipped, will be approximately $27 million.  The rigs are scheduled for delivery in mid-2007 and are expected to be utilized to drill the Company’s deep Bossier prospects in East Texas and North Louisiana.

In addition to the Larclay JV drilling contract discussed in Note 4, the Company has also entered into three long-term drilling contracts with third party drilling contractors and is obligated to make payments under these contracts totaling $11 million in the fourth quarter of 2006 and $25 million in 2007.

12.      Oil and Gas Properties

The following sets forth the capitalized costs for oil and gas properties as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005.

 

September 30,
2006

 

December 31,
2005

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Proved properties

 

$

1,037,610

 

$

957,962

 

Unproved properties

 

150,806

 

79,900

 

Total capitalized costs

 

1,188,416

 

1,037,862

 

Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

(629,083

)

(570,386

)

Net capitalized costs

 

$

559,333

 

$

467,476

 

 

In April 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Staff Position No. 19-1 (“FSP 19-1”).  FSP 19-1 amends the present guidance in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 19, paragraphs 31 and 34, regarding when exploratory drilling costs pending determination of proved reserves can be carried as an asset of an oil and gas company that uses the successful efforts method of accounting.  The Company was required to adopt FSP 19-1, including its disclosures, effective July 1, 2005.  The adoption of FSP 19-1 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s results of operations.  At September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the Company had capitalized $31.9 million and $10.3 million, respectively, of exploratory drilling costs applicable to wells that were pending determination of proved reserves.  Of the $10.3 million costs at December 31, 2005, $1.2 million was expensed as a dry hole during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and the remaining $9.1 million was subsequently deemed productive.

18

 


During the quarter ended September 30, 2006, the Company recorded a provision for impairment of proved properties of $12.9 million under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144 “Accounting for Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (“SFAS 144”) due to the combination of production performance and lower commodity prices.  The provision was attributable to two areas in West Texas and one area in South Louisiana.

13.      Guarantor Financial Information

In July 2005, Clayton Williams Energy, Inc. (“Issuer”) issued $225 million of Senior Notes (see Note 5).  Other than West Coast Energy Properties GP, LLC (“WCEP LLC”), the general partner of WCEP (see Note 4), all of the Issuer’s wholly-owned and active subsidiaries (“Guarantor Subsidiaries”) have jointly and severally, irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed the performance and payment when due of all obligations under the Senior Notes.  Larclay JV, a 50%-owned drilling rig joint venture formed in April 2006, and WCEP, LLC have not guaranteed the Senior Notes and are referred to in this Note 13 as Non-Guarantor Entities.

The following financial information sets forth the Company’s condensed consolidating financial statements as of and for the periods indicated.

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
September 30, 2006

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Non-

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Guarantor

 

Guarantor

 

Adjustments/

 

 

 

 

 

Issuer

 

Subsidiaries

 

Entities

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

$

146,450

 

$

96,432

 

$

5,276

 

$

(144,097

)

$

104,061

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

287,297

 

273,369

 

53,745

 

(448

)

613,963

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in subsidiaries

 

65,393

 

 

 

(65,393

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets

 

23,803

 

371

 

720

 

 

24,894

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

522,943

 

$

370,172

 

$

59,741

 

$

(209,938

)

$

742,918

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

$

86,594

 

$

168,320

 

$

20,256

 

$

(144,097

)

$

131,073

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

329,400

 

 

37,757

 

 

367,157

 

Fair value of derivatives

 

1,212

 

28,518

 

 

 

29,730

 

Other

 

16,851

 

50,003

 

100

 

696

 

67,650

 

 

 

347,463

 

78,521

 

37,857

 

696

 

464,537

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

88,886

 

123,331

 

1,628

 

(66,537

)

147,308

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

522,943

 

$

370,172

 

$

59,741

 

$

(209,938

)

$

742,918

 

 

19

 



Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
December 31, 2005
(Unaudited
(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

Issuer

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor
Entities

 

Adjustments/
Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

$

188,007

 

$

96,327

 

$

 

$

(195,892

)

$

88,442

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

195,987

 

278,080

 

 

 

474,067

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in subsidiaries

 

65,005

 

 

 

(65,005

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets

 

24,491

 

335

 

 

 

24,826

 

Total assets

 

$

473,490

 

$

374,742

 

$

 

$

(260,897

)

$

587,335

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

$

126,299

 

$

193,864

 

$

 

$

(195,909

)

$

124,254

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

235,700

 

 

 

 

235,700

 

Fair value of derivatives

 

610

 

49,095

 

 

 

49,705

 

Other

 

8,280

 

49,105

 

 

 

57,385

 

 

 

244,590

 

98,200

 

 

 

342,790

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

102,601

 

82,678

 

 

(64,988

)

120,291

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

473,490

 

$

374,742

 

$

 

$

(260,897

)

$

587,335

 

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Three Months Ended September 30, 2006
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

Issuer

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor
Entities

 

Adjustments/
Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

37,055

 

$

27,844

 

$

3,491

 

$

(2,001

)

$

66,389

 

Costs and expenses

 

59,448

 

17,246

 

2,810

 

(1,639

)

77,865

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(22,393

)

10,598

 

681

 

(362

)

(11,476

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

7,192

 

12,804

 

(173

)

 

19,823

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

(2,842

)

 

 

 

(2,842

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interest, net of tax

 

(156

)

 

 

 

(156

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(18,199

)

$

23,402

 

$

508

 

$

(362

)

$

5,349

 

 

 

20




Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

Issuer

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor
Entities

 

Adjustments/
Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

116,337

 

$

83,000

 

$

4,238

 

$

(3,451

)

$

200,124

 

Costs and expenses

 

123,973

 

51,380

 

3,397

 

(3,003

)

175,747

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(7,636

)

31,620

 

841

 

(448

)

24,377

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

3,432

 

7,044

 

(212

)

 

10,264

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

(7,754

)

 

 

 

(7,754

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interest, net of tax

 

(196

)

 

 

 

(196

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(12,154

)

$

38,664

 

$

629

 

$

(448

)

$

26,691

 

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Three Months Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

Issuer

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor
Entities

 

Adjustments/
Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

55,165

 

$

30,204

 

$

 

$

(226

)

$

85,143

 

Costs and expenses

 

39,178

 

16,907

 

 

(226

)

55,859

 

Operating income (loss)

 

15,987

 

13,297

 

 

 

29,284

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

(4,972

)

(27,980

)

 

 

(32,952

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

1,628

 

 

 

 

1,628

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

12,643

 

$

(14,683

)

$

 

$

 

$

(2,040

)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

Issuer

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor
Entities

 

Adjustments/
Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

140,709

 

$

77,669

 

$

 

$

(1,228

)

$

217,150

 

Costs and expenses

 

95,837

 

43,452

 

 

(1,228

)

138,061

 

Operating income (loss)

 

44,872

 

34,217

 

 

 

79,089

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

(12,411

)

(69,303

)

 

 

(81,714

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

1,543

 

 

 

 

1,543

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

34,004

 

$

(35,086

)

$

 

$

 

$

(1,082

)

 

 

 

21




Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006
(Unaudited)
Dollars in thousands)

 

 

Issuer

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor
Entities

 

Adjustments/
Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

$

49,841

 

$

61,907

 

$

4,446

 

$

288

 

$

116,482

 

Investing activities

 

(160,497

)

(15,387

)

(54,312

)

212

 

(229,984

)

Financing activities

 

110,952

 

(47,101

)

52,962

 

(500

)

116,313

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

296

 

(581

)

3,096

 

 

2,811

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash at beginning of  the period

 

4,302

 

1,633

 

 

 

5,935

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash at end of the period

 

$

4,598

 

$

1,052

 

$

3,096

 

$

 

$

8,746

 

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

Issuer

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor
Entities

 

Adjustments/
Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

$

93,442

 

$

33,189

 

$

 

$

 

$

126,631

 

Investing activities

 

(79,141

)

(35,731

)

 

 

(114,872

)

Financing activities

 

31,455

 

(9,059

)

 

 

22,396

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

45,756

 

(11,601

)

 

 

34,155

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash at beginning of the period

 

2,732

 

13,627

 

 

 

16,359

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash at end of the period

 

$

48,488

 

$

2,026

 

$

 

$

 

$

50,514

 

 

22




Item 2 -                      Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion is intended to provide information relevant to an understanding of our financial condition, changes in our financial condition and our results of operations and cash flows and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q and in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

Overview

We are an oil and natural gas exploration, development, acquisition and production company.  Our basic business model is to find and develop oil and gas reserves through exploration and development activities, and sell the production from those reserves at a profit.  To be successful, we must, over time, be able to find oil and gas reserves and then sell our discovered production at a price that is sufficient to cover our finding costs, operating expenses, administrative costs and interest expense, plus offer us a return on our capital investment.  From time to time, we may also acquire producing properties if we believe the acquired assets offer us the potential for reserve growth through additional developmental or exploratory drilling activities.

We believe that the economic climate in the domestic oil and gas industry continues to be suitable for our business model.  Oil and gas prices have remained strong.  Supply and demand fundamentals continue to suggest that energy prices will remain high for the near term, providing us with the economic incentives necessary for us to assume the risks we face in our search for oil and gas reserves.  On the downside, however, we are also experiencing significant cost increases in almost all areas of our business activities, especially in drilling and production costs.  High demand for oilfield services is being met with shortages in equipment and trained personnel, resulting in rate increases.  While profit margins still remain favorable, operating metrics per Mcfe, such as finding costs, production costs and overhead costs, are rising.

Key Factors to Consider

The following summarizes the key factors considered by management in the review of our financial condition and operating performance for the third quarter of 2006 and the outlook for the remainder of 2006.

·            We have spent $183.4 million on exploration and development activities during the first nine months of 2006, most of which was on exploratory prospects, and we currently plan to spend approximately $244.3 million for the calendar year 2006.  These levels of expenditures are significantly higher than our anticipated cash flow from operations in 2006.

·            We increased borrowings under our revolving credit facility from $90.4 million at June 30, 2006 to $104.4 million at September 30, 2006 to partially finance our exploration and development activities.  Borrowings have increased $93.7 million from levels at December 31, 2005.

·            Despite our high level of capital spending in 2006, our average daily oil and gas production for the third quarter of 2006 was 3% lower on an Mcfe basis than the corresponding period in 2005.  A significant portion of these expenditures have not resulted in current production because they relate to (i) unproved exploratory prospects, (ii) drilling or completion activities that are in progress, or (iii) non-productive drilling.

·            At September 30, 2006, our capitalized unproved oil and gas properties totaled $150.8 million, of which approximately $100.7 million was attributable to unproved

23

 


                  acreage.  Unproved properties are subject to a valuation impairment to the extent the carrying cost of a prospect exceeds its estimated fair value.  Therefore, our results of operations in future periods may be adversely affected by unproved property impairments.

·            Exploration costs related to abandonments and impairments were $19.7 million during the third quarter of 2006, of which $8.1 million was attributable to the Apache Louisiana Minerals 73-1 (Abigail) in South Louisiana, $5.9 million was due to two exploratory wells on the Focus Ranch unit in Colorado, $2.9 million was due to acreage impairments in West Texas and $2.1 million was attributable to the Weyerhaeuser #1 (Frazier Creek) in North Louisiana.

·            We recorded a $26.7 million net gain on derivatives during the third quarter of 2006. Cash settlements to counterparties accounted for a $1.7 million loss and changes in mark-to-market valuations accounted for a $28.4 million gain.  Since we do not presently designate our derivatives as cash flow hedges under applicable accounting standards, we recognize the full effect of changing prices on mark-to-market valuations as a current charge or credit to our results of operations.

·            We recorded a $12.9 million impairment of proved properties during the third quarter of 2006 due to the combined effects of lower commodity prices and lower reserve estimates.  The impairment applied to two areas within West Texas and one area in South Louisiana.

Recent Exploration and Developmental Activities

Overview

As shown in “Liquidity and Capital Resources — Capital Expenditures,” we incurred expenditures for exploration and development activities of $183.4 million during the first nine months of 2006.  Approximately 70% of these expenditures were lease purchases and seismic and other exploration costs.

We are actively acquiring leases in North Louisiana and East Texas in order to establish a significant acreage position for future exploratory and, if successful, developmental drilling activities.  We believe that the reserve potential in these areas is significant and warrants this investment in acreage.

South Louisiana

The following table sets forth certain information about our exploratory well activities in South Louisiana subsequent to December 31, 2005.

 

 

 

 

Working

 

Current

Spud Date

 

Well Name (Prospect)

 

Interest

 

Status

January 2006

 

Borah #1 (Cypress Isle)

 

75

%

Dry

February 2006

 

SL 195 QQ #2 (Floyd)

 

81.3

%

Producing

February 2006

 

SL 195 QQ #3 (Floyd)

 

75

%

Producing

March 2006

 

SL 195 QQ #4 (Floyd)

 

72

%

Waiting on pipeline

March 2006

 

A. J. Beshel #1 (Beshel)

 

100

%

Waiting on production facilities

April 2006

 

Cobena #1 (Boa II)

 

62.5

%

Waiting on completion

May 2006

 

SL 195 QQ #5 (Floyd)

 

75

%

Producing

June 2006

 

SL 195 QQ #8 (Floyd)

 

70

%

Waiting on pipeline

August 2006

 

SL 195 QQ #6 (Floyd)

 

75

%

Waiting on pipeline

October 2006

 

SL 195 QQ #11 (Floyd)

 

72

%

Waiting on completion

November 2006

 

Kyle Peterman Mgt #30-1 (Pigeon)

 

100

%

Drilling

November2006

 

Luke Harvey #1 (Beshal Shallow)

 

100

%

Drilling

 

24

 


We have completed seven productive wells on our Floyd prospect in Plaquemines Parish.  Four of the wells are currently producing at combined rates of 290 barrels of oil per day and 16,100 Mcf of gas per day.  The remaining wells are expected to begin production during the fourth quarter of 2006 at combined rates of approximately 650 barrels of oil per day and 6,000 Mcf of gas per day, based on available well test data.  One additional well is waiting on completion, and we may drill up to four additional wells on this prospect, depending on a performance evaluation of existing wells.  Under the terms of a farmout agreement, we bear 100% of the cost of wells on this prospect to casing point and earn up to a 75% working interest in the drilled acreage.

We have drilled and logged the Cobena #1 (Boa II), a 15,250-foot exploratory well in Acadia Parish, and have encountered multiple pay zones with encouraging gas shows.  We bear 50% of the cost of this well to casing point and 62.5% thereafter.  To date, we have incurred approximately $8 million in drilling and completion costs, net to our interest.

We drilled and abandoned the Apache Louisiana Minerals 73-1 (Abigail), a 14,200-foot exploratory well in Terrebonne Parish after determining that the well was nonproductive.  We recorded a pre-tax charge of $8.1 million related to the abandonment of this well in the third quarter of 2006 and will record an additional pre-tax charge of approximately $3.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2006.

North Louisiana

We have drilled two exploratory wells on our Frazier Creek prospect in Claiborne Parish targeting the Hosston/Cotton Valley formations.  The Atkins Estate #1 was completed as a marginal producer and the Weyerhaeuser #1 was not productive.  We recorded a pre-tax charge of $2.1 million related to the abandonment of the Weyerhaeuser well in the third quarter of 2006 and will record an additional pre-tax charge of approximately $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2006.  We own a 100% working interest in both wells on this prospect.

On our Terryville prospect in Lincoln Parish, we have drilled and logged the Roberson #1 well and have encountered encouraging gas shows in two Cotton Valley sand intervals.  Completion operations on this exploratory well are expected to begin in November pending the availability of a completion rig.  In addition, we are currently drilling the Donald Woodard #1 on this prospect.  We will own between 71% and 100% of the working interests in these wells, depending on participation elections by other owners.

In addition, we have begun drilling operations on the P. Benoit #1, the first exploratory well on our Serapta prospect in Webster Parish targeting the Hosston/Cotton Valley formations.

We have delayed the start of our Bossier exploration program in North Louisiana until the first quarter of 2007 due to rig scheduling.  To date, we have leased approximately 165,000 net acres in this area for potential Bossier drilling activities.

Other

We have also delayed the start of our East Texas Bossier exploration program until the first quarter of 2007 due to rig scheduling.  To date, we have leased approximately 47,000 net acres in this area for potential Bossier drilling activities.

We have drilled two wells in Routt County, Colorado targeting the Niobraro formation at a depth of approximately 8,500 feet.  The Focus Ranch Federal 12 #1 and the Focus Ranch Federal 3-1 have been temporarily abandoned.  As a result, we recorded a pre-tax charge of $5.9 million related to the

25

 


abandonments in the third quarter of 2006 and will record an additional pre-tax charge of approximately $1.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2006.  We own a 100% working interest in both wells on this prospect.

Supplemental Information

The following unaudited information is intended to supplement the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q with data that is not readily available from those statements.

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Oil and Gas Production Data:

 

 

 

 

 

Gas (MMcf)

 

3,738

 

3,897

 

Oil (MBbls)

 

532

 

537

 

Natural gas liquids (MBbls)

 

51

 

52

 

Total (MMcfe)

 

7,236

 

7,431

 

Average Realized Prices (a):

 

 

 

 

 

Gas ($/Mcf)

 

$

6.26

 

$

7.98

 

Oil ($/Bbl)

 

$

67.27

 

$

59.95

 

Natural gas liquids ($/Bbl):

 

$

43.79

 

$

37.00

 

Gain (Losses) on Settled Derivative Contracts (a):

 

 

 

 

 

($in thousands, except per unit)

 

 

 

 

 

Gas: Net realized gain (loss)

 

$

5,543

 

$

(2,023

)

Per unit produced ($/Mcf)

 

$

1.48

 

$

(0.52

)

Oil:  Net realized loss

 

$

(7,328

)

$

(5,935

)

Per unit produced ($/Bbl)

 

$

(13.77

)

$

(11.05

)

Average Daily Production:

 

 

 

 

 

Natural Gas (Mcf):

 

 

 

 

 

Permian Basin

 

13,804

 

17,300

 

Louisiana

 

15,059

 

8,528

 

Austin Chalk (Trend)

 

2,102

 

2,672

 

Cotton Valley Reef Complex

 

9,083

 

13,336

 

Other

 

582

 

523

 

Total

 

40,630

 

42,359

 

Oil (Bbls):

 

 

 

 

 

Permian Basin

 

3,102

 

3,131

 

Louisiana

 

899

 

809

 

Austin Chalk (Trend)

 

1,719

 

1,839

 

Other

 

63

 

58

 

Total

 

5,783

 

5,837

 

Natural Gas Liquids (Bbls):

 

 

 

 

 

Permian Basin

 

230

 

261

 

Austin Chalk (Trend)

 

260

 

220

 

Other

 

64

 

84

 

Total

 

554

 

565

 

 

(Continued)

26

 


 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Exploration Costs (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

Abandonment and impairment costs:

 

 

 

 

 

Louisiana

 

$

10,863

 

$

9,434

 

Permian Basin

 

2,850

 

72

 

Colorado

 

5,924

 

 

Mississippi

 

 

915

 

Cotton Valley Reef Complex

 

13

 

5

 

Other

 

 

3,437

 

Total

 

19,650

 

13,863

 

Seismic and other

 

3,678

 

5,123

 

Total exploration costs

 

$

23,328

 

$

18,986

 

Oil and Gas Costs ($/Mcfe Produced):

 

 

 

 

 

Production costs

 

$

2.28

 

$

2.29

 

Oil and gas depletion

 

$

2.30

 

$

1.46

 

Net Wells Drilled (b):

 

 

 

 

 

Exploratory Wells

 

9.1

 

3.7

 

Developmental Wells

 

 

6.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Oil and Gas Production Data:

 

 

 

 

 

Gas (MMcf)

 

11,217

 

13,205

 

Oil (MBbls)

 

1,642

 

1,771

 

Natural gas liquids (MBbls)

 

151

 

185

 

Total (MMcfe)

 

21,975

 

24,941

 

Average Realized Prices(a):

 

 

 

 

 

Gas ($/Mcf)

 

$

6.74

 

$

6.88

 

Oil ($/Bbl)

 

$

64.70

 

$

52.39

 

Natural gas liquids ($/Bbl):

 

$

40.15

 

$

31.70

 

Gain (Losses) on Settled Derivative Contracts(a):

 

 

 

 

 

($in thousands, except per unit)

 

 

 

 

 

Gas: Net realized gain (loss)

 

$

2,478

 

$

(2,585

)

Per unit produced ($/Mcf)

 

$

.22

 

$

(.20

)

Oil:  Net realized loss

 

$

(19,923

)

$

(14,918

)

Per unit produced ($/Bbl)

 

$

(12.13

)

$

(8.42

)

 

(Continued)

27

 


 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Average Daily Production:

 

 

 

 

 

Natural Gas (Mcf):

 

 

 

 

 

Permian Basin

 

14,455

 

16,512

 

Louisiana

 

13,339

 

12,777

 

Austin Chalk (Trend)

 

2,704

 

2,443

 

Cotton Valley Reef Complex

 

10,073

 

15,972

 

Other

 

517

 

666

 

Total

 

41,088

 

48,370

 

Oil (Bbls):

 

 

 

 

 

Permian Basin

 

3,196

 

3,248

 

Louisiana

 

975

 

1,258

 

Austin Chalk (Trend)

 

1,789

 

1,927

 

Other

 

55

 

54

 

Total

 

6,015

 

6,487

 

Natural Gas Liquids (Bbls):

 

 

 

 

 

Permian Basin

 

238

 

238

 

Austin Chalk (Trend)

 

271

 

316

 

Other

 

44

 

124

 

Total

 

553

 

678

 

Exploration Costs (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

Abandonment and impairment costs:

 

 

 

 

 

Louisiana

 

$

21,749

 

$

10,911

 

Permian Basin

 

5,167

 

1,042

 

Colorado

 

5,924

 

 

Montana

 

2,230

 

 

Mississippi

 

679

 

4,262

 

Cotton Valley Reef Complex

 

27

 

7,405

 

Other

 

46

 

7,943

 

Total

 

35,822

 

31,563

 

Seismic and other

 

9,366

 

7,576

 

Total exploration costs

 

$

45,188

 

$

39,139

 

Oil and Gas Costs ($/Mcfe Produced):

 

 

 

 

 

Production costs

 

$

2.16

 

$

1.74

 

Oil and gas depletion

 

$

2.08

 

$

1.36

 

Net Wells Drilled(b):

 

 

 

 

 

Exploratory Wells

 

21.9

 

11.3

 

Developmental Wells

 

1.7

 

21.9

 


(a)             No derivatives were designated as cash flow hedges in 2006 or 2005.  All gains or losses on settled derivatives were included in loss on derivatives.

(b)            Excludes wells being drilled or completed at the end of each period.

 

28

 



Operating Results — Three-Month Periods

The following discussion compares our results for the three months ended September 30, 2006 to the comparative period in 2005.  Unless otherwise indicated, references to 2006 and 2005 within this section refer to the respective quarterly period.

Oil and gas operating results

Oil and gas sales in 2006 decreased $4.2 million, or 6%, from 2005, of which price variances accounted for a $2.2 million decrease and production variances accounted for a $2 million decrease.

Production in 2006 (on an Mcfe basis) was 3% lower than 2005.  Oil production decreased 1% in 2006 from 2005 due primarily to normal production declines, offset in part by higher production from new wells in Louisiana.  Gas production decreased 4% in 2006 from 2005 due primarily to higher than normal production declines in the Permian Basin and Cotton Valley Reef Complex area caused by well performance.

In 2006, our realized oil price was 12% higher than 2005, while our realized gas price was 22% lower.  Historically, the markets for oil and gas have been volatile, and they are likely to continue to be volatile.

Oil and gas production costs on an Mcfe basis decreased from $2.29 per Mcfe in 2005 to $2.28 per Mcfe in 2006.  Production costs, consisting of lease operating expenses, production taxes and other miscellaneous marketing costs, declined 3% in 2006 as compared to 2005 due primarily to reduced workover activities and lower production taxes.  After giving effect to a 3% decline in oil and gas production on an Mcfe basis, production costs per Mcfe changed only slightly.

Depreciation, depletion, and amortization (“DD&A”) expense increased from $11.6 million in 2005 to $17.7 million in 2006.  DD&A expense attributable to oil and gas properties increased $5.8 million, of which rate variances accounted for a $6.1 million increase and production variances accounted for a $300,000 decrease.  On an Mcfe basis, DD&A expense increased 58% from $1.46 per Mcfe in 2005 to $2.30 per Mcfe in 2006.  Depletion rates for each depletable group are a function of net capitalized costs and estimated reserve quantities.

We recorded a provision for impairment of proved properties under SFAS 144 of $12.9 million during the third quarter of 2006 due to the combination of production performance and lower commodity prices.  This provision was attributable to two areas in West Texas and one area in South Louisiana.

General and administrative (“G&A”) expenses, excluding non-cash employee compensation, decreased from $3.6 million in 2005 to $3.1 million in 2006 due primarily to lower professional fees during 2006.  In 2006, we recorded a $500,000 non-cash compensation charge related to our after payout incentive plan compared to a $1.9 million non-cash charge in 2005 for stock-based employee compensation.

Exploration costs

Since we follow the successful efforts method of accounting, our results of operations are adversely affected during any accounting period in which significant seismic costs, exploratory dry hole costs, and unproved acreage impairments are expensed.  In 2006, we charged to expense $23.3 million of exploration costs, as compared to $19 million in 2005.  Most of these costs were related to properties in Louisiana.

29

 


We plan to spend approximately $244.3 million on exploration and development activities in fiscal 2006, of which approximately 87% is expected to be allocated to exploration activities.  Since exploratory drilling involves a high degree of risk, it is likely that a significant portion of the remaining costs in fiscal 2006 will be charged to exploration costs. However, we cannot predict our success rates and, accordingly, cannot predict our exploration costs related to abandonment and impairment costs.

At September 30, 2006, our capitalized unproved oil and gas properties totaled $150.8 million, of which approximately $100.7 million was attributable to unproved acreage.  Unproved properties are subject to a valuation impairment to the extent the carrying cost of a prospect exceeds its estimated fair value.  Therefore, our results of operations in future periods may be adversely affected by unproved property impairments.

Interest expense

Interest expense decreased from $5.5 million in 2005 to $5.3 million in 2006 due to several factors.  In July 2005, we issued $225 million of 7¾% Senior Notes due 2013 (the “Senior Notes”) which bear interest at a fixed rate of 7.75%, and used the proceeds to repay our then-outstanding bank indebtedness.  As a result, the 2005 period included a non-cash charge of $1.8 million of debt issue costs related to the early repayment of our senior term credit facility and the reduction in our borrowing base under the revolving credit facility.  The average daily principal balance outstanding under our bank credit facility for 2006 was $102.6 million compared to $40.4 million for 2005, and the Senior Notes were outstanding for the entire 2006 period.  Capitalized interest for 2006 was $1.6 million compared to $727,000 in 2005.

Gain/loss on derivatives

We recorded a net gain on derivatives of $26.7 million in 2006 compared to a loss of $28.8 million for 2005.  We did not designate any derivative contracts in 2006 or 2005 as cash flow hedges; therefore all cash settlements and changes resulting from mark-to-market valuations have been recorded as losses on derivatives.  Cash settlements were $1.7 million in 2006, as compared to $8 million in 2005.  We recorded a gain on derivatives of $28.4 million in 2006 compared to a loss of $20.8 million in 2005 resulting from mark-to-market valuations.

Operating Results — Nine-Month Periods

The following discussion compares our results for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 to the comparative period in 2005.  Unless otherwise indicated, references to 2006 and 2005 within this section refer to the respective nine-month period.

Oil and gas operating results

Oil and gas sales in 2006 decreased $2.4 million, or 1%, from 2005, of which price variances accounted for a $20 million increase and production variances accounted for a $22.4 million decrease.

Production in 2006 (on an Mcfe basis) was 12% lower than 2005.  Oil production decreased 7% in 2006 from 2005 due primarily to normal production declines combined with the loss of production from one well in Louisiana.  Gas production decreased 15% due primarily to production declines in the Cotton Valley Reef Complex area due to formation performance.

30

 


In 2006, our realized oil price was 23% higher than 2005, while our realized gas price was 2% lower.  Historically, the markets for oil and gas have been volatile, and they are likely to continue to be volatile.

Production costs, consisting of lease operating expenses, production taxes and other miscellaneous marketing costs, increased 9% in 2006 as compared to 2005 due primarily to higher oilfield service costs and increased workover activities.  After giving effect to a 12% decline in oil and gas production on an Mcfe basis, production costs per Mcfe increased 24% from $1.74 per Mcfe in 2005 to $2.16 per Mcfe in 2006.  It is likely that these factors will continue to contribute to higher production costs in future periods.

DD&A expense increased from $36.1 million in 2005 to $48.4 million in 2006.  DD&A expense attributable to oil and gas properties increased $11.8 million, of which rate variances accounted for a $15.9 million increase and production variances accounted for a $4.1 million decrease.  On an Mcfe basis, DD&A expense increased 53% from $1.36 per Mcfe in 2005 to $2.08 per Mcfe in 2006.  Depletion rates for each depletable group are a function of net capitalized costs and estimated reserve quantities.

We recorded a provision for impairment of proved properties under SFAS 144 of $12.9 million during 2006 due to the combination of production performance and lower commodity prices.  This provision was attributable to two areas in West Texas and one area in South Louisiana.

G&A expenses, excluding non-cash employee compensation, increased from $9 million in 2005 to $11.4 million in 2006 due to higher personnel costs and professional fees attributable to the increase in overall drilling and exploration activities.  In 2006, we recorded a $1.5 million non-cash compensation charge related to our after payout incentive plan compared to a $2.1 million non-cash charge in 2005 for stock-based employee compensation.

Gain on property sales

Gain on sales of property and equipment in 2006 was $916,000 as compared to $18.9 million in 2005.  Most of the gain in 2005 related to the sale of our interests in two leases in the Breton Sound area of the Gulf of Mexico.

Exploration costs

Since we follow the successful efforts method of accounting, our results of operations are adversely affected during any accounting period in which significant seismic costs, exploratory dry hole costs, and unproved acreage impairments are expensed.  In 2006, we charged to expense $45.2 million of exploration costs, as compared to $39.1 million in 2005.  Most of these costs were incurred in Louisiana, the Permian Basin and Montana.

We plan to spend approximately $244.3 million on exploration and development activities in fiscal 2006, of which approximately 87% is expected to be allocated to exploration activities.  Since exploratory drilling involves a high degree of risk, it is likely that a significant portion of the remaining costs in fiscal 2006 will be charged to exploration costs. However, we cannot predict our success rates and, accordingly, cannot predict our exploration costs related to abandonment and impairment costs.

At September 30, 2006, our capitalized unproved oil and gas properties totaled $150.8 million, of which approximately $100.7 million was attributable to unproved acreage.  Unproved properties are subject to a valuation impairment to the extent the carrying cost of a prospect exceeds its estimated fair value. 

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Therefore, our results of operations in future periods may be adversely affected by unproved property impairments.

Interest expense

Interest expense increased from $10.4 million in 2005 to $14.6 million in 2006 due to several factors.  In July 2005, we issued $225 million of Senior Notes which bear interest at a fixed rate of 7.75%, and used the proceeds to repay our then-outstanding bank indebtedness.  As a result, the 2005 period included a non-cash charge of $1.8 million of debt issue costs related to the early repayment of our senior term credit facility and the reduction in our borrowing base under the revolving credit facility.  The average daily principal balance outstanding under our bank credit facility for 2006 was $75.7 million compared to $134.3 million for 2005; however, the Senior Notes were outstanding for the entire 2006 period.  Capitalized interest for 2006 was $4.4 million compared to $1.4 million in 2005.

Gain/loss on derivatives

We recorded a gain on derivatives of $25.4 million in 2006 compared to a loss of $73.7 million for 2005.  We did not designate any derivative contracts in 2006 or 2005 as cash flow hedges; therefore all cash settlements and changes resulting from mark-to-market valuations have been recorded as losses on derivatives.  Cash settlements were $17.3 million in 2006, as compared to $17.6 million in 2005.  We recorded a gain on derivatives of $42.7 million in 2006 compared to a loss of $56.1 million in 2005 resulting from mark-to-market valuations.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

Our primary financial resource is our base of oil and gas reserves.  We pledge our producing oil and gas properties to a group of banks to secure our revolving credit facility.  The banks establish a borrowing base by making an estimate of the collateral value of our oil and gas properties.  We borrow funds on the revolving credit facility as needed to supplement our operating cash flow as a financing source for our capital expenditure program.  Our ability to fund our capital expenditure program is dependent upon the level of product prices and the success of our exploration program in replacing our existing oil and gas reserves.  If product prices decrease, our operating cash flow may decrease and the banks may require additional collateral or reduce our borrowing base, thus reducing funds available to fund our capital expenditure program.  The effects of product prices on cash flow can be mitigated through the use of commodity derivatives.  If we are unable to replace our oil and gas reserves through our exploration program, we may also suffer a reduction in our operating cash flow and access to funds under the revolving credit facility.  Under extreme circumstances, product price reductions or exploration drilling failures could allow the banks to seek to foreclose on our oil and gas properties, thereby threatening our financial viability.

In July 2005, we reduced our dependence on the borrowing base established for the revolving credit facility by issuing $225 million of aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes and using the net proceeds to repay all amounts outstanding on the revolving credit facility and the senior term credit facility.  However, we have recently drawn advances under the revolving credit facility to partially finance our exploration and development activities.  At September 30, 2006, we had $104.4 million outstanding on the revolving credit facility.

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In this section, we will describe our current plans for capital spending, identify the capital resources available to finance our capital spending, and discuss the principal factors that can affect our liquidity and capital resources.

Capital expenditures

Our planned expenditures for exploration and development activities during 2006 total $244.3 million, as summarized by area in the following table.

 

Actual

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

Expenditures

 

Planned

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months

 

Expenditures

 

 

 

 

 

Ended

 

Year Ended

 

Percentage

 

 

 

September 30, 2006

 

December 31, 2006

 

of Total

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

South Louisiana

 

$

84,800

 

$

114,000

 

47

%

North Louisiana

 

36,900

 

54,300

 

22

%

Permian Basin

 

26,300

 

34,500

 

14

%

East Texas (Bossier)

 

20,500

 

23,600

 

10

%

Utah/Montana

 

6,100

 

7,700

 

3

%

Austin Chalk (Trend)

 

2,500

 

2,700

 

1

%

Other

 

6,300

 

7,500

 

3

%

 

 

$

183,400

 

$

244,300

 

100

%

 

Our actual expenditures during fiscal 2006 may be substantially higher or lower than these estimates since our plans for exploration and development activities may change during the year.  Other factors, such as prevailing product prices and the availability of capital resources, could also increase or decrease the ultimate level of expenditures during fiscal 2006.

Approximately half of our expenditures for exploration and development activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 have been financed through operating cash flow, and the remainder has been financed through borrowings under the revolving credit facility.  We also expect this trend to continue in the fourth quarter of 2006.

Approximately 87% of the planned expenditures relate to exploratory prospects.  Exploratory prospects involve a higher degree of risk than developmental prospects.  To offset the higher risk, we generally strive to achieve a higher reserve potential and rate of return on investments in exploratory prospects.  We do not attempt to forecast our success rate on exploratory drilling.  Accordingly, these current estimates do not include costs we may incur to complete any future successful exploratory wells and construct the required production facilities for these wells.  Also, we are actively searching for other opportunities to increase our oil and gas reserves, including the evaluation of new prospects for exploratory and developmental drilling activities and potential acquisitions of proved oil and gas properties.

Drilling Rig Joint Venture

In April 2006, we invested $500,000 in a joint venture (“Larclay JV”) with Lariat Services, Inc. (“Lariat”) to construct, own and operate 12 new drilling rigs.  CWEI and Lariat each own a 50% interest in Larclay JV.  The rigs are being constructed on behalf of Larclay JV by Lariat, as operations manager.  Construction of all the rigs is expected to be completed by February 28, 2007 at a cost of approximately $75 million.  A lender has provided a $75 million secured term loan to Larclay JV to finance the

33

 


the construction and equipping of the rigs.  Pursuant to the term loan, we have issued a $19 million letter of credit to the lender as additional collateral during the construction period.  Upon the earlier of compliance with specified collateral ratios or February 28, 2007, the lender will release the letter of credit in exchange for a $19.5 million guaranty from us.  After completion of the construction period, outstanding advances under the term loan must not exceed 75% of the appraised value of the rigs.  If proceeds available to Larclay JV under the term loan are not sufficient to fully finance the cost of the rigs, we will be required to loan funds to Larclay JV at the same interest rate as the term loan.  The Larclay JV term loan bears interest at a floating rate based on a LIBOR average, plus 3.25%, and provides for monthly interest payments through March 2007 and monthly principal and interest payments thereafter sufficient to retire the principal balance by 35% in the first year, 25% in each of the next two years, and 15% in the fourth year.  At September 30, 2006, the effective interest rate on the Larclay JV term loan was 8.5%.  Two voluntary prepayments of $10 million each may be made in 2008 and 2009 without a prepayment penalty.  The Larclay JV term loan prohibits Larclay JV from making any cash distributions to us or to Lariat until the balance on the term loan is fully repaid, and repayments by Larclay JV of any loans by us or by Lariat are subordinated to the loans outstanding under the term loan and are subject to other restrictions.

Also in April 2006, we entered into a three-year drilling contract with Larclay JV assuring the availability of each rig for use in the ordinary course of our exploration and development drilling program throughout the term of the drilling contract.  The provisions of the drilling contract require that we contract for each rig on a well-by-well basis at then current market rates.  If a rig is not needed by us at any time during the term of the contract, Larclay JV may contract with Lariat, affiliates of Lariat or other third party operators for the use of such rig, subject to certain restrictions.  If a rig is idle, we will pay Larclay JV an idle rig rate ranging from $8,100 per day to $10,300 per day (plus crew labor expenses, if applicable), depending on the size of the rig.

Our gross idle rig commitment under the drilling contract with Larclay JV, excluding crew labor, if any, aggregates approximately $112 million over the three-year term of the contract.  Four rigs are currently operational, of which two are working for us and two are working for other operators.  We plan to mitigate our exposure to our idle rig commitment by permitting Larclay JV to contract with other operators to utilize specific rigs which we do not expect to use in our drilling program.  As we utilize the Larclay JV rigs in the ordinary course of our drilling program, the cost of such rigs will be included in our exploration and development expenditures.

In addition to the rigs we have committed to use pursuant to the drilling contract with Larclay JV described above, we are directly committed under firm orders for two drilling rigs and related equipment in an aggregate amount of $24.5 million, of which cash deposits totaling $8.1 million have been paid to certain equipment suppliers as of September 30, 2006.  The total cost of the rigs, when completed and fully equipped, will be approximately $27 million.  The rigs are scheduled for delivery in mid-2007 and are expected to be utilized to drill our deep Bossier prospects in East Texas and North Louisiana.

We have also entered into two drilling contracts with third party drilling contractors and are obligated to make payments under these contracts totaling $11 million in the fourth quarter of 2006 and $25 million in 2007.

Cash flow provided by operating activities

Substantially all of our cash flow from operating activities is derived from the production of our oil and gas reserves.  We use this cash flow to fund our on-going exploration and development activities in

34

 


search of new oil and gas reserves.  Variations in cash flow from operating activities may impact our level of exploration and development expenditures.

Cash flow provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 decreased $10.1 million, or 8%, as compared to the corresponding period in 2005 due to the combined effects of several factors.  Oil and gas sales, net of production costs, general and administrative costs and interest expense, were $10.8 million lower in 2006 as compared to the same period in 2005.  Our primary source of cash from operating activities is our oil and gas sales, net of production costs.  Our cash flow provided by operating activities is subject to material variation from changes in oil and gas production levels and product prices.  Settlements on derivative contracts, excluding those contracts that contain a financing element as in the case of the contracts assumed in our acquisition of Southwest Royalties, Inc. in May 2004, were substantially the same in both periods.  Interest expense increased in 2006 due primarily to higher levels of indebtedness resulting from the issuance of the Senior Notes.

Credit facility

A group of banks have provided us with a revolving credit facility on which we have historically relied for both our short-term liquidity (working capital) and our long-term financing needs.  The funds available to us at any time under this revolving credit facility are limited to the amount of the borrowing base established by the banks.  As long as we have sufficient availability under this credit facility to meet our obligations as they come due, we will have sufficient liquidity and will be able to fund any short-term working capital deficit.

At the beginning of 2006, we had an outstanding balance under the revolving credit facility of $10.7 million, and the borrowing base was $150 million, providing us with available funds of $138.5 million after accounting for outstanding letters of credit.  In June 2006, the borrowing base was increased to $200 million.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we generated cash flow from operating activities of $116.5 million.  We also spent $183.9 million on capital expenditures and other investments (excluding Larclay JV) and paid $23.3 million to settle derivatives with financing elements.  To finance the excess of expenditures over cash flow, we borrowed $93.7 million on the revolving credit facility.

Using the revolving credit facility for both our short-term liquidity and long-term financing needs can cause unusual fluctuations in our reported working capital, depending on the timing of cash receipts and expenditures.  On a daily basis, we use most of our available cash to pay down our outstanding balance on the revolving credit facility, which is classified as a non-current liability since we currently have no required principal reductions.  As we use cash to pay a non-current liability, our reported working capital decreases.  Conversely, as we draw on the revolving credit facility for funds to pay current liabilities (such as payables for drilling and operating costs), our reported working capital increases.  Also, volatility in oil and gas prices can cause significant fluctuations in reported working capital as we record changes in the fair value of derivatives from period to period.  For these reasons, the working capital covenant related to the revolving credit facility requires us to (i) include the amount of funds available under this facility as a current asset, (ii) exclude current assets and liabilities related to the fair value of derivatives, and (iii) exclude current maturities of vendor finance obligations, if any, when computing the working capital ratio at any balance sheet date.

Working capital computed for loan compliance purposes differs from our working capital in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).  Since compliance with financial covenants is a material requirement under the credit facilities, we consider the loan compliance working

35

 


capital to be useful as a measure of our liquidity because it includes the funds available to us under the revolving credit facility and is not affected by the volatility in working capital caused by changes in fair value of derivatives.  Our reported working capital deficit decreased from $35.8 million at December 31, 2005 to $27 million at September 30, 2006 due primarily to a combination of factors, including decreases in accounts payable and increases in inventory.  After giving effect to the adjustments, our working capital computed for loan compliance purposes was a positive $62.1 million at September 30, 2006, as compared to a positive $136.2 million at December 31, 2005.  The following table reconciles our GAAP working capital to the working capital computed for loan compliance purposes at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005.

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Working capital (deficit) per GAAP

 

$

(27,012

)

$

(35,812

)

Add funds available under the revolving credit facility

 

75,796

 

138,496

 

Exclude fair value of derivatives classified as current assets or current liabilities

 

13,316

 

33,479

 

Working capital per loan covenant

 

$

62,100

 

$

136,163

 

 

Since we use this revolving credit facility for both short-term liquidity and long-term financing needs, it is important that we comply in all material respects with the loan agreement, including financial covenants that are computed quarterly.  The working capital covenant requires us to maintain positive working capital using the computations described above.  Another financial covenant under the credit facility requires us to maintain a ratio of indebtedness to cash flow of no more than 3 to 1.  While we were in compliance with all financial and non-financial covenants at September 30, 2006, our increased leverage and reduced liquidity may result in our failing to comply with one or more of these covenants in the future.  If we fail to meet any of these loan covenants, we would ask the banks to allow us sufficient time to obtain additional capital resources through alternative means.  If a suitable arrangement could not be reached with the banks, the banks could accelerate the indebtedness and seek to foreclose on the pledged assets.

The banks redetermine the borrowing base under the revolving credit facility at least twice a year, in May and November.  The May 2006 borrowing base review resulted in an increase from $150 million to $200 million which was finalized in September 2006.  If at any time, the borrowing base is less than the amount of outstanding indebtedness, we will be required to (i) pledge additional collateral, (ii) prepay the excess in not more than five equal monthly installments, or (iii) elect to convert the entire amount of outstanding indebtedness to a term obligation based on amortization formulas set forth in the loan agreement.  We have recently drawn advances under the revolving credit facility to partially finance our exploration and development activities.  At September 30, 2006, we had $104.4 million outstanding on the revolving credit facility.

73¤4% Senior Notes due 2013

In July 2005, we issued, in a private placement, $225 million of aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes.  The Senior Notes were issued at face value and will bear interest at 73¤4% per year, payable semi-annually on February 1 and August 1 of each year, beginning February 1, 2006.  After the payment of typical transaction expenses, net proceeds of approximately $217 million were used to repay amounts outstanding on our secured credit facilities and for general corporate purposes, including the funding of planned exploration and development activities.

36

 


At any time prior to August 1, 2008, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 107.75% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest.  In addition, prior to August 1, 2009, we may redeem some or all of the Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus a make-whole premium, plus any accrued and unpaid interest.  On and after August 1, 2009, we may redeem some or all of the Senior Notes at redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) equal to 103.875% for the twelve-month period beginning on August 1, 2009, 101.938% for the twelve-month period beginning on August 1, 2010, and 100.00% beginning on August 1, 2011, for any period thereafter, in each case plus accrued and unpaid interest.

The Indenture governing the Senior Notes restricts our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to:  (i) borrow money; (ii) issue redeemable and preferred stock; (iii) pay distributions or dividends; (iv) make investments; (v) create liens without securing the Notes; (vi) enter into agreements that restrict dividends from subsidiaries; (vii) sell certain assets or merge with or into other companies; (viii) enter into transactions with affiliates; (ix) guarantee indebtedness; and (x) enter into new lines of business.  These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications.  We were in compliance with these covenants at September 30, 2006.

Alternative capital resources

Although our base of oil and gas reserves, as collateral for both of our credit facilities, has historically been our primary capital resource, we have in the past, and we believe we could in the future, use alternative capital resources, such as asset sales, vendor financing arrangements, and/or public or private issuances of common stock.  We could also issue senior or subordinated debt or preferred stock in a public or a private placement if we choose to raise capital through either of these markets.  While we believe we would be able to obtain funds through one or more of these alternatives, if needed, there can be no assurance that these capital resources would be available on terms acceptable to us.

Item 3 -      Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risks

Our business is impacted by fluctuations in commodity prices and interest rates.  The following discussion is intended to identify the nature of these market risks, describe our strategy for managing such risks, and to quantify the potential affect of market volatility on our financial condition and results of operations.

Oil and Gas Prices

Our financial condition, results of operations, and capital resources are highly dependent upon the prevailing market prices of, and demand for, oil and natural gas.  These commodity prices are subject to wide fluctuations and market uncertainties due to a variety of factors that are beyond our control.  These factors include the level of global demand for petroleum products, foreign supply of oil and gas, the establishment of and compliance with production quotas by oil-exporting countries, weather conditions, the price and availability of alternative fuels, and overall economic conditions, both foreign and domestic.  We cannot predict future oil and gas prices with any degree of certainty.  Sustained weakness in oil and gas prices may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations, and may also reduce the amount of net oil and gas reserves that we can produce economically.  Any reduction in reserves, including reductions due to price fluctuations, can reduce the borrowing base under our revolving credit facility and

37

 


adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to obtain capital for our exploration and development activities.  Similarly, any improvements in oil and gas prices can have a favorable impact on our financial condition, results of operations and capital resources.  Based on December 31, 2005 reserve estimates, we project that a $1.00 drop in the price per Bbl of oil and a $.50 drop in the price per Mcf of gas would reduce our gross revenues for the year ending December 31, 2006 by $11 million.

From time to time, we utilize commodity derivatives, consisting primarily of swaps, floors and collars to attempt to optimize the price received for our oil and natural gas production.  When using swaps to hedge our oil and natural gas production, we receive a fixed price for the respective commodity and pay a floating market price as defined in each contract (generally NYMEX futures prices), resulting in a net amount due to or from the counterparty.  In floor transactions, we receive a fixed price (put strike price) if the market price falls below the put strike price for the respective commodity.  If the market price is greater than the put strike price, no payments are due from either party.  Costless collars are a combination of puts and calls, and contain a fixed floor price (put strike price) and ceiling price (call strike price).  If the market price for the respective commodity exceeds the call strike price or falls below the put strike price, then we receive the fixed price and pay the market price.  If the market price is between the call and the put strike prices, no payments are due from either party.  Commodity derivatives are settled monthly as the contract periods mature.  The commodity derivatives we use differ from futures contracts in that there is not a contractual obligation that requires or permits the future physical delivery of the hedged products.  We do not enter into commodity derivatives for trading purposes.  In addition to commodity derivatives, we may, from time to time, sell a portion of our gas production under short-term contracts at fixed prices.

The decision to initiate or terminate commodity hedges is made by management based on its expectation of future market price movements.  We have no set goals for the percentage of our production we hedge and we do not use any formulas or triggers in deciding when to initiate or terminate a hedge.  If we enter into swaps or collars and the floating market price at the settlement date is higher than the fixed price or the fixed ceiling price, we will forego revenue we would have otherwise received.  If we terminate a swap, collar or floor because we anticipate future increases in market prices, we may be exposed to downside risk that would not have existed otherwise.

The following summarizes information concerning our net positions in open commodity derivatives applicable to periods subsequent to September 30, 2006.  The settlement prices of commodity derivatives are based on NYMEX futures prices.

Collars:

 

 

Gas

 

Oil

 

 

 

MMBtu (a)

 

Floor

 

Ceiling

 

Bbls

 

Floor

 

Ceiling

 

Production Period:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4th Quarter 2006

 

456,000

 

$

4.00

 

$

5.21

 

150,000

 

$

23.00

 

$

25.32

 

2007

 

1,831,000

 

$

4.00

 

$

5.18

 

562,000

 

$

23.00

 

$

25.20

 

2008

 

1,279,000

 

$

4.00

 

$

5.15

 

392,000

 

$

23.00

 

$

25.07

 

 

 

3,566,000

 

 

 

 

 

1,104,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

38

 



 

Swaps:

 

 

Gas

 

Oil

 

 

 

MMBtu(a)

 

Price

 

Bbls

 

Price

 

Production Period:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4th Quarter 2006

 

1,050,000

 

$

10.03

 

75,000

 

$

71.60

 

2007

 

5,100,000

 

$

9.20

 

900,000

 

$

70.06

 

2008

 

3,600,000

 

$

8.37

 

360,000

 

$

69.55

 

 

 

9,750,000

 

 

 

1,335,000

 

 

 


(a)             One MMBtu equals one Mcf at a Btu factor of 1,000.

In August 2006, we terminated certain fixed-price gas swaps covering 9,010,000 MMBtu of gas production at an average price of $9.26 per Mcf for the period from November 2006 through December 2007.  We received cash proceeds of $6.1 million upon termination of these contracts.

In July 2006, we also terminated certain fixed-price oil swaps covering 300,000 barrels at a price of $80.45 per barrel, from January 2007 through December 2007, resulting in an aggregate loss of approximately $2.4 million, which will be paid to the counterparty monthly during 2007.

We use a sensitivity analysis technique to evaluate the hypothetical effect that changes in the market value of oil and gas may have on the fair value of our commodity derivatives.  A $1 per barrel change in the price of oil and a $.50 per MMBtu change in the price of gas would change the fair value of our commodity derivatives by approximately $9.1 million.

Interest Rates

We are party to interest rate swaps that were acquired in connection with the acquisition of Southwest Royalties, Inc. in May 2004.  Under these derivatives, we pay a fixed rate for the notional principal balances and receives a floating market rate based on LIBOR.  The following summarizes information concerning our net positions in open interest rate swaps applicable to periods subsequent to September 30, 2006.

 

 

 


Principal

 

Fixed
Libor

 

 

 

Balance

 

Rates

 

Period:

 

 

 

 

 

October 1, 2006 to November 1, 2006

 

$

55,000,000

 

4.29

%

November 1, 2006 to November 1, 2007

 

$

50,000,000

 

5.19

%

November 1, 2007 to November 1, 2008

 

$

45,000,000

 

5.73

%

 

The interest rate swaps in the preceding table expose us to market risks for decreases in interest rates during the periods shown.

39

 


 

Item 4 -                      Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our Board of Directors has adopted a policy designed to establish disclosure controls and procedures that are adequate to provide reasonable assurance that we will be able to collect, process and disclose both financial and non-financial information, on a timely basis, in our reports to the SEC and other communications with our stockholders.  Disclosure controls and procedures include all processes necessary to ensure that material information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive and chief financial officers, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

With respect to our disclosure controls and procedures:

·                  We have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report;

·                  This evaluation was conducted under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive and chief financial officers; and

·                  It is the conclusion of our chief executive and chief financial officers that these disclosure controls and procedures operate such that material information flows to the appropriate collection and disclosure points in a timely manner and are effective in ensuring that material information is accumulated and communicated to our management and is made known to the chief executive and chief financial officers, particularly during the period in which this report was prepared, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

No changes in internal control over financial reporting were made during the quarter ended September 30, 2006 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

40

 


 

PART II.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1A -             Risk Factors

In evaluating all forward-looking statements, you should specifically consider various factors that may cause actual results to vary from those contained in the forward-looking statements.  Our risk factors are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2006 and available at www.sec.gov.  There have been no material changes to these risk factors since the filing of our Form 10-K.

Item 6 -                      Exhibits

Exhibits

 

 

3.1**

 

Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Form S-2 Registration Statement, Commission File No. 333-13441

 

 

 

3.2**

 

Certificate of Amendment of Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Clayton Williams Energy, Inc., filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2000

 

 

 

3.3**

 

Bylaws of the Company, filed as Exhibit 3.4 to our Form S-1 Registration Statement, Commission File No. 33-43350

 

 

 

3.4**

 

Corporate Bylaws of Clayton Williams Energy, Inc., as amended, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on June 1, 2005††

 

 

 

4.1**

 

Indenture, dated July 20, 2005, among Clayton Williams Energy, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on July 22, 2005†† 4.2** Registration Rights Agreement dated July 20, 2005, among Clayton Williams Energy, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., filed as Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on July 22, 2005††

 

 

 

10.1**

 

Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated June 30, 2006, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on July 14, 2006††

 

 

 

10.2**

 

Participation Agreement relating to South Louisiana IV dated August 2, 2006, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 7, 2006††

 

41

 


 

10.3**

 

Participation Agreement relating to North Louisiana — Hosston/Cotton Valley dated August 2, 2006, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 7, 2006††

 

 

 

10.4**

 

Participation Agreement relating to North Louisiana — Bossier dated August 2, 2006, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 7, 2006††

 

 

 

31.1*

 

Certification by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to Rule 13(a) - 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

 

31.2*

 

Certification by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to Rule 13(a) - 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

 

32*

 

Certifications by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350


*                    Filed herewith

**             Incorporated by reference to the filing indicated

                     Identifies an Exhibit that consists of or includes a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

††               Filed under our Commission File No. 001-10924

 

42

 



 

CLAYTON WILLIAMS ENERGY, INC.
SIGNATURES

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 thereto duly authorized.

 

 

CLAYTON WILLIAMS ENERGY, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

November 9, 2006

By:

/s/ L. Paul Latham

 

 

 

L. Paul Latham

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

November 9, 2006

By:

/s/ Mel G. Riggs

 

 

 

Mel G. Riggs

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

43