EX-99 2 exhibit991.htm SWN OIL & GAS CONFERENCE DENVER SLIDESHOW

EXHIBIT 99.1

Slide Presentation dated August 2, 2004

The following slides were presented August 2, 2004 to investors and analysts at The Oil & Gas Conference Denver held at The Pinnacle Club in Denver, Colorado.

(Slide 1)
Southwestern Energy Company

Presentation to The Oil & Gas Conference Denver, August 2, 2004

This left side of this slide contains a picture of a snow-capped volcano. The caption above reads "The Power Within."  The Company's formula is located in the bottom right corner.  The top right corner of this slide contains a box with a picture of an oil derrick and "75 years SWN 1929 - 2004."

(Slide 2)
Southwestern Energy Company (NYSE: SWN)

General Information

Southwestern Energy Company is an independent energy company primarily focused on the exploration for and production of natural gas. Our strategy is to add at least $1.30 in discounted value for every dollar invested in a focused exploration and production program in the Arkoma and Permian Basins, East Texas and the onshore Gulf Coast.

Market Data as of July 27, 2004

Shares of Common Stock Outstanding

36,077,888

Market Capitalization

$1,103,000,000

Institutional Ownership

86.7%

Management Ownership

7.0%

52-Week Price Range

$14.59 (8/6/2003)

 

$31.35 (7/6/2004)

Investor Contacts

Greg D. Kerley
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Phone:

(281) 618-4803

Fax:

(281) 618-4820

 

Brad D. Sylvester, CFA
Manager, Investor Relations

Phone:

(281) 618-4897

Fax:

(281) 618-4820

(Slide 3)
Forward-Looking Statements

This presentation includes certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than historical financial information, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. We have no obligation and make no undertaking to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements herein include, but are not limited to, the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices for gas and oil, the timing and extent of the Company's success in discovering, developing, producing and estimating reserves, property acquisition or divestiture activities that may occur, the effects of weather and regulation on the Company's gas distribution segment, increased competition, the impact of federal, state and local government regulation, the financial impact of accounting regulations and critical accounting policies, changing market conditions and prices, the comparative cost of alternative fuels, conditions in capital markets and changes in interest rates, availability of oil field personnel, services, drilling rigs and other equipment, as well as other factors beyond the Company's control.  For additional information with respect to certain of these and other factors, see the reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Company specifically disclaims all responsibility to publicly update any information contained in a forward-looking statement or any forward-looking statement in its entirety and therefore disclaim any resulting liability for potentially related damages. Without limiting the foregoing, all financial information and strategies contained herein have been prepared by the Company and are based on a number of assumptions that are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Company's control.  There can be no assurance that the assumptions will prove to be accurate or that the amounts included in the projections will be realized or transactions currently contemplated in strategies will be completed, and actual future results may be materially higher or lower than those shown.

(Slide 4)
About Southwestern

* Focused on domestic production of natural gas.
  * 503 Bcfe of reserves; 91% natural gas; 12.2 R/P at year-end 2003.
 
* Track record of adding significant reserves at low costs.
 

* Since 1999, we've averaged production growth of 6% per year, 230% reserve replacement, F&D cost of $1.10 per Mcfe.

   
* E&P strategy built on organic growth through the drillbit.
  * Approximately 80% of 2004 planned E&P capital allocated to drilling.
   

* Proven management team has increased Southwestern's market capitalization from $187 million at year-end 1998 to approximately $1 billion today.

* Strategy built on the Formula:
  The Right People doing the Right Things, wisely investing the cash flow from the underlying Assets will create Value+.

(Slide 5)
Current Highlights

2003

* Follow-on equity offering completed in March 2003. Raised $103 million to accelerate development drilling at Overton Field.

* Improved our debt-to-capital ratio to 45% at 12/31/03 from 66% at 12/31/02.
   
* Record operating and financial results.
  * Record reserve additions of 144.5 Bcfe, replacing 351% of production.
  * Reserve growth of 21% to 503 Bcfe.
  * Record production of 41.2 Bcfe.
  * Received $4.1 million annual rate increase for utility.
  * Record net income of $48.9 million.
  * Record EBITDA(1) of $152.3 million.
   
* New $300 million revolving credit facility put in place January 2004.

First Six Months 2004

* Production of 24.0 Bcfe, up 27% over 18.9 Bcfe for first six months in 2003.
* Record net income of $45.3 million, up 95% over net income for same period in 2003.
* CapEx of $126.8 million, up 58% over 1H 2003 level, yet debt-to-capital ratio decreased to 42%.

(1)  EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure.  See explanation and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures on pages 30 and 31.

(Slide 6)
Proven Track Record

This slide contains bar charts for the periods ended December 31.

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

Production (Bcfe)

32.9

35.7

39.8

40.1

41.2

Reserve Replacement

150%

196%

224%

209%

351%

EBITDA ($MM)(1)

$76.1

$103.2

$134.6

$99.8

$152.3

F&D Cost ($/Mcfe)

$1.20

$0.99

$1.11

$1.02

$1.18

Note: Reserve data excludes reserve revisions.

(1)    EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. See explanation and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures on pages 30 and 31.

(Slide 7)
SWN is One of the Lowest Cost Operators

This slide contains a bar graph that compares SWN to its competitors in terms of lifting cost per Mcfe of production (3 year average).

   

Lifting Cost per Mcfe

   

of Production

   

(3 year average)

     

Houston Exploration

  $0.57

Burlington Resources

  $0.57
Remington Oil & Gas   $0.58

Southwestern Energy Company

  $0.62

EnCana

  $0.70

Newfield Exploration

  $0.71

Patina Oil & Gas

  $0.71

Chesapeake Energy

  $0.74
Cabot Oil & Gas   $0.76

Range Resources

  $0.79

Apache

  $0.79

Pioneer Natural Resources

  $0.82

Anadarko Petroleum

  $0.85
Swift Energy   $0.89

XTO Energy

  $0.89

Devon Energy

  $0.90
Cimarex Energy   $0.90
St. Mary Land & Exploration   $1.05
Forest Oil   $1.07
Denbury Resources   $1.14
Magnum Hunter Resources   $1.14

This slide also contains a bar graph comparing SWN to its competitors in terms of drillbit F&D cost per Mcfe (3 year average).

   

Drillbit F&D Cost

   

per Mcfe

   

(3 year average)

     

XTO Energy

  $0.81

Southwestern Energy Company

  $1.11
Burlington Resources   $1.37
Apache   $1.37

Swift Energy

  $1.48

EnCana

  $1.51

Anadarko Petroleum

  $1.51

Patina Oil & Gas

  $1.52
Cabot Oil & Gas   $1.63

Denbury Resources

  $1.72

Range Resources

  $1.79
St. Mary Land & Exploration   $1.93

Forest Oil

  $1.95

Chesapeake Energy

  $2.00
Remington Oil & Gas   $2.07
Houston Exploration   $2.23

Newfield Exploration

  $2.76

Pioneer Natural Resources

  $2.98
Cimarex Energy   $3.01
Magnum Hunter Resources   $3.03
Devon Energy   $3.18

 

Source:  John S. Herold Database

Note:  All data as of December 31, 2001, 2002, and 2003.

(Slide 8)
E&P Focused

This slide contains a map of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico with shadings to denote the Arkoma and Permian Basins, the Gulf Coast region and the East Texas region. Lines trace gas distribution pipelines and the Ozark Pipeline.

E&P Segment

* 2003 Reserves: 503 Bcfe
* 91% Natural Gas
* 82% Proved Developed
* Reserve Life: 12.2 years
* 2003 Production: 41.2 Bcfe

Arkoma

* Reserves - 211.7 Bcf (42%)
* Production - 18.9 Bcf (46%)
* Maintain our strong position through low-risk development drilling and workovers.

East Texas (Overton)

* Reserves - 196.3 Bcfe (39%)
* Production - 13.6 Bcfe (33%)
* Grow through low-risk infill drilling.

Gulf Coast

* Reserves - 39.5 Bcfe (8%)
* Production - 4.5 Bcfe (11%)
* Reduce our high-risk exploration.

Permian

* Reserves - 55.6 Bcfe (11%)

* Production - 4.2 Bcfe (10%)

* Focus on medium-risk exploration.

Utility Segment

* 142,000 customers in N. Arkansas
* 6th fastest growing region in U.S.
* Received $4.1 MM annual rate increase Oct. 2003

(Slide 9)
Capital Investments

This slide contains a bar chart of Company capital investments, summarized as follows:

2004

2001

 

2002

2003

Plan

 

($ in millions)

Utility & Corporate

$7.1

 

$6.9

$9.3

$9.5

Property Acquisitions

$0.7

 

$0.1

-

14.4

Cap. Exp. & Other

$9.9

 

$10.9

$12.4

$19.3

Leasehold & Seismic

$9.8

 

$9.2

$19.0

$18.0

Development Drilling

$44.2

 

$46.3

$119.7

$162.3

Exploration Drilling

$20.8

 

$18.7

$19.8

$30.0

Total

$92.5

(1)

$92.1

$180.2

$254.0

This slide also contains a pie chart of Company's planned 2004 capital investments by area of operation, summarized as follows:

% of Total

Capital Investments

East Texas

51%

Arkoma

20%

Gulf Coast

5%

Permian

11%

New Ventures

9%

Utility

4%

 

* E&P capital program heavily weighted to low-risk drilling in 2004:
  * Low-risk East Texas ($129.4 MM, 51%) and Arkoma ($51.2 MM, 20%),
  * Medium-risk Permian Basin ($26.7 MM, 11%) and
  * Higher-risk, but larger potential Gulf Coast ($13.5 MM, 5%).
   
* Invested $11.0 MM in 2003 to acquire 345,300 acres in "New Venture" areas.
   
* In 2004, we plan to invest $23.7 MM in "New Venture" projects.
   
* Approximately 80% of E&P capital allocated to drilling in 2004.

(1) Net of $13.5 million reimbursement from Overton Field partnership.

Note that the information contained on this slide constitutes a "forward-looking statement".

(Slide 10)
East Texas - Overton Field

This slide contains a map of Smith County, Texas where the Overton Field is located.  Existing wells at year-end 2002, 2003 and 2004 development well locations are denoted.  It is stated that the Overton Field contains 17,900 acres and the South Overton Farm-in Acreage contains 6,500 acres.

* Purchased original 10,800 acres and 16 producing wells for $6.1 million in 2000 (developed at 640-acre spacing).

 

* Drilled 90 wells in 2001-2003 with 100% success.

 

* Plan to drill 74 wells in 2004, a portion of which will be at 40-acre spacing.

 

* A large portion of the field will likely require 40-acre spaced wells to adequately develop the field.

Overton Field reserve potential:

Approx.

Reserve

Well

Spacing

Potential

Count

(Acres)

(Net Bcfe)

Original Wells

16

640

22

2001 - 2002 Development

33

365

89

2003 Development

57

170

102

Planned 2004 Development

74

100

105

Potential Future Development

  Locations @ $5.00 Gas 130 70 131
Locations @ $6.00 Gas 187 50 174

 

Overton Field Three-Year Average Results:

Reserve Replacement:

 

902%

LOE Cost (incl. Taxes) ($/Mcfe):

 

$0.46

F&D Cost ($/Mcfe):

 

$0.82

Note that the information contained on this slide constitutes a "forward-looking statement".

(Slide 11)
Overton Field Gross Production

The graph contained in this slide displays the Overton Field gross production rate (MMcfe/d) from the year 2000 to December 2004 and the potential gross production rate for 2004 under both an accelerated drilling program and under an eighteen well per year program.

Overton Field Net Production:

Bcfe

2000

0.3

2001

2.3

2002

5.9

2003

13.6

2004 Forecast

19 - 21

Note that the information contained on this slide constitutes a "forward-looking statement".

(Slide 12)
Overton Field - Improved Drilling Results

This slide of drilling days versus depth portrays the improved drilling rate in the Overton Field since its purchase from Fina in 2001.  Fina's average drilling rate was 55 days.  Upon the Field's purchase in 2001 we decreased that rate to 35 days.  It was further decreased to 27 days in 2002, 23 days in 2003 and 22 days in 2004.

* Reduced drilling time by >50%.

 

* Increased initial production by 200%.

 

* Increased gross reserves by 60% (avg. EUR of 2.2 Bcfe per well in 2003)

Note that the information contained on this slide constitutes a "forward-looking statement".

(Slide 13)
Arkoma Basin

This slide contains a map of Arkansas and Oklahoma with shading to denote the Arkoma Basin. The Ranger Anticline, Haileyville and the area known as the Fairway are further noted.

* "Legacy asset" that provides SWN with a stable production/reserve base and low-risk drilling opportunities with some upside exploration potential.

 

 

* Competitive advantages:

 

* 60+ years of experience in the basin.

 

* Large acreage position of 367,000 gross acres and 256,000 net acres.

 

 

* 2004 capital program includes drilling over 80 wells and 95 workovers.

Arkoma Basin Three-Year Average Results:

Reserve replacement:

116%

LOE cost (incl. Taxes) ($/Mcf):

$0.38

F&D cost ($/Mcf):

$1.14

Ranger Anticline:

Success:

33/40 wells

Net EUR:

42.0 Bcf

F&D/Mcf:

$.81

Haileyville:

Success:

23/31 wells

Net EUR:

11.4 Bcf

F&D/Mcf:

$.75

Note that the information contained on this slide constitutes a "forward-looking statement".

(Slide 14)
Ranger Anticline

This slide contains a map of the Ranger Anticline prospect with the Company's exploratory acreage and acreage held by production designated with shading.  Also shown are SWN's successful wells at 6/30/04, 2004 proposed wells, the Smith #1-10, and the Albright #1-7 wells.

Ranger Anticline:

Success:

33/40 wells

Net EUR:

42.0 Bcf

F&D/Mcf:

$.81

 

* In early 2003 received approval to downspace field to 80 acres per well.

 

* Large acreage position of 4,400 gross developed acres and 37,100 gross exploratory acres.

 

* Average working interest 50% - 100%.

 

* SWN plans to drill approximately 20 wells in area in 2004.

 

* Area has significant upside potential.

Ranger Anticline Potential:

Reserve

Well

Potential

Count

(Net Bcfe)

Producing Wells at 12/31/02

13

17

Successful Wells in 2003

9

12

2004 Drilling Program

20

23

     

Potential Future Locations

   

 

Lower-Risk Locations

31

29

  Other Contingent Locations 90 84

 

TOTAL

163

165

Note that the information contained on this slide constitutes a "forward-looking statement".

(Slide 15)
Focused on Adding Value

 

Overton Well

 

Ranger Well

Typical First Year Economics:            

Gross reserves (Bcfe)

2.2

1.8 1.6  

1.8

1.2
  (per Mcfe)   (per Mcf)
Revenues $5.00 $5.00 $5.00   $5.00 $5.00

Production costs

$0.32

$0.35 $0.37  

$0.20

$0.25

Cash netback

$4.68

$4.65 $4.63  

$4.80

$4.75

F&D costs

$0.85

$1.06 $1.18  

$0.80

$1.20

 

           
Total Life Economics:            

Completed Well Cost ($MM)

$1.5

$1.5 $1.5  

$1.0

$1.0

Pretax ROR

55%

30% 25%  

45%

35%

Pretax PVI

2.3

1.7 1.5  

2.6

1.9

Note:  Our ability to achieve our target PVI results are dependent upon the current and future market prices for natural gas and crude oil, costs associated with producing natural gas and crude oil and our ability to add reserves at an acceptable cost.

Note that the information contained on this slide constitutes a "forward-looking statement".

(Slide 16)
2004 Exploration

This slide contains a map of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico with shading to denote areas of Company operations.  An exploded map of a portion of New Mexico details the River Ridge discovery.  The Rio Blanco 33 #2, the Rio Blanco 4-3 and the Rio Blanco 9 #1 drilling wells are shown.

* South Louisiana:

 

* 9/21 successful wildcats drilled since 1999

 

* Plan to drill 2 wildcats in 2004

 

 

* Gulf Coast exploration:

 

* Reducing our exposure to high-risk exploration in South Louisiana.

 

* 2004 program includes drilling 2 exploration wells.

* River Ridge prospect, Lea County, New Mexico:

 

* First two wells producing at combined gross rate of 30 MMcfe/d.

 

* Gross reserve potential of 50+ Bcfe.

Note that the information contained on this slide constitutes a "forward-looking statement".

(Slide 17)
How Have We Been Doing?

Graph shows F&D cost ($/Mcfe), reserve replacement (%) and PVI ($/$) after new management, a new E&P team and a new strategy were implemented in 1997.

1997

1998

1999

2000 (1)

2001

2002

2003

F&D cost ($/Mcfe)

$2.53

$1.10

$1.20

$.99

$1.11

$1.02

$1.18

Reserve replacement (%)

77%

129%

150%

196%

224%

209%

351%

PVI ($/$)

$ .56

$1.17

$1.07

$1.30

$1.40

$1.33

$1.42

Note:  All metrics calculated exclude reserve revisions.

(1)    PVI metrics calculated using pricing in effect at year-end (except for 2000 which was calculated at $3.00 per Mcf natural gas price).

(Slide 18)
Outlook for 2004

* Production target of 50.0 - 52.0 Bcfe in 2004 (estimated growth of 21 - 26%).

    2004 Guidance

2003 Actual

NYMEX Price Assumptions

$5.39 Gas (1)

$5.00 Gas

$6.00 Gas

$30.83 Oil (1)

$30.00 Oil

$34.00 Oil

Net Income

$48.9 MM

$72 - $75 MM

$94 - $97 MM

EPS

$1.43

$2.00 - $2.07

$2.60 - $2.68

Operating Income

$97.3 MM

$135 - $138 MM

$172 - $175 MM

Cash Flow (2)

$132.3 MM

$190 - $193 MM

$225 - $228 MM

EBITDA(2)

$152.3 MM

$207 - $210 MM

$242 - $245 MM

Note: Per share estimates for 2004 assume 36.6 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding.

(1)   The average realized prices for our gas and oil production, after the effect of commodity hedge losses and basis differentials, were $4.20 per Mcf and $26.72 per Bbl, respectively, in 2003.

(2)   Net cash flow before changes in operating assets and liabilities and EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures.  See explanation and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures on pages 30 and 31.

Note that the information contained on this slide constitutes a "forward-looking statement".

(Slide 19)
Gas Hedges in Place Through 2006

This slide contains a bar chart detailing gas hedges in place by quarter for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006.  A summary of these outstanding gas hedges is as follows:

Average Price per Mcf

Percent of Total

Type

Hedged Volumes

(or Floor/Ceiling)

Production Hedged

2004

Swaps

7.2 Bcf

$4.00

15 - 20%

Collars

26.0 Bcf

$3.92 / $6.62

50 - 55%

2005

Swaps

12.6 Bcf

$5.04

-

Collars

23.0 Bcf

$4.51/ $7.56

-

2006

Swaps

1.0 Bcf

$5.74

-

Collars

10.0 Bcf

$4.50/ $8.65

-

Note:  Southwestern has approximately 426,000 barrels of oil hedged at a fixed WTI price of $28.39 per barrel in 2004 and 240,000 barrels of oil hedged at a fixed WTI price of $30.05 per barrel in 2005.

Note that the information contained on this slide constitutes a "forward-looking statement".

(Slide 20)
The Road to V+

* Invest in the Highest PVI Projects.
  * Accelerate Overton Development.
  * Accelerate Ranger Anticline Development.
   
* Maximize Cash Flow.
   
* Stay the Course with Our Focused Strategy.
   
* Deliver the Numbers.
  * Production and Reserve Growth.
  * Add Value for Every Dollar Invested.
   
* Continue to Tell Our Story.

(Slide 21)
Appendix

(Slide 22)
Financial & Operational Summary

This slide contains a table that summarizes the Company's financial and operational indicators.

 

6 Months Ended June 30,

 

Year Ended December 31,

2004

2003

2003

2002

2001

2000 (1)

($ in millions, except per share amounts)

Revenues

$216.2 $165.1  

$327.4

$261.5

$344.9

$363.9

EBITDA(2)

113.8 73.4  

152.3

99.8

134.6

103.2

Net Income

45.3 23.2  

48.9

14.3

35.3

20.5

Cash Flow (2)

106.8 65.2  

132.3

79.8

112.7

82.4

Diluted EPS

$1.23 $0.71  

$1.43

$0.55

$1.38

$0.82

               

Production (Bcfe)

24.0 18.9  

41.2

40.1

39.8

35.7

Avg. Gas Price ($/Mcf)

$5.09 $4.22  

$4.20

$3.00

$3.85

$2.88

Avg. Oil Price ($/Bbl)

$28.55 $27.54  

$26.72

$21.02

$23.55

$22.99

               

Finding Cost ($/Mcfe) (3)

     

$1.18

$1.02

$1.11

$0.99

Reserve Replacement (%) (3)

     

351%

209%

224%

196%

(1)    Before the effects of unusual and extraordinary items.

(2)    Net cash flow before changes in operating assets and liabilities and EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures.  See explanation and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures on pages 30 and 31.

(3)    Excluding reserve revisions.

(Slide 23)
Ranger Anticline

This slide contains a vertical cross-section of the Ranger Anticline area with shading to denote upper and lower borum.

* Thrust faulted/anticlinal Atokan sand play.
 
* Repeat sections of tight gas sands.
 
* Natural fractures enhance productivity.

(Slide 24)
U.S. Gas Consumption and Sources

This slide displays U.S. gas production versus U.S. gas consumption from 1975 to the present. Net gas imports for the same period are also given.  U.S. gas production has been basically flat since 1994.

Source:  EIA

(Slide 25)
U.S. Gas Production Decline Rate

This graph portrays U.S. natural gas production history.  The graph indicates a 29% 2004 decline rate.

 

Production Decline Rate of Base

1990

 

17%

 

1991

 

17%

 

1992

 

16%

 

1993

 

18%

 

1994

 

19%

 

1995

 

19%

 

1996

 

20%

 

1997

 

21%

 

1998

 

23%

 

1999

 

23%

 

2000

 

25%

 

2001E

 

24%

 

2002E

 

27%

 

2003E

 

28%

 
2004E   29%  

Utilizes data supplied by IHS Energy; Copyright 1990 - 2004 IHS Energy

Chart prepared by and property of EOG Resources, Inc.; Copyright 2002 - 2004

(Slide 26)
U.S. Electricity Consumption on the Rise

This line graph shows an increase in U.S. electricity consumption in billion kilowatt-hours per month from 1990 to 2004.

Source:  Edison Electric Institute

(Slide 27)
NYMEX Gas Prices

This line graph represents NYMEX gas prices in $/Mcf from 2000 to 2004.

Source:  Bloomberg

(Slide 28)
U.S. Gas Drilling

This line graph denotes the number of rigs drilling for gas through the period 1988 to 2004.

Source:  Baker Hughes

(Slide 29)
West Texas Intermediate Oil Prices

This line graph shows the price of West Texas Intermediate oil in $/Bbl for the years 2000 to 2004.

Source:  Bloomberg

(Slide 30)
Oil and Gas Price Comparison

This line graph compares the prices of Henry Hub natural gas and WTI crude oil in $/MMBtu and $/Bbl respectively for the period 1994 to 2004.

Source:  Bloomberg

(Slide 31)

Explanation and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures: Cash Flow

Net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities is presented because of its acceptance as an indicator of an oil and gas exploration and production company's ability to internally fund exploration and development activities and to service or incur additional debt. The company has also included this information because changes in operating assets and liabilities relate to the timing of cash receipts and disbursements which the company may not control and may not relate to the period in which the operating activities occurred. Net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net cash provided by operating activities prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Forecasting changes in operating assets and liabilities would require unreasonable effort, would not be reliable and could be misleading.  Therefore, the reconciliation of the company's forecasted net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities has assumed no changes in assets and liabilities.  The first table below reconciles actual net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities with net cash provided by operating activities as derived from the company's financial information. 

 

3 Months Ended June 30,

 

6 Months Ended June 30,

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

(in thousands)

Net Cash provided by operating activities

$43,733

 

$31,736

 

$120,473

 

$70,308

Add back:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in operating assets and liabilities

6,570

 

(3,208)

 

(13,651)

 

(5,094)

Net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities

$50,303

 

$28,528

 

$106,822

 

$(65,214)

 

2004 Guidance

 

NYMEX Commodity Price Assumptions

 

$5.00 Gas   $6.00 Gas

 

$30.00 Oil   $34.00 Oil

 

(in millions)

Net cash provided by operating activities

$190-$193   $225-$228

Add back (deduct):

     

Change in operating assets and liabilities

--   --

Net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities

$190-$193   $225-$228

(Slide 32)

Explanation and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures: EBITDA

EBITDA is defined as net income plus interest, income tax expense, depreciation, depletion and amortization. Southwestern has included information concerning EBITDA because it is used by certain investors as a measure of the ability of a company to service or incur indebtedness and because it is a financial measure commonly used in the energy industry.  EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income, net cash provided by operating activities or other income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or as a measure of the company's profitability or liquidity. EBITDA as defined above may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Net income is a financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The table below reconciles 2004 forecasted EBITDA with 2004 forecasted net income.

 

12 Months Ended December 31,

 

2003

 

2002

2001

2000

 
             

Net income

$48,897

 

$14,311

$35,324

$20,461

(1)

     Depreciation, depletion and amortization (2)

57,762

 

55,352

53,641

46,622

 

     Net interest expense

17,311

 

21,466

23,699

24,689

 

     Provision for income taxes

28,372

(3)

8,708

21,917

11,457

 

EBITDA

$152,342

 

$99,837

$134,581

$103,229

(1)

(1)    Amounts exclude unusual and extraordinary items.

(2)    Depreciation, depletion and amortization includes the amortization of restricted stock issued under the company's incentive compensation plan.

(3)    Provision for income taxes for 2003 includes the tax benefit associated with the cumulative effect of adoption of accounting principle.

The table below reconciles EBITDA with net income assuming different NYMEX price scenarios and their corresponding estimated impact on the company's results for 2004, including current hedges in place, as of July 30, 2004:

 

2004 Guidance

 

NYMEX Commodity Price Assumptions

 

$5.00 Gas

 

$6.00 Gas

 

$30.00 Oil

 

$34.00 Oil

($ in millions)

Net income

$72 - $75

 

$94 - $97

Add back:

     

     Provision for income taxes - deferred

44 - 45

 

58 - 59

     Interest expense

17 - 19

 

17 - 19

     Depreciation, depletion, amortization

73 - 75

 

73 - 75

EBITDA

$207 - $210   $242 - $245