EX-99.1 2 cog-12312019x8kxexx991.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 Exhibit


Exhibit 99.1
g175701mmi001a06.jpg
February 20, 2020
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
 
Matt Kerin (281) 589-4642

Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2019 Results

HOUSTON, Feb. 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation (NYSE: COG) (“Cabot” or the “Company”) today reported financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and full-year 2019.

“Our 2019 results highlight the strength of our company, which was demonstrated by the generation of record levels for net income, operating cash flow, free cash flow, production, proved reserves and operating expenses,” said Dan O. Dinges, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “While we continue to manage through headwinds from lower natural gas prices, our low cost structure and low leverage position will allow us to continue to generate positive free cash flow and economic corporate returns, maintain our financial strength, and return capital to shareholders during these challenging times for the natural gas markets.”

Full-Year 2019 Highlights
Net income of $681.1 million (or $1.64 per share); adjusted net income (non-GAAP) of $698.8 million (or $1.68 per share)
Free cash flow (non-GAAP) of $563.1 million, marking the fourth consecutive year of positive free cash flow
Return on capital employed (ROCE) (non-GAAP) of 22.2 percent
Returned $665.4 million of capital to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, including a 43 percent increase in the quarterly dividend per share and a seven percent reduction in weighted-average shares outstanding
Production of 865.3 billion cubic feet equivalent (Bcfe), an increase of 18 percent year-over-year
Proved reserves of 12.9 trillion cubic feet equivalent (Tcfe), an increase of 11 percent year-over-year
Operating expenses per unit of $1.44 per thousand cubic feet equivalent (Mcfe), an 18 percent improvement year-over-year

1



All-sources and drill-bit finding and development (F&D) costs (non-GAAP) of $0.36 and $0.37 per Mcfe, respectively
Reduced net debt-to-EBITDAX (non-GAAP) to 0.7x at year-end 2019

See the supplemental tables at the end of this press release for a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures including adjusted net income, discretionary cash flow, EBITDAX, free cash flow, net debt to adjusted capitalization ratio, ROCE, pre-tax present value of future net cash flows (pre-tax PV-10) and F&D costs.

Fourth Quarter 2019 Financial Results

Fourth quarter 2019 daily production was 2,457 Mmcfe per day (100 percent natural gas), exceeding the high-end of the Company’s guidance range and representing a 10 percent increase relative to the fourth quarter of 2018.

Fourth quarter 2019 net income was $146.9 million, or $0.36 per share, compared to $275.0 million, or $0.64 per share, in the prior-year period. Fourth quarter 2019 adjusted net income (non-GAAP) was $120.8 million, or $0.30 per share, compared to $235.8 million, or $0.55 per share, in the prior-year period. Fourth quarter 2019 EBITDAX (non-GAAP) was $300.3 million, compared to $464.4 million in the prior-year period.

Fourth quarter 2019 net cash provided by operating activities was $263.0 million, compared to $316.1 million in the prior-year period. Fourth quarter 2019 discretionary cash flow (non-GAAP) was $277.5 million, compared to $492.8 million in the prior-year period. Fourth quarter 2019 free cash flow (non-GAAP) was $109.5 million, compared to $241.4 million in the prior-year period.

Fourth quarter 2019 natural gas price realizations, including the impact of derivatives, were $2.15 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf), a decrease of 31 percent compared to the prior-year period. Excluding the impact of derivatives, fourth quarter 2019 natural gas price realizations were $2.05 per Mcf, representing a $0.45 discount to NYMEX settlement prices compared to a $0.42 discount in the prior-year period.

Fourth quarter 2019 operating expenses (including interest expense) decreased to $1.43 per Mcfe, a 24 percent improvement compared to the prior-year period. All operating expenses per unit decreased relative to the prior-year period except for direct operations, which increased slightly primarily due to higher workover expense compared to the prior-year period.

Cabot incurred a total of $161.1 million of capital expenditures in the fourth quarter of 2019 including $155.5 million of drilling and facilities capital, $0.8 million of leasehold acquisition capital, and $4.8 million of other capital. Additionally, the Company contributed $0.4 million to its recently divested equity method pipeline

2



investments. See the supplemental table at the end of this press release reconciling the capital expenditures during the fourth quarter of 2019.

Full-Year 2019 Financial Results

Full-year 2019 daily production was 2,371 Mmcfe per day (100 percent natural gas), representing an 18 percent increase relative to the prior-year period.

Full-year 2019 net income was $681.1 million, or $1.64 per share, compared to $557.0 million, or $1.25 per share, for the prior-year period. Adjusted net income (non-GAAP) for the full-year 2019 was $698.8 million, or $1.68 per share, compared to $531.2 million, or $1.19 per share, for the prior-year period. Full-year 2019 EBITDAX (non-GAAP) was $1.4 billion, compared to $1.3 billion for the prior-year period.

For the full-year 2019, net cash provided by operating activities was $1.4 billion, compared to $1.1 billion for the prior-year period. Full-year 2019 discretionary cash flow (non-GAAP) was $1.4 billion, compared to $1.3 billion for the prior-year period. Full-year 2019 free cash flow (non-GAAP) was $563.1 million, compared to $296.6 million for the prior-year period. Full-year 2019 ROCE (non-GAAP) improved to 22.2 percent, compared to 15.9 percent for the prior-year period.

Full-year 2019 natural gas price realizations, including the impact of derivatives, were $2.45 per Mcf, a decrease of four percent compared to the prior-year period.

Full-year 2019 operating expenses (including interest expense) decreased to $1.44 per Mcfe, an 18 percent improvement compared to the prior-year period. All operating expenses per unit decreased relative to the prior-year period.

Cabot incurred a total of $783.3 million of capital expenditures in 2019 including $761.5 million of drilling and facilities capital, $6.1 million of leasehold acquisition capital, and $15.7 million of other capital. Additionally, the Company contributed $9.3 million to its recently divested equity method pipeline investments in 2019. See the supplemental table at the end of this press release reconciling the capital expenditures for the year.


3



Return of Capital

Cabot returned $665.4 million of capital to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases in 2019, representing 118 percent of the Company’s free cash flow. During the year, Cabot increased its quarterly dividend per share by 43 percent and repurchased 25.5 million shares. Since reactivating the share repurchase program in the second quarter of 2017, Cabot has reduced its shares outstanding by over 14 percent to 398.6 million shares. The Company currently has 11.0 million remaining shares authorized under its share repurchase program (or approximately three percent of its current shares outstanding). Cabot continues to target a minimum return of capital of at least 50 percent of free cash flow annually.

Financial Position and Liquidity

As of December 31, 2019, Cabot had total debt of $1.2 billion and cash on hand of $200.2 million. The Company's net debt-to-adjusted capitalization ratio and net debt-to-trailing twelve months EBITDAX ratio were 32.2 percent and 0.7x, respectively, compared to 37.0 percent and 1.0x as of December 31, 2018. The Company currently has no debt outstanding under its credit facility, resulting in approximately $1.7 billion of liquidity.

Upper Marcellus Operations Update

During 2018 and 2019, Cabot placed 25 Upper Marcellus wells on production. Excluding four wells that were located on a pad where the Company had an underperforming lateral placement pilot test, the average estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) per thousand lateral feet was 2.7 Bcf. "We believe the results from our recent Upper Marcellus wells highlight the Upper Marcellus as a distinct, economic interval that exceeds the average well productivity across the basin,” stated Dinges. “Our prolific acreage position in northeast Pennsylvania provides us with over two decades of remaining drilling locations, including nine years of remaining Lower Marcellus inventory.” The Company plans to test an additional five Upper Marcellus wells in 2020 to further optimize lateral placement and completion design.

4



Year-End 2019 Proved Reserves

Cabot reported year-end proved reserves of 12.9 Tcfe, an increase of 11 percent over year-end 2018. The table below reconciles the components driving the 2019 reserve increase:

Proved Reserves Reconciliation (in Bcfe)
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2018
 
11,605

 
Revisions of prior estimates
 
47

 
Extensions, discoveries and other additions
 
2,116

 
Production
 
(865
)
)
Balance at December 31, 2019
 
12,903

 

As of December 31, 2019, 100 percent of Cabot’s year-end proved reserves were natural gas and were located in the Marcellus Shale. Approximately 62 percent of the year-end proved reserves were classified as proved developed and 38 percent were classified as proved undeveloped (PUD), including six percent of drilled and uncompleted PUDs

Total costs incurred during 2019 were $787.7 million, which included $761.3 million for development costs, $20.3 million for exploration costs, and $6.1 million for lease acquisition costs. All-sources F&D costs (non-GAAP) were $0.36 per Mcfe, while drill-bit F&D costs (non-GAAP) were $0.37 per Mcfe in 2019.

The SEC price used for reporting Cabot's year-end 2019 proved reserves, which has been adjusted for basis and quality differentials, was $2.35 per Mcf, a nine percent year-over-year decrease. Assuming the SEC price, the pre-tax PV-10 (non-GAAP) of the year-end 2019 proved reserves was $7.5 billion, an eight percent decrease compared to $8.1 billion at year-end 2018.

First Quarter and Full-Year 2020 Guidance

Cabot has provided its first quarter 2020 production guidance range of 2,350 to 2,400 Mmcfe per day, representing a three percent sequential decline at the midpoint of the range relative to the fourth quarter of 2019. Based on the timing of wells being placed on production throughout the year, the Company anticipates an additional sequential decline in the second quarter of 2020 before increasing volumes in the second half of the year.

Cabot has also reaffirmed its recently announced plan to deliver an average net production rate of approximately 2,400 Mmcfe per day in 2020 from a capital program of $575 million. Based on the current NYMEX futures curve, this plan is expected to generate enough free cash flow to cover the Company’s dividend while also providing a modest amount of excess free cash flow for further return of capital to

5



shareholders or debt repayment. At a $2.25 average NYMEX price, the plan is expected to deliver between $275 and $300 million of free cash flow and generate a return on capital employed between 11 and 12 percent. The Company continues to analyze the outlook for the natural gas markets in 2020 and beyond and is prepared to reduce capital spending further if market conditions warrant it.
Conference Call Webcast

A conference call is scheduled for Friday, February 21, 2020, at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss fourth quarter and full-year 2019 financial and operating results. To access the live audio webcast, please visit the Investor Relations section of the Company's website. A replay of the call will also be available on the Company's website.

Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a leading independent natural gas producer with its entire resource base located in the continental United States. For additional information, visit the Company's website at www.cabotog.com.

This press release includes forwardlooking 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. The statements regarding future financial and operating performance and results, returns to shareholders, strategic pursuits and goals, market prices, future hedging and risk management activities, and other statements that are not historical facts contained in this report are forward-looking statements. The words "expect", "project", "estimate", "believe", "anticipate", "intend", "budget", "plan", "forecast", “outlook”, "predict", "may", "should", "could", "will" and similar expressions are also intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, market factors, market prices (including geographic basis differentials) of natural gas and crude oil, results of future drilling and marketing activity, future production and costs, pipeline projects, legislative and regulatory initiatives, electronic, cyber or physical security breaches and other factors detailed herein and in our other Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings. See "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of the Form 10-K and subsequent public filings for additional information about these risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those indicated. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as the result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Matt Kerin (281) 589-4642

6



OPERATING DATA
 
Quarter Ended
December 31,
 
Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
PRODUCTION VOLUMES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas (Bcf)
226.1

 
206.3

 
865.3

 
729.9

Crude oil and condensate (Mbbl)

 

 

 
754.0

Natural gas liquids (NGLs) (Mbbl)

 

 

 
75.1

Equivalent production (Bcfe)
226.1

 
206.3

 
865.3

 
735.0

Daily equivalent production (Mmcfe/day)
2,457

 
2,243

 
2,371

 
2,014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AVERAGE SALES PRICE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas, including hedges ($/Mcf)
$
2.15

 
$
3.11

 
$
2.45

 
$
2.54

Natural gas, excluding hedges ($/Mcf)
$
2.05

 
$
3.22

 
$
2.29

 
$
2.58

Crude oil and condensate, including hedges ($/Bbl)
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
63.68

Crude oil and condensate, excluding hedges ($/Bbl)
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
64.68

NGL ($/Bbl)
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
21.51

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AVERAGE UNIT COSTS ($/Mcfe)(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct operations
$
0.09

 
$
0.08

 
$
0.09

 
$
0.09

Transportation and gathering
0.66

 
0.68

 
0.66

 
0.68

Taxes other than income
0.01

 
0.03

 
0.02

 
0.03

Exploration
0.02

 
0.22

 
0.02

 
0.15

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
0.47

 
0.63

 
0.47

 
0.57

General and administrative (excluding stock-based compensation)
0.07

 
0.07

 
0.07

 
0.09

Stock-based compensation
0.03

 
0.08

 
0.04

 
0.05

Interest expense
0.06

 
0.08

 
0.06

 
0.10

 
$
1.43

 
$
1.87

 
$
1.44

 
$
1.76

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WELLS DRILLED(2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross
25

 
37

 
96

 
97

Net
23.0

 
35.1

 
94.0

 
95.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WELLS COMPLETED(2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross
28

 
33

 
99

 
94

Net
26.0

 
32.0

 
97.0

 
93.0

_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
Total unit cost may differ from the sum of the individual costs due to rounding.
(2)
Wells drilled represents wells drilled to total depth during the period. Wells completed includes wells completed during the period, regardless of when they were drilled.


7



CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
 
Quarter Ended
December 31,
 
Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
OPERATING REVENUES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas
$
463,451

 
$
663,547

 
$
1,985,240

 
$
1,881,150

Crude oil and condensate

 

 

 
48,722

Gain (loss) on derivative instruments
(2,158
)
 
46,060

 
80,808

 
44,432

Brokered natural gas

 
6,155

 

 
209,530

Other
75

 
539

 
229

 
4,314

 
461,368

 
716,301

 
2,066,277

 
2,188,148

OPERATING EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct operations
21,350

 
16,889

 
76,958

 
69,646

Transportation and gathering
149,974

 
140,883

 
574,677

 
496,731

Brokered natural gas

 
5,761

 

 
184,198

Taxes other than income
2,959

 
7,208

 
17,053

 
22,642

Exploration
5,241

 
45,654

 
20,270

 
113,820

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
106,439

 
129,269

 
405,733

 
417,479

General and administrative (excluding stock-based compensation)
15,692

 
15,113

 
64,090

 
63,494

Stock-based compensation(1)
6,808

 
15,516

 
30,780

 
33,147

 
308,463

 
376,293

 
1,189,561

 
1,401,157

Earnings on equity method investments
69,302

 
2,146

 
80,496

 
1,137

Gain (loss) on sale of assets
2

 
(1,477
)
 
(1,462
)
 
(16,327
)
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
222,209

 
340,677

 
955,750

 
771,801

Interest expense, net
14,650

 
15,624

 
54,952

 
73,201

Other expense
144

 
116

 
574

 
463

Income before income taxes
207,415

 
324,937

 
900,224

 
698,137

Income tax expense
60,475

 
49,893

 
219,154

 
141,094

NET INCOME
$
146,940

 
$
275,044

 
$
681,070

 
$
557,043

Earnings per share - Basic
$
0.36

 
$
0.64

 
$
1.64

 
$
1.25

Weighted-average common shares outstanding
404,581

 
430,978

 
415,514

 
445,538

_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
Includes the impact of our performance share awards and restricted stock.


8



CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
December 31,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets
$
568,248

 
$
544,545

Properties and equipment, net (Successful efforts method)
3,855,706

 
3,463,606

Other assets
63,291

 
190,678

 
$
4,487,245

 
$
4,198,829

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities
241,034

 
$
287,264

Current portion of long-term debt
87,000

 

Long-term debt, net (excluding current maturities)
1,133,025

 
1,226,104

Deferred income taxes
702,104

 
458,597

Other liabilities
172,595

 
138,705

Stockholders’ equity
2,151,487

 
2,088,159

 
$
4,487,245

 
$
4,198,829

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
 
Quarter Ended
December 31,
 
Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
(In thousands)
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
146,940

 
$
275,044

 
$
681,070

 
$
557,043

Deferred income tax expense
55,421

 
97,804

 
244,418

 
229,603

(Gain) loss on sale of assets
(2
)
 
1,477

 
1,462

 
16,327

Exploratory dry hole cost
2,220

 
41,316

 
2,236

 
97,741

(Gain) loss on derivative instruments
2,158

 
(46,060
)
 
(80,808
)
 
(44,432
)
Net cash received (paid) in settlement of derivative instruments
23,519

 
(21,277
)
 
138,450

 
(41,631
)
Distribution of earnings from equity method investments
3,115

 
1,296

 
15,725

 
1,296

Income charges not requiring cash
44,173

 
143,204

 
358,212

 
452,416

Changes in assets and liabilities
(14,564
)
 
(176,753
)
 
85,026

 
(163,460
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
262,980

 
316,051

 
1,445,791

 
1,104,903

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(167,672
)
 
(246,967
)
 
(788,368
)
 
(894,470
)
Proceeds from sale of assets
199

 
2,825

 
2,600

 
678,350

Investment in equity method investments
(361
)
 
(4,397
)
 
(9,338
)
 
(77,263
)
Distribution of investment from equity method investments
72

 

 
1,728

 

Proceeds from sale of equity method investments
249,463

 

 
249,463

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
81,701

 
(248,539
)
 
(543,915
)
 
(293,383
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net borrowings (repayments) of debt

 
(60,000
)
 
(7,000
)
 
(297,000
)
Treasury stock repurchases
(172,417
)
 
(291,036
)
 
(519,863
)
 
(872,761
)
Dividends paid
(40,793
)
 
(30,184
)
 
(145,515
)
 
(111,369
)
Tax withholding on vesting of stock awards
(3
)
 
(82
)
 
(10,590
)
 
(8,150
)
Capitalized debt issuance costs
(1
)
 

 
(7,412
)
 

Net cash used in financing activities
(213,214
)
 
(381,302
)
 
(690,380
)
 
(1,289,280
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
$
131,467

 
$
(313,790
)
 
$
211,496

 
$
(477,760
)

9



Explanation and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We report our financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). However, we believe certain non-GAAP performance measures may provide financial statement users with additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results of prior periods. In addition, we believe these measures are used by analysts and others in the valuation, rating and investment recommendations of companies within the oil and natural gas exploration and production industry. See the reconciliations throughout this release of GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP financial measures for the periods indicated.

We have also included herein certain forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures. Due to the forward-looking nature of these non-GAAP financial measures, we cannot reliably predict certain of the necessary components of the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP measures, such as future impairments and future changes in capital. Accordingly, we are unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of such forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measures. Reconciling items in future periods could be significant.

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings Per Share

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings per Share are presented based on our belief that these non-GAAP measures enable a user of the financial information to understand the impact of these items on reported results. Adjusted Net Income is defined as net income plus gain and loss on sale of assets, gain and loss on derivative instruments, gain on sale of equity method investment, stock-based compensation expense, severance expense, interest expense related to income tax reserves and tax effect on selected items. Additionally, this presentation provides a beneficial comparison to similarly adjusted measurements of prior periods. Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings per Share are not measures of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to net income and earnings per share, as defined by GAAP.
 
Quarter Ended
December 31,
 
Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
As reported - net income
$
146,940

 
$
275,044

 
$
681,070

 
$
557,043

Reversal of selected items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Gain) loss on sale of assets
(2
)
 
1,477

 
1,462

 
16,327

(Gain) loss on derivative instruments(1)
25,677

 
(67,337
)
 
57,642

 
(86,063
)
Gain on sale of equity method investment
(66,412
)
 

 
(66,412
)
 

Stock-based compensation expense
6,808

 
15,516

 
30,780

 
33,147

Severance expense

 

 
2,521

 
28

Interest expense related to income tax reserves

 
(538
)
 
(3,052
)
 
3,116

Tax effect on selected items
7,739

 
11,619

 
(5,233
)
 
7,637

Adjusted net income
$
120,750

 
$
235,781

 
$
698,778

 
$
531,235

As reported - earnings per share
$
0.36

 
$
0.64

 
$
1.64

 
$
1.25

Per share impact of selected items
(0.06
)
 
(0.09
)
 
0.04

 
(0.06
)
Adjusted earnings per share
$
0.30

 
$
0.55

 
$
1.68

 
$
1.19

Weighted-average common shares outstanding
404,581

 
430,978

 
415,514

 
445,538

_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
This amount represents the non-cash mark-to-market changes of our commodity derivative instruments recorded in Gain (loss) on derivative instruments in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.



10



Return on Capital Employed
Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) is defined as Adjusted Net Income (defined above) plus after-tax net interest expense divided by average capital employed, which is defined as total debt plus stockholders’ equity. ROCE is presented based on our belief that this non-GAAP measure is useful information to investors when evaluating our profitability and the efficiency with which we have employed capital over time. ROCE is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered an alternative to net income.
 
 
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
(In thousands)
 
2019
 
2018
Interest expense, net
 
$
54,952

 
$
73,201

Interest expense related to income tax reserves (1)
 
3,052

 
(3,116
)
Tax benefit
 
(13,241
)
 
(16,004
)
After-tax interest expense, net (A)
 
44,763

 
54,081

 
 
 
 

As reported - net income
 
681,070

 
557,043

Adjustments to as reported - net income, net of tax
 
17,708

 
(25,808
)
Adjusted net income (B)
 
698,778

 
531,235

 
 
 
 

Adjusted net income before interest expense, net (A + B)
 
$
743,541

 
$
585,316

 
 
 
 

Total debt - beginning
 
$
1,226,104

 
$
1,521,891

Stockholders’ equity - beginning
 
2,088,159

 
2,523,905

Capital employed - beginning
 
3,314,263

 
4,045,796

 
 
 
 

Total debt - ending
 
1,220,025

 
1,226,104

Stockholders’ equity - ending
 
2,151,487

 
2,088,159

Capital employed - ending
 
3,371,512

 
3,314,263

 
 
 
 

Average capital employed (C)
 
$
3,342,888

 
$
3,680,030

 
 
 
 

Return on average capital employed (ROCE) (A + B) / C
 
22.2
%
 
15.9
%
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
Interest expense related to income tax reserves is included in the adjustments to as reported - net income, net of tax.


11



Discretionary Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow Calculation and Reconciliation
Discretionary Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities excluding changes in assets and liabilities. Discretionary Cash Flow is widely accepted as a financial indicator of an oil and gas company’s ability to generate cash which is used to internally fund exploration and development activities, pay dividends and service debt. Discretionary Cash Flow is presented based on our belief that this non-GAAP measure is useful information to investors when comparing our cash flows with the cash flows of other companies that use the full cost method of accounting for oil and gas producing activities or have different financing and capital structures or tax rates. Discretionary Cash Flow is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities, as defined by GAAP, or as a measure of liquidity, or an alternative to net income.

Free Cash Flow is defined as Discretionary Cash Flow (defined above) less capital expenditures and investment in equity method investments. Free Cash Flow is an indicator of a company's ability to generate cash flow after spending the money required to maintain or expand its asset base. Free Cash Flow is presented based on our belief that this non-GAAP measure is useful information to investors when comparing our cash flows with the cash flows of other companies. Free Cash Flow is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities, as defined by GAAP, or as a measure of liquidity, or an alternative to net income.
 
 
Quarter Ended 
 December 31,
 
Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
(In thousands)
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
262,980

 
$
316,051

 
$
1,445,791

 
$
1,104,903

Changes in assets and liabilities
 
14,564

 
176,753

 
(85,026
)
 
163,460

Discretionary cash flow
 
277,544

 
492,804

 
1,360,765

 
1,268,363

Capital expenditures
 
(167,672
)
 
(246,967
)
 
(788,368
)
 
(894,470
)
Investment in equity method investments
 
(361
)
 
(4,397
)
 
(9,338
)
 
(77,263
)
Free cash flow
 
$
109,511

 
$
241,440

 
$
563,059

 
$
296,630

EBITDAX Calculation and Reconciliation
EBITDAX is defined as net income plus interest expense, other expense, income tax expense, depreciation, depletion and amortization (including impairments), exploration expense, gain and loss on sale of assets, non-cash gain and loss on derivative instruments, earnings and loss on equity method investments, cash distributions received from equity method investments, and stock-based compensation expense. EBITDAX is presented based on our belief that this non-GAAP measure is useful information to investors when evaluating our ability to internally fund exploration and development activities and to service or incur debt without regard to financial or capital structure. EBITDAX is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities or net income, as defined by GAAP, or as a measure of liquidity.
 
Quarter Ended
December 31,
 
Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
(In thousands)
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Net income
$
146,940

 
$
275,044

 
$
681,070

 
$
557,043

Plus (less):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
14,650

 
15,624

 
54,952

 
73,201

Other expense
144

 
116

 
574

 
463

Income tax expense
60,475

 
49,893

 
219,154

 
141,094

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
106,439

 
129,269

 
405,733

 
417,479

Exploration
5,241

 
45,654

 
20,270

 
113,820

(Gain) loss on sale of assets
(2
)
 
1,477

 
1,462

 
16,327

Non-cash (gain) loss on derivative instruments
25,677

 
(67,337
)
 
57,642

 
(86,063
)
Earnings on equity method investments
(69,302
)
 
(2,146
)
 
(80,496
)
 
(1,137
)
Equity method investment distributions

3,187

 
1,296

 
17,453

 
1,296

Stock-based compensation
6,808

 
15,516

 
30,780

 
33,147

EBITDAX
$
300,257

 
$
464,406

 
$
1,408,594

 
$
1,266,670

Net Debt Reconciliation
The total debt to total capitalization ratio is calculated by dividing total debt by the sum of total debt and total stockholders’ equity. This ratio is a measurement which is presented in our annual and interim filings and we believe this ratio is useful to investors in determining our leverage. Net Debt is calculated by subtracting cash and cash equivalents from total debt. Net Debt and the Net Debt to Adjusted Capitalization ratio are non-GAAP measures which we believe are also useful to investors since we have the ability to and may decide to use a portion of our cash and cash equivalents to retire debt. Additionally, as we may incur additional expenditures without increasing debt, it is appropriate to apply cash and cash equivalents to debt in calculating the Net Debt to Adjusted Capitalization ratio.
(In thousands)
December 31,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
Current portion of long-term debt
$
87,000

 
$

Long-term debt, net
1,133,025

 
1,226,104

Total debt
$
1,220,025

 
$
1,226,104

Stockholders’ equity
2,151,487

 
2,088,159

Total capitalization
$
3,371,512

 
$
3,314,263

 
 
 
 
Total debt
$
1,220,025

 
$
1,226,104

Less: Cash and cash equivalents
(200,227
)
 
(2,287
)
Net debt
$
1,019,798

 
$
1,223,817

 
 
 
 
Net debt
$
1,019,798

 
$
1,223,817

Stockholders’ equity
2,151,487

 
2,088,159

Total adjusted capitalization
$
3,171,285

 
$
3,311,976

 
 
 
 
Total debt to total capitalization ratio
36.2
%
 
37.0
%
Less: Impact of cash and cash equivalents
4.0
%
 
%
Net debt to adjusted capitalization ratio
32.2
%
 
37.0
%
Capital Expenditures
 
 
Quarter Ended December 31,
 
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
(In thousands)
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Cash paid for capital expenditures
 
$
167,672

 
$
246,967

 
$
788,368

 
$
894,470

Change in accrued capital costs
 
(4,306
)
 
17,326

 
(2,870
)
 
19,346

Exploratory dry hole cost
 
(2,220
)
 
(41,316
)
 
(2,236
)
 
(97,741
)
Capital expenditures
 
$
161,146

 
$
222,977

 
$
783,262

 
$
816,075


12



Finding and Development Costs
Drill-Bit Finding and Development Cost is defined as costs incurred in exploration and development activities as defined by GAAP divided by reserve extensions, discoveries and other additions. All-Sources Finding and Development Cost is defined as costs incurred in property acquisition, exploration and development activities, as defined by GAAP, divided by the total of reserve extensions, discoveries and other additions and revision of prior estimates. Drill-Bit Finding and Development Cost and All-Sources Finding and Development Cost are presented based on management's belief that these non-GAAP measures are useful information to investors to evaluate how much it costs to add proved reserves. These calculations do not include the future development costs required for the development of proved undeveloped reserves and may not be comparable to similarly titled measurements used by other companies.
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Costs incurred in oil and gas property acquisition, exploration and development activities (In thousands)
 
 
 
Exploration costs
$
20,270

 
$
94,309

Development costs
761,326

 
778,574

Exploration and development costs (A)
781,596

 
872,883

Property acquisition costs, unproved
6,072

 
29,851

Total costs incurred (B)
787,668

 
902,734

 
 
 
 
Extensions, discoveries and other additions (Bcfe) (C)
2,116

 
2,244

Revision of prior estimates (Bcfe) (D)
47

 
780

 
 
 
 
Drill-bit finding and development costs ($ per Mcfe) (A) / (C)
$
0.37

 
$
0.39

All-sources finding and development costs ($ per Mcfe) (B) / (C + D)
$
0.36

 
$
0.30


Pre-Tax Present Value of Future Net Cash Flows Calculation and Reconciliation
Pre-Tax Present Value of Future Net Cash Flows, discounted at 10% annual rate (Pre-Tax PV-10), is defined as Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows plus Future Income Tax Expenses, discounted at 10% annual rate. Year-end Pre-Tax PV-10 value is presented based on our belief that this non-GAAP measure is useful information to investors and creditors when comparing Pre-Tax PV-10 values as a basis for comparison of our relative size and value of reserves as compared with other companies. Pre-Tax PV-10 is not a measure under GAAP and should not be considered as alternative to Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows, as defined by GAAP.
(In thousands)
December 31,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows
$
5,861,117

 
$
6,483,308

Plus: Future Income Tax Expenses, discounted at 10% annual rate
1,639,288

 
1,651,488

Pre-tax Present Value of Future Net Cash Flows, discounted at 10% annual rate
$
7,500,405

 
$
8,134,796



13