Bill Barrett Corporation Reports First Quarter 2017 Financial and Operating Results

DENVER, May 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

• Production sales volumes of 1.43 MMBoe for the first quarter were at the high-end of guidance range of 1.35-1.45 MMBoe
• Capital expenditures of $59 million in the first quarter were below guidance range of $60-$65 million
• Denver-Julesburg ("DJ") Basin oil price differential averaged $2.78 per barrel; represents a 50% reduction from the first quarter of 2016
• Added 2,882 acre federal lease in DJ Basin; provides up to 50 XRL drilling locations
• Lease operating expense ("LOE") averaged $4.09 per Boe; represents 37% improvement from the first quarter of 2016
• DJ Basin LOE of $3.47 per Boe in the first quarter; represents 28% improvement from the first quarter of 2016
• Negotiated significant improvement in Utah oil contract pricing beginning May 2017; oil differential expected to average approximately $2.00/bbl
• Exited the first quarter financially well positioned with cash of $266 million and an undrawn credit facility
• Recently issued $275 million of Senior Notes due 2025; proceeds will be used with cash on hand to redeem existing $315 million of Senior Notes due 2019; extends nearest maturity to 2022

Bill Barrett Corporation (the "Company") (NYSE: BBG) reports first quarter of 2017 financial and operating results.

For the first quarter of 2017, the Company reported a net loss of $13 million, or $0.18 per diluted share. Adjusted net income (non-GAAP) for the first quarter of 2017 was a net loss of $12 million, or $0.16 per diluted share. EBITDAX for the first quarter of 2017 was $36 million. Adjusted net income (loss) and EBITDAX are non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) measures. Please reference the reconciliations to GAAP financial statements at the end of this release.

Chief Executive Officer and President Scot Woodall commented, "We're off to a good start in 2017 as we delivered production sales volumes at the upper end of our guidance range and we continue to demonstrate improvements in LOE and oil price realizations that are having a positive impact on operating margins. In the DJ Basin, we are implementing enhanced drilling and completion concepts, including higher sand concentration and tighter frac stage spacing that we anticipate will improve well performance and recovery going forward. We placed two DSUs on initial flowback during the first quarter and are on track to execute a 70-75 well program in the DJ Basin this year, including the addition of a second drilling rig during the second quarter that establishes a strong foundation of growth for 2018. We recently took advantage of changing oil market dynamics in Utah and negotiated a significant improvement in our Uinta Oil Program oil pricing contracts effective May 2017. This translates into improved well economics as we have recently initiated a recompletion program. Consistent with our strategy of maintaining balance sheet flexibility, we issued $275 million of senior notes, due 2025. The proceeds, plus cash on hand, will be used to redeem our existing $315 million of senior notes, due October 2019 and extends our nearest maturity to 2022. The reduction in debt and related extension of maturity positions us better financially for the future."

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL RESULTS

The following table summarizes certain operating and financial results for the first quarter of 2017 and 2016 and the fourth quarter of 2016:

Oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids ("NGL") production totaled approximately 1.43 million barrels of oil equivalent ("MMBoe") in the first quarter of 2017. First quarter production was at the upper end of the guidance range of 1.35-1.45 MMBoe and represents a 12% increase in production sales volumes compared to the first quarter of 2016, excluding production associated with asset sales. Higher production sales volumes relative to the comparable 2016 period were primarily the result of production volumes associated with XRL wells that were placed on production during the first half of 2016, while the sequential decline is primarily due to natural declines, as no new wells were placed on production during the second half of 2016.

First quarter production was 58% oil, 22% natural gas and 20% NGLs. First quarter sales volumes had a higher natural gas component than previous quarters as a result of no new XRL wells being placed on production during the second half of 2016. The Company anticipates that the oil component of total production will increase as additional XRL wells are placed on production during 2017.

Cash operating costs (lease operating expense ("LOE"), gathering, transportation and processing costs and production tax expense) averaged $4.65 per Boe in the first quarter of 2017, a 32% reduction compared to the first quarter of 2016, when cash operating costs averaged $6.81 per Boe.

LOE averaged $4.09 per Boe in the first quarter of 2017 compared to $6.46 per Boe in the first quarter of 2016. LOE in the DJ Basin averaged $3.47 per Boe in the first quarter of 2017 compared to $4.80 per Boe in the first quarter of 2016. The year-over-year reduction was a result of improved operational efficiencies, disposition of higher LOE wells in the Uinta Oil Program ("UOP") and lease operating cost reductions in both the DJ Basin and the UOP.

The decrease in production tax expense compared to the fourth quarter of 2016 is related to an annual adjustment of Colorado ad valorem tax based on actual assessments and of the related Colorado severance tax credit adjustment.

Debt and Liquidity

At March 31, 2017, the principal debt balance was $718.5 million, while cash and cash equivalents were $265.9 million, resulting in net debt (principal balance of debt outstanding less the cash and cash equivalents balance) of $452.6 million. Cash and cash equivalents were reduced subsequent to the end of the quarter as the Company made regularly scheduled interest payments of approximately $26 million related to its Senior Notes due 2019 and 2022.

The Company is undergoing its semi-annual borrowing base review and expects that its current borrowing base of $300 million will remain unchanged upon completion of the review. The Company has $274 million in available borrowing capacity, after taking into account a $26 million letter of credit.

On April 28, 2017, the Company closed on an offering of $275 million in aggregate principal amount of 8.75% senior unsecured notes due 2025. Net proceeds from the offering, together with available cash on hand, will be used to reduce long-term debt through the redemption of the outstanding 7.625% Senior Notes due 2019 and and the outstanding 5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures for the first quarter of 2017 totaled $59.2 million, which was below the Company's guidance range of $60-65 million. The Company operated one drilling rig during the quarter and spud 5 XRL and 9 mid-reach lateral ("MRL") wells. In addition, completion operations were finalized on 13 XRL wells. Capital expenditures for the first quarter consisted of $45.1 million for drilling and completions, $13.5 million for previously announced DJ Basin acreage acquisitions, and $0.6 million for infrastructure and corporate assets.

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

DJ Basin

The Company produced an average of 14,187 Boe/d in the first quarter of 2017, which was 22% greater than the first quarter of 2016 average of 11,670 Boe/d. The Company achieved this growth despite a reduction in drilling activity for approximately two quarters in 2016 due to low oil prices. Drilling activity was resumed in September 2016 and two DSUs were placed on initial flowback during the first quarter. The Company is currently operating one drilling rig and plans to add a second rig during the second quarter of 2017.

The following provides a synopsis of the current DSU activity:

• 4-62-20 - the DSU is located within the southern area of NE Wattenberg and includes 4 XRL wells, which incorporated increased proppant of up to 1,200 pounds of sand per lateral foot. The wells were placed on initial flowback in February 2017.
• 5-62-27 - the DSU is located within the central area of NE Wattenberg and includes 9 XRL wells, which incorporated increased proppant of approximately 1,500 pounds of sand per lateral foot. The wells were placed on initial flowback in March 2017.
• 6-62-10/6-62-11 - the DSU is located within the northern area of NE Wattenberg and includes 4 XRL wells. An additional 10 MRL wells, with a lateral length of approximately 7,300 feet, were drilled to develop the DSU based on lease configuration. The wells are scheduled to be placed on initial flowback during the second quarter of 2017. Completion operations will incorporate enhanced proppant of up to 1,500 pounds of sand per lateral foot and a reduction in frac spacing from approximately 175 feet between stages to approximately 100-140 feet per stage.
• 5-63-32 - the DSU is located within the western area of NE Wattenberg and includes 5 XRL wells. Drilling operations commenced in the second quarter and the wells are scheduled to be placed on initial flowback in the third quarter of 2017. The wells will incorporate enhanced proppant of up to 1,500 pounds of sand per lateral foot and frac spacing of approximately 100-120 feet between stages.
• XRL well drilling days to rig release have averaged approximately 6.7 days per well during 2017, including a best-in-class well that was drilled in approximately 5.6 days. This represents a 26% improvement over 2016. In addition, average feet drilled per day for an XRL well has increased 37% to 3,661 feet drilled per day compared to the 2016 average of 2,668 feet drilled per day.
• Drilling and completion costs for the most recent XRL wells averaged approximately $4.5 million per well, which includes the cost of incorporating higher proppant concentrations.

Pursuant to the Right-of-Way Leasing Act, the Company was issued a 2,882 acre federal lease under the Riverside Reservoir in the middle of its central and southern acreage area at a de minimis minimum bid purchase amount. The Company is engaged in forming a unit containing this acreage, which will provide up to 50 XRL drilling locations.

Uinta Oil Program

Production sales volumes averaged 1,711 Boe/d (94% oil) during the first quarter of 2017. The Company has begun a nine well recompletion program. The Company recently took advantage of changing market dynamics to negotiate new marketing contracts and expects that oil price differentials will average approximately $2.00 per barrel beginning May 1, 2017. The contracts are for a period of two years and compare favorably to an average oil price differential of $7.75 per barrel for 2016.

2017 OPERATING GUIDANCE

The Company is providing the following update to its 2017 operating guidance. See "Forward-Looking Statements" below.

• Capital expenditures of $255-$285 million, unchanged 
• Second quarter capital expenditures are expected to total $65-$75 million
• Production of 6.0-6.5 MMBoe, unchanged
• Second quarter production sales volumes are expected to approximate 1.45-1.55 MMBoe
• Second quarter production is expected to be weighted approximately 60% oil
• Lease operating expense of $27-$30 million, unchanged
• General and administrative expenses of $30-$33 million, unchanged
• Gathering, transportation and processing costs of $2-$3 million, unchanged
• Unused commitment for firm natural gas transportation charges of $18-$19 million, unchanged

COMMODITY HEDGES UPDATE

The following table summarizes the hedge position as of May 2, 2017:

Realized sales prices will reflect basis differentials from the index prices to the sales location.

UPCOMING EVENTS

First Quarter Conference Call and Webcast

The Company plans to host a conference call on Wednesday, May 3, 2017, to discuss the results and management's outlook. The call is scheduled at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time (8:00 a.m. Mountain time). Please join the webcast conference call live or for replay via the Internet at www.billbarrettcorp.com, accessible from the home page. To join by telephone, call (855) 760-8152 ((631) 485-4979 international callers) with passcode 10337349. The webcast will remain on the Company's website for approximately 7 days and a replay of the call will be available through May 10, 2017 at (855) 859-2056 ((404) 537-3406 international) with passcode 10337349.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Words such as expects, forecast, guidance, anticipates, intends, plans, believes, seeks, estimates and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements herein; however, these are not the exclusive means of identifying forward-looking statements. In particular, the Company is providing "2017 Operating Guidance," which contains projections for certain 2017 operational and financial metrics. Additional forward-looking statements in this release relate to, among other things, future capital expenditures, costs, projects and opportunities.

These and other forward-looking statements in this press release are based on management's judgment as of the date of this release and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary significantly from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Please refer to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 filed with the SEC, and other filings, including our Current Reports on Form 8-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, all of which are incorporated by reference herein, for further discussion of risk factors that may affect the forward-looking statements. The Company encourages you to consider the risks and uncertainties associated with projections and other forward-looking statements and to not place undue reliance on any such statements. In addition, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly revise or update any forward-looking statements based on future events or circumstances.

ABOUT BILL BARRETT CORPORATION

Bill Barrett Corporation (NYSE: BBG), headquartered in Denver, Colorado, develops oil and natural gas in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. Additional information about the Company may be found on its website www.billbarrettcorp.com.

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SOURCE Bill Barrett Corporation