St. Mary Reports Results for Third Quarter 2007 and Provides Guidance Update

St. Mary Land & Exploration Company (NYSE: SM) today reports net income of $57.7 million, or $0.89 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2007. "The third quarter was a solid quarter for St. Mary. We grew production for the seventh consecutive quarter and set a new quarterly production record for the Company. The management team is focused on delivering solid results with an eye toward improving our capital efficiency and our operating cost structure. We continued to make progress in a number of key resource areas and expanded our presence in the Olmos shallow gas play with an acquisition in South Texas which we closed in early October. I am pleased with the Company’s pace and direction,” commented Tony Best, President and CEO. THIRD QUARTER RESULTS St. Mary announces third quarter 2007 earnings of $57.7 million or $0.89 per diluted share. Third quarter 2006 earnings were $55.9 million or $0.88 per diluted share. Adjusted net income, which adjusts for significant non-cash and non-recurring items, was $57.8 million or $0.89 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2007 compared to $53.0 million or $0.83 per diluted share for the comparable period in 2006. Discretionary cash flow increased to $162.3 million in the third quarter of 2007 from $140.5 million in the same period of the preceding year, an increase of 16 percent. Net cash provided by operating activities increased to $191.7 million in the third quarter of 2007 from $101.2 million in the third quarter of 2006. Adjusted net income and discretionary cash flow are non-GAAP financial measures – please refer to the respective reconciliation for the nearest comparable GAAP financial measure in the Financial Highlights section at the end of this release, which contains explanations as to why the Company believes these non-GAAP measures are meaningful. Revenues for the third quarter of 2007 were $246.7 million compared to $198.0 million in the comparable period of 2006. Oil and gas production during the third quarter of 2007 averaged a quarterly record of 298.4 million cubic feet of gas equivalent per day (MMCFE/d), an increase of 19% from 251.7 MMCFE/d in the third quarter of 2006 period and 4% higher than the 286.1 MMCFE/d in the second quarter of 2007. Average realized prices, inclusive of hedging activities, were $7.03 per Mcf and $67.56 per barrel during the third quarter of 2007. These were 2% lower and 10% higher, respectively, than the realized prices in the third quarter of 2006. Average prices, excluding hedging activities, were $5.98 per Mcf and $71.68 per barrel during the quarter, which were 7% lower and 10% higher, respectively, than the same quarter last year. The Company’s natural gas realizations continue to benefit from high Btu gas in several of our regions, which is being processed to extract the natural gas liquids. The prices for natural gas liquids have trended with crude oil prices, thus benefiting from the rise in oil prices in recent months. Total lease operating and transportation expense was up slightly between the third quarters of 2007 and 2006 on a per MCFE basis. A large unplanned workover at Judge Digby accounted for $0.03 per MCFE of this increase. The increase in depletion and depreciation expense from the third quarter of 2006 to the third quarter of 2007 reflects the higher finding cost environment experienced by the industry in recent years to acquire and develop properties. Exploration expense for the current quarter came in below guidance due to lower than expected geologic-related costs in the period. Year over year, the overall increase in exploration expense is the result of increased levels of technical headcount, higher NPP payments, and 3D seismic work in the Mid-Continent region. General and administrative expense for the third quarter of 2007 was slightly higher than guidance as a result of higher than budgeted cash and stock-based compensation costs associated with increased headcount and the fact that a portion of stock-based compensation expense moves directionally with the Company’s share price. The variance between the 2007 and 2006 general and administrative expense predominately reflects the increase in personnel mentioned above as well as the incremental costs associated with supporting and providing office space for those individuals. GUIDANCE UPDATE The Company’s forecasts for the fourth quarter and the full year 2007 are shown below.   4th Quarter   Year Oil and gas production 27.0 - 28.0 BCFE 106.0 - 107.0 BCFE Lease operating expenses, including transportation $1.35 - $1.39/MCFE $1.41 - $1.43/MCFE Production taxes $0.69 - $0.72/MCFE $0.58 - $0.60/MCFE General and administrative exp. $0.47 - $0.51/MCFE $0.47 - $0.49/MCFE Depreciation, depletion, & amort. $2.10 - $2.20/MCFE $2.06 - $2.11/MCFE St. Mary estimates the basis differential (the difference between estimated realized oil and gas prices, before hedging, and the applicable NYMEX prices) for the fourth quarter of 2007 will be $5.50 to $6.50 per barrel of oil and $0.50 to $0.60 per Mcf of gas. Below is an updated summary hedging schedule for the Company. All the prices in the table below have been converted to a NYMEX equivalent for ease of comparison using current quality and transportation differentials. The majority of the oil trades are settled against NYMEX. The gas contracts have been executed to settle against regional delivery points that correspond with production areas of the Company, thereby reducing basis risk. For detailed schedules on the Company’s hedging program, please refer to the Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2007, which is expected to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about November 2, 2007. Oil Swaps - NYMEX Equivalent   Oil Collars - NYMEX Equivalent           Bbls $/Bbl Bbls $/Bbl $/Bbl 2007 2007 Q4 504,620 $ 65.36 Q4 689,000 $ 51.58 $ 72.81 2008 2008 Q1 538,000 $ 70.39 Q1 415,000 $ 50.00 $ 69.83 Q2 504,000 $ 70.26 Q2 415,000 $ 50.00 $ 69.83 Q3 483,000 $ 70.44 Q3 419,000 $ 50.00 $ 69.82 Q4 420,000 $ 69.15 Q4 419,000 $ 50.00 $ 69.82 2009 1,363,000 $ 67.74 2009 1,526,000 $ 50.00 $ 67.31 2010 1,239,000 $ 66.47 2010 1,367,500 $ 50.00 $ 64.91 2011 1,032,000 $ 65.36 2011 1,236,000 $ 50.00 $ 63.70   Natural Gas Swaps - NYMEX Equivalent Natural Gas Collars - NYMEX Equivalent   MMBTU $/MMBTU MMBTU $/MMBTU $/MMBTU 2007 2007 Q4 5,440,000 $ 9.11 Q4 3,000,000 $ 8.56 $ 10.51 2008 2008 Q1 4,190,000 $ 9.65 Q1 2,722,500 $ 7.22 $ 10.36 Q2 4,120,000 $ 8.12 Q2 2,722,500 $ 7.27 $ 10.42 Q3 4,100,000 $ 8.22 Q3 2,737,500 $ 7.18 $ 10.33 Q4 4,290,000 $ 9.08 Q4 2,737,500 $ 7.46 $ 10.61 2009 13,470,000 $ 8.71 2009 9,110,000 $ 6.17 $ 10.17 2010 4,670,000 $ 8.29 2010 7,825,000 $ 6.10 $ 8.39 2011 880,000 $ 6.96 2011 6,625,000 $ 6.08 $ 7.32   Natural Gas Liquid Swaps - Mont. Belvieu   Bbls $/Bbl 2007 Q4 132,888 $ 39.49 2008 Q1 151,321 $ 39.54 Q2 170,167 $ 39.49 Q3 194,112 $ 39.25 Q4 217,148 $ 38.63 2009 627,179 $ 38.61 CONFERENCE CALL As previously announced, St. Mary’s teleconference call to discuss third quarter results is scheduled for November 2, 2007, at 8:00 am (MDT). The call participation number is 888-424-5231. A digital recording of the conference call will be available two hours after the completion of the call, 24 hours per day through November 16 at 800-642-1687, conference number 19138412. International participants can dial 706-634-6088 to take part in the conference call and can access a replay of the call at 706-645-9291, conference number 19138412. In addition, the call will be broadcast live at St. Mary’s website at www.stmaryland.com and the earnings press release and financial highlights attachment will be available before the call at www.stmaryland.com under "News-Press Releases.” An audio recording of the conference call will be available at that site through November 16. INFORMATION ABOUT FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of securities laws, including forecasts and projections. The words "will,” "believe,” ”budget,” "anticipate,” "intend,” "estimate,” "forecast,” ”plan” and "expect” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. Although St. Mary believes the expectations and forecasts reflected in these statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks, which may cause St. Mary’s actual results to differ materially from results expressed or implied by the forward looking statements. These risks include such factors as the volatility and level of oil and natural gas prices, the availability of economically attractive exploration and development and property acquisition opportunities and any necessary financing, the uncertain nature of the expected benefits from the acquisition of oil and gas properties and the ability to successfully integrate acquisitions, the pending nature of the announced divestiture of non-core oil and gas properties as well as the ability to complete the transaction, the uncertain nature of the expected benefits from the divestiture of oil and gas properties and the amount of expected proceeds to be received from the divestiture, lower prices realized on oil and gas sales resulting from our commodity price risk management activities, unsuccessful exploration and development drilling, the imprecise nature of estimating oil and natural gas reserves, uncertainties inherent in projecting future rates of production from drilling activities and acquisitions, drilling and operating service availability, uncertainties in cash flow, the financial strength of hedge contract counterparties, the negative impact that lower oil and natural gas prices could have on our ability to borrow, litigation, environmental matters, the potential impact of government regulations, and other such matters discussed in the "Risk Factors” section of St. Mary’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K/A and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC. Although St. Mary may from time to time voluntarily update its prior forward looking statements, it disclaims any commitment to do so except as required by securities laws. ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS September 30, 2007 (Unaudited)             Production Data For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30,         2007 2006 Percent Change   2007 2006 Percent Change   Average realized sales price, before hedging: Oil (per Bbl) $ 71.68 $ 65.02 10% $ 61.97 $ 61.83 0% Gas (per Mcf) $ 5.98 $ 6.41 -7% $ 6.62 $ 6.70 -1%   Average realized sales price, net of hedging: Oil (per Bbl) $ 67.56 $ 61.28 10% $ 60.18 $ 58.41 3% Gas (per Mcf) $ 7.03 $ 7.14 -2% $ 7.57 $ 7.44 2% Production: Oil (MBbls) 1,796 1,496 20% 5,203 4,454 17% Gas (MMcf) 16,675 14,182 18% 47,743 40,994 16% MMCFE (6:1) 27,453 23,160 19% 78,962 67,717 17%   Daily production: Oil (Bbls per day) 19,526 16,265 20% 19,060 16,314 17% Gas (Mcf per day) 181,249 154,154 18% 174,881 150,162 16% MCFE per day (6:1) 298,405 251,742 19% 289,240 248,046 17%   Margin analysis per MCFE: Average realized sales price, before hedging $ 8.32 $ 8.12 2% $ 8.08 $ 8.12 0%   Average realized price, net of hedging $ 8.69 $ 8.33 4% $ 8.54 $ 8.34 2% Lease operating expense and transportation 1.46 1.40 4% 1.45 1.37 6% Production taxes 0.54 0.54 0% 0.55 0.54 2% General and administrative 0.48 0.42 14% 0.48 0.46 4% Operating margin $ 6.21 $ 5.97 4% $ 6.06 $ 5.97 2% Depletion, depreciation, amortization, and asset retirement obligation liability accretion $ 2.15 $ 1.72 25% $ 2.06 $ 1.63 26% ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS September 30, 2007 (Unaudited)             Consolidated Statements of Operations (In thousands, except per share amounts) For the Three Months For the Nine Months Ended September 30, Ended September 30, 2007 2006 2007 2006 Operating revenues: Oil and gas production revenue $ 228,497 $ 188,159 $ 638,357 $ 550,181 Realized oil and gas hedge gain 10,173 4,828 36,160 14,808 Marketed gas system revenue 7,414 3,852 31,240 13,086 Gain on sale of proved properties - 801 - 7,233 Other revenue 603   400   9,090   (299 ) Total operating revenues 246,687   198,040   714,847   585,009     Operating expenses: Oil and gas production expense 54,970 44,998 157,618 129,490 Depletion, depreciation, amortization, and asset retirement obligation liability accretion 59,061 39,817 162,677 110,118 Exploration 15,257 9,766 49,669 35,872 Impairment of proved properties - 5,259 - 6,548 Abandonment and impairment of unproved properties 937 920 3,886 3,368 General and administrative 13,110 9,725 37,948 30,940 Change in Net Profits Plan liability 3,143 (3,710 ) 6,948 17,370 Marketed gas system expense 7,278 3,133 29,454 11,149 Unrealized derivative loss (gain) (2,880 ) 68 2,224 5,329 Other expense 460   842   1,577   1,832   Total operating expenses 151,336   110,818   452,001   352,016     Income from operations 95,351 87,222 262,846 232,993   Nonoperating income (expense): Interest income 355 90 612 1,454 Interest expense (4,082 ) (2,170 ) (13,885 ) (5,098 )   Income before income taxes 91,624 85,142 249,573 229,349 Income tax expense (33,971 ) (29,265 ) (92,735 ) (82,866 )   Net income $ 57,653   $ 55,877   $ 156,838   $ 146,483     Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding 63,424   55,398   61,364   56,564     Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding 64,727   64,926   64,917   66,332     Basic net income per common share $ 0.91   $ 1.01   $ 2.56   $ 2.59     Diluted net income per common share $ 0.89   $ 0.88   $ 2.43   $ 2.25   ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS September 30, 2007 (Unaudited)     Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands) September 30, December 31, ASSETS 2007 2006 Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 17,240 $ 1,464 Short-term investments 1,158 1,450 Accounts receivable 150,699 142,721 Refundable income taxes 3,097 7,684 Prepaid expenses and other 18,587 17,485 Accrued derivative asset 32,045 56,136 Deferred income taxes 4,186   -   Total current assets 227,012   226,940     Property and equipment (successful efforts method), at cost: Proved oil and gas properties 2,405,243 2,063,911 Less - accumulated depletion, depreciation, and amortization (753,914 ) (630,051 ) Unproved oil and gas properties, net of impairment allowance of $10,210 in 2007 and $9,425 in 2006 117,493 100,118 Wells in progress 154,430 97,498 Oil and gas properties held for sale less accumulated depletion, depreciation, and amortization 74,076 - Other property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $11,298 in 2007 and $9,740 in 2006 9,074   6,988   2,006,402   1,638,464     Noncurrent assets: Goodwill 9,452 9,452 Accrued derivative asset 14,775 16,939 Other noncurrent assets 28,360   7,302   Total noncurrent assets 52,587   33,693     Total Assets $ 2,286,001   $ 1,899,097     LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 236,044 $ 171,834 Short-term note payable - 4,469 Accrued derivative liability 43,796 13,100 Deferred income taxes -   14,667   Total current liabilities 279,840   204,070     Noncurrent liabilities: Long-term credit facility 155,000 334,000 Senior convertible notes 287,500 99,980 Asset retirement obligation 77,258 77,242 Asset retirement obligation associated with oil and gas properties held for sale 7,827 - Net Profits Plan liability 167,531 160,583 Deferred income taxes 281,250 224,518 Accrued derivative liability 88,111 46,432 Other noncurrent liabilities 8,490   8,898   Total noncurrent liabilities 1,072,967   951,653     Stockholders' equity: Common stock, $0.01 par value: authorized - 200,000,000 shares; issued: 63,733,590 shares in 2007 and 55,251,733 shares in 2006; outstanding, net of treasury shares: 62,725,278 shares in 2007 and 55,001,733 shares in 2006 637 553 Additional paid-in capital 163,080 38,940 Treasury stock, at cost: 1,008,312 shares in 2007 and 250,000 shares in 2006 (29,126 ) (4,272 ) Retained earnings 845,786 695,224 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (47,183 ) 12,929   Total stockholders' equity 933,194   743,374     Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 2,286,001   $ 1,899,097   ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS September 30, 2007 (Unaudited)             Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands) For the Three Months For the Nine Months Ended September 30, Ended September 30, 2007 2006 2007 2006   Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Net income $ 57,653 $ 55,877 $ 156,838 $ 146,483 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Gain on insurance settlement (15 ) - (6,340 ) - Gain on sale of proved properties - (801 ) - (7,233 ) Depletion, depreciation, amortization, and asset retirement obligation liability accretion 59,061 39,817 162,677 110,118 Exploratory dry hole expense 1,494 393 12,714 4,033 Impairment of proved properties - (1,289 ) - - Abandonment and impairment of unproved properties 937 7,467 3,886 9,915 Unrealized derivative loss (gain) (2,880 ) 68 2,224 5,329 Change in Net Profits Plan liability 3,143 (3,710 ) 6,948 17,370 Stock-based compensation expense 2,327 2,587 8,606 8,979 Deferred income taxes 26,832 29,929 79,289 64,612 Other (2,472 ) 1,001 (5,168 ) 398 Changes in current assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (12,715 ) (18,871 ) (208 ) 30,810 Refundable income taxes 3,812 (3,163 ) 4,587 (21,495 ) Prepaid expenses and other 33,155 (6,370 ) 28,035 (15,048 ) Accounts payable and accrued expenses 25,225 (864 ) 27,552 (21,612 ) Income tax benefit from the exercise of stock options (3,896 ) (874 ) (7,658 ) (15,110 ) Net cash provided by operating activities 191,661   101,197   473,982   317,549     Cash flows from investing activities: Proceeds from insurance settlement 15 - 7,064 - Proceeds from sale of oil and gas properties - 1,001 324 1,183 Capital expenditures (221,128 ) (112,412 ) (500,111 ) (293,977 ) Acquisition of oil and gas properties (1,600 ) (5,162 ) (32,650 ) (9,933 ) Deposits for acquisition of oil and gas assets (15,310 ) - (15,310 ) - Deposits to short-term investments available-for-sale (15 ) - (1,153 ) - Receipts from short-term investments available-for-sale - - 1,450 - Other 12   57   29   79   Net cash used in investing activities (238,026 ) (116,516 ) (540,357 ) (302,648 )   Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from credit facility 261,000 230,000 553,914 338,000 Repayment of credit facility (202,000 ) (215,000 ) (732,914 ) (272,000 ) Repayment of short-term note payable - - (4,469 ) - Income tax benefit from the exercise of stock options 3,896 874 7,658 15,110 Proceeds from issuance of convertible debt - net (530 ) - 280,664 - Proceeds from sale of common stock 964 1,127 6,342 16,046 Repurchase of common stock (25,904 ) (2,492 ) (25,904 ) (123,108 ) Dividends paid -   1   (3,140 ) (2,858 ) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 37,426   14,510   82,151   (28,810 )   Net change in cash and cash equivalents (8,939 ) (809 ) 15,776 (13,909 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 26,179   1,825   1,464   14,925   Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 17,240   $ 1,016   $ 17,240   $ 1,016   ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS September 30, 2007 (Unaudited)             Discretionary Cash Flow (In thousands)   Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities (GAAP) to Discretionary Cash Flow (Non-GAAP): For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 2006 2007 2006 Net cash provided by operating activities (GAAP) $ 191,661 $ 101,197 $ 473,982 $ 317,549   Gain on insurance settlement $ 15 $ - $ 6,340 $ - Gain on sale of proved properties $ - $ 801 $ - $ 7,233 Exploration expense, excluding exploratory dry hole expense $ 13,763 $ 9,374 $ 36,955 $ 31,839 Other $ 2,472 $ (1,001 ) $ 5,168 $ (398 ) Changes in current assets and liabilities (45,581 ) 30,142   (52,308 ) 42,455   Discretionary cash flow (Non-GAAP) (1) $ 162,330   $ 140,513   $ 470,137   $ 398,678     (1) Discretionary cash flow is computed as net income plus depreciation, depletion, amortization, ARO liability accretion, impairments, deferred taxes, exploration expense, stock-based compensation expense, and non-cash changes in the Net Profits Plan liability less the effect of unrealized derivative (gain) loss. The non-GAAP measure of discretionary cash flow is presented since management believes that it provides useful additional information to investors for analysis of St. Mary’s ability to internally generate funds for exploration, development, and acquisitions. In addition, discretionary cash flow is widely used by professional research analysts and others in the valuation, comparison, and investment recommendations of companies in the oil and gas exploration and production industry, and many investors use the published research of industry research analysts in making investment decisions. Discretionary cash flow should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income, income from operations, net cash provided by operating activities or other income, profitability, cash flow, or liquidity measures prepared under GAAP. Since discretionary cash flow excludes some, but not all, items that affect net income and net cash provided by operating activities and may vary among companies, the discretionary cash flow amounts presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. See the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows herein for more detailed cash flow information.     Adjusted Net Income (In thousands, except per share data)   Reconciliation of Net Income (GAAP) to Adjusted Net Income (Non-GAAP): For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 2006 2007 2006   Reported Net Income (GAAP) $ 57,653 $ 55,877 $ 156,838 $ 146,483   Change in Net Profits Plan liability 3,143 (3,710 ) 6,948 17,370 Unrealized derivative loss (gain) (2,880 ) 68 2,224 5,329 Gain on sale of proved properties - (801 ) - (7,233 ) Gain on insurance settlement (2) (15 ) - (6,340 ) -         Total of Adjustments 248   (4,443 ) 2,832   15,466     Benefit (expense) from tax effect on adjustments (92 ) 1,527 (1,052 ) (5,588 )         Adjusted Net Income (Non-GAAP) (3) $ 57,809   $ 52,961   $ 158,618   $ 156,361     Adjusted Net Income Per Share (Non-GAAP) Basic $ 0.91   $ 0.96   $ 2.58   $ 2.76   Diluted $ 0.89   $ 0.83   $ 2.46   $ 2.40     Average Number of Shares Outstanding Basic 63,424   55,398   61,364   56,564   Diluted 64,727   64,926   64,917   66,332     (2) Included within line item Other revenue on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.   (3) Adjusted net income is calculated as net income adjusted for significant non-cash and non-recurring items. Examples of non-cash charges include non-cash gains or losses resulting from changes in the Net Profits Plan liability and unrealized derivative gains and losses. Examples of non-recurring items include gains from sales of properties and insurance settlements. The non-GAAP measure of adjusted net income is presented because management believes it provides useful additional information to investors for analysis of St. Mary’s fundamental business on a recurring basis. In addition, management believes that adjusted net income is widely used by professional research analysts and others in the valuation, comparison, and investment recommendations of companies in the oil and gas exploration and production industry, and many investors use the published research of industry research analysts in making investment decisions. Adjusted net income should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income, income from operations, cash provided by operating activities or other income, profitability, cash flow, or liquidity measures prepared under GAAP. Since adjusted net income excludes some, but not all, items that affect net income and may vary among companies, the adjusted net income amounts presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.