Atlas Energy Resources, LLC Reports Record Financial Results for the First Quarter 2008

Atlas Energy Resources, LLC (NYSE:ATN) (the "Company”) today reported financial results for the first quarter 2008. The highlights of the results of the first quarter 2008 include: --   Adjusted earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"), a non-GAAP measure, of $79.0 million, as compared with $27.3 million for the first quarter 2007, an increase of $51.7 million, or approximately 189%. The increase over the prior year was primarily related to the addition of the Company's Michigan segment operations, growth in Appalachian production approximating 26% and a 30% increase in gross margin generated from partnership management fee sources. A reconciliation from net income to Adjusted EBITDA is provided in the financial tables of this release;   -- Distributable cash flow of $53.5 million, an increase of $35.4 million, or 196%, compared to the prior year quarter, and an increase of $7.7 million, or 17%, compared to the fourth quarter 2007. A reconciliation from net income to distributable cash flow is provided in the financial tables of this release;   -- Net income of $37.5 million, an increase of $17.6 million, or approximately 88%, over the prior year comparable period;   -- Revenues of $194.6 million, an increase of $89.4 million, or approximately 85%, compared to the first quarter 2007. Based on the financial results for the first quarter 2008, the Company declared a record quarterly cash distribution of $0.59 per unit for the period. This distribution reflects an approximate 37% increase compared to the first quarter 2007, which was the Company’s first full quarter of operations following its initial public offering in December 2006. This quarter’s distribution will be paid on May 15, 2008 to unitholders of record as of May 7, 2008. In addition, the Company has increased its distribution coverage ratio to 1.4x for the current quarter compared with a 1.3x distribution coverage ratio for the fourth quarter 2007 and a 1.1x coverage ratio for the first quarter 2007. First Quarter 2008 Operating Highlights --   Atlas Energy continued to expand its acreage position and development activities in the Marcellus Shale:   --  The Company has drilled 52 vertical and one horizontal Marcellus Shale wells to date and is currently producing 34 vertical wells and one horizontal well into a pipeline (18 wells are waiting on completion);   --  Atlas Energy currently controls approximately 516,000 Marcellus acres in Pennsylvania, New York and West Virginia, of which approximately 242,000 of these acres are located in the Company's core Marcellus Shale position in southwestern Pennsylvania;   --  The Company continues to realize average peak production rates (24 hours into a pipeline) of over one million cubic feet ("Mmcf") per day, with its best wells having initial peak rates of over 2 Mmcf per day.   -- Net natural gas production in Appalachia increased over 26% to approximately 32.7 million cubic feet equivalents ("Mmcfe") per day compared to the prior year first quarter due primarily to the Company's expanding drilling programs and increasing production from the Marcellus Shale;   -- Gross margin from partnership management fee sources increased approximately 30% in the first quarter 2008 compared to the prior year first quarter;   -- The Company began fundraising for Atlas Energy's Public #17-2007 (B) drilling program, which is targeted to raise approximately $236 million in investor funds, representing the Company's largest individual fundraising to date;   -- At March 31, 2008, the Company held a total acreage position of approximately 1,102,000 net acres, of which 614,000 are undeveloped, an increase of 87% from the net acreage position at March 31, 2007 and a 12% increase from December 31, 2007. Appalachia Segment Results --   The Company drilled 250 gross wells in Appalachia during the first quarter 2008, including 30 wells drilled into the Marcellus Shale. The Company connected 271 wells to its gathering systems during the first quarter 2008, compared to 197 wells in the first quarter 2007.   -- Gross margin from partnership management fee sources increased by 30% in the first quarter 2008 compared to the prior year first quarter, resulting from increases in well construction revenues, well servicing revenues and administrative and oversight fees.   -- Natural gas and oil production in the Appalachian segment was approximately 32.7 Mmcfe per day for first quarter 2008, an increase of 6.8 Mmcfe per day from the first quarter 2007.   -- As of March 31, 2008, the Company held approximately 827,000 net acres in the Appalachian Basin, of which approximately 571,000 acres were undeveloped, an increase of 28% from the net acreage position at March 31, 2007 and a 10% increase from December 31, 2007.   -- As of March 31, 2008, the Company had identified approximately 3,743 geologically favorable shallow drilling locations on its acreage in the Appalachian Basin, which does not include any locations prospective for the Marcellus Shale, and had an interest in approximately 8,500 gross producing wells in Appalachia, of which it operated approximately 85%. Michigan Segment Results --   The Company drilled 46 gross wells and connected 54 wells in Michigan during the first quarter 2008.   -- Natural gas and oil production in the Michigan segment was 59.1 Mmcfe per day for the first quarter 2008.   -- At March 31, 2008, the Company had approximately 275,000 net acres in the Antrim Shale in Michigan, of which approximately 43,000 acres were undeveloped. On this acreage, the Company had approximately 756 drilling locations in the Antrim Shale, almost all of which were proved infill locations.   -- As of March 31, 2008, the Company had an interest in approximately 2,347 gross wells in Michigan, of which it operated approximately 76%. Hedging Summary The Company entered into additional hedging contracts in the current period for its natural gas and oil production. A summary of the Company’s aggregate hedge positions as of March 31, 2008 are as follows: Natural Gas     Fixed Price Swaps Average Production Period Hedge Price (1) (3) Percentage Ended December 31, (per mcf) Hedged (2) 2008 $ 9.01 79 % 2009 $ 8.91 81 % 2010 $ 8.41 57 % 2011 $ 8.03 45 % 2012 $ 8.07 33 % 2013 $ 9.09 3 %       Costless Collars Average Average Production Period Hedge Floor (1) (3) Hedge Ceiling (1) (3) Percentage Ended December 31, (per mcf) (per mcf) Hedged (2) 2008 $ 8.36 $ 10.37 2 % 2009 - - - 2010 $ 8.66 $ 9.71 3 % 2011 $ 8.38 $ 9.39 8 % 2012 $ 7.86 $ 9.31 1 % Crude Oil     Fixed Price Swaps Average Production Period Hedge Price (1) Percentage Ended December 31, (per bbl) Hedged (2) 2008 $ 104.38 37 % 2009 $ 99.91 30 % 2010 $ 97.31 25 % 2011 $ 96.39 22 % 2012 $ 96.00 18 % 2013 $ 96.06 4 %       Costless Collars Average Average Production Period Hedge Floor (1) Hedge Ceiling (1) Percentage Ended December 31, (per bbl) (per bbl) Hedged (2) 2008 $ 85.00 $ 126.80 21 % 2009 $ 85.00 $ 118.07 18 % 2010 $ 85.00 $ 112.72 16 % 2011 $ 85.00 $ 110.72 14 % 2012 $ 85.00 $ 110.05 11 % 2013 $ 85.00 $ 110.09 2 % (1)   "Mcf” represents thousand cubic feet; "Bbl” represents barrel.   (2) Percentages hedged are based on:     Natural Gas: a) for Appalachia, actual first quarter 2008 natural gas production, and b) for Michigan, previously provided natural gas production guidance for full year 2008.   Crude Oil: actual first quarter 2008 crude oil production.   (3) Includes an estimated positive basis differential and Btu adjustment Interested parties are invited to access the live webcast of the Company’s first quarter 2008 results on Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 9:00 am ET by going to the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.atlasenergyresources.com. An audio replay of the conference call will also be available beginning at 11:00 am ET on Thursday, May 1, 2008. To access the replay, dial 1-888-286-8010 and enter conference code 67556163. Atlas Energy Resources, LLC develops and produces domestic natural gas and to a lesser extent, oil. The Company is one of the largest independent energy producers in the Appalachian Basin and northern Michigan. The Company sponsors and manages tax-advantaged investment partnerships, in which it co-invests, to finance the exploration and development of its acreage in the Appalachian Basin. The Company is active principally in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Tennessee. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.atlasenergyresources.com or contact investor relations at bbegley@atlasamerica.com. On February 1, 2008, Atlas Energy’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Atlas Resources Public #17-2007 Drilling Program Registration Statement became effective with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The second partnership in the program (Atlas Resources Public #17-2008(B) L.P.) is offering units representing up to $236 million. Atlas Energy’s subsidiary serves as managing general partner of the partnership. A written prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act may be obtained from Anthem Securities, Inc. (a subsidiary of Atlas Energy), 1550 Coraopolis Heights Rd. – 2nd Floor, Moon Township, PA 15108. Atlas America, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATLS) owns an approximate 64% limited partner interest in Atlas Pipeline Holdings, L.P. (NYSE:AHD), which holds the general partner interest and 5.5 million limited partner units of Atlas Pipeline Partners, L.P. (NYSE:APL), and an approximate 48% common unit interest and all of the Class A and management incentive interests in Atlas Energy Resources, LLC. For more information, please visit Atlas America’s website at www.atlasamerica.com, or contact Investor Relations at bbegley@atlasamerica.com. Atlas Pipeline Partners, L.P. is active in the transmission, gathering and processing segments of the midstream natural gas industry. In the Mid-Continent region of Oklahoma, Arkansas, northern and western Texas and the Texas panhandle, the Partnership owns and operates eight gas processing plants and a treating facility, as well as approximately 7,900 miles of active intrastate gas gathering pipeline and a 565-mile interstate natural gas pipeline. In Appalachia, it owns and operates approximately 1,600 miles of natural gas gathering pipelines in western Pennsylvania, western New York and eastern Ohio. For more information, visit Atlas Pipeline’s website at www.atlaspipelinepartners.com or contact bbegley@atlaspipelinepartners.com. Atlas Pipeline Holdings, L.P. is a limited partnership which owns and operates the general partner of Atlas Pipeline Partners, L.P., through which it owns a 2% general partner interest, all the incentive distribution rights and approximately 5.5 million common units of Atlas Pipeline Partners, L.P. Certain matters discussed within this press release are forward-looking statements. Although Atlas Energy Resources, LLC believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include financial performance, regulatory changes, changes in local or national economic conditions and other risks detailed from time to time in Atlas Energy’s reports filed with the SEC, including quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, reports on Form 8-K and annual reports on Form 10-K.   ATLAS ENERGY RESOURCES, LLC Financial Summary (in thousands, except per unit data)   Three Months Ended March 31, 2008   2007 REVENUES Well construction and completion $ 104,138 $ 72,378 Gas and oil production 76,226 21,260 Administration and oversight 5,017 4,544 Well services 4,798 3,721 Gathering   4,410     3,288   Total revenues   194,589     105,191     COSTS AND EXPENSES Well construction and completion 90,555 62,932 Gas and oil production 13,081 3,902 Well services 2,412 2,043 Gathering fees 4,123 3,288 General and administrative 11,792 6,899 Depreciation, depletion and amortization   21,810     5,868   Total costs and expenses   143,773     84,932     OPERATING INCOME 50,816 20,259   OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE): Interest expense (13,305 ) (410 ) Other – net   32     92   Total other income (expense)   (13,273 )   (318 )   Net income $ 37,543   $ 19,941     Allocation of net income attributable to members’ interests: Class A units $ 1,954 $ 399 Class B common units   35,589     19,542   Net income attributable to members’ interests $ 37,543   $ 19,941     Net income per Class B common: Basic $ 0.59   $ 0.53   Diluted $ 0.58   $ 0.53     Weighted Average Class B common: Basic   60,711     36,627   Diluted   61,234     36,967       March 31, December 31, 2008 2007 Balance Sheet Data (at period end): Cash and cash equivalents $ 7,612 $ 25,258 Property and equipment, net 1,733,037 1,693,467 Total assets 1,909,402 1,891,234 Total debt 829,022 740,030 Total members’ equity 731,393 836,115     ATLAS ENERGY RESOURCES, LLC Financial Information (in thousands)   Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 2007 Capital Expenditure data: Maintenance capital expenditures $ 12,975 $ 8,750 Expansion capital expenditures   42,642     13,327   Total $ 55,617   $ 22,077     Reconciliation of net income to non-GAAP measures(1): Net income $ 37,543 $ 19,941 Depreciation and amortization 21,810 5,868 Interest expense   13,305     410   EBITDA 72,658 26,219 Adjustment to reflect cash impact of derivatives (2) 5,028   — Non-cash compensation expense   1,320     1,045   Adjusted EBITDA 79,006 27,264 Interest expense (13,305 ) (410 ) Amortization of deferred financing costs 770 13 Maintenance capital expenditures   (12,975 )   (8,750 )   Distributable cash flow $ 53,496   $ 18,117     (1)   EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow are non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) financial measures under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Management of Atlas Energy believes that EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow provide additional information for evaluating the Company’s ability to make distributions to its unitholders, among other things. These measures are widely used by commercial banks, investment bankers, rating agencies and investors in evaluating performance relative to peers and pre-set performance standards. EBITDA is also a financial measurement that, with certain negotiated adjustments, is utilized within Atlas Energy financial covenants under its credit facility. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow are not measures of financial performance under GAAP and, accordingly, should not be considered as a substitute for net income, operating income, or cash flows from operating activities in accordance with GAAP.   (2) Note that this reconciling item was previously referred to as "Gain on mark-to-market derivatives” in the fourth quarter 2007 reconciliation from Adjusted EBITDA to distributable cash flow. This item represents the adjustments to reflect the cash impact of non-qualifying derivatives. Previous Company earnings releases referenced this item as "Gain on mark-to-market derivatives.” The Company received cash with respect to the settlement of non-qualifying derivatives of $5.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 (no such amounts were received for comparable prior year period). The cash received is not recognized as a gain within the Company’s statements of income. The Company’s impact from non-qualifying derivatives is the result of derivative instruments it entered into in connection with the acquisition of its Michigan assets in June 2007. As these derivatives were entered into prior to the closing of the acquisition, the derivative contracts were considered non-qualifying derivatives under GAAP and required to have their subsequent changes in their fair value recorded as gains and losses in the Company’s statements of income, for which the Company recognized a non-cash gain of $26.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2007. Upon closing of the acquisition, the derivatives were considered qualifying derivatives under GAAP with all subsequent changes in their fair value recorded within accumulated other comprehensive income in members’ equity on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. However, a portion of the cash settlement of these derivative contracts are considered non-qualifying for change in fair value of the period from the date the derivative contracts were entered into and the date of acquisition for the Michigan assets.   ATLAS ENERGY RESOURCES, LLC Operating Highlights     Three Months Ended March 31, 2008   2007 Production revenues (in thousands): Gas (1) $ 72,874 $ 19,427 Oil $ 3,351 $ 1,826   Production volume:(1) (2) (3) Appalachia: Gas (Mcfd) 30,286 23,681 Oil (Bpd)   399     359   Total (Mcfed)   32,680     25,835   Michigan:(4) Gas (Mcfd) 59,056 - Oil (Bpd)   6     -   Total (Mcfed)   59,092     -   Total (Mcfed)   91,772     25,835     Average sales prices:(3) (5) Gas (per Mcf) (6) $ 9.58 $ 9.12 Oil (per Bbl) $ 91.03 $ 56.52   Production costs:(7) As a percent of production revenues 12 % 10 % Per Mcfe (3) $ 1.11 $ 0.87   Depletion per Mcfe (3) $ 2.52 $ 2.31 (1)   Excludes sales of residual gas and sales to landowners.   (2) Production quantities consist of the sum of (i) our proportionate share of production from wells in which we have a direct interest, based on our proportionate net revenue interest in such wells, and (ii) our proportionate share of production from wells owned by the investment partnerships in which we have an interest, based on our equity interest in each such partnership and based on each partnership's proportionate net revenue interest in these wells.   (3) "Mcf" and "mcfd" represents thousand cubic feet and thousand cubic feet per day; "mcfe" and "mcfed" represents thousand cubic feet equivalent and thousand cubic feet equivalent per day, and "bbl" and "bpd" represents barrels and barrels per day. Barrels are converted to mcfe using the ratio of six mcf's to one barrel.   (4) We acquired AGO on June 29, 2007, and production volume from these assets have only been included from that date.   (5) Our average sales price before the effects of financial hedging was $8.32 and $7.85 per Mcf for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.   (6) Includes $5.0 million in derivative proceeds which were not included as revenue in the first quarter 2008. No such derivative proceeds were received during the first quarter 2007.   (7) Production costs include labor to operate the wells and related equipment, repairs and maintenance, materials and supplies, property taxes, severance taxes, insurance and production overhead.