XTO Energy Announces Record Production, Revenues and Cash Flow in Third Quarter; Expects Double-Digit Production Growth and Significant Free Cash Flow for 2010
FORT WORTH, Texas, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- XTO Energy Inc. (NYSE: XTO) today reported record third quarter 2009 production of 2.95 billion cubic feet equivalent (Bcfe) per day, up 23% from the third quarter 2008 level of 2.39 Bcfe per day, and up 2% sequentially from 2.89 Bcfe per day in second quarter 2009. Total revenues for the third quarter were a record $2.29 billion, an 8% increase from $2.13 billion the prior year. Earnings for the quarter totaled $500 million, or $0.86 per share ($0.86 diluted), a 4% decrease from third quarter 2008 earnings of $521 million, or $0.95 per share ($0.94 diluted). After adjusting for a $15 million ($9 million after tax) non-cash derivative fair value loss, adjusted earnings for third quarter 2009 were $509 million, or $0.88 per share ($0.87 diluted). Third quarter 2008 adjusted earnings were $545 million, or $0.99 per share ($0.98 diluted). (1)


Operating income for the quarter was $919 million, a 5% decrease from third quarter 2008 operating income of $969 million. Operating cash flow was a record $1.56 billion, up 3% from 2008 third quarter comparable operating cash flow of $1.52 billion. (1)


Importantly, while equivalent production increased 23%, total production expense declined $14 million or 5%, compared to the third quarter of 2008. Third quarter daily gas production averaged 2.42 Bcf, up 24% from third quarter 2008 daily production of 1.95 Bcf. Daily oil production for the third quarter was 65,822 barrels, a 14% increase from the third quarter 2008 level of 57,637 barrels. During the quarter, natural gas liquids production was 22,010 barrels per day, a 42% increase from the prior year quarter rate of 15,517 barrels per day.


"Notwithstanding volatile natural gas markets, XTO reported another quarter of record production and cash flow, demonstrating our ability to grow efficiently through the cycles. The impact of our 2008 investment and our 2009 capital program was evident during the quarter. Our disciplined internal focus on costs and returns leaves us on track for cash flow near $6 billion, more than 15% above year ago levels," stated Bob R. Simpson, Chairman and Founder. "Looking towards 2010, with about 55% of our anticipated production already hedged at $9.62 per Mcfe, we expect to deliver another year of strong financial returns and substantial free cash flow, while generating double-digit production growth."


"Our robust production growth of 23%, 13% through the drill-bit, is a testament to both the strength of our operating teams and the underlying asset base. The Company's Mid-Continent production grew 23% over the second quarter, driven by our success in the Fayetteville and Woodford shales. In the Fayetteville, daily gross operated production is now above 100 MMcfe; including our significant non-operated position, net quarterly production jumped more than 90 MMcfe year-over-year. In the Freestone Trend, gross operated daily production set another quarterly record, increasing 3% sequentially to 816 MMcf with strong results from the Farrar and Bald Prairie fields," commented Keith A. Hutton, Chief Executive Officer. "Our Haynesville Shale program is going to six rigs, with two rigs in the Shelby, Nacogdoches, and San Augustine County area, two in Panola County and two in Louisiana. Our first well in Louisiana, the recently completed McMichael #2 averaged 14.5 MMcfe/d over a two-week period. We expect to exit 2009 at a 60 to 70 MMcfe/d rate from this prolific play. In the Barnett Shale, we are holding production flat at about 610 MMcfe/d (net) while running only nine rigs against our core acreage position. In the Bakken Shale, we have drilled 19 wells year-to-date in

Source XTO Energy DOT com