PetroQuest Energy Announces Third Quarter 2018 Results


LAFAYETTE, La., Nov. 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PetroQuest Energy, Inc. (the "Company") today announced a loss to common stockholders for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 of $4,979,000, or $0.19 per share, compared to third quarter 2017 loss to common stockholders of $3,085,000, or $0.15 per share. For the first nine months of 2018, the Company reported a loss of $9,802,000, or $0.38 per share, compared to a loss of $11,387,000, or $0.54 per share, for the 2017 period.

Discretionary cash flow for the third quarter of 2018 was $2,628,000, as compared to $13,742,000 for the comparable 2017 period.  For the first nine months of 2018, discretionary cash flow was $17,205,000, as compared to $34,332,000 for the first nine months of 2017.  See the attached schedule for a reconciliation of net cash flow provided by (used in) operating activities to discretionary cash flow.

Production for the third quarter of 2018 was 5.1 Bcfe (55.4 MMcfe/d), compared to 7.5 Bcfe (81.3 MMcfe/d) for the comparable period of 2017. For the first nine months of 2018, production was 16.8 Bcfe (61.5 MMcfe/d), compared to 19.0 Bcfe (69.7 MMcfe/d) for the comparable period of 2017. The decreases in production during the 2018 periods are due primarily to the sale of the Company's Gulf of Mexico assets in January 2018 and normal production declines at our legacy Gulf Coast and East Texas fields.

Stated on an Mcfe basis, unit prices for the third quarter of 2018 were $4.09  per Mcfe, as compared to $3.77 per Mcfe in the third quarter of 2017.  For the first nine months of 2018, unit prices including the effects of hedges were $4.01 per Mcfe, as compared to $3.85 per Mcfe for the first nine months of 2017.

Oil and gas sales during the third quarter of 2018 were $20,832,000, as compared to $28,184,000 in the third quarter of 2017.  For the first nine months of 2018, oil and gas sales were $67,310,000 as compared to $73,207,000 for the first nine months of 2017.

Lease operating expenses (“LOE”) for the third quarter of 2018 decreased to $4,368,000, as compared to $8,863,000 in the third quarter of 2017. On a per unit basis LOE per Mcfe was $0.86 for the third quarter of 2018, as compared to $1.19 in the third quarter of 2017.  Lease operating expenses for the first nine months of 2018 decreased to $16,380,000, as compared to $23,052,000 in the first nine months of 2017. For the first nine months of 2018, per unit lease operating expenses were $0.98 per Mcfe compared to $1.21 per Mcfe in the first nine months of 2017. The decreases in per unit lease operating expenses for the 2018 periods are primarily a result of the divestiture of the Company's Gulf of Mexico assets in January 2018 which had a higher per unit rate as compared to the Company's onshore properties.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization (“DD&A”) on oil and gas properties for the third quarter of 2018 was $1.07 per Mcfe, as compared to $1.16 per Mcfe in the third quarter of 2017. For the first nine months of 2018, DD&A on oil and gas properties was $1.06 per Mcfe compared to $1.13 per Mcfe for the comparable period of 2017.

Interest expense for the third quarter of 2018 was $9,371,000, as compared to $7,371,000 in the third quarter of 2017. During the three month period ended September 30, 2018, capitalized interest totaled $461,000, as compared to $338,000 during the 2017 period. For the first nine months of 2018, interest expense was $24,488,000, compared to $21,776,000 for the comparable period of 2017. Interest expense during the 2018 periods included $1,635,000 of non-cash charges related to the write-off of unamortized financing costs associated with the Company's previous multi-draw first lien term loan facility.  During the nine month period ended September 30, 2018, capitalized interest totaled $1,318,000, as compared to $1,046,000 during the 2017 period.

Production taxes for the third quarter of 2018 totaled $890,000, as compared to $1,112,000 in the third quarter of 2017.  For the first nine months of 2018, production taxes totaled $2,451,000, as compared to $1,990,000 for the comparable period of 2017. Production taxes for the third quarter of 2018 included a refund of approximately $650,000 related to the Company's Cotton Valley assets. The increase in production taxes during the nine month 2018 period was primarily the result of the expiration of a two-year severance tax exemption on the Company's Thunder Bayou well in June 2017.

General and administrative expenses during the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2018 totaled $4,780,000 and $12,084,000, respectively, as compared to $3,341,000 and $10,808,000 during the comparable 2017 periods. Capitalized general and administrative expenses during the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2018 totaled $1,285,000 and $4,351,000, respectively, as compared to capitalized expenses of $1,310,000 and $4,654,000, respectively, during the comparable 2017 periods. The third quarter and nine month 2018 periods included $1,721,000 and $2,305,000, respectively, of costs associated with the Company's evaluation of its capital structure and financial position.

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the oil and gas operations of the Company for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:

    
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2018 2017 2018 2017
Production:       
Oil (Bbls)75,497  142,830  260,551  423,231 
Gas (Mcf)3,838,232  5,336,119  12,628,882  13,218,475 
Ngl (Mcfe)802,733  1,283,900  2,600,987  3,268,206 
Total Production (Mcfe)5,093,947  7,476,999  16,793,175  19,026,067 
Avg. Daily Production (MMcfe/d)55.4  81.3  61.5  69.7 
Sales:       
Total oil sales$5,156,378  $7,106,913  $17,138,048  $21,277,840 
Total gas sales11,344,263  16,427,965  38,053,519  40,841,252 
Total ngl sales4,330,514  4,649,157  12,118,068  11,087,868 
Total oil and gas sales$20,831,155  $28,184,035  $67,309,635  $73,206,960 
Average sales prices:       
Oil (per Bbl)$68.30  $49.76  $65.78  $50.27 
Gas (per Mcf)2.96  3.08  3.01  3.09 
Ngl (per Mcfe)5.39  3.62  4.66  3.39 
Per Mcfe4.09  3.77  4.01  3.85 
            

The above sales and average sales prices include increases (decreases) to revenue related to the settlement of oil hedges of ($455,000) and $618,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.  The above sales and average sales prices include increases (decreases) to revenue related to the settlement of gas hedges of $805,000 and $0 and oil hedges of ($1,026,000) and $404,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

About the Company
PetroQuest Energy, Inc. is an independent energy company engaged in the exploration, development, acquisition and production of oil and natural gas reserves in Texas and Louisiana. PetroQuest's common stock trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol PQUE.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking 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.  All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release are forward-looking statements. Although PetroQuest believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements are based upon assumptions and anticipated results that are subject to numerous uncertainties and risks. Actual results may vary significantly from those anticipated due to many factors, including our ability to identify, evaluate and complete any alternative or transaction with respect to our capital structure and financial position and to refinance or restructure our indebtedness; the impact of the announcement of our review of such alternatives or transactions on our business, including our financial and operating results, or our employees, suppliers and customers; the potential need to seek bankruptcy protection; our indebtedness and the significant amount of cash required to service our indebtedness, including the August 15, 2018 cash interest payment on the 2021 notes and the 2021 PIK notes; our estimate of the sufficiency of our existing capital sources to fund our exploration and development activities and to service our indebtedness, including the August 15, 2018 cash interest payment on the 2021 notes and the 2021 PIK notes; the volatility of oil and natural gas prices; our ability to hedge future production to reduce our exposure to price volatility in the current commodity pricing market; our ability to raise additional capital to fund cash requirements for future operations and to service our indebtedness; our ability to fund and execute our Cotton Valley and Austin Chalk development programs as planned; our ability to increase recoveries in the Austin Chalk formation and to increase our overall oil production as planned; our estimates with respect to fracked Austin Chalk wells in Louisiana, including production, EURs and costs; our estimates with respect to production, reserve replacement ratio and finding and development costs; our responsibility for offshore decommissioning liabilities for offshore interests we no longer own; our ability to find, develop and produce oil and natural gas reserves that are economically recoverable and to replace reserves and sustain and/or increase production; ceiling test write-downs resulting, and that could result in the future, from lower oil and natural gas prices; our ability to fund our capital needs and respond to changing conditions imposed by our multi-draw term loan facility and restrictive debt covenants; approximately 43% of our production being exposed to the additional risk of severe weather, including hurricanes, tropical storms and flooding, and natural disasters; losses and liabilities from uninsured or underinsured drilling and operating activities; changes in laws and governmental regulations as they relate to our operations; the operating hazards attendant to the oil and gas business; the volatility of our common stock price; and the limited trading market for our common stock. In particular, careful consideration should be given to cautionary statements made in the various reports the Company has filed with the SEC. The Company undertakes no duty to update or revise these forward-looking statements.

Click here for more information: http://www.petroquest.com/news.html?=BizID=1690&1=1


PETROQUEST ENERGY, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Amounts in Thousands)

    
 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
ASSETS   
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$25,500  $15,655 
Revenue receivable6,814  15,340 
Joint interest billing receivable2,520  6,597 
Other receivable2,447  7,750 
Derivative asset  1,174 
Deposit for surety bonds12,438  8,300 
Other current assets2,249  2,125 
Total current assets51,968  56,941 
Property and equipment:   
Oil and gas properties:   
Oil and gas properties, full cost method1,354,593  1,369,861 
Unevaluated oil and gas properties18,947  21,854 
Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization(1,296,992) (1,285,660)
Oil and gas properties, net76,548  106,055 
Other property and equipment9,280  9,353 
Accumulated depreciation of other property and equipment(9,003) (8,843)
Total property and equipment76,825  106,565 
Other assets1,645  792 
Total assets$130,438  $164,298 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   
Current liabilities:   
Accounts payable to vendors$2,959  $32,148 
Advances from co-owners463  1,730 
Oil and gas revenue payable8,576  19,344 
Accrued interest18,196  1,724 
Asset retirement obligation459  687 
Derivative liability  731 
Other accrued liabilities7,310  6,476 
Total current liabilities37,963  62,840 
Multi-draw Term Loan49,716  27,963 
10% Senior Secured Notes due 20219,707  9,821 
10% Senior Secured PIK Notes due 2021274,621  271,577 
Asset retirement obligation2,337  30,623 
Preferred stock dividend payable14,133  10,278 
Other long-term liabilities526  131 
Stockholders’ equity:   
Preferred stock, $.001 par value; authorized 5,000 shares; issued and outstanding 1,495 shares1  1 
Common stock, $.001 par value; authorized 150,000 shares; issued and outstanding 25,587 and 25,521 shares, respectively26  26 
Paid-in capital314,154  313,244 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)(401) 278 
Accumulated deficit(572,345) (562,484)
Total stockholders’ equity(258,565) (248,935)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$130,438  $164,298 
        

PETROQUEST ENERGY, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Amounts in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

    
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017
Revenues:       
Oil and gas sales$20,832  $28,184  $67,310  $73,207 
Expenses:       
Lease operating expenses4,368  8,863  16,380  23,052 
Production taxes890  1,112  2,451  1,990 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization5,486  8,795  18,014  21,753 
General and administrative4,780  3,341  12,084  10,808 
Accretion of asset retirement obligation42  571  282  1,671 
Interest expense9,371  7,371  24,488  21,776 
 24,937  30,053  73,699  81,050 
Other income:       
Other income (expense)394  (16) 585  36 
Derivative expense54       
 448  (16) 585  36 
Loss from operations(3,657) (1,885) (5,804) (7,807)
Income tax expense (benefit)38  (84) 144  (274)
Net loss(3,695) (1,801) (5,948) (7,533)
Preferred stock dividend1,284  1,284  3,854  3,854 
Loss available to common stockholders$(4,979) $(3,085) $(9,802) $(11,387)
Loss per common share:       
Basic       
Net loss per share$(0.19) $(0.15) $(0.38) $(0.54)
Diluted       
Net loss per share$(0.19) $(0.15) $(0.38) $(0.54)
Weighted average number of common shares:       
Basic25,587  21,230  25,565  21,222 
Diluted25,587  21,230  25,565  21,222 
            

PETROQUEST ENERGY, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Amounts in Thousands)

  
 Nine Months Ended
 September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:   
Net loss$(5,948) $(7,533)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:   
Deferred tax expense (benefit)144  (274)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization18,014  21,753 
Accretion of asset retirement obligation282  1,671 
Share-based compensation expense852  1,181 
Non-cash interest expense on PIK Notes2,961  16,973 
Amortization costs and other900  561 
Payments to settle asset retirement obligations(503) (2,277)
Changes in working capital accounts:   
Revenue receivable8,526  198 
Joint interest billing receivable4,834  1,935 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities(21,651) 2,292 
Advances from co-owners(1,267) 424 
Deposit for surety bonds(4,400)  
Other(879) (1,576)
Net cash provided by operating activities1,865  35,328 
Cash flows used in investing activities:   
Investment in oil and gas properties(14,727) (44,941)
Investment in other property and equipment30  (52)
Sale of unevaluated oil and gas properties5,303   
Sale of oil and gas properties(2,328) 2,207 
Net cash used in investing activities(11,722) (42,786)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:   
Net proceeds from share based compensation43  16 
Deferred financing costs(330) (156)
Redemption of 2017 Notes  (22,650)
Costs incurred to redeem 2021 Notes(11)  
Proceeds from borrowings52,500  20,000 
Repayment of borrowings(32,500)  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities19,702  (2,790)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents9,845  (10,248)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period15,655  28,312 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$25,500  $18,064 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:   
Cash paid during the period for:   
Interest$4,283  $5,717 
Income taxes$38  $(95)
        

 PETROQUEST ENERGY, INC.
Non-GAAP Disclosure Reconciliation
(Amounts In Thousands)

   
 Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 September 30,September 30,
 2018 20172018 2017
Net loss$(3,695) $(1,801)$(5,948) $(7,533)
Reconciling items:      
Deferred tax expense (benefit)38  (84)144  (274)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization5,486  8,795 18,014  21,753 
Accretion of asset retirement obligation42  571 282  1,671 
Non-cash share based compensation expense259  356 852  1,181 
Non-cash PIK Interest  5,794 2,961  16,973 
Amortization costs and other498  111 900  561 
Discretionary cash flow2,628  13,742 17,205  34,332 
Changes in working capital accounts2,584  8,812 (14,837) 3,273 
Settlement of asset retirement obligations(428) (920)(503) (2,277)
Net cash flow provided by operating activities$4,784  $21,634 $1,865  $35,328 
               

Note:    Management believes that discretionary cash flow is relevant and useful information, which is commonly used by analysts, investors and other interested parties in the oil and gas industry as a financial indicator of an oil and gas company’s ability to generate cash used to internally fund exploration and development activities and to service debt.  Discretionary cash flow is not a measure of financial performance prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net cash flow provided by operating activities.  In addition, since discretionary cash flow is not a term defined by GAAP, it might not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

For further information, contact:
Matt Quantz, Manager – Corporate Communications  
(337) 232-7028, www.petroquest.com