Evolution Petroleum Declares Third Fiscal Quarter Cash Dividend on Common Stock

HOUSTON, Feb. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Evolution Petroleum Corporation (NYSE MKT: EPM) announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a $0.10 per share cash dividend on its common stock. The dividend is for the third fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2014 and is payable on March 28, 2014 to holders of record at the close of business on March 14, 2014.

The Board of Directors elected to initiate a $0.10 quarterly dividend to common shareholders in December 2013 to begin cash distributions out of a portion of free cash flow in excess of capital expenditures.  This quarterly dividend continues our initiative to reward our shareholders as we harvest the benefits of our long-term position in the Delhi Field.  Based on the June 2013 independent reserves report, projected increases in field production and the ultimate reversion of our 24% working interest are expected to dramatically increase our free cash flows from Delhi over the next four years. Consequently, dividend growth over the next four years is a reasonable expectation.

Management also believes that its GARP® artificial lift business, based on proprietary patented technology, layers in a new and visible growth catalyst to complement increasing production and cash flows from Delhi. 

Expected Tax Treatment:

As a result of the previously announced exercise in November 2013 of the substantial majority of the outstanding stock options and warrants held by officers, directors and staff, the Company realized $31.2 million in current and future income tax deductions related to these exercises.  Due to the magnitude of these tax deductions, it is our expectation that all quarterly common stock dividends paid through at least June 30, 2014 will be treated for tax purposes as return of capital to shareholders. Such dividends will not be reported as taxable income to the recipients, but will instead generally be treated as a reduction in the shareholder's basis in the stock.

About Evolution Petroleum

Evolution Petroleum Corporation develops incremental petroleum reserves and shareholder value by applying conventional and specialized technology to known oil and gas resources, onshore in the United States.   Principal assets as of June 30, 2013 include 13.8 MMBOE of proved, 11.2 MMBOE of probable reserves, 3.7 MMBOE of possible reserves, and no debt.  Assets include a CO2-EOR project with growing production in Louisiana's Delhi Field and a patented artificial lift technology designed to extend the life and ultimate recoveries of wells with oil or associated water production.  Other assets include royalty interests in almost 3,000 net acres in the Giddings Field and an interest in a joint venture in the Mississippian Lime play in Kay County, OK. Additional information, including the Company's annual report on Form 10-K and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, is available on its website at www.evolutionpetroleum.com. Additional information regarding GARP® is available on the www.garplift.com website.

Cautionary Statement

All statements contained in this press release regarding potential results and future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, but are not limited to, those factors that are disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in our documents filed from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory authorities. Statements regarding our ability to complete transactions, successfully apply technology applications in the re-development of oil and gas fields, realize future production volumes, realize success in our drilling and development activity and forecasts of legal claims, prices, future revenues, income, cash flows and other comments that are not historical facts contain predictions, estimates and other forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its goals will be achieved and these statements will prove to be accurate. Important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements.

Company Contact:
Randy Keys, CFO
(713) 935-0122
[email protected]

SOURCE Evolution Petroleum Corporation