Newfield Reports Second Quarter 2011 Financial and Operating Results

HOUSTON, July 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Newfield Exploration Company (NYSE: NFX) today reported its unaudited second quarter 2011 financial and operating results. Newfield will be hosting a conference call at 8:30 a.m. CT on July 21, 2011. To participate in the call, dial 719-325-4774 or listen through the investor relations section of our website at http://www.newfield.com.

For the second quarter of 2011, Newfield recorded net income of $219 million, or $1.62 per diluted share (all per share amounts are on a diluted basis). Net income for the second quarter includes a net unrealized gain on commodity derivatives of $129 million ($81 million after-tax), or $0.60 per share. Without the effect of this item, net income for the second quarter of 2011 would have been $138 million, or $1.02 per share.

Revenues in the second quarter of 2011 were $621 million. Net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities was $393 million. See “Explanation and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” found after the financial statements in this release.

Newfield’s production in the second quarter of 2011 was 73 Bcfe. Natural gas production in the second quarter of 2011 was 47 Bcf, an average of 517 MMcf/d. Newfield’s oil liftings and liquids production in the second quarter of 2011 were 4.4 MMBbls, or an average of approximately 48,000 BOPD. Capital expenditures in the second quarter of 2011 were approximately $630 million, excluding the Company’s $300 million acquisition in the Uinta Basin.

2011 Capital Investments, Asset Sales

Newfield reiterated its 2011 capital budget of $1.9 billion. The budget excludes capitalized interest and overhead and the May 2011 closing of the Company’s acquisition in the Uinta Basin. Year-to-date, Newfield has divested approximately $130 million in non-strategic domestic assets. The Company continues to market and sell other certain non-strategic domestic assets with total proceeds during 2011 expected to range from $200 – $300 million.

2011 Production Guidance

The sale of non-strategic assets year-to-date has reduced 2011 production by approximately 3 Bcfe. As previously disclosed, second quarter 2011 production was negatively impacted by approximately 0.2 MMBbls of deferred production due to repairs on the Abu field, located offshore Malaysia. Repairs have been completed and the field is on-line today. For the full year, Newfield expects that its production will exceed 312 Bcfe. The Company’s original production guidance was 312 – 323 Bcfe, or an increase of at least 8% over 2010 volumes. The expectation of at least 8% growth does not include adjustments for any additional sales of non-strategic assets in the second half of 2011. A table on Newfield’s production guidance for 2011 is provided within this release.

Year-to-Date 2011 Operating Highlights:

Rocky Mountains

Uinta Basin – In conjunction with the release of its second quarter earnings and operating results, the Company today provided a comprehensive update on its Uinta Basin drilling programs, including the disclosure of new oil plays available for development. Recent acquisitions have increased the Company’s acreage position to approximately 250,000 net acres. Over the coming months, the Company expects to increase its operated rig count from a historic five-rig program to at least eight rigs in 2012. As a result, oil production growth from the region is expected to increase more than 25% in 2012. A copy of the recent release and other detailed information on the Uinta Basin can be obtained through Newfield’s website.

Williston Basin – During the second quarter of 2011, Newfield completed nine new wells in the Williston Basin. The recent completions boosted net production to 8,000 BOEPD. Newfield continues to run five operated drilling rigs in the Williston Basin where the Company has approximately 150,000 net acres.

Of the recent completions, eight of the nine wells were super extended laterals and had an average lateral length of more than 9,500’. Average gross initial production (24-hour) from the nine wells completed in the second quarter was 2,100 BOEPD. The wells were drilled and completed for an average of approximately $9.8 million (gross).

Recent results include a “Company-best” – the Wiseness Federal 152-96-4-2H, which had gross initial production (24-hour average) of 5,200 BOEPD. The well has a 5,300’ lateral and was drilled and completed for approximately $5.9 million (gross).

Significant flooding, poor road conditions and road closures in the Williston Basin impacted the timing of planned operations during the second quarter. The Company has an inventory of 10 wells that have been drilled and are in various stages of completion. Newfield expects to complete a total of 13 wells in the third quarter of 2011.

Southern Alberta Basin – To date, Newfield has drilled seven vertical wells and has completed and placed on production two horizontal wells. Fracture stimulation services are in the region today executing on a program to stimulate and test multiple geologic horizons in up to four of the vertical wells. All of the wells to date have encountered oil. Newfield has approximately 320,000 net acres in the play, located in Glacier County, Montana.

Mid-Continent

Granite Wash – Newfield recently set a new record high for its Granite Wash production – 190 MMcfe/d gross (135 MMcfe/d net). This is an increase over the 110 MMcfe/d net reported at the end of the first quarter of 2011. Since early 2009, Newfield has maintained a four-rig development drilling program in the Granite Wash, with its activities primarily located in Wheeler County, Texas.

To date, the Company has completed 47 wells in the play with gross initial production averaging approximately 16 MMcfe/d (24-hour rate). The 2011 Granite Wash program is focused on the Marmaton DE and FG intervals. Year-to-date, wells in these “liquids rich” intervals have had average initial gross production of approximately 17 MMcfe/d.

Throughout 2011, the Company’s drilling personnel have continued to deliver efficiency gains. During the second quarter, Newfield drilled and cased a “best in class” well in 24 days and is averaging approximately 28 days with recent wells. Completed well costs vary by lateral length (5,000’ – 8,000’) and range from $8 – $13 million.

For 2011, the Company plans to drill more than 30 wells and grow production more than 25% over 2010.  Newfield’s average working interest in the Granite Wash play is approximately 75%.

Onshore Texas

Eagle Ford Shale – Newfield continues to explore and assess its 335,000 net acre position in the Maverick Basin. Oil field services in the region today remain tight. The Company expects that it can meet its contractual drilling obligations and hold its leases by running one to two rigs in the play through the remainder of 2011. By limiting activity to this level, capital can be redirected to the Uinta Basin where the Company is adding operated rigs. We continue to assess and increase our understanding of the Eagle Ford Shale, as well as other prospective formations including the Georgetown and Pearsall.

Year-to-date, the Company has completed 13 wells in the Eagle Ford Shale, four wells in the Georgetown formation and two wells in the Pearsall Shale. Current gross production from the Maverick Basin is approximately 6,500 BOEPD. Newfield’s average working interest in the region is approximately 80%.

Recent drilling activity in the Eagle Ford has focused on the “southern” portion of the Company’s acreage. An area up to 50,000 acres is now being developed along existing infrastructure. A pilot program is underway with recent wells being drilled from pad locations to help determine optimal well spacing. The wells have been drilled in as few as seven days and gross completed well costs have averaged approximately $6.6 million. Initial 24-hour gross production rates from recent wells have ranged from 400 – 1,400 BOEPD.

The Company recently commenced production from a Pearsall Shale horizontal completion at a pipeline-restricted rate of 4.4 MMcf/d and 6,800 psi of flowing tubing pressure (gross). Newfield’s working interest in the Pearsall play averages more than 70%. A recent Georgetown completion commenced production at more than 500 BOEPD (gross). The well was drilled and completed for approximately $1.3 million (gross). Newfield’s working interest in the Georgetown is averages more than 70%.

International Oil Developments

Second quarter 2011 net liftings from the Company’s oil assets in Southeast Asia were 1.2 MMBbls, or an average of about 13,500 BOPD. The largest contributor to Newfield’s international oil production was Malaysia where net liftings during the period averaged approximately 11,200 BOPD. Second quarter 2011 production from Malaysia was negatively impacted by approximately 0.2 MMBbls due to infrastructure damage in the Abu field. Repairs were recently completed and the field has resumed production.

The Company’s production from the East Belumut facility, located at PM 323, has attained recent highs and has averaged approximately 32,000 BOPD (gross) over the last month. On PM 329, the East Piatu development is expected to commence production at about 10,000 BOPD (gross) in late 2011. Newfield has a 70% interest in East Piatu.

Deepwater Gulf of Mexico

The Company’s deepwater Gulf of Mexico production in the second quarter of 2011 was 9 Bcfe, or nearly 95 MMcfe/d. Pyrenees, located at Garden Banks 293, is expected to commence production in late 2011 at approximately 50 MMcf/d and 2,400 BCPD (gross). Outside operated developments, Axe and Dalmatian, are scheduled for first production in 2013.

Newfield Exploration Company is an independent crude oil and natural gas exploration and production company. The Company relies on a proven growth strategy of growing reserves through an active drilling program and select acquisitions. Newfield's domestic areas of operation include the Mid-Continent, the Rocky Mountains, onshore Texas, Appalachia and the Gulf of Mexico. The Company has international operations in Malaysia and China.

**This release contains forward-looking information. All information other than historical facts included in this release, such as information regarding estimated or anticipated drilling plans and planned capital expenditures, is forward-looking information. Although Newfield believes that these expectations are reasonable, this information is 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 drilling results, oil and gas prices, industry conditions, the prices of goods and services, the availability of drilling rigs and other support services, the availability of refining capacity for the crude oil Newfield produces from its Monument Butte field in Utah, the availability and cost of capital resources, labor conditions and severe weather conditions (such as hurricanes). In addition, the drilling of oil and gas wells and the production of hydrocarbons are subject to governmental regulations and operating risks. Other factors that could impact forward-looking statements are described in "Risk Factors" in Newfield's 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and other subsequent public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which can be found at www.sec.gov. Unpredictable or unknown factors not discussed in this press release could also have material adverse effects on forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Unless legally required, Newfield undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Explanation and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Earnings Stated Without the Effect of Certain Items

Earnings stated without the effect of certain items is a non-GAAP financial measure. Earnings without the effect of these items are presented because they affect the comparability of operating results from period to period. In addition, earnings without the effect of these items are more comparable to earnings estimates provided by securities analysts.

A reconciliation of earnings for the second quarter of 2011 stated without the effect of certain items to net income is shown below:

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities Before Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities

Net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities is presented because of its acceptance as an indicator of an oil and gas exploration and production company's ability to internally fund exploration and development activities and to service or incur additional debt. This measure should not be considered as an alternative to net cash provided by operating activities as defined by generally accepted accounting principles.

A reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities to net cash provided by operating activities is shown below:

SOURCE Newfield Exploration Company