Range Resources Corp.
's (
RRC
) second-quarter 2012 results were aided by a higher production
level and lower unit costs, partly mitigated by lower realized
prices.
The company posted adjusted earnings of 11 cents a share,
comprehensively ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of loss of 1
cent a share. However, results decreased by about 59% from the
year-earlier profit of 27 cents a share.
Second quarter total revenue of $442.4 million comfortably
surpassed our $321.0 million projection and grew almost 32% year
over year. The annualized growth is attributable to nearly 42%
production increment.
Production
The company's second quarter production averaged 719.3 million
cubic feet equivalent per day (MMcfe/d), comprising 80% natural
gas, 14% natural gas liquids (NGLs) and 6% oil. Total production
volume experienced a 41.6% improvement from the year-earlier
period, mainly on the back of sustained accomplishments from the
company's drilling program.
Oil production expanded 23.5%, NGL rose 20.3% and natural-gas
production increased 47.8% on a year-over-year basis.
Realized Prices
For the second quarter, Range's total price realization (including
the effects of hedges and derivative settlements) averaged $4.74
per Mcfe, down 26% year over year. The overall price comprised NGL
at $42.30 per barrel (down 18.0% year over year) and natural gas at
$3.66 per Mcf (down 32.0%), however crude oil was sold at $84.31 a
barrel (up 5.0%).
Financials
At the end of the quarter, long-term debt was $2,623.6 million,
representing a debt-to-capitalization ratio of 52.1% (versus 49.9%
in the preceding quarter).
Hedging
For two consecutive quarters starting third quarter 2012, Range has
hedged 279,641 million British thermal units per day (MMbtu/d) of
natural gas production at an average floor price of $4.76. For the
second quarter of 2012, the company has hedged 189,641 MMbtu/d of
natural gas production at an average floor price of $5.32.
The company has also hedged 240,000 MMbtu/d of natural gas at an
average price of $4.73 for 2013 and 285,000 MMbtu/d at an average
floor price of $3.74 for 2014.
Guidance
The company now expects its 2012 production growth to be 35%, with
liquid production growth of 40% year over year for the fourth
quarter.
For the upcoming quarter, Range Resources foresees total production
of 773-778 MMcfe/d, comprising natural gas in the 618-620 MMcf/d
range, NGL at 18,300−18,600 Bbls/d and oil at 7,600−7,800 Bbls/d.
Range Resources reaffirmed its capital budget guidance at $1.6
billion for the year, comprising $1.3 billion for drilling and
recompletions, $215 million for leasehold, $47 million for seismic
and $73 million for pipelines and facilities. Approximately 75% of
the budget is intended to be apportioned toward liquids-rich and
oil projects mainly in the Marcellus Shale and horizontal
Mississippian plays.
Outlook
We maintain our long-term Neutral recommendation for Range
Resources Corporation.
The company's record production coupled with a 16% decrease in
total cash costs per unit is reflected in its second quarter
performance. Additionally, the asset sale, which took place in
April last year, when Range sold all of its 52,000 acre Barnett
Shale properties for $900 million in order to focus on its
Marcellus Shale assets, also benefited the quarter.
Although low natural gas prices adversely affected its financial
results, the company's solid hedge position has guarded its
performances extensively. Looking ahead, the company has
approximately 80% of the expected production hedged for the
remainder of the year. We believe that Range Resources' large
acreage holdings will support several years of oil and gas drilling
in the fast-growing fields.
We also believe that with a robust asset base, Range Resources
remains on track to reach its projected production level for this
year. The company made significant operational progress in the
quarter in all of its liquids-rich and oil ventures, namely
Marcellus, The Southern Appalachia Division, horizontal
Mississippian, Cline Shale and Wolfberry plays.
It also added that in the second half of the year, oil and NGL
production is expected to climb on the back of intense drilling
activities in the liquids-rich portion of the Marcellus and the
horizontal Mississippian oil play in Oklahoma.
Given its dominant position in the Marcellus Shale play and its
continuous endeavor to control costs, we believe that Range
Resources will be capable of organizational sustainability and
long-term shareholder value creation.
However, we remain on the sidelines as the company is still exposed
to volatile natural gas fundamentals, interest rate risks and an
uncertain macro backdrop. Additionally, Range Resources is governed
by several stringent regulations, especially in the Marcellus
Shale, the Appalachian Basin and the southwestern U.S., where it
has robust asset bases.
Hence, we maintain our long-term Neutral recommendation for the
company, which retains a Zacks #3 Rank (short-term Hold
rating).
RANGE RESOURCES (RRC): Free Stock Analysis
Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Zacks Investment
Research