Stone Energy Corp.
(
SGY
) has reported second-quarter 2012 earnings of 62 cents per share,
which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 82 cents due to lower
price realization and higher operating expenses. The quarterly
earnings figure was also down 47.0% from the year-earlier profit of
$1.17 per share.
Total operating revenue dropped 3.9% year over year to $226.6
million in the quarter from $235.7 million. The reported figure was
also below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $246.0 million.
Operational Highlights
During the quarter, production averaged 242.7 million cubic feet of
gas equivalent per day (MMcfe/d), up 3.6% from the year-earlier
level of 234.2 MMcfe/d. Of the total production, natural gas
accounted for nearly 47%, while 46% was oil and the remaining 7%
was natural gas liquids (NGL).
Overall realization on a per Mcfe basis amounted to $9.97 in the
reported quarter versus $10.95 per Mcfe in second quarter 2011.
Natural gas prices were down at $2.70 per Mcf from $4.61 per Mcf in
the year-ago quarter, while Stone Energy sold oil at an average
price of $107.74 per barrel (up 2.4% on an annualized basis).
Natural gas liquids prices also decreased 42.1% from the year-ago
quarter to $39.00 per barrel.
On the cost front, unit lease operating expenses increased to $2.33
per Mcfe (versus $2.14 per Mcfe in the year-ago quarter).
Depreciation, depletion and amortization was $3.91 per Mcfe (versus
$3.37 per Mcfe), while salaries, general and administrative
(SG&A) expenses were 60 cents per Mcfe (versus 50 cents per
Mcfe).
Liquidity
At quarter end, the company had approximately $223.8 million in
cash and $808.1 million in long-term debt, with a
debt-to-capitalization ratio of 49.3% versus 52.3% in the preceding
quarter. Discretionary cash flow was $147.1 million, down 15.0%
year over year.
Guidance
For the upcoming quarter, the company expects net daily production
of 245−260 MMcfe. For full-year 2012, the company anticipates total
volume in the range of 245-260 MMcfe per day, up 15-22% from the
2011 level of 214 MMcfe/d.
The company had projected its capital outlay for the year at $625
million. Earlier the amount was distributed across Stone's foremost
areas with approximately 34% for the Gulf of Mexico (GoM)
conventional shelf, 24% for Deep Water/Deep Gas projects, 30% for
the Marcellus Shale and 12% for Onshore Oil projects and new
ventures.
Outlook
Lafayette, Louisiana-based Stone Energy is an independent oil and
gas exploration and production company engaged in the acquisition
and subsequent exploration, development, operation and production
of oil and gas properties located primarily in the GoM.
Currently, Stone Energy holds an opportune place in the industry
with widespread high yielding inventory. The company has an
extensive capital project inventory and is generating surplus cash
flow with no bank debt. Although Stone Energy aims to apportion the
capital across its portfolio, the focus will be on the GoM shelf as
well as the Marcellus region.
Recently, Stone Energy has entered into a purchase agreement for
independent energy giant
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation
's (
APC
) working interest in a U.S. Gulf field. The purchase by Stone
Energy comprises Anadarko's 25% working interest in the five block
deepwater Pompano field in Mississippi Canyon, 22% in Mississippi
Canyon Block 29, and another 10% in portions of Mississippi Canyon
Block 72. This new acquisition will aid the company to grow and
maintain steady cash.
During the quarter, Stone Energy successfully drilled the deep gas
La Cantera #2 delineation well and completed 19 wells in Mary and
Heather fields in the Marcellus shale.
However, as is the case with other independent exploration and
production companies, results for Stone Energy are directly exposed
to oil and gas prices, which are inherently volatile and subject to
complex market forces. Realized prices could differ significantly
from our estimates, thereby affecting the company's revenues,
earnings and cash flow.
Hence, we maintain our long-term Neutral recommendation for the
company, which holds a Zacks #3 Rank, equivalent to a short-term
Hold rating.
ANADARKO PETROL (APC): Free Stock Analysis
Report
STONE ENERGY CP (SGY): Free Stock Analysis
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