Natural gas producer
Ultra Petroleum Corporation
(
UPL
) reported mixed third-quarter 2012 results, reflecting better
margin and a drop in production taxes and gathering fees,
partially offset by less liquids volume.
Earnings per share, excluding special items, came in at 64 cents,
moving ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 51 cents.
However, compared with the year-earlier period, Ultra Petroleum's
adjusted earnings per share declined 11.1% from 72 cents,
impacted by a weak natural gas price scenario.
Total operating revenue, at $196.4 million, was well below the
Zacks Consensus Estimate of $275.0 million and year-ago level of
$293.1 million.
Production
Production during the quarter remained almost in line at 63.1
billion cubic feet equivalent (Bcfe). Natural gas volumes -
accounting for approximately 97.0% of the total - were up
marginally to 61.1 billion cubic feet (Bcf). Oil production
dropped 20.6% year over year to 309,573 barrels.
Realized Prices
Ultra Petroleum's average realized price on natural gas fell
35.4% to $2.77 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf). Including commodity
derivative gains/losses, average realized natural gas price for
the quarter was $4.13 per Mcf, down 20.1% from the prior-year
level. The average oil price for the reported quarter reached
$86.51 per barrel, higher than the third-quarter 2011 figure of
$79.45 per barrel.
Costs, Expenses & Margins
Lease operating expense rose 34.7% from the prior-year quarter to
$16.7 million. During the third quarter of 2012, the company
reported all-in costs of $2.88 per Mcfe, up 3.6% from the
comparable quarter last year. Ultra Petroleum's competitive cost
structure enabled it to achieve a 67% cash flow margin and a 35%
net income margin.
Balance Sheet
As of September 30, 2012, the company had cash and cash
equivalents of $59.2 million and long-term debt of $2.2 billion.
Production Guidance
Ultra Petroleum expects its full-year 2012 production in the
range of approximately 250-260 Bcfe, implying an increase of 2%
to 6% from the 2011 level.
Our Take
Another natural gas firm
Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation
(
COG
) reported strong third-quarter 2012 results of 21 cents,
breezing past the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 15 cents. Cabot's
performance also improved considerably from the year-ago adjusted
profit of 17 cents per share.
Ultra Petroleum currently retains a Zacks #2 Rank (short-term Buy
rating). The company seems well positioned to sustain the strong
growth momentum for quite some time based on its impressive
exposure to the high-return Marcellus Shale play, Green River
Basin of Wyoming, Jonah natural gas field and the Pinedale
Anticline area.
CABOT OIL & GAS (COG): Free Stock Analysis
Report
ULTRA PETRO CP (UPL): Free Stock Analysis
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