Capital Expenditures Reduced by 67%
Earthstone Energy, Inc. (NYSE:ESTE) ("Earthstone", the "Company", "our" or "we"), today provided an update to its 2020 operating plan and guidance based on the recent dramatic drop in oil prices.
2020 Updated Guidance
With the recent drop in oil prices, the Company plans to run one rig into the second quarter of 2020 and operated completion activity will be limited to three wells currently in progress. This reduction in activity will result in an adjusted capital budget for 2020 of $50 – $60 million. Along with non-operated completions, all brought online in the first quarter, our adjusted budget would result in bringing 3 gross / 3.0 net operated wells and 3.1 net non-operated wells online in 2020. We would also have 11 gross / 9.7 net operated wells drilled and waiting on completion. With a reduction in projected capital expenditures and fewer new wells coming online, we would expect lease operating expenses on a per Boe basis to increase modestly. A portion of this increase would also result from acceleration of certain remedial well work which, to a limited extent, would offset expected production declines.
Based on this adjusted 2020 operating plan, existing service costs and an assumed $30/Bbl WTI oil price, the Company expects to generate free cash flow, beginning in the second quarter of 2020. Free cash flow would be utilized to reduce borrowings currently outstanding under our revolving credit facility.
Management Comments
Robert J. Anderson, President of Earthstone, stated, "With the recent and very dramatic drop in oil prices, we have taken action to reduce our capital program swiftly. We are in an enviable position with no long-term contracts, low leverage, and very strong hedge position, which affords us the flexibility to adjust our capital plan quickly with no adverse impact on our balance sheet or current financial position."
Mr. Anderson commented further, "This revised plan will allow the Company to generate free cash flow in the second quarter of 2020, without the assumption of any reductions in other operating costs. We expect to reduce our debt throughout the year and expect to end the year with net debt to Adjusted EBITDAX significantly lower than our year-end 2019 level of 1.1x. Even with a 67% reduction to our prior 2020 capital program, our reduced capital budget still provides for about a 6% increase in estimated production over 2019. Should oil prices improve in the near-term, we have the flexibility to maintain the rig longer and could quickly ramp up production with the eleven wells we have waiting on completion."
Note: Adjusted EBITDAX, Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDAX and Free Cash Flow are non-GAAP measures reconciled below.
2020 Updated Guidance Overview
Note: Guidance is forward-looking information that is subject to considerable change and numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Earthstone's control. See "Forward-Looking Statements" section below. |
Hedge Position Update
About Earthstone
Forward-Looking Statements
Earthstone Energy, Inc.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Unaudited
I. Adjusted EBITDAX
We define "Adjusted EBITDAX" as net income plus, when applicable, accretion of asset retirement obligations; impairment expense; depletion, depreciation and amortization; interest expense, net; transaction costs; (gain) on sale of oil and gas properties, net; exploration expense; unrealized loss on derivative contracts; stock-based compensation (non-cash); and income tax expense.
The following table provides a reconciliation of Net income to Adjusted EBITDAX for the year ended December 31, 2019:
(1) Included in General and administrative expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
II. Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDAX
We define "Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDAX" as Long-term debt, less cash, both as of period end, divided by Adjusted EBITDAX for the period then ended.
Our Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDAX measure provides additional information that may be used to further understand our liquidity. Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDAX is one of several metrics that we use as a supplemental financial measurement in the evaluation of our business.
The following table provides a reconciliation of Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDAX:
III. Free Cash Flow
Free cash flow is a measure that we use as an indicator of our ability to fund our development activities. We define free cash flow as Adjusted EBITDAX (defined above), less interest expense, less accrual-based capital expenditures.
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