Parsley Energy Announces Second Quarter 2017 Financial And Operating Results; Raises Production Guidance And Announces Successful Delineation Results

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Parsley Energy, Inc. PE ("Parsley," "Parsley Energy," or the "Company") today announced financial and operating results for the quarter ended June 30, 2017. The Company has posted to its website a presentation that supplements the information in this release.

Second Quarter 2017 Highlights

• Net production averaged 64.7 MBoe per day, up 18% versus 1Q17 and 81% year-over-year. Daily net oil production increased 14% versus 1Q17 and 82% year-over-year.
• The Company is increasing full-year 2017 net production guidance from 65-71 MBoe per day to 67-73 MBoe per day and also increasing estimated 4Q17 net production from 78-88 MBoe per day to 80-90 MBoe per day. At the midpoints, the updated ranges translate to estimated production growth of 83% in 2017 versus 2016 and 88% in 4Q17 versus 4Q16.
• Parsley reiterates estimated full-year 2017 capital expenditures of $1.0-$1.15 billion.
• The Company has executed several acreage trades that enhance the development potential of its Midland Basin footprint. Net of acreage traded away, Parsley added more than 500,000 net lateral feet to the Company's horizontal drilling inventory through trades executed since its last quarterly update in May. Including this footage, Parsley has added approximately 1.4 million net lateral feet through acreage trades since announcing the acquisition of Midland Basin assets from Double Eagle Permian, LLC and certain of its affiliates in February, while consolidating key development areas.
• Parsley completed several successful delineation projects in 2Q17:
• Midland Basin Upper/Lower Wolfcamp A stacked test confirms presence of two prospective Wolfcamp A targets.
• Midland Basin Upper/Lower Wolfcamp B stacked downspacing pilot validates 330-foot spacing concept.
• Southern Delaware Basin Upper/Lower Wolfcamp A stagger test and Southern Delaware Basin Lower Wolfcamp A/Wolfcamp B stack test verify presence of three Southern Delaware Basin Wolfcamp targets.
• Early results from a well completed with a compressed stage completion design show material outperformance on limited incremental cost compared to the Company's standard completion design.
• As previously disclosed, Parsley amended its revolving credit agreement on April 28, 2017, thereby increasing its borrowing base by 60% to $1.4 billion, with a Company-elected commitment amount of $1.0 billion. As of the end of 2Q17, liquidity stands at $1.5 billion, including $503 million of cash on hand.

"Parsley Energy continues to generate value from multiple sources, registering several noteworthy accomplishments in the second quarter of 2017," said Bryan Sheffield, Parsley's Chairman and CEO. "Strong production growth in 2Q17 was accompanied by significant delineation success, promising new well designs, and accretive acreage trades, all of which increase the value of our premier acreage position. With a strong balance sheet and abundant operational flexibility, Parsley is poised to deliver differentiated results across a range of commodity price scenarios."

Operational Highlights

In light of anticipated tightness in the market for high-specification drilling rigs, Parsley proactively secured and has taken delivery of all of the rigs necessary to execute the Company's 2017 drilling program. Consequently, Parsley spud 49 gross horizontal wells in the second quarter while completing 27 gross horizontal wells. Parsley's working interest on completed wells was approximately 95%, with an average completed lateral length of approximately 7,600 feet. Drilling and completion activity was concentrated in the Midland Basin, where the Company spud 35 and completed 21 gross operated horizontal wells; the balance were spud and completed in the Southern Delaware Basin.

Delineation Success

Roughly half of the wells Parsley brought online in 2Q17 targeted new zones or were drilled and completed with new spacing configurations, resulting in several important delineation milestones.

Midland Basin

Successful execution of an Upper/Lower Wolfcamp A stack test confirmed the presence of two target intervals within the Wolfcamp A formation. After 30 days of production, the Elwood 16-21-4107H and the Elwood 16-21-4207H, completed in Upton County with 1.5-mile laterals, are currently producing an average of approximately 1,200 Boe per day and have generated cumulative volumes that are consistent with the Company's one million Boe type curve. Encouraged by early results, Parsley expects to test two more stacked Wolfcamp A wells in 2H17, this time on top of two wells stacked in the Wolfcamp B formation. Confirmatory success could add to Parsley's drilling inventory, as the Company's stated inventory currently ascribes no credit for the Upper Wolfcamp A formation in the Midland Basin.

Parsley validated a stacked Upper/Lower Wolfcamp B downspacing concept with early production history from an 8-well project in Reagan County. This density test consists of four wells in the Upper Wolfcamp B atop four wells in the Lower Wolfcamp B, with 330-foot lateral spacing between wells (or 15 wells per target per section equivalent). To date, seven of the eight wells have achieved peak 30-day production rates, which on average are tracking at 84% of the average rate for offset Wolfcamp B wells at 660-foot spacing. Relatively modest productivity degradation combined with pad- and facilities-related cost savings yield a projected net present value uplift of more than 30% for an 8-well project at 330-foot spacing when compared to a 4-well project at 660-foot spacing. Application of less intensive completion designs could increase the cost savings and net present value impact of downspaced development. Parsley bases its current Midland Basin Wolfcamp B inventory on 660-foot spacing between laterals (or 8 wells per section equivalent).

Parsley's first well targeting the Wolfcamp C formation, the Taylor 45-33-4601H, continues to generate robust volumes, with cumulative production of 370 MBoe (58% oil) after 150 days. The well is still flowing naturally at nearly 2,000 Boe per day and is on track to achieve payout within its first six months of production. The Company's second Wolfcamp C well, the Paige 13A-12A-4810H, has yet to reach a peak-24 hour rate after several days online but is already producing more than 1,300 Bbls of oil per day while registering favorable pressure trends during its initial flowback period. Parsley possesses more than 900 Wolfcamp C drilling locations in what the Company has identified as the fairway of the Wolfcamp C play, encompassing portions of Reagan, Glasscock, Midland, and Upton Counties.

Southern Delaware Basin

During 2Q17, Parsley successfully tested two new flow units in Pecos County. Building on a series of strong standalone wells in the Lower Wolfcamp A interval, the Company executed a stacked two-well Lower Wolfcamp A/Wolfcamp B test and a staggered two-well Upper/Lower Wolfcamp A test. To date, both combinations have performed well relative to the average production generated by the Company's standalone wells in Pecos County when normalized for lateral length. After 40 days, the Lower Wolfcamp A/Wolfcamp B wells, drilled with one-mile laterals, have produced 26 MBoe on average, in line with the standalone average. After 50 days, the Upper/Lower Wolfcamp A wells, drilled with two-mile laterals, have produced 65 MBoe on average, or roughly 20% less than the standalone average for that timeframe. Three confirmed Wolfcamp targets support the Company's current Southern Delaware Wolfcamp inventory assumption of 16 wells per section equivalent.

Production Trends

Parsley continued its strong production momentum in 2Q17, driven by robust well performance from its core development activity. The 15 Midland Basin development wells that achieved 30-day peak production periods since the Company's last quarterly update registered an average peak 30-day rate of 1,379 Boe per day with an average stimulated lateral length of 7,720' and an average three-stream oil cut of 75%. Including the Upper/Lower Wolfcamp B density pilot, newly-peaked Midland Basin wells registered an average 30-day initial production rate of 1,245 Boe per day with an average stimulated lateral length of 7,730' and an average three-stream oil cut of 74%. The five Southern Delaware wells that reached peak production since the Company's last update achieved an average 30-day initial production rate of 1,056 Boe per day with an average stimulated lateral length of 7,090' and an average three-stream oil cut of 78%.

Favorable results from Parsley's initial compressed stage spacing test bode well for ongoing productivity gains. The Louis 4413H, drilled in Upton County with a one-mile lateral, was completed with 50 stages, equating to 100-foot stage spacing versus Parsley's heretofore standard design of 170-foot stage spacing. After 120 days, the compressed stage well is the Company's most prolific one-mile Wolfcamp B well to date with cumulative production of 110 MBoe and a peak 30-day rate of 1,397 Boe per day (or 272 Boe per day per thousand stimulated feet). Moreover, compared to a well drilled 660 feet away in the same target formation and completed simultaneously with standard stage spacing, the Louis 4413H has registered 20% higher cumulative production, even with reduced proppant loading that limited incremental well cost to less than 5%. This cost/benefit relationship implies a compelling economic profile, motivating several additional tests during 2H17.

The Company experienced a slight shift in production mix in 2Q17, with oil as a percentage of total production down from 69% to 67%. The shift in production composition was a function of contributions from recently acquired vertical production and a seasonal increase in plant efficiencies that boosted the recovery of NGLs. Delays on the eight-well Wolfcamp B downspacing project also limited the contribution of high oil-cut flush production in the second quarter, adversely impacting both absolute oil volumes and overall production mix. More generally, oil recoveries from Parsley's portfolio of horizontal wells continue to track in line with expectations, even as gas and NGL volumes broadly exceed expectations. Notably, liquids as a percentage of overall production tied a Company-record in the second quarter at 85%. In light of these considerations as well as increasing contribution from Wolfcamp C wells, Parsley is reducing its estimated full-year 2017 oil percentage to 67-70%, a range that the Company believes is likely to be appropriate through 2018, as well.

Financial Highlights

During 2Q17, the Company recorded net income attributable to its stockholders of $40.7 million, or $0.17 per weighted average share, compared to net income of $29.4 million, or $0.13 per weighted average share, during 1Q17. Excluding, on a tax-adjusted basis, certain items that the Company does not view as indicative of its ongoing financial performance, and adding back the non-controlling interest allocated to Class B stockholders, adjusted net income for 2Q17 was $12.5 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, compared to $34.2 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, in 1Q17.⁽¹⁾

Adjusted earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, and exploration expense ("Adjusted EBITDAX") for 2Q17 was $143.4 million, down 2% compared to 1Q17.⁽¹⁾

Parsley recorded lease operating expense ("LOE") per Boe of $5.03 in 2Q17, up from $3.57 in 1Q17. Second quarter LOE was impacted by higher workover costs, an infusion of relatively high-cost vertical production, and lifting costs on non-operated wells, all of which relate to recent acquisitions. Parsley reported general and administrative expense ("G&A") per Boe of $5.39, up 10% versus 1Q17. The Company reported cash G&A per Boe, which excludes stock-based compensation expense, of $4.50, up by 12% over the same period. The sequential increase in G&A per Boe reflects increased staffing associated with early rig additions and recent acquisitions. Depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense per Boe was relatively stable in 2Q17 at $14.15 compared to $13.99 in 1Q17.

Parsley reported capital expenditures of $295 million during the quarter, comprised of $252 million for drilling and completion and $43 million for facilities and infrastructure. In addition to spending associated with the 49 horizontal spuds and 27 horizontal completions noted above, 2Q17 capital expenditures include expenses associated with drilling and completing two vertical wells and two saltwater disposal wells.

Strong Balance Sheet and Robust Hedge Position

As of June 30, 2017, the Company had approximately $1.5 billion of liquidity, consisting of $503 million of cash on hand and an undrawn amount of $997 million on the Company's revolver.⁽²⁾ Parsley added to its oil hedge portfolio during the quarter and now has an average of 58 MBbls per day of oil hedged during 2018 with an average floor price of approximately $50/Bbl.⁽³⁾ "Parsley Energy continues to operate from strong financial footing," said Ryan Dalton, Parsley's CFO. "A differentiated cash position and an advantaged hedge book provide a buffer if oil prices decline and facilitate strategic growth in more constructive commodity scenarios."

For details on Parsley's hedging position, please see the tables below under Supplemental Information and/or the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, upon availability, for the three months ended June 30, 2017.

Full-year 2017 Guidance Update

Parsley is increasing guidance for full-year 2017 and 4Q17 daily net production, reflecting broadly stronger well performance and higher NGL volumes. The Company is reducing its estimated full-year 2017 oil percentage to account for its 2Q17 production mix, as discussed above, and for increasing contributions from Wolfcamp C wells. Parsley is also reducing its expected completion count in the Southern Delaware Basin to reflect extended project cycle times earlier this year. Estimated full-year 2017 capital expenditures are unchanged, as fewer expected completions are offset by incremental drilling activity associated with early rig delivery. All other guidance remains unchanged, as well.

Conference Call Information

Parsley Energy will host a conference call and webcast to discuss its results for the second quarter of 2017 on Thursday, August 3 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (10:00 a.m. Central Time). Participants should call 877-407-0672 (United States/Canada) or 412-902-0003 (International) 10 minutes before the scheduled time and request the Parsley Energy conference call. A telephone replay will be available shortly after the call through August 10 by dialing 877-660-6853 (United States/Canada) or 201-612-7415 (International). Conference ID: 13666261. A live broadcast will also be available on the internet at www.parsleyenergy.com under the "Events & Presentations" section of the website. The Company has also posted to its website a presentation that supplements the information in this release.

About Parsley Energy, Inc.

Parsley Energy, Inc. is an independent oil and natural gas company focused on the acquisition and development of unconventional oil and natural gas reserves in the Permian Basin in West Texas. For more information, visit the Company's website at www.parsleyenergy.com.

Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements represent Parsley Energy's expectations or beliefs concerning future events, and it is possible that the results described in this news release will not be achieved. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of Parsley Energy's control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and, except as required by law, Parsley Energy does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Parsley Energy to predict all such factors. When considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements found in the Company's filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K. The risk factors and other factors noted in the Company's SEC filings could cause its actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

- Tables to Follow -

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDAX

Adjusted EBITDAX is not a measure of net income as determined by GAAP. Adjusted EBITDAX is a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure that is used by management and external users of the Company's consolidated financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDAX as net income (loss) before depreciation, depletion and amortization, exploration costs, net interest expense, income tax expense (benefit), change in Tax Receivable Agreement ("TRA") liability, stock-based compensation, acquisition costs, (gain) loss on sale of property, asset retirement obligation accretion expense, loss on early extinguishment of debt, (gain) loss on derivatives, net settlements on derivative instruments, and net premium realizations on options that settled during the period.

Management believes Adjusted EBITDAX is useful because it allows the Company to more effectively evaluate its operating performance and compare the results of its operations from period to period without regard to its financing methods or capital structure. The Company excludes the items listed above from net income in arriving at Adjusted EBITDAX because these amounts can vary substantially from company to company within its industry depending upon accounting methods and book values of assets, capital structures, and the method by which the assets were acquired. Adjusted EBITDAX should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income as determined in accordance with GAAP or as an indicator of the Company's operating performance. Certain items excluded from Adjusted EBITDAX are significant components in understanding and assessing a company's financial performance, such as a company's cost of capital and tax structure, as well as the historic costs of depreciable assets, none of which are components of Adjusted EBITDAX. The Company's computations of Adjusted EBITDAX may not be comparable to other similarly titled measure of other companies. The Company believes that Adjusted EBITDAX is a widely followed measure of operating performance.

The following table presents a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDAX to the GAAP financial measure of net income (loss) for each of the periods indicated.

Adjusted Net Income

Adjusted net income is a performance measure used by management to evaluate financial performance, prior to non-cash gains or losses on derivatives, net cash received for derivative settlements, net premiums received on options that settled during the period, (gain) loss on sale of property, exploration costs, acquisition costs, loss on early extinguishment of debt, and change in TRA liability, while adjusting for noncontrolling interest and the associated changes in estimated income tax. Management believes adjusted net income is useful because it may enhance investors' ability to assess Parsley's historical and future financial performance. Adjusted net income should not be considered an alternative to consolidated net income, operating income, or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP. The following table presents a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure of adjusted net income to the GAAP financial measure of net income (loss).

 

Supplemental Information

 

 

 

SOURCE Parsley Energy, Inc.