Extraction Oil & Gas, Inc. Announces Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2016 Results; Exceeds 2016 Guidance and Reaffirms 2017 Outlook

DENVER, March 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Extraction Oil & Gas, Inc. (NASDAQ:XOG), an oil and gas exploration and production company with primary assets in the Wattenberg Field in the Denver-Julesburg Basin of Colorado, today reported financial and operational results for the fourth quarter and full-year ended December 31, 2016.

Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2016 Highlights

• Fourth quarter average net sales volumes of 38,161 barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOE/d), an increase of 32% sequentially and 57% year-over-year. Full-year 2016 average net sales of 29,891 BOE/d increased 54% over 2015. Production volumes exceeded the midpoint of company guidance on all three streams for the fourth quarter and full year 2016;
   
• Ended 2016 with $589 million of cash on the balance sheet resulting in no net debt and an undrawn borrowing base of $475 million resulting in approximately $1.1 billion of available liquidity;
   
• Year-end 2016 estimated proved reserves of 238 million barrels of oil equivalent (“MMBoe”), an approximate 50% increase over year-end 2015 proved reserves. Reserves were 64% liquids and 20% proved developed;
   
• For the fourth quarter, Extraction reported net loss of $245.6 million, or $1.54 per basic and diluted share¹, compared to net loss of $9.2 million for the same period in 2015. Full-year net loss of $456.0 million, impacted by approximately $300 million of non-cash unit and stock-based compensation expense primarily related to the initial public offering (“IPO”) and mark-to-market losses on commodity derivatives; and
   
• Adjusted EBITDAX, Unhedged² was $58.1 million for the fourth quarter, up 34% sequentially and 94% year-over-year and $163.6 million for the full-year 2016, up 38% over 2015.

Commenting on fourth quarter and full-year 2016 results, Extraction’s Chairman and CEO Mark Erickson said: “We continue to be very pleased with our financial and operating results. We exceeded our expectations for EBITDAX on a hedged and unhedged basis, while maintaining a strong balance sheet with over $1.0 billion of liquidity. Operationally, we finished the year with strong production that exceeded the midpoint of our stated guidance for all three streams for both the fourth quarter and full-year 2016, and our proved reserves grew 50% compared to 2015. As our company grows, we remain focused on maintaining our low Capex cost structure achieved through sustainable operational efficiencies.”

¹  For further information on the loss per share, refer to the Consolidated Statement of Operations
²  Adjusted EBITDAX and Adjusted EBITDAX, Unhedged are non-GAAP financial measures. For a definition of Adjusted EBITDAX and Adjusted EBITDAX, Unhedged and a reconciliation to our most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, read “—Adjusted EBITDAX and Adjusted EBITDAX, Unhedged.”

“We are encouraged by the results we are seeing from our first two pads utilizing enhanced completions. We are already selling oil and remain on schedule with our completion program. It is another real achievement by our dedicated operations team to meet the schedule throughout wintertime operations while implementing this important transition to enhanced completions.”

Financial Results

Fourth quarter average net sales volumes were 38,161 BOE/d, an increase of 32% sequentially and 57% year-over-year. Full-year 2016 average net sales volumes were 29,891 BOE/d, an increase of 54% over 2015. Sales volumes exceeded company guidance on all three streams for the fourth quarter and full-year 2016. Crude oil accounted for approximately 61% of our total revenues recorded during the fourth quarter of 2016.

For the fourth quarter, Extraction reported oil, natural gas and NGL sales revenue of $94.7 million, as compared to $56.1 million during the same period in 2015, representing an increase of 69%. Oil, natural gas and NGL sales were $278.1 million during 2016, an increase of 41% over the prior year.

Adjusted EBITDAX, Unhedged was $58.1 million for the fourth quarter, up 34% sequentially, up 94% compared to the prior year quarter and $163.6 million for the full-year 2016, up 38% over 2015. Adjusted EBITDAX was $54.3 million for the fourth quarter, up 13% sequentially, up 17% compared to the prior year quarter and $192.3 million for the full-year 2016, up 9% over 2015.

For the fourth quarter, Extraction reported quarterly net loss of $245.6 million, or $1.54 per basic and diluted share compared to net loss of $9.2 million for the same period in 2015. Full-year net loss of $456.0 million impacted by approximately $200.3 million of non-cash unit and stock-based compensation expense primarily related to the initial public offering (“IPO”) and approximately $100.9 million of mark-to-market losses on commodity derivatives, compares to a net loss of $47.3 million in 2015.

Transportation and gathering expense for the fourth quarter of $10.2 million, or $2.91 per BOE, was up 30% sequentially as a result of the Company’s percent-of-proceeds gathering and processing contracts due to higher natural gas and NGL realizations, which more than offset the increase.

Lease operating expenses (“LOE”) for the fourth quarter totaled $11.0 million or $3.13 per BOE, a 12% sequential decrease. This decrease in per-unit LOE is primarily a function of higher production volumes. Throughout 2016, our per-unit LOE declined steadily as newer horizontal wells contributed to our sharp growth in production volumes and as we continued to focus on cost structure.

Expenses associated with deficiency fees on the Grand Mesa pipeline totaled approximately $5 million during the fourth quarter 2016, which is reflected in Extraction’s fourth quarter crude oil differential. In the absence of current efforts to reduce the impact of these deficiencies, our production volumes should largely meet our commitments starting the third quarter of 2017.

The following table provides a summary of our sales volumes, average prices and certain operating expenses on a per BOE basis for the fourth-quarter and full-year 2016 and 2015 respectively:

Operational Results

During the fourth quarter of 2016, our aggregate drilling, completion and leasehold capital expenditures were approximately $146.1 million, excluding acquisitions. We reached total depth on 34 gross (31.5 net) horizontal wells with an average lateral length of approximately 8,000 feet and completed 17 gross (16 net) horizontal wells with an average lateral length of approximately 8,000 feet.

2017 Outlook

For the full-year 2017, we reaffirm our previously disclosed guidance as operations remain on track with our prior forecast. Extraction continues to expect full-year 2017 net sales volumes to average between 48-54 MBoe/d. Our crude oil production is expected to average 23-26 MBbl/d.

Due to the lack of wells turned to sales since mid-September and shut-ins of offset wells related to completion activities during the first quarter of 2017, we estimate our first quarter average net sales volumes to be 31-33 MBoe/d. Oil volumes are expected to average 12-14 MBbl/d. For the first quarter, we expect our LOE to be between $11.5 million and $12.5 million and our cash G&A to be between $10.5 million and $11.5 million.
Mark Erickson, Extraction’s Chairman and CEO, said, “Our operations are on track for our large expected production ramp during the second quarter with our largest expected sequential growth occurring during the third quarter of 2017. With the continued operational success we will have very strong momentum taking us into 2018.”

Debt and Liquidity

Extraction ended 2016 with $589 million of cash on its balance sheet resulting in no net debt, an undrawn borrowing base of $475 million and approximately $1.1 billion of available liquidity.

Proved Reserves at December 31, 2016

The table below reconciles the components driving the 2016 reserve increase:

Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2017 Earnings Conference Call Information

Those who would like to participate can dial into the number listed below approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled conference call time, and enter confirmation number 66595717 when prompted.

To access the audio webcast and related presentation materials, please visit the investor relations section of the Company’s website at www.extractionog.com. A replay of the conference call will be available on the website for approximately 30 days following the call.

About Extraction Oil & Gas, Inc.

Denver-based Extraction Oil & Gas, Inc. is an independent energy exploration and development company focused on exploring, developing and producing crude oil, natural gas and NGLs primarily in the Wattenberg Field in the Denver-Julesburg Basin of Colorado. For further information, please visit www.extractionog.com. The Company’s common shares are listed for trading on the NASDAQ under the symbol: “XOG.”

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included herein concerning, among other things, planned capital expenditures, increases in oil and gas production, the number of anticipated wells to be drilled or completed after the date hereof, future cash flows and borrowings, pursuit of potential acquisition opportunities, our financial position, business strategy and other plans and objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “may,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “intend,” “achievable,” “anticipate,” “will,” “continue,” “potential,” “should,” “could,” and similar terms and phrases. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve certain assumptions, risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements represent our expectations or beliefs concerning future events, and it is possible that the results described in this press release will not be achieved. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control that 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, we do 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 us to predict all such factors. When considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in the prospectus filed with the SEC in connection with our initial public offering and in subsequent public filings with the SEC. These and other factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

Adjusted EBITDAX and Adjusted EBITDAX, Unhedged is not a measure of net income (loss) as determined by United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Adjusted EBITDAX and Adjusted EBITDAX, Unhedged is a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure that is used by management and external users of our Predecessor’s financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies. We define Adjusted EBITDAX as net income (loss) adjusted for certain cash and non-cash items, including depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion (“DD&A”), impairment of long lived assets, exploration expenses, rig termination fees, acquisition transaction expenses, commodity derivative (gain) loss, settlements on commodity derivatives, premiums paid for derivatives that settled during the period, unit and stock-based compensation expense, amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs, interest expense, income taxes, and non-recurring charges. We define Adjusted EBITDAX, Unhedged as Adjusted EBITDAX adjusted for settlements on commodity derivative instruments and premiums paid for derivative that settled during the period.

Management believes Adjusted EBITDAX and Adjusted EBITDAX, Unhedged are useful because it allows us to more effectively evaluate our operating performance and compare the results of our operations from period to period without regard to our financing methods or capital structure. We exclude the items listed above from net income (loss) in arriving at Adjusted EBITDAX and Adjusted EBITDAX, Unhedged because these amounts can vary substantially from company to company within our industry depending upon accounting methods and book values of assets, capital structures and the method by which the assets were acquired. Adjusted EBITDAX and Adjusted EBITDAX, Unhedged should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income (loss) as determined in accordance with GAAP or as an indicator of our operating performance. Certain items excluded from Adjusted EBITDAX and Adjusted EBITDAX, Unhedged are significant components in understanding and assessing a company’s financial performance, such as a company’s cost of capital, hedging strategy and tax structure, as well as the historic costs of depreciable assets, none of which are components of Adjusted EBITDAX and Adjusted EBITDAX, Unhedged. Our computations of Adjusted EBITDAX and Adjusted EBITDAX, Unhedged may not be comparable to other similarly titled measure of other companies. We believe that Adjusted EBITDAX and Adjusted EBITDAX, Unhedged is a widely followed measure of operating performance.  A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDAX and Adjusted EBITDAX, Unhedged and net income (loss) for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 is provided in the table above. Additionally, our management team believes Adjusted EBITDAX and Adjusted EBITDAX, Unhedged are useful to an investor in evaluating our financial performance because these measures (i) are widely used by investors in the oil and natural gas industry to measure a company’s operating performance without regard to items excluded from the calculation of such term, among other factors; (ii) help investors to more meaningfully evaluate and compare the results of our operations from period to period by removing the effect of our capital structure from our operating structure; and (iii) are used by our management team for various purposes, including as a measure of operating performance, in presentations to our board of directors, as a basis for strategic planning and forecasting. Adjusted EBITDAX is also used by our Board of Directors as a performance measure in determining executive compensation.

For further information, please contact Mr. Louis Baltimore, Director of Investor Relations at Extraction Oil & Gas, Inc. at +1.720.974.7773