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8-K - COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. FORM 8-K - COMSTOCK RESOURCES INCform8kfeb72011.htm
Exhibit 99.1
 
 
 
5300 Town and Country Blvd., Suite 500
Frisco, Texas 75034
Telephone: (972) 668-8800
Contact: Roland O. Burns
Sr. Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
Web Site: www.comstockresources.com

NEWS RELEASE

 
For Immediate Release 
 
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. REPORTS
FOURTH QUARTER and ANNUAL 2010
FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESULTS

FRISCO, TEXAS, February 7, 2011 – Comstock Resources, Inc. ("Comstock" or the "Company") (NYSE: CRK) today reported financial and operating results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2010.

Financial Results for the Three Months and Year Ended December 31, 2010

Comstock reported a net loss of $20.6 million or 45¢ per share for the three months ended December 31, 2010 as compared to a net loss of $6.8 million or 15¢ per share for the three months ended December 31, 2009.  Included in the net loss for the fourth quarter of 2010 is a loss of $25.8 million before income taxes ($16.8 million after tax) resulting from the sale of the Company's Mississippi properties in the quarter.  Excluding this loss on the divestiture, the net loss for the fourth quarter of 2010 would have been $3.8 million or 8¢ per share.

Production in the fourth quarter of 2010 was 17.3 billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent ("Bcfe").  Production from the Company's Haynesville shale wells of 94.2 million cubic feet of natural gas equivalent ("MMcfe") per day accounted for 50% of the Company's total production of 187.6 MMcfe per day in the fourth quarter of 2010, as compared to 83.6 MMcfe per day (40%) during the fourth quarter of 2009.  Comstock completed eleven Haynesville shale wells during the fourth quarter of 2010, overcoming the shortage of pressure pumping completion services which impacted completion activity in the second and third quarters of 2010.  The increased Haynesville shale production was offset in part by the effect of 5 MMcfe per day of well shut-ins during the fourth quarter.

Natural gas prices declined in the fourth quarter of 2010 as compared to natural gas prices during the fourth quarter of 2009.  Comstock's average realized natural gas price decreased 16% to $3.73 per Mcf for the fourth quarter of 2010 as compared to $4.43 per Mcf in the fourth quarter of 2009.  The Company's average realized oil price increased by 15% to $74.75 per barrel for the fourth quarter of 2010 as compared to $64.76 per barrel in the fourth quarter of 2009.  The lower natural gas prices resulted in a 21% decrease in oil and gas sales which were $72.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 as compared to 2009's fourth quarter sales of $91.9 million.  Operating cash flow (before changes in working capital accounts) was $44.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 and EBITDAX, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, exploration expense and other noncash expenses, was $51.3 million.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
Comstock reported a net loss of $19.6 million or 43¢ per share for the year ended December 31, 2010 as compared to a net loss of $36.5 million or 81¢ per share for the year ended December 31, 2009.  Excluding the loss resulting from the sale of the Mississippi properties, the net loss for the year ended December 31, 2010 would have been $2.8 million or 6¢ per share.  Production in 2010 increased 12% to 73.3 Bcfe as compared to the 65.5 Bcfe produced during 2009.  Comstock averaged $4.35 per Mcf for sales of its natural gas production in 2010, 5% higher than the $4.16 per Mcf realized during 2009.  Realized oil prices in 2010 averaged $68.35 per barrel, 34% higher than the $50.94 per barrel in 2009.  The higher production and improved oil and gas prices resulted in a 19% increase in oil and gas sales for 2010, which were $349.1 million as compared with $292.6 million in 2009.  Operating cash flow (before changes in working capital accounts) generated by Comstock for 2010 was $219.7 million while EBITDAX was $249.1 million.

2010 Drilling Results

Comstock reported on the results of its 2010 drilling program.  The Company spent $537 million during 2010 on its exploration and development activities, $396 million of which was spent on drilling activities, $138 million of which was spent to acquire leases and $3 million of which was spent to acquire seismic data.  During 2010 Comstock drilled 78 wells (49.3 net wells).  The drilling program added 431 Bcfe of proved reserves in 2010 and were the primary driver of the Company’s 45% growth in proved oil and gas reserves achieved in 2010.  As of December 31, 2010, the Company also had seven wells in the process of drilling, including six in the Haynesville or Bossier shale and one in the Eagle Ford shale.
 
 
In the East Texas/North Louisiana region, Comstock drilled 73 wells (45.5 net) during 2010.  Seventy-two of the wells were Haynesville or Bossier shale wells.  Thirty-seven of the 72 Haynesville or Bossier shale wells drilled in 2010 were completed and put on production at an average per well initial production rate of 10.4 MMcfe per day.  Comstock had 35 (23.4 net) wells that were drilled in 2010 but were not completed due to unavailability of pressure pumping completion services.  Comstock has secured sufficient completion services in 2011 to allow the Company to complete these wells.  Comstock operates 26 (22.1 net) of the uncompleted wells.

In addition to its Haynesville shale horizontal drilling program, Comstock drilled two vertical wells during 2010.  Comstock successfully completed a Cotton Valley well in its Blocker field in East Texas and also completed the Julian Pasture #4 in its Ball Ranch field in South Texas.

Comstock also reported early results from its drilling program on its Eagle Ford shale acreage in South Texas.  Comstock has drilled three wells (3.0 net), one in each of Atascosa, Karnes and McMullen counties.  These wells were all located in the oil window of the Eagle Ford shale play.  The NWR #1H was drilled in Atascosa County to a vertical depth of 8,706 feet with a 5,209 foot lateral.  After frac, this well produced an initial rate of 381 barrels of oil per day and is currently producing to sales on a restricted choke and is on a very shallow production decline.  The Rancho Tres Hijos #1H well was drilled in McMullen County to a vertical depth of 8,715 feet with a 4,091 foot lateral.  After frac, this well flowed at an initial rate approaching 432 barrels of oil per day and is currently producing to sales on a restricted choke and it is also on a very shallow production decline.  The third well, the Coates #1, was drilled in Karnes County to a vertical depth of 9,706 feet with a 5,422 foot lateral.  This well is currently flowing back frac fluids after its completion.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 

Comstock has planned a conference call for 9:30 a.m. Central Time on Tuesday, February 8, 2011, to discuss the operational and financial results for the fourth quarter of 2010.  Investors wishing to participate should visit the Company's website at www.comstockresources.com for a live web cast or dial 1-866-277-1181 (international dial-in use 617-597-5358) and provide access code 20977380 when prompted.  If you are unable to participate in the original conference call, a web replay will be available approximately 24 hours following the completion of the call on Comstock's website at www.comstockresources.com.  The web replay will be available for approximately one week.

This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described herein.  Although the Company believes the expectations in such statements to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.

Comstock Resources, Inc. is an independent energy company based in Frisco, Texas and is engaged in oil and gas acquisitions, exploration and development primarily in Texas and Louisiana.  The Company's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CRK.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
OPERATING RESULTS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
   
Three Months Ended December 31,
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                                 
Revenues:
                               
Oil and gas sales
 
$
72,650
   
$
91,921
   
$
349,141
   
$
292,583
 
Gain on sale of properties
   
     
213
     
     
213
 
Operating expenses:
                               
Production taxes
   
351
     
3,157
     
9,894
     
8,643
 
Gathering and transportation
   
4,948
     
4,734
     
17,256
     
8,696
 
Lease operating
   
12,375
     
12,545
     
53,525
     
53,560
 
Exploration
   
99
     
536
     
2,605
     
907
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
   
50,206
     
61,237
     
213,809
     
213,238
 
Impairment of oil and gas properties
   
11
     
     
224
     
115
 
Loss on sale of properties
   
25,835
     
     
26,632
     
 
General and administrative
   
8,235
     
11,613
     
37,200
     
39,172
 
                                 
Total operating expenses
   
102,060
     
93,822
     
361,145
     
324,331
 
                                 
Operating loss
   
(29,410
)
   
(1,688
)
   
(12,004
)
   
(31,535
)
                                 
Other income (expenses):
                               
Interest income
   
     
210
     
263
     
245
 
Other income
   
91
     
18
     
236
     
133
 
Gain on sale of marketable securities
   
10,837
     
     
16,529
     
 
Interest expense
   
(6,905
)
   
(7,779
)
   
(29,456
)
   
(16,086
)
                                 
Total other income (expenses)
   
4,023
     
(7,551
)
   
(12,428
)
   
(15,708
)
                                 
Loss before income taxes
   
(25,387
)
   
(9,239
)
   
(24,432
)
   
(47,243
)
Benefit from income taxes
   
4,778
     
2,472
     
4,846
     
10,772
 
Net loss
 
$
(20,609
)
 
$
(6,767
)
 
$
(19,586
)
 
$
(36,471
)
                                 
Net loss per share:
                               
Basic
 
$
(0.45
)
 
$
(0.15
)
 
$
(0.43
)
 
$
(0.81
)
Diluted
 
$
(0.45
)
 
$
(0.15
)
 
$
(0.43
)
 
$
(0.81
)
                                 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
   
45,631
     
45,042
     
45,561
     
45,004
 
Diluted(1) 
   
45,631
     
45,042
     
45,561
     
45,004
 
 
   
(1)  Basic and diluted shares are the same due to the net loss.

 
 

 
 
 


 
 

 
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
OPERATING RESULTS
(In thousands)

   
Three Months Ended
December 31,
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                                 
OPERATING CASH FLOW:
                               
Net loss
 
$
(20,609
)
 
$
(6,767
)
 
$
(19,586
)
 
$
(36,471
)
Reconciling items:
                               
    Deferred income taxes
   
(4,748
)
   
8,478
     
(4,617
)
   
30,796
 
    Depreciation, depletion and amortization
   
50,206
     
61,237
     
213,809
     
213,238
 
    Impairment of oil and gas properties
   
11
     
     
224
     
115
 
    (Gain) loss on sale of assets
   
14,998
     
(213
)
   
10,103
     
(213
)
    Debt issuance costs and discount amortization
   
602
     
554
     
2,436
     
1,162
 
    Stock-based compensation
   
4,447
     
4,250
     
17,377
     
15,783
 
Operating cash flow
   
44,907
     
67,539
     
219,746
     
224,410
 
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation
   
12
     
(123
)
   
(1,491
)
   
(1,097
)
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable
   
(12,528
)
   
(10,046
)
   
(4,432
)
   
1,997
 
Decrease (increase) in other current assets
   
(1,358
)
   
(4,549
)
   
48,070
     
(27,927
)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses
   
31,393
     
5,586
     
49,769
     
(21,126
)
                                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
62,426
   
$
58,407
   
$
311,662
   
$
176,257
 
                                 
EBITDAX:
                               
Net loss
 
$
(20,609
)
 
$
(6,767
)
 
$
(19,586
)
 
$
(36,471
)
Interest expense
   
6,905
     
7,779
     
29,456
     
16,086
 
Income tax benefit
   
(4,778
)
   
(2,472
)
   
(4,846
)
   
(10,772
)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
   
50,206
     
61,237
     
213,809
     
213,238
 
Impairment of oil and gas properties
   
11
     
     
224
     
115
 
(Gain) loss on sale of assets
   
14,998
     
(213
)
   
10,103
     
(213
)
Stock-based compensation
   
4,447
     
4,250
     
17,377
     
15,783
 
Exploration
   
99
     
536
     
2,605
     
907
 
                                 
EBITDAX
 
$
51,279
   
$
64,350
   
$
249,142
   
$
198,673
 
 
   
As of December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
                 
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
1,732
   
$
90,472
 
Income taxes receivable
   
     
42,402
 
Marketable securities
   
84,637
     
95,973
 
Other current assets
   
49,362
     
44,539
 
Property and equipment, net
   
1,816,248
     
1,576,287
 
Other
   
12,235
     
9,288
 
                 
Total assets
 
$
1,964,214
   
$
1,858,961
 
                 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
$
155,064
   
$
94,771
 
Long-term debt
   
513,372
     
470,836
 
Deferred income taxes
   
217,993
     
220,682
 
Other non-current liabilities
   
9,254
     
6,561
 
Stockholders' equity
   
1,068,531
     
1,066,111
 
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
1,964,214
   
$
1,858,961
 
 

 
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
REGIONAL OPERATING RESULTS
(In thousands, except per unit amounts)

   
For the Three Months Ended
December 31, 2010
   
For the Three Months Ended
December 31, 2009
 
   
East Texas/
                     
East Texas/
                   
   
North
   
South
               
North
   
South
             
   
Louisiana
   
Texas
   
Other
   
Total
   
Louisiana
   
Texas
   
Other
   
Total
 
Oil production (thousand barrels)
   
33
     
43
     
82
     
158
     
43
     
42
     
106
     
191
 
Gas production (MMcf)
   
12,637
     
3,130
     
549
     
16,316
     
12,770
     
4,356
     
817
     
17,943
 
Total production (MMcfe)
   
12,835
     
3,383
     
1,042
     
17,260
     
13,031
     
4,603
     
1,454
     
19,088
 
                                                                 
Oil sales
 
$
2,667
   
$
3,517
   
$
5,573
   
$
11,757
   
$
3,125
   
$
3,034
   
$
6,199
   
$
12,358
 
Gas sales
   
45,356
     
13,278
     
2,259
     
60,893
     
50,623
     
19,279
     
3,671
     
73,573
 
Gas hedging gains
   
     
     
     
     
     
5,990
     
     
5,990
 
Total gas sales
   
45,356
     
13,278
     
2,259
     
60,893
     
50,623
     
25,269
     
3,671
     
79,563
 
Total oil and gas sales
 
$
48,023
   
$
16,795
   
$
7,832
   
$
72,650
   
$
53,748
   
$
28,303
   
$
9,870
   
$
91,921
 
                                                                 
Average oil price (per barrel)
 
$
80.63
   
$
83.16
   
$
68.03
   
$
74.75
   
$
72.04
   
$
73.78
   
$
58.31
   
$
64.76
 
Average gas price (per Mcf)
 
$
3.59
   
$
4.24
   
$
4.11
   
$
3.73
   
$
3.96
   
$
4.43
   
$
4.49
   
$
4.10
 
Average gas price including hedging (per Mcf)
 
$
3.59
   
$
4.24
   
$
4.11
   
$
3.73
   
$
3.96
   
$
5.80
   
$
4.49
   
$
4.43
 
Average price (per Mcfe)
 
$
3.74
   
$
4.96
   
$
7.52
   
$
4.21
   
$
4.12
   
$
4.85
   
$
6.79
   
$
4.50
 
Average price including hedging (per Mcfe)
 
$
3.74
   
$
4.96
   
$
7.52
   
$
4.21
   
$
4.12
   
$
6.15
   
$
6.79
   
$
4.82
 
                                                                 
Production taxes
 
$
(781
)
 
$
682
   
$
450
   
$
351
   
$
2,906
   
$
(329
)
 
$
580
   
$
3,157
 
Gathering and transportation
 
$
4,189
   
$
643
   
$
116
   
$
4,948
   
$
4,031
   
$
587
   
$
116
   
$
4,734
 
Lease operating
 
$
6,162
   
$
3,667
   
$
2,546
   
$
12,375
   
$
6,207
   
$
3,478
   
$
2,860
   
$
12,545
 
Production taxes (per Mcfe)
 
$
(0.06
)
 
$
0.20
   
$
0.43
   
$
0.02
   
$
0.22
   
$
(0.07
)
 
$
0.40
   
$
0.17
 
Gathering and transportation (per Mcfe)
 
$
0.33
   
$
0.19
   
$
0.11
   
$
0.29
   
$
0.31
   
$
0.13
   
$
0.08
   
$
0.25
 
Lease operating (per Mcfe)
 
$
0.48
   
$
1.09
   
$
2.45
   
$
0.71
   
$
0.48
   
$
0.75
   
$
1.97
   
$
0.65
 
                                                                 
Oil and Gas Capital Expenditures:
                                                               
Leasehold costs
 
$
5,387
   
$
2,100
   
$
15
   
$
7,502
   
$
17,343
   
$
173
   
$
79
   
$
17,595
 
Exploratory drilling
   
9,718
     
19,185
     
     
28,903
     
10,196
     
4
     
     
10,200
 
Development drilling
   
96,913
     
7,441
     
101
     
104,455
     
61,162
     
846
     
152
     
62,160
 
Other development
   
34
     
210
     
78
     
322
     
538
     
430
     
17
     
985
 
Total
 
$
112,052
   
$
28,936
   
$
194
   
$
141,182
   
$
89,239
   
$
1,453
   
$
248
   
$
90,940
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
REGIONAL OPERATING RESULTS
(In thousands, except per unit amounts)
 
   
For the Year Ended
December 31, 2010
   
For the Year Ended
December 31, 2009
 
   
East Texas/
                     
East Texas/
                   
   
North
   
South
               
North
   
South
             
   
Louisiana
   
Texas
   
Other
   
Total
   
Louisiana
   
Texas
   
Other
   
Total
 
Oil production (thousand barrels)
   
147
     
157
     
411
     
715
     
210
     
164
     
401
     
775
 
Gas production (MMcf)
   
52,038
     
14,437
     
2,498
     
68,973
     
39,048
     
18,921
     
2,851
     
60,820
 
Total production (MMcfe)
   
52,920
     
15,376
     
4,966
     
73,262
     
40,309
     
19,902
     
5,257
     
65,468
 
                                                                 
Oil sales
 
$
11,237
   
$
12,088
   
$
25,524
   
$
48,849
   
$
11,310
   
$
9,344
   
$
18,802
   
$
39,456
 
Gas sales
   
219,387
     
68,915
     
11,990
     
300,292
     
141,632
     
74,572
     
10,601
     
226,805
 
Gas hedging gains
   
     
     
     
     
     
26,322
     
     
26,322
 
Total gas sales
   
219,387
     
68,915
     
11,990
     
300,292
     
141,632
     
100,894
     
10,601
     
253,127
 
Total oil and gas sales
 
$
230,624
   
$
81,003
   
$
37,514
   
$
349,141
   
$
152,942
   
$
110,238
   
$
29,403
   
$
292,583
 
                                                                 
Average oil price (per barrel)
 
$
76.37
   
$
77.21
   
$
62.10
   
$
68.35
   
$
53.83
   
$
57.19
   
$
46.88
   
$
50.94
 
Average gas price (per Mcf)
 
$
4.22
   
$
4.77
   
$
4.80
   
$
4.35
   
$
3.63
   
$
3.94
   
$
3.72
   
$
3.73
 
Average gas price including hedging (per Mcf)
 
$
4.22
   
$
4.77
   
$
4.80
   
$
4.35
   
$
3.63
   
$
5.33
   
$
3.72
   
$
4.16
 
Average price (per Mcfe)
 
$
4.36
   
$
5.27
   
$
7.55
   
$
4.77
   
$
3.79
   
$
4.22
   
$
5.59
   
$
4.07
 
Average price including hedging (per Mcfe)
 
$
4.36
   
$
5.27
   
$
7.55
   
$
4.77
   
$
3.79
   
$
5.54
   
$
5.59
   
$
4.47
 
                                                                 
Production taxes
 
$
5,837
   
$
1,990
   
$
2,067
   
$
9,894
   
$
4,862
   
$
2,041
   
$
1,740
   
$
8,643
 
Gathering and transportation
 
$
14,762
   
$
2,086
   
$
408
   
$
17,256
   
$
5,475
   
$
2,773
   
$
448
   
$
8,696
 
Lease operating
 
$
28,000
   
$
14,027
   
$
11,498
   
$
53,525
   
$
26,696
   
$
14,536
   
$
12,328
   
$
53,560
 
Production taxes (per Mcfe)
 
$
0.11
   
$
0.13
   
$
0.42
   
$
0.14
   
$
0.12
   
$
0.10
   
$
0.33
   
$
0.13
 
Gathering and transportation (per Mcfe)
 
$
0.28
   
$
0.14
   
$
0.08
   
$
0.24
   
$
0.14
   
$
0.14
   
$
0.09
   
$
0.13
 
Lease operating (per Mcfe)
 
$
0.53
   
$
0.91
   
$
2.31
   
$
0.72
   
$
0.66
   
$
0.73
   
$
2.34
   
$
0.82
 
                                                                 
Oil and Gas Capital Expenditures:
                                                               
Leasehold costs
 
$
55,788
   
$
81,975
   
$
173
   
$
137,936
   
$
26,887
   
$
817
   
$
234
   
$
27,938
 
Exploratory drilling
   
59,579
     
25,561
     
     
85,140
     
99,113
     
1,936
     
     
101,049
 
Development drilling
   
294,399
     
9,506
     
1,505
     
305,410
     
178,349
     
27,279
     
273
     
205,901
 
Other development
   
2,251
     
2,559
     
838
     
5,648
     
4,574
     
4,662
     
343
     
9,579
 
Total
 
$
412,017
   
$
119,601
   
$
2,516
   
$
534,134
   
$
308,923
   
$
34,694
   
$
850
   
$
344,467