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8-K - WHITING PETROLEUM FORM 8-K, DATED JULY 27, 2016 - WHITING PETROLEUM CORPform8-k.htm



 
 Company Contact: Eric K. Hagen July 27, 2016 
 Title: Vice President, Investor Relations For immediate release
 Phone: 303.837.1661  
 Email: Eric.Hagen@whiting.com  
 
Whiting Petroleum Corporation Announces Second Quarter 2016 Financial and Operating Results

·  
Q2 2016 Capex on Budget at $79.4 Million

·  
Q2 2016 Production Averaged 134,245 BOE/d

·  
YTD Exchanged $1.6 Billion of Notes for New Convertible Notes

·  
Closed the Sale of North Ward Estes Properties on July 27th for $300 Million and Potential $100 Million Contingency Payment

·  
Williston Basin Enhanced Completions Tracking 900 MBOE Type Curve

·  
Adding 16 Williston Basin Completions in Second Half of 2016
 
 
DENVER – July 27, 2016 – Whiting’s (NYSE: WLL) 2016 second quarter capex of $79.4 million was on budget and a 70% improvement from the first quarter. Production in the second quarter 2016 totaled 12.2 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMBOE), an average of 134,245 barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOE/d), which was comprised of 85% crude oil/natural gas liquids (NGLs).  In late June, the company recommenced operations in the Williston Basin in connection with the 44-well participation agreement announced in its first quarter results press release.

Whiting has entered into a new 30-well participation agreement in its Pronghorn area of the Williston Basin on terms similar to its other participation agreement. The company plans to add a rig in October to begin drilling this program. In addition to the new 30-well program, with stronger commodity prices and higher cash flow, the company plans to increase activity in the second half of the year and complete 16 gross (12.5 net) drilled uncompleted (DUC) wells in the Williston Basin. The new participation agreement and addition of these DUC wells increase 2016 capex by $50 million and should lead to a highly capital efficient production profile in 2017.  All of the new combined operational activity should help stabilize production in the last quarter of the year and give positive momentum entering 2017.
 
 

 

James J. Volker, Whiting’s Chairman, President and CEO, commented, “During the second quarter, we continued to strengthen our balance sheet. We exchanged an additional $1.1 billion of debt into mandatory convertible debt, bringing our total to $1.6 billion year-to-date.  These debt exchanges have effectively reduced Whiting’s debt by $810 million as of July 27, 2016 by conversion into stock.  In addition, as detailed below we sold the North Ward Estes property for $300 million and a potential contingency payment of $100 million.  This transaction allows us to reduce our leverage and thereby strengthen our balance sheet while maintaining our strategic focus on our core properties located in the Williston Basin in North Dakota and Denver Julesburg Basin in Colorado.”
 
Operating and Financial Results
The following table summarizes the operating and financial results for the second quarter of 2016 and 2015, including non-cash charges recorded during those periods:
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
Production (MBOE/d) (1) 
    134.24       170.24  
Net cash provided by operating activities-MM
  $ 161.0     $ 326.0  
Discretionary cash flow-MM (2) 
  $ 151.6     $ 380.7  
Realized price ($/BOE)
  $ 30.39     $ 44.65  
Total revenues-MM
  $ 339.6     $ 590.0  
Net loss available to common shareholders-MM (3)(4) 
  $ (301.0 )   $ (149.3 )
Per basic share
  $ (1.33 )   $ (0.73 )
Per diluted share
  $ (1.33 )   $ (0.73 )
Adjusted net income (loss) available to common shareholders-MM (5)
  $ (158.7 )   $ 9.2  
Per basic share
  $ (0.70 )   $ 0.04  
Per diluted share
  $ (0.70 )   $ 0.04  
 
(1)
Second quarter 2015 includes 8,740 BOE/d that was divested during the year.
(2)
A reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to discretionary cash flow is included later in this news release.
(3)
For the three months ended June 30, 2016, net loss available to common shareholders included $31 million of pre-tax, non-cash derivative losses or $0.09 per basic and diluted share after tax. For the three months ended June 30, 2015, net loss available to common shareholders included $144 million of pre-tax, non-cash derivative losses or $0.44 per basic and diluted share after tax.
(4)
For the three months ended June 30, 2016, net loss available to common shareholders included a $179 million pre-tax, non-cash loss on extinguishment of debt, or $0.50 per basic and diluted share after tax.
(5)
A reconciliation of net loss available to common shareholders to adjusted net income (loss) available to common shareholders is included later in this news release.
 
 
2

 

 The following table summarizes the first six months operating and financial results for 2016 and 2015:
 
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
Production (MBOE/d) (1) 
    140.51       168.60  
Net cash provided by operating activities-MM
  $ 206.9     $ 528.1  
Discretionary cash flow-MM (2) 
  $ 253.9     $ 629.9  
Realized price ($/BOE)
  $ 28.00     $ 41.36  
Total revenues-MM
  $ 631.6     $ 1,119.2  
Net loss available to common shareholders-MM (3)(4) 
  $ (472.8 )   $ (255.4 )
Per basic share
  $ (2.20 )   $ (1.37 )
Per diluted share
  $ (2.20 )   $ (1.37 )
Adjusted net loss available to common shareholders-MM (5)
  $ (333.0 )   $ (29.9 )
Per basic share
  $ (1.55 )   $ (0.16 )
Per diluted share
  $ (1.55 )   $ (0.16 )

(1)
The six months ended June 30, 2015 includes 10,570 BOE/d that was divested during the year.
(2)
A reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to discretionary cash flow is included later in this news release.
(3)
For the six months ended June 30, 2016, net loss available to common shareholders included $91 million of pre-tax, non-cash derivative losses or $0.27 per basic and diluted share after tax. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, net loss available to common shareholders included $184 million of pre-tax, non-cash derivative losses or $0.62 per basic and diluted share after tax.
(4)
For the six months ended June 30, 2016, net loss available to common shareholders included a $89 million pre-tax, non-cash loss on extinguishment of debt, or $0.26 per basic and diluted share after tax.
(5)
A reconciliation of net loss available to common shareholders to adjusted net income (loss) available to common shareholders is included later in this news release.
 
 
3

 

Sale of North Ward Estes for $300 Million and Potential $100 Million Contingency Payment

On July 27, Whiting closed the sale of its North Ward Estes field and associated assets located in Ward and Winkler Counties, Texas to a third party.  The cash purchase price was $300 million, subject to certain closing and post-closing adjustments.  In addition to the cash purchase price, the buyer will pay Whiting $100,000 for every one cent ($0.01) the average of the NYMEX WTI crude oil futures contract price for the period of August 2018 through July 2021 is above $50.00 on June 28, 2018, up to a maximum amount of $100 million (“Oil Price Payment”).  The potential Oil Price Payment will be made at the option of the buyer either in cash on July 31, 2018 or in the form of a secured promissory note accruing interest at 8% per annum with a maturity of July 29, 2022.  The effective date of the sale is July 1, 2016.  Whiting will operate the properties under a transition services agreement for three months after the closing date of July 27, 2016.

Whiting estimates the properties subject to the sale consist of net daily production of approximately 8.6 MBOE/d or 6.4% of its June 2016 production.  This equates to a net cash price of approximately $34,900 per BOE/d.  Whiting used the net proceeds from the sale to repay a portion of the debt outstanding under its credit agreement.
 
Operations Update

Whiting controls 746,338 gross (444,214 net) acres in the Williston Basin and 154,018 gross (129,076 net) acres at its Redtail Niobrara play.  In the second quarter 2016, total net production for the Company averaged 134,245 BOE/d.  The Bakken/Three Forks play in the Williston Basin averaged 114,435 BOE/d and the Redtail Niobrara play in the DJ Basin averaged 10,150 BOE/d.

Enhanced completion wells tracking 900 MBOE type curve.  Since January 2015, Whiting has completed 48 enhanced completion wells in the Williston Basin that have at least 200 days on production.  These wells span Whiting’s acreage and are located in Billings, Dunn, McKenzie, Mountrail, Stark and Williams counties, North Dakota.  On average, these wells were completed with 36 stages and 6.6 million pounds of sand.  Currently, Whiting is testing large volume completions at two pads in Williams County, North Dakota.  At the Carscallen pad, one of four wells will be completed with 13.6 million pounds of sand and at the P Bibler pad, one of three wells will be completed with 10.1 million pounds of sand.

Gas capture rate in Williston Basin 94%, nearing 100% in DJ Niobrara Redtail field.    Whiting has continued to improve its gas capture rates in both basins.  Its gas capture rate in the Williston Basin averaged 94% during the second quarter, 14% better than North Dakota requirements and a 5% increase from the first quarter.  At its Redtail field, Whiting’s gas capture rate is currently 98%.
 
 
4

 
 
Other Financial and Operating Results
The following table summarizes the Company’s net production and commodity price realizations for the quarters ended June 30, 2016 and 2015:
 
   
Three Months Ended
       
   
June 30,
       
   
2016
   
2015
   
Change
 
Production
                 
Oil (MMBbl)
    8.72       12.43     (30 %)
NGLs (MMBbl)
    1.69       1.30     30 %
Natural gas (Bcf)
    10.81       10.61     2 %
Total equivalent (MMBOE)
    12.22       15.49     (21 %)
                       
Average sales price
                     
Oil (per Bbl):
                     
Price received
  $ 35.67     $ 48.95     (27 %)
Effect of crude oil hedging (1) 
    3.93       3.32        
Realized price
  $ 39.60     $ 52.27     (24 %)
Weighted average NYMEX price (per Bbl) (2) 
  $ 45.57     $ 57.95     (21 %)
 
NGLs (per Bbl):
                     
Realized price
  $ 9.17     $ 16.86     (46 %)
 
Natural gas (per Mcf):
                     
Realized price
  $ 0.96     $ 1.92     (50 %)
Weighted average NYMEX price (per Mcf) (2) 
  $ 1.98     $ 2.61     (24 %)
 
(1)
Whiting received $34 million and $41 million in pre-tax cash settlements on its crude oil hedges during the second quarter of 2016 and 2015, respectively.  A summary of Whiting’s outstanding hedges is included later in this news release.
(2)
Average NYMEX prices weighted for monthly production volumes.
 
Second Quarter and First Half 2016 Costs and Margins
A summary of production, cash revenues and cash costs on a per BOE basis is as follows:
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
 
   
(per BOE, except production)
 
Production (MMBOE)
    12.22       15.49       25.57       30.52  
                                 
Sales price, net of hedging
  $ 30.39     $ 44.65     $ 28.00     $ 41.36  
Lease operating expense
    8.61       9.25       8.59       10.15  
Production tax
    2.20       3.66       2.06       3.31  
Cash general & administrative
    2.21       2.46       2.55       2.47  
Exploration
    0.85       2.09       1.21       2.85  
Cash interest expense
    5.00       4.61       4.76       4.71  
Cash income tax benefit
    -       (0.01 )     -       -  
    $ 11.52     $ 22.59     $ 8.83     $ 17.87  
 
 
5

 
 
Second Quarter and First Half 2016 Drilling and Expenditures Summary
The table below summarizes Whiting’s operated and non-operated drilling activity and capital expenditures for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016.

   
Gross/Net Wells Completed
     
           
Total New
 
% Success
 
CAPEX
 
   
Producing
 
Non-Producing
 
Drilling
 
Rate
 
(in MM)
 
Q2 16   23 / 19.3   0 / 0   23 / 19.3   100% / 100%   $   79.4 (1)  
6M 16   42 / 28.3   0 / 0   42 / 28.3   100% / 100%   $ 346.7 (2)  
 
(1)
Includes $0 million for non-operated drilling and completion, $6 million for facilities, $2 million in drilling rig early termination fees, and $1 million for land.
(2)
Includes $34 million for non-operated drilling and completion, $16 million in drilling rig early termination fees, $12 million for facilities and $2 million for land.
 
Outlook for Third Quarter and Full-Year 2016
The following table provides guidance for the third quarter and full-year 2016 based on current forecasts, including Whiting’s full-year 2016 capital budget of $550 million.
 
   
Guidance
   
Third Quarter
 
Full Year
   
2016
 
2016
Production (MMBOE)
 
10.5    -    11.1
 
46.5    -    47.3
Lease operating expense per BOE
 
$    8.40    -    $    9.00
 
$    8.30    -    $    8.80
General and administrative expense per BOE
 
$    2.75    -    $    3.25
 
$    2.75    -    $    3.25
Interest expense per BOE (1) 
 
$    6.00    -    $    6.60
 
$    6.00    -    $    6.60
Depreciation, depletion and amortization per BOE 
 
$  24.50    -    $  25.50
 
$  24.40    -    $  25.00
Production taxes (% of sales revenue)
 
8.75%    -    9.25%
 
8.50%-    9.00%
Oil price differentials to NYMEX per Bbl (2) 
 
($   8.00)   -   ($   9.00)
 
($   8.50)   -   ($   9.00)
Gas price differential to NYMEX per Mcf
 
($   0.70)   -   ($   1.20)
 
($   0.70)   -   ($   1.20)
 
(1)
Includes non-cash interest expense related to Whiting’s 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023 convertible notes.  Full-year 2016 cash interest expense is projected at $5.00 – $5.50 per BOE.
(2)
Does not include the effect of NGLs.
 
6

 
 
Commodity Derivative Contracts

Whiting is 58% hedged for the remainder of 2016 and 26% hedged for 2017 as a percentage of June 2016 production.

The following summarizes Whiting’s crude oil hedges as of July 1, 2016:
 
           
Weighted Average
 
As a Percentage of
 
Derivative
 
Hedge
 
Contracted Crude
 
NYMEX Price
 
June 2016
 
Instrument
 
Period
 
(Bbls per Month)
 
(per Bbl)
 
Oil Production
 
Three-way collars (1)
 
2016
             
   
Q3
 
1,400,000
 
$43.75 - $53.75 - $74.40
 
48.9%
 
   
Q4
 
1,400,000
 
$43.75 - $53.75 - $74.40
 
48.9%
 
   
2017
             
   
Q1
 
500,000
 
$33.00 - $43.50 - $61.75
 
17.5%
 
   
Q2
 
500,000
 
$33.00 - $43.50 - $61.75
 
17.5%
 
   
Q3
 
500,000
 
$33.00 - $43.50 - $61.75
 
17.5%
 
   
Q4
 
500,000
 
$33.00 - $43.50 - $61.75
 
17.5%
 
Collars
 
2016
             
   
Q3
 
250,000
 
$51.00 - $63.48
 
8.7%
 
   
Q4
 
250,000
 
$51.00 - $63.48
 
8.7%
 
   
2017
             
   
Q1
 
250,000
 
$53.00 - $70.44
 
8.7%
 
   
Q2
 
250,000
 
$53.00 - $70.44
 
8.7%
 
   
Q3
 
250,000
 
$53.00 - $70.44
 
8.7%
 
   
Q4
 
250,000
 
$53.00 - $70.44
 
8.7%
 

(1)
A three-way collar is a combination of options: a sold call, a purchased put and a sold put.  The sold call establishes a maximum price (ceiling) we will receive for the volumes under contract. The purchased put establishes a minimum price (floor), unless the market price falls below the sold put (sub-floor), at which point the minimum price would be NYMEX plus the difference between the purchased put and the sold put strike price.

 
7

 
 
Selected Operating and Financial Statistics
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
 
Selected operating statistics:
                       
Production
                       
Oil, MBbl
    8,722       12,425       18,684       24,606  
NGLs, MBbl
    1,692       1,298       3,334       2,412  
Natural gas, MMcf
    10,813       10,615       21,327       20,988  
Oil equivalents, MBOE
    12,216       15,492       25,572       30,516  
Average prices
                               
Oil per Bbl (excludes hedging)
  $ 35.67     $ 48.95     $ 31.09     $ 44.15  
NGLs per Bbl
  $ 9.17     $ 16.86     $ 7.35     $ 15.13  
Natural gas per Mcf
  $ 0.96     $ 1.92     $ 1.00     $ 2.26  
Per BOE data
                               
Sales price (including hedging)
  $ 30.39     $ 44.65     $ 28.00     $ 41.36  
Lease operating
  $ 8.61     $ 9.25     $ 8.59     $ 10.15  
Production taxes
  $ 2.20     $ 3.66     $ 2.06     $ 3.31  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
  $ 24.89     $ 20.81     $ 24.10     $ 19.86  
General and administrative
  $ 2.74     $ 2.90     $ 3.06     $ 2.92  
Selected financial data:
     (In thousands, except per share data)
                               
Total revenues and other income
  $ 339,583     $ 590,009     $ 631,590     $ 1,119,241  
Total costs and expenses
  $ 750,613     $ 816,699     $ 1,279,544     $ 1,505,860  
Loss available to common shareholders
  $ (301,041 )   $ (149,274 )   $ (472,789 )   $ (255,385 )
Loss per common share, basic
  $ (1.33 )   $ (0.73 )   $ (2.20 )   $ (1.37 )
Loss per common share, diluted
  $ (1.33 )   $ (0.73 )   $ (2.20 )   $ (1.37 )
 
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic
    226,039       204,130       215,203       186,657  
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted
    226,039       204,130       215,203       186,657  
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 160,986     $ 325,997     $ 206,934     $ 528,136  
Net cash used in investing activities
  $ (96,698 )   $ (423,287 )   $ (356,961 )   $ (1,444,897 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
  $ (50,011 )   $ 51,529     $ 149,312     $ 898,815  
 
 
8

 
 
Selected Financial Data
For further information and discussion on the selected financial data below, please refer to Whiting Petroleum Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2016, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

WHITING PETROLEUM CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)
(in thousands)

   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
ASSETS
           
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 15,338     $ 16,053  
Accounts receivable trade, net
    233,059       332,428  
Derivative assets
    49,202       158,729  
Prepaid expenses and other
    21,927       27,980  
Total current assets
    319,526       535,190  
Property and equipment:
               
Oil and gas properties, successful efforts method
    14,179,923       13,904,525  
Other property and equipment
    159,855       168,277  
Total property and equipment
    14,339,778       14,072,802  
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization
    (3,925,700 )     (3,323,102 )
Total property and equipment, net
    10,414,078       10,749,700  
Other long-term assets
    72,102       104,195  
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 10,805,706     $ 11,389,085  
 
 
9

 

WHITING PETROLEUM CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
           
Current liabilities:
           
Accounts payable trade
  $ 36,621     $ 77,276  
Revenues and royalties payable
    129,087       179,601  
Accrued capital expenditures
    48,100       94,105  
Accrued interest
    54,402       62,661  
Accrued lease operating expenses
    40,137       55,291  
Accrued liabilities and other
    55,457       50,261  
Taxes payable
    47,102       47,789  
Accrued employee compensation and benefits
    16,473       32,829  
Total current liabilities
    427,379       599,813  
Long-term debt
    4,960,921       5,197,704  
Deferred income taxes
    408,213       593,792  
Asset retirement obligations
    163,365       155,550  
Deferred gain on sale
    41,490       48,974  
Other long-term liabilities
    39,387       34,664  
Total liabilities
    6,040,755       6,630,497  
Commitments and contingencies
               
Equity:
               
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 600,000,000 shares authorized; 251,610,527 issued and 246,263,027 outstanding as of June 30, 2016 and 206,441,303 issued and 204,147,647 outstanding as of December 31, 2015
    252       206  
Additional paid-in capital
    5,138,989       4,659,868  
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)
    (382,259 )     90,530  
Total Whiting shareholders' equity
    4,756,982       4,750,604  
Noncontrolling interest
    7,969       7,984  
Total equity
    4,764,951       4,758,588  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
  $ 10,805,706     $ 11,389,085  
 
 
10

 
 
WHITING PETROLEUM CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
 
REVENUES AND OTHER INCOME:
                       
Oil, NGL and natural gas sales
  $ 337,036     $ 650,527     $ 626,733     $ 1,170,375  
Loss on sale of properties
    (1,861 )     (64,776 )     (3,795 )     (61,578 )
Amortization of deferred gain on sale
    3,772       3,738       7,621       9,574  
Interest income and other
    636       520       1,031       870  
Total revenues and other income
    339,583       590,009       631,590       1,119,241  
 
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
                               
Lease operating expenses
    105,172       143,375       219,548       309,740  
Production taxes
    26,826       56,729       52,753       101,107  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    304,016       322,411       616,308       605,930  
Exploration and impairment
    25,781       57,557       61,272       138,481  
General and administrative
    33,523       44,987       78,319       88,967  
Interest expense
    78,660       89,176       160,567       163,433  
Loss on extinguishment of debt
    179,396       45       88,777       5,634  
Commodity derivative (gain) loss, net
    (2,761 )     102,419       2,000       92,568  
Total costs and expenses
    750,613       816,699       1,279,544       1,505,860  
 
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    (411,030 )     (226,690 )     (647,954 )     (386,619 )
 
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT):
                               
Current
    (1 )     (84 )     2       65  
Deferred
    (109,983 )     (77,311 )     (175,152 )     (131,261 )
Total income tax benefit
    (109,984 )     (77,395 )     (175,150 )     (131,196 )
 
NET LOSS
    (301,046 )     (149,295 )     (472,804 )     (255,423 )
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
    5       21       15       38  
 
NET LOSS AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
  $ (301,041 )   $ (149,274 )   $ (472,789 )   $ (255,385 )
 
LOSS PER COMMON SHARE
                               
Basic
  $ (1.33 )   $ (0.73 )   $ (2.20 )   $ (1.37 )
Diluted
  $ (1.33 )   $ (0.73 )   $ (2.20 )   $ (1.37 )
 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:
                               
Basic
    226,039       204,130       215,203       186,657  
Diluted
    226,039       204,130       215,203       186,657  
 
 
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WHITING PETROLEUM CORPORATION
Reconciliation of Net Loss Available to Common Shareholders to
Adjusted Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Shareholders
(in thousands, except per share data)

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
 
Net loss available to common shareholders
  $ (301,041 )   $ (149,274 )   $ (472,789 )   $ (255,385 )
Adjustments net of tax:
                               
Amortization of deferred gain on sale
    (2,369 )     (2,353 )     (4,786 )     (6,027 )
Loss on sale of properties
    1,168       40,777       2,383       38,763  
Impairment expense
    9,664       15,823       19,066       32,455  
Penalties for early termination of drilling rig contracts
    1,417       13,726       10,013       40,644  
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
    112,661       28       55,752       3,546  
Total measure of derivative (gain) loss reported under U.S. GAAP
    (1,734 )     64,472       1,256       58,271  
Total net cash settlements received on commodity derivatives during the period
    21,511       25,972       56,152       57,805  
Adjusted net income (loss) (1) 
  $ (158,723 )   $ 9,171     $ (332,953 )   $ (29,928 )
                                 
Adjusted net income (loss) available to common shareholders per share, basic
  $ (0.70 )   $ 0.04     $ (1.55 )   $ (0.16 )
Adjusted net income (loss) available to common shareholders per share, diluted
  $ (0.70 )   $ 0.04     $ (1.55 )   $ (0.16 )

(1)
Adjusted Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Shareholders is a non-GAAP financial measure.  Management believes it provides useful information to investors for analysis of Whiting’s fundamental business on a recurring basis.  In addition, management believes that Adjusted Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Shareholders is widely used by professional research analysts and others in valuation, comparison and investment recommendations of companies in the oil and gas exploration and production industry, and many investors use the published research of industry research analysts in making investment decisions.  Adjusted Net Income (Loss) Available for Common Shareholders should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income, income from operations, net cash provided by operating activities or other income, cash flow or liquidity measures under U.S. GAAP and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

 
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WHITING PETROLEUM CORPORATION
Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Discretionary Cash Flow
(in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 160,986     $ 325,997     $ 206,934     $ 528,136  
Exploration
    10,393       32,421       30,912       86,928  
Exploratory dry hole costs
    -       (258 )     -       (799 )
Changes in working capital
    (19,731 )     22,526       16,095       15,674  
Discretionary cash flow (1) 
  $ 151,648     $ 380,686     $ 253,941     $ 629,939  

(1)
Discretionary cash flow is a non-GAAP measure.  Discretionary cash flow is presented because management believes it provides useful information to investors for analysis of the Company’s ability to internally fund acquisitions, exploration and development.  Discretionary cash flow should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income, income from operations, net cash provided by operating activities or other income, cash flow or liquidity measures under U.S. GAAP and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.
 
Conference Call
The Company’s management will host a conference call with investors, analysts and other interested parties on Thursday, July 28, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. EDT (10:00 a.m. CDT, 9:00 a.m. MDT) to discuss Whiting’s second quarter 2016 financial and operating results. Participants are encouraged to pre-register for the conference call by clicking on the following link: http://dpregister.com/10089287. Callers who pre-register will be given a unique telephone number and PIN to gain immediate access on the day of the call.

Those without internet access or unable to pre-register may join the live call by dialing: (877) 328-5506 (U.S.); (866) 450-4696 (Canada) or (412) 317-5422 (International) to be connected to the call.  Presentation slides will be available at http://www.whiting.com by clicking on the “Investor Relations” box on the menu and then on the link titled "Presentations & Events."

A telephonic replay will be available beginning one to two hours after the call on Thursday, July 28, 2016 and continuing through Thursday, August 4, 2016.  You may access this replay at (877) 344-7529 (U.S.); 855-669-9658 (Canada) or (412) 317-0088 (International) and enter the pass code 10089287.  You may also access a web archive at http://www.whiting.com beginning one to two hours after the conference call.

About Whiting Petroleum Corporation
Whiting Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation, is an independent oil and gas company that explores for, develops, acquires and produces crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids primarily in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States.  The Company’s largest projects are in the Bakken and Three Forks plays in North Dakota and Niobrara play in northeast Colorado.  The Company trades publicly under the symbol WLL on the New York Stock Exchange.  For further information, please visit http://www.whiting.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains statements that we believe to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements other than historical facts, including, without limitation, statements regarding our future financial position, business strategy, projected revenues, earnings, costs, capital expenditures and debt levels, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, words such as we “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe” or “should” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such statements.

 
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These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: declines in or extended periods of low oil, NGL or natural gas prices; our level of success in exploration, development and production activities; risks related to our level of indebtedness, ability to comply with debt covenants and periodic redeterminations of the borrowing base under our credit agreement; impacts to financial statements as a result of impairment write-downs; our ability to successfully complete asset dispositions and the risks related thereto; revisions to reserve estimates as a result of changes in commodity prices, regulation and other factors; adverse weather conditions that may negatively impact development or production activities; the timing of our exploration and development expenditures; inaccuracies of our reserve estimates or our assumptions underlying them; risks relating to any unforeseen liabilities of ours; our ability to generate sufficient cash flows from operations to meet the internally funded portion of our capital expenditures budget; our ability to obtain external capital to finance exploration and development operations; federal and state initiatives relating to the regulation of hydraulic fracturing and air emissions; the potential impact of federal debt reduction initiatives and tax reform legislation being considered by the U.S. Federal Government that could have a negative effect on the oil and gas industry; unforeseen underperformance of or liabilities associated with acquired properties; the impacts of hedging on our results of operations; failure of our properties to yield oil or gas in commercially viable quantities; availability of, and risks associated with, transport of oil and gas; our ability to drill producing wells on undeveloped acreage prior to its lease expiration; shortages of or delays in obtaining qualified personnel or equipment, including drilling rigs and completion services; uninsured or underinsured losses resulting from our oil and gas operations; our inability to access oil and gas markets due to market conditions or operational impediments; the impact and costs of compliance with laws and regulations governing our oil and gas operations; our ability to replace our oil and natural gas reserves; any loss of our senior management or technical personnel; competition in the oil and gas industry; cyber security attacks or failures of our telecommunication systems; and other risks described under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2016 and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2015.  We assume no obligation, and disclaim any duty, to update the forward-looking statements in this news release.
 
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