EQT Corporation (NYSE: EQT) today announced year-end earnings of $156.9
million, or $1.19 per diluted share (EPS) and operating cash flow of
$584.3 million. This compares with earnings of $255.6 million, or $2.00
EPS and operating cash flow of $651.6 million in 2008. After adjusting
for the company's long-term incentive compensation expense and several
other items, EQT has adjusted EPS of $1.54 in 2009, relative to $1.90 in
2008.
For the fourth quarter 2009, earnings were $55.4 million, or EPS of
$0.42, and operating cash flow of $251.3 million. This compares with
earnings of $33.5 million, or EPS of $0.26, and operating cash flow of
$135.7 million in the fourth quarter 2008. Having adjusted for the
long-term incentive compensation expenses as well as other items, EQT
has adjusted EPS of $0.52 in the fourth quarter 2009, compared to $0.34
in 2008.
Highlights for 2009 include:
-
Record annual sales of produced natural gas of 100.1 Bcfe, 19.5%
higher than in 2008;
-
Proved reserves increased by 31% to 4.1 Tcfe;
-
Drilled 800th horizontal Huron/Berea well, 33% of fourth quarter sales
were produced from horizontal Huron/Berea wells;
-
Drilled 46 horizontal Marcellus wells, including what EQT believes to
be the most prolific well in the entire play based on a 30-day average
production rate of 14 MMcfe per day;
-
Unit development costs for EQT's major plays are projected to be
reduced to less than $0.85 per Mcfe in the Marcellus play and less
than $0.90 per Mcfe in the Huron/Berea play;
-
Unit lease operating expense, excluding production taxes (LOE),
decreased 14% in 2009, to $0.30 per Mcfe. Including production taxes,
LOE was $0.59 per Mcfe, an industry leading result;
-
Record EQT Midstream throughput and operating income; and
-
Record Distribution operating income of $78.9 million, 32% higher than
2008.
In 2009, EQT's operating income was $356.8 million, representing a 23%
decrease from 2008. While the company saw higher revenues from increased
production, gathering and processing volumes, those gains were more than
offset by lower commodity prices and higher long-term incentive
compensation expense. Lower commodity prices reduced operating income by
$141.1 million in 2009 compared with 2008.
In the fourth quarter of 2009, EQT's operating income reached $113.2
million, representing a 39% increase from the same quarter in 2008.
Lower commodity prices and higher long-term incentive compensation
expense were more than offset by the higher revenues EQT earned from
greater production, gathering and processing volumes, higher natural gas
liquids (NGL) prices and increased utility rates. In total, net
operating revenues rose 20% to $281.8 million in the quarter.
Results by Business
EQT Production
Driven by aggressive horizontal air drilling in the Huron/Berea play,
EQT Production achieved sales of produced natural gas of 100.1 Bcfe for
2009, representing a 19.5% increase after adjusting for the extra day in
2008. Sales of produced natural gas totaled 27.6 Bcfe in the fourth
quarter 2009, 19.5% higher than the fourth quarter 2008.
Production operating income totaled $151.1 million in 2009; $101.7
million lower than 2008. Operating revenue was $384.6 million, $72.6
million lower than in 2008. Increased revenue and operating income from
increased sales of produced natural gas was more than offset by lower
wellhead natural gas prices. Due to lower NYMEX prices, average wellhead
natural gas sales price to EQT Corporation in 2009 was $5.44 per Mcfe,
representing a 20% decrease from 2008. The average wellhead natural gas
sales price to EQT Production was $3.75 per Mcfe with $1.69 per Mcfe
reported at EQT Midstream.
The company drilled 702 gross wells during 2009. Of these wells, 403
were horizontal wells, 347 targeting the Huron/Berea play and 46
targeting the Marcellus play. The company also drilled 217 vertical
wells in the coalbed methane play, mostly in the Nora Field. The company
was successful on more than 99% of the wells drilled in 2009, despite
79% being drilled on locations described as probable and possible. As
detailed in a separate release today, proved reserves increased by 31%
to 4.1 Tcfe.
Consistent with the company's growth, operating expenses rose to $233.5
million, marking a 14% increase over 2008. Depreciation, depletion and
amortization (DD&A) expenses were $39.2 million higher in 2009 than in
2008 due to increases in the depletion rate and produced volumes.
Exploration expense was $17.9 million in 2009, $8.8 million higher than
in 2008. Several items contributed to partially offsetting the cost
increases: a $17.0 million decrease in commodity-based production taxes;
a $1.4 million decrease in selling, general and administrative (SG&A)
expense resulting from an $8.6 million reversal of certain legal
reserves in the fourth quarter, offsetting otherwise higher SG&A
expenses; and a $0.5 million reduction in LOE. LOE was 2% lower
year-over-year and 14% lower on a unit basis at $0.30. The combination
of lower LOE plus lower production taxes yielded a unit rate of $0.59
per Mcfe; an industry leading result.
Operating income for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $41.5 million,
representing a 19% decrease from $51.0 million earned in the same period
last year. Production operating revenues were essentially unchanged in
the fourth quarter 2009 compared with the fourth quarter 2008, as lower
commodity prices offset the 19.5% volume increase in sales of produced
natural gas.
Operating expenses for the quarter were $63.5 million. This was 17%
higher than reported for the fourth quarter of 2008. DD&A was $12.2
million higher, due mainly to increases in the depletion rate and
produced volumes. Exploration expense was $5.7 million in the quarter;
$1.5 million dollars higher than last year. Commodity-based production
taxes were $7.0 million, $2.4 million lower than last year and SG&A
expense was $7.7 million, $0.9 million lower, partially offsetting the
increases.
Huron/Berea Play
Huron/Berea horizontal air drilling continued to drive growth in sales
of produced natural gas. In the fourth quarter, approximately 33% of
EQT's sales of produced natural gas came from horizontal Huron/Berea
wells, a 99% increase over the fourth quarter of 2008. The company
drilled 110 horizontal Huron/Berea wells in the fourth quarter, bringing
the total to more than 800 horizontal wells since the play's inception.
In the fourth quarter, EQT drilled four multi-lateral wells with a total
lateral length per well ranging between 13,000 and 24,000 feet. EQT also
drilled nine extended lateral wells, the longest reaching 6,700 feet in
length and having twice the amount of pay as a typical horizontal
Huron/Berea well, at a cost of $1.4 million or 40% more than a typical
horizontal Huron/Berea well. Early results are consistent with EQT's
expectations, and the company will to continue to experiment with both
multi-lateral and extended lateral wells. This technology is expected to
lower unit development costs to less than $0.90 per Mcfe. EQT expects
extended lateral wells to become the preferred standard operating
procedure by the end of 2010, which should further increase estimated
ultimate recoveries (EURs) per well and decrease unit development costs
going forward.
Marcellus Play
EQT drilled 19 and turned-in-line (TIL) six horizontal Marcellus wells
in the fourth quarter of 2009. One well in Greene County, Pennsylvania
produced at an average rate of 14 MMcfe per day for the first 30 days of
production. Two adjacent wells, shut-in due to temporary takeaway
constraints, had similar initial flow test results. Within a 2-mile
radius of these wells, EQT has three multi-well pads, totaling 12 wells,
which two are currently being drilled. The 9 MMcfe per day 30-day
initial production well, announced in the third quarter, is located
eight miles away and there are currently seven offsets that are cleared
to drill.
EQT has now drilled 53 horizontal wells in the Marcellus play since
2008, of which 17 wells have been on-line for more than 30 days. Total
sales of produced natural gas from the Marcellus play at year-end were
37 MMcfe per day. EQT expects this rate to more than double by the end
of 2010. Takeaway capacity in the Marcellus is currently 50 MMcfe per
day and is anticipated to be 100 MMcfe per day by the end of 2010.
EQT estimates the average EUR across its approximately 445,000 Marcellus
acres to be between 3.5 and 4 Bcfe per well, at a cost per well of $3.0
million. Unit development costs for this play are projected to average
less than $0.85 per Mcfe. In Greene County, Pennsylvania, the average
EUR per well is 4.5 Bcfe. In Doddridge County, West Virginia, the
average EUR per well is 3.6 Bcfe.
Coalbed Methane (CBM) Play
In the fourth quarter 2009, EQT drilled 39 vertical CBM wells. Total
sales of produced natural gas of CBM at year-end reached 34 MMcfe per
day. The average EUR of the company's CBM wells is 0.3 Bcfe, at a cost
per well of $0.4 million.
EQT Midstream
EQT Midstream earned $189.0 million of operating income during 2009,
compared to $134.8 million in 2008, primarily due to revenues generated
by new infrastructure projects exceeding the increased costs required to
operate these assets. Net operating revenues for 2009 totaled $386.2
million representing a 27% increase over 2008. Net gathering revenues
increased $25.4 million in 2009, up 18% from 2008, as a result of an 11%
increase in gathering volumes as well as higher gathering rates. Net
processing revenues totaled $57.7 million for 2009, representing an
increase of 62% from 2008. Natural gas liquids (NGL) sold increased by
55%, while the average NGL sales price decreased by 35%. Net
transmission revenues increased by $25.2 million, or 49%, in 2009. This
increase was driven by greater firm transportation revenues from EQT's
Big Sandy pipeline. Net storage, marketing and other revenues totaled
$86.3 million in 2009, up 13% from 2008, due to higher marketing
revenues generated from Big Sandy capacity and higher industrial demand,
which more than offset lower storage activity.
Operating expenses for 2009 totaled $197.2 million, up from the $168.6
million reported in 2008. The increase was mainly attributable to a
$12.2 million increase in operating and maintenance costs (O&M) and an
$18.5 million increase in DD&A. The increases in O&M and DD&A were
primarily due to the growth in the EQT Midstream business, including
increased electric costs, property taxes and labor to operate the
expanded gathering, processing and transmission infrastructure. However,
the increases were partially offset by the absence of a 2008 charge for
settlement of pension and other post-retirement benefits.
EQT Midstream had fourth quarter 2009 operating income of $69.3 million,
a 238% increase over the same period of 2008. Net processing revenues
during the fourth quarter 2009 totaled $25.9 million, a 651% increase
over fourth quarter 2008, due to a significant increase in NGL prices.
Net gathering revenues increased 18% to $43.3 million in the fourth
quarter 2009. Net transmission revenues totaled $21.2 million, a 27%
increase over the same quarter of 2008. Net storage, marketing and other
revenues totaled $34.5 million, 61% higher than the fourth quarter 2008,
primarily due to the timing of contract settlements.
Operating expenses for the quarter were $55.6 million, 3% lower than in
the fourth quarter of 2008, as increases in growth-related operating
expenses, including higher DD&A, electricity, labor, compressor
maintenance and property tax expenses were more than offset by the
absence of a $10.7 million charge for pension and other post-retirement
benefits in the fourth quarter 2008.
Distribution
Distribution's operating income totaled $78.9 million in 2009, 32%
higher than the $59.9 million reported in 2008. This increase resulted
mainly from higher rates approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utility
Commission in February 2009 and lower SG&A expenses. Net operating
revenues for the year were $180.0 million, compared to $170.9 million in
2008, a $9.1 million increase primarily attributable to higher base
rates. Operating expenses for the year decreased to $101.1 million in
2009 from $111.0 million in 2008. Less bad debt, a smaller rent expense
and less SG&A expense contributed to the decrease.
Distribution's fourth quarter 2009 operating income totaled $22.5
million compared to $21.7 million for the same period in 2008. Total net
operating revenues for the fourth quarter 2009 were essentially
unchanged relative to the same period in 2008. Higher 2009 rates were
offset by lower off-system and energy services net revenues, warmer
weather and the absence of a 2008 non-recurring increase in customer
assistance program activities. Operating expenses during the fourth
quarter 2009 decreased from $30.6 million to $29.4 million, as lower bad
debt expense more than offset an increase in maintenance activity.
Other Business
2009 Capital Expenditures
EQT invested $964 billion in capital projects during 2009. This included
$717 million for well development, $201 million for midstream projects
and $46 million for distribution infrastructure projects and other
corporate items.
2010 Capital Budget
EQT's capital expenditure plan is $850 million in 2010, which includes
$565 million for well development, $245 million for midstream projects,
including the first phase of the Equitrans expansion project, and $40
million for distribution infrastructure projects and other corporate
items.
Long-term Incentive Compensation Programs
The company has executive long-term incentive compensation programs
designed to align management's long-term incentive compensation with the
absolute and relative returns earned by the company's shareholders. The
expense of these programs has been driven primarily by changes in EQT's
stock price and EQT's performance relative to a previously disclosed
peer group. The increase in stock price during 2009 resulted in a total
pre-tax long-term incentive compensation expense of $61.8 million, which
reduced after tax net income by approximately $48.2 million. In 2008,
the decline in stock price resulted in a reversal of previously recorded
long-term incentive compensation expense of $33.1 million before taxes,
resulting in a year-over-year increase of $94.9 million before taxes. In
the fourth quarter 2009, long-term incentive compensation totaled $20.9
million, $16.3 million higher than 2008.
Office Relocation
In 2009, to accommodate EQT's continuing growth, the company completed
its relocation from Pittsburgh's North Shore to an office building
located in downtown Pittsburgh. The company recognized an accounting
charge of $5.2 million related to the move in 2009, with $1.1 million
recorded in the fourth quarter.
Hedging
The company's sales of produced natural gas and oil are approximately
36% hedged for 2010. There were no changes to the company's production
hedge position in the quarter. The company's total hedge positions for
2010 through 2012 production are:
|
|
|
2010
|
|
2011
|
|
2012
|
|
Swaps
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Volume (Bcfe)
|
|
23
|
|
19
|
|
-
|
|
Average Price per Mcf (NYMEX)*
|
|
$5.12
|
|
$5.10
|
|
$-
|
|
|
|
Puts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Volume (Bcfe)
|
|
3
|
|
3
|
|
-
|
|
Average Floor Price per Mcf (NYMEX)*
|
|
$7.35
|
|
$7.35
|
|
$-
|
|
|
|
Collars
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Volume (Bcfe)
|
|
17
|
|
14
|
|
14
|
|
Average Floor Price per Mcf (NYMEX)*
|
|
$7.28
|
|
$7.11
|
|
$7.11
|
|
Average Cap Price per Mcf (NYMEX)*
|
|
$14.05
|
|
$14.12
|
|
$14.07
|
* The above price is based on a conversion rate of 1.05 MMBtu/Mcf
Operating Income
The company reports operating income by segment in this press release.
Both interest and income taxes are controlled on a consolidated,
corporate-wide basis, and are not allocated to the segments.
The following table reconciles operating income by segment as reported
in this press release to the consolidated operating income reported in
the company's financial statements:
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
Operating income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EQT Production
|
|
$41,494
|
|
|
$50,979
|
|
|
$151,081
|
|
|
$252,784
|
|
EQT Midstream
|
|
69,324
|
|
|
20,518
|
|
|
188,984
|
|
|
134,772
|
|
Distribution
|
|
22,483
|
|
|
21,652
|
|
|
78,918
|
|
|
59,859
|
|
Unallocated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(expenses)/income
|
|
(20,092
|
)
|
|
(11,625
|
)
|
|
(62,192
|
)
|
|
17,391
|
|
Operating income
|
|
$113,209
|
|
|
$81,524
|
|
|
$356,791
|
|
|
$464,806
|
Unallocated (expenses) / income are primarily the result of long-term
incentive compensation and administrative costs. For each period
presented, the difference between equity in earnings of nonconsolidated
investments as reported on the company's statements of consolidated
income and on EQT Midstream's operational and financial report is the
earnings from the company's ownership interest in Appalachian Natural
Gas Trust.
Price Reconciliation
EQT Production's average wellhead sales price is calculated by
allocating some revenues to EQT Midstream for the gathering, processing
and transportation of the produced gas. EQT Production's average
wellhead sales price for the three and twelve months ended December 31,
2009 and 2008 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
Average NYMEX price
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
($/MMBtu)
|
|
$4.17
|
|
|
$6.94
|
|
|
$3.99
|
|
|
$9.03
|
|
|
Average Btu premium
|
|
0.40
|
|
|
0.69
|
|
|
0.38
|
|
|
0.94
|
|
|
|
|
Average NYMEX price
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
($/Mcfe)
|
|
$4.57
|
|
|
$7.63
|
|
|
$4.37
|
|
|
$9.97
|
|
|
Average basis
|
|
0.12
|
|
|
0.08
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
|
0.19
|
|
|
Hedge impact
|
|
1.15
|
|
|
(1.36
|
)
|
|
1.32
|
|
|
(2.91
|
)
|
|
Average hedge adjusted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
price ($/Mcfe)
|
|
$5.84
|
|
|
$6.35
|
|
|
$5.80
|
|
|
$7.25
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues to EQT Midstream
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
($/Mcfe)
|
|
$(1.69
|
)
|
|
$(1.60
|
)
|
|
$(1.69
|
)
|
|
$(1.50
|
)
|
|
Third-party gathering,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
processing and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
transportation
|
|
(0.43
|
)
|
|
(0.31
|
)
|
|
(0.36
|
)
|
|
(0.43
|
)
|
|
Total revenue deductions
|
|
$(2.12
|
)
|
|
$(1.91
|
)
|
|
$(2.05
|
)
|
|
$(1.93
|
)
|
|
Average wellhead sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
price to EQT Production
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
($/Mcfe)
|
|
$3.72
|
|
|
$4.44
|
|
|
$3.75
|
|
|
$5.32
|
|
|
|
|
EQT Revenue ($/Mcfe)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues to EQT Midstream
|
|
$1.69
|
|
|
$1.60
|
|
|
$1.69
|
|
|
$1.50
|
|
|
Revenues to EQT Production
|
|
3.72
|
|
|
4.44
|
|
|
3.75
|
|
|
5.32
|
|
|
|
|
Average wellhead sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
price to EQT Corporation
|
|
$5.41
|
|
|
$6.04
|
|
|
$5.44
|
|
|
$6.82
|
|
Unit Costs
EQT's unit costs to produce, gather, process and transport EQT's
produced natural gas were:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
Production segment costs:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
($/Mcfe)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LOE
|
|
$0.33
|
|
$0.42
|
|
$0.30
|
|
$0.35
|
|
Production taxes
|
|
0.25
|
|
0.38
|
|
0.29
|
|
0.52
|
|
SG&A
|
|
0.27
|
|
0.35
|
|
0.35
|
|
0.42
|
|
|
|
|
|
$0.85
|
|
$1.15
|
|
$0.94
|
|
$1.29
|
|
Midstream segment costs:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
($/Mcfe)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gathering, processing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and transmission (a)
|
|
$0.44
|
|
$0.39
|
|
$0.44
|
|
$0.38
|
|
SG&A
|
|
0.17
|
|
0.16
|
|
0.15
|
|
0.14
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.61
|
|
0.55
|
|
0.59
|
|
0.52
|
|
|
|
Total ($/Mcfe)
|
|
$1.46
|
|
$1.70
|
|
$1.53
|
|
$1.81
|
(a) Fourth quarter and full-year 2008 exclude a $9.5 million charge for
pension and other post-retirement benefits.
Non-GAAP Disclosures
Adjusted EPS, operating cash flow, net operating revenues and net
operating expenses should not be considered in isolation or as
substitutes for net income, EPS, net cash provided by operating
activities, operating revenues or operating expenses prepared in
accordance with GAAP. The tables below reconcile the non-GAAP
disclosures to the most directly comparable GAAP numbers.
Adjusted EPS
The results of 2009 were impacted by long-term incentive compensation
and office relocation expenses and the reversal of certain litigation
reserves. The results for 2008 were impacted by income from long-term
incentive compensation expense reversals, Lehman bad debt and an other
than temporary impairment of available-for-sale securities. Adjusted EPS
is presented because it is an important measure used by management to
evaluate period-to-period comparisons of earnings trends.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
Net income as
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
reported:
|
|
$55,382
|
|
|
$33,495
|
|
$156,929
|
|
|
$255,604
|
|
|
Long-term
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
incentive
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
expense
|
|
17,246
|
|
|
2,806
|
|
48,168
|
|
|
(20,198
|
)
|
|
Office relocation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
expense
|
|
661
|
|
|
-
|
|
3,223
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
Lehman bad debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
expense
|
|
-
|
|
|
3,172
|
|
-
|
|
|
3,172
|
|
|
Other-than-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
temporary-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
impairment of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
available-for-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
sale securities
|
|
-
|
|
|
4,779
|
|
-
|
|
|
4,779
|
|
|
Litigation reserve
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
adjustment
|
|
(5,364
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
(5,364
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
|
Adjusted net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
income
|
|
$67,925
|
|
|
$44,252
|
|
$202,956
|
|
|
$243,357
|
|
|
Diluted weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
average common
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
shares outstanding:
|
|
131,567
|
|
|
131,298
|
|
131,482
|
|
|
128,106
|
|
|
Adjusted EPS
|
|
$0.52
|
|
|
$0.34
|
|
$1.54
|
|
|
$1.90
|
|
(a) The tax impact of long-term incentive compensation was calculated by
applying the annual effective tax rate excluding discrete items and the
rate impact of non-deductible compensation expense to deductible
compensation expense. The tax impact of all other adjustments was
calculated at the annual effective rate excluding discrete items and the
rate impact of non-deductible compensation expense.
Adjustments to EPS were reported net of income tax expense/(benefit)for
the three months and years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008,
respectively of: Long-term incentive compensation expense $3,685,
$1,795, $13,676 and $(12,915); office relocation expense $398, $0,
$1,945 and $0; Lehman bad debt expense $0, $2,028, $0 and $2,028;
other-than-temporary-impairment of available-for-sale securities $0,
$3,056, $0, and $3,056; and litigation reserve adjustment $(3,236), $0,
$(3,236), and $0.
Operating Cash Flow
Operating cash flow is presented because of its acceptance as an
indicator of an oil and gas exploration and production company's ability
to internally fund exploration and development activities and to service
or incur additional debt. The company has also included this information
because changes in operating assets and liabilities relate to the timing
of cash receipts and disbursements which the company may not control and
may not relate to the period in which the operating activities occurred.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
(thousands)
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
Net Income:
|
|
$55,382
|
|
|
$33,495
|
|
|
$156,929
|
|
|
$255,604
|
|
|
Add back (deduct):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
139,977
|
|
|
50,420
|
|
|
234,776
|
|
|
245,801
|
|
|
Depreciation,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
depletion, and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
amortization
|
|
55,595
|
|
|
39,731
|
|
|
196,078
|
|
|
136,816
|
|
|
Other items, net
|
|
302
|
|
|
12,029
|
|
|
(3,481
|
)
|
|
13,386
|
|
|
Operating cash flow:
|
|
$251,256
|
|
|
$135,675
|
|
|
$584,302
|
|
|
$651,607
|
|
|
Add back (deduct):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reimbursements for
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
tenant improvements
|
|
12,212
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
12,212
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
Changes in margin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
deposits
|
|
3,888
|
|
|
26,238
|
|
|
11,330
|
|
|
1,496
|
|
|
Other changes in
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
operating assets and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
liabilities
|
|
(94,200
|
)
|
|
20,373
|
|
|
117,897
|
|
|
(143,946
|
)
|
|
Net cash provided by
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
operating activities
|
|
$173,156
|
|
|
$182,286
|
|
|
$725,741
|
|
|
$509,157
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
investing activities
|
|
$(340,054
|
)
|
|
$(390,234
|
)
|
|
$(985,520
|
)
|
|
$(1,375,996
|
)
|
|
Net cash provided by
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
financing activities
|
|
$(25,606
|
)
|
|
$197,314
|
|
|
$259,779
|
|
|
$785,128
|
|
|
Net increase
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(decrease) in cash
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and cash equivalents
|
|
$(192,504
|
)
|
|
$(10,634
|
)
|
|
$-
|
|
|
$(81,711
|
)
|
Net Operating Revenues and Net Operating Expenses
Net operating revenues and net operating expenses, both of which exclude
purchased gas costs, are presented because they are important analytical
measures used by management to evaluate period-to-period comparisons of
revenue and operating expenses. Purchased gas cost, which is subject to
commodity price volatility and a significant portion of which is passed
on to customers with no income impact, is typically excluded by
management in such analyses.
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
(thousands)
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
Net operating revenues
|
|
$281,829
|
|
$235,386
|
|
$950,458
|
|
$931,352
|
|
Plus: Purchased gas cost
|
|
62,198
|
|
173,492
|
|
319,369
|
|
645,136
|
|
Operating revenues
|
|
$344,027
|
|
$408,878
|
|
$1,269,827
|
|
$1,576,488
|
|
|
|
Net operating expenses
|
|
$168,620
|
|
$153,862
|
|
$593,667
|
|
$466,546
|
|
Plus: Purchased gas cost
|
|
62,198
|
|
173,492
|
|
319,369
|
|
645,136
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
$230,818
|
|
$327,354
|
|
$913,036
|
|
$1,111,682
|
EQT's conference call with securities analysts, which begins at 10:30
a.m. Eastern Time today, will be broadcast live via EQT's web site, http://www.eqt.com
and on the Investor information page from the company's web site which
is available at http://ir.eqt.com,
and will be available for seven days.
EQT management speaks to investors from time to time. Slides for these
discussions will be available online via EQT's web site. The slides may
be updated periodically.
Cautionary Statements
The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits oil
and gas companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only
proved, probable and possible reserves that a company anticipates as of
a given date to be economically and legally producible and deliverable
by application of development projects to known accumulations. We use
certain terms in this press release, such as "EUR" (estimated ultimate
recovery), that the SEC's guidelines prohibit us from including in
filings with the SEC. This measure is by its nature more speculative
than estimates of reserves prepared in accordance with SEC definitions
and guidelines and accordingly is less certain.
Total sales volumes per day at period end is an operational estimate of
the daily sales volume on a typical day (excluding curtailments) at the
end of the applicable period.
Unit development costs are calculated as the costs to drill a well
divided by the gross expected EUR of the well.
The company is unable to provide a reconciliation of its projected
operating cash flow to projected net cash provided by operating
activities, the most comparable financial measure calculated in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, because of
uncertainties associated with projecting future net income and changes
in assets and liabilities.
Disclosures in this press release contain certain forward-looking
statements. Statements that do not relate strictly to historical or
current facts are forward-looking. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, forward-looking statements contained in this press
release specifically include the expectations of plans, strategies,
objectives, and growth and anticipated financial and operational
performance of the company and its subsidiaries, including guidance
regarding the company's drilling and infrastructure programs (including
the Equitrans expansion project) and technology, production and sales
volumes, reserves, EUR, F&D costs, the expected decline curve, capital
expenditures, financing requirements, projected operating cash flows,
hedging strategy and tax position. These statements involve risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from
projected results. Accordingly, investors should not place undue
reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual
results. The company has based these forward-looking statements on
current expectations and assumptions about future events. While the
company considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable,
they are inherently subject to significant business, economic,
competitive, regulatory and other risks and uncertainties, most of which
are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the company's
control. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations,
performance and results of the company's business and forward-looking
statements include, but are not limited to, those set forth under Item
1A, "Risk Factors" of the company's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2008 and in the company's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2009 to be filed with the SEC, as updated by any subsequent
Form 10-Qs.
Any forward-looking statement applies only as of the date on which such
statement is made and the company does not intend to correct or update
any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
EQT is an integrated energy company with emphasis on Appalachian area
natural gas production, gathering, processing, transmission and
distribution. Additional information about the company can be obtained
through the company's web site, http://www.eqt.com.
Investor information is available on EQT's web site at http://ir.eqt.com.
EQT uses its web site as a channel of distribution of important
information about the company, and routinely posts financial and other
important information regarding the company and its financial condition
and operations on the Investors web pages.
|
EQT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME (UNAUDITED)
|
|
(Thousands except per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
Operating revenues
|
|
$344,027
|
|
$408,878
|
|
|
$1,269,827
|
|
$1,576,488
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchased gas costs
|
|
62,198
|
|
173,492
|
|
|
319,369
|
|
645,136
|
|
|
Operation and maintenance
|
|
38,482
|
|
44,965
|
|
|
139,524
|
|
129,502
|
|
|
Production
|
|
17,424
|
|
20,103
|
|
|
63,457
|
|
80,068
|
|
|
Exploration
|
|
5,653
|
|
4,163
|
|
|
17,905
|
|
9,064
|
|
|
Selling, general and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
administrative
|
|
51,466
|
|
44,900
|
|
|
176,703
|
|
111,096
|
|
|
Depreciation, depletion and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
amortization
|
|
55,595
|
|
39,731
|
|
|
196,078
|
|
136,816
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
230,818
|
|
327,354
|
|
|
913,036
|
|
1,111,682
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
113,209
|
|
81,524
|
|
|
356,791
|
|
464,806
|
|
|
|
|
Other than temporary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
impairment of available-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
for-sale securities
|
|
-
|
|
(7,835
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
(7,835
|
)
|
|
Other income
|
|
277
|
|
524
|
|
|
2,076
|
|
6,233
|
|
|
Equity in earnings of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
nonconsolidated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
investments
|
|
1,827
|
|
1,166
|
|
|
6,509
|
|
5,714
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
33,683
|
|
17,402
|
|
|
111,779
|
|
58,394
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
81,630
|
|
57,977
|
|
|
253,597
|
|
410,524
|
|
|
Income taxes
|
|
26,248
|
|
24,482
|
|
|
96,668
|
|
154,920
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$55,382
|
|
$33,495
|
|
|
$156,929
|
|
$255,604
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
common stock:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
shares outstanding
|
|
130,864
|
|
130,595
|
|
|
130,820
|
|
127,234
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$0.42
|
|
$0.26
|
|
|
$1.20
|
|
$2.01
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
shares outstanding
|
|
131,567
|
|
131,298
|
|
|
131,482
|
|
128,106
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$0.42
|
|
$0.26
|
|
|
$1.19
|
|
$2.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EQT PRODUCTION
|
|
OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL REPORT
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
OPERATIONAL DATA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas and oil
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
production (MMcfe)
|
|
28,223
|
|
|
24,772
|
|
|
104,928
|
|
|
90,585
|
|
|
Company usage, line
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
loss (MMcfe)
|
|
(621
|
)
|
|
(1,672
|
)
|
|
(4,828
|
)
|
|
(6,577
|
)
|
|
Total sales volumes (MMcfe)
|
|
27,602
|
|
|
23,100
|
|
|
100,100
|
|
|
84,008
|
|
|
|
|
Average (wellhead)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
sales price ($/Mcfe)
|
|
$3.72
|
|
|
$4.44
|
|
|
$3.75
|
|
|
$5.32
|
|
|
|
|
Sales of Produced
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural Gas detail (MMcfe)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Horizontal Huron /
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Berea Play
|
|
8,989
|
|
|
4,512
|
|
|
26,783
|
|
|
10,555
|
|
|
Horizontal Marcellus Play
|
|
1,633
|
|
|
317
|
|
|
2,933
|
|
|
532
|
|
|
CBM Play
|
|
3,169
|
|
|
3,061
|
|
|
12,313
|
|
|
11,866
|
|
|
Other (vertical non-CBM)
|
|
13,811
|
|
|
15,210
|
|
|
58,071
|
|
|
61,055
|
|
|
Total sales of produced
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
natural gas
|
|
27,602
|
|
|
23,100
|
|
|
100,100
|
|
|
84,008
|
|
|
|
|
Lease operating
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
expenses, excluding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
production taxes ($/Mcfe)
|
|
$0.33
|
|
|
$0.42
|
|
|
$0.30
|
|
|
$0.35
|
|
|
Production taxes ($/Mcfe)
|
|
$0.25
|
|
|
$0.38
|
|
|
$0.29
|
|
|
$0.52
|
|
|
Production depletion ($/Mcfe)
|
|
$1.14
|
|
|
$0.81
|
|
|
$1.06
|
|
|
$0.81
|
|
|
|
|
Production depletion
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(thousands)
|
|
$32,206
|
|
|
$19,973
|
|
|
$111,371
|
|
|
$73,362
|
|
|
Other depreciation,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
depletion and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
amortization
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(thousands)
|
|
1,494
|
|
|
1,504
|
|
|
6,053
|
|
|
4,872
|
|
|
Total depreciation,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
depletion and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
amortization
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(thousands)
|
|
$33,700
|
|
|
$21,477
|
|
|
$117,424
|
|
|
$78,234
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(thousands)
|
|
$270,543
|
|
|
$207,811
|
|
|
$717,356
|
|
|
$700,745
|
|
|
|
|
FINANCIAL DATA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating revenues
|
|
$105,006
|
|
|
$105,035
|
|
|
$384,576
|
|
|
$457,144
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease operating expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
excluding production
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
taxes
|
|
9,383
|
|
|
10,324
|
|
|
31,228
|
|
|
31,719
|
|
|
Production taxes
|
|
7,041
|
|
|
9,434
|
|
|
30,123
|
|
|
47,158
|
|
|
Exploration expense
|
|
5,653
|
|
|
4,163
|
|
|
17,905
|
|
|
9,064
|
|
|
Selling, general and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
administrative
|
|
7,735
|
|
|
8,658
|
|
|
36,815
|
|
|
38,185
|
|
|
Depreciation, depletion
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and amortization
|
|
33,700
|
|
|
21,477
|
|
|
117,424
|
|
|
78,234
|
|
|
Total operating
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
expenses
|
|
63,512
|
|
|
54,056
|
|
|
233,495
|
|
|
204,360
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
$41,494
|
|
|
$50,979
|
|
|
$151,081
|
|
|
$252,784
|
|
* Average wellhead sales price is calculated as market price adjusted
for hedging activities less deductions for gathering, processing and
transmission included in EQT Midstream revenues. These deductions
totaled $1.69 and $1.60/Mcfe for the three months ended December 31,
2009 and 2008, respectively and $1.69/Mcfe and $1.50/Mcfe for the year
ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EQT MIDSTREAM
|
|
OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL REPORT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
OPERATIONAL DATA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gathered volumes (BBtu)
|
|
42,562
|
|
39,899
|
|
161,480
|
|
145,031
|
|
Average gathering fee ($/MMBtu)
|
|
$1.04
|
|
$0.96
|
|
$1.04
|
|
$0.98
|
|
Gathering and compression expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
($/MMBtu) (a)
|
|
$0.42
|
|
$0.39
|
|
$0.42
|
|
$0.37
|
|
NGLs Sold (Mgal)
|
|
36,754
|
|
26,366
|
|
126,590
|
|
81,856
|
|
Average NGL sales price ($/gal)
|
|
$1.07
|
|
$0.72
|
|
$0.80
|
|
$1.24
|
|
Transmission pipeline throughput
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(BBtu)
|
|
23,129
|
|
22,525
|
|
84,132
|
|
76,270
|
|
|
|
Net operating revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gathering
|
|
$43,341
|
|
$36,611
|
|
$165,519
|
|
$140,118
|
|
Processing
|
|
25,867
|
|
3,446
|
|
57,690
|
|
35,523
|
|
Transmission
|
|
21,198
|
|
16,659
|
|
76,749
|
|
51,563
|
|
Storage, marketing and other
|
|
34,496
|
|
21,363
|
|
86,254
|
|
76,136
|
|
|
|
Total net operating revenues
|
|
$124,902
|
|
$78,079
|
|
$386,212
|
|
$303,340
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures (thousands)
|
|
$45,748
|
|
$161,046
|
|
$201,082
|
|
$593,564
|
|
|
|
FINANCIAL DATA (Thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating revenues
|
|
$176,625
|
|
$120,259
|
|
$543,564
|
|
$681,475
|
|
Purchased gas costs
|
|
51,723
|
|
42,180
|
|
157,352
|
|
378,135
|
|
|
|
Total net operating revenues
|
|
124,902
|
|
78,079
|
|
386,212
|
|
303,340
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating and maintenance
|
|
26,194
|
|
32,008
|
|
96,791
|
|
84,558
|
|
Selling, general and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
administrative
|
|
14,595
|
|
14,419
|
|
47,146
|
|
49,208
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
14,789
|
|
11,134
|
|
53,291
|
|
34,802
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
55,578
|
|
57,561
|
|
197,228
|
|
168,568
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
$69,324
|
|
$20,518
|
|
$188,984
|
|
$134,772
|
|
|
|
Other income
|
|
$110
|
|
$371
|
|
$1,357
|
|
$5,678
|
|
Equity in earnings of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
nonconsolidated investments
|
|
$1,768
|
|
$1,064
|
|
$6,376
|
|
$5,053
|
(a) The calculation of gathering and compression expense ($/MMBtu) for
fourth quarter and full-year 2008 excludes a $9.5 million charge for
pension and other post-retirement benefits.
|
DISTRIBUTION
|
|
OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL REPORT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
OPERATIONAL DATA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Heating degree days (30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
year average: Qtr -2070;
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
YTD -5,829)
|
|
1,953
|
|
2,120
|
|
5,474
|
|
5,622
|
|
|
|
Residential sales and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
transportation volume (MMcf)
|
|
7,183
|
|
7,836
|
|
23,098
|
|
23,824
|
|
Commercial and industrial
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
volume (MMcf)
|
|
8,708
|
|
6,676
|
|
30,521
|
|
27,503
|
|
Total throughput (MMcf) -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distribution
|
|
15,891
|
|
14,512
|
|
53,619
|
|
51,327
|
|
|
|
Net operating revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Residential
|
|
$33,968
|
|
$33,343
|
|
$111,007
|
|
$105,059
|
|
Commercial & industrial
|
|
13,262
|
|
13,176
|
|
47,432
|
|
46,394
|
|
Off-system and energy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
services
|
|
4,691
|
|
5,753
|
|
21,545
|
|
19,415
|
|
Total net operating
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
revenues
|
|
$51,921
|
|
$52,272
|
|
$179,984
|
|
$170,868
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(thousands)
|
|
$8,370
|
|
$13,608
|
|
$33,707
|
|
$45,770
|
|
|
|
FINANCIAL DATA (Thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating revenues
|
|
$134,418
|
|
$238,903
|
|
$560,283
|
|
$698,385
|
|
Purchased gas costs
|
|
82,497
|
|
186,631
|
|
380,299
|
|
527,517
|
|
|
|
Net operating revenues
|
|
51,921
|
|
52,272
|
|
179,984
|
|
170,868
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating and maintenance
|
|
13,075
|
|
11,768
|
|
43,663
|
|
44,161
|
|
Selling, general and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
administrative
|
|
10,437
|
|
12,212
|
|
35,028
|
|
44,793
|
|
Depreciation and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
amortization
|
|
5,926
|
|
6,640
|
|
22,375
|
|
22,055
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
29,438
|
|
30,620
|
|
101,066
|
|
111,009
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
$22,483
|
|
$21,652
|
|
$78,918
|
|
$59,859
|
