News Release Details

EQT Reports Third Quarter 2010 Earnings; Third Consecutive Quarter of Over 30% Production Sales Growth

10/28/2010

EQT Corporation (NYSE: EQT) today announced third quarter 2010 earnings of $36.5 million, $33.6 million higher than the $2.9 million earned in the third quarter 2009 (quarter-over-quarter). Operating cash flow was $137.4 million; 119% higher quarter-over-quarter. Earnings per diluted share were $0.24 for the third quarter 2010, up from the $0.02 reported last year.

Highlights include:

  • Sales of produced natural gas have increased 35% quarter-over-quarter;
  • Unit lease operating expense excluding production taxes (LOE) decreased 31% quarter-over-quarter to $0.22 per Mcfe; an industry leading result;
  • EQT completed its most prolific Marcellus well to date, with an average 30-day production rate of 22 MMcfd; and
  • The 2010 sales of produced natural gas forecast increased to 134 Bcfe, a 3% increase over the midpoint of the previous guidance, representing a 34% increase over 2009.

EQT's third quarter 2010 operating income was $88.2 million, representing a $48.3 million increase quarter-over-quarter. The company's net operating revenues, which exclude purchased gas cost, increased by $43.7 million to $248.5 million, as a result of higher sales volumes at EQT Production and higher rates and volumes at EQT Midstream. Net operating expenses fell $4.5 million to $160.3 million, a decrease attributable to lower selling, general and administrative expense (SG&A), partially offset by higher depreciation, depletion and amortization expense (DD&A). SG&A decreased as a result of long-term incentive compensation expense that was $24.7 million lower than the $28.2 million reported in the third quarter 2009.

Quarterly Results by Business

EQT Production

EQT Production achieved sales of produced natural gas of 34.0 Bcfe, representing a 35% increase over the third quarter 2009, and 6.5% sequential growth over the second quarter 2010, driven by horizontal drilling in the Marcellus and Huron / Berea shale plays. Approximately 48% of EQT's sales of produced natural gas came from horizontal shale wells, up from 30% in the third quarter last year. Daily production from Marcellus wells was 96 MMcfd at the end of the third quarter and is expected to exceed 140 MMcfd by year-end 2010.

Production operating income totaled $39.8 million, 26% higher quarter-over-quarter. Operating revenues were $115.2 million, or 25% higher, as a result of increased sales of produced natural gas, partially offset by lower average wellhead sales prices. The average wellhead sales price was $3.32 per Mcfe; 6.5% lower than the $3.55 realized a year ago as a result of lower hedge gains for the quarter, partially offset by higher NYMEX prices for unhedged natural gas sales.

Operating expenses rose $15.0 million to $75.4 million in the third quarter 2010. Consistent with the company's growth, DD&A was $16.8 million higher and SG&A was $2.1 million higher. Partially offsetting these increases was a $3.6 million decrease in exploration expense. Per unit LOE was $0.22; 31% lower than last year, primarily as a result of production sales volume growth.

The company drilled 130 gross wells during the third quarter 2010. Of these wells, 66 were horizontal wells; 17 targeting the Marcellus play with a typical length of pay of 4,000 feet; and 49 targeting the Huron / Berea play with a typical length of pay of 4,300 feet. The company also drilled 44 vertical wells in its coalbed methane play.

Marcellus Well Results

On September 29, 2010, EQT announced results from two prolific Marcellus wells. The first well, in Greene County, Pennsylvania, had an average 30-day production rate of 22 MMcfe per day, with an estimated ultimate recovery of 18 Bcfe. The well had a total lateral length of 9,000 feet with 8,411 feet of stimulated pay and was completed using a 28-stage frac. The second well, in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, reported a 24-hour IP of 15 MMcfe from 4,060 feet of stimulated pay.

EQT Midstream

EQT Midstream earned $51.7 million of operating income; 36% higher than the third quarter 2009. Net operating revenues were $109.1 million, representing a 25% increase. Net gathering revenues increased by $11.3 million, or 26%, driven by a 22% increase in gathering volumes associated with EQT Production's drilling program and a 7% increase in average gathering fees. Processing net revenues were $23.7 million, or 57% higher, as a result of a 28% increase in the average NGL sales price and a 25% increase in liquids volume, nearly all of which were produced from EQT Production's horizontal Huron / Berea wells.

Operating expenses increased $7.7 million quarter-over-quarter, to $57.4 million. The increase is primarily attributable to a $5.2 million increase in operating and maintenance (O&M) costs, which includes a $2.6 million impairment for compressor decommissioning and a $1.6 million increase in property taxes. Per unit gathering and compression expense decreased 5% quarter-over-quarter, as gathering volumes increased at a faster rate than operational costs. DD&A increased $2.2 million as a result of increased investment in gathering, processing and transmission infrastructure.

During the third quarter, EQT Midstream completed the Ingram gathering project and added compression at the Jupiter Station in Greene County, Pennsylvania, providing EQT Production with 70 MMcfe per day of additional gathering capacity and bringing the total Pennsylvania gathering capacity to 120 MMcfe per day.

Distribution

Distribution's operating income totaled $0.6 million, $2.6 million lower than the third quarter 2009, mainly attributable to lower residential sales and off-system and energy services revenues and an increase in operating expenses. The vast majority of Distribution's profits are earned from heating demand in the first and fourth quarters of each year.

Hedging

EQT recognized an $18.1 million net gain from its production hedges in the quarter. There were no changes to the company's production hedge position in the quarter. The company's total hedge position for the fourth quarter 2010 through 2012 production is:

         
2010** 2011 2012
Swaps
Total Volume (Bcf) 6 19 -
Average Price per Mcf
(NYMEX)* $5.12 $5.10 $-
 
Puts
Total Volume (Bcf) 1 3 -
Average Floor Price per
Mcf (NYMEX)* $7.35 $7.35 $-
 
Collars
Total Volume (Bcf) 6 21 21
Average Floor Price per
Mcf (NYMEX)* $6.72 $6.53 $6.51
Average Cap Price per Mcf
(NYMEX)* $12.14 $11.91 $11.83
 

* The above price is based on a conversion rate of 1.05 MMBtu/Mcf

**Fourth quarter

Natural Gas Liquids

Natural gas liquids (NGLs), excluding ethane, comprised approximately 10% of EQT Production's sales of produced natural gas in the third quarter. EQT Midstream bought the NGLs from EQT Production at natural gas market prices and sold the NGLs at higher NGL market prices, capturing a higher margin to EQT Corporation. EQT Corporation realized an average premium over the NYMEX natural gas price of $1.08 per Mcfe as a result of its liquids rich production; $0.49 per Mcfe is recognized as production revenue and $0.59 per Mcfe as processing net revenue at EQT Midstream.

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 and NGLs. EQT Production's average wellhead sales price for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were as follows:

   
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2010   2009 2010   2009
 
Average NYMEX price ($ /
MMBtu) $4.38 $3.39 $4.59 $3.93
Average Btu premium 0.42 0.37 0.43   0.37
Average NYMEX price ($ /
Mcfe) 4.80 3.76 5.02 4.30
Average net liquids
revenue 0.66 0.56 0.71 0.41
Average basis 0.05 - 0.14 0.07
Hedge impact 0.53 1.81 0.44 1.38
Average hedge adjusted
price ($ /Mcfe) 6.04 6.13 6.31   6.16
 
Gathering, processing
and transportation
revenues to EQT
Midstream ($ /Mcfe) $(1.72 ) $(1.68 )

$(1.72

)

$(1.69 )

 

Average net liquids
revenues to EQT
Midstream ($ /Mcfe) (0.59 ) (0.50 ) (0.65 ) (0.37 )
Third party gathering,
processing and
transportation ($ /
Mcfe) (0.41 ) (0.40 ) (0.41 ) (0.34 )

Total revenue deductions

 

($ /Mcfe) (2.72 ) (2.58 ) (2.78 ) (2.40 )
Average wellhead sales
price to EQT Production
($ /Mcfe) $3.32

$3.55

$3.53  

$3.76

 
EQT Revenue ($/ Mcfe)
Revenues to EQT
Midstream 2.31 2.18 2.37 2.06
Revenues to EQT
Production $3.32 $3.55 $3.53   3.76
Average wellhead sales
price to EQT
Corporation $5.63 $5.73 $5.90   $5.82

 

 

 

 

Unit Costs

EQT's unit costs to produce, gather, process and transport EQT's produced natural gas and NGLs, excluding the compressor decommissioning charge recognized this quarter, continue to improve as higher volumes outpaced the increase in operating costs. The unit costs were:

     
Three Months Nine Months
Ended Ended
September 30, September 30,
2010   2009 2010   2009
 
Production segment costs:
($ /Mcfe)
LOE $0.22 $0.32 $0.24 $0.28
Production taxes 0.21 0.26 0.23 0.30
SG&A 0.35 0.39 0.42 0.38
0.78 0.97 0.89 0.96
Midstream segment costs: ($
/Mcfe)
Gathering, processing and
transmission 0.54 0.56 0.53 0.55
SG&A 0.17 0.18 0.18 0.18
0.71 0.74 0.71 0.73
Total $1.49 $1.71 $1.60 $1.69
 

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 Nine Months Ended
September 30,

September 30,

2010   2009 2010   2009
 
Operating income
(thousands):
EQT Production $ 39,827 $ 31,522 $ 122,097 $ 109,587
EQT Midstream 51,682 37,878 177,963 119,660
Distribution 644 3,230 52,353 56,435
Unallocated expenses (3,971 ) (32,698 ) (16,589 ) (42,100 )
Operating income $ 88,182 $ 39,932 $ 335,824 $ 243,582
 

Unallocated expenses are primarily due to certain incentive compensation and administrative costs in excess of budget that are not allocated to the operating segments. 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. Other segment financial measures identified in this press release are reconciled to the most comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) below and on the attached operational and financial reports.

Non-GAAP Reconciliations

Operating Cash Flows

Operating cash flow is presented as an accepted 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 that the company may not control and may not relate to the period in which the operating activities occurred. Operating cash flow should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net cash provided by operating activities prepared in accordance with GAAP. The table below reconciles operating cash flow with net cash provided by operating activities as derived from the statements of condensed consolidated cash flows to be included in the company's Form 10-Q for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

  Three Months     Nine Months
Ended Ended

September 30,

September 30,

(thousands) 2010   2009 2010   2009
 
Net Income: $36,522 $2,909 $154,587 $101,547
Add back
(deduct):
Deferred income
taxes 32,774 11,921 99,205 94,799
Depreciation,
depletion, and
amortization 68,548 49,706 195,644 140,483
Other items,
net (412 ) (1,909 ) 5,383 (3,383 )
Operating cash
flow: $137,432 $62,627 $454,819 $333,446
Add back
(deduct):
Changes in
operating
assets and
liabilities 7,036 21,913 166,228 219,539
Net cash
provided by
operating
activities $144,468 $84,540 $621,047 $552,985
 

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       Nine Months
Ended Ended
September 30, September 30,
(thousands) 2010   2009 2010   2009
 
Net
operating
revenues $248,497 $204,784 $812,721 $668,629
Plus:
purchased
gas cost 8,838 13,573 138,769 257,171
Operating
revenues $257,335 $218,357 $951,490 $925,800
 
Net
operating
expenses $160,315 $164,852 $476,897 $425,047
Plus:
purchased
gas cost 8,838 13,573 138,769 257,171
Operating
expenses $169,153 $178,425 $615,666 682,218
 

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.

From time to time, EQT management speaks to investors. 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, 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 (or daily production) is an operational estimate of the daily sales volume on a typical day (excluding curtailments).

Unit development costs (or unit costs) are calculated as the direct costs to drill a well (or costs per well) divided by the gross expected EUR of the well. Direct well costs do not include capitalized overhead.

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 and/or made during the third-quarter earnings conference call 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 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, transactions, including asset sales and/or joint ventures involving the company's assets, the timing of construction of public-access natural gas refueling stations, production and sales volumes, revenue projections, reserves, EUR, internal rates of return (IRR), the expected ATAX returns per well, midstream costs, F&D costs, operating costs, well costs, the expected decline curve, the expected feet of pay, capital expenditures, financing requirements and availability, projected operating cash flows, hedging strategy, the effects of government regulation 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, 2009, 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

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30, September 30,
2010   2009 2010   2009
 
Operating revenues $257,335 $218,357 $951,490 $925,800
 
Operating expenses:
Purchased gas costs 8,838 13,573 138,769 257,171
Operation and maintenance 41,232 35,149 113,094 102,148
Production 15,261 15,565 46,844 44,927
Exploration 941 4,526 3,354 12,252
Selling, general and
administrative 34,333 59,906 117,961 125,237
Depreciation, depletion and
amortization 68,548 49,706 195,644 140,483
Total operating expenses 169,153 178,425 615,666 682,218
 
Operating income 88,182 39,932 335,824 243,582
 
Other income 278 511 958 1,799
Equity in earnings of
nonconsolidated investments 2,646 1,950 7,593 4,682
Interest expense 33,861 32,393 102,075 78,096
Income before income taxes 57,245 10,000 242,300 171,967
Income taxes 20,723 7,091 87,713 70,420
Net income $36,522 $2,909 $154,587 $101,547
 
Earnings per share of common
stock:
Basic:
Weighted average common shares
outstanding 149,133 130,850 143,048 130,806
Net income $0.24 $0.02 $1.08 $0.78
 
Diluted:
Weighted average common shares
outstanding 149,775 131,505 143,806 131,450
Net income $0.24 $0.02 $1.07 $0.77
 

(A) Due to the seasonal nature of the Company's natural gas distribution and storage businesses, and the volatility of commodity prices, the interim statements for the three and nine month periods are not indicative of results for a full year.

 
EQT PRODUCTION

OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL REPORT

 
  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2010   2009 2010   2009
 
OPERATIONAL DATA
 
Natural gas and oil
production (MMcfe) 35,334 26,722 99,520 76,705
Company usage, line loss
(MMcfe) (1,346 ) (1,566 ) (3,617 ) (4,207 )
Total sales volumes (MMcfe) 33,988 25,156 95,903 72,498
 
Average (well-head) sales
price ($/Mcfe) $3.32 $3.55 $3.53 $3.76
 
Sales of Produced Natural
Gas detail (MMcfe)
Horizontal Huron /Berea
Play 9,953 6,938 28,075 18,710
Horizontal Marcellus Play 6,372 531 15,134 1,283
CBM Play 3,513 3,172 10,007 9,188
Other (vertical non-CBM) 14,150 14,515 42,687 43,317
Total sales of produced
natural gas 33,988 25,156 95,903 72,498
 
Lease operating expenses,
excluding production taxes
($/Mcfe) $0.22 $0.32 $0.24 $0.28
Production taxes ($/Mcfe) $0.21 $0.26 $0.23 $0.30
Production depletion
($/Mcfe) $1.26 $1.04 $1.26 $1.03
 
Production depletion $44,609

$27,734

$125,113

$79,165
Other depreciation,
depletion and amortization 2,049 2,122 5,923 4,559
Total depreciation,
depletion and amortization $46,658

$29,856

$131,036

$83,724
 
Capital expenditures
(thousands) $267,154

$144,497

$929,225

$446,813

 
FINANCIAL DATA (Thousands)
 
Total operating revenues $115,218

$91,922

$345,163

$279,570

 
Operating expenses:
Lease operating expense
excluding production taxes 7,856 8,633 24,056 21,845
Production taxes 7,405 6,932 22,788 23,082
Exploration expense 941 4,527 3,354 12,252
Selling, general and
administrative 12,531 10,452 41,832 29,080
Depreciation, depletion and
amortization 46,658 29,856 131,036 83,724
 
Total operating expenses 75,391 60,400 223,066 169,983
 
Operating income $39,827

$31,522

$122,097

$109,587

 

(a) Average (well-head) sales price is calculated as market price adjusted for hedging activities. In addition, EQT Production allocates some revenues to EQT Midstream for gathering, processing and transportation of the produced gas and NGLs. EQT Midstream revenues totaled $2.31 and $2.18 per Mcfe for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively; and $2.37 and $2.06 per Mcfe for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Average (well-head) sales price totaled $5.63 and $5.73 per Mcfe for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively; and $5.90 and $5.82 per Mcfe for the nine months ended September 2010 and 2009, respectively.

(b) Capital expenditures for the nine month period ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 include $310.9 million and $5.2 million, respectively, for undeveloped property acquisitions, primarily within the Marcellus shale play. This amount includes $230.7 million of undeveloped property, which was acquired with EQT stock in the second quarter of 2010.

 
EQT MIDSTREAM
OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL REPORT
 
 
  Three Months Ended  

Nine Months Ended

September 30, September 30,
2010   2009 2010   2009
 
OPERATIONAL DATA
 
Gathered volumes (BBtu) 49,990 40,849 142,074 118,918
Average gathering fee
($/MMBtu) $1.12 $1.05 $1.10 $1.04
Gathering and compression
expense ($/MMBtu) $0.40 $0.42 $0.38 $0.41
NGLs Sold (Mgal) (a) 37,348 29,948 107,077 89,836
Average NGL sales price
($/gal) $1.00 $0.78 $1.07 $0.69
Transmission pipeline
throughput (BBtu) 27,138 21,471 76,196 61,003
 
Net operating revenues
(thousands):
Gathering $54,014 $42,725 $153,777 $122,178
Processing 23,699 15,076 72,040 31,823
Transmission 19,497 18,006 59,057 55,551
Storage, marketing and other 11,849 11,737 52,402 51,758
Total net operating revenues $109,059 $87,544 $337,276 $261,310
 
Capital expenditures
(thousands) $59,499 $39,817 $138,479 $155,334
 
FINANCIAL DATA (Thousands)
 
Total operating revenues $175,227 $124,065 $528,766 $366,939
Purchased gas costs 66,168 36,521 191,490 105,629
Total net operating revenues 109,059 87,544 337,276 261,310
 
Operating expenses:
Operating and maintenance $30,140 $24,957 $79,694 $70,597
Selling, general and
administrative 11,532 11,232 33,379 32,551
Depreciation and amortization 15,705 13,477 46,240 38,502
Total operating expenses 57,377 49,666 159,313 141,650
 
Operating income $51,682 $37,878 $177,963 $119,660
 
Other income $193 $342 $452 $1,247
Equity in earnings of
nonconsolidated investments $2,607 $1,946 $7,472 $4,608
 

(a) NGLs sold includes NGLs recovered at the Company's processing plant and transported to a fractionation plant owned by a third-party for separation into commercial components, net of volumes retained, as well as equivalent volumes sold at liquid component prices under the Company's contractual processing arrangements with third parties.

 
DISTRIBUTION
OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL REPORT
 
 
 

Three Months Ended

  Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2010   2009 2010   2009
 
 
OPERATIONAL DATA
 
Heating degree days (30-yr
average: QTR -124; YTD -

 3,759)

73 81 3,350 3,521
 
Residential sales and
transportation volume (MMcf) 1,131 1,282 15,234 15,915
Commercial and industrial
volume (MMcf) 3,990 5,178 20,820 21,813
Total throughput (MMcf) -

Distribution

5,121 6,460 36,054 37,728
 
Net operating revenues
(thousands):
Residential $13,642 $14,044 $80,605 $77,039
Commercial & industrial 6,374 6,353 33,862 34,170
Off-system and energy services 4,206 4,921 15,816 16,854
Total net operating revenues $24,222 $25,318 $130,283 $128,063
 
Capital expenditures
(thousands) $9,382 $9,844 $21,107 $25,337
 
FINANCIAL DATA (Thousands)
 
Total operating revenues $53,208 $54,599 $338,812 $425,865
Purchased gas costs 28,986 29,281 208,529 297,802
Net operating revenues 24,222 25,318 130,283 128,063
 
Operating expenses:
Operating and maintenance 11,027 10,158 32,607 30,588
Selling, general and
administrative 6,494 6,405 27,256 24,591
Depreciation and amortization 6,057 5,525 18,067 16,449
Total operating expenses 23,578 22,088 77,930 71,628
 
Operating income $644 $3,230 $52,353 $56,435

Contact:

EQT Corporation
Analysts:
Patrick Kane, Chief Investor Relations Officer, 412-553-7833
pkane@eqt.com
or
Media:
Karla Olsen, Public Relations Manager, 412-553-5726
kolsen@eqt.com