APA Apache Corporation

HOUSTON, May 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Apache Corporation (NYSE, Nasdaq: APA) today announced a first-quarter 2015 net loss of $4.7 billion or $12.34 per diluted common share, which includes an after-tax ceiling-test write down of $4.7 billion, as a result of substantially lower commodity prices. When adjusted for certain items that impact the comparability of results, Apache's first-quarter loss totaled $139 million or $0.37 per share. Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $650 million in the first quarter of 2015 and cash from operations, before changes in working capital, totaled $900 million.

"During the quarter, we significantly reduced our drilling activity and cost structure in response to the rapid oil-price downturn. Drilling and completion costs across all of our key plays in North America onshore are down between 20 and 40 percent from those we provided in our North American Update last November. Operationally, I am pleased to report that North American onshore production exceeded our first quarter guidance despite a substantial reduction in well completions and the adverse impacts of severe winter weather in the Permian and Anadarko Basins. Internationally, production in both Egypt and the North Sea is tracking ahead of our initial expectations," said John J. Christmann, IV, Apache's chief executive officer and president.

Portfolio rebalancing update

During 2014, Apache conducted a review of its international portfolio with the goal of best positioning its asset base for the long-term benefit of its shareholders. This review resulted in several key divestitures during the past 12 months. In the first half of April, the company closed the previously announced sale of its Wheatstone and Kitimat LNG projects to Woodside Petroleum for $3.7 billion of net proceeds. On April 8, Apache also announced the sale of its remaining oil and gas assets in Australia for $2.1 billion, subject to customary post-closing adjustments.

The company's acquisition and divestiture transactions over the last several years have streamlined its portfolio and resulted in greater leverage to onshore North America. When adjusted for the recently announced sale in Australia, pro forma onshore North America now represents nearly two-thirds of total company production.

"Apache's portfolio now consists of an onshore North American position with a robust inventory of drilling opportunities, complemented by free-cash-flow-generating assets in the North Sea and Egypt. Our international assets benefit from attractive Brent-linked oil prices and also offer a significant inventory of exploration and development opportunities. We are very excited to move forward with a strengthened balance sheet and three key operating areas that offer excellent potential for sustainable long-term growth and capital-allocation flexibility," Christmann noted.

2015 capital spending and production update

During the quarter, Apache's capital expenditures before LNG, capitalized interest and Egypt's minority interest was $1.3 billion, which was in-line with expectations. Spending on LNG facilities during the quarter was $239 million, all of which was reimbursed with the closing of the LNG asset sales. As noted last quarter, management expected the 2015 capital program to be front-end loaded as the drilling program continued to ramp down through the first quarter.

Apache remains on track to meet its 2015 capital-spending guidance for North America of $2.1 billion to $2.3 billion and continues to project relatively flat pro forma production volumes in North America compared to 2014.

The company is lowering its 2015 international capital-spending guidance to between $1.3 billion and $1.6 billion.  This reflects a $150-million reduction from the midpoint of the prior range driven by the pending Australian asset sale expected at mid-year.  Apache anticipates combined production from Egypt and the North Sea will increase slightly year over year, which is essentially unchanged from its prior international production guidance.

First-quarter 2015 regional activity

• Permian – Underscoring the significant planned reduction in activity, the Permian region averaged 15 rigs during the quarter, down from 42 the previous quarter. The company continues to reduce its rig count and is currently running 11 rigs. Total production in the Permian was down slightly from the fourth quarter primarily due to severe winter weather. Activity for the remainder of the year will be focused on the Delaware Basin as well as in the deeper, more productive areas of the company's Southern Midland Basin acreage.
• Central – As a result of the Dec. 31, 2014 sale of certain Anadarko Basin producing assets, Central region production was down 29 percent compared to the fourth quarter. Excluding property sales, production declined 2 percent. During the quarter, the region averaged four rigs and is currently running three. For the remainder of 2015, activity will be primarily focused on the Canyon Lime and Woodford plays.
• Gulf Coast – Following the sale of producing properties in Southern Louisiana on Dec. 31, 2014, the region now consists almost entirely of Eagle Ford production. During the quarter, the region averaged four rigs, down from 12 in the fourth quarter. No rigs are currently running in the Eagle Ford as the region focuses on completing wells in backlog. There are currently 38 drilled-but-uncompleted Eagle Ford wells in backlog.
• Canada – Apache completed four Montney wells, including a successful test of the previously untested lower Montney in the Wapiti area. During the first quarter, the region averaged four rigs and reduced the count to zero as the region moves into breakup season. Activity will be focused on completing a seven-well Duvernay pad in the summer, along with two Montney wells currently in backlog.
• North Sea – During the quarter, North Sea production declined from record fourth-quarter levels due to natural declines and an approximate 2,600-boe-per-day production disruption from an unplanned equipment outage on the Beryl Alpha platform. In March, favorable tax changes were announced in the United Kingdom that are expected to have a positive impact on cash flow in 2015 and beyond.
• Egypt – Gross production was flat quarter-over-quarter as the region averaged 21 rigs and reported seven new discoveries in the Khalda area. Delineation-drilling results at the recent Ptah and Berenice oil discoveries have exceeded expectations thus far with current production of approximately 20,000 barrels of oil per day. Subsequent to quarter-end, Apache made several new field discoveries across multiple concessions that increase its confidence in Egypt's production outlook for the remainder of 2015.

"Our operational teams are doing an excellent job in this challenging price environment, and I am pleased that first-quarter production results exceeded our expectations both domestically and internationally. We will monitor oil prices for the remainder of the quarter, and at mid-year, revisit our planned activity levels for the balance of 2015. Apache remains committed to maintaining operational flexibility and will respond quickly to changes in our cash flow.  With more than $5 billion in net proceeds coming from recent asset sales, our balance sheet is now in excellent shape.  Accordingly, we will look to be opportunistic but highly disciplined in evaluating new opportunities to grow or enhance our existing portfolio and create shareholder value," remarked Christmann.

Oil and gas prices

Apache's production during the first quarter 2015 consisted of approximately 62 percent liquids and 38 percent natural gas. Liquids contributed 79 percent of the company's revenue during the period. In North America onshore, Apache received an average oil price of $44.07 per barrel during the first quarter, compared with $93.72 per barrel in the prior-year period. North American onshore natural gas prices averaged $2.60 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf), compared with $4.82 per Mcf in the prior-year period. Worldwide, Apache received an average oil price of $47.56 per barrel during the first quarter, compared with $101.03 per barrel in the prior-year period. Worldwide natural gas prices averaged $3.14 per Mcf, compared with $4.46 per Mcf in the prior-year period.

Conference call

Apache Corporation (NYSE: APA) will host a conference call Thursday, May 7, 2015, to discuss the first-quarter 2015 financial results. The call will begin at 1 p.m. CT (2 p.m. ET). Earnings will be released Thursday, May 7, 2015, before the market opens. To access the live audio webcast, please visit the Apache website at www.apachecorp.com.

A replay of the conference call will be available for seven days following the call. The number for the replay is 855-859-2056 or 404-537-3406 for international calls. The conference access code is 31402821.

Sign up for email alerts to be reminded of the webcast at http://investor.apachecorp.com/alerts.cfm   

Additional Information

Additional information follows, including reconciliations of adjusted earnings and cash from operations before changes in operating assets and liabilities (non-GAAP financial measures) to GAAP measures and information regarding pro forma production. Apache's quarterly supplement is available at www.apachecorp.com/financialdata.

About Apache

Apache Corporation is an oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in the United States, Canada, Egypt, the United Kingdom and Australia. Apache posts announcements, operational updates, investor information and copies of all press releases on its website, www.apachecorp.com, and on its Media and Investor Center mobile application, which is available for free download from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

Non-GAAP financial measures

Apache's financial information includes information prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting standards (GAAP) as well as non-GAAP information. It is management's intent to provide non-GAAP financial information to enhance understanding of our consolidated financial information as prepared in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted earnings and cash from continuing operations before changes in operating assets and liabilities are non-GAAP measures. This non-GAAP information should be considered by the reader in addition to, but not instead of, the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Each non-GAAP financial measure is presented along with the corresponding GAAP measure so as not to imply that more emphasis should be placed on the non-GAAP measure.

Forward-looking statements

This news release contains 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. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "seeks," "believes," "estimates," "expects" and similar references to future periods. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future plans, expectations and objectives for Apache's operations, including statements about our capital plans, drilling plans, production expectations, asset sales and  monetizations. While forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by us that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, whether actual results and developments will meet our expectations and predictions depend on a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause our actual results, performance, and financial condition to differ materially from our expectations. See "Risk Factors" in our 2014 Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of risk factors that affect our business. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this news release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future development or otherwise, except as may be required by law.