Petroleum Development Corporation Announces 2009 Third Quarter Results: Strong Cash Flow from Hedging Activity; Liquidity Remains Strong

DENVER, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Petroleum Development Corporation ("PDC", "the Company") (Nasdaq: PETD) today reported its 2009 third quarter and first nine months operating and financial results.

The Company reported a net loss for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009 of $24.5 million, or a $1.44 loss per diluted share, compared with a September 30, 2008 quarterly net income of $126.9 million, or $8.55 per diluted share. The net loss for the third quarter 2009 was due to a $35.0 million net decrease in the non-cash mark to market value of the Company's derivative contracts. This unrealized loss was partially offset by a realized gain of $23.2 million during the quarter, resulting in a net loss on derivatives positions in the third quarter 2009 of $11.8 million, compared to a net gain of $166.7 million in the same third quarter period of 2008. Adjusted net income (loss), a non-GAAP measure defined below under Non-GAAP Financial Measures, for the third quarter of 2009 was a net loss of $2.8 million, or a $0.16 loss per diluted share.

Third quarter 2009 production increased 7.5% compared to the same period in 2008, to 10.9 Bcfe from 10.2 Bcfe, and was entirely organic from the development of existing core operating areas. During the third quarter 2009 the Company drilled 21.0 total net wells compared to 93.7 total net wells drilled in the same 2008 period.

Adjusted cash flow from operations, a non-GAAP measure defined below under Non-GAAP Financial Measures, for the third quarter 2009 was $37.3 million, or $2.20 per diluted share, compared to $59.1 million, or $3.98 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2008. The decrease was primarily the result of a commodity price decline of approximately 59% over the corresponding period of 2008.

During the third quarter 2009, PDC issued common equity of approximately 4.3 million shares for net proceeds of approximately $48.5 million. The proceeds were used to reduce borrowings on the Company's credit facility. The offering provided the Company improved leverage and coverage metrics, greater liquidity in the event of a prolonged depressed commodity price environment, and financial flexibility to pursue strategic objectives.

Richard W. McCullough, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Earlier this week PDC announced the creation of an Appalachian joint venture ("JV") with Lime Rock Partners. The new strategic JV, named PDC Mountaineer, LLC, will be principally focused on the development of the Marcellus Shale play. The JV provides us an opportunity to accelerate the growth and visibility of PDC's Marcellus Shale position, and affords the opportunity for significant economic scale and repeatability for long term growth. Partnering with Lime Rock provides the growth capital required to increase production, develop low cost reserves, and grow our acreage position in the Marcellus fairway. The Company's strong hedge position in the third quarter continued to protect our cash flows and related capital program and our quarterly results remained consistent with our guidance. In late October we were able to take advantage of a brief commodity price recovery by layering in hedges which will protect the pricing realized on our core production. We entered into numerous gas and oil commodity swaps and collar hedges which moved our hedged position for both commodities to approximately 80% of projected current PDP production for the period 2010-2011."

Adjusted net loss for the third quarter of 2009 was a net loss of $2.8 million, or a $0.16 loss per diluted share, compared to net income of $20.8 million, or $1.40 per diluted share, in the third quarter 2008. The third quarter 2009 adjusted net loss was impacted by lower commodity prices compared to the same quarter in 2008, higher general and administrative expenses, and higher DD&A expense which were partially offset by lower lifting cost and production taxes, and strong realized derivative gains.

Oil and natural gas sales revenues from the Company's producing properties for the third quarter 2009 were down 56% to $44.0 million, a decrease of $55.4 million from $99.4 million for the same 2008 period. The average realized price of oil and gas, including realized gains and losses on derivatives, decreased approximately 37% to $6.02 per Mcfe in the third quarter 2009 compared to $9.49 in the third quarter 2008. The average sales price for oil and natural gas, excluding realized gains and losses on derivatives, during this year's third quarter was $4.02 per Mcfe, a decrease of approximately 59% from $9.76 per Mcfe for the same quarter 2008.

Oil and gas production and well operations costs, including production taxes, decreased 33% to $15.2 million, or $1.39 per Mcfe for the third quarter 2009, compared to $22.6 million, or $2.22 per Mcfe for the third quarter of 2008. The reduction was primarily attributable to lower oil field service and equipment costs in the Company's producing basins, and lower production taxes during the period. Production taxes, which fluctuate with oil and natural gas revenues, decreased $4.5 million to $2.6 million for the third quarter 2009 compared to $7.1 million for the same period of 2008.

General and administrative expenses increased to $9.6 million in the third quarter 2009 from $8.1 million in the same 2008 period. The third quarter 2009 expense increase was primarily related to costs associated with increased staffing during the last half of 2008.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense for oil and gas properties for the 2009 third quarter increased to $30.3 million from $26.8 million in the respective quarter 2008. The Company's total DD&A expense rate for oil and gas properties increased from $2.56 per Mcfe in the 2008 third quarter to $2.74 per Mcfe in the same quarter of 2009. This increase in oil and gas properties DD&A expense, per Mcfe, is due primarily to the downward revision of proved developed producing oil and gas reserves at year end 2008 that resulted from lower commodity prices utilized in the reserve valuation.

The Company's exploration expense decreased from $10.2 million in the third quarter 2008 to $6.6 million in the third quarter of 2009. The decrease was due to $3.9 million of exploration dry hole costs recognized in the third quarter 2008, partially offset by a $2.8 million impairment in the third quarter 2009.

Interest expense increased to $9.2 million in the third quarter 2009, from $7.8 million in the same period of 2008. The third quarter 2009 expense increase was primarily the result of higher amortized borrowing costs on the Company's revolving credit facility that was amended and extended in the second quarter 2009.

PDC offered its last sponsored drilling partnership in October 2007. Partnership well drilling and completion activities have been completed and the Company currently does not have any plans in the foreseeable future to sponsor a drilling partnership. The Company believed it was appropriate to treat oil and gas well drilling activities as a discontinued operation for all periods presented. Prior period financial statements have been restated to present the activities of oil and gas well drilling operations as discontinued. This restatement had no impact on previously reported net earnings, earnings per share or shareholders' equity.

The following tables show the calculation of adjusted cash flow from operations, adjusted net income (loss), and EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) (non-GAAP measures) (in thousands, except per share data) for the third quarters of 2009 and 2008, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:

                        Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations

                                       Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
                                          September 30,       September 30,
                                          2009      2008      2009      2008
                                          ----      ----      ----      ----
    Net cash provided by operating
     activities                        $39,312   $36,062   $99,971  $103,792
    Changes in assets and
     liabilities related to
     operations                         (2,012)   23,046    14,735    54,911
                                        ------    ------    ------    ------
    Adjusted cash flow from
     operations                        $37,300   $59,108  $114,706  $158,703
                                       =======   =======  ========  ========
    Weighted average diluted shares
     outstanding                        16,962    14,835    15,530    14,858
                                        ======    ======    ======    ======
    Adjusted cash flow from
     operations, per diluted share       $2.20     $3.98     $7.39    $10.68
                                         =====     =====     =====    ======



                            Adjusted Net Income (Loss)

                                       Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
                                          September 30,       September 30,
                                          2009      2008      2009      2008
                                          ----      ----      ----      ----
    Net income (loss)                 $(24,476) $126,896  $(63,258)  $72,256
    Unrealized derivative loss
     (gain) (1)                         34,973  (171,027)   95,735   (45,371)
    Provision for underpayment of
     gas sales                               -      (170)    2,581     4,025
    Tax effect of above adjustments    (13,290)   65,054   (37,360)   15,711
                                       -------    ------   -------    ------
    Adjusted net income (loss)         $(2,793)  $20,753   $(2,302)  $46,621
                                       =======   =======   =======   =======
    Weighted average diluted shares
     outstanding                        16,962    14,835    15,530    14,858
                                        ======    ======    ======    ======
    Adjusted diluted earnings (loss)
     per share                          $(0.16)    $1.40    $(0.15)    $3.14
                                        ======     =====    ======     =====

    (1) Includes natural gas marketing activities.



                                      EBITDA

                                       Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
                                          September 30,       September 30,
                                          2009      2008      2009      2008
                                          ----      ----      ----      ----
    Net income (loss)                 $(24,476) $126,896  $(63,258)  $72,256
    Interest, net                        9,013     7,666    26,784    18,646
    Income taxes                       (14,601)   68,233   (39,153)   37,222
    Depreciation, depletion and
     amortization                       32,277    28,645   100,465    71,881
                                        ------    ------   -------    ------
    EBITDA                              $2,213  $231,440   $24,838  $200,005
                                        ======  ========   =======  ========
    Weighted average diluted shares
     outstanding                        16,962    14,835    15,530    14,858
                                        ======    ======    ======    ======
    EBITDA per diluted share             $0.13    $15.60     $1.60    $13.46
                                         =====    ======     =====    ======

Operations

Current 2009 drilling plans continue to be focused primarily in the Rocky Mountain Region. Plans are to drill approximately 103 gross, 82 net, wells in the Rocky Mountain Region and the Appalachian Basin. Exclusive of exploratory wells, through September 30, 2009, the Company has drilled 68 gross wells compared to 277 gross wells for the same 2008 period. One drilling rig has been operating for most of the year in the Wattenberg Field. PDC plans to continue to drill with the one rig in the oil rich sections of the field to take advantage of the relatively favorable oil prices along with high natural gas liquids and Btu content of these wells. The JV is currently formulating an exploration plan for the Marcellus Formation in the Appalachian Basin where PDC has been an operator for over thirty years, and currently operates approximately 2,100 wells within the Marcellus fairway. Seven vertical Marcellus wells have been drilled in West Virginia year-to-date, with plans for one additional vertical test planned this year in Pennsylvania. Ten square miles of 3D seismic were recently shot. Data from this shoot will be used to determine the location and drilling plan of the JV's first horizontal Marcellus well, scheduled for the first quarter of 2010.

Drilling Activity

During the third quarter of 2009 the Company drilled 23 gross wells representing a decrease of 76% from the respective quarter of 2008.

                                 Wells Drilled

                                Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended
                                   September 30,         September 30,
                                  2009       2008       2009       2008
                              Gross  Net Gross  Net Gross  Net Gross  Net
                              -----  --- -----  --- -----  --- -----  ---
     Rocky Mountain Region:
      Wattenberg                 17 16.0    36 36.0    59 53.2   116  91.3
      Piceance                    0    -    18 18.0     1  1.0    50  42.4
      NECO                        2  1.0    21 19.6     7  3.5    88  78.2
      North Dakota                0    -     1  0.3     1  0.5     2   0.5
                                ---  ---   ---  ---   ---  ---   ---   ---
    Total Rocky Mountain
     Region                      19 17.0    76 73.9    68 58.2   256 212.4
     Appalachian Basin            4  4.0    18 18.0     7  7.0    37  37.0
     Michigan                     0    -     1  0.8     0  0.0     2   1.6
     Fort Worth Basin             0    -     1  1.0     0    -     3   3.0
                                ---  ---   ---  ---   ---  ---   ---   ---
       Total Wells Drilled       23 21.0    96 93.7    75 65.2   298 254.0
                                 == ====    == ====    == ====   === =====

            Average Costs Related to Oil and Gas Operations (per Mcfe)

                                       Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
                                          September 30,       September 30,
                                          2009      2008      2009      2008
                                          ----      ----      ----      ----
    Average lifting costs                $0.79     $0.94     $0.79     $1.07
    Exploration expense (less
     impairment and amortization)        $0.27     $0.75     $0.32     $0.53
    Depreciation, depletion and
     amortization (oil and gas
     properties only)                    $2.74     $2.56     $2.83     $2.42

The following table summarizes production by area of operation, as well as the average sales price for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, excluding realized and unrealized derivative gains or losses.

                                      Three Months Ended September 30,
                                          2009       2008 % Change
                                          ----       ---- --------
    Natural Gas (Mcf)
      Rocky Mountain Region          7,700,028  6,916,539     11.3%
      Appalachian Basin                968,494    931,150      4.0%
      Michigan Basin                   390,320    391,316     -0.3%
                                       -------    -------
    Total                            9,058,842  8,239,005     10.0%
                                     =========  =========

    Average Sales Price                  $2.76      $7.82    -64.7%

    Oil (Bbls)
      Rocky Mountain Region            308,512    318,722     -3.2%
      Appalachian Basin                  3,338      2,467     35.3%
      Michigan Basin                       697        944    -26.2%
                                           ---        ---
    Total                              312,547    322,133     -3.0%
                                       =======    =======

    Average Sales Price                 $60.93    $108.04    -43.6%

    Natural Gas Equivalents (Mcfe)*
      Rocky Mountain Region          9,551,100  8,828,871      8.2%
      Appalachian Basin                988,522    945,952      4.5%
      Michigan Basin                   394,502    396,980     -0.6%
                                       -------    -------
    Total                           10,934,124 10,171,803      7.5%
                                    ========== ==========

    Average Sales Price                  $4.02      $9.76    -58.8%



                                      Nine Months Ended September 30,
                                          2009       2008 % Change
                                          ----       ---- --------
    Natural Gas (Mcf)
      Rocky Mountain Region         23,288,344 18,389,853     26.6%
      Appalachian Basin              2,971,374  2,895,499      2.6%
      Michigan Basin                 1,042,256  1,157,659    -10.0%
                                     ---------  ---------
    Total                           27,301,974 22,443,011     21.7%
                                    ========== ==========

    Average Sales Price                  $2.82      $8.13    -65.3%

    Oil (Bbls)
      Rocky Mountain Region            989,780    826,303     19.8%
      Appalachian Basin                  7,241      5,105     41.8%
      Michigan Basin                     2,275      2,775    -18.0%
                                         -----      -----
    Total                              999,296    834,183     19.8%
                                       =======    =======

    Average Sales Price                 $50.95    $104.48    -51.2%

    Natural Gas Equivalents (Mcfe)*
      Rocky Mountain Region         29,227,024 23,347,671     25.2%
      Appalachian Basin              3,014,820  2,926,129      3.0%
      Michigan Basin                 1,055,906  1,174,309    -10.1%
                                     ---------  ---------
    Total                           33,297,750 27,448,109     21.3%
                                    ========== ==========

    Average Sales Price                  $3.84      $9.82    -60.9%


    *One barrel of oil is equal to the energy equivalent of six Mcf of
    natural gas.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures (unaudited)

This release refers to "Adjusted net income," "Adjusted diluted earnings per share," "Adjusted cash flow from operations" and "EBITDA" all of which are non-GAAP financial measures. "Adjusted Net Income" is a measure defined as Net Income adjusted for unrealized gains and losses on derivatives, a provision for underpayment of gas sales, and corresponding tax impacts. Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share exclude certain items that the Company believes affect the comparability of producing companies. The Company discloses these non-GAAP financial measures as a useful adjunct to GAAP earnings because: the Company uses adjusted net income to evaluate its operational trends and performance relative to other natural gas and oil producing companies; adjusted net income is more comparable to earnings estimates provided by securities analysts; items excluded generally are one-time items or items whose timing or amount cannot be reasonably estimated, accordingly, any guidance provided by the Company generally excludes information regarding these types of items. Adjusted cash flow from operations is the cash flow earned or incurred from operating activities without regard to the collection or payment of associated receivables or payables. The Company believes it is important to consider adjusted cash flow from operations separately, as the Company believes it can often be a better way to discuss changes in operating trends in its business caused by changes in production, prices, operating costs, and related operational factors, without regard to whether the earned or incurred item was collected or paid during that year. The Company also uses this measure because the collection of its receivables or payment of its obligations has not been a significant issue for the Company's business, but merely a timing issue from one period to the next, with fluctuations generally caused by significant changes in commodity prices. EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure calculated by adding net income, interest (net), income taxes, and depreciation, depletion and amortization for the period. Management believes EBITDA is relevant because it is a measure of cash available to fund the Company's capital expenditures and service its debt, and is a widely used industry metric which allows comparability of its results with its peers. Adjusted cash flow from operations and EBITDA are not measures of financial performance under GAAP and should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, cash flows from operations, investing, or financing activities, nor as a liquidity measure or indicator of cash flows reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

                Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
                (unaudited; in thousands, except per share data)

                                       Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended
                                          September 30,       September 30,
                                         2009      2008      2009      2008
                                         ----      ----      ----      ----
    Revenues:
      Oil and gas sales               $44,006   $99,422  $125,306  $265,617
      Sales from natural gas
       marketing                       12,444    53,372    47,200   107,638
      Oil and gas price risk
       management gain (loss), net    (13,813)  169,402   (13,414)   25,294
      Well operations, pipeline
       income, and other                2,563     3,376     8,349     8,203
                                        -----     -----     -----     -----
        Total revenues                 45,200   325,572   167,441   406,752
                                       ------   -------   -------   -------

    Costs and expenses:
      Oil and gas production and
       well operations cost            15,218    22,582    45,623    62,115
      Cost of natural gas marketing    11,556    54,372    45,426   106,610
      Exploration expense               6,586    10,212    15,362    17,962
      General and administrative
       expense                          9,627     8,106    36,505    27,160
      Depreciation, depletion and
       amortization                    32,277    28,645   100,465    71,881
                                       ------    ------   -------    ------
        Total costs and expenses       75,264   123,917   243,381   285,728
                                       ------   -------   -------   -------

      Gain on sale of leaseholds            -         -       120         -
                                          ---       ---       ---       ---

    Income (loss) from operations     (30,064)  201,655   (75,820)  121,024
    Interest income                       208       151       240       497
    Interest expense                   (9,221)   (7,817)  (27,024)  (19,143)
                                       ------    ------   -------   -------
    Income (loss) from continuing
     operations before income taxes   (39,077)  193,989  (102,604)  102,378
    Provision (benefit) for income
     taxes                            (14,601)   67,834   (39,233)   34,647
                                      -------    ------   -------    ------
    Income (loss) from continuing
     operations                       (24,476)  126,155   (63,371)   67,731
    Income from discontinued
     operations, net of tax                 -       741       113     4,525
                                          ---       ---       ---     -----
    Net income (loss)                $(24,476) $126,896  $(63,258)  $72,256
                                     ========  ========  ========   =======

    Net income (loss) per diluted
     common share                      $(1.44)    $8.55    $(4.07)    $4.86
                                       ======     =====    ======     =====

Third Quarter 2009 Earnings Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call with investors to discuss third quarter 2009 results. The Company invites you to join Richard W. McCullough, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Gysle R. Shellum, Chief Financial Officer, Barton R. Brookman, Senior Vice President - Exploration and Production, and Lance A. Lauck, Senior Vice president - Business Development for a conference call on Thursday, November 5, 2009, for a discussion of the results.

    What:  Petroleum Development Corporation 2009 Third Quarter Earnings
           Conference Call

    When:  Thursday, November 5, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time

    How:   Log on to the web site at www.petd.com, or dial-in:
           Domestic (toll free) at 877/407-9210
           International at 201/689-8049

           Replay Numbers:
           Domestic (toll free) at 877/660-6853
           International at 201/612-7415
           Account #: 286, Conference ID #: 335135

    A replay of the call will be available through Friday, December 4, 2009.

About Petroleum Development Corporation

Petroleum Development Corporation (www.petd.com) is an independent energy company engaged in the development, production and marketing of natural gas and oil. Its operations are focused in the Rocky Mountains with additional operations in the Appalachian Basin and Michigan. PDC is included in the S&P SmallCap 600 Index and the Russell 3000 Index of Companies.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press 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 regarding our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in and incorporated by reference into this release are forward-looking statements. Words such as expects, anticipates, intends, plans, believes, seeks, estimates and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements herein, which include statements of estimated oil and natural gas production and reserves, drilling plans, future cash flows, anticipated liquidity, anticipated capital expenditures and our management's strategies, plans and objectives. However, these are not the exclusive means of identifying forward-looking statements herein. Although forward-looking statements contained in this release reflect our good faith judgment, such statements can only be based on facts and factors currently known to us. Consequently, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, including risks and uncertainties incidental to the exploration for, and the acquisition, development, production and marketing of, natural gas and oil, and actual outcomes may differ materially from the results and outcomes discussed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward looking statements include, but are not limited to:

• changes in production volumes, worldwide and national demand, and commodity prices for oil and natural gas;
• the timing and extent of our success in discovering, acquiring, developing and producing natural gas and oil reserves;
• our ability to acquire leases, drilling rigs, supplies and services at reasonable prices;
• the availability and cost of capital to us;
• risks incident to the drilling and operation of natural gas and oil wells;
• future production and development costs;
• the availability of sufficient pipeline and other transportation facilities to carry our production and the impact of these facilities on price;
• the effect of existing and future laws, governmental regulations and the political and economic climate of the United States of America;
• the effect of natural gas and oil derivatives activities;
• conditions in the capital markets; and
• losses possible from pending or future litigation.
  

Further, we urge you to carefully review and consider the cautionary statements made in this release, our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and public disclosures. We caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance occurring after the date of this report or currently unknown facts or conditions.