HOUSTON, July 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation (NYSE: COG) today reported its financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2015. "Despite our strategic decision to curtail Marcellus volumes in the second quarter due to the adverse price environment, Cabot still generated production growth and reduced unit costs year-over-year," said Dan O. Dinges, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our top-tier Marcellus asset affords us the ability to reduce our gross production volumes by approximately 500 million cubic feet (Mmcf) per day and still report positive normalized results."

Second Quarter 2015 Financial Results

Equivalent production in the second quarter of 2015 was 138.0 billion cubic feet equivalent (Bcfe), consisting of 128.4 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas and 1.6 million barrels (Mmbbls) of liquids (crude oil/condensate/natural gas liquids). These figures represent increases of 8 percent, 5 percent, and 68 percent, respectively, compared to the second quarter of 2014.

Cash flow from operations in the second quarter of 2015 was $171.2 million, compared to $329.6 million in the second quarter of 2014. Discretionary cash flow in the second quarter of 2015 was $183.2 million, compared to $332.3 million in the second quarter of 2014. Net loss in the second quarter of 2015 was $27.5 million, or $0.07 per share, compared to net income of $118.4 million, or $0.28 per share, in the second quarter of 2014. Excluding the effect of selected items including a $36.5 million after-tax non-cash mark-to-market loss on natural gas derivatives, net income was $14.6 million, or $0.03 per share, in the second quarter of 2015, compared to $115.3 million, or $0.28 per share, in the second quarter of 2014. EBITDAX in the second quarter of 2015 was $203.9 million, compared to $367.1 million in the second quarter of 2014. Significant reductions in realized prices for both natural gas and oil were the primary drivers for the lower results in the quarter, partially offset by higher equivalent production. See the supplemental tables at the end of this press release for a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures including discretionary cash flow, net income excluding selected items, EBITDAX and net debt to adjusted capitalization ratio.

Natural gas price realizations, including the effect of hedges, were $2.15 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf) in the second quarter of 2015, down 38 percent compared to the second quarter of 2014. Excluding the impact of hedges, natural gas price realizations for the quarter were $1.75 per Mcf, representing an $0.89 discount to NYMEX settlement prices. Oil price realizations were $56.10 per barrel (Bbl), down 43 percent compared to the second quarter of 2014.

Total per unit costs (including financing) decreased to $2.52 per thousand cubic feet equivalent (Mcfe) in the second quarter of 2015, an improvement of 3 percent from $2.59 per Mcfe in the second quarter of 2014. "Our cash unit costs in the Marcellus during the second quarter were approximately $0.85 per Mcf, while our Eagle Ford cash unit costs were approximately $15.00 per Bbl," expressed Dinges. "With the expectation of prolonged weakness in commodity prices, we continue to focus on reducing costs and maximizing operating efficiencies throughout the organization."

Cabot drilled or participated in a total of 37 net wells during the second quarter of 2015 and incurred a total of $228.2 million in capital expenditures associated with activity during the second quarter. "For a majority of the second quarter the Company's total rig count stood at four, with the expectation of holding this level flat through the remainder of the year and into the first part of 2016," commented Dinges. "We do not believe that accelerating activity and allocating incremental capital in this commodity price environment is the appropriate investment decision, especially in light of a more favorable outlook for Cabot's realized natural gas prices upon in-service of Constitution Pipeline in the second half of 2016."

Year-To-Date 2015 Financial Results

Production during the six-month period ended June 30, 2015 was 309.4 Bcfe, consisting of 290.2 Bcf of natural gas and 3.2 Mmbbls of liquids. These figures represent increases of 25 percent, 22 percent, and 95 percent, respectively, compared to the six-month period ended June 30, 2014.

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2015, cash flow from operations was $438.6 million, compared to $584.9 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2014. Discretionary cash flow was $423.4 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2015, compared to $651.8 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2014. For the six-month period ended June 30, 2015, net income was $12.7 million, or $0.03 per share, compared to $225.5 million, or $0.54 per share, for the six-month period ended June 30, 2014. Excluding the effect of selected items including a $38.8 million after-tax non-cash mark-to-market loss on natural gas derivatives, net income was $64.0 million, or $0.15 per share, compared to $225.0 million, or $0.54 per share, for the six-month period ended June 30, 2014. EBITDAX for the six-month period ended June 30, 2015 was $483.3 million, compared to $719.8 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2014.

Natural gas price realizations, including the effect of hedges, were $2.32 per Mcf for the six-month period ended June 30, 2015, down 36 percent compared to the six-month period ended June 30, 2014. Oil price realizations were $50.00 per Bbl, down 49 percent compared to the six-month period ended June 30, 2014.

Total per unit costs (including financing) decreased to $2.41 per Mcfe for the six-month period ended June 30, 2015, an improvement of 8 percent from $2.63 per Mcfe for the six-month period ended June 30, 2014.

Cabot drilled or participated in a total of 78 net wells during the six-month period ended June 30, 2015 and incurred a total of $540.4 million in capital expenditures associated with activity during this period. "Over 80 percent of the net wells drilled during the first half of the year were on pad locations required to meet our obligation for continuous development or acreage capture," stated Dinges. "We continue to prudently manage our capital program with a near-term focus on holding our acreage positions in our two core plays and improving our operating efficiencies."

Operational Highlights

Marcellus Shale

During the second quarter of 2015, the Company averaged 1,341 Mmcf per day of net Marcellus production (1,575 gross operated Mmcf per day), an increase of 7 percent over the prior year's comparable quarter. As previously announced, the Company curtailed a significant amount of its production volumes in the second quarter due to weakness in regional natural gas prices throughout Appalachia. Cabot does not anticipate an improvement in price realizations during the third quarter and as a result has initiated third quarter Marcellus gross production guidance at 1,550 to 1,600 Mmcf per day, in line with its guidance for the second quarter.

Cabot is currently operating three rigs in the Marcellus Shale and plans to remain at this level for the remainder of the year.

Eagle Ford Shale

Cabot's net production in the Eagle Ford Shale during the second quarter of 2015 was 17,889 barrels of oil equivalent (Boe) per day, an increase of 74 percent over the prior year's comparable quarter.

Cabot is currently operating one rig in the Eagle Ford Shale and plans to remain at this level for the remainder of the year.

Financial Position and Liquidity

As of June 30, 2015, the Company's net debt to adjusted capitalization ratio was 48.0 percent, compared to 44.7 percent at December 31, 2014 (detailed in the table below). The Company's total debt was $1,995 million, of which $383 million was outstanding under the Company's $1.8 billion revolving credit facility.

Third Quarter and Full-Year 2015 Guidance

The Company has provided third quarter net production guidance of 1,375 to 1,425 Mmcf per day for natural gas and 15,750 to 17,000 Bbls per day for liquids. The Company expects its natural gas price realizations before the impact of hedges to average between $0.95 and $1.05 below NYMEX settlement prices for the third quarter.

Cabot's full-year equivalent production growth guidance range of 10 to 18 percent remains unchanged. Cabot's 2015 capital program also remains unchanged at $900 million. "We front-end loaded this year's investment program, which will significantly reduce our run-rate capital spending for the second half of the year," highlighted Dinges. For further disclosure on Cabot's natural gas pricing exposure by index and updated unit cost guidance, please see the current Guidance slide in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website.

Conference Call

A conference call is scheduled for Friday, July 24, 2015, at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss second quarter 2015 financial and operating results. To access the live audio webcast, please visit the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at www.cabotog.com. A replay of the call will also be available on the Company's website. The latest financial guidance, including the Company's hedge positions, is also available in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website.

Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation, headquartered in Houston, Texas is a leading independent natural gas producer, with its entire resource base located in the continental United States. For additional information, visit the Company's homepage at www.cabotog.com.

The statements regarding future financial performance and results and the other statements which are not historical facts contained in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, market factors, the market price (including regional basis differentials) of natural gas and oil, results of future drilling and marketing activity, future production and costs, and other factors detailed in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Matt Kerin (281) 589-4642

                                                                                                    OPERATING DATA


                                                                    Quarter Ended 

    June 30,                  Six Months Ended 

    June 30,
                                                                    ------------------------                  ---------------------------

                                                                      2015                   2014                  2015                     2014
                                                                      ----                   ----                  ----                     ----

    PRODUCED NATURAL GAS (Bcf) & LIQUIDS (Mbbl)
    ------------------------------------------

    Natural Gas

    Appalachia                                                       125.9                        118.4                                   285.0      231.2

    Other                                                              2.5                          3.4                                     5.2        6.4

    Total                                                            128.4                        121.8                                   290.2      237.6
                                                                     =====                        =====                                   =====      =====


    Crude/Condensate/NGL                                             1,612                          961                                   3,206      1,647


    Equivalent Production (Bcfe)                                     138.0                        127.6                                   309.4      247.5


    PRICES(1)

    Average Produced Gas Sales Price ($/Mcf)

    Appalachia                                                                  $2.14                                       $3.44                   $2.31       $3.57

    Other                                                                       $2.49                                       $4.65                   $2.75       $4.80

    Total                                                                       $2.15                                       $3.47                   $2.32       $3.60


    Average Crude/Condensate Price ($/Bbl)                                     $56.10                                      $98.84                  $50.00      $98.39


    WELLS DRILLED
    -------------

    Gross                                                               44                           49                                      87         76

    Net                                                                 37                           35                                      78         62

    Gross success rate                                                100%                        100%                                   100%      100%


    (1) These realized prices include the impact of derivative instrument settlements.


                                                                  Quarter Ended 

    June 30,              Six Months Ended 

    June 30,
                                                                  ------------------------              ---------------------------

                                                                      2015                   2014                  2015                     2014
                                                                      ----                   ----                  ----                     ----

    Realized Impacts to Gas Pricing                                             $0.40                                     $(0.30)                  $0.31     $(0.45)

    Realized Impacts to Oil Pricing                                      $          -                                    $(1.25)                 $    -    $(0.89)



                                                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

                                                            (In thousands, except per share amounts)


                                         Quarter Ended 

    June 30,                               Six Months Ended 

    June 30,
                                         ------------------------                               ---------------------------

                                      2015                           2014                      2015                 2014
                                      ----                           ----                      ----                 ----

    OPERATING REVENUES

    Natural gas                               $224,806                                      $437,761                        $584,997   $870,571

    Crude oil and condensate        81,233                           86,341                             143,791               145,485

    Gain (loss) on derivative
     instruments                   (6,819)                         (2,329)                              27,304               (2,329)

    Brokered natural gas             3,813                            8,140                               8,640                21,293

    Other                            3,264                            3,274                               6,330                 7,970
                                     -----                            -----                               -----                 -----

                                   306,297                          533,187                             771,062             1,042,990

    OPERATING EXPENSES

    Direct operations               36,112                           35,605                              72,129                71,439

    Transportation and gathering    98,295                           83,976                             219,531               161,741

    Brokered natural gas             2,885                            7,031                               6,624                18,891

    Taxes other than income         11,611                           12,816                              22,891                25,860

    Exploration                      5,298                            4,676                              14,030                11,150

    Depreciation, depletion and
     amortization                  152,513                          157,563                             328,009               304,981

    General and administrative
     (excluding stock-based
     compensation)                  11,354                           13,853                              27,973                32,318

    Stock-based compensation(1)      8,624                            6,274                              14,534                 9,445
                                     -----                            -----                              ------                 -----

                                   326,692                          321,794                             705,721               635,825

    Earnings (loss) on equity
     method investments              1,512                              756                               2,933                   756

    Gain (loss) on sale of assets     (79)                         (1,496)                                  59               (2,781)
                                       ---                           ------                                 ---                ------

    INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS (18,962)                         210,653                              68,333               405,140

    Interest expense                24,168                           16,334                              47,734                32,891
                                    ------                           ------                              ------                ------

    Income (loss) before income
     taxes                        (43,130)                         194,319                              20,599               372,249

    Income tax (benefit) expense  (15,622)                          75,899                               7,852               146,798
                                   -------                           ------                               -----               -------

    NET INCOME (LOSS)                        $(27,508)                                     $118,420                         $12,747   $225,451
                                              ========                                      ========                         =======   ========

    Earnings (loss) per share -
     Basic                                     $(0.07)                                        $0.28                           $0.03      $0.54

    Weighted-average common
     shares outstanding            413,713                          417,291                             413,530               417,097

    __________________________________

    (1) Includes the impact of the Company's performance share awards,
     restricted stock, stock appreciation rights and expense associated
     with the Supplemental Employee Incentive Plan.

                                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited)

                                                 (In thousands)


                                              June 30, 

    2015                    December 31,
                                                                                    

    2014
                                              ---------------                   -------------

    Assets

    Current assets                                                 $254,993                         $413,447

    Properties and
     equipment, net
     (Successful efforts
     method)                                        5,132,655                           4,925,711

    Other assets                                      117,272                              98,558
                                                      -------                              ------

    Total assets                                                 $5,504,920                       $5,437,716


    Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

    Current liabilities                                            $278,852                         $499,018

    Long-term debt                                  1,995,000                           1,752,000

    Deferred income taxes                             878,069                             843,876

    Other liabilities                                 207,083                             200,089

    Stockholders' equity                            2,145,916                           2,142,733
                                                    ---------                           ---------

    Total liabilities and
     stockholders' equity                                        $5,504,920                       $5,437,716
                                                                 ==========                       ==========



                                                                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

                                                                                      (In thousands)


                                                 Quarter Ended 

    June 30,                               Six Months Ended 

    June 30,
                                                 ------------------------                               ---------------------------

                                              2015                             2014                      2015                   2014
                                              ----                             ----                      ----                   ----

    Cash Flows From Operating Activities

    Net income (loss)                                $(27,508)                                       $118,420                          $12,747   $225,451

    Deferred income tax
     expense                               (7,921)                            60,850                                 7,160              118,453

    (Gain) loss on sale
     of assets                                  79                              1,496                                  (59)               2,781

    Exploratory dry
     hole cost                                  16                                114                                   178                2,154

    (Gain) loss on
     derivative
     instruments                             6,819                              2,329                              (27,304)               2,329

    Net cash received
     (paid) in
     settlement of
     derivative
     instruments                            51,045                           (15,262)                               88,730             (15,262)

    Income charges not
     requiring cash                        160,694                            164,349                               341,948              315,922

    Changes in assets
     and liabilities                      (12,014)                           (2,726)                               15,191             (66,880)
                                           -------                             ------                                ------              -------

    Net cash provided
     by operations                         171,210                            329,570                               438,591              584,948
                                           -------                            -------                               -------              -------


    Cash Flows From Investing Activities

    Capital
     expenditures                        (250,001)                         (278,912)                             (645,092)            (617,613)

    Acquisitions                          (16,149)                                 -                             (16,300)                   -

    Proceeds from sale
     of assets                                (79)                             (863)                                3,002                (755)

    Restricted cash                              -                            19,712                                     -              28,094

    Investment in
     equity method
     investments                           (5,036)                          (16,293)                             (10,114)            (22,230)
                                            ------                            -------                               -------              -------

    Net cash used in
     investing                           (271,265)                         (276,356)                             (668,504)            (612,504)
                                          --------                           --------                              --------             --------


    Cash Flows From Financing Activities

    Net increase
     (decrease) in debt                    118,000                           (29,000)                              243,000               46,000

    Dividends paid                         (8,274)                           (8,347)                             (16,537)            (16,679)

    Stock-based
     compensation tax
     benefit                                 2,049                              4,311                                 5,486               20,354

    Capitalized debt
     issuance costs                        (7,838)                                 -                              (7,838)                   -

    Other                                  (2,599)                                 1                                    79                   91
                                            ------                                ---                                   ---                  ---

    Net cash provided
     by (used in)
     financing                             101,338                           (33,035)                              224,190               49,766
                                           -------                            -------                               -------               ------


    Net (decrease)
     increase in cash
     and cash
     equivalents                                        $1,283                                         $20,179                         $(5,723)   $22,210
                                                        ======                                         =======                          =======    =======



                                                  Selected Item Review and Reconciliation of Net Income and Earnings Per Share

                                                                    (In thousands, except per share amounts)


                                                  Quarter Ended 

    June 30,                               Six Months Ended 

    June 30,
                                                  ------------------------                               ---------------------------

                                               2015                           2014                      2015                 2014
                                               ----                           ----                      ----                 ----

    As reported - net income (loss)                   $(27,508)                                     $118,420                         $12,747   $225,451

    Reversal of selected items, net of tax:

    (Gain) loss on sale of assets                50                              901                                (37)                1,674

    (Gain) loss on derivative
     instruments (1)                         36,543                          (7,786)                              38,816               (7,786)

    Drilling rig termination fees                44                                -                              3,256                     -

    Stock-based compensation
     expense                                  5,446                            3,777                               9,184                 5,686
                                              -----                            -----                               -----                 -----

    Net income (loss) excluding
     selected items                                     $14,575                                      $115,312                         $63,966   $225,025
                                                        =======                                      ========                         =======   ========

    As reported -earnings (loss)
     per share                                          $(0.07)                                        $0.28                           $0.03      $0.54

    Per share impact of reversing
     selected items                            0.10                                -                               0.12                     -
                                               ----                              ---                               ----                   ---

    Earnings per share including
     reversal of selected items                           $0.03                                         $0.28                           $0.15      $0.54

    Weighted average common shares
     outstanding                            413,713                          417,291                             413,530               417,097

    ____________________________________

    (1) Effective April 1, 2014, the Company elected to discontinue hedge
     accounting for its commodity derivatives on a prospective basis. This
     amount represents the non-cash mark-to-market changes of our
     commodity derivative instruments recorded in gain (loss) on derivative
     instruments in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.



                                                     Discretionary Cash Flow Calculation and Reconciliation

                                                                         (In thousands)


                                   Quarter Ended 

    June 30,                                 Six Months Ended 

    June 30,
                                   ------------------------                                 ---------------------------

                                2015                             2014                       2015                  2014
                                ----                             ----                       ----                  ----

    Discretionary Cash Flow

    As reported -net
     income (loss)                      $(27,508)                                       $118,420                         $12,747   $225,451

    Plus (less):

    Deferred income tax
     expense                 (7,921)                            60,850                                 7,160              118,453

    (Gain) loss on sale of
     assets                       79                              1,496                                  (59)               2,781

    Exploratory dry hole
     cost                         16                                114                                   178                2,154

    (Gain) loss on
     derivative
     instruments               6,819                              2,329                              (27,304)                2,329

    Net cash received
     (paid) in settlement
     of derivative
     instruments              51,045                           (15,262)                                88,730             (15,262)

    Income charges not
     requiring cash          160,694                            164,349                               341,948              315,922
                             -------                            -------                               -------              -------

    Discretionary Cash
     Flow                    183,224                            332,296                               423,400              651,828

    Changes in assets and
     liabilities            (12,014)                           (2,726)                               15,191             (66,880)
                             -------                             ------                                ------              -------

    Net cash provided by
     operations                          $171,210                                        $329,570                        $438,591   $584,948
                                         ========                                        ========                        ========   ========



                                                      EBITDAX Calculation and Reconciliation

                                                                  (in thousands)


                                 Quarter Ended 

    June 30,                             Six Months Ended 

    June 30,
                                 ------------------------                             ---------------------------

                                2015                             2014                       2015                  2014
                                ----                             ----                       ----                  ----

    As reported -net
     income (loss)                      $(27,508)                                       $118,420                         $12,747   $225,451

    Plus (less):

    Interest expense          24,168                             16,334                                47,734               32,891

    Income tax (benefit)
     expense                (15,622)                            75,899                                 7,852              146,798

    Depreciation,
     depletion and
     amortization            152,513                            157,563                               328,009              304,981

    Exploration                5,298                              4,676                                14,030               11,150

    (Gain) loss on sale of
     assets                       79                              1,496                                  (59)               2,781

    Non-cash (gain) loss
     on derivative
     instruments              57,864                           (12,933)                                61,426             (12,933)

    Stock-based
     compensation and
     other                     7,112                              5,660                                11,602                8,689
                               -----                              -----                                ------                -----

    EBITDAX                              $203,904                                        $367,115                        $483,341   $719,808
                                         ========                                        ========                        ========   ========



                                   Net Debt Reconciliation

                                       (In thousands)


                             June 30, 

    2015                 December 31, 

    2014
                             ---------------                 -------------------

    Long-term debt                                $1,995,000                       $1,752,000

    Stockholders' equity           2,145,916                             2,142,733
                                   ---------                             ---------

    Total Capitalization                          $4,140,916                       $3,894,733


    Total debt                                    $1,995,000                       $1,752,000

    Less: Cash and cash
     equivalents                    (15,231)                             (20,954)
                                     -------                               -------

    Net Debt                                      $1,979,769                       $1,731,046


    Net debt                                      $1,979,769                       $1,731,046

    Stockholders' equity           2,145,916                             2,142,733
                                   ---------                             ---------

    Total Adjusted
     Capitalization                               $4,125,685                       $3,873,779


    Total debt to total
     capitalization ratio              48.2%                                45.0%

    Less: Impact of cash and
     cash equivalents                   0.2%                                 0.3%
                                         ---                                   ---

    Net Debt to Adjusted
     Capitalization Ratio              48.0%                                44.7%

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SOURCE Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation